Best Canadian City: my awards

Quick! What's the best Canadian city? The subject has led to a lively discussion on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree, something so prickly that Toronto-based author Andrew Potter suggested could actually bring about a civil war.

Most people equate Canada with its natural beauty, or hockey, or Mounties, or beaver nickels. Last year I visited Canada six times, mostly to focus on Canadian cities (resulting in this string of videos on Canadian cities). I like Canadian cities. So thought I'd put together my awards.

(Note: I've not been to Halifax, among others.)

Canadian city most want to live in: MONTREAL. Montreal is ridiculous. A top-five city in the world to me. I love a place that takes bikes seriously (public-use bikes clean-up canal rides), and the city truly beats NYC with bagels. Plus all sorts of playful architecture, like a orange-shaped food stand (that serves as my Twitter photo) and the unreal Habitat '67 (above).

Canadian city with most interesting neighborhood: TORONTO's post-hippie Toronto Islands. You get there by ferry, it has super views looking back on TO (above), a fun community of locals that have survived development, a hokey amusement park, nude beaches and the spot where Babe Ruth hit his first homerun.

Canadian city that's best in winter: QUEBEC CITY. Its winter carnival has dog-sled races and a huggable snow man, and there's free open-air skating rinks, minor league hockey with NHL buzz, ferry rides over the icy St Lawrence. Plus curling.

Canadian city with most energy: right now, WINNIPEG. I enjoy having French food across the river in St Boniface (and seeing the atmospheric cathedral ruin), but I've never seen more energy than at the Winnipeg Jets' first win (above). (If you don't think Peg is a hockey town, watch Guy Maddin's hilarious 'My Winnipeg' documentary.)

Canadian city with them most tunefully suggestive name: SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN. Pronounced as SASKaTOON by locals. It's the place I zeroed in on during back-seat atlas-scavenger-hunts on long roadtrips as a kid. Plus the saskatoon berry makes for a nice pie.

Canadian city that’s most beautiful: Easy, VANCOUVER. Views from False Creek ferries are worthy, as is a revolving meal up Landmark hotel (above).

Canadian city that most surprised me: EDMONTON. Expected a flat oil town, and immediately struck by the deep river valley linked with shady trails and crossed by a historic bridge to Strathcona's theaters and bookshops. (I bought a used copy of the full transcript of Louis Riel's trial. Yet to read, must say.) And I was surprised when 12-year-olds agreed to teach me hockey in the second-biggest mall in North America.

Canadian city most want to return to: ST JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND. It's not just the apostrophe, seafood, rugged coast, local kids with Bieber haircuts and the voice of 70-year-old pirates, but its friendly vibe of a place that really sees itself as its own nation.

Full Mountie: My Days as a RCMP Cadet

A few months ago the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Depot Division (Regina, Saskatchewan) invited me to spend a couple nights and a (full) day training as a "mountie." It's a rare opportunity. Apparently only five civilians before me had had the chance -- and I was apparently the only one to get a regulation moustache.

This Lonely Planet video sums up the misunderstood Canadian icon. It's no longer just blokes in red serge jackets, Stetson hats atop horses. The red serge, in face, is rarely worn -- only for occasions like graduation -- and horses were phased out of training in 1966.

At first glimpse, in the mess hall with Troop 5 (the most junior of the troops there), I had to ask one cadet, 'Do you ever look around and say, wow, I'm here with a bunch of COPS?' He admitted he did.

I certainly felt that way waking up at 4am to prep for the morning parade.

Five famous and vibrant carnivals around the world

And time for another of David's top lists. This time the top five of carnivals around the world. I know I would love to go to Rio but let me see what more do you have in mind ;)

Visit any of the hundreds of carnivals that take place throughout the world and you can be confident there will be wonderful parades, fantastic music and tasty food. However, while amazing festivals and street parties can be found in every corner of the globe, you may discover the following five are among the very best.

Notting Hill Carnival - The largest event of its kind in Europe, the annual Notting Hill Carnival is a fun-filled celebration of Caribbean culture that takes place through the streets of west London.


Held over the course of the August bank holiday, the three-day party starts with a steel band competition on Saturday and is followed by Kids' Day on the Sunday, where you'll see children decorated in colourful outfits with prizes awarded to those deemed to have the best costume.

However, it's on Monday that the action really takes place, as the epic procession winds its way through the city, culminating at Ladbroke Grove. Performers wear a wide range of vibrant costumes, while soca, calypso and R&B music can be heard for miles around from the dozens of static sound systems that play throughout the day.

The carnival also hosts performances by some of the biggest names in music, Wyclef Jean, Katy B and Jamiroquai among those to have appeared in previous years, so you can be confident there'll plenty of opportunities for you to sing, dance and have fun.

