Halifax... I love you already

Dear Halifax,

I know we just met, but I already think I love you.

You are a quirky fishing village, with big city amenities, full of history and charm. I thought I knew what to expect from your on-line profile, but now, having met you in person, I'm intrigued. I need to learn more, and see more of you.

Our first dinner together, was everything I'd hoped. Fresh seafood and a cold Alexander Keith's hit the mark completely.

I see you're a fan of Tim Horton's. I see them here, there and everywhere. That's nice, but I prefer Starbucks, just so you know.

This time change, Celtic music and damp ocean air will take a bit to get used to.... it's just that I'm a prairie girl. I think I mentioned that before.

Can't wait to spend the day together tomorrow. I'm going to wear my raincoat. I think that's best.

Your new & not so secret admirer,

Cathie

Fast 5 Travel Tips: 5 Canadian Travel Lies

1. About Canadian Prairie Winters - "It's not that bad, it's a dry cold" we say. And yet we actually just slide around on our icy roads all winter, going from Tim Hortons to Tim Hortons, sipping hot chocolate to keep the blood from freezing in our veins.

2. Your money is worth more here! - But just wait until we add 15% tax to everything!

3. You only need a few days to see Canada - Are you kidding? Our landmass is vast and our transportation expensive. Don't think you can see Quebec and Alberta in the same week.

4. We're not all lumberjacks and hockey players.  But we DO all dress like lumberjacks and hockey players every winter! From coast to coast you'll see flannel plaid shirts and hockey jerseys on young and old. It's like our unofficial patriotic uniform.

5. Salmon jerky and ice wine are Canadian delicacies. Trust me, you should pass on the Salmon Jerky. It's not even good after a whole bottle of ice wine.  I don't even think it would be good with maple syrup on it. And don't even get me started on screech and prairie oysters (Buffalo/Bison  testicles)! Our regional food is.... funny, in a "I can't believe you actually ate that" kind of way.

But don't trust just my opinion. You should come up and see it for yourself. You might like it, eh?!!

From Souris to Capilano

If you're looking to take your hike to the next level, you might want to put Souris, Manitoba, or Vancouver, British Columbia on your travel list.

Souris Manitoba is home to Canada's longest historic suspension bridge, but tourists and locals alike call it the Souris Swinging Bridge. It's a perfect day trip from Winnipeg, or a short afternoon outing from Brandon.

Originally built in 1904, it sustained flood damage in 2011 and was rebuilt in 2013 at a cost of over $4 million. It is one of the town's most recognized and most endearing attributes.

If you're a Manitoban and haven't ever detoured off the Trans-Canada highway to visit the Swinging Bridge and the Souris Rock Shop, you're missing out. It's a local treasure!

Via Google Maps

If your budget is more than a tank of gas and an afternoon, you should make sure to visit Vancouver and the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

To read all about it, please check out my friend Carolynne's blog at The Thirsty Tourist.

To follow me on twitter: @cdntripseeker
To follow Carolynne and her blog: @1ThirstyTourist

To add your Canadian travel blog to our reading list, please mention it in the comments.

Denver: Union Station

If you travel to Denver, put The Union Station on your must see list! 

Though the original Union Station opened in 1881, the new, modern Union Station only just unveiled its refurbishments in 2014. 

It's gorgeous!

A boutique hotel (The Crawford), trendy breakfast spot (Snooze Eatery) a flower kiosk, coffee shop and bar help to make it more than a whistle stop on your train trip. 

The Union Station is a day-stop on the must see list in Denver. 

Planes & more in Palm Springs

Whether you like to soar above the clouds or keep your feet on the ground, Palm Springs has an area attraction for you! There is an outstanding aviation museum. It is located about 5 minutes from the airport and has been named the #1 Air Museum in California. Price of admission is under $20 a person with discounts offered for children, senior and military personnel.

They are currently featuring a P-51 Mustang restoration project and have more information on their website.

If you'd like to hit new heights in a cable car, the Palm Springs Arial Tramway, which is located at the north edge of the City, will be a must-do for you. You will ascend 2.5 miles up into the mountains. There is dining and hiking tours available. You'll want to plan a minimum 3 hours for this activity. Cost is about $25 for adults and $17 for children 3-12. Hotels and the tourism kiosks in town will offer discount coupons so you will want to keep your eyes open for those.

