Discover the charms of an underrated Canadian culture capital

The city’s Exchange District, with its historic collection of warehouse buildings and early terracotta-clad skyscrapers, provides the best impression of Winnipeg in days gone by. The 20-block district is very walkable, perfect for exploring antique shops, galleries, small-plate restaurants and coffee shops.

Winnipeg mayor Scott Gillingham said: “In every corner of our diverse community there are stories waiting to be told – of resilience and hope, and ones that tell the colourful tales behind our city’s history. Winnipeg’s story is still being written, and in celebrating our past we are laying the foundation for our shared future.”

Teaming Winnipeg up with other highlights in Manitoba, and there’s an itinerary for every season. During the winter, the province is a snow sports paradise, with skiing, snowboarding and husky sledding all offered. Summer is the time to enjoying hiking, biking, horse riding, white water rafting and the vibrant cheer of the Manitoba Sunflower Festival.

But if it’s polar bears that top your clients’ wish list, then autumn is the right time to head to the north of the province, and the town of Churchill on the shores of the vast Hudson Bay. It’s one of the few places in the world, where you can take a tundra buggy excursion to see polar bears in the wild. Add in the temptation of seeing purples, greens and reds dancing across the night sky in the Aurora capital of the world, and you’ll find plenty to entice your clients to consider Winnipeg and Manitoba. 

Book it: Experience three nights in Winnipeg as part of Canadian Affair’s Manitoba, the Heart of Canada 11-night self-drive tour, from £1,556pp, based on two sharing, with Air Canada flights departing Heathrow on 27 September. A side trip to Churchill to see polar bears can also be added, with polar packages starting from 8 October; canadianaffair.com