If you've worked up an appetite, head to one of the many food stalls selling Caribbean cuisine, such as jerk chicken, fried plantain and rum punch. Some one million people attend the carnival each year, so you can be sure you'll be in good company when taking in the fun.

Many of the streets will be closed to vehicles during the bank holiday weekend, so using public transport is a good idea. Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill Gate, Queens Park and Latimer Road are just some of the tube stations close to where the action takes place, although it is a good idea to check in advance for any temporary closures or diversions.

There are plenty of cheap hotels in London to choose from so you should have no problem finding suitable accommodation for the event.

Barbados Crop Over - To gain an insight into the roots of the Notting Hill Carnival, you might want to visit Barbados during its annual Crop Over festivities.


Much like the name suggests, this carnival was designed to mark the end of that year's successful sugar cane harvest and dates back to the late 17th century - a time when the Caribbean island was the world's largest producer of sugar and was under colonial rule.

In celebrating the harvest, workers used to hold feasts and drinking competitions and over the years Crop Over has developed into one of the region's most vibrant and biggest festivals.

Starting in June, the two-month event sees a wide range of musical performances, children's parties and shows take place. However, the highlight for many is the Grand Kadooment closing parade, held at the start of August and a designated national holiday.

This spectacle sees dozens of costumed bands perform in the streets, with the carnival closing with a fabulous firework display.

Quebec Winter Carnival - The Quebec Winter Carnival in Quebec City is likely to be a much chillier affair than Barbados' Crop Over, but you can still have plenty of fun when taking in this Canadian event.


Attended by around 750,000 people each year, the spectacle is held over a 17-day period in late January and early February so it's a good idea to wrap up warm!

Although the first official Quebec Winter Carnival took place in 1955, winter-themed celebrations have been happening in the city since 1894, with the locals gathering just before the start of Lent to eat, drink and have fun.

While these still form large parts of the modern-day carnival, it has since grown to encompass a range of other elements, including snow sculpture contests and dog-sled races.

More than 300 shows and activities take place and you can buy a Bonhomme Effigy pass to gain entrance to these for just CAD $12 (about £7.50). These include two Night Parades, held during the second and the third carnival weekends, where colourful floats make their way through the city and each year a beautiful ice palace is sculpted.

Events take place all over Quebec City, so getting to the action shouldn't be too hard. If you want to take in the Night Parades, however, you'll need to take either the 800 or 801 Metrobus to Charlesbourg.

Rio Carnival - Fantastic carnival action can also be found in Rio de Janeiro and like the Quebec Winter event this is held just before Lent, although it tends to start slightly later in the year, either in mid to late February or early March.


This four-day celebration kicks off 40 days before the beginning of Easter, commencing on Saturday and finishing on Shrove Tuesday.

With two million people taking to the Brazilian city's streets every day of the event, this is the world's biggest carnival so you'll definitely be in good company if you choose to be part of it.

Hundreds of groups of performers, called bandas and blocos, dress up in extravagant themed costumes and dance to the sound of samba music. But while the festival is mainly about fun, there is a competitive element to it with each team out to win the prestigious accolade of having the best float.

New Orleans Mardi Gras - Taking place around the same period of time as the Rio Carnival are the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.


Although Mardi Gras events have been held throughout the state of Louisiana since the 1830s, it is the New Orleans spectacle that is the biggest and most celebrated version.

Designed as a final celebration before the start of Lent, here parades are held on a daily basis for about two weeks up until the event's close on Shrove Tuesday. Many of these start in the Uptown and Mid-City districts of the city before heading along St Charles Avenue and Canal Street, with float riders often tossing colourful beads into the crowds

You'll also find lots of parties and celebrations taking place in Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, with marching jazz bands putting on great performances.

Another traditional element of the celebrations are king cakes, which are made from cinnamon-filled dough that is shaped into a hollow circle and finished with a glazed topping and coloured sugar, so make sure that you try one of these tasty treats while watching the fun.

With so many wonderful carnivals happening all over the world, you're sure to find a fabulous street party wherever you are.

Once again thanks to David and to the team of travelsupermarket.com for sharing!

Going to Canada

Tomorrow I head on a three-city visit to Canada: Toronto, Montreal and St John's in Newfoundland. It's part of a series of seven videos of seven Canadian cities and how one can 'experience a place like a local.'

It's far from my first time there (that would be age nine to Alberta; above). But to prep, I've been reading books like mad. Canadian books. Getting distracted on tangents like, hey, 'what is Canada?'

A lot of people think of Canada as just this:


But it's not the subject most Canadian authors seem to dwell on. 'Canada' -- as a nation, an identity, a concept -- is much more confusing. The question has a history.

