Who We Are
About Ensemble Travel Group
Founded more than 40 years ago, Ensemble Travel® Group is a leading North American community of expert travel consultants committed to providing unparalleled vacation experiences for their clients. Our more than 850 professional travel agencies in Canada and the U.S. represent billions of dollars in travel sales each year. By aligning with premier travel partners around the globe we have access to worldwide the resources and the expertise of in-destination specialists, an extensive collection of distinguished properties worldwide, VIP upgrades and amenities that provide you with impeccably customized vacations. For more information please visit www.ensembletravel.ca.
About The Magazine
Ensemble Vacations® is a national, consumer travel and lifestyle magazine published by Ensemble Travel® Group for its member agencies, including American Express Canada and Uniglobe Eastern Canada. It is published four times per year by Ensemble Travel Group for the top clients of Ensemble agencies, comprised of mid- to high-end leisure travelers who are seeking unique, luxurious getaways and impeccably personalized service. Ensemble Vacations is also distributed to select high-end subscribers of the Globe and Mail.
Designed to inspire our readers’ passion for travel, Ensemble Vacations covers the top travel and lifestyle trends, offering a mix of award-winning editorial, valuable travel insights, delectable recipes and breathtaking imagery. Our themed issues are conveniently timed with purchasing patterns so that you get the right information on the destinations you want, when you want it. From close-to-home places like Canada and the U.S. to Europe or exotic destinations in Asia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean and South America; from river cruising and grand voyages to luxury safaris, exclusive hotels and villas, spa retreats and ‘volunteer’ tourism, we cover it all.
Designed to inspire our readers’ passion for travel, Ensemble Vacations covers the top travel and lifestyle trends, offering a mix of award-winning editorial, valuable travel insights, delectable recipes and breathtaking imagery. Our themed issues are conveniently timed with purchasing patterns so that you get the right information on the destinations you want, when you want it. From close-to-home places like Canada and the U.S. to Europe or exotic destinations in Asia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean and South America; from river cruising and grand voyages to luxury safaris, exclusive hotels and villas, spa retreats and ‘volunteer’ tourism, we cover it all.
Writer's Guidelines
Does Vacations accept queries?
We accept freelance queries for most of our departments. Ideas for features are generated both by the Vacations staff and by professional freelance contributors. Many of our travel writers are award-winning journalists whose work has been published in top journals across North America. We will consider assigning features to writers we have not used but only to those whose published clips reflect a high level of writing skill and original ideas. Queries should be well-developed and focused, with a clear premise and hook, an outline of the approach and must be submitted with published clips. We do not accept phone queries and discourage the submission of unsolicited manuscripts for feature articles. Queries may be sent to editor@ensembletravel.ca.
What types of articles does Vacations publish?
Each issue of the magazine is focused on specific destinations, timed to coincide with Canadian consumer purchasing patterns. Please refer to the current editorial calendar for themes and copy deadlines, and refer to back issues to ensure you are not pitching a story idea that has been previously published. Each issue of the magazine contains five or more features, which are usually focused on a specific destination or type of travel (for example: river cruising, adventure) and are most often experiential. We give preference to articles that offer a unique, new angle or insight to a destination and/or its culture, including little-known or undiscovered places. The types of destinations we cover vary widely, from mainstream to adventure to luxury travel. Destinations must be accessible to most travelers. Sidebars are generally used in our articles and the writer is expected to provide as much relevant service information as possible along with the manuscript, for example: information on restaurants, attractions, things to do, how to get around, costs of transportation, etc.
In the front and back of book we also publish regular service-oriented lifestyle departments, with an emphasis on what’s new, trending and interesting, and useful/practical information. Subjects include art, style, food, lodgings, eco-tourism, city stays, and more.
Ensemble Travel Group works with a large group of preferred suppliers whose products/services cover most destinations and travel styles. There may be times when a particular company/ hotel/service is not part of our preferred group and as such, may not be referenced directly in an article.
In the front and back of book we also publish regular service-oriented lifestyle departments, with an emphasis on what’s new, trending and interesting, and useful/practical information. Subjects include art, style, food, lodgings, eco-tourism, city stays, and more.
Ensemble Travel Group works with a large group of preferred suppliers whose products/services cover most destinations and travel styles. There may be times when a particular company/ hotel/service is not part of our preferred group and as such, may not be referenced directly in an article.
What is Vacations’ writing style?
While we don’t look for any one particular writing style, it should be engaging and authoritative. Whether in a more serious tone or anecdotal, the article should inspire the reader to take the journey with you; evoke a sense of place, discovery, surprise and wanderlust. A clever turn of phrase, colorful details, personalities, evocative textures and sharp insights are all ingredients that should be part of the article’s recipe. In all cases, Canadian spelling is required.
What is your word count?
Our features run approximately 900 to 1,200 words, though this may be adjusted depending on space and topic. Departments run from 450 to 600 words.
What do you pay?
Compensation is competitive with other national magazines. A standard writer’s contract will be provided. We buy all rights to manuscripts, although copyright is returned to the author 90 days after publication. Payment is made upon acceptance of the final article and receipt of the writer’s invoice.
