Wrapped in cozy clothes and sitting atop a honed tree stump at the most welcoming of dinner-on-the-beach settings, I was definitively in what could only be called a travel trance. Positioned at a weathered wooden table with a blossom-filled pitcher at center, I sipped a glass of naturally chilled Arctic … Read more
“All aboard,” announces the service manager, and we’re off from Vancouver. Making our way within Canada, there are two options – the Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail – each a nostalgic adventure, each distinctively different. So, join me on the rails for the inside scoop on the maple leaf nation’s … Read more
The Broadway musical Come From Away, is one of the hottest productions being performed today, not only in New York City but also in London, on tour in theaters across North America and soon in Melbourne, Australia. It’s set in the town of Gander on the Atlantic-facing island of Newfoundland, … Read more
If you’ve ever stepped foot inside a duty-free shop anywhere in the world, you’ve certainly noticed the fragrance Angel, by Thierry Mugler. The striking bottle shape and distinctive packaging usually stands out among the many perfume brands on the shelf. The well-known French fashion designer was at the pinnacle of … Read more
It’s our last morning at Tweedsmuir during prime bear watching season and so far, no bears. So, we’ve set our alarms and are heading down the path to one of the lodge’s two wildlife viewing stations. We climb a treehouse-like structure overlooking the Atnarko River in an area that doubles … Read more
At first glance on a visit to Quebec City most eyes spy a towering cliff, Cap Diamant (the promontory overlooking the St-Lawrence River on which the town sits) and the very top of it where history sits. Enter the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, an icon, a landmark, a beacon on … Read more
When people hear that I visit Newfoundland, they almost always ask two things: “Where is Newfoundland?” and “Have you seen any icebergs?” The island is larger than the state of Maine and sits in the Atlantic about 1,000 miles northeast of Boston (Nova Scotia is roughly half way there). And … Read more
Toronto is a fascinating destination, a hybrid city that is Canada’s most visited destination. It’s a center of big-ticket events and attractions, top notch restaurants, music, architecture, culture, festivals and pro sports including the Toronto Blue Jays. We chatted with artist and resident Lisa Graziotto, a born and bred Canadian, … Read more
On your mark. Get set. Go! And our girls’ “Two for the Road” discovery of Canada’s Okanagan begins. The main characters in this cast include myself and my redheaded colleague, friend, and bestie named Nancy. In the past our escapades have been likened to Lucy and Ethel’s on I Love … Read more
The art of travel these days extends far beyond checking off sights on a bucket list. Visitors are looking for experiences that entice, challenge and immerse. As the world becomes ever closer thanks to technology and the ease of transportation, real life and experiencing local culture are merging into a … Read more
The fourth largest city in Canada and the second largest urban market in Ontario, Ottawa is home to the first Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute outside of Europe. Ottawa’s thriving food scene, with its local and international chefs and its multicultural and multilingual sensibility (you will hear English and … Read more
In 1988, after having been in business in Ottawa for more than eight years, Eleanor’s Cuisine Française Inc. was sold to M. André Cointreau — president of Europe’s esteemed Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute — to become the organization’s first campus outside of Europe. “We were all wondering, ‘Why … Read more
We’ve talked about it and debated it and now the TravelSquire’s team of editors has finally decided. We’ve chosen the most intriguing travel destinations for the upcoming year, not an easy task. Our 2018 choices cover a diverse geographic wish list stretching around the globe and our criteria is unbiased. … Read more
My initial introduction to the city of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean in Quebec is a serene one, with a drive through acres of farmland dotted with corn and cows. A collection of colorful barns is simply a preview of more attractions to come. At one point La Route des Bières (The Beer Route) … Read more
What did I know about Quebec in winter? Not much. I knew it would be cold and there’d be snow. Combined, that made running the obstacle course at La Forêt de Maître Corbeau that much harder. I sweated through three layers of clothing, I strained, I swore. But I finished! … Read more