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Georgian Bay a truly inspirational place

Features — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:57:58 +0000

Described as the ‘sixth Great Lake’, the Georgian Bay is separated from Lake Huron by Manitoulin Island and the Bruce Peninsula. Almost the size of Lake Ontario, the Bay has a combination of terrains. The west shore is limestone, the northeastern shores consist of rock from the Precambrian shield (some of the oldest rocks in the world) and the south is an array of smooth, sandy beaches. It lies halfway between Toronto and Sault Ste. Marie.

Originally occupied by First Nations communities, the Bay saw its first explorers, missionaries and traders arrive around the 1600s. French explorer Samuel de Champlain charted the area, with his maps lasting as reference to westbound explorers for nearly two centuries. The next two centuries saw such newcomers as military personnel, fishermen, loggers and homesteaders inhabiting the land. Slowly the area became spotted with villages, many growing to town or city status.

Each group had its own trials and tribulations: battling the land, waters, weather, or each other. Land roads were inadequate or non-existent, and water routes were often blocked by ice in the winter. The waters were often rough, with the only saving grace being the existence of abundant natural harbours.

Today, many denizens proclaim that the Georgian Bay area sparkles with the best recreational pursuits: skiing, golfing, cruising, heritage sites, events and festivals. Roam the rim of the Georgian Bay and see what brought many to its shores, and what lures the thousands of vacationers who flock to the territory during all four of its distinct seasons.

Things to discover

The sights and stopovers are countless in the Georgian Bay. Here is but a sample of where one can rove, starting at the south of the Bay.

Owen Sound

The first to footprint the sandy shores of Owen Sound, a southern Georgian Bay location, was the Petun Indians, members of the Huron association. The Iroquois engaged them in warfare for decades. Rather than face genocide, the Hurons eventually retreated from the area. Later, the Ojibway tribes of Lake Superior in turn ousted the Iroquois.

After Champlain mapped the area in the 1600s, settlers began to arrive. It is highly likely that they took moments from their toil to enjoy the scenery of what is now known as the Niagara Escarpment. The Niagara Escarpment is an eco-system that supports hundreds of plant and wildlife species, and has been deemed a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (which entails the preservation of crucial ecological features even if the area is developed).

One lad who later became enthralled by the distinctive vegetation and turquoise waters was Tom Thomson. Thomson influenced, and was influenced by, the famous Group of Seven. The Group of Seven were an early 1920s Toronto-based group whose paintings expressed a true love for the Canadian wilderness. His works, as well as several of his contemporaries and modern painters, remain in the Tom Thomson Art Gallery.

Scottish, Irish and English first populated Owen Sound in the 1840s. A taste of their culture lives on through the Owen Sound Celtic Festival, held for three days each September. Dancing, food and historical re-enactments are all part of the revelry.

Generation upon generation thrived in Owen Sound. Amongst the population rose a young man who later became a Canadian hero. William Avery ‘Billy’ Bishop, went on to be a World War I and II fighting ace, and tangled with the dreaded Red Baron. A stop at the Billy Bishop Museum will educate visitors of his life and other highlights of Canadian aviation history.

Today, Owen Sound is the largest town in the area, with a population of 21,000 permanent residents. Because of the close proximity to Lake Huron and the Georgian Bay, the communities around the Bay usually experience cooler temperatures in the summer and milder winter temperatures. In Owen Sound the daily maximum temperature in the height of summer is 22 C (72 F) and winter lows of no less than -12 C (10 F). However, as is the case with most of Ontario’s areas, be prepared for atypical weather conditions.

Collingwood

Proceeding east for 64 kms (40 miles), one will come to the Town of Collingwood, with a population of over 16,000 people.

Outside of town is evidence of glacial ice, dating back millions of years. Explorers of the Scenic Caves Nature Preserve can tread through the various limestone splits and caverns, and even squeeze through the 14-inch-wide passage known as ‘Fat Man’s Misery’. Between 1400 and 1600, the Huron Indian Village of Ekarenniondi stood at this site. Visitors may still touch the worshipping rock of this tribe.

Downhill Skiing at Blue Mountain

While the Hurons lived in long houses constructed of poles and elm bark, spending much of their time engrossed in hunting, fishing and growing corn for their meals, the same cannot be said for today’s travellers and residents. Many people are drawn to the area for its luxurious resorts and recreational activities. Blue Mountain Resort is at the back door of Ontario’s highest mountain, Blue Mountain, and is populated by alpine ski enthusiasts in the winter. Golfing at Cranberry Golf Resort is prime, especially due to the resort’s dedication to protecting and enhancing wildlife in the area (Canada’s only fully certified Audubon Sanctuary, promoting ecology).

French explorer Samual de Champlain surveyed Collingwood in the 1600s. These days, another man of infamy strolls the town one weekend each July, and can be seen everywhere! The Collingwood Elvis Festival brings both amateur and professional impersonators of ‘The King’ to the area for competitions, concerts and general hound-dogging.

In the early 1800s, many black Americans slipped the shackles of slavery and escaped to such places as Collingwood and its neighboring community of Owen Sound via the ‘Underground Railroad’. The railroad was a network of former slaves and sympathizers who assisted the fugitives to gain freedom. The bittersweet stories of these early settlers can be learned at the Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum.

Collingwood became a noteworthy port and railhead, as it was the receiving point for grain from Thunder Bay and the Prairies, as well as the departure point for Western settlers and goods. Shipbuilding became quite industrious. Today, boaters hear the call of the cool, enchanting waters and contentedly anchor at one of the Georgian Bay’s numerous marinas.

Wasaga Beach

What made the Wasaga Beach area displeasing to early settlers – sandy land that was unsuitable for farming – is today’s biggest lure. The longest fresh water beach in the world (a remarkable14 kms/9mils) entices many. Wasaga Beach’s population hovers slightly above 12,000 people, with a visitor count of approximately two million each year. The end of the most popular season is appropriately marked with the Memories of Summer Fireworks during the Labour Day weekend.

The beach of this central town is also historically significant, as it was the fly off location for the first plane to make an overseas flight from Canada: the length of the beach made it the perfect runway.

Rather than trying to tame the terrain of Wasaga Beach as the early settlers did, visitors today embrace its ruggedness, which provides many recreational pursuits. The trails in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park are ideal for hiking, cross-country skiing and cycling. A stop at the Blueberry Nordic Centre can serve as a warm-up or as an information point. And the Nottawasaga River is perfect for fishing and canoeing.

While in the park, stop at Nancy Island, where the Americans sank the Schooner Nancy, the last British ship on the Great Lakes, during a battle in 1814. The sunken hull formed an obstruction in the river, which eventually formed the island. A museum on the island contains other remnants of the Nancy as well as battle artifacts. Far from the cries of combat, visitors to the island can now hear the alluring sounds of live Big Band, Swing and Jazz bands. Jazz in the Park is a series of 10 free concerts on scheduled evenings in July.

Penetanguishene

Continuing north up the Bay’s shore is the small town of Penetanguishene (population 5,000). Penetanguishene holds the title of the oldest town in Ontario, when as early as 800 AD Aboriginals built semi-permanent villages in the area. In 1793, the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada John Graves Simcoe recognized the military potential of the area, and began promoting development. It was in the early 1800s that the British naval and military base Discovery Harbour was built.

For a marine experience, visitors may board the M.S. Georgian Queen. A live commentator cites stories of the past while pointing out the magnificent scenery of the day. Sailors of both private and rented vessels will admire the Pentanguishene’s lovely and protected harbours.

Midland

Approximately five km (three miles) from Pentangushene is the town of Midland, with a population of over 14,000 people. Samuel de Champlain brought the first Jesuit missionaries to the Midland area in the 1600s, intent on saving Huron souls. The mission Sainte-Marie among the Hurons became Ontario’s first European community, experiencing settlement, war, disease, and finally abandonment. The site continues to attract tourists, as costumed interpreters give live history lessons about the Sainte-Marie.

In the 1800s, the area boomed with industry and railroad expansion. Those who were gifted tracts of land for their government or military services also increased the number of inhabitants. The town was dubbed the ‘Chicago of the North’, as it was thought to be the place a fortune could be made. Millions weren’t accumulated but nonetheless, the area began to attract a wealth of artists and naturalists. The town is home to over 30 outdoor murals, including North America’s largest outdoor historic mural, situated over Midland Harbour. Close to Midland is the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, whose residents include a myriad of bird and wildlife species, including trumpeter swans.

The Sun Sets over Georgian Bay

Honey Harbour

From Honey Harbour, many cottagers navigate by boat to their properties in the 30,000 Islands. The area also has an abundance of rental cottages, resorts and marinas to serve as home base for exploring the waters. A water taxi service provides transportation to Canada’s only island park, the Georgian Bay Islands National Park. Fishing and boating are popular summer activities, while those who are more adventurous often snowshoe or cross-country ski over the frozen water in winter.

Parry Sound

Progressing up to the northern region of Ontario is Parry Sound. This community has seen much toil and action in its colourful past. Today it is a recreational hot spot. A myriad of water activities, cultural sites and events and impressive parks beckons many to the area. Read WorldWeb Travel Guide’s article Parry Sound Town & City Review.

Killarney

Hundreds of years ago, Canada’s voyageurs set up a fur trading post to ease their canoe journeys. Water travel was the only method of transportation to Killarney, as there was no road access until 1962 to this northern post, located almost five hours away from Toronto. Both passengers and freight entered the “Shibaonaning’, the Ojibway name for ‘canoe channel’ by steamships.

Today, sailboats and power yachts float the pristine waters, but for pleasure rather than necessity. The small village of Killarney triples in size during the summer, as it boasts the ‘crown jewel’ of Ontario’s parks – Killarney Provincial Park. Sapphire lakes, ridges filled with jack pines, the snow capped white quartzite La Cloche Mountains and pink granite shorelines have captivated artists, adventure seekers and nature appreciators.

30,000 Islands, including Manitoulin Island

One of the most mentioned highlights in the Georgian Bay is the 30,000 Islands, which includes Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest island contained within a freshwater lake. Boaters find the area a paradise, as the picturesque islands with their numerous secluded bays, inlets and coves, as well as the countless towns, marinas and resorts, provide the back drop and services required to make it in the ranks of top sailing waters. After crossing the swing bridge of Little Current which links Manitoulin Island to the mainland, travel to Bridal Veil Falls. The hiking and cascading waterfall is well worth the trip.

Guides and maps can be found here

Official website can be found here

More Information here

Jeanne Beker knows Canadian shopping

Guest Writer — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:57:30 +0000

There isn’t a better cheerleader for Canadian fashion design than Jeanne Beker. She has spent more than three decades seeking out and shining a spotlight on homegrown talent. Clearly, the fashion icon knows something about shopping.

When Beker isn’t globetrotting for FashionTelevision or covering fashion runways for magazines like FT, she’s at home in Toronto. The call for more retail explorations beckons and Beker answers. She does admit she has a thing for shoes, so Davids on Bloor Street and their huge selection of Christian Louboutin shoes (the best in Canada) is a big draw. She may swing by Celebration Shoes in nearby Yorkville. Beker loves owner Carma Saunderson’s funky, hand-dyed creations.

Beker’s must-visit Canadian design talents in the city include long-time favourites like Brian Bailey (famous for chic dresses and suits), Comrags (“edgy, but not in a harsh dramatic way”), Mirabelli (“beautiful cuts and interesting fabrics”) and Shan, a hugely successful swimwear label. Maybe less known, but equally talented, are designers such as Kingi Carpenter of Peach Berserk (fun and whimsical), Ross Mayer (a whiz with evening wear) and Zenobia (for timeless separates).

Beker finds herself in Montréal quite often. In search of the perfect pair of shoes, she heads for Rosenstein Paris on rue de la Montagne, then on to Denis Gagnon’s new flagship store on rue St. Paul. If she’s looking for cool gifts, then a stop at the gift ship at Musée des Beaux Arts is in order.

She once lived in Newfoundland so it’s a province that is near and dear to Beker. “I love Water Street in St. John’s,” she says. “There are some great stores along that stretch and some tucked away on the side streets too.” Even in tiny towns like Woody Point, she finds what she dubs “Canadian exotica” in little gift shops like Aunt Jane’s.

In the west, Beker has her go-to favourites. In Winnipeg, Julie Pederson is a designer that has caught her attention and a portion of her fashion budget. Pederson designs funky “muckies” or mukluks that have earned a celebrity clientele that includes Britney Spears and Katy Perry. Beker owns three pairs.

In Calgary, Beker makes a point of stopping at Paul Hardy Design in Kensington Village. “He has great, gorgeous accessories!” The village also features unique clothing from Eleven: Eleven and James and Dickson Clothiers.

Vancouver’s Gastown is the place for window shopping, according to Beker. And in Victoria, a boutique like Nushin with international and Canadian designers, has her reaching for her credit card.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre.

Writers Bio: Michele Sponagle (m.sponagle@sympatico.ca) is a travel writer based in Paris, ON, who has sampled hotel beds in more than 50 countries.

Puttin’ on the sweet. Celebrate icewine at these Canadian winter festivals

Guest Writer — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:33:58 +0000

Like drops of frozen liquid honey, Icewine is a rare sweet gift of Canadian winters. The consistent cold guarantees an annual crop of frozen grapes that produce a luscious dessert wine that has become a Canadian icon. We are the world’s icewine capital, the biggest producer of nectar that has scooped awards in Italian, French, American and British competitions. Though we didn’t invent Icewine, we perfected it after a vintner named Walter Hainle brought the 18^th-century German creation to British Columbia in 1978.

To make Icewine, grapes are left to freeze on the vine until temperatures fall below -8C (17.6 F). Hard as marbles, the grapes are crushed to drip out a concentrated juice containing 35-45% sugar. With the frozen water removed, it takes five to 10 times more grapes to make a bottle of Icewine than table wine: each grape produces roughly a drop of Icewine, the reason it costs about $50 for a 375 ml bottle.

Icewine is produced in several wine-growing regions across the country; here are three places to celebrate this winter ambrosia at Icewine festivals:

Nova Scotia

Who knew Nova Scotia was producing award-winning Icewine and celebrating with the annual Nova Scotia Winter Icewine Festival from Feb. 2 to 12, 2012? In Halifax and surrounding wine-growing valleys there are 40 events including Icewine tastings and pairings with local cuisine – everything from appetizers to gelat. Sample Icewine with cheese at Domaine de Grand Pré winery and with chocolate at the Gaspereau Vineyard then finish up the evening with an Icewine martini.

Ontario

The 17^th Niagara Icewine Festival is a 10-day salute to Ontario Icewines – which make up 75% of Canada’s production – from Jan. 13-29, 2012. There are Masquerade Gala evening toasts, chestnut roasts, Icewine dinners and ornate ice bars, not to mention winery tours, carriage rides and late-night Icewine grape picking. Thirty Ontario wineries including Pillitteri, Inniskillin and Reif Estate will present more than 100 award-winning Icewines.

British Columbia

From Jan.14-22, 2012, the Winter Okanagan Wine Festival showcases the province’s award-winning Icewines made by the likes of Jackson Triggs, Mission Hill and Hainle – the vineyard that started it all back in 1978. The event includes an Icewine seminar as well as tastings where guests wander through the snowy alpine village stopping in at restaurants and hotel lobbies where more than 20 wineries have set up. Then everyone heads outside to stroll and sip while listening to live music.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Award-winning, Montréal, QC-based freelance writer and photographer Margo Pfeiff’s work has appeared in Lonely Planet guidebooks, Reader’s Digest, GEO,enRoute, explore, Canadian Geographic, Outpost, The Walrus, up here, LosAngeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Post and The Globe and Mail.She is working on a book about contemporary life in Nunavut.

Winter in Québec can be a fairy tale kind of place

Guest Writer — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:45:21 +0000

Québec in winter can be a fairy tale kind of place, especially when you’re cozy under a blanket on a horse-drawn-sleigh-bells-tinkling ride through the forest. Or catching snowflakes on your cheeks as you skate across a frozen lake lit up at night, finishing with a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

All that and much more is on the menu when you check into your suite-with-a-lake-view at the Hotel Quintessence in the Laurentian Mountains at the foot of Mont Tremblant, Québec’s premier ski resort. Getting there is a 90-minute drive north of Montréal – or a direct flight from New York City or Toronto.

Just minutes from the bustling ski lifts of Tremblant’s European-styled pedestrian-friendly ski village, Quintessence is a luxury boutique twice named Condé Nast Johansens’ Most Excellent Small Hotel in North America, most recently in March 2011. It’s all about decadence as you pass through the wood paneled lobby with its grand stone fireplace and curving staircase to one of 30 luxury suites catered to by a private concierge. But, being Québec, there is a casual ambience.

The resort delivers a huge range of “quintessential” winter activities: downhill skiing and snowboarding atop Mont Tremblant; snowshoeing; or cross-country skiing on the 150-km network of trails through woods, alongside rivers and lakes and over tiny bridges.

If all that sounds like too much work, slip into a sled and let the dogs do the panting, hop a helicopter ride over the winter landscape or zoom a snowmobile through a winter playground on a guided excursion.

In the dining room and wine bar, chef Jean-François Lalandec transforms local Québec products into gourmet meals like rack of lamb stuffed with chanterelles. But he also creates deluxe après-ski comfort food like macaroni and aged cheddar with bacon, cassoulet. There’s certain to be something amid the 5,000 bottles in the wine cellar tasting room to complement whatever you’re noshing.

For relaxation and re-charging there is the hotel’s Sans Sabot spa offering massages and treatments. Nearby is the Scandinave Spa, the genuine Finnish hot-cold/indoor-outdoor experience that can include tiptoeing through snow for a refreshing dunk in the icy du Diable River. Or simply curl up in your room in front of a blazing wood-burning fireplace lit by your very own Wood Concierge.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Award-winning, Montréal, QC-based freelance writer and photographer Margo Pfeiff’s work has appeared in Lonely Planet guidebooks, Reader’s Digest, GEO,enRoute, explore, Canadian Geographic, Outpost, The Walrus, up here, LosAngeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Post and The Globe and Mail. She is working on a book about contemporary life in Nunavut.

It’s winter in Canada’s national parks, 5 places to visit

Guest Writer — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:50:05 +0000

It’s time to park the blues – here are five picks to put the wonder back in winter. And stay tuned for five more!

1. Snuggle up to polar bears, Wapusk National Park, Manitoba

Moose, wolves and caribou are all found in Wapusk National Park, but the polar bears get most of the ooh and ahhs. Book a tour, climb aboard a fat-tired tundra vehicle and go nose to snout with a mother bear wrestling her cubs. TIP: Best time to see polar bears is mid-October to mid-December.

www.tundrabuggy.com

www.watchee.com

2. Become an Ice Road Trekker

Wood Buffalo National Park, Northwest Territories

If you’ve seen TVs Ice Road Truckers haul cargo from Yellowknife to the diamond mines of the Northwest Territories, you’re probably itching to get behind the wheel. No problem. Just drive from Fort McMurray through Wood Buffalo National Park to Fort Smith, on an epic ice road journey crossing rivers, muskeg and portages.

TIP: Stop at Fort Chipewyan to experience one of Alberta’s oldest Aboriginal settlements.

3. Strap on your skis, and fly

Kite skiing on Astotin Lake, Elk Island National Park, Alberta

Grab the reins for kite skiing on Astotin Lake in Elk Island National Park. It has all the rush of downhill skiing, only you control the speed. Go from double diamond to the bunny hill in an instant. Plus, no waits for the ski lift. You can even tow the kids behind you on a toboggan.

TIP: Elk Island is a Dark Sky Preserve making it a great place to stargaze and see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

4. Dream under the dome.

Yurt stay, Forillion National Park, Québec

I love cross-country skiing except for the climbing back into my cold car part. Now you don’t have to. Book a yurt and watch the sunset from your comfy tent cottage, surrounded by sea at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. Imagine a cozy wood stove, hardwood floor and comfy beds. Rustic, this ain’t.

TIP: In addition to more than 40 km (25 miles) of cross-country trails, the park offers dogsledding and snowshoeing.

5. Dance on frozen water

Maligne Canyon Ice Walk, Jasper National Park, Alberta

Nature puts on her ice show at the bottom of narrow Maligne Canyon every winter. Descend 50 metres where you’ll explore natural sculptures, waves, swirls, secret ice caves and waterfalls stretching like frozen claws over the canyon walls. Book a tour, strap on your steel grippers, and you’re off!

TIP: Strap-on a headlamp and try the romantic moonlight tour.

Maligne Canyon

Jasper Adventure Centre

SunDog tours

Overlander Trekking and Tours

Walk and Talks Jasper

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre
Writers Bio: British Columbia-based freelance writer and photographer Lori McNultyjourneys the globe to connect life and landscape. Her award-winning travel and arts essays uncover striking landscapes and soulful adventure.

Canada’s spectacular wilderness landscapes

Guest Writer — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:32:49 +0000

Canada’s wild landscapes have inspired generations of artists, none more so than Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. They became synonymous with our lonely lakes, fall foliage and snow-covered fields and tundra.

Painting Canada: Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven is a special exhibit of their work at London’s Dulwich Picture Gallery, running from Oct. 19 to Jan. 8, 2012.

These early 20^th-century artists travelled by train, canoe and on foot into the wilderness, taking their sketchbooks with them. They were, perhaps, our first tourists. The places they painted are still inspiring visitors today.

Algonquin Provincial Park – Tom Thomson spent summers fishing, canoeing and sketching in Ontario’s first provincial park. Wild rivers, placid lakes, wind-ravaged pine trees all captured his eye. After his tragic death in 1917 – his body was found in Canoe Lake – his friends built a memorial cairn at one of his favourite camping spots, then went on to form the Group of Seven.

A.Y. Jackson, Winter, Québec / courtesy National Gallery

Charlevoix, Quebec – A.Y. Jackson was considered the driving force behind the group and loved to venture into the winter landscapes on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. Locals called him ‘Pere Raquette’ or Father Snowshoes for his habit of exploring on snowshoes. His paintingRoad to Baie-St. Paul captures a tiny village swathed in drifts of snow – a perfect ode to a Canadian winter.

Agawa Canyon and Ontario’s Algoma Country on the north shore of Lake Superior were a big draw for the artists, especially in autumn when maple leaves turn brilliant orange and red. You can still journey by train into the canyon, through the granite rock of the Canadian Shield and past roaring rivers, unspoiled lakes and tumbling waterfalls.

Killarney Wilderness Park and La Cloche Mountains – Artist Franklin Carmichael built a cottage here in Ontario, while A.Y. Jackson was so enchanted with the white quartzite hills and crystal clear lakes that he campaigned for the area’s protection. Today, the park offers unbeatable canoeing and hiking.

Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park Among outdoor enthusiasts, this wilderness park in British Columbia tops their ‘to do’ lists. Again and again. Turquoise, glacier-fed lakes and soaring mountain peaks inspired Group of Seven artist J.E.H. MacDonald to write, “I got to the beautiful Lake O’Hara lying in a rainbow sleep, under the steeps of Mount Lefroy and the waterfalls of Oesa. And there I realized some of the blessedness of mortals.”

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Suzanne Morphet is passionate about exploring Canada and writing about it. She knows she’d need many lifetimes to do it justice…. So with just one, she’s working hard to see and share as much as she can. Her travel stories have appeared in The Globe and Mail, up! magazine (West Jet’s in-flight magazine), Homemakers and numerous other publications. Morphet recently co-authored The Vancouver Island Book of Everything. She is based in Victoria, BC.

Mini Asia at home in Richmond, BC

Guest Writer — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:52:56 +0000

Forget about jetlag and airline tickets, a little corner of Asia resides just outside Vancouver International Airport. Don’t be fooled by the strip malls and manicured homes – Richmond is no ordinary suburb. With a population of 200,000 that is 60% Asian – including more residents of Chinese ancestry than any other Canadian city (44%) – this is a modern Asian city in its own right.

Its easy-to-explore, four-square-block Golden Village is the hub. Indulge in the Asian sport of shopping at the contemporary Aberdeen Centre mall, a slice of Singapore where you can pick up a Lamborghini or have an herbalist prescribe a custom brew for what ails you. Parker Place across the street feels like retro Hong Kong, a labyrinth of tiny shops stuffed with fashion, jewelry and a food floor with culinary surprises like Asian pork jerky.

Richmond is all about food, from Pan-Asian supermarkets like Yaohan and TNT to 400 restaurants where award-winning chefs – often Hong Kong trained – are morphing the province’s fresh produce into stellar cuisine that is attracting Asian tourists. Food Central is Alexandra Road – or “Eat Street” – three city blocks crammed with 200 restaurants from Korean to Indonesian.

For solitude within a classical garden, the International Buddhist Temple is modelled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. Visitors are welcomed for Chinese vegetarian lunches, meditation and chanting retreats. Nearby #5 Road is nicknamed the “Highway to Heaven” for its Hindu cultural centre that serves free Indian vegetarian lunches on Sundays; down the street is the traditional Tibetan monastery, Thrangu, Canada’s first.

Asians are passionate about “Ping-Pong” so table tennis lessons taught by Olympic coaches are in demand at the Richmond Olympic Oval built as the speed skating arena for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Watch dragon boats scoot by on the Fraser River as you stroll along the dikes, or take part in Tai Chi at one of the city’s parks. Head to the pier at Steveston to join seafood-mad Asians picking up sea urchins, salmon and sable fish right off the boats. Then relax over a world-class dim sum brunch and feel like you’ve just travelled halfway around the globe.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Award-winning, Montréal, QC-based freelance writer and photographer Margo Pfeiff’s work has appeared in Lonely Planet guidebooks, Reader’s Digest, GEO,enRoute, explore, Canadian Geographic, Outpost, The Walrus, up here, LosAngeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Post and The Globe and Mail.She is working on a book about contemporary life in Nunavut.margo.pfeiff@gmail.com

Colour it autumn in Canada

Guest Writer — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 10:30:28 +0000

It’s no secret – every year Canada blushes from head to toe. It starts in early August amid the ankle-high bonsai of the high Arctic tundra, a yellow, neon-orange and crimson wave sweeping southwards across the provinces’ northern borders: down through the Rockies – where fall foliage can be admired from the luxury of the Rocky Mountaineer’s train – up into Whistler’s meadows and over the Prairies.

But the very grand finale is an arboreal fireworks of brilliant colours that light up the forests of Ontario, Québec and the Maritime provinces. Hot on their trail from early September through October are legions of “leaf peepers”, enthusiasts who log in to autumn colour alerts to pinpoint peak times around which to plan their autumn vacations.

In Ontario, Algonquin Park is an iconic location to experience Mother Nature’s showy display, on a forest hike or a canoe journey across peaceful lakes blood-red with leafy reflections. Check out when the colours will peak, then hop the Algoma Central Railroad to travel by rail – as the Group of Seven painters did – to be inspired by the colours of the Agawa Canyon near Sault Ste. Marie.

Québec’s sugar maple trees make the province synonymous with fall colours. North of Montréal, European-styled Tremblant ski village celebrates fall with the Symphony of Colours arts and music festival from Sept. 10 to Oct. 10, set among the lakes and brilliant yellow birch and American beech forests of the Laurentian Mountains. South of Montréal, drift along on a calm, crisp autumn morning in a hot air balloon over giant pumpkin patches in the Montérégie region. In the New England-esque Eastern Townships, colours often continue until late October. Enjoy them amid the forest setting of chic Balnea Spa in Bromont or on a gourmet brunch, lunch or happy hour cruise aboard a deluxe new ship plying the forest-lined shores of Lake Memphremagog.

Fall foliage coincides with harvest time and both are celebrated on Prince Edward Island with oysters, mussels, clams, lobster, chowder and more during the Fall Flavours Festival from Sept. 2-25. The warm surrounding Gulf of St. Lawrence waters bless PEI with one of the longest fall foliage seasons in the Northeast.

In New Brunswick, take a road-trip on the Fundy Coastal Drive for vivacious reds and deep orange forests alongside some of the highest tides in the world on the Bay of Fundy. Watch for whales – it’s the season. And time your visit with a turkey dinner during Canada’s Thanksgiving Weekend on the second Monday in October.

Via Rail rolls along the rails at a leisurely pace through Eastern Canada’s fall spectacle from Toronto to Montréal en route to Halifax. From there, head out on your own by car on Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail, one of the world’s most scenic drives, as it winds and twists along Cape Breton’s northern shore. Overnight on the Trail at the seaside, Scottish-themed Keltic Lodge overlooking maple, birch, oak and mountain ash blanketing the Highlands in red and gold. And while you’re there, take in the province’s Celtic Colours International Festival from Oct. 7 to 15 – is there a better way to celebrate fall than with fiery fiddling and foliage?

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

How do you like your weather?

Features — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:56:16 +0000

Canadians are obsessed with the weather. Maybe it’s because we have it in spades. And we’re not talking just cold and snow. We probably have as many ‘flavours’ of weather asHäagen-Dazs has ice-cream.

Our national weather office crunched the numbers for our 100 largest cities and came up with Canada’s Weather Winners. Herewith, a guide to finding the perfect weather for your particular personality, sunny or otherwise.

You like a challenge

Whatever the season, Newfoundland and Labrador offers the toughest combination of weather you’ll find. St. John’s is our foggiest and windiest city, and Gander and St. John’s lead the country as the top two locations with more days of freezing rain. Sunny days are few and far between. Of course, this explains why the people are some of the friendliest and fun-loving in the country – you gotta be special to endure weather like this.

You’re a softie

Victoria and Nanaimo – both on Vancouver Island in British Columbia tie for the most comfortable weather in Canada. Not too hot in summer, not too cold in winter. They’re also a lot dryer and sunnier than most people think. Victoria gets less snow than anywhere in the country while Nanaimo boasts the clearest summer skies. No wonder people spend so much time outside here.

You like sizzling heat

Kamloops, BC boasts the highest summer temperatures with the mercury consistently climbing into the high 20sC (80sF) in July and August. One day it reached 40.6C (105F)! Locals grab a tube and float down the Thompson River on those lazy hot days. The tourism folks have a motto: ‘Playtime. Redefined’.

You don’t mind freezing your butt off!

Head north to Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories for the lowest average temperatures year-round. Yellowknifers can also boast about having the most extreme wind chill and the longest snow-cover – up to 190 days every year. On the plus side, Yellowknife has the sunniest summers in the country.

You like dancing in the rain

Prince Rupert on BC’s northwest coast is your kind of place. Once known as ‘the halibut capital of the world’, Prince Rupert is the wettest city in Canada, getting almost 2.5 metres (eight feet) of rain a year. When you’ve had enough rain, explore the rich history of the northwest coast at the world-class Museum of Northern BC.

You like to be awed

Southern Ontario is famous for hot, sticky summers; the perfect ingredients for creating thunder and lightning storms. So it’s no coincidence that Windsor, our most humid city and one of our hottest (just a 3.5-hour drive from Toronto), also has the most days of thunderstorm activity. Daggers of lightning and thunderous claps will keep you entertained on many a summer evening.

You want a taste of everything

Montreal is the quintessential Canadian city for weather. It gets an average amount of just about everything: rain, snow, heat, cold, sun and wind. But just because the weather is average doesn’t mean the city is. Montreal is one of our most exciting, most romantic and arguably our most cosmopolitan city. The mix of weather is a bonus.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Suzanne Morphet is passionate about exploring Canada and writing about it. She knows she’d need many lifetimes to do it justice…. So with just one, she’s working hard to see and share as much as she can. Her travel stories have appeared in The Globe and Mail, up! magazine (West Jet’s in-flight magazine), Homemakers and numerous other publications. Morphet recently co-authored The Vancouver Island Book of Everything. She is based in Victoria, BC.

A train worth waiting for

Guest Writer — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:37:53 +0000

For train buffs, Canada is tops. We’ve got the Rocky Mountaineer, the Polar Bear Express, the Agawa Canyon choo choo – and now – the train of le Massif de Charlevoix.

It’s ‘All Aboard!’ for this new train that departs Québec City for La Malbaie in the Charlevoix region of Québec.

This train has been worth the wait. For much of the 140 km route, it runs alongside the St. Lawrence River, a river so big locals refer to it as ‘la mer’. On the other side of the track are the Laurentian Mountains, beautiful at any time of year and particularly so in the fall as maple trees turn red and orange.

The train itself is an attraction. The six railcars dating from the 1950s have been stripped down and fully refurbished in a contemporary style. Each one carries 68 passengers. A multi-media presentation reveals the region’s history and culture as the natural scenery unfolds outside. The train leaves Québec City each morning and returns each evening.

The journey is a gastronomic adventure as well. The executive chef of the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu hotel in La Malbaie, Jean-Michel Breton, is in charge of creating gourmet meals. The region is well known for its abundant agricultural produce, locally made cheeses, hand-crafted ales and creative chefs, so be prepared for some amazing food.

Once at La Malbaie, you’ll want to wander through the historic Fairmont hotel or stay the night. It was originally built by the Canada Steamship Lines in 1899 and re-built in 1928 after a fire. It symbolizes the glory days of Charlevoix when well-heeled tourists arrived by steamship or train. (Yes, there were other trains before this one.)

In winter, the new train stops at the base of Le Massif for skiers to get off, and at the company’s new hotel complex in Baie-Saint-Paul.

The train, as well as the ski resort and the new hotel complex, are all the brainchild of Daniel Gauthier. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he co-founded Cirque du Soleil, Canada’s famed artistic entertainment company that started in Baie-Saint-Paul.