The country's relationship with the US and Europe weighs heavy. In the 1943 book Unknown Country, Bruce Hutchinson tries to explain his nation for an American audience. He calls it a 'dual personality - not fully formed' but touts its name -- an Iroquoian word for 'village' (that for the world's second-largest country!) -- as 'wondrous and sweet': Canada!

He writes, 'The very word is like a boy's shout in the springtime!' I love that.

Karen Connelly, meanwhile, says of Canada in her book Touch the Dragon, that much remains unanswered. 'Even the name is a question.' (Can a da? Get it?)

Some define Canada by its niceness. Apparently a woman found with amnesia in California was taken for a Canadian simply by how incredibly nice she was (turns out she was from Edmonton). And in Moose Jaw Beauty Secrets, Albertan author Will Ferguson notes how the Trans-Canadian Highway marks each end as 'Mile Zero': 'two separate (but equal!) Mile Zeros.' Negotiation is nice.

Most of these books seem to begin their survey with Quebec. Canada seems ever fascinated with its relationship with, what some call, the ROC ('Rest of Canada') -- something made fun of by Why I Hate Canadians author Will Ferguson.

The Great Canada Novel -- Hugh MacLennan's wonderful Two Solitudes from 1945 -- takes on both sides of English/French-Canadian Montreal. In it, he calls Canada 'a large red splash on the map... still raw' and proclaims, 'if this sprawling half-continent has a heart, here it is.' In Quebec.

It's perhaps interesting to note that the Great Canada Novel is not currently in print in the USA.

Rather than join the discussion, yet, maybe I'll just shout that next spring.

Photo of the Day: Regina's RCMP Depot

Every mountie in Canada comes through Regina, Saskatchewan -- home to the RCMP Depot, a training facility in place since 1885. Last week I served as a 'cadet for a day.' Marched for 6:30am inspection, learned how to remove people from cars (using ears, pain points) or putting them in (with a memorable groin toss). I got a regulation Mountie haircut & moustache, drove an advanced track, learned I have 14% body fat in fitness class ('that's better than average'), ate light meals at the mess hall, and met people from all over Canada.

In one troop, they joked I was the 'token moustache.' Proud to be.

It was exhausting. But an unreal experience. More on it soon.

What is a Mountie?

Follow my mountie exploits this week at #MountieLand

I don't remember when I first heard of mounties, or wanted one of their red serge tunics and carefully pressed, flat-brim Stetson hats. It was definitely before Canada Day when I was 9. That's when my gerbil Steve bit my finger, I bled, I fainted, then flew to Calgary for a family vacation to Banff and Jasper. I never got the hat.

Today I'm off to Regina, Saskatchewan to make a Lonely Planet video on how one becomes a mountie. From the inside. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police "Depot" has trained mounties there since the late 1800s. Recently I asked about joining as a cadet for a '24-hour immersion.' And they surprisingly agreed. One official told me, 'They WON'T go easy on you.'

Uh-oh.

Meanwhile, a few things to consider about mounties:

1. They may be mounties, but they don't mount horses in Regina. Horse riding hasn't been part of the six-month training since 1966.
2. Women are mounties too. Since 1974.
3. Americans were once mounties. In the early 20th century, most mounties were recruited from elsewhere -- chiefly England but also the US. Canadians took over after the Depression. And now you have to be a Canadian citizen to qualify.
4. Mounties aren't for show. They're Canada's full municipal and federal police, akin to 'Canada's equivalent to the FBI,' per the New York Times.
5. Mounties still wear the red serge tunic and Stetson (yay!), but only in special occasions, like the daily 'Noon Parade' in Regina, at graduation.
6. Dudley Do-Right was invented by a couple blokes from Berkeley, California, and animated in Mexico. And, yes, it IS the same voice behind Bullwinkle, George of the Jungle and Dudley (Bill Scott).
   

So I go. Very scared. Stayed tuned for more.

Random Photo: Me & a Mountie

The first time I went to Canada was at age nine on Canada Day. In the morning my gerbil Steve bit my finger, and I fainted waiting for a band aid. After a plane change in Denver, and a drive from Calgary, I found myself in Banff. The mountains were superb -- I still gauge all mountains in how they compare with Canada's Rockies -- but I was looking for something else: a mountie.

Last week, at a Canadian Tourism Conference in New York, I finally met one from Saskatchewan, and he had a spare outfit.

Forgive the crappy quality of the photo. Sometimes the biggest hearts are a little fuzzy.

76-Second Travel Show: 'Does Saying No Make You a Travel Wimp?'

Episode #048

F E A T U R I N G * 7 1 * B O N U S * S E C O N D S

I've jumped from Soviet aircraft, thrown lead weights at dynamite in Bogota, and even been on a horse in upstate New York. But in Quebec City, I found something I just couldn't do: a night at the Ice Hotel.

Does saying 'no' make you a travel wimp?

