Celebrating a special birthday between now and December 31, 2017? Why not spend it on Catalina Island, located 35 kilometres off the coast of Los Angeles? Catalina Express recently announced a new birthday promotion program, whereby two passengers can ride together for the price of one full-fare adult ticket, provided travel starts on a passenger’s actual birthday and the return trip is completed within 30 days. That’s a saving of up to US$75.50 return. Simply pre-register online to receive your birthday code and reserve your seats. Be sure to check out other Birthday Island offerings from hotels, boutiques, touring venues and attractions. Catalina Express ferries service San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. CatalinaExpress.com

In honour of the Canada 150 festivities, Trafalgar has introduced an exclusive itinerary that gives travellers access to Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa and through the four original confederate provinces and Prince Edward Island. From June 28 to July 8, guests can enjoy an 11-day itinerary that includes accommodation, meals, tours, events and attractions in Niagara Falls, Kingston, Montebello, Ottawa, Montréal, Charlottetown, Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy, Saint John, Digby and Halifax. The cost is $4,965 per person, based on double occupancy, and includes all taxes, service charges and internal air operated through Air Canada. Clients have only up to April 28 to book. trafalgar.com

The Montréal Museum of Fine Arts is hosting three major exhibitions this year around the theme of peace. Until June 11, Chagall, Colour and Music displays 340 works by Russian-French painter Marc Chagall. Summer brings Revolution: “You Say You Want a Revolution” to convey the 1960s’ spirit of activism and pacifism, echoing Expo 67, followed by Once upon a Time . . . The Western. A New Frontier in Art and Film. The programs commemorate Montréal’s 375th birthday, Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation and Expo 67’s 50th anniversary as the museum celebrates the opening of its Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion for Peace. mbam.qc.ca

Toronto’s 23rd annual NORTH BY NORTHEAST (NXNE) festival expands to 10 days this year with a dynamic selection of music, gaming and comedy. NXNE Game Land kicks things off June 16 to 18 at Yonge-Dundas Square with a live e-Sports competition, new video game demos, interactive activations and live music. From June 19 to 25, choose from hundreds of new and established artists at over a dozen Toronto venues including Danforth Music Hall, the Horseshoe Tavern and Adelaide Hall. NXNE returns to the Port Lands June 23 to 25 with cool programming from indie rock to soul on two main stages, art installations, and comfortable places to chill between acts, as well as a comedy tent and carnival rides. NXNE.com

Florida’s beachside cities of Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island are renowned for their sugar-white beaches and emerald-green waters, however, there are many more reasons to visit this stretch of paradise situated along the Gulf of Mexico in Northwest Florida. Memorial Day, May 29, marks the start of the fun-filled 100 Days of Summer. Take part in a torchlight parade and treasure hunt and enjoy fireworks during the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival taking place June 2 to 5 at Downtown Fort Walton Beach. Experience Gulf-to-table dining at the new restaurant, The Gulf, located bayside on Okaloosa Island. For accommodation, check out Home2 Suites in Destin or the 178-room Hilton Garden Inn on Okaloosa, which is expected to open in May 2017. EmeraldCoasting.com

Beginning in June, Air Canada Rouge is launching daily summer service from Canada to Reykjavik, Iceland. The flights are expected to operate four times a week from Toronto and three times a week from Montréal. Special introductory round-trip fares begin at $698. Air Canada is also increasing its current seasonal non-stop service between Montréal and Tel Aviv and will be offering daily non-stop service year-round between Toronto and Tel Aviv. aircanada.com

Montréal is hosting festivals and events throughout the year to celebrate the city’s 375th anniversary. One of the highlights will be the retrospective at the Contemporary Art Museum (MAC) for favourite son Leonard Cohen, who died November 7, 2016. “Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything” runs November 9, 2017 to April 1, 2018. The exhibition will feature visual art, music, written word and film created by at least 25 artists inspired by our cherished Canadian poet-singer. On the first anniversary of Cohen’s death, Silo No. 5, one of Montréal’s most iconic architectural structures, will be lit up in his honour with a giant projection of phrases from his poems, songs and other writings appearing in French and English. 375mtl.com/en; macm.org/en/expositions/leonard-cohen

Select Myrtle Beach area hotels, merchants and attractions are offering special rates through April 2017 to travellers with valid Canadian passports. Designed to compensate for the difference in the Canadian exchange rate, discounts range from 25 to 55 per cent. Some offers include discounts at the Ocean Creek Resort, Crown Reef Beach Resort and Waterpark, Captain’s Quarters Resort, Hotel Blue, Sea Watch Resort, Caravelle Resort, Landmark Resort, Sun N Sand Resort,

DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront, Anderson Ocean Club & Spa, Bay Watch Resort & Conference Center, Camelot by the Sea Resort, Carolinian Beach Resort, Ocean Park Resort, The Patricia Grand, WonderWorks Myrtle Beach, Pelicans Baseball, The Calvin Gilmore Theater and The Market Common. visitmyrtlebeach.com

The Sifton–Cook Heritage Centre in historic Cobourg, two hours east of Toronto, opens for the summer season on the May 20 weekend to showcase Canada’s early days and the history of the Cobourg area. Visit the historical limestone buildings dating back to the 1800s for an exhibit on famous local sports heroes. Join locals and visitors for the annual Cobourg Canada Day parade on July 1, and take a selfie at the giant 150th birthday card. While you’re there, add a wish to the 2067 Time Capsule. Ore Car Day on July 8 promises guest speakers, entertainment, refreshments and crafts for the kids. In August, James Cockburn Day celebrates a local Father of Confederation. cobourgmuseum.ca

Adventurers booked on the Out of the Northwest Passage Arctic expedition September 7 to 23 with Adventure Canada will be among the first to visit the site of the wreck of Franklin’s HMS Erebus, discovered in 2014. Travellers can snorkel over the wreck, which lies 11 metres below the surface, or watch it on screen with interpretation by Parks Canada staff using a remote-controlled underwater vehicle. The visit will coincide with a community event in Gjøa Haven—the closest community to the wreck site—to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. The ship sails from Kugluktuk, Nunavut, to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, visiting some of Canada’s most spectacular and remote wilderness areas, including Qausuittuq, Sirmilik and Auyuittuq national parks. adventurecanada.com