If you know anything about Cirque du Soleil, you’ll know not to underestimate Gauthier – or his former business partner, Guy Laliberté – who has also invested in this project. If they can re-invent the circus, imagine what they are doing with a train.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

BC’s 1st Nations share their love of wildlife

Features — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:31:44 +0000

Canada’s west coast is undeniably bear country. White bears, black bears, grizzly bears – they’re all here in the Great Bear Rainforest, one of the largest coastal temperate rainforests in the world.

As its name suggests, the Great Bear Rainforest is big, wild and wet. There are no roads through it. You need a guide with a boat. And you need food and shelter.

That’s where the Spirit Bear Lodge comes in. It overlooks the ocean in the First Nation community of Klemtu. The Kitasoo and Xai’xais people have lived on this coast for thousands of years. They’re particularly fond and protective of the rare white Spirit bears.

Photo credit : spiritbear.com

When you stay at their Spirit Bear Lodge, you’ll go out in a small boat each day to explore different river estuaries, looking for the distinctive white bears that look like polar bears, even though they’re really a genetic variation of black bears. (Spirit bears, also known as Kermode bears, are born white if both parents share a recessive mutation of a certain gene. The parents themselves can be black.)

Autumn is the best time of the year to view all the bear species. That’s when they appear along the banks of rivers to feast on salmon. In September and October thousands of salmon are fighting their way up-river, back to where they were born, before laying their eggs and dying.

That’s if the many bears don’t catch them first. Guests of the Lodge are positioned at natural vantage points on the shorelines, ideal for intimate eye-level encounters with both Black Bears and Grizzlies. The Spirit Bears are rare and elusive and encounters with these extraordinary bears are just as special.

You don’t need to be afraid of the bears either. They’re intent on catching salmon and fattening up before winter, so they don’t pay any attention to people. You can sit safely a short distance away and watch them fish.

And because this place is so remote – Klemtu is about 600 km northwest of Vancouver – there probably won’t be anyone else around.

After a day of watching bears, you’ll go back to Spirit Bear Lodge for a hot dinner served on two enormous dining tables made from solid cedar. Gaze out the expansive windows in ‘The Great Room’ and watch for passing whales, white-sided dolphins and sea lions.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Celtic Colours lights up Cape Breton

Guest Writer — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:07:10 +0000

In the midst of Nova Scotia’s fiery fall foliage season, legions of fiddles, harps, accordions, bagpipes and step-dancing tunes ignite Cape Breton Island’s rugged countryside during the annual Celtic Colours International Festival.

In its 15^thyear, the 10-day event, Oct. 7-15, is a showcase of all things Gaelic, the cultural heritage introduced hundreds of years ago by refugees from Scotland. There’s been a recent renaissance of Gaelic culture in the region, and now even road signs appear in Gaelic and English.

The festival is unique in that it takes place in 33 communities across Cape Breton, along country roads including the scenic coastal Cabot Trail. Music and dance performances, storytelling, as well as workshops and presentations on Gaelic language and culture take place in venues from a state-of-the-art performance hall to a reconstructed 18^th-century French chapel and local community centres: impromptu ceilidhs – lively kitchen parties – are on the menu as are homemade suppers served up in local fire halls.

This year’s festival features a jam-packed calendar with almost 350 artists from Cape Breton, the United States, Ireland and Scotland performing 45 shows. One of the themes is exploring Celtic roots in Cajun and Appalachian music with the festival’s artists in residence, local Acadian songwriter Ron Bourgeois and old-time Appalachian fiddler and singer Bruce Molsky from the U.S.

Stars in this year’s line-up include local bad-boy Ashley MacIsaac, famed for his kilt-clad fiery fiddling of traditional Cape Breton and rock ‘n’ roll tunes: the Barra MacNeils, a group of six siblings who are Canada’s Celtic ambassadors: and the Louisiana-based Grammy winners BeauSoleil Quartet with Michael Doucet who mix up Cajun with Zydeco and add a dash of jazz and blues.

From Ireland, the Black Family as well as the Alan Kelly Quartet will hit the stage. From Scotland there’s Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes. Dancers on the roster include Nic Gariess and, from Manitoba, the Ashram Stompers, a high-energy jig and square dance troupe offering up a dash of Métis.

Bring your own guitar and join in workshops. Or sign up for outdoor events like hiking through fall colors, particularly spectacular on the Cabot Trail. Afterwards, finish off the day with hot apple cider and oatcakes at a ceilidh in the community hall.

The schedule is so packed it’s impossible to see and hear every bit of Gaelic magic. Celtic Colours may be big, but it’s also refreshingly non-commercial, a down-home celebration deeply rooted in Cape Breton’s local culture.

Celtic Colours International Festival: www.celtic-colours.com

Official Cape Breton Website: http://cbisland.com/home.html

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre
Writers Bio: Award-winning, Montréal, QC-based freelance writer and photographer Margo Pfeiff’s work has appeared in Lonely Planet guidebooks, Reader’s Digest, GEO,enRoute, explore, Canadian Geographic, Outpost, The Walrus, up here, LosAngeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Post and The Globe and Mail.She is working on a book about contemporary life in Nunavut.margo.pfeiff@gmail.com

Going local in the County!

Guest Writer — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:10:11 +0000

Well here we are again, but the sun is setting and the sky is kissed in pink hues. Seriously, I am not kidding. A gentle breeze off Lake Ontario is meandering across Prince Edward County, bringing with a touch of coolness to an otherwise stinking hot day. My tummy is grumbling and my fancy turns to food.

Time to rev up the truck, yes the same one I took on the Horn Trip last time. It’s a metallic tungsten grey SUV. Let’s see if I can pair some of those wines I tasted with local fair. The County is known for a celebration of regional cuisine, featuring regional chefs, local growers and wonderful wines. I think I’m going to do a progressive dinner tonight across The County.

So here I am at The Bloomfield Carriage House Restaurant http://www.bloomfieldcarriagehouse.com/ owned and operated by my friends Chef Scott Kapitan and Pastry Chef Jacqui Vickers. For you foodies, it’s a can’t miss place…a culmination of passion for good food and service. Scott only cooks with product abundant in the County. It is simple elegant French inspired cuisine. The converted carriage house, hence the name, is that country charm with a touch of refinement. Now sit next to the fire place during the cooler months and sitting on top is me…no just kidding, it’s one of my stone sculptures. Tonight I think I’ll enjoy the breeze of summer on the shaded patio with the duck, no the lamb, no the rabbit, no the pot de feu.

At least I know the focus is Canadian product layered over the foundations of French cuisine. Local and organic product is widely used as everything is made in house by Scott, even the charcuterie. It’s that slow food ideal, so any choice is an excellent one.

Jacqui’s breads and pastries at The Marshmallow Room Bakery are all made with organic, unbleached flour. The bakery sits right on Main Street Bloomfield. And here is a secret; along with filtered water she uses either Maldon sea salt or Sel de Guerande from Brittany. Please don’t say a word! And there are preserves, from in house made jams, chutneys and jellies both in the bakery and on-line. Scott and Jacqui are obsessed with quality, freshness and natural products from beginning to end. I am just dying here; The Marshmallow Room also sells in-house made charcuterie, such as boar or elk pâté, rillette and salami. Guess I must be in heaven!

Well let’s see… of to the Milford Bistro http://milfordbistro.com. And the owner Chris Pengelly is also a friend! The Bistro is in a charmingly quirky 120 year old wooden building, in a little hamlet with an old mill, a theatre, two waterfalls, a pond and a river. There are two growers of organic heirloom veggies within walking distance, a farm raising cattle and a cheese factory down the road. The artwork in the Bistro is just as quirky and is supplied by fad: funktional art and design, from where? From Prince Edward County of course!

The Milford Bistro works hard to rise to the occasion, cooking small scale, sourcing locally and letting their menu reflect the changing seasons. Choose from The Chef’s Chicken, The Chef’s Beef or The Chef’s Lamb. Last year they won one of the coveted local Taste Awards. This year they were named tourism/hospitality business of the year. Reading words like “charming”, “unique”, “hidden gem”, “will recommend” and most of all “will be back” in their guest book makes them proud and happy. “We believe we have the most intimate, romantic restaurant around. We invite you to come and see for yourselves”, as per Chris! As an aside, it’s one of the places I celebrated my birthday this year!

If you don’t have time for a meal …well then you are in for a treat. If you are hungry for a delicious burger made with local ingredients, you will want to stop on by the Bistro weekends at the Outdoor Burger Bar, your choice of meat! Now it’s time for this county boy, LOL, to hit the big city! Picton here I come!

Hey boys, how’s Portabella http://www.portabellaonmain.com doing? Owners Don King and Roy Pennell use fresh and local ingredients with a large selection of county wines. The local thing is a theme here, don’t ya think. Located on Picton’s Main Street, Portabellas has a pretty relaxed atmosphere with a casual menu. Portabella is a dining favourite for locals and visitors alike. Get the pecan chicken. You can dine and wine with friends, family and your partner taking in the encaustic artwork by local artist Tanya Kirouac. Food, wine and art…what more can you ask for from your dining experience.

So heading back west, as we headed east sorta is Copper Kettle Chocolate Company http://www.copperkettlechocolate.ca. And guess what? It’s owned by one of my best friends, Sue Burgess. She is best known for over 30 varieties of unique chocolate bark, astonishing truffles, homemade ice cream (in season) as well as delicious chocolate and nut specialties. And no matter what she says, I came up with `the idea for the sponge toffee ice cream!

Five of Copper Kettle Chocolate Company’s chocolate barks have won awards at the Canadian Fine Food Show in Toronto. Oh BTW, the white chocolate caramel corn is divine plus there are always oodles and oodles of samples. Copper Kettle Chocolate Company is located in the charming town of Picton, Ontario, close to wineries, great restaurants, galleries and the largest freshwater sand dunes in the world, Sandbanks Provincial Park.

Almost across the street is The Pastry House http://www.pastryhouse.ca. Yes we have more than one bakery in The County. It is a small artisan bakery run by Peter Grendel. Here you will find a fine selection of cakes, pastries, cookies, buns, rolls and breads, all baked in house Peter does not use any artificial colours flavours or preservatives.

Enjoy a cup of fresh coffee or tea with a pastry from the large selection or take back a treat for your friends or partner to enjoy at the inn, bed and breakfast or campground during your stay in Prince Edward County. Whatever the occasion you will find something, a slice of sacher torte anyone?

Enough about eating, what about making it and eating it, too at From The Farm Cooking School http://fromthefarm.ca. Experience the joy of cooking seasonally in Prince Edward County, Ontario – Canada’s newest culinary destination. From the Farm Cooking School is the ultimate field to table culinary experience. Oh and yes, owner Cynthia, a personal chef and food writer is also a friend. What can I say, it’s a small community! She offers cooking classes that highlight the art of seasonal country cooking and traditions from around the world. Sessions are conducted at her restored 1830’s farmhouse, Willow Hill north of where I live, in Hillier Township.

Start your morning by taking a food tour to meet the farmers and local producers. Cynthia will guide you through the local food scene and highlights of the region. You’ll be able to hand pick your ingredients for your class and purchase some goodies to take home. If time is tight, Cynthia will shop and have the items ready for your arrival. After completing your menu, you can enjoy your culinary creation in dining room or outside in the scenic screened-in porch. The day will capture your heart and your senses.

I have learnt something about myself this evening. With few exceptions, I guess I really like meat! That raps it up for now. Here I go bombing down the gravel road, with hare trying to stare me down as I pass by. One quick right and into the driveway I go, home to The Bunker, my house. Cool there are three deer just grazing. Their white tails up and off they go! Lady Gaga must have scared them off, I shouldn’t have been blaring the CD player with the windows down!

Writers Bio: Brought to you by Out in The County www.outinthecounty.com your GL travel source to Prince Edward County managed by partners Michael Deyell and Dean Munroe. Please consider joining our Out in The County facebook page to stay informed at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Out-in-The-County/223674571008370

Cottage life is grand in Muskoka

Guest Writer — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:09:52 +0000

Muskoka has developed a reputation as a summer playground for A-list Hollywood celebrities, titans of industry and just about anyone who has ever played for the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team. Just grabbing some supplies at the Glen Orchard General Store, you might bump into casually dressed weekenders like Kate Hudson or Cindy Crawford filling their carts with ripe local tomatoes, the last of the season’s thick asparagus or the first summer corn.

A leisurely cruise around any one of the area’s three lakes – Joseph, Rosseau and Muskoka – in a vintage racing boat, the preferred mode of transportation around here, will quickly reveal what attracts the rich and famous. Towering pines flourish alongside granite cliffs, warm black lakes reflect soft white clouds and the long days unfurl with languid ease.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be a multimillionaire to share in the experience. For a taste of classic Muskoka, cruise over to the 100-year-old Clevelands House Resort on Lake Rosseau. The beautiful main house with its red mansard roof resembles a classic cruise ship and is surrounded by over 400 acres of land. It’s like a summer camp that parents and kids can attend together, and the best part is that you don’t even have to see each other. Leave the kids in the capable hands of the Children’s Play Village while you work on your short game or backhand at the hotel’s golf course and professional tennis facility.

Lake Rosseau’s grand Windermere House dates back to 1870, but the original structure burned to the ground in the 1990s during the filming of The Long Kiss Goodnight. They rebuilt and reopened the following year, and as recently as 2008 completed a series of luxurious upgrades. This season marks the opening of the much-anticipated WH Spa and the first Muskoka branch of the popular Sanctuary International Day Spa.

The new face of Muskoka is represented by places like the chic, modern Taboo Resort on the southern end of Lake Muskoka. Grab a chair at the “culinary theatre,” an 18-seat marble bar surrounding the open kitchen. You pick the ingredients and the chefs improvise a menu that might include Indian-spiced, braised guinea hen, bison salad or halibut with sea urchin butter sauce.

After a day spent alternating between dips in the lake, laps in the infinity pool and napping on the dock, guests of the chic new Touchstone in Bracebridge can choose between dinner at the resort’s Taste restaurant (smoked duck with baby lettuce, perhaps) or prepare their own meal in their villa’s gourmet kitchen.

When leaders from the world’s G8 nations held their annual conference in Muskoka in 2010 they chose the elegant Deerhurst Resort. There’s no word on whether Nicolas Sarkozy, Barack Obama, David Cameron and the other leaders duelled it out in the paintball zone, but the lakeside golf course did get plenty of use.

Getting here

Glen Orchard General Store, RR 3, 4000 Hwy. 169, Glen Orchard, 705-765-3251

Clevelands House Resort, 1040 Juddhaven Rd., Minett, 1-888-567-1177,clevelandshouse.com

Windermere House, 2508 Windermere Rd., Windermere, 1-888-946-3376,windermerehouse.com

Taboo Resort, 1209 Muskoka Beach Rd., Gravenhurst, 1-800-461-0236,tabooresort.com

Touchstone, 1869 Muskoka Rd. 118 W., Bracebridge, 1-866-928-1098,touchstoneonlakemuskoka.com/resort.html

Deerhurst Resort,1235 Deerhurst Dr., Huntsville, 1-800-461-4393,deerhurstresort.com

Ontario Tourism, 1-800-ONTARIO (1-800-668-2746), www.ontariotravel.net

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Chris Johns is a food, travel and lifestyle writer focusing on restaurants and hotels. Anything newsworthy relating to those subjects would appeal to him.

Georgian Bay the “sixth great lake”

Guest Writer — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:33:06 +0000

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL SIZED MAP (PDF)

Sights and places to discover

The stopovers are countless in the Georgian Bay area. Here’s a quick overview starting south of the Bay.

Owen Sound

Collingwood

Proceeding east for 64 kms (40 miles), one will come to the Town of Collingwood, with a population of over 16,000 people.

Wasaga Beach

Penetanguishene

Midland

Honey Harbour

Parry Sound

Killarney

30,000 Islands, including Manitoulin Island

For more information click here

Rainbow connection to Canada’s wine trail

Guest Writer — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:10:12 +0000

Where did we leave off? What kind of impression do you have of Prince Edward County, now? Today is glorious…the sun is bathing those pastoral scenes cut with winding roads hugging the gentle hills and fields of grapes, corn, wheat, cattle and sheep. The sky is azure blue…OMG what a great day for a Hillier Horn Trip to a few of my favorite wineries and vineyards. With the windows down in the truck, wind blowing through my hair I certainly can give those Divas on the radio a run for their money! Well hanging a right on the Loyalist Parkway my eyes are drawn to the vastness on Lake Ontario and my thoughts turn to taking a dip in the cool refreshing water.

No one has ever captured a vineyard’s magic in words, or music, or even pictures. Vineyards are amazing places that have entranced people for centuries. Poets have written wistful and profound verses about them. This is my backyard, The County…a more serene and gentler Canadian version of Ptown.

Here I am already at Keint-He Winery with Bryan Rogers. Every bottle of wine is personally made by the winemaker and only 100% hillier grapes. It’s going to be a Pinot morning! There is a philosophy of producing wine in the traditional Burgundian methodology and adhering to organic vineyard practices. With 30 acres of high density, 90% being Pinot Noir, although less fruit is produced, the sacrifice gives rise to “intense flavour”. So should I try the Foxtail, Little Creek Classic or Little Creek Benway…I think there is a water theme evolving. The pinots are vegan fruit, unfined, unfiltered and barrel aged, they are not rushed. It is to reproduce the methodology and understand the wine as a new world classic experience. The setting with the use of stone and the wood is reminiscent of a “voyageur” rustic building. But what’s this…an 08 Nord Pineaux Sauvage…a botrytis affected wine, “Noble Rot”. What a find! What next? What sets Keint-He apart further is that they are one winery with three distinct vineyards, each possessing its own unique terroir. Time to head due west for all of 1 minute!

I see banners! Bright colours! Time for a fiesta, really in the County? It’s Sandbanks Winery, a light airy…time to seize the day with that French saying “Joie de vivre”! Wine is fun and is paired with life, imagine that! Well I guess since Sandbanks started in the kitchen, the feel is relaxing…a glass of wine, some cheese and outdoors you go to just kick back. It makes the heart feel good! It is a fruit forward experience with the goal being to offer wine for good value and fair trade. Here there are wines for everyone and that are easy to pair with food. Two 100% County ones strike me: a Baco Reserve 09 aged for 18 months in American oaks, fruity, intense, juicy, juicy, juicy, as one of my art teachers used to say! And the Mouton Noir (Black Sheep, LOL) a Marechal Foch…I can taste the dirt, the terroir, the earth…and that is a good thing. I’m feeling the love! Sandbanks Estate Winery is a family owned winery situated along the picturesque shores of Lake Ontario, in the heart of beautiful Prince Edward County. Catherine Langlois invites you to enjoy wine tasting in their charming boutique, explore the estate or sit back and relax in their inviting vineyard setting, but it ‘s time to go.

Going north on hwy 33, The Loyalist Parkway, I see the sign Harwood Estates Vineyards. That took 3 minutes. Going through the three vineyards that are tended by hand, I come upon a domed metal clad galvanized steel structure. The tasting room is the winery; you are surrounded by all that equipment while sipping Pinot Noir, Pinot St. Laurent or Pinot Gris. By the way, these are owners Kerry Wicks and John Rode’s favourites. Although wine is alone without food, so they say… the Friends Rose with its strawberry pallet is vivacious, all by itself! If I may digress, last time I was here at an evening BBQ I cultivated an affinity to the Gewürztraminer 2009. I was drawn to it exotic taste. Harwoods Gewürztraminer 2009 is elegant, perfumy wine, showing classic rose petal notes and the classic Hillier minerality. But then there is the Pinot Gris 2009 a crisp, clean white wine, with a hint of grapefruit, best served well-chilled. Every Harwood visit is a winery tour. Time to scoot across a back road up to Closson Road, over hill and over dale.

How I love that old split rail wooden fencing zig-zaging by the side of the country lane guiding me to The Grange of Prince Edward Vineyard Estate and Winery. Like most in The County, it is a family-run agri-business. For Caroline Granger it is all about balance and authenticity…grown and bottled on the farm. With 60 acres under vine, the farm is home to 6 distinct vineyard blocks and 7 varieties of grapes to make it one of the larger vineyards in Canada and one of my neighbours. The place is a dichotomy…a winery with all the new fandangled equipment set amidst a farm operating for over 207 years housed in a hand honed beam barn built 1826. I feel like I am coming home for thanks giving. The wines are likened to an orchestra finding perfect balance, perfect pitch and the perfect arrangement but always searching for constant improvement. The wines are divided into 2 categories. Trumpour’s Mill is the more affordable line. If you are looking to explore and experiment discover GPE, the smaller production series of sexy wines-smaller lot processed and hand sorted. Boy, that sounds like a lot work! On a general note, the whites are peachy with a bit of lime and grapefruit but the reds…wait for it…are warmed sweet beet root with earthiness. Although the cabernet franc is the good child and more noble grape, it is the 07 Diana Block Pinot Noir that is best and only getting better! And they have a sparkling…how I love those bubbles! Sorry I get carried away when it comes to those little bubbles!

Continuing on my Hillier Horn Trip- Huff Estates Winery. A modern monolithic facility created by Lanny Huff with one thing in mind, producing high quality wines. Check this out, there is a moat-surrounded patio and a heli-pad. So here I run into Fred Picard and we chat about the experience of farming. How does one relate the grapes into the wine? There are several factors at play: the terroir, the micro climate, the taste of the grape, the knowledge, the research, the challenge…all this to know how to transfer the essence of the grape into a bottle. And be consistent year over year. In this way you should be able to recognize what you drink, “the cepage” and there should be NO surprises…here is that balance thing again! His philosophy is to be true to the earth and you are given one chance to take everything nature has given you to a simple way with some chemistry, bottle it! On a lighter note it is about learning and having fun so…here’s to the 08 Chardonay vintage barrel aged and the 2010 pinot gris that are chalked full of fruit and underlying floral notes. And OMG…they have sparkling!

Next, heading towards Picton, I am off to see Geoff Webb at the Black Prince Winery. Just outside of town, The Prince is a ten acre vineyard that grows Chardonnay, Cab Franc and some hybrids. One of the pioneering wineries of the local scene, The Black Prince Winery is a very co-operative character – over the last 10 years helping launch 4 new wineries here. Since 2002 Black Prince Winery has sourced local grapes and continues to work with many local growers exclusively. The ultimate in “local” is the Prince’s Chardonnay Terroir Elite – the first County wine to be aged in local County oak barrels. Watch for the awesome 2010 vintage to be released soon – without a doubt the best vintage yet. And guess what’s coming? A very exciting Merlot and Cabernet Franc Reserve along with the Chardonnay, all aged in local Prince Edward County oak barrels, of course. Plus there is one of the largest selections of wines all under one roof. As per Geoff, One Winery – Many Terroir, The Prince will bring a smile to your lips! Time to turn around and head home.

Back into the truck, last but not least here is a toast to owner’s Sally and Rob Peck of Sugarbush Vineyards which just happens to be on my way home. Theirs is the garagiste winery of Prince Edward County. Garagiste:\GA-razh-EEST\ n. fr. A passionate winemaker who creates limited production premium wine in a garage-sized winery, specializing in small lot, artisanal wines made entirely from our estate-grown grapes. Don’t you just love it! All of their vintages are produced entirely from grapes hand harvested from their vineyard. The Riesling/Gewürztraminer although only 20% Gewürz, the silky Gewürztraminer viscosity pushes through a beautiful floral nose and here is the fruit- pear, grapefruit and a twist of lemon finish. The un-oaked Chardonnay tantalizes the nose and the palette. So what can I say, Prince Edward County soils add a fantastic minerality and finesse to the wine.

It’s been a long day…my Hillier Horn Trip has been a success. I’ve tasted, sampled the “terroir” and even gotten a bit of that famous Hillier clay loam on my boots. The gps is set for home and up Chase Road I go! So all I need now … is a glass of wine. LOL!

Writers Bio: Michael and Dean of f a d: funktional art and design have created Out in The County to provide recommendations for the gay and lesbian (GL) traveler on GL-owned and GL-friendly businesses when visiting one of the most beautiful places in Canada: Prince Edward County. Our objective is to promote GL-lifestyle tourism.

Visit www.outinthecounty.com today as well consider joining Out in The County on Facebook and Twitter

A breath of fresh air in St. Andrews

Guest Writer — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:48:00 +0000

Summer has officially arrived when you can enter Kingsbrae Garden in St. Andrews and view the thousands of perennials in bloom, bursting with every color found on an Impressionist painter’s palette. As the hummingbirds feed on the red Monarda flowers under the shade of the expansive horse chestnut tree, I bend down to smell the perfumed scent of June, thanks to the rugosas in the rose garden. The attack on the senses continues at the Scents and Sensitivity Garden, where I touch the velvety lamb’s ear and sniff the lemon-scented geranium. Ah yes, inhale deeply and you’ll never want to leave.

Located on the southern tip of New Brunswick, the seaside village of St. Andrews has been a healthy retreat in summer for more than a century. People come to stop and smell the flowers at Kingsbrae Garden and walk Water Street, where two- and three-storey clapboard buildings from the 19th century are now home to shops, restaurants and bars. Most of all, visitors venture to St. Andrews to experience the 16-m (52-ft) tidal shift on the Bay of Fundy, the highest tide in the world. By all means, get out on the water via guided boat tour or sea kayak to discover the bevy of sea life, from the arched back of the minke whale to the equine snout of the gray seal to the harbor porpoises jumping in tandem to the eagles flying overhead.

Back on terra firma, spend the night at the Kingsbrae Arms, a Relais & Chateaux property that was once the country home of the very family that created the neighboring Kingsbrae Garden. Chef Guillaume Delaune has no regular menu. His select group of fishermen and farmers meet him daily to deliver locally caught halibut, lobster, scallops, wild mushrooms, organically grown greens and blueberries. One bite of the tender pan-roasted halibut and you’ll realize that St. Andrews is now a luxurious retreat, one that continues to stimulate all five senses.

Getting here

Kingsbrae Garden, 220 King St., 1-866-566-8687, kingsbraegarden.com

Whale Watching Cruise, Quoddy Link Marine, 6 King St., 1-877-688-2600,quoddylinkmarine.com

Kingsbrae Arms, 219 King St., 506-529-1897, kingsbrae.com

Tourism New Brunswick, 1-800-561-0123, www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca Steve Jermanok’s frustration at gardening has only taught him to appreciate even more the splendor of a well-manicured garden. He blogs daily at ActiveTravels.com.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre by Steve Jermanok

Potential tourists told Canada is unique

Features — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 03:18:21 +0000

A tundra buggy ride to photograph polar bears in northern Manitoba. Inching across a swinging suspension bridge over a ravine in the Columbia Mountains. Tidal bore rafting on Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie River. They’re prime examples of what Canada’s tourism sector is hoping to use to attract big spending international visitors who are looking for something out of the ordinary on their next vacation.

“Travellers spent $1 trillion on tourism globally in 2010 — that’s $3 billion dollars a day or $2 million a minute. We want more than our fair share of that revenue,” says Michele McKenzie, the president and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission.

McKenzie recently announced the launch of “Signature Experiences Collection” at a tourism conference in Banff, Alta. It’s a compilation of 48 Canadian tourism enterprises from coast to coast to coast. It will be marketed in 11 countries and initially be rolled out in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Australia.

“Tourism is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world and it’s become a very high stakes game and one in which countries are competing to win and Canada is competing to win,” McKenzie says.

“Winning countries are those that offer exotic experiences, a strong tourism brand, great infrastructure and effective collaboration between government and tourism partners.”

Canada’s Rocky Mountains, skiing and history aren’t enough to attract the international visitors flush with cash, although some tried and true events such as the Calgary Stampede, ice wine tours, Niagara Falls in Ontario and winery tours in British Columbia still make the grade.

Also on the list are the Grand Festival of Winter and the Ice Hotel in Quebec; iceberg viewing in Newfoundland and Labrador; the Plain of the Six Glaciers Tea House Ride in Alberta; dogsled adventures in the Northwest Territories, and a cowboy adventure in Saskatchewan.

“Simply having a positive image as a country does not translate into a compelling reason to visit,” says McKenzie.

“Our challenge was to inspire our customers with a Canada that offered more than spectacular scenery but to offer tourism experiences that rival those of even our most exotic competitors.”

The recession has taken a toll on the travel sector, says Kevin Stanton, owner and operator of Brewster Adventures in Banff. He says the program is needed to win international markets. The concept appears to be working.

“We sent some guests out on an overnight trip and halfway through their trip, a wild horse colt decided to join the people. That horse went all the way to their overnight camp and came back,” he said.

“Those international people will never forget that. It was an experience of a lifetime for them.”

The initiative should encourage the rest of the world to visit Canada, said Maxime Bernier, minister of state for small business and tourism. Bernier admits to having visited only one of the 48 experiences in the campaign — the Ice Hotel in Quebec City.

Canada has benefited from the publicity surrounding the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and more recently the visit by Prince William and Kate, he said.

“It’s something very special and also it was free all across the world in different markets like in the United Kingdom,” said Bernier.

“Experiences like that can also bring other international travellers here.”

An official with the Calgary Stampede estimates that international visitors have dropped off 5 to 10 per cent the past couple of years, but senses that things are beginning to turn around.

Lindsay Galloway said the publicity that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge gave to the Stampede, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2012, is priceless.

Prince William and his bride, Kate, wore western garb, including the famous white cowboy hats, while riding a stagecoach. They also took part in the Stampede parade.

“The coverage we’re receiving around the world is unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable. It’s great for the Stampede, it’s great for Alberta and the country,” he said.

“Them wearing cowboy hats is a lasting image around the world that will just serve our city so well.”

Weekend getaways are the secret for Canadian Happiness

Guest Writer — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:44:15 +0000

Whether travelling by planes, trains or automobiles, weekend getaways are what keep Canadians happy all summer long. According to a recent survey on happiness, 87 per cent of Canadians state that weekend vacations make them the happiest.

The Coca-Cola Happiness Monitor explored not only when we are feeling our best, but what contributes to our overall happiness. Lakes, oceans, campfires and the Rocky Mountains are our nation’s emblems of summer. And when these summer staples are paired with family vacations, weekend getaways with friends, Canadians bliss out.

“The study told us that Canadians have a lot to say on the topic of happiness and as a nation, we share many common points of view. Our stunning landscape and natural scenery, outdoor recreation and family and friends are all contributors to our collective happiness,” said Nicola Kettlitz, President, Coca-Cola Ltd.

The Happiness Monitor

The Happiness Monitor survey canvassed 5,000 Canadians 16 years and older. Respondents were asked about all things “happiness”, including social networks, active living, work and the influence of Canadian icons and landscapes in their lives.

Nearly all Canadians are happiest when surrounded by water, which is good news for a country flanked by three oceans, permeated by lakes, rivers and streams and stewarding the largest supply of fresh water in the world. Whether it’s kayaking, canoeing, swimming or surfing, Canadians from coast to coast will spend the lazy days of summer lounging on the dock or riding the waves.

96 per cent prefer spending time on a lake
93 per cent of Canadians prefer the cool breeze of the ocean air

Summer is the best time to enjoy our nation’s vast landscape and iconic natural wonders.

From a Cabot Trail bike tour to an Algonquin canoe trip, Canadians won’t miss an opportunity to experience the dance of the Northern Lights, the grandeur of Niagara Falls and the majesty of the Rocky Mountains.

92 per cent said the Rocky Mountains are the Canadian icon that makes them the happiest

Spending time with family and friends during the summer months is the first thing on Canadians minds. The Happiness Monitor discovered the number-one contributing factor to personal happiness is family or a significant other at 71 per cent.

87 per cent of Canadians are happiest on a vacation with a spouse or significant other
82 per cent enjoy trips with their friends
76 per cent state that vacation time with their children makes them the happiest

Stop to smell the lavender

Guest Writer — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 01:24:04 +0000

If you’re passing through Québec’s Eastern Townships region this summer, with the wind off Lake Memphremagog blowing just right, you may find your attention drawn by a distant, but distinct, floral perfume. That spritz of sweet-smelling air is Mother Nature’s way of advertising the Bleu Lavande lavender farm, just past the covered bridge in the rural hamlet of Fitch Bay.

Despite the challenge of long, cold winters, owners Pierre Pellerin and Christine Deschesnes defied conventional wisdom – and conquered their own inexperience – to slowly nurture their dream of planting a bit of Provence on 100 acres of land they purchased near the Québec-Vermont border. After a false start in 2002 (the first winter killed off all but 10,000 plants), Bleu Lavande now boasts over 300,000 true lavender plants under cultivation, all grown without chemicals or pesticides, making it the second-biggest operation of its kind in North America.

A farmstead boutique opened in 2004, and there are now many Bleu Lavande shops across the province, including several in the Montreal area. But even if it’s a bit out of the way, there is a lot more in store for visitors to the original location. You’ll find the brand’s full range of lavender-based products, from lotions, soaps and cleaning products, to lavender cooking ingredients, chocolates and honey, as well as candles, linen water and even potted English and Munstead lavender plants (the latter’s petals are edible).

During warm months, there are also lots of unique activities, including guided tours of the farm and distillery offering insight on lavender oil’s calming effects and antiseptic properties, catered picnics featuring local products, and relaxing open-air massages overlooking the tranquil sea of purple blooms. Each summer, there’s also a three-day Lavender Fair, with cooking workshops, live music, painting exhibitions and more.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

99 years of western fun

Guest Writer — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 23:55:07 +0000

It takes extreme creativity to truly claim the title “greatest outdoor show on earth” for nearly a century. And as the Calgary Stampede approaches its 100^th birthday in 2012, the addition of extremely interesting new events is no surprise. organizers have continually added elements over the decades to ensure their “greatest outdoor show” moniker doesn’t lose its lustre. This year’s Stampede will be held July 8-17, 2011.

