Guess who’s going to Osheaga in Montreal? ME!

I’m definitely seeing Coldplay on Saturday night and then Beast and Arctic Monkeys on Sunday for sure. I’m going to be taking loads of pictures and posting two blog articles on the weekend (here and on the French blog), so stay tuned for all the latest from the festival.

And a big congratulations to the winners of the Osheaga contest!

• Grand prize: Emily Caputo, Montreal, Qc.
• Second prize: Laura Saint-Louis, Rosemere, Qc.
• Third prize: Omar Raza, Windsor, Ont.

Hope to see you in Mtl this weekend!

Hey parents – don’t despair! The kids will be back in school soon and you won’t have to spend your evenings trying to find ideas to keep them busy and happy. Until then, let me suggest a visit to Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, Ontario (just outside Kingston).

It’s kid-friendly, educational and varied enough to keep even the adults entertained.

Here’s my list of the top five reasons to visit Upper Canada Village:

1. You take take a miniature train along the St-Lawrence River to the Queen Elizabeth Gardens.
2. You can watch traditional tradesmen firing up the forge, shoeing horses and making furniture.
3. Your family can dress up in period costumes and have a sepia-toned photograph of the moment!
4. You can buy cheese and bread using traditional methods in the village.
5. Your kids can explore history with their own hands in the Family Activity Centre.

Hmmmm… now I can’t stop thinking about that bread! Where is my hoop skirt??

Our Canadian Paralympic Champion will be competing at the Speedo CAN/AM Championships in Edmonton this July 30-August 1.

The series of swim meets brings together all swimmers with a disability (SWAD) from both Canada and the United stated to compete in stand-alone competitions that strengthen and nurture our national team members.

If you can’t be there to cheer him on in person – send VIA’s favourite Olympic swimmer some good vibes while you’re chilling by a pool near you.

Good luck Benoit!!

True music fans have been talking about this two-day outdoor festival for months – and for good reason.

Not only are international acts like Coldplay and the Beastie Boys set to wow crowds during the first weekend of August, but the line-up also features an impressive list of indie rockers, pop idols and alternative sweethearts.

Jason Mraz ∙ Lykke Li ∙ Yeah Yeah Yeahs ∙ Arctic Monkeys ∙ The Roots

And let’s not forget our own national treasures!

K’naan ∙ The Stills ∙ Rufus Wainwright ∙ Beast ∙ Hey Rosetta!

Good news is, our other national treasure – VIA Rail – is offering you 50% savings on train travel to MTL for Osheaga. So what are you waiting for? GO PACK YOUR BAGS!

To commemorate the 475th anniversary of Jacques Cartier’s arrival on the peninsula in 1534, the city of Gaspé will be throwing one long party this summer!

What	Concerts, theatre, sing-along shows, masked balls, gourmet food, dance, and more.
Where	Gaspé, Québec
When	Until the end of September.
How	The Montréal-Gaspé train makes three round trips per week.
Why	Because the Gaspé region is full of great natural parks, gardens, museums and interpretation centres.

For more information about the festivities, visit the official website.

Don’t miss the international gathering of world-class tall ships in Nova Scotia from July 16 to August 1, 2009. When else will you ever get the chance to step on the deck of a real tall ship and hear the waves slapping against the hull?

Ships will arrive in Halifax on July 16 and sail out on July 20 to other ports, including Louisbourg, Lunenburg and Pictou. Check out their website for full details.

Moving around yourself? Then track the tall ships on Twitter on Facebook, you land lubbers.

Oh, and try to keep your pirate imitations to a minimum, okay?

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Photos courtesy of DM Coxe (flickr.com/photos/dmcoxe/)

There’s this saying about stopping to smell the flowers… What? You don’t have time to smell flowers?

Find the time, because VIA Rail wants you to enter the “Colourful gardens of Montréal” contest.

You could win a trip for two to Montréal, including:

• round-trip travel to Montréal with VIA Rail train
• accommodations at the Auberge Bonaparte in Old Montréal
• tickets to the Montréal Botanical Garden

Contest ends September 12, 2009 so enter today!

So you want to check out the Osheaga festival in Montreal (Coldplay!!!), but maybe you’re a little strapped for cash? Don’t know where to stay? Your lift cancelled out?

Enter VIA’s Win 4 passes to Osheaga contest. What kind of prizes we are talking about here…

Grand prize

• 4 VIP weekend passes to Osheaga
• 4 round-trip train tickets in the Québec City-Windsor corridor
• 3 nights’ hotel accommodations
• Festival swag!

• 2 VIP weekend passes to Osheaga
• 2 round-trip train tickets in the Québec City-Windsor corridor
• Festival swag!

Third prize

• 2 weekend passes to Osheaga
• 2 round-trip train tickets in the Québec City-Windsor corridor
• Festival swag!

Contest ends JULY 20, 2009 – ENTER NOW!

Still haven’t visited grandma this summer? Thinking about a surprise romantic weekend?

Just a quick reminder that VIA Rail is still offering serious savings on train travel for:

• Youth (18-25)
• Families
• 60+ travellers
• Adults
• Groups
• Weekend getaways

If you want an all-inclusive package instead, then check out VIA Getaways.

If you want to travel, then VIA wants you to save!

After a day spent picnicking on the Plains of Abraham and browsing contemporary art in the galleries of Quebec City, how are you going to memorably end your trip to Quebec City?

Oooh-ho, do I have the answer!

WHO: You.

WHAT: The 15th anniversary of the Loto-Québec International Fireworks Competition!

WHERE: Québec City, against the towering backdrop of Montmorency Falls Park.

WHEN: July 25 to August 12, 2009.

WHY: Because it’s summer!

HOW: Hop onboard VIA Rail to catch this world-class pyrotechnics and music extravaganza