JOURNAL
MICRO-ADVENTURES AROUND MONTREAL
Summer is made to enjoy beautiful weather and spend some time in nature. Weekend getaways can do so much good, without being overly complicated or pricey! Here are 5 atypical experiences to inspire you, only a few hours from Montreal. CAMP ON WATER AT DOMAINE POURKI Imagine sleeping on water! Domaine Pourki, located in Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois, offers an array of camping options on the Richelieu river. Each raft has its own teepee or "bora bora" hut as well as a picnic table. The camp also provides canoes, sheets and BBQs. So cook up a storm and dine under the sunset to the gentle waves of the river. Need a little more action? The Pourki Tiki bar has you covered. Things to do: Swimming, fishing, canoeing, rabaska Distance from Montreal: 45 minutes Price: $ 195 per night (high season) "Domaine Pourki is a great experience for families with children of all ages or for groups of friends who want to just relax and have a good time. The site offers several forms of entertainment including a Tiki Bar, a beach, a farm and a swimming pool. - Jessica, Nomade Magazine Photo credit: Jessica Gallant, Nomade Magazine SLEEP IN A HOBBIT HOUSE Looking for an atypical weekend getaway? Stay in a hobbit house, in the Eastern Townships. Entre Cîmes et Racines has several eco-homes to rent, including a lovely grass-covered stone structure that is straight out of Lord of the Rings. A truly unique experience. Nearby activities: Labyrinth on site, nearby Bolton Spa and several hiking trails Distance from Montreal: 1 h 15 Price: $ 150 per night (high season) Photo credit: Entre Cîmes et Racines SPEND THE NIGHT IN A TREEHOUSE Choose among several treehouses at Domaine du Diable Vert. Both rustic and charming, these raised cabins offer breathtaking views of the region. Our personal favourite, the Abenaki (below) is on a beautiful hundred-year-old tree. Sleepwalkers, abstain yourselves. Activities: Kayaking or SUP on the winding Missisquoi River, stargazing, fishing Distance from Montreal: 1 h 30 Price: The Abenaki (below) rents for 119 $ / night (high season) Photo credit: Domaine du Diable Vert SLEEP IN THE FOREST AT REPÈRE BORÉAL These tiny cubic homes, located in the heart of the Charlevoix region, are sure to wow you with their elegant design lines and floor-to-ceiling windows. Nestled in the middle of the forest, they are ideal to observe animals in their natural habitat and sleep under a starry sky. Each cabin has drinking water and cooking essentials, plus a cozy bed and an extra cot for a child. Guests can also enjoy the on-site sauna and thermal baths! Activities: Hiking (The Parc National des Hautes Gorges and L’acropole des draveurs is an hour away), swimming, dining, whale watching Distance from Montreal: 4 hours Price: The Shiship cabin rents for $ 159 per night (high season) Photo credit: Repère Boréal RESERVE A TINY HOUSE AT DOMAINE FLORAVIE For the best views of the St-Lawrence River, rent a tiny house at Domaine Floravie (1h30 from Quebec City). These colourful micro-homes can accommodate from 1 to 4 people. You will love their eco-friendly side: they were built with local wood, are insulated with hemp wool and are powered by solar panels - but most especially - the breathtaking views they offer of the water. Activities: Bic National Park is minutes away, where you can practise kayaking, hiking, and plenty of other activities. Distance from Montreal: 5 h 15 Price: $ 180 / night (high season) "There is something here that makes you want to sleep in, admire the coast and slow down a bit. Located on the Pointe à Santerre - named in honour of Pierre Santerre who bought the land in 1889 - in the village of Bic, Domaine Floravie offers an absolutely wonderful decor." - Marie-Michèle, Entre 2 Escales Photo credit: Marie-Michèle Doucet, Entre2escales blog GO ON A ROADTRIP WITH VANLIFE Spontaneous ones, have you heard about VanLife MTL?! Their vehicles are not only stylish, they are well-equipped and can accommodate from 2 to 4 people. So pick a destination and hit the road. Sandbanks, Cape Cod, the Catskills - where will you go? Price: For 2 travellers: $ 225 CAD / day For 4 travellers: $ 260 CAD / day *high season Photo credit: VanLife
Read More
5 FANTASTIC HIKES IN SOUTHERN UTAH
