On the go with Vivian » My Bests

Glam Camping : Top 10 Luxury Camping Tips

vivian is virtual — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:41:52 +0000

I’m a city gal at heart. But even I can’t resist the call of the wild… only I like to visit in style. Read on for my luxury camping essentials!:

1.	Silk liner	Battle chilly nights with a silk liner. You’ll be cocooned in warmth AND keep dirt out of hard-to-clean down sleeping bags.
2.	Inflating mattress	Forget foam pads. These days, you’ll find lofty, self-inflating choices to rival your mattress at home.
3.	Headlamp	Don’t fumble in the dark. A lightweight, hands-free headlamp can light up your entire campsite. Or just your book!
4.	Coffee maker	Caffeine addicts rejoice. Brew gear includes hand-cranked bean grinders and moka pot espresso makers.
5.	Portable grill	BBQ over charcoal, gas, wood and even solar-powered models and make your camp meal repertoire explode.
6.	Gourmet gear	Shockproof wine glasses. Hand-powered blenders. Pizza ovens. Rethink backcountry cooking!
7.	Camp shower	If you’re picturing a bucket dangling overhead, think again. Solar-heated showers make for pleasant mornings, and double for dishwashing.
8.	Screen Tent	Mother Nature is great – bugs, rain, wind and searing sun less so. Pitch a big screenhouse for an airy retreat with a view.
9.	Handheld GPS	Want to hike off the beaten path? Never get lost with one of these. Just don’t forget batteries!
10.	Backup plan	Playing cards, board games and rough weather gear can make an afternoon fly by – but not an entire trip. If the forecast’s grim, try checking out the local scene in town!

So will you inject a little “glamping” into your next trip? Or is “roughing it in the bush” still the true Canadian way? Share below!

Top 5: What to see and do in Saskatoon

vivian is virtual — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:07:46 +0000

Misaskwatomin. Cree for the best fruit I’ve ever tasted. So good they even named a whole Canadian city after them… Saskatoon berries!

With a wild flavour of blueberries, honey and almonds, these Saskatoon trademarks make any summer visit a treat. But there’s more to do than munch! Try:

1. Wanuskewin Heritage Park

For over 6,000 years, Northern Plains peoples gathered here for the year’s most vital event – the bison hunt. On my visit, I sampled native foods; set-up a tipi; sat spellbound by First Nations dancers & storytellers; & hiked sacred grounds. Unforgettable.

2. Broadway

The city’s trendiest boutiques, galleries, restaurants & bars are found on Broadway Ave. I lunched at local-fave Nutana Cafe (trust chef Norm’s specials). Then swooned over cheesecake at Calories, with its focus on fresh Saskatchewan ingredients.

3. Riversdale

A neighbourhood on the upswing. I spent a fun Saturday brunching at the popular farmer’s market, chased by a matinee at historic Roxy Theatre.

4. Meewasin Valley

More than 1 million visitors walk Meewasin Trails annually. I strolled some of its 60 km length, crossing gorgeous river valley conservation zones, university lands, parks, museums & nature centres. It’s Saskatoon’s answer to NYC’s Central Park.

5. River Cruise

Split in half diagonally by the South Saskatchewan River, Saskatoon is unique in that its riverbanks remain undeveloped & unspoiled. All the more reason to see this “Paris of the Prairies” from a boat cruise like the Saskatoon Princess or the Meewasin Queen.

What are your Saskatoon must-visits? Share below!