In 2010 the Stampede took extreme up one more notch: adding an event called “Cowboy Up,” which is based on a popular Western trend called the Extreme Cowboy Race™.

Photo Credit: Calgary Stampede

Cowboy Up adds to a two-week schedule that’s already loaded with extremes:

Extremely exciting rodeo with a million dollars in prize money on one Sunday alone.
Extremely fancy boots and hats Calgarians pull out the closet each year.
Extremely popular mini-doughnuts on the midway (get your own bag, once you taste them you won’t want to share!)
Extremely dazzling nightly fireworks (following an always over-the-top song ‘n dance show).
Perhaps greatest of all, the extreme-adrenaline chuckwagon races – an event rarely seen outside Alberta.

For fans of the rodeo and all-things western, Cowboy Up adds perfectly to what the Stampede started out to be 99 years ago: a big, fancy, rodeo where cowboys from the surrounding Prairie ranches could show their stuff and maybe earn a bit of prize money. Locals and visitors alike love the annual show; in 2010 over 1.1 million people passed through the Stampede’s gates.

Cowboy Up takes place inside the Saddledome Arena (it actually looks like a saddle), and involves cowboys/girls working their horses through a variety of Western tasks and obstacles. The course changes from race to race; possibilities for the 14 obstacles include horseback archery, leading a blindfolded horse, backing the horse uphill, and even events that require the rider to stand on the saddle or navigate water obstacles, all in eight minutes.

While Cowboy Up showcases many cowboy skills, the rodeo – and especially the chuckwagon races – is still the true heart of the Calgary Stampede.

Chuckwagon races are based on the history of cowboy camping, where a campsite would have a “chuck wagon” for their kitchen. In the race, horseback cowboys called “outriders” must toss camp equipment into the wagon before the wagon can begin racing a figure eight and a full lap of the racetrack – with the outriders completing the course too. It’s truly extreme, and rules have been changed this year to make it safer for the athletes and animals. The crowd goes wild for these races, and the stands tend to sell out.

“Cowboy Up” Extreme Cowboy Race, July 9, 10, & 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Calgary Travel Information, www.visitcalgary.com

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Writer Randall Shirley lives in Vancouver, BC, a place he thinks is paradise. Nevertheless, the travel bug causes him to leave often, penning works for The Boston Globe, The Calgary Herald, The South China Morning Post, and more. Shirley edits the Canadian gay and lesbian travel magazine Out In Canada and frequently appears as “resident globetrotter” on Vancouver’s Shaw TV Studio 4. Rare accomplishment: He’s one of a rare group: those who have visited all 13 Canadian provinces and territories.

A dude’s guide to roaming the highways

Guest Writer — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:20:09 +0000

Work, kids, working out, taking care of the house, and a hairline that’s heading for the back of your collar – it’s enough to make a guy understand why some men feel the urge to buy an outrageously impractical sports car at this stage of life. But you don’t need a mid-life crisis. What you need is a road trip.

Road trips are a rite of passage for young men everywhere, but college dudes shouldn’t be the only ones who get to enjoy this uniquely North American kind of adventure. If skinny neckties and big hair were in style the last time you took a road trip with your buds, it may be time to toss a duffel in the truck bed, round up your amigos and hit the highway. A few practical measures can help ensure your more mature road trip is still fun and works for everyone:

Packing it in

Your days of cramming six guys and all their gear into a barely drivable, high-mileage sub-compact are probably over. A reliable yet fun-to-drive pickup is perfect for your grown-up road trip with the guys. And since your stuff is probably going to be worth more than what you toted around during your college days, be sure to protect it. A lockable roll-up cover, like the tonneau cover will keep your belongings protected from the elements – including criminal elements – while you’re on the road. Plus, a truck bed cover can help improve your vehicle’s gas mileage.

As for what to pack, be sure to include an emergency roadside kit, first aid kit and any medications that you regularly need. Bring along a GPS device and your trusty mobile phone so you can stay on track and in touch. You might also consider a set of dressier clothes if your dining tastes have matured since your fast-food days.

Finely tuned machines

In the old days, you might have motored through the night with just a few hours of sleep and several cups of coffee to keep you going – and that was part of the thrill. These days, however, you probably appreciate a more relaxed pace, which includes sleeping well and eating right. Keeping yourself “well tuned” can help ensure you enjoy your road trip as much as possible.

You’ll also want to make sure your vehicle is in top condition. It’s a good idea to change the oil, and check the tire pressure and coolant system before you get on the road. If your vehicle is due for some routine maintenance, have it done before you start your trip.

Have a plan, man

How many road trips of your youth ended up at a destination other than the one you had in mind when you started out? Meandering can be fun, but having a plan can be rewarding too. Your taste in destinations has probably matured, so consult with your traveling partners and consider spots that appeal to your current interests and finances.

Use a GPS or online resource to pre-plan your route and make sure the people you love know where you’ll be along the way.

The mechanics of your mature road trip may be a world away from the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants style you favored in your college days. But a road trip can be a great way to relax and reconnect with friends no matter what stage you’re at in life.

Original article ARAContent

Osoyoos: Canada’s only hot desert

Guest Writer — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:18:23 +0000

When most people think about Canada, they usually have thoughts of great snowy forests, epic rocky mountains, and majestic rivers and lakes. What they don’t usually think about are deserts. While there are vast expanses in the northern areas of the country that receive little to no precipitation for the majority of the year, these spots in the tundra are usually so cold no one associates them with cacti and rolling dunes that deserts are famous for. So imagine the surprise of these people when they come across Osoyoos, Canada’s only hot desert and summer wonderland. Hailed as one of the hottest spots in the confederation, Osoyoos is a natural wonder at the southern most point of the Okanagan and the northern most point of the Sonoran desert chain that starts down in Mexico.

Situated on the shores of the warm Lake Osoyoos, this town is known as a fantastic summer getaway for people across the country. Thanks to innovations of irrigation technology, much of the once barren countryside has been converted into lush areas filled with orchards, vineyards and golf courses. While parts of the desert have been reclaimed, this town is still surrounded by cactus, rolling dunes and tumbleweeds. About 4,300 Osoyoosians call this town home, but the population easily doubles during the summer months when vacationers flock to this location to take advantage of their hot weather and unique geographical location.

The History of Osoyoos

Taking its name from the Okanagan Indian word Osoyoos, meaning “the narrow place where two lakes come together,” this location has been seeing visitors to its shores since 1066 with the first permanent Native villages. The first Europeans ever to set foot on the mountain desert were Pacific Fur company employees, David Stuart and Monitary in the fall of 1811, while searching for a more efficient path to Fort Kamloops through the interior mountainous regions of British Columbia. From 1812– 1842, the Hudson Bay Company set up important trading posts on the banks of Lake Osoyoos because of its ideal weather conditions and location.

After the gold rush of the late 1800s brought in many a new settler, people started taking up land in the valley for various agricultural endeavors. After the planting of the first orchard in 1890 and the irrigation project of 1919, the area grew to become an excellent spot for fruit farmers and eventually Osoyoos was incorporated in 1946.

The main businesses that continue to draw people to live in Osoyoos are the fruit farming, winery and tourism industries. Among other fruits, peaches, cherries and even bananas (Canada’s only banana plantation) are grown in the various orchards in the area. Many wineries call the area home, producing some vino known the world over for its high quality and excellent taste. Because of the wonderful weather that blesses the city, the tourism industry is a large employer of permanent residents.

Regional Climate

Osoyoos is a sun worshipers mecca receiving over 2000 hours of sunshine a year. Due to its unique location at the base of the Cascade Mountains, Osoyoos is in a rain shadow causing there to be very little annual precipitation.

As Canada’s only hot desert (the arctic tundra has desert like conditions in terms of the amount of annual precipitation, but is very cold), Osoyoos has the lowest amount of annual precipitation in the country, taking in only 25 cm (10 in) of rainfall and 5 cm (2 in) of snowfall. Lake Osoyoos is the warmest freshwater lake in Canada and this town also boasts the warmest annual temperature anywhere in the country. The average day time high temperature in the summer (July) is a toasty 29ºC(84ºF). In the winter, the mercury hovers around the freezing point with the average day time high in January being 0.1ºC (32ºF).

Transportation Links

Located on the shores of Lake Osoyoos, Osoyoos is easy to get to by a variety of different modes of conveyance. The nearest airport is in about a three hour (300 km) drive to the north of Kamloops for those hoping to fly into town.

From Calgary, Alberta, Osoyoos is about 890 km (553 mi) or a nine-hour drive by car. Osoyoos is only 400 km (249 mi) away from the largest city in B.C., Vancouver. That works out to be a five-hour drive. While in town, visitors will notice the that city is divided in the middle by the lake. The east side of town where the downtown is found, with a majority of the shop and restaurant located only Main Street.

Farther up the road where road turns into the Crowsnest Highway, visitors will find mostly orchards and residential neighbourhoods. The westside of town is where the majority of the hotels and campgrounds will be found. Should travellers feel like taking a trip to the United States, the lake spans the international boarder, so those with access to a boat or a strong set of legs, can head to the town of Oroville on the southern shores of Lake Osoyoos.

Things To Do and See

The main draw of Osoyoos is the natural splendors that permeate every aspect of life in town. The desert and the lake are major sources for activities to do and things to see. The Nk’Mip Desert and Heritage Site shows travellers the rich history of the area through a non-European point-of-view. Offering information and displays about the desert, people visiting this location can go on guided tours of the surrounding dry lands on a raised-board pathway. Another museum that should be on any history buff list is the Osoyoos Museum. Constructed from hand cut logs, this establishment was built in 1963. Families stopping by this location can be regaled with stories of what life was like during the turn of the century for the first settlers to the area.

Lake Osoyoos provides endless hours of entertainment for people in town. The warm lake is perfect for any watery pursuit travellers can think of. Boat rentals, wakeboarding, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, and parasailing are just some of the adventures people can have on the water.

For people who want to take off and get away from the city, Haynes Point Provincial Park is an excellent destination only 2 km (1.2 mi) south of town. The warm waters in the area make it an idyllic place for water sport enthusiasts looking to partake of some jet skiing, wakeboarding or waterskiing. Bird watchers will rejoice when visiting this area as it is the only know home in Canada to the nations tiniest avian, the Calliope Hummingbird.

No trip to Osoyoos would be complete without visiting at least one of their many vineyards and wineries. One unique stop is the Nk’Mip Cellars Winery. This is the only First Nations owned and operated vineyard in Canada and it annually turns out over 15,000 cases of the delicious grapeproduct. Its location on the hills overlooking the lake give it a breathtaking view of the picturesque town. For people looking to get more than just a taste of what the wine region has to offer, winery tours are available offering whole-day and half day tours.

Every spring this town plays host to a bacchanal that celebrates Dionysus favourite beverage and Osoyoos’ most famous export; wine. In early May, the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival offers over 50 events to enlighten and entertain at various locations throughout the Okanagan. Another festival known to draw a fun-loving crowd is the Osoyoos Annual Cherry Fiesta. On the first of July, events take place across the Okanagon to celebrate the sweet tree treat. The festivities range from beer gardens and pancake breakfasts to crafts and cherry pie eating contest.

For people looking to experience the sand and heat of the desert, but would rather not venture out to the Sahara, Osoyoos is a perfect travel destination. The wine, fruit and lake make a trip to this town a perfect summer adventure.

For more information visit the official city website

Visit the official tourism website

The Forks: Winnipeg’s beloved meeting spot

Guest Writer — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:40:49 +0000

Recently The Forks was named as Canada’s top public space in the Great Places in Canada contest. More than 6,000 nominations were submitted as part of this year’s contest, which is sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Planners.

The public had four months to vote for their favourite in three award categories: great streets, great neighbourhoods and great public spaces. A panel of professional planners then selected the top three winners in each category.

The Forks beat out Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto and Pippy Park in St. John’s in the great spaces category.

The Forks: One of Winnipeg’s most beloved meeting spots

“The Forks” in Downtown Winnipeg has a rich history of early Aboriginal settlement, immigration, the advent of the railway, the fur trade, and the coming of the industrial age. This place is one of Winnipeg’s most important landmarks, having archaeological digs that prove Aboriginal groups were active here thousands of years ago, plus one of the key sites of early railroad development on the Prairies (5 rail yards dominated the site). The government promoted immigration & settlement and Winnipeg as we know it today was known as the “Gateway to the West” in earlier times.

Nestled in the heart of downtown, The Forks is one of Winnipeg’s most beloved and pre-eminent meeting spots, at the junction of the Assiniboine River where it meets the mighty Red.

The Forks possesses a rich 6000-year old history. Early Aboriginal peoples traded at The Forks, followed by European fur traders, Métis buffalo hunters, Scottish settlers, riverboat workers, railway pioneers and tens of thousands of immigrants.

Today, framed by the banks of the two rivers, The Forks is Winnipeg’s number one tourist destination with more than four million visitors annually. The Forks features something for everyone including parks, promenades, gardens and sculptures alongside shops, restaurants and a multitude of attractions.

The 54-acre site has received international awards for design excellence and worldwide attention as a model for urban renewal and waterfront development. Winter, spring, summer or fall, The Forks is must for a stunning array of dining experiences, incomparable shopping, a constantly changing slate of entertainment and events, and many unique attractions that encompass the site’s natural, historic and man-made features.

The Forks sits at the birthplace of the City, at the confluence of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers. The Forks is an amalgam of public facilities (indoor and outdoor) mixed with commercial and retail spaces within a pedestrian prioritized site.
The Forks is landlocked by the two intertwining rivers and the rail line along its Western boundary. To compensate for these boundaries a series of penetrations through the rail line and bridges over the two rivers have connected The Forks to downtown Winnipeg’s Main Street to the West, St. Boniface to the East and South, and The Exchange District National Historic Site to the North.
Buildings are centered around a number of exterior spaces of different sizes and capacity for use. The original Canopy area creates a congregational space for theatre in the round, small performances and serves as a plaza to the boat basin, the Forks Market and the Johnston Terminal.
The Forks Festival site, now more commonly know as Scotiabank Stage, which is activated as the central performance/celebration space in Winnipeg for all major celebrations is bordered by the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, The Inn at the Forks, The Plaza @ The Forks (Skateboard Park), the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (opening tbd), and The Forks National Historic Site.
As a pedestrian priority site, The Forks has placed a high priority on ensuring an ease of access for all people. The site is the central focus of all Active Transportation pathway systems in Winnipeg allowing all users to connect to the Forks by foot, bike, skateboard, etc… Additionally, a waterbus system through the summer months provides a unique experience for visitors to the site, that is replaced with the Guinnes world record holding longest Ice Skating Trail through the winter months connecting many neighbourhoods to The Forks. Sitting immediately adjacent to the VIA train station, visitors travelling across Canada stop at the Forks through the historic rail station.
Every major event that occurs at the Forks (Canada Day celebrations, barge festival, skateboard contests, skating trails, dancing under the canopy, etc…) is offered free of charge to all spectators. At this centralized location all Winnipegers have equal access and ease of access to the site at all times of the year.
The Forks has placed a high priority on animating the site through all seasons and at all times of the day. From its Arctic Glacier Winter Park that features tobogganing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and ice skating along the world’s Longest Ice Skating Trail – Winnipegers and visitors are treated to an exciting and dynamic winter environment that accommodates all users from beginners to experts. Programming throughout the year is critical, from ice hockey and jam pail curling tournaments in the winter to skateboard competitions, musical performances on the main stage, fireworks, The Winnipeg Children’s Festival, and much much more, the Forks is an active space at all times of the year.
At its origin, The Forks was predominantly marshland along the two rivers in early development of Winnipeg this site was cut off from the City by the Rail line and used primarily as a rail hub. The site’s grade was artificially raised to accommodate the needs of the rail industry and up until the late 1980’s became an unused rail yard. As a brownfield development, The Forks has seen the retrofit of the four remaining buildings on the site into the Main Market building, the Johnston Terminal (commercial and retail spaces), the A Channel building, and the Manitoba Children’s Museum. The protection of the riverbank by Parks Canada as the Forks National Historic Site continues to enhance the natural environment. The Prairie Garden, the Peace Meeting Interpretive Site, the South Point redevelopment and the site development for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights have all reclaimed former gravel spaces with the reintroduction of native plant species as both a spiritual and educational effort.
Additionally, the recent Target Zero campaign has the Forks site looking at alternative energy sources and a complete reduction of waste into waste harvesters and bio-fuel based maintenance vehicles as an effort to reduce the imprint of the site on the rest of the City of Winnipeg.

For more information about “The Forks” visit the official website

Travel by Canadian residents abroad increased by 4.0%

Features — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:42:17 +0000

Travel by Canadian residents abroad rose 4.0% from March to 5.0 million trips in April. This advance was largely attributable to an increase in trips by Canadians to the United States. The number of trips by Canadian residents to the United States rose 4.2% to 4.3 million trips in April. This was the highest monthly figure since March 1995. Canadian residents took 2.4 million same-day car trips to the United States in April, up 3.9% from March. Same-day car travel has been on an upward trend since September 2010.

Canadian residents took 1.8 million overnight trips to the United States in April, up 4.5% from March. This advance was in large part attributable to an increase in overnight car travel, which rose 6.4% to 1.1 million trips. Overnight plane travel rose 2.2% from March to 622,000 trips in April.

Travel by Canadian residents to overseas countries reached 766,000 trips in April, up 3.1% from March. In the other direction, the number of trips by overseas residents to Canada was up 0.8% to 1.9 million in April. The number of trips taken by American residents to Canada increased 0.6% in April to 1.6 million. Same-day car travel by American residents to Canada increased 1.5% from March to 556,000 trips. This was the first monthly increase since August 2010.

In addition, overnight car travel rose 2.5% from March to 545,000 trips in April. Overnight plane travel declined 3.6% to 284,000 trips.

The number of trips by overseas residents increased 1.9% to 369,000 in April. The number of trips taken by residents of Japan rebounded 27.3% in April following a 26.7% decline in March. Travel by residents of South Korea increased 15.2% while the number of trips by Mexican residents to Canada declined 14.3%.

Five ingredients for a memorable family vacation

Guest Writer — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:17:39 +0000

There’s a reason families continue to cram the whole crew into the minivan and look forward to summer getaways. With everyone short on time, from PTA meetings to soccer games and everything in between, a family vacation is still the best way to soak up the time you have to share with your loved ones. The family vacation is something that creates lasting memories, and stories that get passed down the generational ladder.

But what is it that makes a family vacation so great? Reasons range from special attention given to each family member, to activities you all do together that bring you closer. Wherever you choose to travel, here are five ingredients that are sure to make your trip memorable for everyone.

1. Get active together. Choose an adventure the whole family can enjoy during your trip. Maybe it’s seeing the area you’re visiting by bicycle or horseback. Or perhaps there’s a theme park nearby where you can all enjoy a thrill. Taking a unique class offered by the resort where you are staying or a nearby activity center can also be a great way to bond. Choosing a resort with family activities is a good idea if you like the simplicity of having everything in one place.

2. Give everyone the star treatment. Before you leave, make sure to ask all family members what types of things they’d like to do during your vacation and plan so everyone is considered. Try to stay somewhere that goes out of its way to make all family members feel welcome.

3. Get outside. One of the best ways to enjoy a beautiful destination is to explore its natural areas. Taking a hike with the whole family can expose your children to the wonders of the outdoors, and they’re sure to enjoy a natural experience that is different to what they would see at home. Also, a day at the beach is sure to be a hit with everyone.

4. Make time for alone time. If you’re spending a whole week together, each family member will want some time for themselves to explore their own interests. Allow time for afternoon relaxation and consider designating one day for individual activity.

5. Make meals special. Vacation is a great time to try new foods together. Whether you’re grilling at your cabin, or dining at a family-friendly establishment, encourage family members to branch out from their normal eating habits. If your vacation is long enough, let each family member have a night to pick what the family should do for dinner.

Family vacations are truly memorable when each family member feels special and enjoys not only the shared activities, but has the choice to participate in individual activities that fit their interests. Whether that’s being outdoors, adventuring into a new culinary territory or taking a few minutes to oneself, family vacations are most appreciated when the destination offers activities to fit everyone’s interests. Making sure each person feels included in this summer’s vacation ensures everyone will have stories to tell for years to come.

Original article ARAContent

5 tips for greening your ride and your wallet for the summer drive

Guest Writer — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:29:56 +0000

The peak driving season is upon us, and warm weather typically means the windows are rolled down, the radio is turned up and there’s nothing ahead but the open road. High fuel costs and the extra mileage on your vehicle, however, can hit your wallet and the environment harder than you’d like. But a day trip to the beach or a back road cruise doesn’t have to break the bank or pollute the earth.

“Once the weather warms up, people start to hit the roads more frequently and for longer periods of time,” says Rob Stravitz, vice president of marketing for Valvoline Oil.

Stravitz advises travelers to start with small steps like parking in the shade and keeping a regular oil change schedule. “Increasing your vehicle’s fuel economy can be as simple as finding a garage instead of parking in the hot sun,” Stravitz says. “You can also save up to $140 a year on fuel by simply getting a full service oil change regularly. It’s small steps like this that can pay large dividends to your wallet in the long run.”

Here are five tips and tricks to keep top-of-mind before embarking on your next summer cruise.

Take control of your cruise and don’t idle
Utilizing cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed, which in most cases improves your fuel economy. It also requires less gas to turn a vehicle back on than to let it idle when you stop for a quick break.

Change your oil regularly and use the right grade
Regular oil changes can increase your fuel efficiency. Couple regular changes with the proper grade motor oil and you can increase your fuel economy by 2 percent or more while keeping your vehicle running smoothly. While you’re at it, choose a motor oil that’s better for the environment.

Inflate and rotate
Accurately inflated tires are safer and can increase gas mileage by more than 3 percent, according to the Department of Energy. Proper air pressure coupled with regularly rotating the tires also improves handling and extends the life of your tires by maximizing tread wear.

Clean your fuel system
Your entire fuel system can get dirty with deposits over time. A couple of ways to know if your fuel system is unclean is if your engine hesitates during acceleration or idles roughly.

Go for the shade … or the garage
The sun zaps fuel from your gas tank. Parking in the shade or garage will lessen the amount of evaporative emissions with the added benefit of adding a little change to your pocket.

As the weather continues to improve and more drivers find respite on the road, it’s essential to ensure your vehicle is in top shape from motor oil to muffler.

Original article ARAContent.

Canmore AB, an outdoor adventure

Guest Writer — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:05:38 +0000

The Town of Canmore is one of the most beautiful places in all of Canada to live, work and play! Opening out across the floor of the Bow River Valley and flanked on all sides by the front ranges of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Canmore offers the best of all possible worlds. Beginning with an enviable geographic location approximately an hour and a half from downtown Calgary and five minutes from Banff National Park east gate, Canmore offers not only a spectacular location but unequalled outdoor recreational opportunities, great food, and great shopping in the heart of some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery.

Nestled in Bow Valley, along the banks of the Bow River, Canmore is an outdoor adventure paradise embraced by the front ranges of Alberta’s majestic Rockies. Superbly located on the east edge of the famous Banff National Park and just north of beautiful Kananaskis Country, this true mountain village is in the thick of the wild, and is only about an hour from Calgary International Airport. Needless to say, the town sees a lot of visitors and temporary residents, attracted by the wealth of outdoor adventures waiting in the mountains and on the river.

The Three Sisters Mountain Range

Canmore is actually one of Alberta’s largest towns and is not only renowned for its scenic beauty and boundless recreational opportunities, but also for its friendly, welcoming locals and relaxing atmosphere. Generally more understated than its prominent neighbour, Banff, Canmore is appreciated for its laid-back mountain village character, with the steep roofs and simple chalet-style architecture typical of such a place. Mountain lodgings, alpine homes, shops, galleries and restaurants huddle in the town centre, watched over by the area’s most famous peaks, The Three Sisters.

Visitors will find a deep sense of community and environmental consciousness in Canmore. Passionate about their town, residents generally take a fervent interest and are involved in its planning and growth. The community also actively contributes to the conservation of the area’s stunning natural environment and wildlife. Supporting principles of sustainable development, renewable energy sources are implemented where possible, and wildlife corridors are maintained on the edges of town to facilitate the safe passage of wild animals roaming between habitats.

However, Canmore was not always appreciated for its natural beauty and endless recreational possibilities. Like all diamonds, this gem of a town emerged from a sooty bedrock of coal.

History

Founded in 1883 as a railway switching station, Canmore received its name from a Scottish Canadian Pacific Railway employee, Donald A. Smith, who named it after a town on the northwest shore of Scotland. In 1884, a new station was built, forming the backbone of the young village. The Canadian Pacific Railway both consumed and transported coal, and in answer, Canmore’s first mine was opened in 1887. As the population and a tendency toward bootlegging grew, the Northwest Mounted Police rode into town and by the 1890s a police barracks was established in the village centre, where it still stands today in all its restored glory.

In time, as technology evolved enabling trains to travel further between service points, Canmore became unnecessary as a rail switching station. It focused its attention on mining and was to become one of the most important and profitable coal mining centres in southern Alberta. During the early 1900s, while many coal mines in the surrounding Bow Valley closed, Canmore’s growth accelerated as residents and buildings from these mining areas were relocated there. Canmore was incorporated in 1965, boasting a population of 2,000. Life was good. However, it is said all good things must come to an end. During the following years the demand for coal began to dwindle. On July 13, 1979, Canmore Mines Ltd. ground production to a halt. With a population of 3,000, Canmore was the last mining centre in the Bow Valley to shut down permanently and left many people jobless. Due to Alberta safety policies at the time, most of the mines were quickly demolished. The old lamp house, a few intact mine entrances and weathered relics of forgotten structures remain, the surviving evidence of a once thriving industry.

But all was not lost. Ten dim years later, the 1988 Winter Olympics brought enthusiasm and optimism back to the once proud economy. Canmore was selected as the location for the Games’ Nordic events and suddenly, the whole world sat up and took notice of this stunning little natural playground. Since then, both tourism and the population has boomed, and today Canmore is a world-renowned recreational destination, with a strong tourism-based industry.

Climate

Canmore’s relatively mild weather, compared to most of Canada, is very conducive to virtually all recreational possibilities that adventurers can think up in its great outdoors.

Four distinct seasons turn a kaleidoscope of colour over Canmore’s Rocky Mountain landscape. The long winter dresses the town and surrounding mountains in a thick blanket of sparkling snow from November to March, perfect for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding. Maintaining this winter wonderland, January temperatures hover between an average low of -15°C (5°F) and an average high of -5°C (23°F). The temperature begins to warm up in March and April, with rain in the valley melting snow and nurturing the pastel hues and sweet scents of spring. April’s average low dips to -3°C (27°F) and its average high reaches 9°C (48°F). Summer paints the valley in bright blues, greens, yellows and reds as the sun reflects the river, forests and wildflowers. Hikers, mountain bikers, kayakers and anglers come out to enjoy the colours and pleasantly warm temperatures which average a balmy high of 23°C (73°F) and cool to an average low of 9°C (48°F) in July. Fall is also blessed with a vibrant palette, splashed with the brilliant oranges and yellows of turning leaves. Temperatures are agreeable to getting out and enjoying the foliage while hiking, or perhaps from horseback. The average high reaches 12°C (54°F), dropping to an average low of -1°C (30°F) in October.

It should be noted that sudden weather changes are common year round in this area due to the mountainous terrain. Even summer requires an extra layer of clothing as evenings often cool right down. Chinook winds that bring warm air to southern Alberta from the coast can suddenly warm a chilly mid-winter day with snow-melting temperatures within hours. It is a good idea to dress in layers which can be removed or added as needed. Of course for winter, thermals, a very warm jacket, boots, gloves and toques are packing essentials, while summer demands a sunhat, sunscreen and sunglasses to protect against the strong UV rays.

Getting Around

Situated 100 km (62 mi) west of Calgary, Canmore is easily accessed from there via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) year round. Greyhound coaches provide multiple departures daily from Calgary’s city centre and are a comfortable and affordable travel option. Canadian and international travellers landing at Calgary International Airport can rent a car or hop aboard the Banff Airporter shuttle to make the one and a half hour trip directly from the airport to Canmore.

Once in Canmore, visitors won’t find much in the way of public transportation, except for taxis. Exploring the town centre is easily accomplished on foot or by bicycle as the downtown core spans a cosy six by six blocks. Surrounding neighbourhoods are connected by a network of attractive forest and riverbank trails. To widen the exploratory radius and venture into the surrounding parks the most convenient way to travel is by car. Rental car companies are located in town for travellers without their own vehicle. There are also plenty of ski shuttles departing regularly from town during the long ski season, heading for the five surrounding ski hills located less than an hour away.

Recreation and Attractions

When visitors arrive in Canmore they will truly realize the full potential for fun and relaxation. Thanks to the illuminating effect of the 1988 Winter Olympics, Canmore is now a world renowned outdoor recreational destination. However, until the pure mountain air is breathed and the awe-inspiring landscape is seen with one’s own eyes, Canmore’s utopian lifestyle just cannot be fully appreciated.

Canmore’s top quality snow essentially made it famous and during the colder months plenty of snow can be found at the Canmore Nordic Centre, a sprawling winter playground purpose-built for the aforementioned 1988 Winter Olympics. With over 70 km (43 mi) of groomed trails that vary in levels of difficulty, the Canmore Nordic Centre is one of Canada’s prime cross-country skiing venues. Canmore is also well-placed for easy access to five nearby ski hills for the down-hill skiers and snowboarders. Within 20 minutes to one hour in almost all directions, snow-fiends have access to world-class slopes, including Banff’s Sunshine Village and the Lake Louise Resort.

For something really special, experience Canmore’s magical winter mountains and Canadian heritage from a cosy sled pulled by a team of beautiful huskies. Canmore is a popular place to engage in the thrill of dog-sledding and offers visitors a wide choice of tours.

Where there is snow there is usually ice, and it is ice that attracts a significant proportion of visitors to Canmore. Ice climbing opportunities abound here and a number of professional operators offer lessons and tours to numerous ice falls in the area. Every March, a glistening wall of ice is erected in town for the Canmore Ice Climbing Festival. All aspects of winter can be enjoyed during February’s Winter Carnival, from ice-sculpting to beard-growing!

When the snow melts, the area’s parks and mountains give way to equally rewarding activities in the warmer months. In addition to the walking and cycling trails that weave their way leisurely through and around town, serious hiking and mountain biking trails await in the mountains. Hiking trails vary widely from flat strolls through lush forests to grueling up-hill climbs with mind-blowing views. A number of tours can introduce visitors to a variety of amazing hikes.

Hard-core mountain bikers love Canmore for the area’s gut-busting biking trails. After all, real mountain biking takes place in the mountains with bumpy terrain, steep up-hill climbs, awesome views, screaming down-hills and stunning wilderness. With the disappearing snow, Canmore Nordic Centre’s cross-country skiing tracks melt into 70 km (43 mi) of mountain biking trails. Here, newbies to the sport can access some tamer trails and take a lesson, while pros can get their thrills from some of the steeper tracks. The Nordic Centre hosts the annual 24 Hours of Adrenaline in July, a huge mountain biking event attracting North America’s best. Plenty of bike tours and rentals are available in town.

Sunshine and warm temperatures also attract many to the crystal clear waters of Bow River for canoeing, rafting and fishing. Along its banks people on horseback pass by on scenic trail rides. While out and about in Canmore during these warmer months visitors should always be on the look-out for the local wildlife. Elk, moose, bears and bighorn sheep are often seen, even on the area’s stunning golf courses. Canmore’s golf courses are almost as popular with elk as they are with golfers! Caution and respect should always be exercised when encountering a wild animal.

Downtown

Before Canmore was known as the adventure centre it is today, its life purpose was quite different. Canmore’s heritage is kept alive in a number of downtown attractions. The Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre on Seventh Avenue reveals what life was like in the mines as it represents the town’s rich rail and mining history. Maps for heritage walking tours can be found at the museum. The museum also manages the Northwest Mounted Police Barracks on Main Street. Visitors may still hear the ghostly clanging of chains at the restored barracks which was originally built in 1892 and features historical furniture, artifacts, a tearoom and a pleasant garden out back. A little further up Main Street, the Canmore Hotel still stands proudly after more than 100 years. Today, visitors can appreciate its sturdy architecture while catching upcoming Canadian bands and downing a cold beer.

Plenty of modern-day shops, restaurants and bars also line Canmore streets, offering world-class food, commodities and entertainment. Visitors will find lots to do in town after a day of alpine adventure, and plenty of places to rest their weary heads. With abundant hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, camping grounds and vacation rentals there is no shortage of great mountain hospitality in Canmore.

For more information visit the official Canmore City website or the tourism website

Checkout these all season activities

Top five places to see the July 4 independence day fireworks

Guest Writer — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:55:26 +0000

With the value of Canadian dollar at record levels crossing the border and travelling in the USA has never been more affordable. Still need more inspiration to drive across the border for a road trip this summer? If you do then why not join in the July 4th fun and visit one of the top five places to see fireworks this year:

Washington, D.C.