Our ambassador, Jenna, from the blog Wander the map, takes us on an adventure in Utah. Utah has quickly become one of our favorite states in the U.S. We’ve visited several times and each visit leaves us wanting more. The landscapes are diverse and the opportunities for outdoor adventures are outstanding. Here are a few of our favorite trails to hike in southern Utah! 1. JONHSON CANYON Johnson Canyon Trail is a short hike (approximately 2.9 kilometers roundtrip (1.8 miles), but it definitely packs a punch. It is located at the entrance to Snow Canyon State Park and is a relatively easy hike with only minor elevation changes. Along the way we found beautiful red rock walls and formations, black lava flows, plenty of greenery and shrubs, a natural arch, and tall canyon walls towards the end of the trail. One thing to note; however, is that it is only open during the winter months, so it’s just one of the many advantages of visiting Utah in the winter. 2. PETRIFIED DUNES TRAIL We were incredibly surprised by Snow Canyon State Park. Snow Canyon seems to get overshadowed by the “Mighty 5” National Parks nearby, but it’s definitely a spot that you shouldn’t miss. The Petrified Dunes is another fantastic (and short!) trail at Snow Canyon State Park. The one is only 2 kilometers (1.2-miles) roundtrip, but I honestly don’t even know if we followed the right path. When you are on the dunes, you can pretty much walk anywhere you choose, which is exactly what we did. We arrived just before sunset, and were fascinated by the formations that unfolded in front of our eyes. The terrain here is essentially made up of what used to be mountains of sand. Now you find hardened rock formations with intricate patterns that swirl their way off into the distance. It is truly mesmerizing. 3. THE NARROWS TRAIL This beautiful trail is located in the narrowest part of Zion Canyon. To hike The Narrows, you actually need to wade through water, as the Virgin River is the trail! The water can be ankle deep or even higher than your waist depending on the time of year, the water level of the river and where you decide to walk. There are several ways to hike this trail. We started the hike from the bottom of the canyon and hiked several miles in. The views throughout the canyon are absolutely spectacular—towering rock walls and a rushing river create some pretty fantastic views the entire length of the hike. 4. ELEPHANT ARCH TRAIL The trail to Elephant Arch is 6 kilometers (3.8 miles) roundtrip, and the first part of the trail consists of walking along a dirt road and flat sandy path. Partway into the hike, the trail turned from flat into some small ups and downs over rocky outcrops. We scrambled our way along the path and eventually wound up standing at the base of Elephant Arch. Looking up at the arch, you can see how it really does resemble an elephant! At this point, you can choose to admire the formation from afar, or you can climb up and around to get right up next to, and even on top of the arch! We couldn’t resist climbing all the way to the arch, and the views from the top were even better than they were from below. 5. ANGELS LANDING TRAIL Angels Landing is an intense (and terrifying!) hike that consists of switchbacks, steep drop offs, and 1,500 feet of elevation gain in just 4 kilometers (2.6 miles). The first 3.3 kilometers (2.1 miles) of the hike have several sections with dizzying switchbacks, but the real challenge is the last 0.5 mile of the trail, which is definitely not for the faint of heart. You must walk along narrow trails with hair-raising drop-offs (on both sides!) to the canyon floor around 2,000 feet below. The only thing you have to hold onto is fixed chain railings that sporadically line the path. It’s intense to say the least, but well worth the effort if you can manage any fear of heights that you may have. The views from the top are incredible and the rush you get from the trail makes it one of our favorite hikes of all time! Follow Jenna's adventures on her blog, Wander the map >>
Read More
QUEBEC'S MOST BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES
This week, we asked our ambassador, Marie-Michèle, to help us shine a light on the most beautiful landscapes of Quebec! Her top 5, below. By : our ambassador, Marie-Michèle Doucet, from the blog Entre 2 Escales There are so many beautiful places in Quebec! It is difficult to select only 5. Even though I’ve travelled quite a bit around the province, I can’t say I’ve seen everything. That being said, I think we can all agree that the 5 landscapes that I chose are absolutely beautiful and all deserve a place in the most beautiful landscapes of Quebec Hall of Fame. What do you think? 1. L'ACROPOLE DES DRAVEURS (CHARLEVOIX) It is impossible to visit Charlevoix without taking a tour of the Acropole des Draveurs in the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park. Often described as the most difficult hike in Quebec, it is also a must-see in the region. Let’s be clear: the climb is difficult (especially the first 1.5 km) and requires a minimum of physical fitness (it is an 11.8 kilometer hike (round trip), with 800 meters of height difference). Rest assured, however, the track offers several spots where you can catch your breath while admiring the view! Once at the top, you’ll quickly understand why this hike is so popular among tourists and locals alike. The view of the Malbaie River and surrounding mountains is simply breathtaking. 2. BONAVENTURE ISLAND AND ROCHER PERCÉ (GASPÉSIE) Standing on the pier in Percé, one only has eyes for the famous rock of the same name. But right in front, lies Bonaventure Island. Although it is an inherent part of this beautiful scenery, the island itself is often overlooked, because of its majestic neighbour. And I am the first culprit. Looking at my photos, I realized that for the dozens of photos I took of the rock, I only took a small handful of shots of the island in question. Bonaventure island does offer the most beautiful view of the rock, especially with its little houses that date back to the 19th century - when the Le Bouthillier family, who had a monopoly on cod fishing in the region, established one of its fisheries in this idyllic spot. 3. MONT SOURIRE (LANAUDIÈRE) WOW! We repeated that word at least 100 times during our hike to Mount Sourire (which means "smile" in French). Located in the municipality of Saint-Donat, in the Laurentians, this mountain offers one of the most beautiful views I have seen to date (see photo below, on left). The good news? You don't have to be a seasoned hiker to access this beautiful view. An ascent of just 1 kilometer leads to a lookout that offers breathtaking views of Lake Ouareau and the surrounding mountains. I could have spent hours contemplating this beautiful landscape, made even more beautiful due to the first colours of autumn. The name did not disappoint! 4. THE MAGDALENA ISLANDS In all honesty, the Magdalena Islands (main image, above) are quite possibly the prettiest region of Quebec. There is so much variety here : beaches, cliffs, adorable colourful houses - the views seem straight out of a postcard. Our favorite spots? South Dune beach, Havre-aux-Maisons, Cape-Alright and the Petite Baie which is absolutely perfect to admire sunrises and sunsets. 5. THE CARBIDE WILLSON RUINS (OUTAOUAIS) For me, the Outaouais region is synonymous with nature. I live in Ottawa and try to escape to Gatineau Park every chance I get (photo below, on right)! This is probably one of our favourite places in Quebec. The Outaouais region is more than 30,000 square kilometers in size, and home to numerous rivers and lakes. It has no less than 400 kilometers of hiking trails, including my personal favourite, the Carbide Willson ruins, built in the early 20th century. The real treasure of this park. Its rather fairy-like landscape, wouldn't you say? Visit Marie-Michèle's blog, Entre 2 Escales >>
Read More
5 MANDATORY STOPS ON THE EAST COAST OF AUSTRALIA
Australia is huge. One trip is not enough to see all its potential. Our ambassador, Claudia Matteau, chose to explore the east coast of this fascinating country. After seven weeks and 4000 kilometers of travel, here are her top 5 spots. By : our ambassador, Claudia Matteau (from the blog Claudia la Roadtrippeuse) With almost 24 million inhabitants and an area almost as large as Canada, Australia seems to be a favorite among backpackers. While the west part of the country and its outback is very attractive, I decided to discover the east coast, which appealed to my inner beach bum and was much more inline with my personality. 1. CAIRNS Cairns is without a doubt a mandatory stop, since its port is one of the main entry points to the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Although it has been affected by the large number of visitors that flock to its side, the reef remains an unparalleled jewel of the Australian east coast. 2. WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS The Whitsunday Islands (photo above) are the closest thing I’ve seen to paradise! It’s what movies are made of, but it’s real! You have to spend a considerable amount of money to reach Whitehaven Beach, but I promise you - every dollar invested is worth it. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! 3. FRASER ISLAND Fraser Island is full of lush nature and wild landscapes. This virtually uninhabited island is truly stunning. Its deserted beaches and crystal clear waters will forever transform your vision of Australia. Make a point of stopping at McKenzie Lake for a swim. Its water is the second purest in the world! Also, watch out for dingoes, wild dogs that live on the island. It is best to admire them from afar! 4. BYRON BAY Byron Bay is the place to go for the most coveted sport in the world: farniente! Travelling on the Australian coast can be exhausting and the small town of Byron Bay is strategically located between Cairns and Sydney, some of the countries main attractions. It is the perfect place to relax for a few days. It allows you to completely disconnect, to see the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, to shop and even learn to surf on gentle, slow waves overlooking neverending beaches. 5. ANNA BAY Anna Bay (below) is not as popular as some of the destinations mentioned above, but it deserves to be on this list! It is located on a small peninsula a few hours from Sydney, and is highly popular with Sydney locals for weekend getaways. Being less known, the place offers spectacular views and activities, without being overflowing with tourists. Its main points of interest? The desert of Port Stephens and its famous sand dunes, as well as the incredible beach of Stockton. When you set foot in Australia, you never want to leave! It is a friendly and welcoming place. It doesn’t take long to feel a sense of belonging, as if suddenly, at the other end of the globe, you've found little pieces of home. PRACTICAL INFORMATION • Language: English, with a very charming accent! • Best time to go: Fall for them, spring for us Canadians! • Accommodation Suggestion: YHA Australia Youth Hostels • In my suitcase: The HIP dress for beach days and city walks, the TUC tunic as a beach cover-up, and the LOX tunic – which is so versatile, I can wear it as a top or a tunic. Last but not least, my silky soft PAI top for plane or bus travel.
Read More
A WEEKEND IN QUEBEC CITY
A few suggestions from Camille, in marketing, for a weekend in Quebec City. Follow the guide! FRIDAY Start with a stroll on rue Saint-Jean! Although it is very touristy, it hides some lovely cafes, restaurants and little gems that are worth the detour. The Claire-Martin Library located inside an old church is a good example. Walk to the end of rue Saint-Jean, turn on Côte de la Fabrique, and then rue Buade, you will see the famous Frontenac Castle, and will be a few steps from the Terrasse Dufferin, which offers breathtaking views of the St-Lawrence River. Ready for dinner? Try Le Moine Échanson on rue Saint-Jean for a complete Old Quebec experience. This friendly wine bar will allow you to enjoy the liveliness of the neighbourhood, and avoid tourist traps. For desert, head to the reputed Tutto Gelato, for a delicious Italian ice cream! If you are not ready to end the evening here, make your way to Bar le Sacrilege (photo below), an institution in the city. The narrow passage on the left side of the main entrance will bring your directly to the backyard and a fantastic patio! SATURDAY Start the day with a coffee and a croissant at Paillard and head to l’Île d’Orleans for a day trip. This island in the middle of the St-Lawrence is only 20 minutes away, and truly deserves to be seen. Chemin Royal will take your around the island, through orchards, wineries and strawberry fields. Make sure to check out the scenic route du Mitan, that connects Sainte-Famille and Saint-Jean. On your way back to Quebec City, stop for lunch at Cassis Monna & Filles for a taste of their blackcurrant products, and enjoy their beautiful garden, wine cellar and boutique. Once you’re back in the city, stay in Quebec’s Lower Town and explore Limoilou (below). This effervescent neighbourhood, especially 3rd avenue, has changed quite a bit in the last few years and is now home to pretty boutiques like La Folle Fourchette, or third wave cafes such as Nektar. Afterwards, walk along the Saint-Charles River, or head towards the Old Port and Petit-Champlain. For dinner, you’ll be able to choose among many new restaurants in