Things to Do and See in Vancouver, Canada

Today it's thanks to Steven for this guest post about Vancouver. Not only does it seems to be a good place to visit when in vacations, it also sounds like an attractive city to live in. Well, if one like the vacations there too much, one can always look for Vancouver jobs ;)

Tourists who are traveling to Vancouver, Canada will find a city in scenic surroundings that offers plenty of things to do and has a selection of outstanding restaurants. Nature lovers, history buffs, those who enjoy the arts and gourmet food lovers will all find something to please them in this cosmopolitan city.


The natural attractions in the city include parks and gardens. Many of the parks and gardens are easily accessible by public transportation. Queen Elizabeth Park can be reached by bus. The Bloedel Floral Conservatory in the park has tropical flowers and exotic plants on display. The park has a beautiful view of Vancouver and the surrounding mountains. Stanley Park has a large forest and beaches right in the city. Two of the beaches can be used for swimming. The different gardens at VanDusen Botanical Garden include the Rock Garden, the Mediterranean Garden and the Children’s Garden.

The city is full of history. Visitors to the Vancouver Maritime Museum can travel back to 1944 when they explore the corridors of an RCMP Arctic schooner. The museum has exhibits about shipwrecks and the early fur trade. The Old Hastings Mill Store Museum has some artifacts from the city’s early days including a hansom cab and some relics from the first steamship on the Pacific Coast. This building was built in 1865 and later moved to its present location.


Tourists looking for art and culture will find plenty of things to interest them in Vancouver. The Vancouver Art Gallery has works by artists from British Columbia. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs popular and classical music. Contemporary ballets are performed by Ballet BC. The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts has Broadway shows. Playgoers can see classic and contemporary plays at the Vancouver Playhouse. The Vancouver Opera Company has performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Tourists who want to eat before or after engaging in Vancouver’s many activities will find that Vancouver dining is an extraordinary experience. Diners will find every type of food they want. Seafood lovers and vegetarians will find restaurants to suit their tastes. There are a number of sandwich shops and coffee shops in the city.


CinCin is one of the city’s Italian restaurants. The wines here have won awards. The Naam is a vegetarian restaurant that is open 24 hours a day. Lobsters are delivered every day to the COAST seafood restaurant. Salmon, crab, trout and other seafood are on the menu here. Brisket and Southern barbecue are served at Memphis Blues Barbeque House. Brix Restaurant and Wine Bar offers a large selection of wines by the glass.

Vancouver visitors will find plenty of things to see and plenty of fantastic food in this vibrant city.

One last thanks to the site www.pachd.com for the nice photos.

Montreal, Canada

This time is thanks Schacin for this great text about Monreal, Canada. Also thanks to Roy for the pictures from FreeLargePhotos.

For this post for our travel photo blog, we’re going to show you one of the most fascinating cities in North America: Montreal. Combining old-world charm with new-world modernism, Montreal is a multicultural city with a vibrant cultural and economical life. It is the most important city of the province of Quebec, and the third most important city in Canada. If you are planning to visit after reading our post, don’t forget to get a travel insurance, because medical costs can run high for foreigners.


For fans of architecture, there are several interesting buildings in the city, but you will find most of them in the historical neighbourhood of Old Montreal. Montreal was founded in the 17th century, which makes Old Montreal one of the oldest in North America. You will find a few 17th century buildings preserved, and you will see the evolution of the city through its buildings until today, with the post-modern Pointe-a-Callières museum. You will also find the city’s famous Notre-Dame Basilica, where Celine Dion was married. For fans of great public architecture, there is also the Montreal City Hall and the Bonsecours Market.


Downtown Montreal is the home of most Beaux-Arts buildings of the city: the Sun Life building on Rene-Levesque and Metcalfe; the Gazette building on Ste-Catherine and the Fine Arts Museum on Sherbooke. These buildings attest to the city’s wealth during the late 19th and early 20th century; the Golden Mile Square, between Peel and Bishop, then home to the richest merchants in the city, has now become a very popular shopping and clubbing destination.

If you enjoy religious architecture, then you won’t be disappointed. Aside from the famous basilica, you will also find the St. Joseph Oratory on the north side of the mountain, as well as hundreds of churches throughout the city, Catholic as well as Anglican. Most of them are open to visitors outside of mass hours, and the priests will be happy to give you a guided tour of their establishment. Montreal has been nicknamed “the city of a hundred bell-towers” (la ville des cents clochers in French) for a good reason!


For the best views, do not miss the Mount Royal park. Landscaped by the same architect as New York’s Central Park, the mountain is the green oasis of Montrealers. From it, you can see all the way across the St. Lawrence towards the south shore, as well as the east and west of the island. You can test your health by hiking up there, or take one of the frequent buses that depart from the Mont-Royal metro station. On summer Sundays, the park on the eastern side of the mountain is home to a weekly “tam-tam”, where people meet to play their percussion instruments and dance in a festive, low-key and family-friend ambiance.

