The Sweetest Travel Surprise: My Introduction to Apitourism

12/6/2025

Beekeeping is creating sweet new travel adventures. From rooftop hives to Slovenian bee cabins, these are bee-friendly travel experiences you’ll actually want to try.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Bumblebee sits on top of a bright yellow flowerPicture

I’ll never forget the first time I stumbled upon beekeeping during my travels. It was 2013, at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. I was there on a press tour to learn more about one of the city’s most iconic moments—John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Bed-in For Peace” in 1969. But while the peace movement was in the past, the hotel was hosting a different kind of quiet revolution in the present—one that was happening on the roof.

Twenty-two floors up, surrounded by the hum of traffic far below, I found something completely unexpected: a rooftop garden bursting with heirloom tomatoes, fragrant herbs—and bees! The hotel had installed hives and was producing its own honey, which they used in everything from cocktails to pastries. As I later learned, this wasn’t a one-off project. In fact, many Fairmont Hotels across Canada and beyond have embraced beekeeping. And I had just gotten my first taste of apitourism.

The 400 Year Old Hospital and the Crazy True Story of Canada's Most Notorious Hotel Thief

11/12/2024

I got more than I bargained for when I checked into Quebec City's most unique accommodations.

My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Antique windows in white frames look out over a courtyardPicture

In the spring of 1639, three young nuns set sail from France, each carrying a hidden key in her habit. Upon landing in the new settlement of Quebec City, they would unseal three sturdy locks on a large wooden trunk that safeguarded all their worldly goods. It also contained something invaluable—a contract to found a monastery hospital, the first in North America outside Mexico.

Little did they realize that one of their future guests* would become Canada’s most notorious** hotel thief, taking three round canisters with them in their luggage after their visit.

*Me. This story is about me.

** The dozen or so people who know this story won’t stop teasing me about it.

Tales From The Anti-Adventurist: Vanessa Rides A Chair Lift

17/10/2024

In Mont-Orford, Quebec, my eyes were amazed but my stomach was queasy. This is what it was like riding a chair lift for the very first time!

My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Scenic vista from a mountain top, with stairs and chair lift support system seen.Picture

When I travel, I like to explore twists and turns: A windy road, a crooked bookstore, the cozy nooks in tiny coffee shops. What I don't like, and generally avoid at all costs, are ups and downs. I avoid mountains, caves, ledges, edges, ladders, crevices, tunnels, and trenches. I am not a gal designed for adventure and I'm rather proud of the fact that I've proved that you can travel around the world without the need to parachute, paraglide, or procure a pair of trekking poles.

But every now and then, there's a chink in my armour. I ignore decades of ironclad evidence that I don't have daring bone in my body and I do something rash, something utterly beyond my bravery. And that, precisely, is what I found myself doing at the Mont-Orford Ski Resort in Quebec's Eastern Townships.

This is what happens when an anti-adventurist rides the world's tallest*, steepest*, most terrifying chair lift.

Exploring Véloroute des Bleuets - Quebec's "Blueberry Bike Route"

12/6/2019

The Véloroute des Bleuets is my favourite of all cycling Quebec adventures - even in the off season!

My trip to Lac Saint Jean was part of a hosted media visit. All research, writing, and opinions are my own.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link we are paid a small commission.

Cycling Quebec véloroute des bleuets Vanessa crossing a bridge

With sunny blue skies and a bracing wind, I bravely mounted my bike to go searching for blueberries in the Quebec countryside. But if you're looking at my jacket and scarf in the photo above and thinking it looks far too cold for blueberry season, you'd be partially right. You see, I wasn't in search of blueberries to eat! I was searching for Quebec's famous blueberry bike route, known as the "véloroute des bleuets".

Made up of over 20 different short to medium length rides through the blueberry-producing countryside, the véloroute des bleuets circles around Lac St Jean, not far from the northern Quebec city of Saguenay. The route includes towns such as Alma (my personal favourite), Saint-Felicien, Roberval, and Sainte-Monique, as well as Pointe-Taillon National Park, and includes terrain suitable for all riders.