the Lower Town area: Kraken Kru, Patente et Machin or Nina Pizza! SUNDAY For your last day, you have to try the amazing brunch at Chez Boulay - Bistro Boréal. Afterwards, a 30 minute walk by Grande-Allée will bring you to the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec (photo below) and the new Pierre-Lassonde wing. You may want to visit it for the collections, but also for the architecture, which is truly impressive! If the weather is cooperative, make sure to stop by the Plains of Abraham Park: a historic site and an amazing green space in the heart of the city. WHERE TO STAY Hotel Café Krieghoff, Monastère des Augustines, or rent an appartment via Airbnb. Have fun! Photo Credits : Jean-Philippe Bergeron, Bar le Sacrilège
Read More
6 BEST HIKES IN NORTH AMERICA
Hiking fanatics, our friends Ian and Jean-Nicolas, from the blog 4000 Hikes, have rounded up their favourite climbs in North America. Read the article. By : guest bloggers, Ian and Jean-Nicolas 1. MOUNT LAFAYETTE, WHITE MOUNTAINS, NEW HAMPSHIRE Moderate hike, 5 to 8 hours, 7-13 kilometeres and 1,000 meters (3280 ') of elevation gain. Max elevation of 1,600 meters. An iconic mountain from the 4000 footer club*, Mount Lafayette is renowned for its 360 ° views and accessibility (it is located in New Hampshire, about 3 hours from Montreal). We climbed it over a dozen times, and it's definitely one of our favourite mountains! There is also a loop which allows hikers to walk along the ridge. For those who love camping, the Lafayette Campground is located at the base of the mountain, right by the trails. It is pretty remote so on a clear night, you’ll be able to observe the milky way and depending on the season, see countless shooting stars. * 4000 footers (sometimes abbreviated "4ks") is a term referring to a group of forty-eight mountains in New Hampshire at least 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) above sea level. 2. KNIFE EDGE, MOUNT KATAHDIN, MAINE Difficult hike, 8 to 10 hours, 14 kilometers and 1,200 meters (3,900 ') of elevation gain. Maximum elevation of 1,600 meters. A truly mythical mountain, Mount Katahdin, in the north east USA, is an absolute must. Its geology is so different than what we’re used to seeing in the east : on one side you’ll find a very steep ridge overlooking gullies over 500 meters deep and on the other, a huge plateau perched at 1,300 meters of altitude! Needless to say the Knife Edge Trail is not for the faint of heart! Note that in bad weather, it is strongly recommended to use a different trail to get to the top. An outing to Mount Katahdin is usually done over several days. This allows you to take full advantage of this remote and wonderful mountain, truly disconnect and be at one with nature! Access to the Mount Katahdin trails is regulated. We strongly recommend getting a permit before going on site. 3. CATHEDRAL GROVE, VANCOUVER ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA Looking for a change of scenery that doesn’t demand too much effort? Cathedral Grove will transport you to a lush forest filled with century-old trees covered with a thick layer of moss or lichen. It will give you the impression of being in a tropical jungle! The park is not very big, but it is a perfect stop on the way to Tofino. There are several trails located on either side of the road so take the time to check them out. Don’t forget to visit one of the largest and oldest Douglas Fir trees in the world, which is 75 meters high and over 800 years old! 4. MOUNT ST-HELENS (VOLCANO), WASHINGTON STATE Difficult hike, 5 to 7 hours, 15 kilometers and 1,350 meters (4,430 ') of elevation gain. Max elevation of 2550 meters. Although the trail is mainly composed of rocks and dust, the views, both during the ascent and at the summit will not leave you indifferent. This active volcano is constantly eroding. You can see fumarole escaping from its centre and loose scree rolling down its cliffs almost every minute. The actual peak of the mountain (see photo) is much less popular with tourists, since it involves walking another 15-20 minutes, on rather steep ridges. To the north, you will see the impressive Mount Rainier (photo) which rises to 4,392 meters of elevation. You’ll also spot Mount Adams to the east, an extinct volcano of 3,743 meters. 