When we were kids, it was easy to come up with a Christmas wish list. A Cabbage Patch doll, roller skates, a new bike, maybe a pony… Nowadays though, I find I just don’t want or need more stuff. Especially since the kids came along, I’ve been much more about collecting experiences and sharing memories with my family and friends. Spending time together on a family vacation, challenging myself to try something new, going on a bucket list adventure – these are the memories that last a lifetime!
We all have those hard-to-shop-for people on our list (yep, like me)! If you’re on the hunt for a unique and unforgettable gift this Christmas, check out the gift experiences at Breakaway Experiences! Since 2014, Breakaway Experiences has been offering once-in-a-lifetime and bucket list experiences, from pampering spa packages and craft beer tours, to outdoor adventures like rock climbing and flying lessons. Did you leave your shopping until the last minute again? Not that I would know anything about that, but with Breakaway Experiences you can buy your gift any time – even in your pyjamas! – and they’ll never know.
Breakaway has gift experiences for individuals, couples, and families all across Canada from Vancouver Island to Halifax. Whether you’re looking for something romantic or thrilling, challenging or relaxing, or a once in a lifetime experience, you can find it here! I’ve put together a small selection of just a few of the 900+ experiences you can find at Breakaway Experiences!
Canada-Wide
Stock Car Racing Experience: Slide behind the wheel of a race primed stock car for a high octane, adrenaline fueled NASCAR style stock car racing experience. See for yourself the speed and power that these machines bring to the table. Strap in, buckle up, and hang on for the ride of your life! Available in Agassiz, Medicine Hat, Saskatoon, Delaware, Millgrove, Peterborough, Fredericton, Antigonish, and Halifax. From $65
Hot Air Balloon Ride: Take to the skies for an unforgettable ride and experience the magic of soaring over a changing landscape, suspended in a basket under a glorious hot air balloon. Available in Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, and Ottawa. $325
British Columbia
Brentwood Bay Kayak Tour and Butchart Gardens Visit: Enjoy a guided kayak tour of beautiful Brentwood Bay with a professional guide, followed by a self-guided tour of the historic Butchart Gardens! You’ll paddle along the shores of Butchart Gardens in Gowlland Tod Provincial Marine Park, and then stroll through the renowned gardens on foot, admiring the beautifully manicured landscapes on your own. $97
Food Tour of Vancouver’s Gastown: Discover the mouth-watering flavors of some of the best places to eat in Vancouver’s Gastown and become immersed in an exciting cultural Vancouver food tour unlike any other. Experience the savory tastes, sounds, and sights of Gastown’s many superb eateries, pubs, and shops. $69
Introductory Flying Experience: Give them a flying lesson over the spectacular Coast Mountains and Squamish area plus they can take someone along with them when you buy this flying lesson as a gift this Christmas. $224
Marble Canyon Snowshoeing Tour: Escape into the serene beauty of a natural winter playground with an easy afternoon introductory snowshoeing tour in Kootenay National Park’s Marble Canyon on the BC-Alberta border,just outside Banff. $74
Vancouver Whale Watch Tour: Experience Killer Whales, Humpbacks and Gray Whales, porpoises, seals and more in their natural habitat on a 3 to 5 hour tour in an open or semi-covered zodiac style boat. Enjoy commentary delivered by professional wildlife guides as you travel through the spectacular Gulf and San Juan Islands. On board hydrophones allow you to hear first-hand the wild calls of the Orcas. $80-$130
Alberta
Calgary Craft Beer Tour: Discover the masters of Calgary’s local craft beer scene. Spend a day immersed in the local brewing & distilling industry, surrounded by the care and dedication of the visionaries (and mad men) who make it all happen. Throughout the guided Calgary Craft Beer Tour you will learn about the passionate craft brewers that specialize in creating mouth-watering full flavored beers. $129
Johnston Canyon Icewalk, Banff: Experience spectacular views as your guide leads you through a maze of colossal pillars of ice and surreal sculptures along a series of catwalks to breathtaking frozen waterfalls. It is no surprise the Canadian Tourism Commission has awarded this Johnston Canyon Icewalk as a Canadian Signature Experience. $74
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary: With the playfulness of a dog but the wily intelligence of a wolf, wolfdogs are fascinating creatures. Meet them close up at Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary in the Cochrane foothills. Learn about the importance of wolves in the ecosystem, and why it’s so important to preserve them in a natural environment. From $24
Ontario
Mommy To Be Pregnancy Massage & Mani/Pedi at D Spa: Every mommy-to-be deserves an extra bit of pampering at a time when the body is dealing with a lot of change. D Spa’s pregnancy massage is a great way to relieve the various tensions, stresses and strains the body is put through during this precious time. Available in Etobicoke or Oakville. $145
