Wednesday January 25, 2012
It's easy to splurge on accommodation in any big city and Montreal is no different. Gorgeous, history-steeped hotels in
Old Montreal can generally set you back about $300 a night minimum. But if you want to stay in Old Montreal and love good value for your money, try the
Embassy Suites by Hilton.
This hotel is new, so it has little wear and tear. In addition, the guest rooms have a clean, modern design - boutique hotel style - and feature flat screen TVs, full size refrigerators and microwave. Montreal is definitely a city to dine out in, but eating in, or at least storing some milk, is a nice option - especially if you're with kids.
The Embassy Suites by Hilton is located minutes from Place d'Armes Metro stop, bordering Old Montreal. You can get anywhere in Montreal easily.
This deal offers one of the Embassy Suites by Hilton two-room suites and includes a full American cooked-to-order breakfast as well as two complimentary drinks, including alcohol, per night - all for $119 per night.
This deal is good during the popular Montreal High Lights Festival in February.
Tuesday January 24, 2012
Family Day is fast approaching, and if you're a parent, you may be starting to ask yourself what the heck you're going to do with those kids.
Visiting a museum or attending a Toronto Family Day event are good options but if you would like to bundle up and convene with nature, why not head to Algonquin Park for its first ever Winter in the Wild.
Ontario's oldest provincial park is hosting an array of activities, including a guided walk, snowshoeing, informative talks and bonfire to cap off the afternoon.
If you're willing to stay on till dark, the Fireside & Night Hike Wolf Howl will begin at 6 pm with a talk around the bonfire about park wolves. From there, park naturalists will lead you to a place where they will imitate wild wolf howls. The real wolves may even respond.
Winter in the Wild takes place on the Saturday of the Family Day weekend, so this year, it is February 18, 2012.
Once you've purchased a day pass for the park, Winter in the Wild events are free. Some accessories, like binoculars and snowshoes can be borrowed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Monday January 23, 2012
Today is
Chinese New Year and people across Canada are celebrating the
year of the Dragon with lion dances, firecrackers and a delicious array of traditional foods.
Tuesday January 17, 2012
Canada - home to lots of snow and chilly winter weather - is not surprisingly also home to the biggest winter carnival in the world: the
Quebec Winter Carnival.
Each year at the end of January begins the 17-day long freeze-fest in gorgeous Quebec City. Think Mardi Gras in winter and you have some idea what a big deal the Quebec Winter Carnival is.
It's been four years since I've been, but this year I'm packing the mini-van, bundling the kids up to within an inch of their lives and heading east for ice slides, snow rafting, BEAVERTAILS® pastries and more.
