Category: Travel

-We took advantage of a booking offer that the Malcolm Hotel offered in February. We had to book between  set time on Thursday to qualify for HALF off our room. Restrictions applied in terms of it being non-refundable or transferable and we had to stay within a certain window of dates. The hotel was lovely; we had two queen beds, a balcony and an incredible view. It is walking distance to downtown. Which was perfect for lazy days of strolling down mainstream and doing a little shopping! 

-Quick brunch at Beamer’s Coffee Bar to refuel after traveling

-Dinner at The Sensory; I had the salmon and the vegan, gluten free chocolate cake!

-Cruffin from The Uprising Bakery + Espresso Bar; we wanted a sweet treat while we (finally) watched The Eras Tour. I gotta say the Cruffin (croissant & muffin hybrid) was the bomb; stuffed with an incredible lemon curd —it is a MUST try! Way better mash up than the cronut.

-Coffee and snacks from The Pulse (the general store at the hotel) while we watched Top Chef.

-Shops open around 10; we were early for so we headed back to relax and watch Irish Wish until they opened. Also, several businesses are closed Monday-Tuesday. 

-After walking around the area surrounding the hotel we hit up Rocky Mountain Bagel Company; I had the Bagel Garden: plain bagel with cream cheese and stuffed to the hit with fresh veggies. 

-Happy Hour at Brigette Bar; they have a really great selection of cocktails (Next Exit) and half off pizzas (Chicken Sausage) 

-To wrap up the night we watched The Little Mermaid and tried a couple different confections from The Uprising again (Honey cake, carrot cake and apple streudel).

I thought it would be fun to travel back in time and check out what I was writing about last year. Back in 2023, I had just returned from Houston, TX and shared all my photos with you. In case you missed it, here is a blast from the past. Man, I need to go on a trip…getting a little restless. Where are you travelling this month?

Houston, TX: Photo Dump

After a hectic couple months; we took an impromptu trip to the mountains. We stayed at The Rimrock Resort Hotel on Sulphur Mountain. The view from our room was incredible, we sipped coffee while watching the sunrise and read our books.

We also took full advantage of the spa! I had my first ever mud-wrap, relaxation massage and facial. The pool facility was also lovely completed with hot tub, steam room and sauna.

We enjoyed lunch at Larkspur and breakfast at Primrose and a four course culinary experience at Eden.

Banff offers a lot to see and do. No trip to Banff is complete without…

1. A leisurely drive up Tunnel Mountain with a stop to see the Hoodoos

2. Soaking in Upper Banff Hot Springs

3. Meandering through The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

4. Marvelling at the extensive taxidermy collection at The Banff Park Museum National Historic Site

5. Walking down “the main drag,” and stopping in all the shops. The Spirit of Christmas store and The Fudgery are particular favourites of mine.

6. Touring Cave and Basin

7. Hiking along Bow Falls

8. Sipping on a flight of beer at Banff Ave. Brewing Company
*I highly recommend the: Mojo Dojo Casa House Sour, Cherry Eclipse Dark Cherry Sour Ale, Hazy Glades Pale Ale, White Wit, Black Pil and Head Smashed IPA

9. Dinner at The Bison Restaurant
*I highly recommend the Bison Caesar (both the drink and the salad) and the Crispy Duck

We spent a few days in Calgary to relax and recharge; these are our “must do’s”…

1. Stay on the Gold Floor and enjoy incredible amenities at the Fairmont Palliser.
   *However, skip dining at The Hawthorne –Calgary’s food scene is on point, so go “off campus.” You could always start by walking down Stephen Avenue!
   
