The Most Colourful Sites At The Canadian Tulip Festival

28/4/2015

Get ready for a riot of colour in Ottawa...

Spring is my favourite time of year in Ottawa and I know I'm not alone. Everyone has a huge grin on their face as they stroll! Everyone is always so excited to greet a new season and spend more time outdoors. And the best part of an Ottawa spring in undoubtedly the Canadian Tulip Festival. It's incredible to see the city scape explode in a riot of colour. Here are my favourite, most colourful things to experience at Tulip Fest.

The Best Churches To Visit In London: Discover My Favourites

24/4/2015

Come step inside a few centuries of history... These are some of the best churches to visit in London. Updated for 2021!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Best churches to visit in London: Clergy in red robes entering a side door of Westminster Abbey Picture

Westminster Abbey definitely ranks among the best churches to visit in London no matter how you look at things!

Why put together a list of the best churches to visit in London? Well, I've been visiting houses of worship around the world for as long as I can remember. I may have all the spiritual sensibilities of a rock, but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying the beauty, architecture, art, history, and genealogy found within the walls of the grandest mosque or the tiniest church. And as a budget minded traveler, spiritual sites top my list of value all-stars. They are tremendously affordable (usually free!), your donations go to a good cause, there are often special events like free music recitals - and you may even get a fantastic meal too!

There are thousands of houses of worship in London and I've only visited a fraction - but I'm happy to share a few of my favourites here. If I do say so myself, I think this is a perfect list for a first time visitor to London as it gives you a little bit of everything. Famous, obscure, old (and really old), music, community, and food. I'm hoping with each subsequent visit to London my list will continue to grow!

Why isn't St. Paul's Cathedral on this list? It is indeed one of my favourites but I haven't had the chance to visit since 2001 and therefore I can't really offer any personal insights into things like their cafe, their music program, or their tours. Hopefully, I'll be back for a return visit soon!

Banting House's Humble Hero

17/4/2015

Dr. Frederick Banting is the ultimate Canadian ambassador. You can see why at Banting House National Historic Site in London, Ontario.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

A spectacular mural pays homage to Dr. Banting in London, Ontario.

Every now and then, you come across a travel stereotype that's true - or, at least, I'd like to believe that all the travel stereotypes about Canadians are true. Apparently we're quite a likable bunch! But reputations are not built overnight. Modern travelers owe a debt of gratitude to some of our earliest unofficial ambassadors; those who turned a spotlight on Canada and helped us shine.

One such remarkable pioneer was Dr. Frederick Banting. Renowned for discovering insulin and employing it for the treatment of diabetes, Banting was extremely deserving of the honors that flooded in as a result of his research. But as he rose to super-stardom in the 1920s and 1930s, he never lost touch with his roots. And his humble, hardworking persona continues to resonate with Canadians, who voted him into 4th place on the Greatest Canadians list in 2004. When I think of the best qualities of a Canadian, at home or abroad, I think of Dr. Banting. Here's why.

Hotel Review: London's Hotel Metro

11/4/2015

Look out England! London, Ontario is giving you a run for your money!

If I told you that one of the coolest, most chic, most stylish hotels I've ever stayed in - ever! - was in London, you wouldn't be surprised. Cool Britannia, right? But I'm not talking about London, England. I'm talking about London, Ontario, Canada!

London is a small-to-medium sized city in southern Ontario. The surrounding countryside is known for having charming inns and bed and breakfasts but my honest expectations for accommodations within the city itself were modest. I expected comfortable yet forgettable brand name hotels, but the Hotel Metro blew away my expectations. It easily cracked my top 5 list of the most stylish hotels I've ever been in.

Travel Gear Review: Why You Need To Travel With A Headlamp

10/4/2015

It's time to shine a little light onto your travels.

Shining a light on the coqui frog of Hawaii.

With all the grace and stealth of a bull in a china shop, I made my way out the tiny doorway of our tree house and across the even tinier landing to our outdoor washroom. The steps were slick with rain, the walls were full of shadows, and the air was thick with the grating call of the coqui frog. But I noticed none of this as my eyes nervously darted back and forth, sweeping the area for the rumored wild pig who called the property home. We were warned to make sure he didn't get into the kitchen hut (HOW??!?!) and I was convinced that a pig smart enough to infiltrate the kitchen could easily secure a foothold in the outhouse to plan an ambush.

I had traveled for years without a headlamp, and then traveled years more with one that stayed in the bottom of my pack. And then, over the course of 72 hours in Hawaii, it more than earned its keep. Here's what you need to know when you buy one - and why I'll never go without mine again.

What I'm Loving In April

1/4/2015

Here's what's making April a happy month for me.

Planning an amazing retreat.

What do you get when combine a conference, a retreat, and a vacation - and a group of bloggers? Why, it's Blogcation Retreat! I'm so excited to be one of the organizers for this amazing event and I can't wait to see everyone who comes out to participate at the end of May (and I hope to see some of you there!)

Cheap and cheesy movies.

Wedding Ringer, you delivered. House Bunny, you never get old. Rainbow Cinemas, bless you and your $2 Tuesdays.

The Most Colourful Sites At The Canadian Tulip Festival

Get ready for a riot of colour in Ottawa...

The Best Churches To Visit In London: Discover My Favourites

Come step inside a few centuries of history... These are some of the best churches to visit in London. Updated for 2021!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Banting House's Humble Hero

Dr. Frederick Banting is the ultimate Canadian ambassador. You can see why at Banting House National Historic Site in London, Ontario.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Hotel Review: London's Hotel Metro

Look out England! London, Ontario is giving you a run for your money!

Travel Gear Review: Why You Need To Travel With A Headlamp

It's time to shine a little light onto your travels.

What I'm Loving In April

Here's what's making April a happy month for me.

Planning an amazing retreat.

Cheap and cheesy movies.

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Posts by Date

Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy

The Most Colourful Sites At The Canadian Tulip Festival

Get ready for a riot of colour in Ottawa...

The Best Churches To Visit In London: Discover My Favourites

Come step inside a few centuries of history... These are some of the best churches to visit in London. Updated for 2021!​This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Banting House's Humble Hero

Dr. Frederick Banting is the ultimate Canadian ambassador. You can see why at Banting House National Historic Site in London, Ontario. ​​This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Hotel Review: London's Hotel Metro

Look out England! London, Ontario is giving you a run for your money!

Travel Gear Review: Why You Need To Travel With A Headlamp

It's time to shine a little light onto your travels.

What I'm Loving In April

Here's what's making April a happy month for me.

Planning an amazing retreat.

Cheap and cheesy movies.

Post Categories

Posts by Date

Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy

Come step inside a few centuries of history... These are some of the best churches to visit in London. Updated for 2021!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Dr. Frederick Banting is the ultimate Canadian ambassador. You can see why at Banting House National Historic Site in London, Ontario.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.