Boeing 737 Flight Simulator Experience in Toronto: If you’ve ever want to fly a plane, you can now experience the thrill and total adrenaline rush of learning to fly without even leaving the ground. The Boeing 737 Flight Simulator flying experience is ideal for anyone looking for their first taste of flying. You will feel like a pilot as you push the throttle, adjust the rudder and point your nose towards the sky before attaining optimal altitude. From $129
Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries Tour: Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to some of the most beautiful vineyards in the world. Join an intimate guided tour through the wonderful world of Niagara wines with visits and tasting at four wineries. $89
Toronto’s Original Pizza Tour: Discover the best pizza in town on Toronto’s Original Pizza Tour. Your pizza-crazed guide will show you the sights and sounds of the city as you eat your way through four different neighborhoods & six pizzerias, while giving you the skinny on crusts, sauce, cheese and toppings. Along the way, savour a slice of the pie that was voted best pizza in Toronto. $79
Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour: From the sensation of lifting off, to the thrill of soaring above the turbulent rapids and cascading waterfalls, a Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour is a unique and spectacular experience. You are guaranteed to love this unforgettable helicopter tour over the Niagara’s natural and man-made wonders. $125
Quebec
Maple Sugar Shack Stay and Play Experience: A visit to the sugar shack is the ultimate experience in capturing the Spring’s sweetness. Escape the city and enjoy an overnight Maple Sugar Shack Stay and Play experience at La Vallée des Rosiers in the Pontiac. You’ll get first hand maple sugar bush experience learning all that goes into making delicious maple syrup and maple treats. $399
Nova Scotia
Halifax Craft Beer, Wine and Cocktails Tour: Discover the mouth-watering world of Halifax’s beer, wine and cocktails. Learn about Halifax’s rich history from its founding, through prohibition and into the present day with visits to 5 popular Halifax venues on this tasty walking tour. $49
Afternoon Escape Wine Tour: This is your chance to indulge in the best of Nova Scotia Wine Country while spending a day relaxing in the Annapolis Valley. Discover the best kept secrets of this wine region with a passionate, informed guide who will introduce you to the wines, the wineries and the local stories behind them. Enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing and wine tasting at 3 unique wineries completed with a picnic cheese tasting. $77-$85
Gift It
With over 900 experiences to choose from, your gift recipient is sure to find something to pique their interest! Browse by activity type, province, occasion, or gift recipient. Connect on Facebook and Twitter.
Not sure which experience to get? You can buy a gift certificate online then print it out and slip in a greeting card, or schedule it to be emailed to your gift recipient at the time and date you choose. There’s no need for a gift receipt – any experience can be exchanged for its full value toward another experience. Gift certificates can be used as currency towards anything on the website, and they never expire.
Win a $100 Gift Card!
One of my readers will win a $100 gift certificate usable for any Breakaway experience! Enter in the giveaway widget below. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada 18+. All the winner’s entries will be verified. Prize delivery is not guaranteed by Christmas, so please plan accordingly.
Click here to check out my other open giveaways and be sure to follow me on Facebook!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored conversation. Nevertheless, all opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.
Now that my brother is back from his 3yr work experience in Rwanda, I have more reasons to visit him in Toronto. The helicopter Tour Over Toronto would be a great welcome back gift…we both haven’t been in one so this would be pretty cool. Thanks for the chance 🙂
i would love to do a hot air balloon ride! it is on my life goals list
I would love to experience the St. Lawrence Market and Old Toronto Food Tour. It would be a great day trip and amazing experience.
I’d love to do the Vancouver Island Guided Rainforest Hiking Tour!
Would love to go up in a hot air balloon.
This sounds like so much fun and I’d love to go on Toronto’s Original Pizza Tour. I love pizza and would love to try all the different types. I am generally a basic eater but would like to try others and don’t when I have to spend money and may find I don’t like something and out the costs…… so I stick with what I know I like. 🙂
The Craft Beer and Pizza tour sounds great.
A helicopter ride over Niagara Falls for sure!
I would love to zipline in Whistler
My husband would love to go on the Beer Makes History Better Toronto Walking Tour.
I’d love to do the Vancouver Whale Watching!! Best Christmas Gift EVER!!
I would use it at the Little Italy Vancouver food tour!
I would love to the Toronto’s Original Pizza Tour
Would choose the Niagara-on-the-Lake Food Tour as the experience I would most like to go to.
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