Jane's Canada Travel Blog

Nothing says spring like tulips -- how about three million of them? The Canadian Tulip Festival , which is the world's largest tulip festival, winds down this weekend in Ottawa.

For the past two weeks, the Canadian national capital of Ottawa has been alive with not only blooming tulips, but music, parades, fireworks, and people from around the world.

When the first visitors arrive, the tulips are just opening, and as the festival days unfold, so too do the blossoms. The colourful crescendo is a sight to behold!

• Hotel Packages during the Canadian Tulip Festival
• Canadian Tulip Festival Website
• Ottawa Tourism Website
• Ottawa Picture Gallery

As I pack this morning for a trip to Banff, I, like other travelers packing this morning, am compelled to consider the carry-on restrictions on Canadian flights. Are my little liquid-containing bottles the right size? Have I put them in the proper size clear bag? Will I be singled out and slowed up going through security? Find out the answers to these questions and avoid hassles. Read Carry-on Luggage on Flights in Canada - Carry-on Allowances for Canada.

Visites de Montreal (VDM) is a company offering specialized tours of Montreal. Want to learn the history of this great city? How about exploring some of its culinary specialties, like poutine and Montreal bagels? Last time I was in Montreal, I was impressed by the VDM tour tour I went on. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. He introduced us to some of Montreal's most famous eateries and gave us the city's history along the way. VDM offers a variety of tours and tourist services in 10 languages.

Further Reading:

Montreal Travel Guide

Top Montreal Attractions

Guide to Old Montreal

The Listel Hotel in downtown Vancouver offers a pleasant and green alternative to the typical hotel stay. Not only is the Listel an active player in the local Vancouver arts and culture scene with a hip, art-infused interior, but it has recently reduced its carbon footprint by installing solar panels and a highly efficient heat recovery system. If you want to make smart travel choices that minimize environmental impact, choosing a hotel like the The Listel Hotel is a good place to start.

Read our Listel Hotel profile .

The world's tallest structure has introduced a glass floor to one of its six glass-paneled elevators that whisks visitors to the lookout 346m (1,136’) above. CN Tower visitors can now watch the ground drop away as they rise up at 22km/15mph. The glass-panel elevator uses the same technology as the glass floor on the tower's observation deck, which has been walked and jumped on by enthusiastic and fearless visitors since 1994.

The CN Tower has defined the Toronto skyline and attracted millions of visitors annually since 1976.

Further Reading:
Fascinating Facts about the CN Tower
CN Tower Visitors Guide
Top Toronto Attractions

As winter thaws into spring, the streets of Old Montreal start to bustle again. The historic part of Montreal is charming at any time, but the riverside district really comes to life in the spring to fall months.

Get an overview of Old Montreal with this visitors guide.

Canada in April offers visitors lots of travel deals just before the more popular summer season gets under way. Via Rail has discounted tickets on destinations including Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa; even the luxurious Via 1 (where they actually serve meals on china with proper cutlery) has up to 50% off regular rates. If you prefer to fly, WestJet has 30% off flights between select Canadian cities, with - of course - some stipulations. And despite the warmer weather, plenty of Canadian ski resorts offer spring skiing at reduced prices.

See also:

Vancouver in April

Toronto in April

Montreal in April

Vancouver is hot on the culinary scene. Moderate temperatures and proximity to the Pacific Ocean means year-round access to fine seafood and local produce. With so many great restaurants, visitors to Vancouver face a daunting task in choosing one. To help you decide, we've compiled a list of some of Vancouver's Most Popular Restaurants. A few of these restaurants have been on the scene just long enough to establish a good reputation - others are legendary.

Our list covers a range of cuisines, dining styles and price ranges and is in alphabetical order.

Bon appétit.

Further Reading:
Vancouver Travel Guide
Top Things to Do in Vancouver

People looking for a place to eat in Toronto are faced with an almost endless number of restaurants from which to choose.

To take some work out of finding a great spot to dine, I've comprised a list of the most popular places to eat in Toronto. This list covers a wide range of cuisines, dining styles and price ranges and is in alphabetical order.

Of course, so many great restaurants are just stumbled upon, so if you do find a gem and don't mind sharing it, please email me with your culinary nomination.
Read More:
Toronto Restaurants (A-Z) - Find Restaurants / Places to Eat in Toronto
Toronto Steakhouses

St. Patrick's Day is this Monday, March 17th. If you're in Toronto for the occasion, tip a Guinness or pint of green ale to celebrate this Irish patron saint at one of the city's many Irish pubs and restaurants.

You can be sure these Irish pubs and restaurants will be especially busy following the Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday where people will quench their thirsts into the wee hours of the morn.

Photo by Finbar Sheehan, courtesy St. Patrick's Parade Society of Toronto