Saint John
Bright rays of sunshine stream in obliquely through rounded windows high above the market stalls. The sharp smell of aged cheddar mixes with the sweet fragrance of homemade pastries and the briny aroma of fresh seafood straight from the wharf. As battered halibut and hand-cut fries sizzle in metal baskets, you take note of the unusual, but elegant, design of the ceiling.
Category: Cities & Destinations
Niagara
The thundering roar of millions of litres of water plunging 52 metres into a bubbling gorge drowns out the diesel engines of your ferry, the conversations of your fellow passengers, your very thoughts. Your ship charges on relentlessly, bucking and swaying its way into the horseshoe cradle of the colossal wall of water. You lean out over the rails and look up. A massive river of water plummets down from the heavens. Your cries of delight evaporate into the foamy tumult as the spray pelts you from every direction.
Charlottetown
The decor is corner store casual, the utensils decidedly plastic. But the steaming mound of fresh lobster overrunning your plate looks extremely promising. You scarf down the sweet, juicy morsels with a maniacal fervour. You’d have licked every inch of your plate too, if it weren’t made of paper. The best part: it only set you back $12.
Satiated, you join a walking tour along the quiet tree lined avenues, your guides dressed in period costumes harkening back to a time when this was the setting for the establishment of a nation.
Toronto
The light turns red. You wait. In a flash, the piece of sidewalk you occupy fills with faces from around the world. Talking, laughing, dreaming, hoping – each one on a unique journey. She’s going for dim sum with her in-laws in Chinatown. He’s on his way to an art-house flick in the Annex. These two are off to put a fashion dent in their wallets down on Queen Street. And you? You had ambitiously planned to do all of that – today.
St. John’s
The cod’s slimy lips beckon. You pucker up, grant them a reluctant kiss, and quickly down a shot of “screech”. As the bar erupts in wild cheers, you wonder which tasted better – the gaping mouth of an expired fish, or the local rum. Welcome to the island at the edge of the Western World.
From the customary “screech in” ceremony that welcomes those from away, to the brightly painted heritage homes dotting its harbour, St. John’s redefines colourful. The boisterous spirit of explorers, merchants, soldiers, pirates and mariners permeates this coastal town like the ghostly fogs that regularly roll into its rugged coves.
Ottawa
The ceremonial music of bagpipes approaches with the heavy thumps of measured footsteps. Sidewalk spectators lean in to get a better look at the men in red coats and tall bearskin caps marching up the grand boulevard. As the neat rows of guardsmen pass, you notice they are being trailed by a loose group of ordinary people, faces beaming with delight. Spontaneously, you defect from your position on the sidelines and join them as they follow the guards up the Hill. An excited throng greets you when you reach the emerald lawns of Parliament. You’ve never been prouder to bring up the rear.
Victoria
The handcrafted tapestries and antique furnishings in the Tea Lobby emit a stately elegance. Your posture instinctively straightens. Through the window, a perfect view of the Inner Harbour reveals a tour group of giddy Captain Ahabs, eager for the chance to spot a great whale of their own. Tea is poured expertly into your fine china cup as fresh berries and Devon-style double Jersey cream arrive in a crystal dish. A triple-tiered silver platter of sandwiches, scones and pastries are set down.
Montreal
The pasta tonight was superb, the wine a revelation. You nod your head to the music filtering out from inside the bar. You don’t even mind the jostle as more revelers arrive on your turf. A casual bump leads to casual conversation. It’s a jumble of English, French and whatever you can gesture.
Your second bottle arrives and you offer a glass to your newest friends. Soon, you’re at the centre of a party whose only reason for being is itself. Outside on the street, you’re certain the same scene will repeat itself over and over as stylish partygoers make their way into the night.
Kelowna
Sun-drenched vineyards meet sun-dappled lakes
Give your glass a gentle swirl, then gaze across sun-drenched vineyards and beyond to shimmering Okanagan Lake. You’re in Kelowna, the largest city in British Columbia’s famed Okanagan Valley. And on this day, you don’t want to be anywhere else.
It’s easy to feel more alive in Kelowna. You can smell the fragrant fruit blossoms wafting in the air. These blossoms, come harvest time, will have transformed into fresh apples, cherries, peaches and apricots that you can pick yourself.
Quebec City
Spectacular fireworks illuminate the night skies as you explore the steep and narrow alleyways beneath the lofty ramparts and storied citadel of this historic walled city. The seductive charm of Old Europe is everywhere, and la belle provence’s photogenic capital has never looked so beautiful, or so festive.