A top five fireworks list is not complete without including the nation’s capital. Attracting more than half a million people each year, Washington, D.C., is a beautiful backdrop for the Fourth of July celebrations. The all-day event starts with a parade down Constitution Avenue between Seventh and 17th streets featuring marching bands, military personnel, and some special VIPs. Festivities start on the National Mall at 10 a.m., and all visitors are required to enter through a security checkpoint. The U.S. Navy Band performs a free concert near the Washington Monument, and the National Symphony Orchestra performs on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building. Starting at dark, fireworks launch from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and can be seen throughout the National Mall area. Check out Away.com’s Top 10 4th of July Fireworks Viewpoints for spectacular views of the display.

Philadelphia

If you want to celebrate America’s independence for more than one day, then head to Philadelphia. The Wawa Welcome America festivities stretch from June 24 through July 4 and include live performances, historical presentations, Taste of Philadelphia featuring foods from the area’s top restaurants, multiple fireworks shows, and other events such as Philly at the Movies, Wawa Hoagie day, photo exhibits, the All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival, and of course, a parade. The grand finale fireworks conclude the 11-day celebration on July 4. Most activities are free; if that’s not patriotic fun, than what is?

New York City

Online travel company Orbitz named New York City in their Top Ten Summer Destinations for 2011; so head to the Big Apple to see the famous annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show that will go on in style this year over the Hudson River. The digitally synchronized show starts at 9 p.m. and is expected to include more than 40,000 fireworks lasting a full 25 minutes for the millions of spectators. For prime viewing spots check out local restaurants, the Empire State Building or an NY Waterway Cruise. Before the fantastic show, take the orange or yellow subway line out to Coney Island to watch the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest that has been a patriotic tradition since 1916.

Edgartown/Martha’s Vineyard

During summer, thousands of people flock to Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard, escaping their regular lives and reveling in the beauty of the island. July 4 can be a busy weekend on the island, full of cookouts and fun in the sun, but don’t forget about the annual parade and fireworks. The parade starts at 5 p.m. heading down Main Street and Pease’s Point Way. After the antique cars and bands pass by, claim your spot near the Memorial Warf to watch the fireworks display that begins at dusk over the Edgartown Harbor.

San Francisco

The Waterfront Celebration for the Fourth of July can be found on Pier 39 and the Fisherman’s Warf. Starting at noon on Pier 39, live entertainment and other activities for visitors begin. But when the sun goes down, stop your dancing and look up at the magnificent fireworks display over the bay, put on by the city of San Francisco. Another grand way to see the fireworks is on a bay cruise that showcases the evening skyline before stopping to give guests the prime viewing spot.

Bonus: Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe’s Lights On the Lake is the largest light show in the West. Fireworks are launched off barges near the South Shore and can be seen from anywhere on the lake.

Original article ARAContent

The greatest outdoor show on earth

Jane Toombes — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:18:21 +0000

This is how the Calgary Stampede promotes itself, but is is true? You have probably heard of the Calgary Stampede, but are you aware of exactly what it is? Although this years event doesn’t take place until July, now is the time to start planning that trip and purchasing your tickets.

Most of the people who have heard of the Stampede will immediately think of cowboys riding crazy horses round an arena until they get thrown off. Well, yes this is part of the stampede, but there is also so much more.

The Calgary Stampede dates back to 1912 when the first rodeo took place with a prize of $20,000 at stake. This, at the time made it the richest rodeo competition in North America and over 100,000 people came to watch. A few years later in 1923 the rodeo was combined for the first time with the Calgary Exhibition and has done so ever since. The event takes place over ten days and attendance is over one million.

The Stampede takes place at the 137 acre Stampede Park, just east of downtown Calgary. The opening ceremony consists of a parade led by the Calgary Stampede Showband who march 4.5 km through downtown Calgary. The parade usually attracts around 400,000 people alone. In addition, the television audience is around two million.

So, what can you expect if you decide to attend the Stampede?

Music: There are many music related shows on during the Stampede. The three main music venues are the Coca Cola Stage, Nashville North and Saddledome. Every day each stage hosts a number of different acts, so make sure you know who your favorites are and where they will be so you don’t miss anything.

Rides & games: The Midway is the location of the many rides available at the Stampede. Last year there were over 35 major rides and 22 kids rides as well as lots of smaller rides to keep everyone entertained. There are also lots of games to play such as beer smashing, duck pond and ring toss.

You can pay per ride or purchase money saving Midway Magic Pass Credits. Each ride requires a different number of credits to ride. You can also purchase day passes, so you pay a one- off price and can ride all day.

Entertainment: You can also find lots of other entertainment available throughout the Stampede duration. Past events have included BMX riding, skateboarding shows, exhibits, dog shows, auctions and many more.

Rodeo: Of course there is the rodeo and this consists of six major events:

Bareback: Physically very demanding as the cowboy holds onto a handhold and is disqualified for touching the animal or equipment with the other hand. The ride lasts eight seconds, if they haven’t been bucked off before then.

Bull Riding: This is the most dangerous event and the rider is strapped to the bull by a special handhold. Like the bareback the rides lasts eight seconds and riders are disqualified for touching the bull with the free hand.

Ladies Barrel Racing: This is the only event for ladies at the Stampede. Riders circle three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern and the ride is timed. Barrels can be touched but a five second penalty is incurred if a barrel is knocked over.

Saddle Bronc: The rider moves his feet from the horse’s neck in a full arc toward the back of the saddle in time with the bronc’s action. The rider needs to hold on for eight seconds and cannot touch the animal or equipment with his free hand.

Steer Wrestling: The steer wrestler starts behind a barrier and gives the steer a head start of ten seconds, otherwise penalties are incurred. There are many rules relating to this event which are too numerous to list here.

Tie-Down Roping: This is the most technical event and like the steer wrestling a ten second head start for the animal is required. After roping the tie-down animal, the cowboy must run down his rope and ay the animal down by hand. If the tie- down animal is down when he reaches it, he must allow the tie-down animal to get up then lay it down. Again there are many rules, too numerous to list relating to this event.

Other events which taking place include:

Novice Bareback: The same rules apply as per the bareback event but this is for riders under 20 years of age.

Novice Saddle Bronc: The same rules apply as per the saddle bronc event but this is for riders under 20 years of age.

Junior Steer Riding: This event is for kids aged between 10 and 14 years. One half of the score is awarded for the contestant’s ability to ride and the other half is for the stock’s ability to buck. The cowboys are allowed to ride with one hand or two. If they elect to ride with only one – they must abide by the rules for bull riding – whereby they will be disqualified for slapping the animal, themselves or double grabbing with both hands during the eight seconds.

Wild Pony Racing: Teams of three youngsters ages 8 to 12 try to tame a wild pony long enough to get a rider aboard for a two jump ride. The team with the fastest time wins.

Chuckwagon: The chuckwagon races are very exciting and adrenalin pumping. A team of four horses are hitched to a chuckwagon and race round a series of barrels at breakneck speed. Four wagons take part in each race, so that means 36 horses and 144 hooves all taking place in less than a minute.

Fireworks: The fireworks show is a spectacular event involving some of the world’s best pyrotechnic display teams. The show can be seen not only from the Stampede arena itself but from most of downtown Calgary.

Food & Drink

Like all good events there are lots of places to get food and drink. You can enjoy anything from full service menus at Mavericks Dining Room and Lounge to hot dogs from the stand.

There are food and drink locations throughout the Stampede in every area so you will never be too far from a quick snack or full meal. Choose from buffets, full service lounges, concession stands and of course beer gardens amongst others.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased at the gate, but it is advisable to purchase tickets well before the event.

Grab your tickets by clicking on this link

The 2011 show takes place July 8 -17 details can be found here

The heart and soul of PEI that’s Charlottetown

Features — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:51:23 +0000

Charlottetown, the Capital City of Prince Edward Island, is the perfect blend of urban excitement, country living and some of the cleanest air in Canada. Enjoy a stroll on National Historic Great George Street; sit amongst the trees on Victoria Row; or shop on Queen Street.

With an eclectic mix of restaurants, pubs, and cafes, there is something for every taste bud. Community and city-wide festivals and events fill the streets nearly every week of the year, offering exhilarating options from world class music, theatre, comedy, gaming and sport. Whether it’s a hotel, an enchanting inn or cozy Bed & Breakfast, Charlottetown is your home away from home.

As could be expected for the capital of Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), Canada’s smallest province in size and population, Charlottetown is a tiny, scenic city. Yet, as if a microcosm of the Island, Charlottetown is as vibrant and diverse as P.E.I. itself. A major player in Canadian history, Charlottetown has many historical monuments and museums. The city also possesses a thriving arts community, and a variety of shops and restaurants that can cater to any taste. Centrally situated on the south coast of the Island, Charlottetown has a sheltered harbour, a view of the Northumberland Strait, many green spaces, and beautiful architecture, much of it from the 19th century. Cliffs protect the city’s seaside entrance, while the Hillsborough watershed has resulted in surrounding plains and marshlands.

History

Charlottetown was originally founded when its protected position at the junction of two rivers close to the Hillsborough Bay was considered an ideal area for settlement by a British crown surveyor in 1764. Named after England’s Queen Charlotte, the area was quickly designated as the capital of what is now Prince Edward Island. As the centre of government on P.E.I., Charlottetown soon became the dominant town and voice of the province. Even today, the city is still the cultural and political heart of the island.

Charlottetown’s influence has not just extended to provincial affairs, however. Known as the birthplace of Confederation, Charlottetown played host to a meeting of prominent politicians in 1864. The Charlottetown Conference, which discussed the unification of several provinces, was a success, and in 1867, the Dominion of Canada was founded. In 1992, all eyes in Canada turned to Charlottetown again when the Charlottetown Accord, which would have granted Canada’s provinces more autonomy and given Quebec special status, was drafted here by the federal government. The highly unpopular accord was defeated in a countrywide referendum and lead to an election that saw the reigning party defeated.

Getting there and traveling around

Although known in myth for receiving large amounts of snow, Prince Edward Island in fact boasts some of the gentlest temperatures in Canada. Never too hot in the summer, never too cold in winter, Charlottetown’s temperature is moderated by its oceanside location. Temperatures range from -3°C to -11°C (26°F to 11°F) in winter, and average in the 20s and occasionally the low 30s (70s to 90s) during the summer. While July and August are the driest months, rain is frequent in the Atlantic provinces, so packing an umbrella is often useful.

There is very little public transportation on Prince Edward Island and Charlottetown is no exception, as its transit service only runs from approximately 9:30am to 2:30pm, Monday through Friday. No great skill is required when driving in Charlottetown as the streets are rarely crowded and parking is plentiful and cheap. Do keep in mind, however, that the city has several areas that are car-free; it’s far easier to just walk, especially since most places of interest are located within close distance of each other and the city is safe even at night.

To get to Charlottetown from outside of P.E.I., there are several different options available. The Confederation Bridge joining P.E.I. to New Brunswick provides a dramatic route for motor vehicles, and is approximately 56 km (35 mi) away from Charlottetown. From Nova Scotia, take the Northumberland Car Ferry to Wood Islands, P.E.I. or fly in from Halifax. There are also regular flights through Air Canada from Toronto, Ontario, and there are several discount providers that also offer flights from cities including Toronto, Montreal,Quebec and Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., during the summer months. The Charlottetown Airport is located approximately 8 km (5 mi) from the city.

Accommodation

Accommodations in Charlottetown vary extensively, and many are only open during the incredibly busy summer. As such, it’s useful to book a room before arriving. From massive four-star chain hotels to tiny, shared-bathroom bed and breakfasts, Charlottetown has every type of accommodation, and many have harbour view rooms or are located in the city’s original buildings. Rates in Charlottetown are relatively inexpensive, and there is something to fit every budget and taste, although prices fluctuate wildly between seasons and even within the same category of lodging. Accommodations are located throughout the city, including residential areas, with the majority clustered around downtown Charlottetown and the TransCanada Highway.

Events & festivals

During its lifetime, Charlottetown has raised the ability to celebrate to an art form. This is a city of celebrations, and it seems that only a few weeks can go by before another ceilidh (dance or party) or festival occurs to the delight of locals and visitors. There is always anevent of some type occurring, especially during the summer months.

At the end of summer, the Festival of the Fathers occurs, which celebrates the Charlottetown Conference with re-enactments, interactive historical events, an historic gala ball and a pub crawl. The Festival of Lights meanwhile, is a three-day, four-night celebration of Canada Day, which includes top musicians from Canada and throughout the world, a massive fireworks display, a midway and a children’s village. There is also the P.E.I International Shellfish Festival, which is not to be missed by those who love seafood. The three day event, which includes local music, chowder competitions and oyster-shucking championships, is considered the largest kitchen party on the Island. Recently, the Jack Frost Children’s WinterFest has joined the Charlottetown lineup of festivals. This event features a massive ice castle, ice sculpting competitions, children’s stage and music shows.

The most famous of all these festivals, parties and celebrations is the Charlottetown Festival, a two-month long celebration of the performing arts. Located in and around theConfederation Centre of the Arts, the festival is best known for its yearly run of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical. This play tells the heartwarming story of P.E.I.’s most famous resident, red-haired Anne Shirley, and attracts thousands of visitors to the Island each summer.

Historical Attractions

As a capital city, Charlottetown has plenty of attractions. Exploring the city’s past at its many historical sites could take days; Founder’s Hall, Province House, Fanningbank,Beaconsfield House and many other buildings in the area each represent aspects of P.E.I.’s history. Province House, where the Charlottetown Conference was held and the current legislature sits is especially interesting. Guided tours and re-enactments of the conference occur throughout the summer. Founder’s Hall is a new attraction that is situated in a 1906 railway depot and is home to an interactive, multi-media self-guided tour of Canadian history since confederation, with special emphasis on P.E.I.’s role.

For those who like their architecture, there are many historical examples, from Victorian, lemon-yellow Beaconsfield House, to gothic St. Dustan’s Basilica, to the mid 19th-century grandeur of Province House. There are also several squares (Hillsborough, Kings, Rochford and Connaught) that were part of the original city where many fine mansions (some of them now bed and breakfasts) can be found.

Exploring on Foot

The city is laid out easily for walking. Between the original city’s boundaries of Euston and Water Streets are major thoroughfares where most of Charlottetown’s attractions and entertainment can be found. A large proportion of these streets lead to the harbour, where a boardwalk runs through several parks and past many of Charlottetown’s best and favourite shops and restaurants, including those of the popular Peake’s Wharf. Walking tours of the city are also available through Founder’s Hall, which provides a costumed guide to show visitors the sights and impart knowledge (and gossip) about Charlottetown’s early days.

Shopping

Although not to be compared with New York City, Paris, London or even Toronto, Charlottetown has the market covered when it comes to one-of-a-kind cottage-industry styleshops. From organic, P.E.I.-ingredient-made soaps and P.E.I. Dirt Shirts to stained glass windows and handmade furniture, Charlottetown’s shops can sate the crafter within while providing a wealth of souvenirs and gifts to take home. A large proportion of these smaller stores can be found around the harbour and on Queens Street and Victoria Row, while more traditional shops and chains are well represented at Charlottetown’s malls,Confederation Court Mall, and the Charlottetown Mall. P.E.I.’s ten percent Provincial Sales Tax (PST) applies to all non-essential goods (clothing, food and shoes are exempt), and is applied at the till along with the Canada-wide seven percent Government Sales Tax (GST).

The Arts

Charlottetown’s arts community, although not large, is well represented at many venues in town. Galleries specializing in the art of P.E.I. abound, and local paintings, crafts and prints are to be found throughout the city, including at the P.E.I. Gallery in the Guild, an artist-owned print gallery which offers visitors introductory lessons and access to the workrooms.

There are always plays occurring in Charlottetown; while most of these can be found throughout the year at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, two dinner theatres, a comedy sketch troupe and an outdoor Shakespearian theatre also operate during the summer. Several movie theatres reside in Charlottetown, including one that specializes in local, independent and art films, and live music and local bands can always be found in one of the city’s many bars and clubs.

P.E.I. writers are also well represented in Charlottetown. Several bookstores specialize in local authors and hold readings, discussion groups and signings around these authors’ works.

Outdoor Activities

Charlottetown has an abundance of natural attractions both within and just outside the city that provide plenty of recreational opportunities. There are many parks and green spaceswhere trails as well as tennis, basketball and volleyball courts can be found. Water sports are very popular in Charlottetown, and it is easy to experience sea kayaking, scuba diving or sailing in the area due to the large number of shops offering instruction and equipment. Several golf courses are located just outside of Charlottetown as is Confederation Trail, which provides ample opportunities for walking, birdwatching, bicycling or snowmobiling as it winds past the city. There are also several outdoors tour organizations operating out of Charlottetown, and fishing and hunting trips and tours of the area by boat, airplane andbicycle are all available. Seal watching is also a popular activity, and many boat tours out of the harbour offer visitors a chance to see seals at play in their natural habitat.

Dining

There is a wide range of dining options available in Charlottetown that cater to a variety of tastes. From mom and pop diners to seafood bars, fine dining rooms to a cornucopia of ethnic eateries, Charlottetown offers every type of dining experience. Food can also be found at many bars, and also at a number of the city’s independent coffee shops. The majority of restaurants are found in Old Charlottetown, with a large proportion either located on University Avenue or down by the harbour.

Nightlife

Charlottetown has a decent nightlife, and as benefits the home of the University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College and several commercial colleges, there are a slew of barsand restaurants that stay open until all hours of the morning. Favourite bars for locals are the Olde Dublin Pub, where live Irish music, sing-alongs and plenty of Guinness may be found, and Peake’ s Quay, a restaurant and bar that transforms into a club complete with drink specials and the occasional live act during summer. Two other highly popular locales are Myron’s and Breakers, the first a dance club that sees a number of top musical acts, and the latter a billiards and drinks place where university students can be found. A weekly entertainment during the summer is the Friday Night Ceilidhs at Irish Hall, where locals and visitors gather to listen and dance to traditional Gaelic music.

For more information visit the main city website

For tourism information click here

Exploring the British Columbia sunshine coast

Jane Toombes — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:41:16 +0000

Along the British Columbia coast you will find a coastal road called Highway 101. It is the world’s longest highway extending from Castro in Chile to Lund in British Columbia, a total of 15,020 km. The section between Gibsons, north of Vancouver to Lund, some 150 km northwest is known as the Sunshine Coast offering tourist and locals alike stunning scenery and a truly beautiful drive (with a couple of ferry crossings thrown in to).

If you are planning on touring the Sunshine Coast you will probably be starting your journey from the Vancouver area, so will need to take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver across to Langdale. The journey will take approximately 40 minutes and will cost around $10 per adult depending on the time of year. Make sure your camera is handy as you sail between islands such a Howe Sound and Bowen Island.

Once you reach Langdale you drive south along Highway 101 to Gibsons which is known as the “Gateway to the Sunshine Coast.” It is also known as the location of the TV series The Beachcombers. Although filming no longer takes place some of the places seen in the series are still there to see such as Molly’s Reach restaurant and the pier. Although not a huge tourist destination it is perhaps worth spending a little time here to explore the harbour front and take in the views.

The town is home to around 4,000 people and has recently undergone a revitalization which included the downtown area and the harbour as well as creating the Winegarden Waterfront Park which opened in 2001. This area includes ponds, play areas, walkways, boardwalks, wetlands, watercourse and is wheelchair accessible with beautiful views over the coast.

Once back on the 101, your next stop will be Roberts Creek, a quaint town which has become a haven for artists and craftspeople. It is known as the “Gumboot Capital of the World” a symbol adopted by the Gumboot Acoustic Society and the Gumboot Garden Cafe.

Whilst here, apart from visiting the town itself you will want to take a look at Roberts Creek Provincial Park located a couple of kilometres north of the town. The park covers an area of 40 hectares with cedar forests. The park has several trails as well as campsites and is wheelchair accessible. The beach area offers excellent picnic facilities where you can watch the ocean and if you are lucky see seals and whales pass by.

The next place you will come to is Sechelt which itself is not an especially stunning location, however just north of the town is Porpoise Bay Provincial Park which is definitely worth a visit. The park has easy to walk trails and access to Angus Creek known for its salmon population. The park covers an area of 4 hectares and includes campsites, playgrounds, picnic areas and facilities such as toilets and showers.

Once you have taken in the beauty of Porpoise you can continue north to Halfmoon Bay. This bay is protected from the open sea by Thormanby Island making it a peaceful location to watch the world go by. Here you will find a pretty coastline, harbours and wooded shores. This area is known for its arts and crafts and is home to several galleries as well as many home studios that locals open to the public.

The next location on your trip will be the equally romantically named Secret Cove which has become a popular summer destination for tourists. The town offers some of the best fishing available along the coast and this alone attracts many visitors and locals alike.

Smuggler’s Cove Marine Park is also located here and is another favorite. There are several hiking trails which are easy to navigate as well as campsites and other facilities.

Back on the road and your next stop will be the area known as Pender Harbour, if you can find it! This area consists of many islands and three communities: Madeira Park, Garden Bay and Irvines Landing. Even the locals have trouble getting their bearings in this area as it forms a complex maze of inlets, coves, lakes, islands and reefs. There are freshwater lakes and salt water coves and where one begins and another ends is open to much guess work.

The harbour is home to many boats and yachts which are moored here and the deep clear waters are world renowned for excellent diving and underwater photography opportunities. This is a great location for kayaking and other water sports as much of the water is sheltered making it ideal for leisurely boating.

If you visit during May be sure to plan your visit round Victoria Day when the area celebrates May Day with games, activities, crafts, music and an outdoor barbecue. Fun for all is guaranteed.

Okay, so if you did manage to find Pender Harbour you can now return to Highway 101 which now travels inland and heads towards Earl’s Cove. Here you will need your sea legs again as another ferry journey is in order. You will need to get on the ferry to Saltery Bay which crosses the Jervis Inlet and takes around 50 minutes and again costs around $10 per adult. .

You will not need or want to stop at Saltery Bay as it really is just a ferry terminal. Instead you will get back on the road and continue northwest to Powell River. This is an area made up of several communities including Cranberry, Wildwood, Lang Bay and the largest, Westview.

Westview is the main destination for travellers as it offers the most amenities with hotels, restaurants and stores. If you visit during August you may experience the Blackberry Festival which has nothing to do with personal electronic devices but more to do with those lovely berries we pick from the many bushes located here. The festival coincides with the peak of the blackberry season and is a week-long party featuring music, dancing, crafts and a street party.

From Powell River you can also take ferry trips to Texada Island or across to Vancouver Island to the town of Comox.

The area north of Powell River leads up to Lund which is the last destination on Highway 101 and the gateway to Desolation Sound. The most famous landmark here is the Lund Hotel which overlooks the ocean. Lund is used by tourists as a staging point for trips to the northern British Columbia coast, Savary Island and Desolation Sound.

Desolation Sound Marine Park is known around the world’s premier sailing area. It offers stunningly beautiful scenery with bays, coves and waterways that attract boaters and paddlers worldwide.

There are lots of camping opportunities along the coast as well as activities such as kayaking, canoeing and backpacking. If you don’t have your own equipment, there are plenty of places where you can rent everything you need for a few hours or a few days.

The Sunshine coast not only offers tourists an excellent place to visit, but it also offers an excellent way of life for those who choose to live here.

Many of the communities, particularly those to the south are close enough to commute to Vancouver if you have a job in the city. You can get the best of both worlds by living in relative isolation, but still have all the amenities you need close by or be a short hop to the city.

Why drive when you can bike?

Guest Writer — Sun, 29 May 2011 20:48:37 +0000

One of Canada’s prettiest stretches of blacktop is now sporting a sister bike route that links the town of Banff to the historic park gate.

Spring may still mean skiing for some, but for most Canadians it means it’s time to haul out our bikes and go for a ride. For those in Alberta, returning to the saddle means getting to pedal the spiffy, new and mellow Banff Legacy Trail — a testament to last year’s 125^thanniversary of Banff National Park and this year’s centennial of Canada’s national park system.

Stretching 16 km (10 mi) so far (it will be 26 km or 16 mi when fully completed), from the town of Banff east to the park gates that nudge Canmore, this gentle romp straddles the backside of Mount Rundle and the Trans-Canada Highway with jaw-dropping views from the Valleyview picnic area. Although the $6.75 million, multi-use trail didn’t officially open in 2010, enough of it was paved that a whopping 500 cyclists a day were clocked on it last August. That’s when I went for a spin, along with numerous young families pulling bike trailers as well as mountain bikers and inline skaters. No thigh-mashing, heart-throbbing climbs along this trail—not a one. Despite the fact you can hear the highway for most of the 65-minute ride (one-way), the trail does weave in and out of forest and skirts along a series of bluffs, making it much more enjoyable and safer than cycling on the shoulder of the Trans-Canada.

Last year’s lack of interpretive plaques, signage and distance markers will be not be an issue when the Trail officially opens by the end of this spring, promises Judy Glowinski, Product Development Specialist for Banff National Park. That’s when you’ll be able to stop and read the history of Canada’s first national park as well as learn about the environmentally friendly initiatives used to build this three-m (10-ft)-wide pathway. You’ll discover:

www.travelalberta.com

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: After a false start as an entertainment writer, Debra Cummings (“Deb”) spent six months kicking around southeast Asia—trekking up mountains and mastering the multiple meanings of the head-wobble in India—before returning to Calgary, AB, to take up the travel beat. That was 20 years ago. Since then, she’s worked as a newspaper features writer and travel editor, covered travel for CBC Radio and spent a year “voluntouring” around the planet with her husband and two children.

PEC, it’s Canada’s perfect rainbow connection

Guest Writer — Fri, 27 May 2011 11:29:07 +0000

Do you already have an impression of Prince Edward County? Here I stand gazing at the most fabulous sunset and the skies above are bathed in multiple hues of pink! How foreboding, and in a good way! I liken The County to Cape Cod, but I think it is more like Martha’s Vineyard.

Pastoral scenes cut with winding roads hugging gentle hills reveal panoramic vistas of Lake Ontario and fields of corn, wheat, cattle, sheep or grapes. Included are the historic allure of streetscapes, heritage buildings, quiet harbours and vineyards. It is a must for artists, nature lovers and anyone seeking “a beautiful island adventure”.

Only 2 hours east of Toronto, 4 hours west of Montreal and 8.5 hours northwest of New York, Prince Edward County is home to over 3 dozen wineries and vineyards, countless exciting art galleries and artists’ working studios, fine and casual dining, jazz and other musical festivals and numerous tempting sweet and cheese shops.

From the inlet beach and sand dunes of Sandbanks and North Beach Provincial Parks that make up part of the over 800km of coastline to the weather beaten red barns and quaint Victorian residences The County is attracting a bevy of gay entrepreneurs carving out a simpler life and opening businesses. The County is seeing an infusion of urban dwellers. And we all know what happens when gay individuals arrive? They sprinkle a bit of fairy dust around and voila home!

For the love of art! So what does Prince Edward County offer? Well there are amazing finds and wonderful shopping in Bloomfield for the art lover! A great destination is f a d, run by partners Michael and Dean, recently featured on BUMP of OutTV and Logo. f a d (funktional ART AND DESIGN) showcases over 50 of Canada’s top fine craft artisans in porcelain, hand blown glass, jewellery and much more. Around the corner is the fine art gallery f a d (Fine ART AND DESIGN) There are usually art demonstrations onsite, so do be sure to visit when in Bloomfield, you might just learn what encaustic is by Canada’s renowned encaustic artist Tanya Kirouac or run into internationally recognized stone sculptor, Dean Munroe.

At Love Nest Studio and Gallery you will find two fine artists whose works are deeply inspired by nature. Fibre artist and photographer, Tara Wilkinson features unique sculptural fibre art nests, greeting cards, photo prints and more in her charming restored chicken coop Gallery. In a rustic, century-old barn gallery, encaustic sculptural painter Andrew Csafordi’s beautiful textured beeswax paintings reach out beyond the board to stir the imagination.

Round The Bend Gallery features the work of painter and multi-artist Andrew Innes, as well as an exciting collection of Canadian art glass. Andrew Innes paints for the joy and excitement of it. His paintings are a personal response to natural beauty observed.

At Ricarro Jewellery you should expect to explore a wide variety of unique jewellery inspired by life and nature, each created by hand one at a time. From the gallery, you can watch Carol Burrell at work in the studio. At certain times, a tour and a demonstration of the jewellery making process will be given.

Looking for that special piece for your home, look no further, Gilles Charette has created G3 Living – a destination for unique furnishings and accessories imbued with Glamour and Gracious style. In a word, Gratifying.

Enjoy wine? You’ll appreciate the self guided wine tours in one of the award winning regional wineries. Vineyards are amazing places that have entranced people for centuries. Poets have written wistful and profound verses about them. Still, no one has ever captured a vineyard’s magic in words, or music, or even pictures. There are 7 stops we recommend:

Clink! Clink! Do I hear a toast coming from owner’s Sally and Rob Peck of Sugarbush Vineyards. Theirs is a small family owned and operated vineyard and winery, the garagiste winery of Prince Edward County. Garagiste:\GA-razh-EEST\ n. fr. A passionate winemaker who creates limited production premium wine in a garage-sized winery, specializing in small lot, artisanal wines made entirely from our estate-grown grapes. All of their vintages were produced entirely from grapes hand harvested from their vineyard.

Next on your wine tour is Black Prince Winery, located on a ten acre vineyard that grows Chardonnay, Cab Franc and some hybrids. In 2009, Geoff Webb of Black Prince launched Chardonnay Terroir – the first County wine aged in County-grown and coopered local oak barrels, and a follow-up to a gold medal for the 2007 Chardonnay Reserve.

Continuing on the tour be sure to visit Huff Estates Winery, a modern facility created by Lanny Huff with one thing in mind, producing high quality wines. Complete with a moat-surrounded patio, kitchen for light lunches, floor to ceiling windows and even a heli-pad, this is unlike any other winery in the area and offers a unique experience for all.

Next, The Grange of Prince Edward Vineyard Estate and Winery, a family-run agri-business by Robert and Caroline Granger. With 60 acres under vine, the farm is home to 6 distinct vineyard blocks; plantings include Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, and enough Pinot Noir to make it one of the larger vineyards in Canada.

Onwards, Sandbanks Estate Winery is a family owned winery situated along the picturesque shores of Lake Ontario, in the heart of beautiful Prince Edward County. Catherine Langlois invites you to enjoy wine tasting in their charming boutique, explore the estate or sit back and relax in their inviting vineyard setting.

Your last two stops are Keint-He Winery, where every bottle of wine made by winemaker Geoff Heinricks is made from 100% hillier grapes. What sets Keint-He apart further is that they are one winery with three distinct vineyards, each possessing its own unique terroir. Organically grown, their Pinot grapes prosper in harmony with their environment, not in spite of it. Keint-He has applied the Burgundian model of viticulture to the County microclimate. Last but not least is Harwood Estates Vineyards, where all three vineyards are all tended by hand. Their Pinot Noir, Pinot St. Laurent and Pinot Gris are owners Kerry Wicks and John Rode’s favourites with French style cuisine. For lighter fare, Harwood’s vivacious Friends Rose with its strawberry pallet is a great choice. Harwood’s Tasting Room is right inside the solar-powered winery where their fine Prince Edward County wines are available.

Regional cuisine! June 21, 2008 ‘Gastronomic Capital of Ontario’ honours go to Prince Edward County, says the Toronto Globe and Mail. There is over a dozen fine dining restaurants to frequent amongst another 40 or so casual restaurants and cafes. Some great recommendations are The Bloomfield Carriage House Restaurant whose menu reflects French foundations while focusing upon Canadian product. Chef Scott Kapitan and Pastry chef Jacqui Vickers started this journey to express their passion for good food and service. Quality of product is abundant in the County of Prince Edward and it is put to good use at The Carriage House.

The Milford Bistro works hard to rise to the occasion, cooking small scale, sourcing locally and letting their menu reflect the changing seasons. One of the most intimate, romantic restaurants in Prince Edward County. This year, Chris has created an Outdoor Burger Bar for cyclists, families and anyone hungry for a delicious burger made with local ingredients, located right next to the Bistro.

Looking for a hidden gem, at Portabella, partners Don and Roy have created a relaxed atmosphere and casual menu for your enjoyment. Using fresh and local ingredients and offering a large selection of county wines, portabella now in its sixth season is a dining favorite of locals and visitors alike.

If you are dying for chocolate or home-made ice cream….stop into Copper Kettle Chocolate Company in Picton, say hi to Sue and try a few samples. No dieters please! Try the sponge toffee ice cream. Copper Kettle Chocolate Company is best known for over 30 varieties of unique chocolate bark, astonishing truffles as well as delicious chocolate and nut specialties. Five of the chocolate barks have won awards at the acclaimed Canadian Fine Food Show in Toronto. However the best is the SHOTS! They’re chocolate shells filled to the brim with ice wine. Definitely for grown-ups.

The Pastry House is a small artisan bakery where you will find a fine selection of cakes, pastries, cookies, buns, rolls and breads. Their products are made from the best ingredients available. They do not use any artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Relax and enjoy the county

Come and experience the joy of cooking seasonally in Prince Edward County – Canada’s newest culinary destination. From the Farm Cooking School is the ultimate field to table culinary experience. From meeting local farmers to preparing traditional favorites in Cynthia’s state-of-the-art chef’s home kitchen— the day will capture your heart and your senses.

You will never be bored in Prince Edward County, there is sailing, boating, fishing, cycling, antiquing, bird watching, windsurfing, kayaking, hiking trails, camping and let’s not forget shopping.