5. HIDDEN LAKE LOUKOUT, NORTH CASCADES, WASHINGTON STATE Moderate hike, 5 to 6 hours, 12 kilometers and 944 meters (3,100 ') of elevation gain. Max elevation of 2,075 meters. The Hidden Lake Lookout Trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in the North Cascades. It passes through forests and flowers at lower altitudes, as well as the most alpine area in the State of Washington. Fun fact : there is a small refuge at the top (photo) where you can sleep for free on a first come, first served basis. The shelter also has a fishing rod for the more adventurous types, who would like to fish for their dinner at the lake a few hundred meters down. There are also some campsites available 1 or 2 kilometers before the summit with great views of the valley. The American West is often subject to fires in August and September. This was the case when we visited Hidden Lake Lookout. A permanent smell of fire was hovering in the air and the distant landscape was rather smoky. 6. MOUNT TEMPLE, BANFF NATIONAL PARK Very difficult hike, 7 to 10 hours, 16 kilometers and 1,600 meters (5,250 ') of elevation gain. Max elevation of 3,544 meters. Mount Temple is the second highest mountain in Banff National Park. Although it is a difficult hike, it remains accessible, even for people who are not avid mountaineers. Its south face does not require too much technique, which makes it the easiest mountain to climb in the 11,000 feet + category in Canada. The first part of the hike will take you to a very impressive pass called Sentinel Pass. Most people turn back here, which represents a hike of ten kilometers. The climb becomes much harder after this, as hikers have to climb 1,000 meters in altitude in only 3 kilometers. If, however, you manage to reach the top, you will be rewarded by an unusual sight that very few people have had a chance to experience: admiring the other Rocky Mountains from the top down! Indeed, on this summit, you will be higher than just about all the other mountains in your field of vision! VISIT 4000 HIKES' INSTAGRAM PAGE FOR MORE INSPIRATION.
Read More
5 FAVOURITE SPOTS IN MONTREAL
One of the perks of working in the Mile End? We are only a few blocks away from some of the best spots in the city. Our favourite hangouts around the office, below. KEM COBA 60, Fairmount West It is almost impossible to resist Kem Coba's ice creams and sorbets on a hot summer day. The line often stretches around the corner, but the wait is worth it. Their unique flavours are sure to please your taste buds! Kem Coba also makes a mean soft ice cream, available in one flavour each week, like almond-cherry, blueberry and Quebec honey, or rose water + raspberry-lychee, to name a few. If you pass by FIG between noon and 1 PM on a hot summer day and find an empty office, you know where to find us. Want to grab a bite before jumping on desert, try Nonna’s $5 gnocchis in a box, at Drogheria Fine right next door! Photo credit (2): Kem coba SPARROW, MILE END 5326 St-Laurent boulevard This subdued bar becomes particularly lively for happy hour. We love its large windows overlooking the Main, its affordable cocktails and comforting menu (which includes $1 oysters Monday to Thursday)! While you're there, make sure to take a peak at the magnificent Cardinal Tea Room, located right above Sparrow. Photo credits: Daniel Haber ALEXANDRA PLATZ, MILE EX 6731 Esplanade avenue This unpretentious brewery located in an industrial area of the Mile-Ex neighbourhood comes to life in summer. It is the perfect place to enjoy a cold beer with friends on a sunny picnic table. The Platz also hosts events over the summer, with DJs, food trucks and local artisans! DINETTE TRIPLE CROWN, LITTLE ITALY 6704 Clark street What makes this place truly unique? Its picnic formula. This Southwest-inspired restaurant serves all sorts of BBQ classics, such as fried chicken, pulled pork, and macaroni and cheese. Order at the counter and indulge at the park across the street! They provide a basket with a tablecloth, plates, utensils and even wine glasses if you need them! Photo credit: Dinette Triple Crown SNOWBIRD, LITTLE ITALY 6714 St-Laurent boulevard A tiki-inspired cocktail bar! The Snowbird, located in Little Italy, will make you travel, if only for a moment, to a hot and tropical destination. If you feel like sipping on on a mai tai to the sound of Elvis’ Blue Hawaii album, this is the place. Photo credit: Snowbird ALSO TRY: - hot bagels from St-Viateur bagel - Pastel Rita's tasty third wave coffee - brunch at Butterblume - Gema's infamous Hawaiian pizza - Mandy's salads on Laurier You're ready for summer!