Indian Canyons offer a number of different hiking trails and serviced park activities in and around the area. Admission fees are under $10 and ranger-guided hikes are available. Information is available on their website if you would like to research trails, history or degree of difficulty. Do note that the trails are open longer hours in winter months, and are often closed afternoons in the summer due to heat.

Fast Five Travel Notes: Destinations of 2014

2014 was a good travel year. I took many photos and left nothing but footprints. I enjoyed new foods, new beaches and made new friends.

Over the next few posts I'll detail these adventures in quick little "fast five" blog bites.

I might be feeling reflective, but I don't have a lot of reserve energy after the "un-holiday" that is Christmastime.


Five new destinations I visited in 2014.

1. Bermuda - this was in February. I wrote a lot about Bermuda and would definitely recommend it for a new or nervous traveller, those who want beaches but not scorching sunshine, or those who are celebrating retirement.

2. Devil's Lake, North Dakota. I stayed at the Holiday Inn, bought travel snacks at the new Wal-Mart and used their airport to fly United Airlines. Yes! You can connect to the whole world via DVL and United Airlines. Their twice a day service started in July 2014 and is growing strong. No lines and free parking make this one of North Dakota's best kept secrets.  Did you know you can pick up a round trip to Denver, Colorado for about $270 US? Now you know!

3. Denver, Colorado I had the privilege of experiencing this city with a new friend who already loved and had visited Denver. This gave me the chance to sit back and let someone else lead for once. I greatly benefitted from her knowledge and love of the city. Together we went to cafes, The Union Train Station  stumbled into some weird zombie walk/parade, and cheered as the Denver Broncos beat the 49ers and Peyton Manning threw his record breaking 509th touchdown pass.  What a weekend!

4. Quebec City, Quebec  My son and I took the train to Quebec City and saw this city for the first time together. It was fabulous! I would highly recommend it and can't wait to do it again. I wrote a great deal about it, back in August.

5. Honolulu, Hawaii  This trip wasn't as smooth as most. There were some logistical issues but once we arrived, Honolulu was heavenly. Great reviews (which I still have to write) were largely due to the amazing Sheraton Hotel on Waikiki Beach, and the great travel buddy along for the adventure. I hardly got the chance to see the island, so I think there will be a do-over at some point in my future. But, for 2014 it DOES count, as I did experience Honolulu for the first time.

Hmmmm... Grenada for a grand?

This looks like a bit of awesomeness.  Air Canada Vacations. All inclusive. Choose to leave the 15th, 21st or 29th of September at this price.

If you have aeroplan miles, you can use them towards the purchase price.

Grenada is the "spice island." It's a favourite cruise port of many. You can start your Grenada research here!

Go Now.... Turks & Caicos... A/C $688 plus tax

Gahhhh!  Sometimes I really hate seeing these deals when I can't go.  $688 plus tax to the Turks & Caicos on a top rated airline? BARGAIN! September 6-13.

Yes, this one hurts. I would LOVE to just have a week to soak up the sun on a relaxed beach and enjoy a hammock and a cocktail.  There is NO BETTER place that I've ever been, for this, than the Turks and Caicos.

As you probably know, these islands have long lobbied to become part of Canada, and though we (not me. Heck no, I would have screamed YES) have denied them, they have gone ahead and welcomed our businesses and banks etc. It is a very familiar, almost Canadian-looking island if that makes sense. They have Scotiabank, Royal Bank, Home Hardware, IGA etc. If it weren't for the palm trees, and brightly coloured buildings, and driving on the opposite side of the road, you might think you were at home.

So, my point is... this is a safe and gorgeous destination. You will walk to shops, stroll on the beach and enjoy a hassle-free week eating great, but pricy food ( remember they IMPORT most everything and don't have an agricultural industry like we do) and enjoy a blissful vacation.

If you want to see pics and read about my 2012 visit, you can click here.

But, I really think you should see it for yourself. Or google "Grace Bay Beach" and see photos and read why the world thinks it's Top 5.

Lastly, why is this package so cheap?

1. Technically, Hurricane Season. But read the data and check the forecasts, the odds of it impacting your vacations are ridiculously low.
2. It's back to school time. Crowds and available travellers are few.
3. It's last minute.