If that’s not your thing, how about a day at the spa? A great way to relax is to visit Ria and Rod’s Little Organic Day Spa offering thalassotherapy, ancient therapies using raw, organic, Canadian, indigenous-based ingredients and products. Your private urban retreat for ocean therapies, treatments and all that encompasses mind, body, balance for both men and women. Treat yourself today, you deserve it!

Need a place to stay? We offer bed and breakfasts, inns or vacation rentals.

Bells and Whistles Family Inn offers the casual and fun atmosphere of a rural setting on 3 acres where you can sit by the pool or relax by a fire at night gazing at the stars. Child care services are offered for those who would like to take a wine tour or a romantic dinner out.

Gilead Schoolhouse, once a one room schoolhouse for many decades, has been converted into a comfortable three bedroom rental home and retains much of the original charm and character. This lovely property is bordered by old split log fences and is surrounded by open fields ensuring quiet and privacy.

The 21 suite Inn at Huff Estates is a luxurious accommodation, very contemporary in design but has a country feel as the rooms either overlook the vineyard or the garden feature. All rooms feature a private pergola patio for guests to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The Inn offers Deluxe Rooms, Premiere Suites and a Winemaker’s Suite.

Relax in comfort at Loyalist Lofts in their newly renovated historical loft vacation rental apartments. Steps from your door you’ll enjoy fine restaurants, casual cafes, film, live music, theatre, local art galleries, parks, gourmet take-out, and fine grocery outlets.

At the end of your visit if you find you have fallen in love with Prince Edward County, connect with James and Lynn of REMAX Hallmark or Jason at Century 21 Lanthorn, two great real-estate companies that are more than happy to help you find your little PEC oasis.

Michael and Dean of f a d have created Out in The County to provide recommendations for the gay and lesbian (GL) traveler on GL-owned and GL-friendly businesses when visiting one of the most beautiful places in Canada: Prince Edward County. Our objective is to promote GL-lifestyle tourism.

For more information visit www.outinthecounty.com today as well consider joining Out in The County on Facebook and Twitter

The Forks, tops great places in Canada

Guest Writer — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:10:34 +0000

Three locations in Canada have been singled out as winners in the first-ever competition to identify “Great Places in Canada.” After a four-month process that resulted in more than 6,000 nominations from across the country, the Canadian Institute of Planners announced the winners in three categories: great street, neighbourhood and public space.

The top three in each category are:

Great Streets:

Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC
Ottawa Street (Textile District), Hamilton, ON
Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon, SK

Great Neighbourhoods:

Le Petit Champlain, Québec, QC
The Hydrostone, Halifax, NS
Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose First Nation), Lantzville, BC

Great Public Spaces:

The Forks, Winnipeg, MB
Evergreen Brick Works, Toronto, ON
Pippy Park, St. John’s, NL

While each of the winners had to be popular, the CIP’s Andrea Gabor says they also had to meet a number of criteria pertaining to how each location met certain planning objectives.

The factors taken into consideration include the promotion of social and economic activities, memorable or unique character and architecture, accessibility, sustainability and connection to local culture, history and landscape.

Gabor said the winners exemplify those characteristics.

Nanaimo’s historic commercial street, for example, had served as the core of that community from its construction in the mid-1800s until the mid 1900s when the city began sprawling outward.

There was great revitalization efforts to bring it back to life and it’s now an education, cultural, and institutional centre,” Gabor said, praising the street as “a centre for communities.”

Similarly, Gabor says the Forks in Winnipeg stands out for a number of reasons, not least of which is its vital role at the centre of that city’s cultural life.

“The Forks was special because it brings a lot of people together,” she said of the popular site at the confluence of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers.

“It builds on the history and it’s got a lot of activities from their market, to their entertainment spaces to the open spaces, trails, archaeological digs, Gabor added, praising its mix of uses and location at the historic heart of the Manitoba capital.

Historical legacy also weighed heavily on the decision to rank Quebec City’s Le Petit Champlain neighbourhood as tops in the country.

“It’s got great historic architecture and it’s a place to be,” Gabor said, explaining that the municipal government there has “done a great job” retaining the area’s long history while making it accessible for the public to enjoy.

“People come from all over the world to see it and enjoy its architecture and to enjoy the festivals that go on there. So it’s a great people place, and that’s one of the things that makes it memorable.”

The Canadian Institute of Planners, comprised of 7,800 professional planners, says it sponsored the competition to both foster local pride and to emphasize the benefits of good planning.

While the people who submitted the winning nominations win a $500 travel certificate from Via Rail, the locations will be awarded a commemorative plaque. Buoyed by the strong public response that saw Canadians championing locations ranging from native communities to natural locations, the CIP plans to run the competition again next year.

For more information visit their website

Snorkelling with baby Beluga whales.

Guest Writer — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:55:29 +0000

Slip into a baggy, rubber dry suit, slide over the side of a Zodiac into the icy waters of Canada’s Hudson Bay, and suck air through your snorkel as you try to still your racing pulse. Oh, yeah—and remember to hum. On this occasion the “Baby Beluga Song” would be appropriate.

You hear them before you see them, those vocal “canaries of the sea” clicking and whistling their own high-pitched tunes. As shifting white shapes loom from the depths, your heart does a back flip. Adult beluga whales some five-m (16-ft) -long shimmy at you from below, swivelling their heads and peering into your eyes an arm’s length away. Babies dart daringly past. You’re surrounded by smiles as wide as Casper the Friendly Ghost’s (watch a video), the mammals edging closer to examine this strange humming human.

Entering the belugas’ world is a rare opportunity to commune with normally elusive wildlife on their own turf. The season is short: July and August.

Sea North Tours Ltd. offers a chance to chum with chubby whales or watch them from your own kayak on daytrips out of Churchill, MB. At the outfitter’s remote Seal River Heritage Lodge a short floatplane flight to the north, Churchill Wild has a multi-day “Birds, Bears & Belugas” adventure so you can mix it up, enjoying wildlife in the air, on the ground and under the water.

When your turn is up and you’re gently pulled back to the Zodiac by the rope, you’ll have a unique encounter etched into your memory and a smile as wide as a beluga’s on your face.

www.travelmanitoba.com

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Discovering local talent on the Hastings County Arts Route

Features — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:12:07 +0000

What is ARTS ROUTE, and how does a local thriving artist join?

The Arts Route directs you to artists, artisans and galleries across Hastings County. The Arts Route creates a trail of discovery to painters, potters, jewellery makers, photographers and other creative people. Travel the Arts Route at your leisure, at your own pace, enjoying beautiful local artwork. The Arts Route is membership driven and developed and operated by the Hastings County Economic Development Office, in partnership with the arts community. Andrew Redden has been working to promote local talent in the Hastings County area. The goal is to create awareness of the talent in Hastings County, while increasing profit for these businesses. There are hundreds of artists in the Hastings County area, but the question is, how word is getting out, and was there a program that was collectively “binding” them together as a core unit.

With the $10,000 initiative being funded by a grant from the Community Futures Development Corporation and Trenval Business Development Corporation, they began by developing a website for ARTS ROUTE. The website will include a database for all of the artists, as well profiles of all of the members. As Andrew commented “…the website will showcase artists, galleries, theatres, and other art-based attractions in Hastings County and will be used to advertise events like studio tours.”

Within each page, each artist will have the name of their business, their contact information, address, photos, each will have a ARTS ROUTE’s sign to match the signage along roadways so that patrons can identify the artisan.

To become a member of ARTS ROUTE, the $200 fee covers a few costs such as producing and distributing marketing materials, signage/website upkeep, and other maintenance and administration costs. There are a variety of different members that have joined and have shown interest. Interest has been shown from everyone from a candle maker to potter or furniture designer. “We want to support those who want to sell their products and make some money”, said Andrew.

The requirements of joining the ARTS ROUTE are:

Accessible to the public with consistent hours & availability displayed on the website
Display signage for the Arts Route
Carry $2,000,000 (2 million) comprehensive liability insurance
Notify the administrator easily of changes to hours and other information about your location

The next project on the list will be an application for the smart phone, which is in the works.

To join the ARTS ROUTE visit www.artsroute.ca and complete the application. If you have any further questions please contact: Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager, Hastings County 613.966.6712 ext 4011 866.321.9563 ext.4011

The new Calgary is booming again

Guest Writer — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:38:06 +0000

Calgary, AB, is booming—again. The city that was once at the heart of stampede and cattle country and then of oil is clean, boisterous and thriving. Energy is the driving engine of the economy, but it is the sector’s spirit of can-do entrepreneurship and innovation that is so startling—spreading into the arts, architecture and civic politics of an exuberant city making a distinctive mark in the Canadian West. No longer, in Calgary, is the downtown core cavernous and empty at night, nor the hipper, more pedestrian-friendly districts of Kensington and Inglewood with their galleries, small restaurants and live music venues. In Calgary, where construction is giddy and The Bow tower a gleaming testament to the confidence of the city, the reclamation of a century of frontier history lives on at the same time that a spanking new city is being built.

History, here, has taken youth and spirit into its embrace. The Bow skyscraper, designed by the London, UK-based firm Foster + Partners, rises up over Chinatown and the old downtown core like a modern cathedral. Its unusual crescent shape might seem to resemble a bend in the river it looks over, alongside which it is possible to run, cycle and walk. No one forgets the river here. On Prince’s Island, in the middle of the Bow River, thousands gather for concerts in summer, while the excellent River Café provides coziness and haute Canadian cuisine with local accents to diners eleven months of the year (closed January). The High Performance Rodeo, the arts festival administered by the theatre company One Yellow Rabbit, enlivens the city every January. At the corner of 7th Ave. and 1st St. in the centre of the city, the 50 artists’ studios, galleries and bistros of the Art Central building offer local art, photography and jewellery. The Stephen Avenue Walk a National Historic Site. Here, the trademark sandstone buildings of turn-of-the-century Calgary have been revived, housing shops, restaurants, wine bars and Fashion Central (the sister project to Art Central). Some buildings, such as the old Bank of Nova Scotia, have exceptional friezes of Western life cut into them—wheat sheaves, bison, cowboys and Indian chiefs—that stand out as modest reminders of the city’s Western past and pedigree.

But this is not a city just for cowboys anymore—far from it (though you can take in plenty of that, two prime examples being the Calgary Stampede and the Alberta Boot Company). Perhaps CHARCUT restaurant in the new Hôtel Le Germain Calgary is one of the best icons of the new city. On the one hand, you’d expect good meat dishes here. On the other, CHARCUT has rocketed its way into the select tier of Canada’s best restaurants thanks in no small part to a fermenting room in which its sumptuous range of homemade charcuterie is made, and its “Eating Bar,” where diners can watch as their meats, fishes and vegetables are expertly prepared. Co-owner and co-chef Connie DeSousa (who trained at Alice Waters’ pioneering farm-to-table restaurant, Chez Panisse, in Berkeley, CA, USA) and her staff are young and keen, and represent the new city, sending out tweets and Facebook messages to alert the faithful when they are serving “alley burgers” with house-made pickles in paper bags out the back of the upscale restaurant for five dollars each. They don’t do it for profit. They do it for fun. The fun this new version of Calgary is all about.

www.travelalberta.com

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Noah Richler is a CBC radio documentary maker and the prize-winning author of This is My Country, What’s Yours? A Literary Atlas of Canada. He is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, theNational Post, The Walrus magazine and the BBC World Service.

Canada’s top five places to travel back in time

Guest Writer — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:14:19 +0000

When history hits the stage in these five top historic attractions, you can learn how to bake a loaf of soldier’s bread, practice your can-can kicks or forge a nail, and more.

1. Village Historique Acadien, New Brunswick

Outside the town of Caraquet on the Acadian Peninsula are roots so rich they go back four hundred years. This is la belle vie, Acadian style, circa the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Hear the anvil ring in the blacksmith shop. Listen as French fiddlers tap out a lively tune for you during a musical dinner theatre performance. Visit the period lobster hatchery. And don’t leave without trying “poutine râppé”—a traditional Acadian dish of potatoes and pork you can eat with molasses, ketchup, butter or brown sugar.

2. Barkerville Historic Town, British Columbia

In another life, I craved the adventure of being a gold prospector and drawing the attention of a dance-hall girl. Barkerville is an original gold-rush town and a place to live out your dreams. Pan for gold, visit Chinatown, go to school as it was in the 1800s, catch live theatre and stroll through a town of more than 140 restored heritage buildings and historic displays.

3. Old Fortifications of Québec, Québec

Every time I visit Québec City, I fall in love all over with the cobblestone streets, glorious architecture and seductive French cuisine. No wonder they keep the city protected. Québec City is the only remaining fortified city in Canada or the US—a big reason it’s designated a World Heritage City by UNESCO. In this 400+-year-old city, explore three centuries of a dramatic military past in fortifications set atop a plunging cliff.

4. Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, Nova Scotia

If you ever wanted to break bread like a soldier but eat like a king, the Fortress of Louisbourg is the place. This is the largest reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town in North America. Along the streets and on the waterfront, costumed interpreters capture the mood of a fabled century with tales of dancing, music and cooking. Inside the King’s Bastion—“a fort within a fortress”—soldiers share their secrets. Just plug your ears when the muskets fire.

5. Upper Canada Village, Ontario

When I was a child we visited Upper Canada Village every year, wandering around this 19th-century village in the former British colony. I remember laughing at how short the beds were, and loving the scent of fresh baked bread pulled from a red brick oven. Once you tour the schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, sawmill, printing office, tavern, cheese factory and family farm, you may never want to step out into contemporary life again.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: British Columbia-based freelance writer and photographer Lori McNultyjourneys the globe to connect life and landscape. Her award-winning travel and arts essays uncover striking landscapes and soulful adventure. Contact her at lorilegba@hotmail.com.

The City of Greater Sudbury an urban jewel

Features — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:40:56 +0000

The City of Greater Sudbury, is an urban jewel nestled amidst the natural beauty of lakes and forests in the heart of Northeastern Ontario. Offering a unique mix of urban amenities and natural surroundings, Greater Sudbury is a thriving landscape that covers an area of 3,627 square kilometres. With 330 freshwater lakes and hundreds of kilometres of trails, Greater Sudbury’s 158,000 plus residents enjoy an abundance of recreational activities, a rich colourful heritage, several business sectors, and excellent educational opportunities. Imagine a lifestyle with work-life balance, with a ten minute commute to work and a short distance to your weekend escape.

Considered by many as the Regional Centre of Northeastern Ontario, Sudbury’s early roots can be traced back to 1883 and the development of the transnational railway. Its vast mineral resources have resulted in unparalleled growth.

Today, Greater Sudbury is a diversified regional centre for mining, technology, education, government and health services with great connections to neighbouring communities and beyond. Greater Sudbury prides itself on a strong network of industrial, commercial, financial and government support services. The city is located 390 kilometres north of Toronto, Ontario’s provincial capital, and 483 kilometres west of our Nations capital, Ottawa, where the Trans Canada Highways 17 and 69 converge. Greater Sudbury is a city for the creative, curious and adventuresome!

Our city features four seasons and with the changing weather conditions, Sudburians enjoy a vast array of festivals, events and recreational activities that vary as the seasons do. Spring is alive with signs of summer which is just around the corner. Our summers and falls are warm and offer outdoor enthusiasts an abundance of activities to meet every lifestyle.

READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE HERE

New Brunswick Canada’s unspoiled province

Guest Writer — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:04:46 +0000

One of the less well known parts of Canada for tourism, New Brunswick is nevertheless, one of Canada’s most beautiful and unspoiled provinces. An area of large tracts of untouched forests and peaceful farmlands, river valleys, ocean islands, beautiful coastal trails and roads, magnificent warm water beaches, amazing cliff and rock formations, and much more; it is obvious that New Brunswick has an outstanding variety of interesting attractions and facilities for the traveller. The province’s rich cultural heritage is an interesting one, with considerable influence from the original French-speaking Acadian settlers and from Empire Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution. New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province; most of the native French speakers also speak perfect English.

This heritage is well reflected in the wide variety of events and entertainment, museums , and the excellent cuisine, which combines different ethnic and cultural roots with the easy availability of tremendous seafood and fresh produce. New Brunswick has an incredible selection of bird life and the high tides that the area is known for have created a variety of natural phenomena. New Brunswick has three major cities. Fredericton the capital, has an interesting historic character, Saint John is a truly novel seaport, and Moncton is mainly a service centre, but with many unique features of interest to tourists. The pace of life is definitely more relaxed here, and the friendliness of the people is legendary.

Brief History

The first inhabitants of what is now New Brunswick were groups of Algonquin speaking First Nations people – the Mi’kmaqin in the north and the southern Malecites and Passamaquoddy tribes. Jacques Cartier, during his exploration of eastern North America, first recorded the area’s existence in 1534. Settlement did not begin until 1604 when Samuel de Champlain established a settlement at the mouth of the St. Croix River. Though this was unsuccessful, French settlement began in earnest and by the end of the 17th century the area was well settled. The French introduced a method of farming near the Bay of Fundy utilizing dikes. The area of French settlement in what is today eastern Canada became known as Acadia, and included modern-day New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Rivalry between the British and the French for this territory ensued, and this culminated in the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713. At this time, Acadia became British territory. However tension between the two countries were manifested in struggles in this part of North America. The British were unable to secure the boundaries of the territory that had been ceded to them. In 1755, full-scale war broke out. At this time the British forced French Acadians to commit themselves to the British crown, or else face exile. Many of the Acadians who fled ended up in Louisiana, where their descendents still reside. The term ‘Cajun’ (as the Louisiana-French culture and people are known as) is derived from ‘Acadian.’ Others settled in the more remote regions of what is now northern New Brunswick. Acadian culture and language has developed separately from that of the rest of French Canada, and today the Acadian community and its culture thrives alongside the English-speaking community. Despite past injustices, New Brunswick serves as an excellent example of a harmonious society.

After the Treaty of Paris in 1763 many people loyal to the British Crown emigrated from the soon to be United States, to eastern Canada. After the revolutionary war thousands of refugees from the 13 former colonies, preferring to remain British subjects, moved to Nova Scotia. Up until that time Nova Scotia encompassed what is now New Brunswick. With the big increase in population Nova Scotia was split, and the province of New Brunswick was founded. Throughout the early 1800s, largely due to the great supply of timber, New Brunswick grew and prospered. The ships that carried New Brunswick’s square-hewn timber to the world returned with immigrants. In those days ships were constructed of wood, and with New Brunswick’s major timber supply, shipbuilding was also a major industry.

On July 1st, 1867 New Brunswick was one of the founding provinces of Canada. As with so many regions of Canada the arrival of the railway in 1876 greatly influenced the growth and economy of New Brunswick. However it did not bring the prosperity that it usually did. Instead, the railway and economic policies allowed Québec and Ontario to compete with New Brunswick. These provinces could provide the same products in much greater volumes, and so New Brunswick lost many of its advantages. At the same time, ships began to be constructed of iron and steel, and so New Brunswick’s shipbuilding industry went into decline – perhaps a blessing in disguise, as the province’s forests were becoming depleted. Although lumber, fishing and mining industries slowly expanded, by the end of the 1800s the province’s prosperity was rapidly diminishing.

From this time until well after World War II, New Brunswick was unable to regain much of the economic success of the 19th century. Although the province had a moderately successful pulp and paper industry, there was considerable disparity between the Maritime Provinces and the rest of Canada, which was enjoying considerable growth and relative affluence. The Federal Government of Canada intervened to try and redress the balance. However this took a long time to show any effects, leaving New Brunswick dependent on federal expenditures and projects for a considerable length of time. Later the provincial government addressed the internal disparities between people of Acadian descent, who had a high poverty rate, and other residents of New Brunswick.

The Areas Economy

In 1969 New Brunswick became Canada’s first, and so far only, officially bilingual province. This has certainly aided the economy, as New Brunswick’s large, truly bilingual population, in combination with government incentives, has brought many service-oriented businesses to the province. In 1970 the city of Saint John became North America’s first deep-water oil tanker port. Oil refining here became a major economic player, and the city has very much gained economically from this and a reviving shipbuilding industry brought about largely from orders for the Canadian Navy. Significant deposits of potash and precious metals have recently been discovered, as well as the already established mining of copper, lead and zinc. Lumber, pulp and paper still play a major role, as does fishing, in particular for lobster, crab and sardines. Potatoes grow well here, and New Brunswick’s seed potatoes are exported worldwide. It can certainly be said that today, New Brunswick is well on the road to a stable and diverse economy.

The New Brunswick Climate

Summers in New Brunswick are rarely very hot, but the weather is comfortably warm. The province’s proximity to the ocean keeps coastal areas slightly cooler in the summer than further inland. New Brunswick has incredible beaches, and the ocean temperature is remarkably warm. Rain is fairly frequent, especially in the south. August tends to be the driest summer month. With New Brunswick’s abundance of forest and woodland, fall is spectacular, and rivals better known areas in New England for its autumn colours. Winters are cold, especially in the northwest of the province, where temperatures can slip down to -30ºC (-22ºF). In the south and coastal regions, once again the ocean acts as a moderator, and temperatures are warmer. There is a lot of snow, which always brings a lot of recreational opportunities. Cross country skiing on the province’s many trails is world class.

Getting Around

New Brunswick is well positioned to be a transportation hub. The Trans-Canada Highway passes through New Brunswick, making the province an important link between Québec, Ontario and Nova Scotia. There is also ferry transportation to Newfoundland and Labrador. The remarkable Confederation Bridge (the longest in the Western Hemisphere) links Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick to Borden, Prince Edward Island. There is a good network of inter-provincial buses, as well as links to the North American network of Greyhound. VIA Rail Canada serves several points in New Brunswick from Québec and Nova Scotia, with good connections in Montréal to Toronto and VIA’s transcontinental train service to Western Canada. There are several airports in New Brunswick, linked to Halifax where connections to the rest of the world can be made. Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton are also linked to Montréal and Toronto, and from Moncton there are flights to Hamilton and Winnipeg by low-cost carrier.

Attractions Not To Be Missed

Covered bridges, which are found in many places throughout northeastern North America, are particularly prevalent in New Brunswick. The province has no less than 74 of them, located mostly on secondary roads. The reasons for building covered bridges were that by covering the bridges, the timbers used in the construction of a wooden bridge and the floor of the bridge are protected from the elements and thus prevented from rotting. A wooden bridge that is covered will last about 80 years, whereas one that isn’t will last about ten. Also to an animal, the bridges appear like a barn, which makes crossing them far less stressful than crossing a bridge with a rushing river visible underneath. A third, but less functional use was that, covered bridges were a great place for courting couples. The world’s longest covered bridge is located at Hartland northwest of Fredericton. The Hartland Covered Bridge is 391 m (427 yd) long.

The high tides of New Brunswick certainly provide a good selection of natural phenomena for the visitor. The shores of Fundy National Park have the highest tides in the world. Erosion from these tides has caused some very interesting cliff formations. The cliffs have been likened to giant plant pots rising up from the beach. There are many excellent trails to enable visitors to see the cliffs; at low tide, the beaches are particularly wide, and are perfect for great hikes along the shore. Another phenomenon that the high tides of the region cause, are tidal bores. This is when the incoming tide suddenly causes the water in a river to switch from flowing downstream, to rapidly flowing upstream. The changes in the depth and width of the river are often dramatic and occur remarkably quickly. Occasionally the upstream flow resembles reverse waterfalls or rapids. The two most well known bores are the Reversing Falls in Saint John on the Saint John River, and the Tidal Bore at Moncton on the Petitcodiac River. It is best to ask locally to find out the times of the tides, and the best locations to view this unique sight from.

Shediac is a coastal summer resort just 22 km (14 mi) northeast of Moncton. It has a definite Acadian flavour, and is very popular and extremely hospitable. The beaches are wonderful, and benefit from the sandbars and shallow water, which make them, and other beaches on the Northumberland Strait, the warmest beaches north of North Carolina. Shediac is a great place to sample lobster, and a whole industry has been established here to enable visitors to enjoy this delectable crustacean at its finest. You can take a trip out to sea with lobster fishermen and learn everything you ever wanted to about lobster. Prices often include a good sampling of the local seafood. If you can make it here in early July, the annual Shediac Lobster Festival takes place. Shediac has some excellent establishments to enjoy the local specialty, among these is Fisherman’s Paradise which offers a full lobster feast.

Attractions that tell the Acadian story and that showcase the Acadian culture should be part of any visit to New Brunswick. A place of great merit in this regard is the Acadian Historic Village located 14 km (9 mi) west of Caraquet. It is of a similar concept to many of the excellent historical villages found throughout Canada. The interesting feature of the Acadian Village is that it very authentically portrays the harsh conditions which Acadians were forced to live in after the British expulsion policy, and so accurately enables visitors to witness one of history’s injustices. Because of this the Acadian Historic Village is a very valuable learning tool as well as being entertaining. The village recreates the years from 1780 to 1880. One just has to compare it with the recreation of a Loyalist settlement at King’s Landing Historic Village, to see the contrast in life in the two societies during the same time period. This is not to say that the village is not an enjoyable experience. You can observe costumed guides undertaking a typical day in the life of an Acadian, sample Acadian cuisine in one of the three restaurants or visit the 26 reconstructed buildings in the style of the period represented. There are special childrens’ programs where participants get to dress in Acadian costume, and take part in a seven-hour historical experience. This is an outstanding learning experience for children.

King’s Landing Historic Village is situated between Fredericton and Woodstock. This village typifies 19th century New Brunswick pioneer life for those of British descent. There are around 100 costumed guides here and 11 houses, plus farms, a grist mill and saw mill, a school, a store and a theatre. The village has a good selection of special events held throughout the year. For children, there is a similar program to the Acadian Historic Village. You can eat in the King’s Head Inn and savour typical pioneer food and beverages.

One of the most beautiful features in New Brunswick is the Saint John River Valley which winds its way for over 700 km (435 mi) diagonally across much of the province, from the north-western corner by the Québec border to the Bay of Fundy by Saint John. It has been compared to the Rhine in Germany, but fortunately without the industrialization that has marred much of the landscape of that great river. The scenery along its whole route is very pleasant and starts with rolling hills near the Bay of Fundy. North of Saint John through Fredericton to Woodstock, the scenery is particularly picturesque. The banks are tree-lined and lush green farm meadows are on either side. North of Woodstock the river passes through some of the great forests of the province. The whole valley is a very popular route for visitors, so it is important to book accommodation in advance. Two highways pass along the river. The faster and busier Trans-Canada Highway is mostly on the river’s west bank. The quieter Highway 105 passes directly through some of the small villages, and is largely on the east bank of the river. The scenery is of equal quality along either route.

For more information about New Brunswick visit the official tourism website

Island hopping around BC’s Gulf Islands

Guest Writer — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 03:33:11 +0000

Between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, BC Ferries’ fleet of vessels have become a common part of the local scenery. Each day from early morning till late evening, these massive vehicles effortlessly navigate through the often tight waterways that separate the Southern Gulf Islands. Their hulls full of cars, trucks and hundreds of passengers, these ships and their crew work to bring the insular communities that dot the islands a measure of communion with the rest of the country.

On board one of those massive vessels, standing out on the ship’s deck, watching those tranquil islands drift on by, one can’t help but feel a sense of adventure well up inside. Maybe it’s the fresh ocean air and the feeling of the Pacific waves below. Maybe it’s how appealing the Gulf Islands become on a warm sunny day. Maybe it’s the unknown beckoning to some deep-seeded instinct to explore. Whatever the cause may be, there is a simple solution, just go island hopping.

An activity enjoyed most in the warm months from May to September, island hopping is as simple as it sounds; board one boat after the next as they travel from island to island. The benefits to this seemingly humble endeavor are numerous. For starters, it affords an opportunity to fully experience the natural beauty, diverse culture and peaceful atmosphere found on each of these unique islands. Also, travel is inexpensive and relatively easy. But perhaps most importantly, island hopping is done at one’s own pace. It awards those exploring the islands with the freedom to spend as much time as they like in any one place.

The Islands

Seven major islands pierce the Strait of Georgia in the south. Each is surrounded by numerous lesser islands and each mutually enjoys a laid-back lifestyle, slower pace of life and a pleasant West Coast Canadian climate. However, due to their independent nature, the island communities found here can differ considerably. One might rely heavily on tourism, while the other may want nothing to do with it. Some have a very developed infrastructure, others still rely on dirt roads. Yet with all of their differences, this group of seven are all attractive in their own rights and each deserves at least a day or two of exploring.

Destination: Salt Spring

Salt Spring Island is the most populated and by far the largest of the Southern Gulf Islands. Home to musicians, farmers, entrepreneurs and a large arts community, the relaxed atmosphere and the natural lifestyle that these islanders enjoy attracts more visitors each year than any of the other six.

Billing itself as the Organic Gardening Capital of Canada, Salt Spring has made farming its primary resource. Much of the island is covered with picturesque pastures and pristine farmland and many shops and vendors fleck the streets, dispensing the bounty of these businesses. The remaining pockets are filled by artist’s galleries, studios and craft shops as they showcase the community’s creative spirit.

The rugged southern end of the island is dominated by Mount Tuam and Mount Bruce and is home to Ruckle Provincial Park, the biggest provincial campground in the Gulf Islands.

Compared to many of the Gulf Islands, Salt Spring features an impressive selection of shops, spas, restaurants and tourist accommodations.

New in 2008, a modest public transit system now makes island hopping that much easier as it connects Vesuvius in the northwest, Fulford Harbour in the northeast and Long Harbour in the south. Otherwise, ferry travelling foot passengers can rent a car, scooter or bicycle and tour the island’s many scenic byways.

Destination: Galiano

Dubbed the Gem of the Gulf Islands, Galiano is the second largest island in the chain. Though it is the first stop for the Tsawwassen ferry and a popular tourist destination, Galiano has managed to retain its undeveloped, secluded character while enjoying a reputation as the most welcoming to visitors.

On this long, narrow island there are plenty of options for the outdoor enthusiast. It has the most parkland of all the Southern Gulf Islands, is home to over 130 species of birds and harbours a number of rare and protected plants. As a result, Galiano is frequented by naturalists, beachcombers and bird watchers in the spring and summer seasons.

Visitors will be happy to know that there are a variety of services and lodgings situated on Galiano. The list includes resorts, inns, cottages, bed and breakfasts and a Provincial Park campsite. Amenities include restaurants, grocery stores, a pub, a gas station and, as is common in these parts, a handful of galleries.

Destination: Mayne

A small, tranquil island, Mayne is ripe with rolling orchards, pastoral farmlands and warm rocky beaches. Though it’s ideal for naturalists and anyone seeking a peaceful getaway, plenty of activity can be found on Mayne. There is a lively community here, and a history closely linked to the Cariboo Gold Rush of 1858. Miners Bay, the island’s commercial centre, and nearby Active Pass bustle with marine traffic and the narrow, hilly roads always add some excitement to any journey.

Those seeking accommodation on Mayne will find many bed and breakfasts, as well as a privately operated campground.

Destination: Pender

The populous Pender Islands are separated north and south by a canal and united by a bridge. Thusly, while most people refer to Pender Island in the singular, there are in fact two islands and aside from a large subdivision on North Pender, these islands remain green and rural.

Though friendly to visitors, the population is primarily residential and as a result there are very few restaurants, lodgings or shops to be found. Truthfully, there is not even a village or town centre on either of the islands. North Pender’s Driftwood Centre, however, is considered the closest thing as it houses a post office, pharmacy, laundromat, gas station, bank, grocery store and a couple of other services.

Popular for family vacations, romantic escapes, seminars and retreats, the Pender Islands are mostly known for their unspoiled countryside, hidden bays, old frame houses and incredible beaches. In fact, these islands are a beachcomber’s paradise with more than 20 ocean-access points leading to spanning, quiet beaches and picturesque coves.

Destination: Saturna

Saturna Island is the most remote and sparsely populated of the South Gulf Islands and as a result, it’s also the least spoiled. The permanent population on Saturna has remained small, preserving the charm and rural character of the island while the island’s bounty of wildlife and varied terrain support a variety of outdoor activities. After visiting, it’s easy to see why nearly half of the newly created Gulf Islands National Park incorporates the undeveloped wilderness land on Saturna Island.

Visitors to Saturna should always plan ahead as accommodations are limited to only a few cottages, lodges and bed and breakfasts. There are however plenty of interesting galleries to check out, as well as a general store, pub, cafe and a vineyard.

Destination: Thetis

Up in the north end of the chain, the relaxed, rural and peaceful Thetis Island sits off the coast of Vancouver Island. Especially popular in the summer months, this friendly little island is home to less than 400 permanent residents, only slightly higher than the neighbouring Kuper Island. Even with such a small population, Thetis Island has become almost entirely privately owned, with the exception of 14 km (9 mi) of public roads and 19 km (12 mi) of shoreline.
Local facilities include a community centre, a pub and restaurant, a post office, a small store, two marinas and a volunteer fire department.

Destination: Kuper

Kuper Island is owned by the Penelakut First Nations Tribe and as such falls under the governance of Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley. The smallest of the Gulf Islands chain, this 860 ha (2,125 acres) island has a population of about 185 members of the Penelakut Band. As a native reservation, property is not for sale and no commercial services have been established.

Thetis Island and Kuper Island were originally joined by mud flats until a passage was dredged in 1905. Today, mariners and paddlers can sail through that shallow, narrow passage and into Telegraph Harbour, one of the most popular anchorages in the Southern Gulf Islands.