Read More
TALES FROM MOROCCO
Morrocco is such a perfect blend of history, food and culture. Our ambassador, Jen, visited Marrakesh and Essaouira last August. Quick look at some of her favourite spots and activities. MARRAKESH Marrakesh is a fast-paced city in Western Morocco known for its old town, lively markets, and beautiful mosques, palaces and gardens. Here are a few musts. STAY IN A RIAD Riads are guesthouses, typically old, upper-class family homes, that have been converted into hotels. We stayed at the Riad Itrane, a beautiful little guesthouse with 12 rooms overlooking a courtyard, located in the souks (markets). Breakfast was included with the room. There was also a welcoming pool that was particularly appreciated after a day walking around town. A beautiful spot with super helpful hosts! VISIT JARDIN DE MAJORELLE One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the Jardin de Majorelle, a beautiful and peaceful art deco garden with lots of exotic plants. The shade was very much appreciated and it was a nice break from the chaos of the city. LEARN TO BARGAIN AT THE MARKET The famous Jemaa El-Fna market is an adventure on its own. Anything can be found here. Spices, lamps, jewellery, dishes, tea pots, food, clothes and lots more. Be prepared to bargain. Some store owners are friendly and some are more aggressive. The price they give you is often double, if not more, than what you should end up paying. At night, there are also food vendors. For lunch, try the Jamie Oliver recommended Mechoui Alley! Here, you'll find tender, perfectly seasoned slow-roasted lamb for an amazing price! TRY A HAMMAM If you are feeling brave, go to a local Hammam. You will be asked to strip down to your underwear while a local scrubs and washes you. The floor and water of the Hammam we visited was heated by the fires from the neighbourhood bakery. Quite a unique experience! RELAX IN ESSAOUIRA Bright and breezy Essaouira, on Morocco's Atlantic Coast, is an enchanting, laid-back alternative to the frenetic melting pot of Marrakesh and a great way to end your Moroccan adventure. It can be reached by bus from Marrakesh in about 3 hours (advanced reservations are highly recommended). I fell in love with Essaouira's easygoing lifestyle. We enjoyed its beautiful beaches, watched dromedaries and kite surfers in the distance and fell asleep to the peaceful sound of waves. The sunsets were also beautiful. We visited the market regularly for fresh produce and delicious pastries, made our own meals and ate on our private terrace overlooking the port. Essaouira’s Medina (old town), which is protected by seafront ramparts, was also quite a pretty sight. The weather here is much cooler than in Marrakesh and everything is walking distance which was a nice break from bargaining with cab drivers. Such a peaceful and relaxing little village to spend three nights. PRACTICAL INFO · Currency: The Moroccan dirham. Always have cash with you. Not too many places accept credit cards. · Flight: 7-hour direct flight from Montreal with Air Canada Rouge · Language: Arabic, Berber and French are commonly spoken. · Season: Spring and autumn are generally the best times to visit Morocco as the weather is warm but pleasant. The coastal regions can be visited year round. · New food discovery: The tagine. A stew or casserole dish which is named after the earth ware pot in which it is cooked. Simply delicious! · In my suitcase: the KAP pants!
Read More