Friday, March 31, 2017

Happy Spring

March 22nd is a beautiful day which (hopefully) is the last sign of snow for awhile. The weather warms up, the sunshines more, people work through the garden/storage clean up. Its a refreshing time; motivational even! It encourages people to think about the summer and plan vacations, like to Montreal...

We are booked to go the first weekend in May - fly there and Via rail home. I have fallen in love with Old Port and this time we're scratching things off the bucket list. The train home is a first for us - last time we went it took 10hrs to drive (long wknd traffic) so we said nope, never again! Booked us a fancy Business Class train ticket and plan to relax on the way home; maybe take a nap. In order to do this we would have to take the train or fly there. Since the timing for the train wasn't the best, we were able to find a flight in the evening. Easy Peasy.

Another, bucket list check for us is to see the new Cirque du Soleil - Volta, in Montreal! Tickets....check. Great seats? Double Check! Its brand new and opening April 20th, so we we will be there a few weeks into the show. Last summer we saw the tent still set up and I had tried to get tickets beforehand (sold out). This will be my 4th show - all others were seen in Toronto.

One last check of the bucket list will be to visit Bota Bota Spa. Its a former show boat, converted into a full on spa. We saw this on our "touristy" boat trip up the river when we were there in July. I said yes, definitely, must do next time. Hopefully the weather cooperates and we'll be able to enjoy the full experience inside and out.

The rest of the time we will fill in he gaps with eating, wine, walking around the shops. We use Airbnb and found a great place just around the corner from the Notre Dame Basilica. We chose it for the location mostly - its a beautiful apartment, complete with a full kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, laundry, living room, large windows and  a fireplace (just in case its cold!) We are about a 10min walk to the central train station. Starbucks down the street, about 8mins to Bota Bota, Jacques Cartier is about 12mins, beautiful view of Downtown Montreal (at least in the pictures). Can't wait to go!!

We love these weekend trips - a quick jaunt across the provincial border. Seeing things that are different than the typical Niagara Falls trip, or cottage. Don't get me wrong...I love those things, we are just looking for different sometimes.


What are some favourite spots in Montreal? Food? Site seeing?
Favourite weekend getaway?
Have you tried Airbnb before? Experience?

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Spring is Around the Corner

I know what you're thinking - is this lady crazy? Well...yes, yes I am. So March isn't off to a good start weather wise. I promise you its coming though. I can feel it! Spring is around the corner.


With our peak temp hitting on the 6th and 7th then dropping again - We are still above average for this time of the year. I'll take it! Secretly I've already started packing away my winter sweaters to gear up for tshirts and flip flops. Not even joking. I love the warmer weather, regardless of the time of year. I was meant to be on a beach somewhere, with WiFi. Like the Bahamas ;)

I already have plans for the Spring (and Summer, because thats how excited I get) for travel, beach days, pool, walks by the lake, etc. All the fun stuff happens in the warmer weather seasons! People don't run away from the summer like they do for Winter. They embrace the little rain we get and the heat waves (for the most part). I skip most of Fall - once my birthday hits (Oct 1st), then its basically Christmas as far as I'm concerned. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the little holidays in between but lets face it, Christmas is the most popular.

I told Adriana that its getting warmer and Spring is almost here - her response was "Can I go in my pool tomorrow?" Oh kid....you crack me up. No. She gets just as excited for Summer as I do and she JUST started school! Wait until she's a bit older and has a true appreciation for those 2 mths in between one school year and the next. I want to plan a trip for a week during that time - get away where its hotter than here and relax! It doesn't have to be a beach - although that's preferred over anything else. Peak season travel time - challenge accepted.


What are your summer perks?
Do you go away anywhere? Cottage?
Do you get out more? Exercise? Parks? Hikes? Canoe/Kayak?
Where are your favourite places to visit?