2. See breathtaking views from the Calgary Tower
   
3. Enjoy an equestrian event at Spruce Meadows
   
4. Unwind while walking through Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
   
5. Detour to Devonian Gardens; which is indoors; so its a nice rainy day activity!
   
6. Traverse the Peace Bridge
   
7. Step back in time with a journey to either Fort Calgary or Heritage Park Historical Village
   
8. Experience the offerings of Olympic Plaza
   
9. Explore the exhibitions of the Glenbow Museum

Day One
-A walk through downtown and ChinaTown (the oldest in Canada)
-Breakfast at Jam Cafe
-Thunderbird Park
-Wandering around the beautiful Fairmont Empress Hotel; then to the Q Bar to enjoy our “Welcome Drinks”
-Swimming
-Food Tour with Off the Eaten Track; where we tasted food & drink from: Artisan Wine, Crust Bakery, L’Apero, La Taquisa, Yalla, Chocolat & Co and Bon Macaron Patisserie
-Perogies at Sult

Day Two
-A walk through James Bay Village to see the old homes
-Holland Park & Ogden Point Breakwater
-Fisherman’s Wharf
-High Tea at the Empress
–Castle Craigdarroche
-Our own food tour to experience the happy hours at Wind Cries Mary, Parks Kitchen and Sizzling Tandoor
-Swimming

Day Three
-Breakfast at The Ruby on Johnson
–Royal BC Museum
–Emily Carr House
–Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
-Back to Fisherman’s Wharf to catch the water taxi
-Sushi at Gozen Izakaya
-Macarons from Bon Macaron
-Swimming
-Late night walk to see the city lit up and to grab come chicken nuggets (which has become our tradition)

Last month I went to Houston with my husband to attend the Houston Safari Club Foundation Expo at the George R. Brown Convention Centre. We stayed at the Hilton and ate at Pappasito’s Cantina and Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. It was an amazing trip even though WestJet didn’t load our luggage and then was a total nightmare to deal with. I finally had a moment to go through the MANY photos I took to put together my recap post. Enjoy!

Canada is a breathtakingly beautiful country; but in fall, she is exceptionally beautiful! These are the must-see fall destinations!

British Columbia
Powell River

Yukon Territory
Southern Lakes/Whitehorse Region

Alberta
Banff National Park

Saskatchewan
Qu’Appelle Valley

Northwest Territories
Yellowknife

Nunavut
Iqaluit

Manitoba
Churchill

Ontario
Cheltenham Badlands

Quebec
Massif de Charlevoix

Newfoundland/Labrador
Gros Morne

Nova Scotia
Brier Island

New Brunswick
Acadian Peninsula

Prince Edward Island
Red Sands Shore

Time to hit the road and explore this beautiful province once again! I have already knocked a ton of places off my list, these are the remaining ones!

1. Banff Gondola
2. Athabasca Falls
3. Canmore Cave Tours
4. Fort Edmonton Park
5. Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
6. Glenbow Museum
7. Saamis Teepee
8. Bergen Rocks Sculpture Park
9. Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
10. Labyrinth Park
11. Fort Whoop-Up

Covid has ruined a lot of people’s travel plans. My husband, my family, my friends and myself have all had to cancel trips; so we all have quite a bit of money sitting in our travel banks with various airlines. Spring break is coming. I haven’t been back to Victoria in ages –I love re-discovering locations from my childhood. Normally I cram in as many things as possible; but since Victoria isn’t super far and it’s relatively affordable, I can go back whenever to see what I missed. My itinerary this time is much more relaxed. 

1. As a Social Studies nerd; I have to go back to the Parliament Buildings; my all time favourite field was here in grade 4. 
2. No trip would be complete without a pit-stop at a museum; the Royal BC Museum will NOT disappoint.
3. The totem poles at Thunderbird Park are breathtaking.
4. I love food; at Inner Harbour there is fantastic fare.
5. Butchart Garden & Victoria Butterfly Gardens are a MUST SEE; I still have vivid memories from the last time I went. These are also super family friendly locations; everyone of all ages will have a good time. 
6. Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hot
7. For those art lovers: The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria as well as the Emily Carr House are so worth the stop!
8. Victoria’s legendary Craigdarroch Castle absolutely has to be on your itinerary; the view of the city from the tower is incredible
9. Whale watching
10. A beer or wine tour