Whether you’re travelling to Ottawa, or currently living in that great city, sometimes it is nice to get out and take a little bit of time for yourself. Only 10 minutes from the downtown at the edge of Gatineau Park, the Nordik Spa-Nature is the perfect spot to take a break and escape from the hustle and bustle of life. Located in Chelsea, Quebec, Nordik Spa-Nature is the largest spa in North America creating a tranquil oasis of various outdoor hot tubs, cold pools, saunas, quiet rooms, fireplaces and soothing music. With plenty of services to choose from, customize your retreat to suit your relaxation needs. Looking for a relaxing retreat with friends, family or co-workers? The Nordik Spa-Nature also has two rustic inspired lodged that are available for rent. Leaving the city with the afterwork rush, we decided to begin our experience with a duo-massage. The perfect way to unwind and get into…

Last week when I was in Ottawa, I decided to get out of the heat and cool off in the National Gallery of Canada. With stunning views of Parliament Hill, this spacious gallery is the perfect spot to wander through years and years of exceptional Canadian art. Boasting a large rotating permanent collection of Canadian and Indigenous Art, the National Gallery of Canada celebrates Canada’s rich cultural history. The Canadian collection includes famous work from Emily Carr, The Group of Seven, Christopher Pratt and many more in the world’s most comprehensive collection of Canadian art. The Indigenous Art collection celebrates the work of historic and contemporary Aboriginal artists from Canada and around the world. The National Gallery of Canada also has a European and American Art and Contemporary Art collection that is part of their permanent display which celebrates artists from around the globe and transporting you through the decades…

They don’t call it The Big Apple for nothing. New York City is huge. And there is so much to see and do, that you really have to think of it as a group of neighbourhoods to figure out your way around it. SoHo is located in the borough of Manhattan in the area of Houston St to the north, Lafayette St to the east, Canal St to the south, and the Hudson River to the west. This area is now filled with known for their top of the line shops, exquisite collection of restaurants and boutique hotels that are found along it’s narrow cobblestone side streets. Earlier in July I ventured to New York City for the weekend and so today I’m sharing with you some of my favourite things in this area. To Do – Ditch the cab and wander through SoHo by foot. Spend the afternoon shopping…

Whether you are visiting Toronto or looking for somewhere new for a staycation, The Drake Hotel should be number one on your list. This boutique hotel in the heart of West Queen West is the perfect stop for visitors to experiences the true Toronto culture. Anchoring this vibrant community, The Drake Hotel has been a hotbed for Toronto arts, culture, music and exploration for over 10 years. Intersecting community and culture, The Drake Hotel has fostered a longstanding connection with Toronto’s west-end community become a local hot stop and urban destination where visitors and neighbours alike join together to explore this unique hotel. So stop by, relax and enjoy this chic boutique hotel with a big personality. Cover Image Source With each room decorated to feature their own art, no stay is exactly the same. Depending on the size of your party, or the nature of your visit, The Drake Hotel…

When you think of Australian life, the first thing that comes to mind is relaxing on a beautiful beach where all you need is your surf board and the sun shinning on your back. Only 7km from the downtown core of Sydney, Bondi Beach is the popular tourist and local destination that is the picture perfect example of quintessential Aussie beach life. After a few weeks of travelling, I was craving active day. Thanks to the advice of one of the guys working at my hostel, I had the perfect day enjoying what makes life down under truly great. Hike If you have the time, the costal walk from Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach is worth your time. One of Sydney’s most popular walks as this hike travels along the spectacular coastline. It is also extremely accessible medium grade walk as the 6km of paths are impeccably well maintained. Hike…

For over 150 years, The Melbourne Cup has become an iconic event that unique characterized the Australian spirit. This national holiday began in 186 as a major thoroughbred horse race that now extends over six exciting days. The course at Flemington is decorated with over 12,000 roses from over 200 varieties to add to the colourful and fragrant décor for this event. Marking the start of the Australian summer, people come from far and wide to not only witness these world-class races but for the “Fashions On The Field” as well. Men dust out the best and brightest suits while the women spend all year getting ready to showcase their show stopping outfits. Matching the brightest and highest fashion dresses with the most elegant hats and intricate fascinators. Last November, Karolina and I decided to get all dolled up and joined the crowds to celebrate at Crown Oaks Day at…

Located on the coast of Queensland, Australia, this cluster of 74 islands forms part of the Great Barrier Reef. Known for their incredible coral reefs for snorkeling and diving, pristine beaches, the majority of the islands in this region are designate national parks in the effort to help preserve and protect this area from the over half a million tourists who visit the Whitsundays annually. Easily accessible by air through Proserpine Airport, or by water into the main Abell Point Marina, the main stretch of Airlie Beach is just a scenic drive into this quaint beach town.  With a ton of tourist shops, café’s, restaurants and small boutiques, everything you could possibly need for your trip can be found on this beachfront stretch. They even created a local pool and park area that is open to the public to spend their day swimming and tanning under the warm Australian sun without…

If you’re looking for a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, to visit… then look no further than Melbourne. Australia’s second largest city and the capital of the south-eastern state of Victoria, Melbourne is a youthful city filled with architecture, extensive shopping, museums, galleries, theatres, and large parks and gardens. One of my best friends, Karolina, moved there a couple years ago and is always raving about how great life is down under. So this past November I hopped on a plane and went to visit her. Often referred to as the cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne is always busy with gallery exhibitions, festivals, concerts and has its own unique food, wine and coffee culture. Get Around Stop by the city centre to visit some of Melbourne’s most prominent tourist attractions that include the main shopping district, cafes, galleries and interesting Victorian architecture. Some of the most notable buildings in the downtown core…

With its extensive coastline and stunning collection of islands, Greece is an idyllic country that should not be missed on your European summer vacation. With little over a week to spare, you can sail your way through Mediterranean Sea and uncover the Grecian wonders of Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. Athens Athens is the capital city of Greece and the birthplace of Western civilization. With the Acropolis looming over the city, you can’t help but be reminded of the ancient history that surrounds this city. Be sure to walk through the ruins of the Greek Classical Age in the Acropolis where the Parthenon, the Erectheion and the Temple Athena Nike are found. For the best views of the sprawling city and the Saronic gulf, hike up to the top of Lykavittos Hill. On a clear day you can even see the island of Aegina and the Peloponnese. Follow the busy streets…