Top 5: Summer festivals in Canada

vivian is virtual — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:36:15 +0000

Canada is absolutely busting out all over with summer festivals this year – have a look at some of my favourite picks!:

	Quebec City Summer Festival 300+ concerts in 11 days! Rocking it out on the Plains of Abraham this July 8-18, 2010, look for The Black Eyed Peas, RUSH, The Arcade Fire, Santana, Iron Maiden, BILLY TALENT, Rammstein & more. Don’t miss the special tribute to Gilles Vigneault on the 14^th.
	Montreal Just for Laughs The largest comedy fest of its kind will reel in over 2 million laughseekers this July 7-25, 2010, serving up big stars and the industry’s newest faces. The hot rumour? Legally prohibited from being funny on TV Conan O’Brien as a gala host!
	Toronto Caribana Kicking off July 14 and closing August 1, 2010, this massive Caribbean festival draws over 1 million partiers each year. The main event? The dance-in-the-streets July 31 parade, complete with live calypso, steelpan, & reggae bands and fantastically costumed masqueraders.
	Dauphin Countryfest (Manitoba) Canada’s longest running country music fest will see thousands camping out in Dauphin, MB this July 1-4, 2010. Headlining the huge outdoor amphitheatre’s main stage? Fan-favourites Brooks & Dunn and Miranda Lambert.
	Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival 500,000+ visitors greet 1,000 + performers at this arts festival extraordinaire. Held in the city’s trendy Old Strathcona district August 12-22, 2010, look for classic plays, avant-garde experimenting, and buskers galore.

What festivals are you looking forward to this summer? Let us know!

EAT! Vancouver festival: May 28-30, 2010

vivian is virtual — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:44:57 +0000

What:	EAT! Vancouver Food + Cooking Festival
Where:	The brand-new Vancouver Convention Centre – West
When:	May 28 to 30, 2010
Why:	Live celebrity chef demos and competitions, unique culinary experiences,… plus local food discoveries and tastings!
Who pays what:	Adults $15, seniors (65+) $12, children 7-14 $6, free for kids under 6. Save $3 off adult entry by buying your tickets online.
How:	By train, of course! It’s only a few minutes ride from Vancouver Station to the festival. Plan your train trip and public transit links.

For even more details, visit the EAT! Vancouver Food + Cooking Festival site.

Toronto’s Waterfront Blues Festival – June 4-6, 2010

vivian is virtual — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:52:36 +0000

What:	Waterfront Blues Festival
Where:	Woodbine Park in Toronto, Ontario
When:	June 4 to 6, 2010
Why:	Blues concerts (featuring stellar performers such as James Armstrong, Paul Reddick, Michelle Malone), BBQ stands, fabulous prizes up for grabs… and your entry is FREE!
How:	By train! From Toronto’s Union station it’s only a short hop by public transit to the fest. Plan your train trip and find out how to get to Woodbine Park.

For even more details, visit the Waterfront Blues Festival site.

Top 10 – Reasons to Take the Train

vivian is virtual — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:16:52 +0000

Why choose the train over flying or driving? Find out below!:

Cheaper. Compared to airfare and gas prices, taking the train can be surprisingly cost-effective. Add in discounts plus hot deals, and you can save a bundle!

Convenient. With multiple departures, stable fares, and fast boarding, rail is a really handy way to travel.

Flexible. Missed your train? Catch the next… Last minute plans? Last minute tickets… Heading cross-country? Pick your pace with a rail pass…

Relaxed. Settle in and stretch out. Spacious seats, lounge and dining cars on longer hauls, and someone else at the wheel adds up to a pleasant trip.

Faster? Airport security processing times, baggage waits and cab rides. Or rush hour traffic snarls and roadside pit stops. Factor in these timewasters and train travel stacks up, especially over shorter distances.

Baggage. If you can bring along a canoe… Generous carry-on and checked baggage allowances makes for happy travellers.

Downtown. Forget far-flung airports. Most Canadian cities feature historic train stations smack dab in the middle of the action.

Green. Opting for the train reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and the carbon footprint is split among all passengers. Très sustainable!

Scenic. Canada’s trains cross spectacular landscapes, making what’s rolling by the window more than worth the trip.

Romance. That indefinable old-fashioned charm of the train – fine dining, private cabins, rollicking rails, attentive service – turns a train trip into an adventure in itself.

See you onboard soon!

Hockey in Canada: Teams and where to see a game

vivian is virtual — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:00:03 +0000

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!