This is just an overview of the many great sights to see in Montreal; spending some time there and losing yourself in the streets (most of them easily accessible through the great transit system of the city) will afford you many more. Get a cheap travel insurance to keep some money for shopping, because Montreal has some of the nicest boutiques on the East Coast.

Rush's Toronto (Under Construction)

Just back from GoMedia, a Canadian tourism conference in Toronto. I squeaked out a little free time to follow Rush -- the bronze medal winner in total gold and platinum records (after the Beatles and Stones), though completely snubbed by the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, which found a place for the Hollies.

More to come, but meanwhile, please enjoy a still of my serious conversation with Dave Glover, aka 'the kid in the Subdivisions video,' along with the 'high school halls' of L'Amoreaux Collegiate Institute, where the video was shot in 1982.

I am delighted by travel.

76-Second Travel Show: 'What is a Travel Animal?'

Episode #041
F E A T U R I N G * 7 9 * B O N U S * S E C O N D S

Animals are going berserk of late: whales jumping, like Simon Le Bon, aboard private yachts in South Africa; bears hijacking Toyotas and ramming them into trees. Are they protesting our travel? Or just trying to tag along?

I've tried to promote 'travel animals' before -- such as the walrus, the pig and the prairie dog. But the notion has changed for me. It's time to refocus toward animals who travel, not just animals to look at.

Some will liken the best 'travel animal' to those who travel the longest distances, like the arctic tern which travels the equivalent of three trips to the moon over its life. But distances, just like ticked-box countries visited, doesn't equate to travel value. Instead, I'm looking for are animals that combine relaxation, fun with curiosity and escape.

We have one suggestion. Do you have any candidates?

If bored, visit the full 76-Second Travel Show archive.

Ottawa - Canada’s Exciting Capital City - Ontario, Canada

Once again with a big thank you to Steven, who had already sent us the post about the fabulous Ice Hotel, and another to Roy Tennant from Free Large Photos, let's remain in Canada for a bit longer and meet it's lovely capital: Ottawa.

Although it might not be a vacation destination that most people consider when they make their plans, Ottawa is a magical city. The more time you spend in Ottawa, the more you will discover. Whether you love history, sightseeing, or outdoor activities, Ottawa has something for you. I had an amazing time in Ottawa. I could not believe how many museums there were. Some people have nicknamed the city ‘Canada’s Museum Capital’. There are more than 13 museums within the city limits. I enjoyed visiting a few of them, as well as the many government attractions, got to hit a few balls at an Ottawa golf course, and I even got a chance to chat with a genuine member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I never thought I would get to talk to a real life Mountie. I also spend a relaxing afternoon in the Art Gallery. I certainly never felt bored. In fact, there were a couple of museums that I wanted to visit but I did not get a chance. I guess I will just have to go back to Ottawa someday. If you are considering a trip to Ottawa, here are a few attractions you cannot miss.

The Statues of Parliament Hill - If you love history, you cannot miss the statues on Parliament Hill. Over one dozen historical statues are located on the hill. You can learn a lot about Canadian history just by reading about the statues. Make sure you visit the Baldwin-LaFontaine Statue on Parliament Hill. Baldwin and LaFontaine reunited Upper and Lower Canada in the year 1841. The Baldwin-LaFontaine Statue looks like a stage. Because of the unique acoustic properties of this amphitheater, two individuals sitting on opposite ends of the amphitheater can whisper back and forth and hear each other perfectly. Try it if you go, it is a lot of fun.

The Cat Sanctuary Located on Parliament Hill - To the left of the Parliament building, there is a cat sanctuary. Volunteers have been taking care of around 26 stray cats at the sanctuary for over 18 years. When you visit the cat sanctuary, you might not see many cats. This is because the cats are free to come and go as they please. The cats are spayed and neutered. They also receive all necessary vaccinations so they stay healthy.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride Training Facility - After I met a Mountie on the streets of Ottawa, I wanted to learn more about them. So, I visited the RCMP Musical Ride Training Ground. I was able to tour the stables, visit the farrier, and even feed an eager horse through a fence. I love horses, so this was a must-see attraction for me.

Gatineau Park - If you want to get outside, make sure you visit Gatineau Park. Gatineau Park is located right on the edge of the Laurentian Plateau, which is also known as the Canadian Shield. Mountain bikers love to ride this park’s scenic trails. The park was gorgeous in the summer, but I would love to visit it again in the fall. Some of the locals I spoke to told me that the foliage in the autumn months was wonderful. I even saw some hang gliders out seeing the sights from above. Maybe someday I will do that, but I will need to get a lot braver. We left through Chelsea and stopped by La Cigale. They had the best ice cream and waffle cones that I had ever had.