Next Stop, Poutine! Your In-Depth Quebec City Food Tour Guide

13/8/2018

Where can you find poutine AND fine wine? On a Quebec City food tour, of course! We're reviewing two of the most popular options - as well as giving you the inside scoop on our favourite Quebec City bed and breakfast.

Complimentary participation in these Quebec City food tours was offered to attendees of the Women in Travel Summit. This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link, we'll be paid a small commission and we thank you for your support.

Enjoying poutine on a Quebec City food tour Picture

When you think of Quebecois food, does your mind wander to old fashioned fare with a heavy emphasis on maple syrup and local delicacies? Or maybe you're craving less wholesome treats like a heaping plate of poutine? Perhaps your tastes are a bit more refined, with a eye towards wine and French joie de vivre? If you're like me and want a little bit of everything, your best bet is a Quebec City food tour so that no category is left out. Happily, when I was in Quebec City for the Women in Travel Summit, I participated in not one but two fantastic foodie experiences. Read on to hear about each tour, including what I loved, what I felt could have been improved, and my favourite stop on each. Plus there's a bonus review of my favourite Quebec City bed and breakfast which I know you'll like as much as I do!

The Most Adventurous Things To Do in Saguenay: Kayaking the Saguenay Fjord

10/5/2018

Saguenay is the best place to go kayaking in Quebec - even if there are a few misadventures along the way.

My trip to Saguenay was part of a media visit organized by the Saguenay Lac Saint Jean tourism board. Some links within this blog post are affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase through said link.

Things to do in Saguenay: Kayaking the Saguenay Fjord Picture

If this isn't the face of confidence and athleticism, I don't know what is!

Brimming with confidence and cutting a dashing, athletic figure, I nimbly slid into the stern of my sea kayak, ready to embrace the elements and be one with nature.

Wait a minute.... that's not me! I've never been nimble at anything I do, let alone anything to do with boats! But when I had the opportunity to kayak the Saguenay, Quebec, Fjord - and specifically be in the Saguenay St Lawrence Marine Park, adjacent to Fjord National Park- I WAS truly ready to be one with nature. The chance to navigate a fjord here in Canada was a rare travel experience I couldn't miss.

As for the confidence.... well... let's just say that I was about as confident as I was nimble. But it didn't take me long to hit my stride, with only a few minor mishaps. And it was all worth it to be better acquainted with an absolutely incredible corner of the world. Here's why I think sea kayaking is among the best things to do in Saguenay (even if there were a few awkward wetsuit moments along the way).

Tales From The Anti-Adventurist: Vanessa Goes Beluga Whale Watching, Quebec Style

7/5/2018

Beluga whale watching in Quebec is an exhilarating travel experience - but what would a queasy girl like myself think about it?

My trip to Tadoussac was part of a hosted media visit with the Quebec Maritime tourism board and I thank them for their support. All research, writing, and opinions are my own.

beluga whale watching Quebec: visiting the Fjord Picture

Vomiting. Vomiting on people. Toppling over furniture. Quietly crying. Some of my most woe-begotten travel moments have involved motion sickness and many of those have involved boats. Who can forget when I had motion sickness while on the Houseboat Museum of Amsterdam? I'm not an adventurous girl and, on the rare times that I am, that adventurous spirit does NOT involve boats. But all that changed when I had the chance to go beluga whale watching in Quebec; Tadoussac to be exact. "Whale watching: Quebec" has been on my travel bucket list for a long time, and for good reason. Whale watching in Tadoussac is reputed to be among the best in the world and there was no way that I was going to miss it - no matter what my stomach wanted to do!

Memories and Maple Syrup in Montebello Quebec

21/10/2017

What makes a girls' getaway all the sweeter? Adding in a delicious dose of maple on a trip to Montebello, Quebec.

