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Apr 2010
Goodbye Stodgy Ottawa - Hello Stockwell Day Finger Puppet
OTTAWA – So you think you know Ottawa.
If you’re an Ontarian, it’s easy to trace the origin of your “been there, done that” mentality. It was that mandatory class trip in eighth grade, when you reluctantly dragged your awkward limbs around Parliament Hill, the war museum and the mint.
Who gave a hoot about Sir John A. Macdonald back then? You were more impressed by lunch at the Rideau St. McDonald’s.
All of those stodgy old attractions continue to bore teenagers to death. But if you haven’t visited the capital since Brian Mulroney ruled the roost, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.
You can still absorb lots of Canadiana, only without the clichés. Here are a few Ottawa tourist activities with updated options.
Read on HERE
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The Big Picture: Caribbean Scene
20/04/10 17:31 Filed in: Caribbean | Big Picture
Veg Out - With Exercise!
18/04/10 10:55 Filed in: Active Travel
Vegetarians on group trips are often sentenced to nibbling on uninspiring side salads while other travellers feast on gourmet meals. Realizing that they must be hungering for more, travel consultant Diane Garvin has created Active Veggie Tours, a new organization offering fully escorted first-class trips with a focus on proper vegetarian cuisine and exercise.
“I hate it when I go on vacation and come back five to ten pounds heavier,” says Garvin, who is based in Belleville. “I have a fear of cruises because of that!”
The inaugural Active Veggie trip is to Southern Spain and Portugal in September. This will be followed by voyages to India, Australia/New Zealand, Southern France, South Africa, Egypt and Peru. Garvin says that some of the trips will have a culinary theme, complete with vegetarian cooking classes.
While most of the day is spent on a luxury motor coach, each trip incorporates several sessions of at least two hours of moderate exercise. Depending on the location, possibilities include hiking, yoga or swimming.
The Southern Spain and Portugal trip takes place from September 15 to 23 and costs from $1849 (not including air). For more information, visit www.activeveggietours.ca or call (613) 779-5794.
The inaugural Active Veggie trip is to Southern Spain and Portugal in September. This will be followed by voyages to India, Australia/New Zealand, Southern France, South Africa, Egypt and Peru. Garvin says that some of the trips will have a culinary theme, complete with vegetarian cooking classes.
While most of the day is spent on a luxury motor coach, each trip incorporates several sessions of at least two hours of moderate exercise. Depending on the location, possibilities include hiking, yoga or swimming.
The Southern Spain and Portugal trip takes place from September 15 to 23 and costs from $1849 (not including air). For more information, visit www.activeveggietours.ca or call (613) 779-5794.
BYOS (Bring Your Own Sweat)
14/04/10 11:17 Filed in: Gear | Active Travel
$38.00 at Lululemon
From my travel gear column in
It's a Shoe Inn!
Opus is known for chic, creative flair (rooms are designed around five fictional “lifestyle concierges named Mike, Billy, Pierre, Susan and Dede) while Fluevog has been an eccentric fashion icon on the West Coast for decades.
“Both organizations have a loyal following and neither are afraid of a splash, a dash or a pop here and there,” says Fluevog.
What’s more is, unlike most hotel uniforms, The Porter Shoe is not mere eye candy: guests can purchase a pair of their own from the mini bar menu for $329.
For more information, visit www.opushotel.com or www.fluevog.com
Bites of the Big Apple
07/04/10 19:04 Filed in: USA | Sleeping Around
To celebrate its birthday, the iconic art deco high rise is offering a deal to its esteemed peers: anyone over 80 can book a room for $80 a night up until December 26, 2010. Though this is hardly a throwback to the prices of yore, $80 is a steal considering the hotel has recently gone through a $70 million renovation and refurbishment. Connected codgers will rejoice in the fact that the rate includes free WiFi, while active seniors might choose to partake of the complimentary access to the fitness center. For more info, visit www.newyorkerhotel.com or call 1-800-764-4680.
For more information, visit www.nycgo.com.
Hensel Wins Jackpot!
04/04/10 23:33 Filed in: Giveaways
Jason Hensel (209.12.106.5)
I'd stay at the Propeller Island hotel in Berlin, because I could have a new room experience every night. But then again, it's in Berlin--not sure how much time I'd actually be in my room.
Congratulations Jason! Please e-mail me your snail mail address and the book will arrive at your doorstep shortly!
Thanks to the others who commented, I sincerely appreciate it. I will try to get some other giveaways happening on here from time to time, so please bookmark me and check at least 20 times a day. :)
Sleeping Around in a Church
03/04/10 09:57 Filed in: Sleeping Around | Europe
PARIS, FRANCE - I’ve just spent two nights at a hotel with a clingy curry aroma.
At first, the 30-Euro-a-night price seems worth any nasal inconvenience. But then I discover my neighbour is a communal hallway toilet that glugs like a hyperventilating swamp monster in the middle of the night.
Therefore, my next destination - Hotel Saint Merry - is a godsend.
While the intricate dark wood sconces and exposed beams hint that it wasn’t always a hotel, the presence of carved Jesuses and Marys confirms Hotel Saint Merry was far more pious than a private house.
Some 400 years ago the hotel was part of a church. Specifically, it served as the lodgings for the resident priests. Read More...
Mhor Than a Scottish Country Inn
Story and photos by Reb Stevenson
PERTHSHIRE, SCOTLAND - A posh fish n’ chips shop, a back-to-basics cookery school, a rural tearoom, a traditional bakery, a working farm and a stylish boutique hotel: this is the mighty clan of Mhor.
Set amongst the Scottish Highlands in Trossachs National Park, Mhor is a vertically integrated tourism product masterminded by award winning chef Tom Lewis.
“We’ve got so much on our doorstep, it makes it easy,” says Lewis.
It started simply enough: once upon a time Lewis’ mom hung a sign reading “Tea and Scones” outside their pink farmhouse. Read More...