Set course

All of the Gulf Islands are accessible from Vancouver Island via one of BC Ferries’ regular routes. Alternatively, boat tours, float planes and private charters are often available from many of the centres along Vancouver Island’s east coast.

A number of Victoria-based tour companies offer all-inclusive day trips and overnight excursion tours that can be ideal for those who just can’t decide where to start. Otherwise, visitors will want to plan well in advance, especially in the peak summer season. Firstly, choose which islands to include in the tour, then consult a BC Ferries schedule to manage connections. From there, plan when and where to seek overnight accommodations. Most communities offer hotels, resorts and a great selection of bed and breakfasts but they will fill up quickly in the peak season.

The alternative is to travel off peak season in the fall and winter. During these downtimes, ferry service to many islands is restricted to one or two sailings per day, prompting an early start and late returns. The trade-off is that there are far fewer visitors to share the roads, waterways, parks and hotels with.

From Swartz Bay

Sitting on the tip of the Saanich Peninsula in a little town called Sidney, the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal is the primary starting point for excursions to five of the Southern Gulf Islands. From here, travellers can hop on board a direct-route to Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring, Otter Bay on North Pender, Sturdies Bay on Galiano, Village Bay on Mayne and Lyall Harbour on Saturna.

When there is time to spare, the Gulf Islands Day Trip from Swartz Bay is recommended. This meandering circle route makes several stops as it winds through the channels. The whole trip can take the better part of a day but stops and sailing times will vary depending on the date and time of sailing.

From Crofton and Chemainus

The friendly community of Crofton in the Cowichan region is another departure point for hops between Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island. Routes from the seaside town of Chemainus connect with Thetis Island and Kuper Island.
From the Islands

On Salt Spring Island, BC Ferries operates out of three terminals: Fulford Harbour ferries sail to Swartz Bay; Long Harbour serves ferries to and from Tsawwassen Terminal; and Vesuvius Bay ferries sail to Crofton. Otherwise, a network of ferry routes connect the islands of Pender, Mayne, Saturna, Salt Spring and Galiano. This sometimes confusing schedule is surprisingly effective and can get one from any island to any other island in a matter of an hour or less.

Now, let the island hopping begin, but remember, always plan to be punctual. The ferries will fill up very quickly on a busy day and even with a reservation, they will not wait for dawdlers.

For More Information Click Here

Travel between Canada and other countries fell as Canadians took fewer trips abroad

Features — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:40:49 +0000

Travel between Canada and other countries decreased in January, as Canadian residents took 1.4 per cent fewer trips abroad and foreign travel to Canada declined one per cent. Canadian residents took four million trips to the United States, a 1.2 per cent drop from December.

Canadian residents took 732,000 overnight trips to overseas countries, down 2.2 per cent from December.

Travel by U.S. residents to Canada declined 1.7 per cent to 1.6 million trips in January.

Overseas residents took 369,000 overnight trips to Canada in January, 2.2 per cent more than in December and the highest level in two years.

Seven of Canada’s Top 12 overseas markets recorded advances in January, with travel from China rising 11.6 per cent, the largest increase, and travel from India falling 6.4, the largest decline.

Exploring historic Calgary

Features — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 01:01:22 +0000

Calgary is a vibrant and growing city, known for its western heritage and friendly people. It has fast become a cosmopolitan area with an increasing population that shows no sign of slowing down. Calgary’s ideal location in the foothills of Canada’s Rocky Mountains attracts visitors worldwide, offering breathtaking views and an abundance of pristine wilderness close by.

Calgary started off as Fort Calgary with the railway industry playing a major role in the economy and at attracting settlers to the area. The city received its name from Colonel James Macleod. Calgary is a Scottish name originating from Calgary Bay on the Isle of Mull, Scotland. Officially proclaimed a city in 1884 with a population of 4,000, Calgary started out like most western towns. The city featured a series of wood frame houses, wooden church steeples and a city hall clock tower.

The great fire of 1886 changed the look of Calgary from wood to the more fireproof sandstone. The Sandstone City became Calgary’s new nickname and set it apart from other cities. Calgary has a rich history with landmarks and districts that tell of its continuous evolution. The city however, hasn’t done much to preserve it’s history. Many historical landmarks and buildings have been torn down to make room for new ones. Calgary’s image is more new and modern rather than nostalgic. All is not lost though, there are certain districts that have worked hard at preserving history with hopes of passing it on to future generations

Fort Calgary

Fort Calgary was established in 1875 by the F Troop of the North West Mounted Police. The fort was built at the forks of the Bow and Elbow Rivers and under the instruction of Inspector Ephrem Brisebois, the Mounted Police were to suppress whiskey traffic along the Bow River. The fort was constructed out of pine logs and the pole roofs were covered with earth, while the walls were mudded with clay. It took approximately six weeks to build and the living conditions in the fort were far from comfortable.

In 1882, the fort was torn down and new buildings were built and the site became known as Calgary Barracks. A few years later these buildings were destroyed by fire and were replaced by a remarkable two-storey building that could house 100 men. In 1914, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway purchased the land and demolished all fort buildings except for Superintendent Deane’s house. In 1975, the city of Calgary celebrated its Centennial and reclaimed the land. Archaeologists working in the area over the years have uncovered remains of the original fort and several other buildings. Due to these findings, the location is now designated as a National and Provincial Historic Site. Today visitors to the area can view a replica of the 1875 fort site and can walk through an interpretive centre with exhibits that illustrate Calgary from 1875 to the 1940s.

Inglewood

The first community formed in Calgary was Inglewood. The area features over 200 pre-1914 buildings, including homes, office buildings and retail shops. Inglewood is located on 9th Avenue South East, across the Elbow River from Fort Calgary. The district was occupied as early as 1871 by American traders and became a permanent settlement with the 1875 construction of Fort Calgary. It was originally thought that the Canadian Pacific Railway would build its main station in Inglewood but instead chose to construct it on the other side of the river.

Inglewood was home to some of the city’s major industries such as the Burns meat packing plant and the Calgary Brewery. During the community’s economic boom in 1910, many multi-storey brick buildings and houses emerged. With the start of the Great War in 1914, the housing boom came to an end and by 1960 Inglewood was rezoned as an industrial area. As years went on the community became plagued by social problems but has managed to overcome these difficulties and is now an attractive and fashionable business district with restaurants, pubs, various retail shops and office spaces.

Victoria Park

The Victoria Park area is home to the world famous Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. It is located southeast of downtown and lies between 10th and 18th Avenues and is bounded by the Elbow River and Second Street Southwest. The land was purchased in 1889 by Colonel James Walker and members of the Calgary Agriculture Society who later became founders of the Stampede. For many years this outdoor show attracted huge crowds to the Victoria Park community but as the Stampede expanded it eventually led to the downfall of the area. Many residents have had their homes put in jeopardy in order to accommodate the Stampede’s expansion. However, the area was not always plagued by such problems. Victoria Park was once populated with working class families, business people and small factories. Due to social issues, caution should be used when visiting this area. The area has gone through a revitalization process which has resulted in several new condo developments as well as the renovation of a number of older buildings. Several older buildings have been transformed into high-end condo lofts.

Connaught Beltine

The Connaught-Beltine area of Calgary is located in the city’s southeast between 8th and 14th Street and was home to some well-known people. The location was once bare prairie land and James Loughheed, Alberta’s first Senator, built his large home in the area in 1891. In 1901, the community was home to a beautiful sandstone mansion that belonged to Calgary’s first millionaire, Patrick Burns. Unfortunately, it was demolished in 1956 for the expanding Colonel Belcher Hospital. During the housing boom between 1905 and 1914, the area was home to some sophisticated homes that featured adaptations of the Queen Anne style and tall decorative chimneys. Apartment buildings such as the Devenish, are still around today and is now home to businesses such as fashion boutiques, salons, an art gallery and jewellery shop. In 1911, Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie financed the first public library in Alberta, located in the Connaught-Beltline. Famous author, activist, and teacher Nellie McClung lived in the Connaught-Beltline community from 1923 to 1932.

Bowness

Bowness is located in northwest Calgary and is well known for its park that is often used for skating in the winter and swimming in the summer. Originally, the area was not a part of the City of Calgary but was a separate piece of land located in the Bow River valley. An Englishman by the name of John Hextall came to Alberta in 1908 and was enchanted by the natural beauty of Bowness and decided to develop the land into an exclusive residential community. At his own expense, Hextall subdivided the land into large treed lots and built a bridge connecting Bowness to Calgary. As a means to attracting wealthy investors, he also had a park and golf club constructed. In 1911, Hextal signed an agreement with the City of Calgary in which he agreed to give up the islands of Bowness Park in exchange for a municipal streetcar. This was done to ease future expansion plans but by 1914, the year Hextall died, only five of the impressive homes he foresaw had been built. With the arrival of the First World War, financial investment for the area dried up and the growth of Bowness slowed down. By 1951, the community officially became a town and in 1964, it was officially annexed by the City of Calgary.

Mount Royal

Situated in Calgary’s southwest and bounded by 17th Avenue and 14th Street, Mount Royal has become known as one of the city’s most distinguished residential districts. It features large lots with plenty of trees, an abundant amount of open spaces for parks and gracefully curved streets. The elegance of the area is due to a plan that was put in place in 1905 by the City of Calgary and the Canadian Pacific Railway that owned the land, both of whom wanted to attract wealthy prospective settlers to the area. The plan was successful and the district experienced a building boom with many grand estate homes being built. Soon after, the area was officially named Mount Royal after the community in Montreal which was home to Canadian Pacific Railway President William Van Horne.

Stephen Avenue Mall

Located along Eighth Avenue Southwest in downtown Calgary, this outdoor pedestrian mall was named after the Canadian Pacific Railway’s first president, Lord George Mount Stephen. In 1886, a fire nearly destroyed the buildings lining Stephen Avenue. As a way to prevent another such tragedy, the city put a fireproof plan into action. Locally quarried sandstone was used in the construction for the commercial buildings that lined the avenue and Calgary quickly became known as the Sandstone City. During this time a person could come down to the avenue and purchase all their necessities, from food to postage stamps. By 1914, the use of sandstone slowed down and the cheaper alternative of bricks became the new supply of choice in construction. Across the street from Calgary’s Old City Hall, located at the east end of the avenue, is the Olympic Plaza. Built in 1987, the plaza was used for medal ceremonies during the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Over the years many buildings along Stephen Avenue have been torn down to accommodate newer buildings such as the Glenbow Museum and shopping malls.

Today the area has been declared a National Historic District by the federal government and many structures have been restored to their original conditions. Visitors to Stephen Avenue Mall can now walk through a beautiful historic setting and enjoy a variety of fine dining, do a little shopping, stop in at a coffee bar or spend some time in a selection of art galleries.

The City of Calgary has several noteworthy landmarks that have stood the test of time. Through restoration processes and constant maintenance, there are a few landmarks worth visiting such as the Centre Street Bridge, St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Calgary Tower.

Centre Street Bridge

In 1906, the original Centre Street Bridge was built by A.J. McArther. He owned some land that he wanted to sell on the other side of the bridge, the area that is now known as Crescent Heights. The City of Calgary purchased the bridge in 1912 but in 1915 the Bow River flooded and wiped out the bridge. A new Centre Street Bridge was built and opened in 1916. It is this bridge that has survived the test of time and is now used daily by thousands of Calgarians. The majestic lions seen today, however, are replicas of the originals.

The most prominent features of the Centre Street Bridge are the four stone lions that guard the entrances. City worker James Thompson, who was once a Scottish mason, created the majestic lions. These impressive creatures were modeled after the lions found at the base of Admiral Nelson’s monument at Trafalgar Square in London. The main difference between the two is that the English lions are made of brass whereas the ones in Calgary are made of concrete. Each lion features an image of the English rose, an Irish shamrock, the Scottish thistle and the Canadian Maple leaf. In 1993, the bridge was named a Historic Resource, partly due to the regal presence of the lions.

St. Mary’s Cathedral

The original St. Mary’s Cathedral came to be after a meeting in 1887 with Father Lacombe and Calgary parishioners. It was decided that due to the growing congregation, a new stone church should be built. Located on 18 Avenue Southwest, the church opened its doors in 1889 and in 1912, the Calgary Diocese was formed and Pope Pius X declared St. Mary’s a Cathedral. No changes had been made to the structure until 1913 when Bishop McNally rearranged the sanctuary and sacristy. In 1955, the Cathedral was demolished and construction of the present day St. Mary’s began. The new Cathedral opened its doors in 1957 and was consecrated by Reverend Francis P. Carroll, Bishop of Calgary. St. Mary’s contains an amazing 5 m (16 ft) statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, cast in stone and mounted over the main doors. Over the years, St. Mary’s has gone through extensive renovations and the original interior that was designed by Calgary architect, Maxwell Bates, has been greatly altered.

Calgary Tower

The Calgary Tower is located in the city’s downtown on 9th Avenue Southwest. Once known as the Husky Tower, it was built in 1966 on the site of the demolished Canadian Pacific Railway station. The Tower was opened in 1968 by Premier Ernest Manning, and in 1971 it became officially known as the Calgary Tower. At the time, the tower was the tallest free-standing structure in the city. However, the year 1983 saw the Tower lose this status with the completion of the Petro-Canada building. A special feature of the Tower is the torch at the very top that is lit on special occasions such as the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games. The tower stands 190 m (626 ft) tall and it takes 62 seconds to get from ground level to the observation deck.

The City of Calgary is a founding member of the World Federation of Great Towers. Other world famous structures that are part of the federation include the CN Tower and the Eiffel Tower.

For more information about Calgary click here to visit the official tourism website

Once upon a time in Toronto

Features — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:39:38 +0000

Once upon a time, in a not-so-far-away land, American and British theatre lovers discovered that in Toronto, they could buy a ticket to a Broadway-calibre show for 100 Canadian dollars, but it would only be $50 or £25 on their credit card statements back home. Fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber flocked to Toronto to see Donny Osmond as the definitive Joseph in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” while a few blocks away the magnificent puppetry of “The Lion King” was seen by nearly 3 million people.

While times have now changed for the credit-card statement (a $100 Canadian ticket will now cost $100 US or about £65), a ticket to Toronto theatre still provides exceptional value, as the performances and production quality of Toronto’s mega-shows are on par with New York’s Broadway and London’s West End.

Meantime, if you’re a true theatre fan like me, you know that much of the world’s finest theatre happens “off” Broadway and “off” West End. In Toronto, there’s no equivalent term but there isan equivalent experience—and this is where visitors to Canada are reminded they’re not in New York or London.

The lesser-known performance spaces of Canadian Stage Company, Buddies in Bad Times, VideoCabaret, Acting Upstage and many others deliver theatre experiences that send audience members away with powerful—often uniquely Canadian memories. And that’s true value.

VideoCabaret is not your everyday term, even in the theatre world. But as I discovered in Toronto, it’s code for some of the most powerful and most marvellously creative theatre I have ever seen. In a nutshell, it works like this: book the back room of a nightclub, build a tiny black shadowbox (about 15 sq ft) as your stage, install pinpoint-perfect lighting, clothe and paint a mega-talented cast of about seven actors in hyperbolic style, and let them tell great Canadian tales through satirical language, facial expression and quick juxtaposition. On my recent Toronto theatre trip, VideoCabaret took me through Canada’s involvement in World War I in a jarring, emotional, funny and poignant play—that included characters from Sir Wilfred Laurier to German POWs to the Duchess of Cornwall—all told within the confines of the shadowbox stage. It is uniquely Toronto, and whatever tale these actors are telling, you need to experience it.

World’s Biggest Gay Theatre! Across town in the area known as Church Wellesley Village, theatregoers find the remarkable Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. In a country where gay “issues” have mostly ceased to exist (Canadian gays have been allowed serve in the military since the early 90s, and could legally marry and adopt children since the early 2000s), it may seem like the gay stories have all been told. Well, Buddies in Bad Times has been telling gay stories since 1979, and today still finds plenty of GLBTQ material to perform on its stage—the largest facility-based queer theatre company in the world. The company’s 2011 season, says Artistic Director Brendan Healy, “tackles experiences of citizenship, racialization, religiosity, marginalization and social repression…encompassing the full complexities of contemporary queer existence with humour, intelligence and ferocity.” Most recently was the remounting of “The Silicone Diaries,” which dramatizes a character’s male-to-female transition. Fascinating stuff.

Keeping it current. Perhaps best known of Toronto’s play producers is Canadian Stage, which has its own two gorgeous performance venues in the city centre, and mounts around 10-14 productions each year focusing on contemporary theatre. Some of it, such as the upcoming productions of “Saint Carmen of the Main”and “Project: Humanity’s The Middle Place,” are decidedly Canadian with stories that take place in Canadian settings, while others take audience members to story settings around the planet and even into space. On my recent theatre trip I was lucky enough to see “The Anderson Project,” a magical one-man show by legendary Canadian actor Robert Lepage.

Double Feature. There’s one piece of theatre that rarely gets mentioned in theatre stories, and that is the décor and history of the theatre venues themselves. While Toronto has many world-class facilities, one stands out for its sheer historic significance—not to mention its pure visual interest regardless what’s playing on the stages: The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres, which opened in 1913 (Irving Berlin performed) and 1914 respectively. The fact that I said stages in the plural is not necessarily remarkable for a theatre venue; many modern performing arts centres have multiple stages in one complex. What is unique about these two theatres is that they are stacked, literally, on top of each other. The Winter Garden sits seven storeys above the Elgin. They are the only surviving “double-decker” theatres still operating in the world. Tours are offered that take theatre and architecture lovers through the elegant, gilded Elgin before venturing way upstairs to the magical Winter Garden, a theatre like none I’ve everseen. Its walls are covered in delicate garden murals and the support columns are disguised as trees; the ceilings are covered in leaves and paper lanterns. While these theatres don’t have a resident company, they are in frequent use by professional and community theatres. Those lucky patrons who saw Donny Osmond in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” saw him at the Elgin. You can catch Christopher Plummer as “Barrymore”there from the end of January to the beginning of March this year.

While once upon a time Toronto’s theatre scene was about dollar value, today it’s definitely a scene in its own right. Whether watching mega-productions such as the recent pre-Broadway run of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” and the upcoming “The Secret Garden”(Feb. 8-March 19)or tiny-but-powerful shows mounted inside a black shadowbox stage, theatregoers will find that Toronto’s live performance scene is an exceptionally valuableexperience, with memories that live happily ever after.

Selected Toronto Theatres and/or Companies:

Acting Up Stage Company: mostly musicals, some new works
Angelwalk Theatre: mostly musicals
BirdLand Theatre: plays and musicals
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre: world’s largest facility-based queer theatre company
Canadian Stage: mostly contemporary theatre
Crow’s Theatre: mostly plays questioning accepted truths about history
Dancap Productions: large-scale musicals
Factory Theatre Company: new Canadian plays
Hart House Theatre (University of Toronto): variety of productions
Little Red Theatre: children’s theatre
Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People: youth theatre
Mirvish Productions: large-scale musicals
Nightwood Theatre: mostly women’s theatre
Stage Centre Productions: classic theatre
Studio 180: mostly “socially relevant” theatre
Tarragon Theatre: new plays
VideoCabaret: satirical historic drama in blackbox stage
Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Writer Randall Shirley lives in Vancouver, BC, a place he thinks is paradise. Nevertheless, the travel bug causes him to leave often, penning works for The Boston Globe, The Calgary Herald, The South China Morning Post, and more. Shirley edits the Canadian gay and lesbian travel magazine Out In Canada and frequently appears as “resident globetrotter” on Vancouver’s Shaw TV Studio 4.
Rare accomplishment: He’s one of a rare group: those who have visited all 13 Canadian provinces and territories. Reach him via www.RandallShirley.com.

Warkworth: a nice place to visit and live there too!

Astrid Hood — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:40:58 +0000

The Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival is located in Eastern Ontario just south of Campbellford, north of the 401 at the Brighton turn-off. This year is its 25th anniversary of festival celebrations and it appears the county and township have pulled out all the stops to making the weekend a blast. Saturday and Sunday March 12-13, will be a fun time for all. This is an opportunity to explore the rolling hills of Northumberland countryside just 150 km east of the Greater Toronto Area.

Activities you can expect to do for the two day bash, include:

Catch a bus ride to the Sugar Bush:

Catch a bus ride to the Sugar Bush - Photo Credit: Ron Taylor 400eleven.com

Festival-goers have a choice of driving direct to the Sugar Bush or going from town by the free bus to the Maple woodlot where there are rides, entertainment, and of course a maple syrup fest meal of pancakes, sausage, and freshly made maple syrup for $7 for adults, $3 for children . Sugarbush attendees get to see how the maple syrup is collected and made – the old fashioned way in a vat over a fire and the new distillation ovens. As well there are natural trails and craft demonstrations at the sugar shack. Catch a sugarbush sleigh ride, saw contests, snowshoe races, and three legged plank races as some of the list of ongoing events.

Photo Contest at the Warkworth Library:

Come to the Library on Main St. next to the Royal Bank and enjoy a warm cup of coffee, sit and relax. Get a free copy or three of your Festival pictures printed. See past pictures of the Festival. Enter the Photo Contest for a prize of the photo editing program Photoshop Elements or a book on Photofinishing. Chat and connect on the Internet.

In-town shopping delights:

Shops in Warkworth include Scott’s Variety where you can get all your staples and snacks or browse the magazine rack with free maps, community brochures and real estate magazines of homes for sale in the area. Stop by the community bulletin board to read ‘what’s happening’ in the area and community news updates. By the Royal Bank, where you can get some extra cash, will be the annual Petting Zoo that thrills the kids! Continue to walk east to the elementary school for the Antiques Show. There is an Arts and Crafts sale at the Warkworth Hall. There is a Jewelry Bazaar at the Masonic Hall, White Elephants Sale with Gingerbread Tea at the Seniors Center plus Mini Golf at St.Paul’s United Church. Other shops in the town include a variety of boutiques, home design shops and coffee shops.

Visit an Open House:

Before you drive away for the day, maybe you will think this place is not only a nice place to visit, but you could actually live here! There are a couple of open houses scheduled in the Warkworth area for this weekend where you should stop by to see a home for sale. For example, from Mill Street in Warkworth, take Old Hastings Road north. Turn right on Percy Street, then turn right on Godolphin Road and travel a couple of minutes until you reach #306 Godolphin Road. On Saturday March 12, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm this charming country Viceroy Bungalow will be open for viewing. It is set on a 4.82 acre lot surrounded by a wooded back drop and the pastures and hills of Northumberland County. There is an oval-shaped above ground pool and hot-tub, detached double garage and circular driveway for added convenience. Located only 1.5 hours east of GTA. Asking $222,000.

Astrid Hood will be your hostess at the Open House and hopes to see you there!

Canada’s March break, things to do

Features — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:34:13 +0000

School’s out, but do you really want to head south with the frat pack? Whether you’re into architecture or Arctic adventure, Canada has just the March break package for you.

March Break in Canada is a week off (in a few cases, two weeks off) for students grades JK through to 12 sometime from the end of February to beginning of April. The March Break in Canada may also be referred to as Spring Break, Winter Break or Mid-Winter Break, but March Break is most common, with Spring Break more of an American term.

Most families with school age kids make special plans of some kind over the March Break. Many parents take time off work and head for sunnier climates during March Break. Others plan special getaways closer to home, such as ski resorts, or enroll kids in local camps and special programs, which are offered in abundance during this week. March Break dates differ across Canada. In 2011, the dates are as follows:

British Columbia: March 18 – April 4, 2011
Alberta, Manitoba: March 25 – April 4, 2011
Saskatchewan: April 21 – May 2, 2011
Ontario and Nova Scotia: March 11 – 21, 2011
PEI: March 18 – 28, 2011
Quebec: Feb 25 – March 7, 2011 (Commission scolaire de la Capitale: March 4 – March 14, 2011)
New Brunswick: March 4 – March 14, 2011
Newfoundland / Labrador: April 21 – May 2, 2011
Northwest Territories, Yukon: March 18 – April 4, 2011

These dates are for the most part, but some specific schools may differ, especially in the Northwest Territories. Check specific locations or school websites if you need confirmation on the dates.

Northern delights:

It’s an experience in itself to arrive at Yukon’s Tagish Wilderness Lodge – the final stretch across a vast frozen lake can only be completed by snowmobile, dogsled or ski plane. The Yukon Winter Sampler is a five-day action-filled package, available throughout March, with cozy log-cabin accommodation for when it’s time to zonk out. After a mushing lesson on day two, you’ll race confidently through the forest, pulled by your own effervescent huskies. You’ll also learn to get about like a local on a powerful Ski-Doo. The reward for making it to a nearby mountaintop? A campfire cookout – think smoky homemade beans and lightly charred organic steaks. And when you feel like slowing down, you can pad around so quietly, in snowshoes you made yourself, that you won’t even startle the snowshoe hares. Or maybe you’d rather ice-fish through a sawed-out hole in the frozen lake? At the end of the day, there’s nothing more relaxing than hitting the hot tub to bask in the alien-green glow of the northern lights.

Highbrow holidays:

Aesthetes can plan smart by booking the OPUS Design Package between March 17 and 27, when the International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA) is running in Montréal. The OPUS Montréal boutique hotel is as striking for its 1914 main building – the first poured-concrete residential structure in North America – as for its recent slick black addition, designed by Dan Hanganu. The Design Package includes a self-guided walking tour of the city’s architectural highlights, tickets to the Canadian Centre for Architecture and Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, as well as martinis in the chandeliered Grand Salon of Koko bar, where you’ll get a kick out of the larger-than-life Moooi horse sculpture and electric-green runway. And at FIFA, you can chow down on popcorn at one of nine cinema and museum venues and catch movies and discussions on a fascinating array of topics from the world of art.

County fare in Prince Edward County:

From March 23 to April 16, you can take a break in Ontario’s Prince Edward County and work your way around the select restaurants participating in Countylicious – a celebration of the local bounty with three-course, prix-fixe dinners for a friendly $30 or $35 rate. Claramount Inn and Spa offers an all-inclusive package of room, breakfast and a meal from their Countylicious menu showcasing the county’s tasty heirloom and organic veggies, as well as local cheeses and wines – be sure to sample more than one of the crisp, steely Rieslings, which have helped to forge the local wine industry’s reputation. A walk around Claramount’s sprawling grounds by Picton Bay will help you work off dessert before you retire to one of 10 uniquely styled rooms. Tip: Between dinners, follow the “Taste Trail” and stock up on gourmet souvenirs like Sandbanks Estate Winery’s award-winning Baco Noir Reserve or Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company’s strangely delicious Goat Cheese Chocolate Truffles.

Getting there:

Tagish Wilderness Lodge, Box 17, Tagish, YT, 867-332-2113, tagishwildernesslodge.com
Opus Montréal Hotel, 10 Sherbrooke St. W., Montréal, QC, 1-866-744-6346, opushotel.com
Claramount Inn and Spa, 97 Bridge St., Picton, ON, 1-800-679-7756, claramountinn.com
Yukon Tourism, 1-800-661-0494, www.travelyukon.com
Ontario Tourism, 1-800-ONTARIO (1-800-668-2746), www.ontariotravel.net
Tourisme Québec, 1-877-BONJOUR (1-877-266-5687), www.bonjourquebec.com

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Valerie Howes as the senior editor of Pure Canada, I’m on the lookout for stories about new and interesting lodgings, restaurants, spas, events, packages and experiences. Pure Canada is the Canadian Tourism Commission’s unique travel-lifestyle magazine. It is published by Spafax Canada Inc., publisher of enRoute, Air Canada’s award-winning inflight magazine. We represent Canada and it is our mission to take our readers on a sensory journey. Pure Canada is an invitation to the reader to discover Canada and experience it in a whole new way – it is an invitation to explorers.

Top 10 Canadian theme parks

Features — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:16:22 +0000

The thing that lures the dedicated theme park enthusiast to the best amusement parks in Canada are the thrill rides. Ever wonder why the overly excited visitor who just got off that massive, wooden, fear-inducing roller coaster runs back to the long line that they were just complaining about an hour earlier? It’s not the hot dogs, cotton candy or animal exhibits that usually keeps the tourist in for a whole day at the park. Rides, rides and more rides are on the minds of most Canadians, newcomers and other visitors looking for that next hair-raising, exhilarating rush. While thrill rides are the main draw, aesthetically pleasing theme parks are also a major attraction

Not surprisingly, most of the top ten theme parks have at least one up to 15 roller coasters to entice the bravest of souls. There is of course more than roller coasters, skyscreamers, boomerangs, top spinners and mindbenders to enthuse the park lover; sea creature shows, amazing water parks and even go-karting and mini-golf have satisfied many visitors. For the not so courageous park goer, bring some comfortable shoes and for those bold enough to try anything, pack some lozenges for the throat because screaming on those hairpin turns and inverted ascents and descents is likely.

Canada’s Wonderland

It’s not hard to see why Canada’s Wonderland is the largest and perhaps the most popular theme park in Canada. Commonly called Wonderland, this park has lured millions of visitors annually since 1981. The park boasts over 200 rides and a 133 ha (330 acre) water park. Roller coaster fanatics can get a thrill from one of the 15 different roller coasters at the park, almost a record number of coasters in any theme park. Coaster enthusiasts will love a few rides, including Time Warp, Canada’s only “flying” roller coaster where passengers ride lying face-down and are lifted up like the passenger is flying. New to the park as of 2008, Canada’s biggest, fastest and tallest roller coaster, the Behemoth, is not for the faint of heart reaching a height of 70 m (230 ft) and dropping down at an angle of 85 degrees.

Movie-themed rides started a trend in 1994 when Paramount Pictures bought Canada’s Wonderland, which became Paramount Canada Wonderland for 12 years before reverting back to its original name. Some of the popular rides inspired by movies are: Flight Deck, Canada’s only inverted roller coaster and named after the Top Gun movie and Back Lot Stunt Coaster, created from a car scene in the 2003 movie The Italian Job.

Roller coasters are definitely a main pull at this park but for the weak-stomached rider and younger kids, the Splash Works water park offers plenty of exciting rides that will entertain and delight. Splash Works is a 8 ha (20 acre) water playground that features 16 water slides and over two-million gallons of heated water. Situated adjacent to the theme park, the water park is home to high-speed slides such as the Plunge, the Blackhole and the Super Soaker, a fast ride through a tunnel that spirals down into an open-air flume. For the less adventurous, try heading down the Lazy River, a more relaxing ride which takes one down a one-quarter mile river in individual rafts. The Riptide Racer and the Baracuda Blaster are two other exciting water rides to try. Also stop in at Canada’s largest wave pool.

La Ronde

The largest amusement park in Quebec and the second largest in Canada, La Ronde was originally built for Expo 67. Located on Saint-Helen’s Island in Parc Jean Drapeau, this park is also home to the annual fireworks competition that attracts thousands of locals and tourists every summer.

One of the most popular rides at La Ronde is the Monster, a wooden roller coaster that invokes a fear of the unknown as the structure of this beast rattles on the first ascent. Other exciting rides at this tourist attraction include the Boomerang and the Tornade, the largest suspended roller coaster in Canada. At 32 m (105 ft) high and reaching up to a speed of 80.5 kmh (50 mph), if the visitor has to choose to ride only one of the nine roller coasters that this park offers, the Tornade is the one.

Since 2002, La Ronde was deemed an official world-class theme park with over 40 rides to choose from. The water rides are a perfect choice for hot and humid days that are typical during the summer. Try the Splash, a 20-passenger boat that plunges down a 15 m (50 ft) waterfall creating 5 m (17 ft) waves. Staying dry is not an option for this ride. Tour de Ville is a custom-designed Old Montreal theme ride that takes up to 48 brave souls on a carousel ride to the sky. In 2001, Six Flags bought La Ronde from the City of Montreal.

Galaxyland Amusement Park

Located in the popular West Edmonton Mall and in operation since 1981, this amusement park has 26 indoor rides that will entertain and thrill the entire family. Kids’ rides are plentiful at this indoor playground. The Space Bump allows kids to drive carts around bumping into others or wee ones can try the ever-popular Carousel. The Galaxyland Raceway is a good ride for the would-be little speed racer, featuring Go-Karts that drive through an “Indy” style racetrack. For something a little slower, the kids will enjoy the Balloon Race, a ferris wheel with balloon-shaped cars. The whole family will enjoy the Cosmic Spinner, an intermediate space ride which features individual spinning UFOs.

The older crowd seeking a thrill to remember will be drawn to the Mindbender, the world’s largest indoor high-speed triple loop roller coaster. If being launched 37 m (120 ft) skyward and then thrust back to the starting position with 11 other screaming people sounds exhilarating, try the Space Shot. The Sonic Storm is an advanced ride which takes the passenger back and forth in a circular bouncing motion while the Galaxy Orbiter is a stomach-churning spinning roller coaster. Find out more here

Playland Amusement Park

The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) site is home to one of the oldest amusement parks in Canada, Playland Amusement Park. Since 1910, this amusement park, once named “Happy Land,” is sure to make guests smile when they take on the park’s marquee attraction, the wooden roller coaster from 1958. At least that’s what half a million thrill-seekers do each year. Ideally located in Vancouver B.C.’s Hastings Park, Playland has various thrill rides, a bonanza shooting gallery, and an 11 m (35 ft) climbing wall. If the wooden coaster doesn’t scare the guest enough, maybe the Demon of the Dark haunted house will do it. For jolts and spins, try the Crazy Beach Party, also called the Frisbee, a ride which spins on a huge disc and swings back and forth like a pendulum reaching a 90 degree angle. Other exciting rides include the Hellevator, the Wave Swinger and the Scrambler.