Bicycling - One of the best ways to see Ottawa is on a bicycle. Ottawa residents love to ride their bikes. Many Ottawans commute to work on their bikes, even during the winter. Although you might not want to bike through the snow, if you visit Ottawa during the spring, summer, or fall, you might want to take a spin on the many bike paths that wind their way throughout the National Capital area.

Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival - I visited Ottawa over Labor Day Weekend. I was lucky enough to arrive just in time to visit the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival. I loved seeing all of the beautiful balloons floating over the scenic countryside. Sitting quietly and watching the balloons in the sky was a relaxing way to end a day that I had spent bicycling and sightseeing. Visit Ottawa, and I bet you find it as fun and relaxing as I did.

I'm sure I'll find Ottawa fun and relaxing Steven! I just hope I can put it to the test anytime soon :)

Quebec City - French Canada Offers the Quaint Feeling of France - Quebec, Canada

And with a big thanks to Lin from Briefcases Direct off we go to Canada! Another big thanks goes for Roy Tennant from Free Large Photos for the amazing photos.

Who knew that raveling to France could be as easy as crossing the Canadian border? Quebec City is perhaps as French as you can get without traveling to France itself. The entire city will leave you feeling as though you have crossed back in time to the France we all love to fantasize about. This quaint city is a perfect trip, especially for couples looking for a romantic escape.

As you travel down the cobblestone streets, the aroma drifting out of the cafes will lure you to the best French cuisine made in town. While being greeted with a hearty bonjour from the local shopkeeper and seated at the café table with a breathtaking view of the European architecture, it will be difficult to think you are anywhere other than on a street in France.

Vieux Quebec, interpreted as Old Quebec, is made up of two distinct sections, Basse Ville and Haute Ville. Chateau Frontenac is an amazing Chateau located in Haute Ville and is the prominent landmark to the city. The Chateau sits high above the city providing visitors with a dramatically gorgeous view of the St. Lawrence River.

For traveling from Haute Ville to Basse Ville there are two options of traveling, both of which will provide you with a beautiful view of the hillside. The first option is to walk down the stairs embedded into the hillside which have taken the name of L’Escalier Casse-cou, which means break-neck stairs. You may opt for the Funiculaire which will take you to the bottom or if you have made it down the stairs, it will bring you back up.

Whichever route you choose to get to Basse Ville, it is a must visit section. There are shops reminiscent of France, restaurants serving the best French cuisine and the trip would not be complete without a tour of La Musee de la Civilization. It is Basse Ville’s museum with historical information regarding Quebec as well as quite a few delightful exhibits.

Quebec’s off season is during the winter months. The hotels are very reasonable priced during this time and the historical landmarks can still be visited during this time. One such landmark that every visitor to Quebec should visit sits outside of the old city wall; it is the Plains of Abraham Battlefield Park. This historical location is where the British won control of Quebec from the French in 1759. This area is certainly rich in history and worth a visit; however, traveling here in the winter months can be quite cold so remember to dress warm for the snow covered battlefield.

After visiting the battlefield you may need to thaw out from your journey back in time, so stop in one of the lovely Quebec cafes or pubs. Spring is the optimum time to visit Quebec as it does get cold during the winter. During any season, however, there are so many beautiful sites and quaint shops to visit in Quebec. Many of the best French restaurants and specialty shops can only be found by accident as you are walking through the cobblestone streets in awe. Pull out your high school text book, learn a few French phrases and plan an unforgettable trip to Vieux Quebec.

Lin writes for Briefcases Direct, a website that offers luxury briefcases direct from the manufacturer. Lin travels to Quebec City yearly to brush up on her French and take in the quaint charm the city offers.

Ice Hotel, Quebec, Canada

Today it's up to Steven to fill us in about a fabulous Ice Hotel. Yes, you've heard right, an Ice Hotel built (and rebuilt year after year) somewhere in Quebec, Canada...

Are you looking for a once-in-a-lifetime winter getaway? You can have that by visiting the Ice Hotel in Quebec City, Canada. It is the only hotel constructed entirely of ice in North America. It is not surprising that it is number 1 on the list of unique places to stay in Canada.

The Ice Hotel opened on New Year’s Day in 2001 in Montmorency Falls Park, on the outskirts of Quebec City. The next year, it moved to the Duchesnay Resort and has been built there every year since. Every November, construction of a new hotel begins. It takes about a month and a half for 60 workmen to complete it. The hotel is a cathedral-like structure constructed with man-made snow covering metal frames. The damp snow is allowed to harden into solid ice for a few days. Then the construction cranes are removed.

