A Magic Mix

From bringing the first group of travellers to HMS Erebus — a shipwreck discovered west of O’Reilly Island in Nunavut from the Franklin Expedition of 1845, which remained clouted in mystery for 170 years — to working alongside the likes of Robert Bateman, Doris McCarthy and Margaret Atwood, Cedar Swan has many stories to tell from memorable Arctic expeditions.

“Our visit to the Erebus last summer was absolutely phenomenal. We worked with Parks Canada to facilitate the first visit by civilians. It was such an honour and incredible experience,” the CEO of Adventure Canada tells Canadian Travel Press. “Margaret Atwood has travelled with us for 20 years and the knowledge she imparts on our guests and the daily conversations she has is incredibly stimulating and very generous of her time. I’m very proud of the caliber of people we’re able to bring together to create really interesting conversations. I would say that our guests are there to see the place, but they’re also there to be part of a dialogue.”

Although Adventure Canada is now known for specializing in Arctic Canada and East Coast cruises including Nunavut, Greenland, Labrador and Newfoundland, the company didn’t start out that way.

Founded by Swan’s dad, Matthew Swan, her uncle Bill Swan, and their friend Dave Freeze in 1987, the early days of Adventure Canada focused on small group adventure travel involving mountaineering, hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding.

After fielding a request to bring a group of forty art lovers to Kinngait (Cape Dorset), the Adventure Canada team began to alter course.

For the full story, check out Canadian Travel Press.