Those with a faint heart may want to try their hand at the mini-golf course, the glass house or the pirate adventure ship geared towards kids. The popular Midway games are also a pleasing sight to those with a fear of heights. Great rides for the kids include the Dune Buggies, Flying Elephants, or the Paddle Wheeler, a fun ride for water lovers who don’t want to get wet as they ride down a river in safari-themed paddle boats.

Marineland

The main attractions and unique features of Marineland, located one mile from Horseshoe Falls in Niagra Falls, Ontario, is the marine mammal shows, feedings, mammal touchings and animal exhibitions. But what really sets this place apart from some of the other theme parks is its open green spaces, picnic areas and the low-tech feeling of the whole park. In addition to spotting sea creatures, this park offers 16 amusement rides and plenty of fun activities to keep the kids busy. Be sure to catch the dolphin and walrus moves at the park’s main daily show, The King Waldorf Stadium Show, or stop by the Arctic Cove to spot or touch the beautiful beluga whales. Killer whales can be found at the Friendship Cove for a show that will always be remembered. For a thrill or two, escape to the adult roller coaster, Dragon Mountain, or test vocal cords at the Skyscreamer, the world’s highest triple tower ride at 137 m (450 ft) that launches the rider up and down at speeds of 96 kmh (60 mph). Other rides include a spinning ferris wheel called the Tivoli Wheel and the Topple Tower ride. Kids will enjoy the Lady Bug Coaster, the Bumble Bee ride and the Orca Screamer, a kid’s version of the Skyscreamer. As well as interactive animal displays, catch a glimpse of the black bears, deer and elk.

Ontario Place

Since 1971, this parkland located in downtown Toronto has grown from a pavilion complex with one restaurant and an IMAX Theatre into a recognized leisure and entertainment centre that encompasses a huge water slide, a children’s village, the Molson Amphitheatre and regionally-themed restaurants, stores and rides. Situated on three man-made islands on Lake Ontario, Ontario Place’s Soak City water park features heated water slides, including the Pink Twister and Purple Pipeline. Located on Adventure Island, the visitors will discover the world’s largest animated flume ride and the Wilderness Adventure, which takes the passenger down a 12 m (40 ft) splashdown. On a hot and humid day, the Hydrofuge ride is the perfect recipe for cooling off. At speeds of 80.5 kmh (50 mph), zoom down a tube on a thin sheet of water through a gigantic bowl of water, then a dip into the 20 m (6 ft) of deep water at the bottom. Other fun water activities include Go-Karting on water (Aquajet Racers) and Waterplay, a water park designed just for kids. For a short break from the rides, drop off the little ones at Microkids, an activity centre for pre-schoolers, and spend a few hours at the five-pod pavilion complex to browse the technology and communication displays. Kids can also try their driving skills at the O.P. Driving School, where kids drive around a realistic course on electric cars or just zoom around in the mini-bumper boats. For adult fun, try the simulator ride MARS, or check out the concert schedule at the Molson Amphitheatre.

Upper Clements Park

Situated in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Upper Clements Park offers a mix of rides, music and wildlife suited for every age group. Kids have plenty of rides to keep them busy, including bumper boats, bumper cars and the Red Baron Airplanes, where kids can act like pilots controlling their own elevation. The ever-popular carousel, kiddie bumper boats and mini trucks are also a treat for the young park enthusiast. One of the most hair-raising rides at this park is definitely the Tree Topper Roller Coaster, a wooden roller coaster that soars above the trees. Spin and roll into the air on the Rock N’ Roll Planes, another thrill ride that will bring the rider back for more.

Entertainment in the evening also attracts visitors with the park’s annual “Park After Dark” concert and fireworks display which takes place every Saturday in July and August. Other annual events include Christmas in the Park and Halloween, which both take place during the last two weekends in August.

After experiencing the rides and adventures at the theme park, walk through the underground tunnel to get to the adjacent wildlife park where views of snowy owls, black bears, deer, wild cats, emus and rheas are common. Participate in the Adopt-an-Animal program and then take a wildlife tour at the park in just under an hour. Be one of the thousands of visitors each year that experiences the thrill rides, musical entertainment or the cast of characters that roam the park grounds: Sparkles the Clown, Captain Kid Ryerson or story-telling Clementine are on site to entertain and expand the imagination.

Sandspit Cavendish Beach

The largest amusement park on Prince Edward Island comes alive for nearly three months of the year, offering more than 18 attractions and rides to entertain the whole family. Thrill rides, Go-Karts, bumper boats and country fair rides attract visitors from all over the country. The Cyclone roller coaster is bound to rattle some nerves; the largest coaster in Atlantic Canada goes through three big drops and two corkscrews before the rider decides whether they want to do it all over again. The country fair rides include the Tilt-A-Whirl, the Scrambler, Rock N’ Roll and the Paratrooper. Not afraid of heights? Head over to the 21 m (70 ft) ferris wheel. If being closer to earth is more the style, try the fast and fun double rider Go-Karts, the bumper boat pool or the mini-golf course. Children of all ages will enjoy the softball playground, the mini-helicopters, pony carts and the miniature train.

For more information click here.

Magic Mountain Water Park

Based in Moncton, New Brunswick, Magic Mountain Atlantic Canada’s largest water park has been refreshing guests since 1987. This park offers everything from body slides, tubing and matting to slides for kids. Slide down more than 30.5 m (100 ft) at speeds of more than 60 kmh (37 mph) on the Kamikaze slide, close to a vertical drop. Twist & Shout takes the rider through a fully-enclosed slide in the dark, dropping 11 m (35 ft). If medium speed is preferred, the Loop de Loop may be more pleasing as the rider can choose from three slides with more gentle turns and drops. The Sidewinder is another easy but equally fun alternative for the body slides. For an even more relaxing experience, stroll over to the Lazy River, a relaxing ride on a 19th-century replica steam ship. Water-logged guests or those waiting for family members enjoying a splash can enjoy a relaxing day at one of two 18-hole golf courses.

Valcartier Vacation Village

This family theme park opened in 1963 and is currently a major playground in both the summer and winter. A 20 minute drive north from Quebec City, this summer water park turns into a major winter playground paradise during the colder months. Bundle up for some fun in the snow – snow rafting and inner tube slides with daunting names such as Everest and Himalaya will give the adventurous rider a run for their money. Jump into the Tornado and swirl down a hill with seven other brave riders for some breathtaking fun. Kids’ eyes will open wide at the sight of the giant Ice Castle, where mazes and slides seem endless. An outdoor skating path is also available for the tamer winter adventure.

As summer brings hotter weather, this park is an ideal place to bring eager kids. The water park can entertain the whole family with close to a dozen water rides and attractions. The Pirates’ Hideout features a pirate ship and a watercourse that takes the adventurer over a wooden walkway, through water slides and hundreds of interactive water games. For a fast rush, head to the Supersonic Falls, two massive water slides 20 m (65 ft) high or slide down a 12 m (40 ft) tower called the Corkscrew. For kids aged one to six years old, visit the Cookadoodle Farm complete with mini-slides and waterjets. Other rides that stir the imagination are the Amazon and Dungeon City rides. For activities on dry land, watch the acrobatic diving shows or try karting or the 18-hole mini-golf course, Maxigolf. A modern 700-site campground located next to the waterpark is available for tents or RVs.

More information here.

The history of the Canadian Tulip festival

Features — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:14:30 +0000

The Canadian Tulip Festival has grown to become the largest Tulip Festival in the world. It preserves the local heritage of Canada’s role in freeing the Dutch during World War II, and the symbolic tulip; a gift in perpetuity to the Canadian people for providing a safe harbour to the Dutch Royal Family at that time.

The festival’s mandate is to preserve this heritage and celebrate the tulip as a symbol of international friendship by engaging local organizers, volunteers, artists, performers, tourists and festival-goers in what has become an annual ritual of spring and one of Canada’s best loved and well-known cultural events.

In the fall of 1945, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands presented Ottawa with 100,000 tulip bulbs. The gift was given in appreciation of the safe haven that members of Holland’s exiled royal family received during the World War II in Ottawa and in recognition of the role which Canadian troops played in the liberation of the Netherlands.

The tulips have become an important symbol of international friendship and spring, with special meaning to the people of Canada and its Capital Region.

In early June 1940, Princess Juliana and her two small daughters secretly boarded a Dutch vessel bound for Halifax. After a long sea voyage, they moved into Ottawa’s Government House. Safe in the Ottawa region, Princess Juliana was able to take over the reins of government-in-exile if the need arose.

The birth of Princess Margriet Francisca, the third daughter of Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard, was a symbol of hope and a source of inspiration for the Dutch who were fighting for their survival in Europe. The only royal baby ever born in North America, her birth created a living bond between the people of Canada and the Netherlands. To ensure the baby’s Dutch citizenship, the Canadian government temporarily ceded a room at the Ottawa Civic Hospital to the Netherlands. On January 19, 1943, the flag of the Netherlands flew on Parliament’s Peace Tower and Princess Margriet was born a Dutch citizen on Dutch soil in the safe haven of Canada. Once the war had ended, the people of the Netherlands and Princess Juliana sent the Canadian people many magnificent gifts, including 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canada’s Capital in gratitude for the involvement of Canadian troops in the liberation of the Netherlands. In 1946, Princess Juliana herself gave an additional 20,000 bulbs to the country that had given her refuge. A few years after the Dutch tulips arrived in 1945, they became a strong attraction in Canada’s Capital, and stunning pictures appeared in newspapers nationwide resulting in more and more events around the annual bloom of tulips.

The Birth of a Festival

The first Canadian Tulip Festival was held in 1953 lead by the Ottawa Board of Trade, at the suggestion of world-renowned photographer Malak Karsh. Karsh is considered the founder of the Festival and his photographs have immortalized the tulip. Through his efforts, the Canadian Tulip Festival was formalized to coincide with the tulip’s annual bloom. In 2002, the Festival celebrated its 50th Anniversary dedicated to its founder, having expanded to an event of 18 days, showcasing over 3 million tulips throughout Canada’s Capital Region.

Over the years the Festival has been opened by Governor Generals, Prime Ministers and Royalty, including several return visits from Queen Juliana and Princess Margriet. Through the 1990s and into the new millennium, the Canadian Tulip Festival celebrated the Tulip as a symbol of Peace and Friendship creating an international bond by collaborating with Friendship countries, which include the Netherlands, Turkey, France, Japan, the United States, Great Britain and Australia.

Each spring hundreds of thousands of people from all over North America, Europe and Asia make over a million visits to the Canadian Tulip Festival

The Festival Today

To celebrate its roots of International Friendship, the Canadian Tulip Festival created the International Pavilion in Major’s Hill Park and became the “festival without fences” with all park events offering free admission. The International Pavilion provides a venue for over 20 partnering embassies and local cultural groups to showcase their wares and origins to tourists and festival-goers alike.

Each spring hundreds of thousands of people from all over North America, Europe and Asia make over a million visits to the Canadian Tulip Festival. The event, which grew from the Dutch gift of friendship, has become the world’s largest Tulip Festival. The tulip has also become Ottawa’s official flower, making Ottawa the tulip capital of the North America.

Details and travel information if you intend to visit this years Canadian Tulip Festival

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tulip Festival

Top 10 Canadian architectural wonders

Jane Toombes — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:44:44 +0000

Employing the skills of thousands of artisans over the course of months, if not years, architecture is far and away society’s most complex form of artistic expression. From complex pedestrian walkway systems to elegant Victorian hotel resorts, we highlight ten of Canada’s greatest architectural wonders.

Chateau Frontenac

An architectural marvel constructed in 1893, this luxurious resort hotel defines Quebec City’s European-styled urban design. Steeped in history, Chateau Frontenac was designed to evoke renaissance-era castles and cathedrals. As such, the resort is defined by its several towers, thick foliage and brick facades. Visitors exploring the grounds cannot help but be amazed to know they are walking within the same confines that have housed celebrated guests such as King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt.

The hotel is also home to Le Champlain, a premiere fine-dining establishment. Dinner guests of this restaurant can enjoy a menu composed by executive chef Jean Soulard, which features traditional and contemporary French-Canadian cuisine.

More information:

Rogers Centre

At an estimated cost of $570 million, this sports and entertainment venue located in Toronto is noteworthy for its fan-friendly experience and innovative design. Opened in 1989, the Rogers Centre was originally known as the Skydome, and designed by Rod Robbie and Michael Allen to be the home of Toronto sport franchises the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Argonauts. The stadium is noteworthy for being the first complex in professional sports to have a fully-functional retractable roof, a necessity in dealing with Toronto’s inclement weather.

Tourists visiting the Rogers Centre can stay in the dome’s adjoining hotel, the Renaissance Toronto Hotel. A four-star hotel, guests of this establishment have the opportunity to stay in a room with a view of the Rogers Centre field. The Renaissance also provides modern amenities such as babysitting, wet-bar and wireless Internet access.

More information:

CN Tower

One of Ontario’s premiere tourist destinations, this freestanding structure has been a landmark of Toronto’s skyline since its erection in 1976. The architectural wonder stands 553 m (1814 ft) tall, making it the largest tower in Canada – by comparison the Calgary Tower measures in at 191 m (627 ft) – Originally constructed by the Canadian National Railway, the CN Tower was sold to the Canada Lands Company in 1995, but to this day it still maintains its primary function as a communication tower for several national broadcasters such as the CBC and Rogers Communications.

Travellers may be interested in making reservations to dine in the CN Tower’s fine-dining restaurant, the 360. An upscale dining experience, the restaurant is housed 351 m (1152 ft) up the tower and slowly revolves, giving guests a magnificent 360-degree view of Toronto and beyond.

More information:

Calgary’s Plus 15 Walkways

An architectural wonder based on its functionality and the sheer area it covers, the Plus 15 system is a series of 57 suspended walkways that connect almost every building in Calgary’s metropolitan centre. Constructed to alleviate traffic congestion and provide pedestrians with shelter from Calgary’s extreme winters, the Plus 15 spans over 16 km (10 mi), and connects buildings as varied as the Calgary Tower and the Sheraton Suites. This substantive system has become ingrained in Calgary’s popular culture, inspiring the major motion picture, Waydowntown, by local filmmaker Gary Burns and starring Tony-award winner Don Mckellar.

View the walkway map (PDF)

Centre Block

The focal point for political discourse in Canada, this complex’s current rendition was constructed in 1927. Modeled around modern gothic design, this wonder can be found on Parliament Hill and spans an area of approximately 10,000 sq m (32,000 sq ft). Inside Centre Block is the House of Commons, the Senate, and the offices of several high ranking government officials, not the least of which include the Prime Minister of Canada.

Attached to the Centre Block is the Peace Tower, which was commissioned in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I. Designed to mesh the rest of Parliament Hill, the tower is notable for containing the Books of Remembrance; a large document containing the names of all Canadian soldiers who gave their lives to military causes.

Halifax Citadel

28 years in the making, this historic military complex is a reminder of Halifax’s storied naval past. Completed in 1856, the Citadel is a classically-designed fortification that was originally commissioned to provide long-range defense against assaults from land and sea. Designated a national historic site by the government of Canada, the fort is now open to casual visitors, who will find military remnants such as ramparts, trenches, towers and shooting ranges.

Potential visitors to the Citadel should consider planning their trip around one of the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association’s living history re-enactments. Active year-round, this group enacts historically accurate activities such as gun firing, infantry maneuvers and military music performances.

Montreal’s Olympic Stadium

Known as much for its colourful history as it is for its design, Montreal’s Olympic Stadium is nonetheless an architectural wonder of Canada. Originally built for the 1976 Summer Olympics, due to a series of labour strikes and construction problems, the stadium was not officially completed until 1988. Barring its ample problems, the innovative design employed by French architect Roger Taillibert cannot be denied. In fact, the inclined tower attached to the stadium is still considered the tallest in the world.

While it no longer hosts Major League Baseball games, Olympic Stadium still books large sporting events and trade shows. In 2008, the stadium will host the Canadian Football League’s championship game, the Grey Cup.

More information:

Habitat 67

Designed by celebrated Canadian architect Moshe Safdie, Habitat 67 is an innovative residential condominium complex found in Montreal. Originally commissioned to demonstrate modern urban living for Montreal’s Expo 67, all 148 units were sold as private residences at the conclusion of the world fair. The design has been commended for its use of cubic structures – 354 in all – and its effort to include green space into each unit. To this day, Moshe Safdie regularly advises the Habitat 67 board on renovation and upkeep planning.

More information:

The Confederation Bridge

Completed in 1997, this bridge spans 12.9 km (8 mi), and connects the provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Confederation Bridge is a wonder because of the social and economic impact it has had on the two provinces; its construction has been directly linked to an increase in tourism and trade.

Besides its value to PEI and New Brunswick’s economic well being, for tourists Confederation Bridge is a great way to travel from the island to the mainland. While driving along the bridge, travellers are presented with breathtaking views of the ocean, and the various sailboats and ships inhabiting it.

More information:

Canadian Museum of Civilization

One of Canada’s most popular museums, the Canadian Museum of Civilization building is a modern marvel designed by Douglas Cardinal. Completed in 1989, the museum covers over 100,000 sq m (328,000 sq ft), and has been heralded for its imaginative use of curved walls and abstract structures representing Canada’s diverse environments. Open year-round, visitors to the museum will find themselves immersed in permanent exhibits such as the Grand Hall which features an expansive collection of aboriginal artifacts, while the Canadian Personalities Hall, showcases rare photographs and memorabilia of some of Canada’s most influential residents.

More information:

Aliens are welcome in St Paul Alberta, free parking available

Jane Toombes — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:23:00 +0000

Imagine you are an alien traveling around space in your spaceship trying to decide where to spend your holidays. You decide on Earth as it looks very pleasant and offers activities for the kids, but where exactly do you go? Well Canada of course, more specifically Alberta..!

Why, well for a start, it can offer a great place to land your spaceship. We all know what a pain parking can be, so why not land somewhere that has a purpose-built UFO landing pad? So that brings our intrepid alien to St. Paul, Alberta because believe it or not, they do indeed have a UFO landing pad.

Back in the early sixties many places across the country were looking for ways to celebrate Canada’s centennial which was to take place in 1967. St. Paul decided the best way to do this was to build a UFO landing pad to welcome any extra-terrestrial visitors who might want to join in the celebrations. After all UFO’s were a very popular topic back in the 60’s.

The project was the brainchild of W.R. Treleaven of Hamilton, Ontario and Ken Reed of Calgary. The pad itself was built at a cost of $11,000 and was officially opened by Hon. Paul Hellyer, Minister of Defense on June 3rd 1967 who flew in by helicopter.

The pad weighs 130 tons and is constructed with concrete reinforced with steel. The backstop of the pad has a map of Canada embossed on it. The map is made of stones donated from every province in Canada and every province and territory is represented by flags which fly proudly from the structure. There is also a time capsule embedded in the backstop with instructions for it to be opened on 3rd June 2067.

The sign which sits alongside the landing pad states: “Republic of St. Paul (Stargate Alpha). The area under the World’s First UFO Landing Pad was designated international by the Town of St. Paul as a symbol of our faith that mankind will maintain the outer universe free from national wars and strife. That future travel in space will be safe for all intergalactic beings, all visitors from earth or otherwise are welcome to this territory and to the Town of St. Paul.”

After the initial excitement over the UFO landing pad it became largely forgotten for the next couple of decades. In 1982 it was repainted to mark a visit by Mother Teresa who actually stood on the landing pad itself. Queen Elizabeth II has also visited the pad. Sadly, as far as anyone knows it has yet to be visited by aliens.

In the 1990’s a Tourist Information Centre was build adjacent to the landing pad. It opened its doors in May of 1993 and was home to the St. Paul & District Chamber of Commerce for fifteen years.

In 1996 a UFO Interactive Display was also built. This is where you can see photos of UFO sightings and details of sightings from people all over Canada. It also houses information relating to cattle mutilations, crop circles, abductions and other such strange alien-related phenomenon. There is even a toll free UFO hotline you can use to report sightings: 1-888-SEE-UFOS.

Several UFO Conventions have been held in the town which have received attendees from all over North America. Every year over 30,000 visitors drop by to see the landmark and visit the Interactive Centre. Maybe they are also hoping to catch a glimpse of an extra-terrestrial making use of the pad!

If free parking isn’t enough to attract our alien visitors to Alberta then perhaps familiarity will. If when they are glancing out of their spaceship window they were to see another spaceship, then perhaps this would encourage them to land!

In the town of Vulcan, Alberta there is a real-life spaceship in the form of the Starship Enterprise from the famous TV and film franchise Star Trek. You might think that Vulcan was named after the home planet of Spock, one of the main characters from the show, but you would be wrong. It was actually named after a Roman god in the early 1900’s, but the town decided to make the most of the Star Trek connection when the show shot to stardom in the 1960’s.

The ship was first commissioned in 1995 and three years later welder Gary McKinnon finished the 8.5 meter long structure. Close to the spaceship is a tourist centre, which has displays of Star Trek memorabilia as well as other space related items.

Every year thousands of Star Trek fans congregate in Vulcan for the annual VulCON: Spock Days/Galaxyfest convention. The convention welcomes visitors from all over the world and indeed the galaxy and many dress up as their favorite Star Trek characters. Celebrity guests are always one of the highlights and last year saw Tim Russ aka Tuvok from Star Trek Voyager make an appearance.

In 2010 much fanfare accompanied a visit to Vulcan from non other than Spock himself, or rather Leonard Nimoy. The town had long campaigned for a visit from their legendary hero and their wish came true on 23 April. Whilst there, Nimoy unveiled a bronze statue of Spock and gave a speech to the thousands of visitors who had come to see him. Vulcan Mayor Tom Grant then presented Nimoy with the key to the city saying he was welcome any time.

So, as you can see Alberta is definitely the place for traveling aliens to land and explore our great country. Lets just hope they are friendly if they do!

Photo credits: UFO Landing Pad – St Paul Chamber of Commerce

Draughts, dance, dining, a weekend in Halifax Nova Scotia

Features — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 04:53:19 +0000

Depending on the demographic, the Halifax, NS, weekend can really get going on Thursday night. That’s when 20-somethings check out such hot spots as the Split Crow for its 9 pm to 10 pm “Power Hour,” which features an irresistible combo of $2.50 draughts and live bands, and The Seahorse Tavern; its dark basement vibe only adds to soul funky fun of the Mellotones—and it’s guaranteed to get everyone up and dancing.

A weekend gallery stroll is a good way to work off some of that food or build up an appetite for the next meal

The dancing continues Friday and Saturday nights at Tribeca and Club Soda and a host of other hip locales. Bearly’s House of Blues and Ribs delivers exactly that—the decades-old look of the place pairing perfectly with the hot blues to attract generation-spanning audiences. Pógue Fadó adds an Irish lilt (Celtic-inspired food and draught ales) to the live music scene. For more Maritime-Irish flavour, The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse has people pulling out their bodhráns during Sunday afternoon céilidhs.

For other Haligonians, the weekend starts with a Saturday morning visit to the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, a 3,900 sq-m (42,000 sq-ft), eco-advanced building on the city’s harbourfront, where the array of local produce and products ranges from cabbage and charcuterie to candles and ceramics. It then continues with a leisurely meal, often at local restaurants belonging to Taste of Nova Scotia, which is dedicated to presenting the best in Nova Scotia cuisine.

A weekend gallery stroll is a good way to work off some of that food or build up an appetite for the next meal. Among many choices are:

www.novascotia.com

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Kathryn Harley Haynes’s roving childhood through Great Britain, Canada and the United States was good grounding for the get-up-and-go demands of journalism and broadcasting. In her award-winning writing, Haynes captures the telling details and revealing quirks that illuminate a story, whether it’s a travel piece, business feature or personality profile. Her work has appeared in Chatelaine, En Route,Harrowsmith Country Life, Homemaker’s, More, Maclean’s, Reader’s Digest and others. Haynes makes her home on the mist-shrouded coast of Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. kathryn@harleyhaynes.ca

Food with a view, Canada’s top restaurants with stunning vista’s

Features — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:29:16 +0000

It is often said that many people eat with their eyes, from the visual presentation of the food on the plate to a restaurant’s decor, these visual cues add to the dining experience. All across Canada, top restaurants excel in these departments and several take that visual component to the next level–literally. Some of Canada’s noted restaurants are positioned high above city skylines, while some lie quietly along peaceful waters, and some surrounded by nature, all providing magnificent views of the sea and urban landscapes.

Starting on the West Coast with Vancouver’s waterfront, crossing through the prairies and into the Rockies, and then stretching eastward to Canada’s entertainment and cultural hub of Toronto, these places feature some of the best restaurants with stunning views.

Vancouver Harbour View

West Coast Dining

Vancouver, British Columbia is gaining quite the reputation as a foodie destination in Western Canada. With an abundance of seafood and local produce, restaurants can highlight the fresh flavours of Pacific Coast cuisine. Vancouver’s lovely waterfront and bustling downtown make for an ideal setting for several of the city’s best restaurants.

Aqua Riva
Enjoy waterfront dining at Aqua Riva, offering harbour front views of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Skyline. Located downtown next to Canada Place, Aqua Riva is within walking distance to many hotels in the area. The window-wrapped dining room and bar allows patrons to indulge in Pacific Coast delicacies while watching the cruise ships sail in and out of the harbour. The menu consists of tapas and starters, including thin crust pizzas featuring bold flavours such as wood roasted barbecue duck. Lunch and dinner highlight Vancouver’s prime seafood with dishes such as wood grilled wild salmon and Pacific cioppino–a hearty seafood and fish stew featuring salmon, sablefish, dungeness crab, clams, mussels, clams, and prawns. To complete the visual appeal, the restaurant’s decor features murals and nautical themes, adding to this waterfront dining experience.

The Observatory
Begin this dining experience with a scenic gondola ride (included with reservations) to the top of Grouse Mountain in Northern Vancouver. From here, one can enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean and Gulf Islands, with the city of Vancouver in the distance. Patrons of the Observatory restaurant will dine on West Coast cuisine, where the emphasis is on fresh, regional ingredients. Hand-selected wines, chosen by the in-house sommelier, complement the dishes served here. To experience the ultimate in food and wine pairing, the Observatory offers a prix fixe menu featuring multiple courses paired with various wines. An a la carte menu is also available for those wanting to pick and choose their own selections. Sample menu dishes include local oysters dressed with a sherry mignonette, beef tenderloin with black truffle jus, magret of Barbary duck with a green peppercorn sabayon, and for dessert, a vanilla bean panna cotta.

Stanley Park
Any visit to Vancouver would not be complete without a trip to Stanley Park, the city’s forested playground situated along the harbour. Several dining options are available in the park, including Prospect Point Cafe and the Sequoia Grill.

Prospect Point Cafe
Stanley Park’s highest point, Prospect Point offers visitors panoramic views of the North Shore Mountains, the Lion’s Gate Bridge and the Burrard Inlet. The on-site Prospect Point Cafe offers a full service restaurant, allowing patrons to indulge their taste buds while taking in the beautiful scenery. Favourites at this eatery include the Prospect Point ice-cream, an ideal way to cool down on a summer’s day, and the fish and chips made with Granville Island Draft Beer Batter. Other menu items include a number of fresh salmon dishes, grilled burgers and sandwiches, and pasta entrees.

Sequoia Grill
Found at Ferguson Point, the Sequoia Grill offers ocean views surrounded by towering trees. The restaurant’s menu highlights the best of Vancouver’s bounty, including such dishes as BC Albacore tuna tartar, mussels bathed in a red curry coconut broth, and cedar plank salmon topped with a maple whiskey glaze. A brunch menu is offered on the weekends, making for a lovely way to spend the morning.

Glo EuroPub & Grill Victoria
Only a day trip from Vancouver, Victoria also offers pleasant sights and eats. One of the newest restaurants on the scene is the Glo EuroPub & Grill. Touted as one of Vancouver Island’s best patios, the Glo EuroPub & Grill features a 180-degree view of Victoria’s Selkirk Waterway. Patrons can enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner and late night bites on the patio, taking in views of the harbour at any time of the day. Blankets are provided for cooler evenings making this outdoor experience comfortable and enjoyable. Minutes from downtown, the grill offers a retro-modern interior with a contemporary menu featuring gourmet pizza, burgers, steaks, seafood and pastas. An extensive wine list and drinks menu also make this place a popular social gathering venue.

Maligne Lake

Rocky Mountain Views

Jasper National Park and Lake Louise are two of the most popular destinations in the Canadian Rockies. After a day of exploring the area’s wildlife, mountains, lakes and forests, visitors will be pleased to note the Rockies offers some prime dining venues, offering hearty food and awe-inspiring views.

The View Restaurant
Perched above Maligne Lake in Jasper Park at the day lodge, the View Restaurant lives up to its name offering breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies. Maligne Lake, found 40 km (25 mi) southeast of the Jasper townsite, is the park’s oldest attraction and the largest lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The View Restaurant’s multi-levelled sundeck is the ideal lunch spot after a day of exploring the park. This popular venue features homestyle dining with homemade soup, stew, vegetarian chili, salads, and sandwiches on the menu. Baked goods, including European tortes, breads, pastries and cookies are also available from the bakery found on-site.

Fairview Dining Room
Located at the prestigious Chateau Lake Louise, the Fairview Dining Room affords views of Lake Louise’s turquoise waters from its multi-tiered dining room. This 4 Diamond establishment specializes in Canadian cuisine, offering such items as grilled Alberta beef tenderloin, maple glazed Quebec duck breast, slow poached Atlantic salmon and seared scallops.

East Coast Eateries

Canada’s largest city, Toronto, Ontario offers its residents and visitors an eclectic dining scene, with over 7,000 restaurants located here. From fine dining to local eateries, all types of cuisines are represented, indicative of Toronto’s diverse, multicultural population.

Canoe
For an impressive view of the city check out Canoe, perched on the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower, part of the Toronto-Dominion Centre. Located in the Financial District, this restaurant attracts a corporate clientele, matching its upscale environment and decor, featuring wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, polished wooden floors and clean and stylish furnishings. Canoe’s menu highlights Canadian cuisine with an emphasis on seafood and grilled meats; bison striploin with Northern Woods mushrooms and peppercorn sauce, roast suckling pig, and broiled BC sablefish are just a sample of Canoe’s modern approach to Canadian fare.

Dine high above Toronto's city streets

360 The Restaurant
Dine high above Toronto’s city streets, found 51 m (1,151 ft) below, at 360 The Restaurant, situated in the CN Tower–Toronto’s most recognizable landmark. The restaurant is one of the world’s highest revolving restaurants and offers ever-changing views of the city, completing a rotation every 72 minutes. Regional ingredients are the focus of the menu, which features innovative, market fresh cuisine. An extensive wine list of over 550 wines also adds to the dining experience. For a more casual meal, head down to the look out level to the Horizons Cafe, offering lighter meals.

C5 Restaurant
Found atop the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal of the Royal Ontario Museum, the C5 Restaurant offers an ultra modern culinary experience. It gets its name from being situated on the 5th Crystal of the glass and aluminum structure, which was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind and consists of five interlocking and self supporting prismatic structures. Inside, patrons continue to be visually stimulated with angled windows providing urban views and interesting lighting effects. A sensational glass sculpture named “Hearsay,” by Canadian designer Jeff Goodman, adorns the space, adding to the intimate surroundings of this crystal palace.

The menu itself features inspired selections, fusing the flavours of Toronto’s ethnic markets and Ontario’s local ingredients. Vindaloo scented Dorset lamb loin, and duck confit and foie gras served with a Thai curry onion tartlet are some of the noted creations by Chef de Cuisine, Ted Corrado.

Valentine’s Day, 5 Canadian hot spots to keep the romance burning

Features — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:44:17 +0000

The holidays are over but Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. No matter what you got him or her last month, taking your sweetums to one of these five Canadian romance spots will keep you in the good books for a little while longer…..

Canadian Valentine

Tofino, BC: You can opt to watch the storms from your porch at the Wickaninnish Inn—voted one of the Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest—while sipping on champagne and nibbling house-made truffles. Prefer to take your love outdoors? Tofino is one of the world’s surfing meccas and nothing says, “I love you” like walking the beach or riding the waves with the one you love. www.hellobc.com

Québec City, QC: Montréal will do in a pinch, but Québec City is the spot for connoisseurs of French romance, thanks to cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriage rides and walks under old-fashioned lamplight. Add bistros to eat in, cafés to watch from and boutique hotels (like the Relais & Chateaux-branded Auberge Saint-Antoine) that are as luxurious to sleep in as they are interesting to look at. Bring your camera and ask a stranger to snap a photo of you and your partner amid backdrops that provide an unparalleled setting for romance, then dine by candlelight on fine French-Canadian cuisine before a night out on the town. www.bonjourquebec.com

Peggy’s Cove, NS: Buy him a fisherman’s sweater, pack her a shawl, grab a blanket and head out to “The Cove” for a weekend of quiet, simple living and fresh seafood you’ll remember for years to come. Stand on the rocky shores near the lighthouse and watch the sun set after a day walking the tiny village and getting to know the locals. www.novascotia.com

Muskoka, ON: The region is crowded with sun seekers in the summer, but come winter, it’s all yours. Whether you prefer your time outdoors—walking or skiing the trails—or indoors in front of a roaring fire, Muskoka hotels and resorts mean never having to choose. At Taste Restaurant in Touchstone resort, you’ll find (along with stunning views of Lake Muskoka) a farm-to-table philosophy in the kitchen and locally produced ingredients on the menu. Spend the night and take full advantage of the spa’s two-bedroom suite. www.ontariotravel.net

Stratford, ON: The plays, including some by the Bard of Love himself, William Shakespeare, will draw you here, but with a lakeside trail to hold hands along and now the Stratford Chocolate Trail, Stratford is a top choice for romantics. Buy a $20 Chocolate Trail Pass at the Stratford Tourism Alliance and visit eight stops of your choosing on the 16-stop self-guided tour. Sample the cocoa fares and speak with the chocolate makers. You can even take a chocolate mint bath soak. How sweet. www.ontariotravel.net

Also See: The top 20 most romantic cites in Canada

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Heather Greenwood Davis is a freelance writer and travel columnist based in Toronto, ON. Always on the lookout for a new adventure, she’s often in an airport with notebook in hand, camera over her shoulder and children in tow. Her twice-monthly Toronto Star column, “Alternate Arrangements,” features interesting people, places and things across the planet. Learn more at www.greenwooddavis.com

Niagara Falls is one of the best known attractions in Canada

Jane Toombes — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:55:15 +0000

Niagara Falls is one of the best known attractions in Canada but of course the name doesn’t just refer to the majestic waterfall, but to the city itself. The city of Niagara Falls is located right on the border with the United States and indeed its twin city, also named Niagara Falls sits on the US side.