The hotel accommodates 85 guests. Like the rest of the furniture, the beds are made of ice. They have animal skins, mattresses, and heavy, high-quality sleeping bags covering them. The bathrooms are heated and located in a separate structure. There are separate ones for men and women. They are luxurious and provide comfort and privacy. The Ice Hotel provides amenities for its guests including room service with plates and glasses made of ice, night club, movie theater, chapel, and outdoor hot tubs. Weddings are often celebrated in the chapel. The Ice Hotel provides a uniquely beautiful setting for a memorable wedding.

Is a trip to the Ice Hotel right for you? Those who go say that it was an adventure to sleep in an upscale, luxurious igloo with walls made of ice. Others say it sounded romantic, cozy, or truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience to tell their grandchildren about. In any case, Quebec vacations always offer beautiful scenery, charming towns, and friendly people.

Prospective guests ask, “How cold is it in an ice hotel?” The 4-foot thick ice walls insulate the interior and protect guests from the cold wind and the snow. The interior temperature ranges from 23 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit. If you go, take your hooded parka and extra socks.

Another frequently-asked question: “Can I see the hotel without spending the night?” Yes, tours in English and French are conducted every day. You can also visit the ice bar. The Quebec Tourism Board reports that more than 70,000 tourists visit the Ice Hotel every winter.

How much does it cost to spend the night? There are several different packages available. All include meals and amenities. Prices range from $349.50 to $799.50 per person per night in Canadian dollars. When you want to treat yourself to a winter holiday unlike any other, Quebec’s Ice Hotel is a marvelous choice. More pictures are available here.

Thanks Steven for the review on this Hotel and thanks Simon for the photos. This is without doubts one of the most original hotels I've seen - added it to my list of "must go there someday" ;)

76-Second Travel Show: "Pirates vs Vikings"

Episode 009

F E A T U R I N G * 2 7 * B O N U S * S E C O N D S

SSTS BANS SEQUELS, REMAKES & BIO PICS
Movies -- they're out of hand. The numbers of sequels, remakes and bio pics would suggest that the Hollywoods of the world believe we, the ticket-buying public, just can't deal with anything unfamiliar. (Evident in top films this year: Transformers 2, Night at the Museum 2, Wolverine, Ice Age 3, GI Joe etc.)

Cookie-cutter scripts have always polluted Hollywood (just rewatch Elvis’ movies), but now the cookies are getting smaller. In the decade before 2001, generally only one to three of the top-ten grossing movies were sequels or remakes. After 2001, that number fattened to seven or eight, peaking in 2002 and 2003, when all of the top-ten were rehashed films.

--> This is a threat and a concern for those of who kinda like travel, and believe there's a real benefit to learning new things and meeting new people. Contrary to the notion, as psychologists put it, of 'familiarity heuristic' -- that only what's most familiar is what's most important.

So, SSTS suggests a ban of non-creative movie making (ie remakes, sequels and bio pics) until an apology is made or at least the percentage goes down.

In exchange, the SSTS offers a free, sure-fire movie idea: Vikings vs Pirates.

We don't know who'd win, offhand, so for this episode we turned to travel instead -- speaking with Moorhead, Minnesota's Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center; Nassau, Bahama's Pirates of Nassau museum; North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC; and the fascinating L'Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site in Newfoundland for Viking and pirate experts' insight.

--> Thanks to the experts for taking the time to help decipher this riddle, and contribute to the SSTS movie idea.

Where Travel Meets Politics: Canada

HEROES FOR ONE DAY
I wrote a piece for World Hum this week on "Travel Writing as a Political Act," expanding from the ideas in Rick Steves' new book Travel as a Political Act.

What it doesn't tell is the one time I ever traveled with a clear political purpose. To change things. To make a difference. To tape up posters to sway a numb local populace.

I did this in CANADA.

My friend Matt and I had become, cheekily enough, huge Canadian Football League fans in the mid '90s. It started by calling Air Canada’s toll-free number to ask what cities had CFL teams, then adopted the closest, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The operator told us the team was North America’s oldest football squad – around since just after the American Civil War – but was in danger of folding.

Matt and I plotted a rescue. We booked train tickets and packed “Save the Ti-Cats” posters thrown together at an East Village Kinko’s and a roll of duct tape.

On the train a Friday or two later we talked with Tommy, a peppy Chinese-American café attendant, who’d clap his hands after delivered a microwaved ham sandwich. He loved his job, but had never heard of the CFL – and didn’t care to. Strangely we had about the same reaction from our Hamilton taxi driver taking us to King St the next morning. “There’s a game scheduled?” The team was 4-13, yet still technically in the playoff hunt. But did anyone care?

They did. A couple hours later, we found the Canadian Football Hall of Fame –and its charmingly defeatist outdoor sculpture Touchdown that highlighted the failed defender – crammed with scores of fans and many old Ti-Cat greats, like Garney Henley and Rufus “Baby” Alexander. One couple in their late 40s – Bob and Pat – helped us sign up for the team’s fan club and eventually would mail a stream of chunky packets filled with photocopied Ti-Cat stories for two seasons to come.