So, the final price, after tax is $956. That's amazing. It's about 50% less than you would pay at other times of the year for the same great resort. As always, I encourage you to go to www.tripadvisor.com and read recent reviews so that you may get a full picture of what you are likely to experience.

And the thing about ALL the resorts at Grace Bay, is that regardless of whether you are paying $3000 for a week, or $956 your toes are on the same perfect sand, enjoying the same perfect views of the ocean. It is a deceptively small area of beach (about like walking 1st street in Brandon) if you are looking at brochures. In reality, you can walk past 10 resorts in about 10 minutes.

So..... grab your Aeroplan card and your Visa and head to www.aircanadavacations.com
or your favourite travel office, or online retailer, like www.selloffvacations.com and book yourself some bliss....discount bliss. And, send me a postcard. I'm jealous already.

Fast Five: Reasons Tourism Thrives in Quebec City

1. Rich history, as evidenced through architecture, museums and heritage sites.

2. Interactive tourism website. You can start learning and planning long before you arrive.
(Take the quiz and learn which street suits you! I got Saint Jean. I went and I LOVED it!)

3. The food! From cafes to fresh vegetable stands you will be impressed by the quality.

4. Shopping! Boutiques line the pedestrian only streets. Goods and cafe patios spill out onto the sidewalks and invite you to take a look.

5. Old Quebec/Downtown Quebec City is an easy city to navigate. There are horse drawn carriages, guided walking tours, bus tours and bike rentals, but the most popular way to get around and see it all is your sneakers! Grab a guide map and start walking! Your new favourite restaurant might be around the next corner!

Our Amazing Adventure: Part 7 Quebec City

There is even more to Old Quebec City than just the Chateau Frontenac. I could go on and on about its beauty, its history, its tourism industry or its shopping, but I will simply let the photos speak for themselves. To read more and to plan your own trip, I'd highly recommend starting here with their official tourism site. 

Our Amazing Adventure: Part 6 Le Chateau Frontenac

The morning started with a new formal challenge for Ry. He opened the Amazing Race style envelope to reveal his quest. "Find the most photographed hotel in the world. Then have your own photograph taken with it." A few taps into his iPad would reveal Le Chateau Frontenac as the answer and google maps would point to it just 1.6 kilometres away from us.

As he was grabbing his gear and heading for the door he spied a second envelope on the floor. It was labelled ROADBLOCK.  This envelope said "Stop. Your adventure can't continue until you find a crepe and a cappuccino for you mother. Seriously!" 

He was fiercely determined. "C'mon Mom! Let's go. We have to get you your coffee and stuff! Let's GO!"  Such a competitive kid he is. I knew he would be into this race concept.

An hour or so later, and after a long brisk uphill walk, we found the Chateau Frontenac. It took my breath away. I was standing there with my mouth gaping just staring at it.

A jewel in the Fairmont Hotel Chain. The magnificent Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City

I was not alone. I'm sure there were 400 or so tourists in the immediate area doing exactly the same thing that Tuesday morning. IT IS MAGNIFICENT!  The location, the architecture, the craftsmanship, the presence, the history and the enormity.... magnificent. There is no wonder at all why it is the most photographed hotel in the world! (Below are just a minor sample of the photos I personally took of this hotel. I could probably make my own mini-album just of the Chateau Frontenac.)

For me, there was a second reason for including it in our amazing adventure. My parents had honeymooned at this very hotel. This was a splurge for them in a very modest time. They were on their way to a new home in Ottawa and had stopped there for a couple nights.

The hotel itself is flanked on two sides by public boardwalks. There is also a garden out front which designates it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Parks Canada also has a heritage tour which is located at, and UNDERGROUND at the boardwalk of the Chateau. Very cool. (Watch for that chapter of this review. Best $6 we spent!) The hotel takes up at least a city block. I can only imagine how many people it employs and how many guests it serves annually.

I haven't even mentioned the icing on the cake yet. It has its own Starbucks! Yes indeed there is a large, extremely busy Starbucks location on-site. Ry treated me to an iced coffee and purchased a smoothie for himself. We sat on a bench with our drinks and lingered a while staring at the hotel. Though he may have been thinking "can we go now" he let me savour the moment. It was perfect. Simply perfect.

I would still rather a purse than a fanny-pack!

Love that gorgeous spire on its corner.