The area surrounding the falls has been a tourist mecca for many years

The actual falls is divided into two: The Horseshoe Falls located on the Canadian side and the American Falls, yes you’ve guessed it, on the American side. Together these two falls make up one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.

We have all seen the stunning photos of the falls in the summer with the sun beating down, but is this a place worth visiting in the cold winter months? The answer is, most definitely yes. Because you see, there is far more to Niagara Falls than just the waterfalls.

The area surrounding the falls has been a tourist mecca for many years, but in the last few years many more attractions have opened their doors making it a great place to spend a few days. Even if you can only spend a day here you can still enjoy many of the things Niagara has to offer. You will find that the majority of the attractions are open year round and a lot are inside, so no need to worry too much about the weather. So what exactly can you do in Niagara in the winter?

Well, the first and most obvious thing to do here is view the falls of course. Fortunately Canadians get the best deal out of the falls. From the Canadian side we can see the full extent of the falls including magnificent views of both the Horseshoe and American Falls, along with the smaller Bridal Veil Falls located between the two. There is a large observation deck known as Table Rock located above the Horseshoe Falls where you are so close to the rushing water you can almost touch it. Be prepared to get wet here though, so wrap up warm. You can view the falls all along the Canadian side of the river, so make sure you pack your camera.

The journey Behind the Falls is not to be missed

The one attraction you will not be able to experience in the winter is a ride on the famous Maid of the Mist. These boat rides which take you under the falls themselves can only operate when the river is free of ice and snow, so unfortunately you will have to visit again in the summer months to appreciate this great experience.

One attraction you will be able to take advantage of is the Journey Behind the Falls. This is open year round and allows you to actually walk behind and below the Horseshoe Falls. You will travel down in an elevator to get to the base of the falls and walk along tunnels behind the water. Observation areas allow you to literally stand behind the falls and watch the water flowing, the noise alone makes this worth doing. One observation area which allows you to view the falls from the bottom and side may be closed during a winter visit. This is because the platform can get very icy and slippery and no one wants you to fall in! You will still be able to see the side view of the falls from this vantage point, but without walking out onto the platform itself.

Niagara’s Fury is one of the newest attractions which allows you to experience the falls first-hand. Located on Table Rock at this indoor attraction you stand on a specially constructed platform that tilts and trembles allowing you to experience the fury of Niagara yourself. You will be surrounded by incredible 4D imagery and fantastic sound in the 360 degree theatre. The show lasts six minutes, but is preceded with another show explaining how Niagara Falls was formed millions of years ago.

If you want a really good view of the falls then you will want to experience the Skylon Tower. There is an observation deck located at 233 metres (775 feet). To get to the deck you ride the Yellow Bug elevators which travel externally up the tower, like little bugs running up a flower stem. From the deck you can see over 8,000 square miles of both Canada and the USA.

The tower is also home to the Revolving Dining Room where again at a height of 233 metres you can enjoy award-winning continental cuisine for lunch or dinner with spectacular views. If you prefer more casual dining then you should consider the Summit Suite Buffet which is more catered to families and slightly smaller budgets.

There are other things to experience at the Skylon apart from the food and the views. You can also watch the 3D/4D movie “Legends of Niagara Falls” with amazing special effects. If you are visiting with children then you might want to visit Niagara Falls largest indoor entertainment centre offering rides for all ages. If you want to leave the kids there and catch up on some retail therapy then the shopping concourse is the place to be. You will find everything from souvenirs to discount shopping as well as several speciality shops.

If you love wildlife, especially birds, then one place you must visit whilst at Niagara is Bird Kingdom. This is located close to Rainbow Bridge and is great for bird lovers all year, but offers a tropical escape during the winter months. You will be able to walk amongst the birds, yes most are free to fly and wander round so you never know what will be swooping above your head or walking across your path. You will see everything from the smallest finches to large macaws and everything in between. There is also a nocturnal section where you can see owls and some other creatures such as bats and insects.

Another great wildlife attraction is the Butterfly Conservatory.

Another great wildlife attraction is the Butterfly Conservatory. Because this is located about ten minutes north of Niagara Falls you will have to either drive or catch one of the buses which travel between the two locations. You will go on a self-guided tour where over 2,000 butterflies are free to fly around the tropical rainforest setting. You can also watch butterflies emerging from their pupae and flying for the first time. Be aware that they may land on you and you need to be careful where you tread. You absolutely must have your camera here, but be warned that tripods are not allowed, only monopods.

Clifton Hill is another location you will want to visit. This is the main tourist and shopping area at Niagara Falls. Here you will find places such as Ripley’s Museum and 4D Ride, wax museums, haunted houses, Niagara SkyWheel, arcades, restaurants, hotels and lots more.

If gambling is for you then you will not be disappointed in Niagara. Places such as Casino Niagara, Fallsview Casino and the Ontario Casino Hotel will allow you to indulge in your passion.

The Winter Festival of Lights is another good reason to visit Niagara in the winter, although you will need to get your skates on if you are going to take advantage this year. Between November and the end of January the whole of Niagara Falls is festooned with lights, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Most Fridays, weather pending, there are firework displays over the falls during the festival as well as the illumination of the falls themselves.

So as you can see, there is no good reason why you should not visit Niagara Falls during the winter, in fact there are lots of good reasons why you should.

A city on the shore: Barrie Ontario

Features — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:33:59 +0000

Barrie may appear as the bashful kid sister peeking out from behind her celebrity siblings of Toronto and northwest Georgian Bay communities. In reality, Barrie gives a stellar performance in the areas of culture, recreation and scenery. With a bounty of activities in and around the area, a soaring population growth and economic expansion, Barrie does not hide in the shadows – the spotlight shines directly on it.

The city curls around the shore of Kempenfelt Bay on shimmering Lake Simcoe, and is cocooned by a panoramic combination of hills, farmland and quaint towns. Barrie is over 150 years old, and shows no signs of stagnation.

The history of Barrie:

The Spirit Catcher

Aboriginal communities once occupied the land that is now the urban centre of Barrie. Trappers and fur traders identified the area as Nine Mile Portage, the land route connecting Lake Simcoe to the Nottswasaga River and continuing on to the Georgian Bay. In the early 1800s, the east end of the portage by Kempenfelt Bay was the location of a Hudson’s Bay Company storehouse. During the War of 1812, the British expanded the portage to accommodate wagons carrying troops and supplies from Upper Canada. The route allowed the British to bypass the Americans in Detroit, on their way to posts near Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

During the 1820s, the British chose the area as a location for a military post. Named after Sir Robert Barrie, the admiral in command of the British fleet stationed at Kingston, the settlement of Barrie sprang forth.

Throughout the mid 1800s, the lumber and agricultural industry burgeoned. The local economy continued to spiral upward when the Ontario Simcoe Huron Railway, later known as the Northern Railway, added Barrie to its rail line. The line also operated a steamer that connected Barrie to Orilla and Muskoka.

Barrie became a hamlet in 1853, and was incorporated as a town in 1871. Further boosts came over the next few decades with the construction of a general hospital, a nursing school (which later became Georgian College) and Camp Borden, a Canadian Forces base.

In the 1950s, Highway 400 was built to join Barrie to Toronto and the rest of Southwestern Ontario. This eased the daily commute to and from Toronto, thus prompting many to choose Barrie as their home. In 1959, Barrie matured to city status. A recent land annex and a continual influx of residents have many proclaiming Barrie as one of the fastest growing communities in Canada.

Climate:

Temperatures in Barrie’s warmest months, July and August, can reach 25 ºC (78 ºF) and upwards, making it necessary for lighter clothing and a generous slathering of sunscreen.

Agreeable temperatures accompany the month of May, when the spring air averages 11 ºC (52 ºF), much like the fall, which also hovers in the low teens (50 ºF).

The month of November typically greets winter-like temperatures, as the mercury begins to dip to zero and downwards (20 ºF).

Bundle up during the months of January and February, as they are typically the coldest months in Barrie, averaging around – 8 ºC (17 ºF). The temperature has been known to drop down to – 14 ºC (7 ºF), but this is not extremely cold by northern Canadian standards. Snowfall is ample in January, much to the bliss of winter sport enthusiasts.

The rainiest months are usually August and September, with rainfall averaging 80mm a month. The humidity is generally above 80 per cent year round, so people with the predisposition for curly locks will enjoy (or curse) a head full of them. The humidity also gives a bit more of a bite to winter weather, however it is usually manageable in Barrie.

Enjoying the great outdoors:

Golfing, Cycling and Hiking:

There are at least 11 golf courses in the area. Enjoy the crispness of an early spring morning, or the flaming colours of fall out on the greens. National Pines and Horseshoe Valley, two of the more exemplary courses in the province, are in the vicinity of Barrie. However, other area courses have features that make them enjoyable excursions as well.

Big wheels keep on turning – down the hills of Hardwood Hills Mountain Bike Centre. Spring, summer and fall riders can clutch the bars of their bikes on over 80 km (50 mi) of double and single-track trails, ranging from family friendly to alarmingly gnarly.

Located east of Barrie, along the shores of Lake Simcoe, is Sibbald Point Provincial Park. This recreational area is suitable for all ages, as it has sandy beaches, treed hiking trails and picnic spots. The area was home to the Sibbald family for 130 years. Visitors may tour the Sibbald manor, Eildon Hall (circa 1800s) and St. George Church, the family church. Springwater Provincial Park, north of Barrie, is also a pleasurable diversion from city life. The park’s natural springs have played a large part in the areas reforestation, which have suffered the effects of over-logging. A wildlife area of bears, wolves, owls and swans is also on site.

Kempenfelt Bay, Barrie, Ontario

Lakes and Beaches:

The waters around Barrie win over many visitors, as they are postcard perfect. In summer, lifeguards patrol the sandy beaches of Centennial Beach and Johnson’s Beach. A grand view awaits those who gaze off from the beaches into Kempenfelt Bay – the blues of the water, the gray rocks of the jetty and the polychromatic plants (natural or planted) scattered around the shore imbed lasting visions in the memory.

The beaches often branch into trails suitable for cycling, inline skating and walking. Children’s playgrounds, public boat launches and special events mark Kempenfelt as a happening summer spot. For a short excursion, hop aboard the Serendipity Princess, a replica of a triple-decker paddle wheel boat. Cruises around Kempenfelt Bay operate from June until September and last approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

Warm and clear in the summer, Lake Simcoe is ideal for swimming, canoeing and boating. Travel around the fringes of the lake for desirable spots, some dense with sun lovers, ravenous picnickers and splashing water frolickers. If a location appears remarkably uncrowded and the sun is high in the sky, there is a good chance it is private property, so check for signs.

Skiing and Winter Expeditions:

When the snow comes, and it surely will, out come the skis, snowboards, skates, toboggans and other various winter apparatus. Snow Valley is an exceptional downhill ski hill for children and has some of the best snow tubing facilities in the province. Barrie’s alpine skiing treasure would be Horseshoe Resort. The hill has 22 alpine runs (14 lit for night skiing), a half pipe and a tubing area. The Heights at Horseshoe is designated for members and offers 20 private slopes. Another alpine ski facility near Barrie is Mount St. Louis/ Moonstone Ski Resort, which is 26 km (16 mi) away. Travel 64 km (40 mi) west to whisk down the slopes of Ontario’s largest ski hill, Blue Mountain, located in Collingwood.

Hardwood Hills Nordic Ski Centre, a short drive from Barrie at Oro Station, offers a fully equipped ski centre with 45 km (28 mi) of trails for various levels. Snowshoe trails are extensive as well, with 20 km (12 mi) of both groomed and ungroomed trails.

For the patient soul who is not against staying motionless in colder temperatures for undetermined periods of time, ice fishing may be appealing. Huts can be rented, and bait and licenses are sold in the area.

The Arts and Festivals:

Culture is not lacking in this city – opera, music, stage and art venues flourish. One event of note is Kempenfest. Billed as Canada’s largest outdoor arts and crafts festival, Kempenfest draws hundreds to the lakeshore area to view fine art, sample food, watch live performances and enjoy special activities such as a petting zoo or wall climbing.

A rather startling sight on Barrie’s waterfront is the 20 tonne (44,000 pound) steel ‘Spirt Catcher’. Created for EXPO ’86, held in Vancouver, the statue resembles the Thunderbird, the creature that carries dreams and desires to the Creator, in First Nations mythology. The purchase and donation of Spirit Catcher to Barrie impacted the arts committee, as it inspired the development of a public art gallery – the McLaren Art Centre. Today it has become a city icon and a memorable roadside attraction.

The MacLaren Art Centre accommodates over 40,000 varied art media, mostly Canadian contemporary but some classic items such as the permanent Rodin collection.

Gaming:
Join the roar of the excited crowd at Georgian Downs, which offers year-round harness racing, viewed from the luxury of a glass-enclosed grandstand, as well as slots and games.

For those in the mood for more, head half-an-hour north of Barrie to Casino Rama. Take in a Vegas-style show, spotlighting former singing heart-throbs or hilarious comedians.

Historical and Educational Sites:
Camp Borden, located 34 km (21 mi) southwest of Barrie, was the first military flying field ever built in Canada. In 1924, the base became the birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Force, with Lt. Col. William J. Barker as commander. Barker went on to become the most decorated war hero in Canadian history. Still an active military base, the site is home to Base Borden Military Museum, which consists of four buildings (one being an aircraft hangar). Many one-of-a-kind land and air artifacts are displayed, some dating back to the First World War. Outside the buildings are 10 vintage flying machines, including an ex-training plane for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Canada’s acclaimed aerobatic flying team.

Take a mystical trip on an authentic steam locomotive south of Barrie at the Village of Tottenham. The South Simcoe Railway offers a nostalgic 1800s tour on a portion of the route that once connected Hamilton with Barrie and Collingwood. The train chugs forth from mid-May until mid-October, with a few special occasion runs.

Swooping upward, then plummeting towards ground, the birds of the Falconry Centre near Tottenham perform aerial feats daily. Step into the medieval style courtyard to observe this educational research centre’s over 200 falcons, hawks, eagles, owls and vultures.

Shopping and nightlife:

Bayfield Street is known as Barrie’s ‘Golden Mile’, as it features a multitude of shops, malls, restaurants and services. Dunlop Street in downtown Barrie is home to many shops as well, and has the added bonus of being a very short amble to such sites as Heritage Park on Kempenfelt Bay.

Cookstown Manufacturer’s Outlet Mall is a siren’s call that cannot be ignored by die-hard shoppers. A short drive from Barrie, there is also a bus service that takes eager spenders to the mall. Bricks & Blocks (Lego) Outlet, Cadbury Factory Store, Polo Jeans Store, and Jones Factory Finale are just a few of the retail establishments where customers may leave with money still in the wallet.

The Barrie Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday morning in front of Barrie City Hall. Offering a cornucopia of produce, baked goods and handcrafted items, this market has a proud history of over 150 years in Barrie, and attracts locals and visitors alike.

The student population may be partly responsible for Barrie’s active nightlife, but many locals have been known to take advantage of the city’s after dark activities by frequenting one of many pubs, sports bars, lounges, clubs and live music venues. The Molson Centre is often the site of roof-raising concerts.

Recreational snowmobiling in New Brunswick

Features — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:33:33 +0000

Recreational snowmobiling is an ideal way to enjoy the inevitable winter weather of Eastern Canada. And where better to make the most of the snow than in New Brunswick, the snowiest of all the Atlantic provinces. Here, winter is an extensive season that runs from November to April. Heavy snowfalls and an impressive, interconnected system of over 7,000 km (4,349 mi) of groomed trails make for excellent conditions for both beginner and seasoned riders. Local and provincial trails, complete with an array of snowmobile-friendly amenities, await.

Prior to heading out on the trails, snowmobilers must ensure that they follow the regulations as outlined by the province and the sport’s governing agency, the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs.

Firstly, all snowmobiles operating on the province’s trails must be licensed and registered from the point of origin. Liability insurance is mandatory and it is also recommended to have theft, collision and fire coverage.

U.S. visitors bringing sleds into Canada must conform to all customs regulations as they apply to regular automobile border crossings. The province has implemented a mandatory trail permit system and passes are available—in daily, three-day, seven-day and seasonal denominations—at all Service New Brunswick offices, an array of business outlets and snowmobile clubs province-wide.

Riding a high-performance snowmobile is a thrilling and unique way to enjoy the season and the outdoors

For the benefit of all riders, safety is top priority while exploring the trail systems. Planning and common sense are imperative for any adventure via snowmobile. Trails operate much like an automotive roadway, complete with traffic signs. Riders should be familiar with basic hand signals, observe posted speed limits and be aware of the dangers of riding in darkness and navigating ice crossings. All riders (and their passengers) must wear approved helmets and it is recommended to travel in groups, in case of mechanical failure or other urgent situations.

Snowmobiling Zones

Riding a high-performance snowmobile is a thrilling and unique way to enjoy the season and the outdoors, and New Brunswick offers these experiences like no other. Thousands of km’s of snowmobile-only trails criss-cross the province. High snowfalls, especially in the northern regions, are conducive to excellent riding. Depending on the region, annual snowfall amounts can range from 200 cm (6.5 ft) to 400 cm (13 ft).

Eight trail zones comprise the system and are organized into north-western, north-eastern, south-western and south-eastern sections. The zones are maintained by over two dozen volunteer-led clubs, some of which operate lodges with snowmobile-friendly amenities. Many of these clubs also put on an array of fundraising riding events and family-friendly get-togethers throughout the season.

Zones One & Two
Located in the north-western region of the province, these zones interconnect numerous towns and villages and offer riders an intimate encounter with nature. Notable stops within the zones include Campbellton, home of the annual Sno-Fest winter carnival, and Edmundston, which co-hosts the International Snowmobile Festival with Maine. The pristine, snow-covered wilderness of the Appalachian range provides access to the mountainous regions surrounding Mount Carleton Provincial Park and towns along the upper St. John River valley, including Grand Falls and Perth Andover.

Zones Three & Five
The heart of snowmobile country lies in this north-eastern district, where snow is known as white gold and consistent, heavy snowfalls ensure favorable riding. Bathurst, the indisputable snowmobiling capital of New Brunswick, offers an ideal starting point for many snowmobiling adventures. The trail-side Atlantic Host Hotel offers snowmobile loading ramps, heated self-repair bays and access to some of the best trails in the province. Not far from Bathurst are many snowmobile lodges providing gas, food and warm beds.

The areas surrounding Miramichi and trails along the Miramichi River valley also offer an array of trail pit stops and amenities for snowmobilers, including the Country Haven Lodge and Cottages in Blackville.

Zones Four & Seven
The trail system of south-western New Brunswick, which includes stops in and around Woodstock, McAdam, Mactaquac, Fredericton, Oromocto and the covered-bridge capital of Hartland, offers a diverse selection of itineraries. This wide-ranging area provides access to picturesque landscapes, quaint villages and well-maintained, meandering routes through Acadian forests.

Zones Six & Eight
The high elevations of the Caledonia Highlands, paired with snow accumulations churned by the onshore winds of the Bay of Fundy and the Northumberland Strait, make south-eastern New Brunswick another excellent destination for snowmobiling. Its proximity to the seaside and rolling uplands provide unique coastal experiences.

Discover the beaches of British Columbia

Features — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 12:26:20 +0000

With the Pacific Coast bordering British Columbia’s western edges, BC is a great place to explore seaside beaches. From sandy expanses of land with clothing optional areas, to ultimate surfing and taking a dip in warm ocean waters, British Columbia offers a huge amount of seaside recreation areas. Whether it’s the chilly waters of Northern BC, the secluded beaches of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, the rugged yet scenic expanses of sand on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, or the hip and trendy beaches of Vancouver’s coast, visitors to the far side of the province are sure to find a beach that suits their needs. So lets go and discover the beaches of BC…

Northern BC

Taking up about 53 per cent of the province, Northern BC is a wilderness ruled by spectacular mountain ranges. This rocky region encompasses forest valleys, glacial lakes and even volcanic cinder cones left over from Northern BC’s fiery past. The Northern region is home to the Queen Charlotte Islands, also known as Haida Gwaii. From pebbly shores to white sand coasts, this archipelago of more than 150 islands offers a wide variety of beaches ready to be strolled.

One of the top spots to experience Northern BC’s beaches is at Naikoon Provincial Park. The park is dedicated to preserving and sharing the far Northeastern coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands. Located on the eastern arm of Graham Island near Masset (the largest city on the island), the park offers about 100 km (62 mi) of beach shore. While not the best for taking a dip, this misty and sometimes windy seashore offers great opportunities for beachcombing. Those looking for a little solitude will find it here. The more popular North Beach, a 23 km (14 mi) expanse of sandy seashore, is found within the park on the northern tip and is a great place for a stroll. Visitors may also do some clam digging, and pick up scallops and clamshells.

Northern BC is also known for its great saltwater fishing, especially off the island of Prince Rupert. Anglers fishing these waters may hook a halibut or a variety of salmon, including Chinook, coho and chum.

Cariboo Chilcotin Coast

Cariboo Chilcotin Coast

The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region is a cowboy country where ranchland living is the norm. Located directly beneath Northern British Columbia, this region not only offers a Wild West territory but also provides visitors with 15,000 km (9,320 mi) of coastline waiting to be explored. The Pacific Coast in this region is extremely diverse, and can range from soft beaches to grassland shores.

Bella Bella, the largest village in this region’s coast, is found on Campbell Island. A primary home to the Heiltsuk Nation, this little town is a great base for exploring the surrounding area’s quiet yet impressive beaches. This region boasts a varied landscape, from secluded beaches and coves to tiny inlets, rocky shorelines and overgrown forest coasts. Easily accessible by ferry or a short flight from Vancouver, Bella Bella is an ideal location for a long and lazy daytrip. Visitors may stroll along the extensive beaches, go on a boat tour through the straits or simply lounge about on a secluded beach.

The Vancouver Island Area

Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands

Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands offer a seemingly endless supply of beaches. This rugged yet picturesque region is a diverse land filled with sandy and rocky coasts, rolling hills and splendid mountains, ancient forests and untouched wilderness. Home to Victoria, BC’s capital city, the island offers a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere. The island is also home to Long Beach, one of the most well known beaches in Canada.

Overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean, Long Beach is a natural and extremely popular recreation area. While the beach’s waters are chilly even in the summer (usually around 6ºC (42ºF)) and the entire area is subject to the elements, the beach draws more than one million visitors each year. Although there are a wide range of water activities to be enjoyed, Long Beach is known for its surf. Rolling in from the expansive west, Long Beach offers exceptional waves, especially during the winter months. The beach covers an area of 13,715 ha (33,890 acres) and is located within Pacific Rim National Park, between the communities of Tofino and Ucluelet. Other features of the beach include picnic areas, boardwalks, natural trails and lifeguards on duty in July and August.

Other popular beaches in this region include Qualicum Beach, ideal for swimming and beachcombing, Willows Beach, a shallow water beach in Victoria, and Cadboro-Gyro Park, great for swimming as well as boating.

Vancouver, Coast and Mountains

With Vancouver Island acting as a barrier from harsh tides, this region offers gentle waters along an extensive coastline. Warm sandy shores and mountain scenery provide the perfect backdrop for a lazy day at the beach. Located at the core of this region is the vibrant city of Vancouver, where visitors can stroll along a stretch of sand and hit the slopes all in the same day. While dozens of little beaches dot the Vancouver coast, one of the most popular is Kitsilano Beach.

Reminiscent of trendy California beaches, Kitsilano is a hip and lively destination. Simply known as Kits, this often-crowded shore is the place to be during the summer months. With designer shops and Vancouver’s most luxurious homes found nearby, it’s easy to see why this is one of the greatest places to people watch while lounging on the sand. Located 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, this 12 ha (31 acre) public park offers numerous volleyball, tennis and basketball courts, public change rooms complete with washrooms and showers, and various concession stands throughout. With lifeguards on site during the warm summer months, Kits is also an ideal place for families.

Known for its great beaches and a mild climate throughout the year, White Rock is a seaside community characterized by warm waters and sunny days. The spot provides an ideal setting for the avid beachcomber. Located just north of the United States border, this Lower Mainland community has two major beaches. White Rock Beach, also known as West Beach, is home to the 470 m (1,542 ft) long pier, as well as a 2.5 km (1.6 mi) long promenade. This bustling beach is a favourite spot for activities such as swimming, strolling along the sand, picnicking and fishing off the pier. Those looking for a calmer and more family-oriented excursion will appreciate East Beach, which is on the other side of White Rock Beach.

Not far from White Rock is Crescent Beach, which is located in Surrey, on Boundary Bay. Another quiet alternative to the busy White Rock Beach, the warm waters of Crescent Beach are ideal for swimming but also have calm enough tides suitable for sea kayaking and other water sports. Crabbing is also a popular pastime.

Located within Pacific Spirit Regional Park, the clothing-optional Wreck Beach is one of Canada’s largest nudist beaches. While definitely not for everyone, the defiant and notorious beach has been around since the 1960′s. Despite being a fairly secluded point, this stretch of sand does have a strip called Vendor’s Row, where visitors may buy food, handmade crafts and souvenirs.

Ontario’s Lake Country – Making friends with winter, if you’re gonna do it, this is the place

Features — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:40:54 +0000

Come to Canada once the snow flies, and you’ve got two choices: book the first flight to Cancun or make friends with winter. My partner and I opt for door number two, heading for Ontario’s Lake Country. About 90 minutes north of Toronto, this region includes the districts of Orillia, Oro-Medonte, Rama, Ramara and Severn. If we can’t cozy up to winter in this frosty playground, we won’t be able to do it anywhere.

We begin the acquaintance in a tree-swathed valley with Hardwood Ski and Bike, snowshoeing over ridges and through glades of silence, interrupted only by the sound of snow falling from trees and the rhythmic crunch of snowshoes.

Here are exhilarating runs designed for skiers

This is a big cross-country ski area, but we want to try downhill, so we check out Horseshoe Resort, which offers first-rate accommodation and a range of runs from beginner to double-black diamonds. In the unlikely event we tire of schussing, we can try the terrain park or even go snowtubing.

A few kilometres north, we book a ski lesson at Mount St. Louis Moonstone, ultimately flying down gorgeous runs overlooking undulating valleys punctuated by stands of pine and weathered black barns. Here are exhilarating runs designed for skiers by Josl Huter, an avid skier in his own right—and a guy who still tests every run like a Le Cordon Bleu chef.

We find Lake Country’s other charms decidedly charming. That night, a masseuse from Lake Country Spa ministers to my martyred muscles in the living room of our suite at Orillia’s Stone Gate Inn, reflections from the fireplace flickering on my oiled skin. Next morning, we book a snowmobile and skim the white landscape with Cottage Country Tours; snowmobile and lessons included.

Then we venture out onto the white expanse of Lake Couchiching, chatting with ice fishermen huddled beside red and green huts, getting the low-down on which fish like which bait. Looks like so much fun, we rent our own ice hut and plan to tell our own white lies about the one that got away.

We take off the chill at nearby Casino Rama, then back to Orillia for some inside stuff, prowling shops decorated with holly and ivy, draped with rainbows of holiday lights. We cap our spree with a lunch of quiche and salad in Mariposa Market, housed in a refurbished general store that’s been around since 1859. We stroll through the Stephen Leacock Museum, staring through big windows at a town described so affectionately by Canada’s answer to Mark Twain in Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town.

Then it’s back to winter. We stand outside, anticipating a morning’s mushing adventure on a dogsled, squinting into the dawn sun that is a prism reflecting from ice-crusted tree branches, transforming snowflakes into glittering diamonds. Yep, we’ve made friends with winter.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Mark Stevens is a multiple award-winning writer who has been recognized for excellence in stories from Canada to the Caribbean. An avid sailor and former professional musician, he writes about both culture and adventure. Credits include the Toronto Star and Sun, Ski Canada, Ski Press, Cottage Life,Dreamscapes, Cruising World, Canadian Yachting, Sail and Sailing.

Ottawa, the capital of Canada’s culture

Jane Toombes — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:04:03 +0000

When thinking of somewhere to visit in Canada, what better place to start than the capital city, Ottawa. Located in eastern Ontario, close to the border with Quebec, Ottawa offers a little bit of everything and so should meet the needs of all kinds of tourists.

Don’t think that because Ottawa is Canada’s capital city that it is going to be a large, built-up, unfriendly city, it is not. In fact Ottawa is more rural than any other city in Canada and has some stunning architecture to explore. This along with fine dining, shopping, parks, museums and galleries makes it a great place to spend some time at any time of the year. Ottawa has some major landmarks you will want to explore. One of the most visited locations is Parliament Hill which can be found along Wellington Street overlooking the Ottawa River. There are three main buildings you will want to explore, the first is known as the centre block and this is where you will see the familiar clock tower and stunning architecture dating back to the mid 1800’s. There are two other blocks known as east and west which have equally stunning architecture.

You can take tours of the buildings which are free of charge. Booking in advance is not required for groups of ten or less and the tours last between 20 and 60 minutes. Tour times vary depending on the day and time of year so you should visit the following website for full details:

Whilst in this area you should look for the “Cat Man of Parliament Hill.” This gentleman has build a cat shelter to the west of the centre block where he looks after and feeds feral cats.

Close by you can also visit the Supreme Court, a unique Art-Deco style building which has a huge front lawn often used in the summer months by Ultimate Frisbee players. You can take guided tours of the court itself or simply enjoy the entertainment outside.

Within walking distance of Parliament Hill is the Notre Damn Basilica which is a stunning gothic cathedral dating back to 1841. Between May and October you can take tours of the cathedral which last approximately 45 minutes, fees are applicable.

A great landmark of Ottawa is the Rideau Canal

As you are wandering around this area you cannot fail to notice the other great landmark of Ottawa, the Rideau Canal. At the point where it meets the Ottawa River, next to Parliament Hill you will see the 8 locks which allow boats to navigate the different heights of the canal and river. During the winter months the canal is turned into the world’s longest ice skating rink.

Although not open to the public you might also want to visit 24 Sussex Drive which is the home of the Prime Minister of Canada. You can park in neighbouring streets and may be able to get a quick photo opportunity but be aware the area is patrolled by security so you may be asked to move on.

As you are in Sussex Drive you should also take a look at Rideau Hall, opposite 24 Sussex which is the home of the Governor General. The gardens to this home are open to the public and are well worth a visit. There are 79 acres of beautiful landscaping including trees planted by visiting dignitaries including Nelson Mandela and Diana, Princess of Wales.

One of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in Ottawa is ByWard Market. Here you will find a variety of restaurants from fine dining to fast food outlets. There is also ample shopping opportunity with lots of eclectic shops as well as the market square which offers everything from fruit and vegetable to arts and crafts. There are also horse-drawn carriages and rickshaws offering tours and buskers to entertain you.

Adjacent to ByWard Market you will also find ample shopping opportunities at the Rideau Centre. This is a large mall, with parking and over 180 stores and restaurants.

If you like museums and galleries you will not be disappointed. Located just off Sussex Drive you will find the National Gallery of Canada. This impressive glass structure is a work of art in itself and definitely worth photographing. Also worth a photo is the huge 9.25 meter high bronze spider located in the plaza. Photo opportunities inside the building are limited.

The Canadian War Museum opened in 2005, not only contains a fascinating insight into Canadian military history but is also a building of great architectural interest. The floors and walls are built on slight angles making you feel slightly disorientated.

Another place worth visiting is the Canadian Museum of Civilization. This is Canada’s most visited museum and is home to the world’s largest collection of totem poles amongst many other exhibits. From outside the museum don’t miss the wonderful views of Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and Ottawa River.

Ottawa also offers many parks and recreational areas where you an relax and have a picnic. If you plan you visit during May 2011, be sure to check out the Canadian Tulip Festival. Over one million tulips of over 50 varieties are on display throughout the city during this time. Make sure you bring your camera for this one.

If you like cycling you can take one of the many cycle paths found throughout the city including those along the banks of the Rideau Canal or Ottawa River. Bicycles can be rented at various location across the city.

Ottawa is a picturesque and relaxed city to visit and has something for just about everyone.

Visit the main Ottawa Tourism website