November 27th, 2009 by vivian is virtual
Nothing like a stroll through the downtown streets of your favourite Canadian city to see the holiday lights and displays — *sigh*
All you need is warm boots, hot chocolate and the heart of a child! Here are some of my fave xmas displays:
Christmas at Canada Place, Vancouver
Every year, Canada Place transform its iconic sails with an array of light, color and animation effects. The kids will love to oooh and aaaah. Visit their website for full activity details.
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The Bay – Christmas windows in Toronto
There have been special Christmas windows at The Bay in downtown Toronto since 1914. Fairies, carollers and wooly creatures celebrate the holiday season.
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Ogilvy – Christmas windows in Montreal
This yearly, vintage Christmas window display is the only one of its type in downtown Montreal and a big draw for passerby. The tiny frogs are always my favourites.
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Rue Saint-Joseph, Quebec City
Every year, the Quartier St-Roch is decorated with lights, trees and illuminated arches. You’ll think you’re in a fairy land!
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What’s your favourite holiday display?
PS. Thanks to canadaplace.ca, flickr.com/photos/tomcochrane and flickr.com/photos/allenmcgregor for the snaps.
Posted in Other | 
10 Comments »
November 20th, 2009 by vivian is virtual
Don’t miss where Santa lands next in Canada!:
VANCOUVER, BC. Rogers Santa Claus Parade
When: Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 1:00pm
Route: Follows Georgia west of Broughton, then south on Howe until Davie.
Highlights: Santa’s helped this year by Canadian Winter Olympians! Remember to donate food and cash.
NIAGARA FALLS, ON. Santa Claus Parade
When: Saturday, November 28 at 11:00am
Route: Follows Victoria north from Bridge, then east on Queen until Erie.
Highlights: Bring your letters to Santa plus food donations, and look for Vancouver 2010’s Miga, Quatchi and Sumi.
OTTAWA, ON. Help Santa Toy Parade
When: Saturday, December 5 at 6:00pm
Route: From the Canadian War Museum to City Hall.
Highlights: Every year, the Firefighter’s Assoc. collects new toys or cash to aid the city’s less fortunate.
MONTRÉAL, QC. Santa Claus Parade
When: Saturday, Novemberr 21 at 11:00am
Route: Along Sainte-Catherine, from du Fort to Saint-Urbain.
Highlights: Santa tours downtown, joined by 20 floats, music, dancing and the Christmas Fairy!
FREDERICTON, NB. Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade
When: Saturday, November 28 at 5:00pm
Route: Take a look here!
Highlights: This lighted parade follows a new route on the city’s Northside.
PS. Thanks to flickr.com/photos/porterspixels and flickr.com/photos/gregloby and flickr.com/photos/cest_la_viva for the snaps.
Posted in Other | 1 Comment »
November 17th, 2009 by vivian is virtual
Cabin fever setting in yet? Here are my favourite Canadian cities for winter fun:
Where are your favourite winter getaways in Canada? Share in the comments!
PS. Many thanks to Yixler for the photo of Moncton.
Posted in Travel in Canada | No Comments »
November 12th, 2009 by vivian is virtual
So you’re visiting Canada and you’d like to catch an NHL Hockey game? I don’t blame you. It’s the best game on earth!
Here’s your primer on Canada’s professional hockey teams, including logos, links and venue information. GAME ON!
All logos remain the property of their respective teams. Their use here is simply to help identify foreign travellers identify Canadian hockey teams.
Posted in My Bests, Travel in Canada | No Comments »
November 10th, 2009 by vivian is virtual
No matter how many times I make the trip between Toronto and Winnipeg on the Canadian, I am always eager and excited to capture as much as I can with my camera. This last trip was no exception!
In fact, there are three new photo sets on my Flickr photostream – check out Toronto-Winnipeg train and CN Tower, Toronto and Winnipeg, Manitoba.
And as a bonus, here’s my top five fun things to do in Toronto when you get there.
| 1. CN Tower |
As those glass elevators climb higher and higher, the CN Tower’s stake as one the world’s tallest free standing structure hits home. Face the heights on its outdoor observation deck, revolving restaurant, and glass floor panels with a view almost 350 metres below. |
| 2. Casa Loma |
For sheer architectural folly, Casa Loma can’t be beat. This gigantic castle offers 98 lavishly decorated rooms including tunnels, turrets, and even secret passages. |
| 3. Centre Island |
Head down to Toronto’s Harbourfront for a ferry ride to Centre Island, where parks, beaches and a picturesque car-free town await. Visit the marinas and restaurants, and thrill kids with a stop at its amusement park. |
| 4. Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) |
Housing one of North America’s largest natural history and cultural collections, the ROM features galleries devoted to dinosaurs, Burgess Shale fossils, Chinese artefacts and First Nations art. Add a dose of “starchitecture” with Libeskind’s controversial Crystal. |
| 5. Hockey Hall of Fame |
Get up close with the Stanley Cup, relive hockey’s finest moments and view incredible amounts of memorabilia, including a replica of the Montreal Canadiens’ dressing room. |
Posted in Toronto, Travel in Canada | 2 Comments »
November 3rd, 2009 by vivian is virtual
Organizing your winter vacation? Getting those skis ready for another season?
To help with your planning, I went browsing on the TrainPackages.ca website for all-inclusive packages that deliver an unforgettable experience. Not only do they take you to Canada’s best winter destinations, these packages also include travel, accommodations and (oftentimes) excursions.
How’s that for one-stop-shopping? 
Here are my top 5 favourites:
- Rockies – West Coast Explorer: A cross-Canada voyage from Toronto through the Prairies and Rockies to Vancouver.
- Urban Winter Connection: Experience winter in the Rockies on this trip to the heart of Jasper National Park.
- City & Ski: Departures from TO or OTT towards Montreal and the ski resort town of Mont-Temblant. The best of both worlds
- Christmas At The Château Frontenac: Celebrate the holidays at the most romantic hotel in Québec City. Snow, music, and a calèche ride included.
- Québec to the Maritimes: See the charming Quebecois and Maritime landscapes magically transformed by snow.
Happy planning!
Posted in Montréal, Toronto, Travel in Canada | No Comments »
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