Category Archives: Oh Canada

Iles de la Madeleine – Iles de la What?

IMG_4161When I tell people I am taking a group to Iles de la Madeleine many ask me WHERE?  Iles de la Madeleine or the Magdalen Islands are a tiny archipelago in the Gulf of the St Lawrence River ….a few hundred kilometres from both Cape Breton and PEI, the islands are part of Quebec. I love the Iles de la Madeleine….this is my sixth group tour to the “Maggies” and I plan to go again next year. 

So what do I love about Iles de la Madeleine?????

1.  The people…..the Madelinots are some of the friendliest people in Canada and they love showing visitors their lovely islands.

2.  The “joie de vivre” of the place…..

3.  The beauty of the place…..the miles of beaches, the colourful houses, the red cliffs are spectacular.

4.  The food – seafood at its best! 

5.  The Acadian culture that makes this tiny place so unique…..

There is something so very special about Iles de la Madeleine. IMG_4193 Come along with me next year for an amazing tour By Land and Sea. 

Iles de la Madeleine

 

I love Iles de la Madeleine…..this tiny archipelago in the Gulf of the St Lawrence is such a special Canadian place.  Brightly painted houses, Acadians with a true “joie de vivre,   superb seafood, amazing sandy beaches and the ever present sea…. 

My By Land and Sea 2014 Great Escape this summer is sold out…..watch for another in 2015! 
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Cycling Season is Almost Here??

Our 2014 cycling season is almost here…..but you would never know it ……check out the snow at Presqu’ille Park near Brighton. Hard to imagine the gang biking through the park in April!  Keep your fingers crossed that spring comes soon……For more information about the              Cyclopath Cycling Club, click on the “Cycling” tab at the top !

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Ottawa Eh?

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Most of the time I organize and lead my own tours but this week I accompanied some of the international students from Loyalist College (where I teach) for a tour of Ottawa. First stop was a visit to the Parliament Buildings followed by a visit to the Byward Market. On our way back to Belleville we stopped at a sugar bush and sampled maple syrup on snow!  What a great way to experience a bit of Canada!

 

 

 

 

 

 

“What is your all time favourite destination?

asdfPeople often ask me, “What is your all time favourite destination?” I love Newfoundland! I love the people, the scenery, the food…..I love it all. Every time I take a group to “The Rock”, they fall in love with it too. There is something very special about this island in the Atlantic. It brings out the best in people, it gets under your skin and into your heart so when you leave you find yourself planning your return. My next Great Escape to Newfoundland is in the summer of 2014 and I can hardly wait to return. Maybe you could come with me!

Ten Things I Love about Newfoundland: ( I had 100 but that’s a little long for my first blog post)

  1. Everywhere you look there’s the contrast of colours.23
  2. The ladies of St James Anglican Church in Lark Harbour….they do a wicked pot luck lunch!
  3. Toutons and beans with molasses…..really 
  4. Standing on top of Signal Hill at night and looking down on the city of St. John’s
  5. Ed, a retired teacher from Grand Falls who does a screech-in like no other.
  6. Rocky Harbour in Gros Morne National Park….what a vibrant community!
  7. The Newfoundland dialect….I loves it!
  8. Beautiful Bottle Cove on the west coast
  9. Quidi Vidi Beer – especially their Iceberg beer in the pretty blue bottle
  10. The Crow’s Nest in St John’s….a unique “officer’s club” with a colourful naval history dating back to 1942.

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