OF THINGS TO DO IN CANADA …
(Posted 17th February 2016)
When Brussels Airlines launches flights from the European capital to Toronto at the end of March – incidentally one of the top ten overseas destinations for East African travelers – many may ask what is there to do in Canada.
Well plenty would be my first answer.
A fellow travel writer and blogger, who lives in Toronto, has kindly agreed to let me share a series of articles she wrote about places one just has to visit when in Toronto, and today I start with her review about a trip to nearby Ottawa … nearby being relative of course, considering the vast distances one has to travel from the Eastern seaboard to the Western seaboard of this huge North American country …
10 Things To Do In Ottawa This Winter
Here’s what I noticed about Ottawa in December: It’s colder than Toronto.
But Torontonian’s aren’t known for their hardy winter endurance. We were,
after all, the laughing stock of the nation, after one particularly bad
snowstorm. The then-Mayor, called in the army to help dig the city out, and
the rest of the country laughed. Out loud. To our faces.
But cold is cold, and Ottawa is colder than Toronto. It just is.
That doesn’t mean Ottawa, Canada’s capital, should be avoided in the
winter season.
Ottawa, a city with a population of just over 880,00 people, is filled with
history, museums, exhibits, architectural gems, restaurants, spas,
skating, shopping and fun-filled activities to keep you returning time after time. Year-round.
Sure, it may be chilly, but with so much to do and fewer crowds to contend
with, winter is a perfect time for a getaway to the nation’s capital.
Here are just 10 reasons to visit Ottawa this winter:
Christmas Lights Across Canada
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| Photo via Ottawa Tourism |
The 31st edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada was launched on
December 2, 2015, with the official illumination ceremony on Parliament Hill.
Thousands gathered, as they do each year, for this annual ceremony.
Every year, as part ofChristmas Lights Across Canada, each province
and territory decorates its capital city and holds its own lighting
ceremony, contributing to the nationwide effort. Lights Across Canada
illuminates the Capital until January 7, 2016.
Le Nordik Nature Spa
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| Photo via Le Nordik Spa |
Located in Chelsea, Québec, an easy 15-20 minute drive from
Ottawa’s city-center, Le Nordik Nature Spa is North America’s largest spa.
It offers 45,000 square feet of relaxing interior space and more than
100,000 square feet outside. Our orientation to the property, which is
surrounded by trees and rocks, included the recommended spa routine:
15-20 minutes of heat in one of several outdoor saunas or hot pools
(which we did), followed by 30 seconds in a cold plunge pool (which we
didn’t). Repeat and relax in a nearby warm cabin. There’s an infinity pool
with panoramic views over the city and the salt-water floating pool is a must.
Take a Short Course at Le Cordon Bleu
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| Photo via Ottawa Tourism |
Learn to cook like a pro! Make pasta, sauces, chocolate creations or bake.
If you’ve had one too many knife accidents in the kitchen, the demo on
proper knife skills is for you. Do it all at the world’s leading cooking
institution. Ottawa, is where you’ll find Canada’s only Le Cordon Bleu
satellite school. Choose from a demonstration, which lasts approximately
two hours, or a combination of demo and hands-on practice. The latter is
approximately four hours. Be sure to take along containers to bring your
goodies home. There will be plenty of them. I seriously can’t think of
anything more ‘homey’ to do on a cold winter day, than to surround the
senses with warm deliciousness. If it was good enough for Julia Child…
Learn About Vikings
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| Photo via Ottawa Tourism |
Challenge your assumptions about ancient Scandinavians. Vikings,
redefines what we know about this mythical period in Scandinavia. It
features more than 500 ancient artifacts on loan from the Swedish History
Museum. Many of the pieces on display have rarely been displayed outside
Scandinavia. Vikingsis at the Canadian History Museum, and runs until
April 17, 2016.
Check Out Forged in Fire
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| Photo via Bytown Museum |
Opening January 29, 2016, this new temporary exhibit, Forged in Fire: The
Building and Burning of Parliament, begins its run. The exhibit highlights
the 100th anniversary of the fire that destroyed the original Parliament
Buildings. It explores the history of the site and the buildings that have
called it home throughout its nearly 200-year evolution. The exhibit
features artifacts and photographs from Bytown Museum collection,
including rare images of the construction of Parliament by early Ottawa
photographer, Elihu Spencer. It runs until October 31, 2016.
Discover Amazing Women
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| Photo via Canadian War Museum |
Through artifacts, images, audiovisual material, oral history and text,
World War Women, at the Canadian War Museum, delves into the
personal stories of the women associated with these materials. It is
organized in stand-alone thematic zones, each devoted to an element of
the wars that particularly involved and affected women. The contributions
made by women to the Canadian war efforts were crucial, and their
experiences forged a new understanding of women’s capabilities both
within themselves and within society. It’s touching, moving and deeply
personal. Don’t miss it. World War Women is on now and runs until
April 3, 2016.
Winterlude
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| Photo via Ottawa Tourism |
So it’s cold. Big deal! It was with winter in mind, that Winterlude was
created in the first place – to celebrate our unique northern climate and
culture. Winterlude is a three-day fun-filled event with activities for
the entire family. Check out the ice sculpture competitions, play in North
America’s largest snow playground and don’t miss the 36th annual Accora
Village Bed Race. This event features teams in costumes racing huge
decorated beds across frozen ice. Winterlude runs January 29 –
February 15, 2016.
Gatineau Winter Beerfest
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| Photo via Ottawa Tourism |
What better time for a beerfest than in the dead of winter. Only in
Canada eh! The beerfest is held at the Canadian Museum of History.
Hereyou’ll discover over 100 craft beers by brewers from Quebec and
Ontario. More than 30 breweries will be on hand. Chef, Martin De Board,
the museum’s head chef, will create appetizers to tantalize the most
gourmet of taste buds.The Gatineau Winter Beerfest in on January
29-30. It’s held inside the museum’s Grand hall and outdoors (of course).
Warm up in The Albion Rooms
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| Photo via The Albion Rooms |
After an activity-filled day, catch your breath, quench your thirst and fill
your appetite in this central Ottawa restaurant. The Albion Rooms, is a
warm, conversation-friendly restaurant. Cozy up to the bar and chat to the
server as he assembles your chacouteri platter. Chef, Stephen LaSalle,
has put his personal touch on several traditional British dishes, giving
new twists to dishes like scotch eggs and Cornish hen. The Albion
Rooms is located inside the Novotel (across from Rideau Centre mall).
Skate, Skate and Skate Some More
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| Photo via Ottawa Tourism |
In addition to the famous Rideau Canal Skateway (opens early January),
Ottawa provides a few other skating options:
The Skating Court, a refrigerated ice skating rink in Lansdowne Park, offers
free open skating as well as skating programs.
Free skating is also available on the refrigerated surface of the Sens Rink
of Dreams, located just outside Ottawa City Hall.
The historic skating rink at Rideau Hall, the home and workplace of
Canada’s Governor General, offers free public skating each Saturday
and Sunday between January 10 and March 15, weather permitting.
