Can’t make it to the Serengeti for that safari you’ve always dreamed of? Skip the sun and try Algonquin Park in Ontario. Only three hours from Toronto, Algonquin is home to over 400 species mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. There are also thousands of different plant and fungi. By far the coolest thing I saw when there were the moose. The creatures were the least elusive animals we saw but probably the most amazing. We left our camp spots just before dawn on our second day there and waited patiently. Watching the sun rise across the serene, dewy forest would […]

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Being a city of immense diversity, Toronto is swamped with hundreds of restaurants claiming to have authentic food from all over the world. I’m certainly no culinary master, but I love food and have tried a couple of very good (and a few not so good) ethnic restaurants in Toronto. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I truly enjoyed food from cultures all over the globe, despite the slight bout of nerves before each meal. Before I didn’t even know what people ate in many countries, now I love trying new ethnic foods as I’ve fallen in love with […]

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Being completely honest, before my first trip to Ontario, I was not excited to see Toronto. I’d seen a big city before and I had never heard of any real cultural or historic significance to the area. Then I stumbled upon the Distillery Historic District, located around the Parliament Buildings, stretching from Mill Street to Cherry Street. I immediately fell in love with the rustic area that felt like a piece of old world Europe dropped into a metropolis of Canada. But even more than that, it didn’t feel like a constructed tourist destination with its atmosphere of pure authenticity. […]

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Must-See Sights in Ottawa Ottawa is Canada’s capital city, a cultural melting pot of contrasts, of green open spaces and canals, esteemed museums and art galleries, bitterly cold winters and hot humid summers. Whether you want to cycle around the scenic parks or marvel at the Gothic splendour of the Parliament buildings, there’s something for everyone in this jam-packed city. With flights available from London Heathrow to Ottawa from Air Canada and British Airways, and reliable travel insurance available online with Go Travel and the AA, booking your holiday is easy, planning what to do is the difficult part! With […]

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Places to Shop in Ottawa Whilst there is plenty in Ottawa to keep even the most seasoned traveller occupied, the city is also a great place to shop. So whether you’re travelling with a culture vulture, a foodie or a seasoned shopaholic, there are a whole host of places to pick up some great souvenirs. The Byward Market area of downtown Ottawa is the city’s most popular and famous shopping district. Located in the oldest commercial and residential area of the city, the historic market was built in 1926, and after a $2 million renovation in 1997, now plays host […]

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Tour of Toronto‘s Neighbourhoods Any first-time visitor to Toronto will be overwhelmed by the harmonious blend of cultures in the city; over 90 different ethnic groups live in Toronto, resulting in bunches of eclectic neighbourhoods where no one street is the same. Whether you plan to visit the city for the first time, or are a seasoned traveller, there is nothing better than wandering around the various districts to really soak up the atmosphere of the city. Spending a few days in the city is internet-easy with Air Canada offering direct flights and Virgin Holidays for package deals. A number […]

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Many Canadians call Ontario home but most of live in or around the Greater Toronto Area or Ottawa. But it’s a vast province with so much more to offer than crowded cities, brimming with tourist traps and souvenir shops. Head just a few hours north and you will find some of the country’s most untouched beauty, complete with the truly kind Canadian spirit of small towns. If this sounds like the type of vacation you’re looking for, head north of Toronto to Rainbow Country. Rainbow Country is the area around the coast of Georgian Bay, a northern inlet of Lake […]

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Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, is known mostly for the politicians and bureaucrats these days. I bet there are few residents and even fewer visitors that know the history of how Ottawa come to be the capital city. As it turns out, Ottawa‘s history isn’t the dry expect tale of politicians and typical political jargon. In fact, it’s a little known gem of interest in Canadian history. Lieutenant-Colonel John By founded Bytown in the early 1800s. As retired military official, he was given the responsibility of settling the remote area surrounding the Ontario River. He built the famous Rideau Canal that […]

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Ottawa is known primarily for being the centre of Canadian politics, housing the Parliament buildings, as well as the official residences of the Prime Minister and Governor General. It isn’t always deemed as a tourist destination, perhaps for fear of running into some stuffy politicians but there are several scenic drives or walks through Ottawa that will certainly take politics off the mind. Ottawa‘s real hidden gem may be one of the city’s most beautiful walks. Behind Carleton University, on the other side of the Rideau Canal, lies the Experimental Farms. Don’t worry, there are no giant pigs or genetically […]

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The CN Tower has a revolving restaurant at the top, called “360.”  Reservations are pretty much required; it’s not exactly a small walk up restaurant!However, the view is worth the effort.  A couple of years ago, my family including a 5-year-old enjoyed the panoramic view.  Due to the height you are at, the Island Airport looks almost like a toy plane airport, but you get to see all the aircraft doing take-offs and final approaches.The food is good too.  It’s an upscale dining experience that’s not so uptight so that you feel too broke or too lower class at the […]

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