If you’ve never heard of Earth Hour, allow me to educate you

The concept is simple – if you want to express your vote for positive climate change, then turn off your lights on Satuday, March 28 between 8:30-9:30 p.m. It may not seem like much, but if this initiative reaches its goal of 1 billion “votes”, it will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

A mere two years old, Earth Hour began in Sydney when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In the following year, the movement spread to 50 million people worldwide. This is a global call for every individual, every business, and every community to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support during Earth Hour 2009.

So won’t you “vote” tomorrow? Visit the official website for more about what you can do.

I know, I know… I’ve got the spring fever so bad. How bad? I can’t stop thinking about summer now! I’ve been thinking about travelling to the Gaspé this August… What? You’ve been thinking about the Gaspé too?

Sweet!

I’m narrowing down my options – I just haven’t decided which *sense* will win out…

	SMELL: Go strolling in Reford Gardens Located at the confluence of the Metis and the St. Lawrence rivers, the Reford Gardens were created in the 1920s by Elsie Reford. Her passion for all things growing lives on still. A magical place!
	SIGHT: See Percé Rock The Parc national de l’île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé Parc has the remarkable Northern Gannet colony, the green of Bonaventure Island, and Percé Rock, a majestic vessel of stone. Not to be missed!
	TOUCH: Bliss out at Aqua-Mer Seaweed wrap, anyone? Book yourself into the Aqua-Mer to enjoy spa treatments based on invigorating sea water and marine products. Then hit the beach!
	TASTE: Visit Gaspésie Gourmande A delicious gastronomic circuit with over 100 addresses that your stomach will love: artisan food makers, public markets and specialized shops… Hungry yet?
	HEAR: Go whale watching Lapping of the waves… Songs of the mermaids… Book a sea cruise to get closer to the rich variety of wildlife off the Gaspe coast. You might even catch a glimpse of the blue whale

What’s that? Do I hear… Yes! I do! I hear birds singing! Oh, spring – you’ve kept us waiting but I know you’re going to be spectacular!

If you’re as excited as I am about spring, then let’s start going through my checklist for this most welcomed season:

Decorate

They don’t call it “spring cleaning” for nothing! You can give your bathroom a little spruce up and completely revamp your boudoir without busting the bank. Sometimes a coat of paint and a little expert advice is all you need. I’m thinking robin’s egg blue for my kitchen – to pick up the sunshine!

Freshen up your food

Enough of the potatoes and pasta already! After a winter full of comfort food, rediscover the lighter, fresher side of your diet. Salads, tropical fruit and bbq grilling are just around the corner, so start gathering some new recipes for your spring palate.

Rediscover your curves

Somewhere under those big sweaters, scarves and tuques is your body, eagerly anticipating the return of clothing that shows off your curves – and not hide them. The good news is – you don’t have to spend a bundle to boost your wardrobe this spring.

Rediscover your face

Show off the spring glow in your cheeks – get a new haircut and exfoliate those cheeks! Your skin needs the boost after a chill, dry winter – and your spirits could use a lift too. You’ll be smiling when you remember just how soft your skin is.

Start gardening!

Nothing expresses the joys of spring more eloquently that blossoming flowers… And if you’re not sure whether or not you have a green thumb, ask the experts. They can help you build a garden that will have the neighbours ooh-la-la-ing.

Sweeten up at the sugar shack

Eat warm maple taffy on fresh snow. Get your fill of smoky baked beans drowning in maple syrup. Walk it off in the forest afterwards. A rite of spring that cannot be missed – especially if you’re in La Belle Province. Find a sugar shack in Quebec here.

Do you know how hard it is to find topics for a blog? There’s just so much I could talk about – but what I really want to do is publish posts that you’ll want to read.

So to help me – and to reward you – I’m launching another contest! Here’s how it’s going to roll:

• Leave a comment on this blog with your suggestion for a future blog post.
• Be automatically entered for a chance to win a $200 travel voucher redeemable for travel with VIA.

Contest ends March 31 and the draw is April 6 – so get your thinking caps on quick!

I know that most of you are still waiting for spring (courage! almost there!), but it’s time to start planning your summer vacation. Really! If you wait any longer, you won’t be able to book the vacation of your dreams. To help you get started, I’ve thrown together my top five vacation ideas in Canada.

	Niagara Falls Wine Lovers & Gourmet Lunch (International Weekend Tours) Two days that your palate will never forget! This package includes a tour of the Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery, complete with a three-course gourmet lunch accompanied by wine pairings.
	Eastern Canada Tour: Toronto to Québec City (City Sprint Vacations) Want it all? Then take this 11-day tour of the best that Eastern Canada has to offer! Go shopping in Toronto. Be wowed by Niagara Falls. See history on Ottawa. Fall in love in Montréal… or Québec City!
	Passage to the Maritimes (Brewster Vacations)Six days of seafood, smiles and sea! Take the train trip of a lifetime – from the historical and cultural city of Montréal to Halifax, the ‘gateway to the Maritimes’.
	Across Canada by Rail (Rail Travel Tours) This 8-day package takes you from the hustle and bustle of Toronto to the laid-back streets of Vancouver. Package includes stays at two classic railway hotels, and stops in Winnipeg and Jasper.
	BC-Mountains, Cities & Oceans (Cartan Tours)This 9-day package will take you to three distinctive places in British Columbia: Whistler, Vancouver and Victoria. The ride to Whistler, past mountains, towns and waterfalls – is even narrated!

From March 6-20, Rendez-vous de la Francophonie will be celebrating the French language and Francophone communities around the world.

Francophiles of all ages are already looking forward to the exciting activities – like theatre tours and film festivals – planned across Canada. But what they’re really excited about is the contest VIA Rail has created to mark the tenth anniversary of the RVF.

Here’s how to get your chance to win a $5,000 promotional travel credit redeemable for travel to any destination on the VIA Rail network:

• Attend an event organized by the RDF
• Pick up the RVF newsletter – you’ll find the answers to the three contest entry questions in its pages
• Visit the contest web page to submit your answers and officially sign up for the contest
• Wait patiently until April 29, 2009, the draw date
• Keep your fingers crossed!

Deadline for entries is April 24, so no dilly-dallying!

Here’s a mini-guide to fun things you can do next time you’re visiting Canada’s capital. Want to add some can’t-miss places? Or just let me know what you think of this series? LEAVE A COMMENT!