Marina Chateau Montebello Quebec at sunset

Girls' getaways are the perfect time for rest and relaxation.

Can there ever be too much of a good thing? Not when it comes to maple! This classic Canadian flavor is so much more than a pancake topping. And when I had the opportunity to partner with Ford Canada for a girlfriends' wellness weekend in Montebello, Quebec, I knew that my favorite autumn flavor would only sweeten the experience.

I was excited to indulge in as much of Quebec's signature condiment as possible, and I soon learned that there was more to maple than meets the eye. Traditional pancakes, step aside! Here are my favourite Montebello maple moments.

Feasts and Flavors: My Favourite Lunch Spots in Montreal

13/10/2016

Where should you have lunch in Montreal? Finally, I have some answers! These are some of my favourite lunch spots in Montreal.

My visit and food tour were sponsored by Montreal Tourism and I thank them for their support. All research, writing, and opinions remain my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Lunch spots in Montreal: Platter of sausages and garnishesPicture

Is there a lunch spot in Montreal serving up anything better than this?

For a travel writer, I sometimes do a poor job of coming up with personal recommendations. I remember once describing my favourite cafe in a particular city - only to realize I was talking about a Starbucks. Oops!

And other times, I felt I knew a city well only to draw a blank when asked for restaurant recommendations. I found myself confronted with this very situation when a friend asked for advice on where to eat lunch in Montreal. I know Montreal! Or, at least I thought I did. Haven't I written more about Montreal than any other city on the blog? Then why was I struggling with my answer?

I eventually cobbled together a response for my friend but I wasn't entirely satisfied. I've been determined ever since to come up with a killer list of my favourite lunch spots in Montreal and they're all around $12 - or much less. So go ahead, ask me for a recommendation. I've got this!

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The Sweetest Travel Surprise: My Introduction to Apitourism

Beekeeping is creating sweet new travel adventures. From rooftop hives to Slovenian bee cabins, these are bee-friendly travel experiences you’ll actually want to try.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

The 400 Year Old Hospital and the Crazy True Story of Canada's Most Notorious Hotel Thief

I got more than I bargained for when I checked into Quebec City's most unique accommodations.

My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Tales From The Anti-Adventurist: Vanessa Rides A Chair Lift

In Mont-Orford, Quebec, my eyes were amazed but my stomach was queasy. This is what it was like riding a chair lift for the very first time!

My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Exploring Véloroute des Bleuets - Quebec's "Blueberry Bike Route"

Next Stop, Poutine! Your In-Depth Quebec City Food Tour Guide

The Most Adventurous Things To Do in Saguenay: Kayaking the Saguenay Fjord

Tales From The Anti-Adventurist: Vanessa Goes Beluga Whale Watching, Quebec Style

Memories and Maple Syrup in Montebello Quebec

What makes a girls' getaway all the sweeter? Adding in a delicious dose of maple on a trip to Montebello, Quebec.

Feasts and Flavors: My Favourite Lunch Spots in Montreal

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Beekeeping is creating sweet new travel adventures. From rooftop hives to Slovenian bee cabins, these are bee-friendly travel experiences you’ll actually want to try. ​This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

I got more than I bargained for when I checked into Quebec City's most unique accommodations.​My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

In Mont-Orford, Quebec, my eyes were amazed but my stomach was queasy. This is what it was like riding a chair lift for the very first time!My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

What makes a girls' getaway all the sweeter? Adding in a delicious dose of maple on a trip to Montebello, Quebec.

Post Categories

Posts by Date

Beekeeping is creating sweet new travel adventures. From rooftop hives to Slovenian bee cabins, these are bee-friendly travel experiences you’ll actually want to try.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

I got more than I bargained for when I checked into Quebec City's most unique accommodations.

My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

In Mont-Orford, Quebec, my eyes were amazed but my stomach was queasy. This is what it was like riding a chair lift for the very first time!

My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.