	Montreal Canadiens Official team website Where they play: Centre Bell How to get there: VIA Rail trains
	Ottawa Senators Official team website Where they play: ScotiaBank Place How to get there: VIA Rail trains
	Toronto Maple Leafs Official team website Where they play: Air Canada Centre How to get there: VIA Rail trains
	Calgary Flames Official team website Where they play: Pengrowth Saddledome
	Edmonton Oilers Official team website Where they play: Rexall Place How to get there: VIA Rail train
	Vancouver Canucks Official team website Where they play: General Motors Place How to get there: VIA Rail train

All logos remain the property of their respective teams. Their use here is simply to help identify foreign travellers identify Canadian hockey teams.

Eat! Drink! Food & wine festivals in Western Canada

vivian is virtual — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:51:28 +0000

The squirrels have it right. There’s nothing like the arrival of fall to make you eat and eat and eat in preparation for the cold winter months ahead. To help satisfy the appetites of readers in Western Canada for delicious fall yummies, I have lovingly prepared this list of top food and wine festivals this November.

Get your napkins ready!

West Coast Chocolate Festival (Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam)

Until November 10, 2009

This festival celebrates the magic of chocolate and how it appeals to the senses! Events include chocolate pairings with beer, wine and scotch, a pancake breakfast, chocolate-making workshops and “Chicks and Chocolate”, a popular girls-only event featuring live entertainment, booths and tastings.

Cornucopia (Whistler, BC)

November 12-15, 2009

Sample gourmet food and fine wine in one of the most beautiful places on Earth! Festival highlights include seminars with wineries, critics and wine professionals, multi-course dinners, numerous tasting events, and various after-parties and brunches.

Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival (Edmonton, AB)

November 5-7, 2009

One of the largest and most exciting wine and food event in Alberta, this multi-city festival offers visitors a chance to sample an extensive variety of wine, scotch, beer and spirits, along with gourmet food from local restaurants and hotels. And they’ve expanded the exhibition hall this year!

If you’re always on the look-out for new culinary discoveries, visit the Tourism Canada website for updated festival listings.

Bon appetit!

Top 5: What to see and do in Quebec City

vivian is virtual — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:47:03 +0000

I’ve been to Quebec City countless times (a major perk of working with VIA!) and I’ll let you in on a secret… the city’s never more magical than in the fall. Here’s why:


1.	Start with the panoramic sweep of Vieux Quebec and the St. Lawrence River from high atop Terrasse Dufferin. Cobblestones and copper roofs are a perfect foil for fall’s colours!

2.	Now brave l’Escalier Casse-Cou (Break Neck Steps) to reach the Quebec-Levis ferry, for crisp fall views of Chateau Frontenac and the Citadel.

3.	Debark for a stroll (or fall shopping spree) along the city’s most branché avenues – Maguire and Cartier. From niche boutiques to an incredible fine dining scene, it’s all very *bon chic, bon genre*!

4.	With chefs revelling in the season’s harvest, you’ll want to work off some of those meals… on a bike tour. Try the old King’s Road or Ile d’Orleans.

5.	Finally, don’t miss one of nature’s most spectacular migrations – Quebec’s snow geese. Every autumn, the region is blanketed by thousands of these all-white birds.

And the most stress-free way to get there? With VIA Rail, course!

Top fall destinations in Canada

vivian is virtual — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:44:03 +0000

I hate to say it but summer is almost over. The good news is… FALL IS HERE!

I can’t wait for the return of sweaters and scarves, for the swooshing sound of feet pushing through piles of gold and red leaves, for crunchy apples picked fresh from the tree.

To get us primed for this (my favourite) season, I flipped through the latest VIA destinations mag and pulled out their list of top fall destinations in Canada.

Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia
Fundy coast, New Brunswick
Charlevoix, Quebec
Eastern Townships, Quebec
Ottawa Valley, Ontario
Algonquin Park, Ontario
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

If you want to read more about these beautiful areas, read the VIA destinations magazine!