There's More to Ottawa in Winter Than Just Frigid Weather

When people begin planning winter vacations that don’t involve skiing, Canada probably isn’t likely to be at the top of their lists. Unless they want to hit the mountains for some fresh powder, most people gravitate toward warm destinations during the chilly, grey winter months. I know I usually do. But this year I decided to try something a little different. Instead of using my winter vacation to head south for the tropics, I went north — to Ottawa. I’ll admit that Canada’s capital city …Read more…

 
3 Things You Must Eat in Ottawa

Canada’s capital may not be known for its dining scene, but that doesn’t mean that a food-lover can’t enjoy spending time in Ottawa. During my brief stay in Ottawa, I ate a lot of food — and a lot of food that’s iconic to this Canadian city. “Iconic” doesn’t necessarily mean fancy or expensive, however. In fact, the 3 things I’m going to call “must-eats” in Ottawa are more snacks than anything. But I’m no food snob. These are the sorts of random things I seek …Read more…

 
My Night in Prison

I woke with a start, not entirely sure what had jolted me into consciousness in the middle of the night. Was it a muffled footstep in the deserted hallway? A disembodied whisper next to my ear? A slight movement in the shadows in the corner of my cell? I shuddered and huddled deeper under the covers, not really wanting to take a closer look. I had fallen asleep reading in my bunk bed, the light on the wall still burning bright. I switched it off, plunging …Read more…

 
Photo Essay: An Afternoon on Parliament Hill

No, it’s not a scene from some medieval storybook, nor a set built for one of the Harry Potter films. Instead, the spires of Gothic buildings visible all over downtown Ottawa mark the seat of Canadian government — Parliament Hill. When Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital of the Province of Canada in 1857, it looked a heck of a lot different than it does today. Back then, it was just a rough lumber town, with shanty houses lining muddy streets. But those in …Read more…

 
5 Things to Love About Ottawa

I’ve only been in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa for 2 days, it’s true – but in those 2 days I’ve seen quite a bit and gotten a feel for the city. Despite it being cold enough to make all my extremeties go numb after 5 minutes, there are plenty of things I’m already loving about Ottawa. Ottawa is walkable. I’m staying at the Courtyard by Marriott downtown, right in the heart of the Byward Market neighborhood. Staying downtown means that I’m within walking distance …Read more…

 
My First Adventure of 2012 - I'm Going to Canada!

2011 was a great year for me when it came to travel. I had a lot of really memorable adventures, and took advantage of every travel opportunity that came my way. I plan to do the same in 2012 — starting just a few days after New Year’s! A few weeks ago, I posted a question on my Facebook fanpage asking for suggestions for a short (and affordable) break I could take from Ohio in the first week of 2012. I got suggestions for everywhere …Read more…

 
Sail away with me, in an Alaskan cruise video.

I went into my most recent vacation (an Alaskan cruise with my whole family) with the intent of taking a ton of video footage, so that I could return and begin honing my video-editing skills. The result was a video of the sights and sounds of Seattle (at the end of this post), and this video here from my week spent on board Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas and in Alaskan and Canadian ports. I think I’m getting a bit better, and I hope …Read more…

 
My favorite funny finds from my cruise vacation.

I have an odd sense of humor. I know this. And I sometimes feel like this sense of humor is only heightened when I’m traveling. I’m always on the lookout for a funny sign or statue or person while on the road. And I inevitably find many things to take wacky photos of that friends and family back home will simply look at with blank, I’m-not-sure-how-to-respond expressions when I share them. But I share them anyway. So here is a collection of things I found amusing …Read more…

 
A visual guide to Victoria, British Columbia.

After spending two days at sea, docking in our final port was a welcome change. Not only was it nice to get back on solid ground, but I think that possibly the best was saved for last. We were in Victoria, British Columbia, which may possibly be one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to. The two days spent at sea had been cloud-laden, windy, and cool. But the weather apparently did not follow us into Canada, because Victoria was warm when my …Read more…

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