Later Bob and Pat took us to a pep rally at dinky Ivor Wynne Stadium, where we sat amidst the couple hundred fans braving a chilly rainfall. We dutifully clapped along as players matter-of-factly walked out in jerseys and jeans. Then a voice call out over the PA, “We even have some fans who came in from New York to see our Ti-Cats play tomorrow.” Us. We felt like heroes.

That night Matt and I celebrated our success with a pitcher of Sleeman beer each at a hockey bar on King St. Staggering back to the hotel afterward, we tried taping up a few of our hundred posters on random street signs, then gave up after Matt vomited on a curb. I don’t know Canada’s rules regarding public intoxication, but I thank the Hamilton police for their restraint.

The next day, the Ti-Cats lost the game on the last play of the game and missed the playoffs. We figured the dream was over. But Hamilton quickly picked up enough “seasons tickets” (no typo) to save the team from bankruptcy. They hadn't really needed our outside help, but were happy to have two new Ti-Cat fans.

The next season we returned to Canada to see Hamilton play (and lose horribly to) Ottawa in the Canadian capital. Bob and Pat met us at the historic Frank Clair Stadium – which turned 100 last year and sits beside the city’s impressive Rideau Canal. You’d think it’d be a stunning spot for some three-down football. But not for Pat. She shook her head at first gaze and said, “This isn’t nearly as nice as Ivor Wynne.”

Definitely not. I do kinda wish we had a sign that said it.

Niagara Falls (part II), Ontario, Canada

As promised here goes the second part (second and third days) of Liz trip to Niagara Falls...

We started our second day with "Journey Beneath the Falls" which is an underground tunnel that ends with an exit/lookout point quite close to the side of Horseshoe Falls. You really get a feeling of how high the falls are. You shouldn't get wet because they loan you yellow rain jackets.

Of course we had to go on the Maid of the Mist. This is a double-deck boat tour that gets pretty darn close to the falls. Everyone received a lovely blue rain poncho with hood. Wearing rain boots or bringing shoes to change into afterward is highly recommended! People who go on the bottom deck will get a little misty. People who venture up top will get soaked, guaranteed!

First the Maid swings by the American Falls and then loops into the mist of the Horseshoe Falls. Definitely bring your camera but keep it under your poncho when things start getting wet! It is when you are inside the mist that your realize just how big and powerful the waterfall is and how small and insignificant you are!

On our last day we visited the Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory, located within the city's Botanical Gardens. It's a glass conservatory with over 2000 rain forest butterflies. They are everywhere - on the bushes, in the air, on the sidewalk, on you! Each visitor has a 99.9% chance of a butterfly landing on them. My favorites were the Blue Morpho butterflies. Most people spend about an hour inside the conservatory.

Must confess that after this post I can't wait to go and visit Niagara Falls one of this days. Hope you liked it! And again many thanks to Liz from Busy Lizzy's Easle ;)

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Today, the first one of a series of two guest posts that will take us with Liz from Busy Lizzy's Easle on a trip to the Niagara Falls. With a big thank you, and without any more delays, words and camera to Liz...

Niagara Falls is actually two waterfalls. The "American Falls" is along the city of Niagara Falls, New York (1st photo bellow). It's straight and quite rocky. The "Horseshoe Falls" is along the city of Niagara falls, Ontario (2nd photo bellow). This waterfall is curved and famous for all the mist it creates. Both waterfalls are huge and powerful.


Rainbow Bridge connects the two cities and can be crossed by foot, bicycle or automobile and near the place where was the Honeymoon Bridge is now Prospect Point Park where's a lookout deck that juts out near the American Falls. We stayed at the Embassy Suites hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It's very close to the Canadian shore so we had an awesome view from our balcony of both waterfalls as well as the Friday night fireworks over the river. The falls are illuminated with colored lights at night. It's really beautiful and peaceful.

There are at least a hundred things to do in Niagara Falls, Ontario. This part of town is nicely planned for tourists and vacationers. There are lots of attractions, shows, restaurants and fast food places, tour buses, and shuttles. We first visited Skylon Tower. It's over 500 feet high and has an observation deck and revolving restaurant at the top. The external yellow elevator is nicknamed "the yellow bug." We had great views of everything!

We also visited Clifton Hill, a street filled with fun, shops and places to eat. One could easily spend several hours here. There is an Burger King with a GIANT Frankenstein outside eating a burger (and I do mean "giant")! There is also a wax museum of movie, tv and recording stars. I took some pictures of Angelina Jolie, Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. My daughter and I rode the Skywheel, a giant ferris wheel with amazing views of the entire area.

To be continued in the next post...