Author - Chris

Things to do in Ottawa, Canada

After the War of 1812 Ottawa became the capital of Canada taking the reigns from York – present day Toronto. Ottawa is a regal city, fitting of a national capital, there are many varied things to do while you visit. The city has unique sites connecting to its place at the seat of Canadian politics – such as Parliament Hill – as well as many other varied diversions such as the eclectic market ByWard Market. Whether it’s walking around and sight seeing, shopping, or enjoying great restaurants Ottawa has all that you will need to have a stellar vacation. More things to do in Ottawa include:

ByWard Market

298 Dalhousie Street | Ottawa

One of Canada’s oldest and most beloved public markets is the ByWard Market. Open year round, even in the colds of winter, the market offers shoppers an extensive range of items with vendors selling souvenirs, mitts and gloves, poutine (a Canadian classic of fries, cheese curds, and gravy) and other varied snacks. The ByWard is a market that locals often go to for fresh produce as well as a cheap meal on the go. If the locals do that, then it is advised you as a visitor to the city do just the same. Nearby to the main market buildings are numerous restaurant, nightlife spots, and boutiques. Take time to make your way to Barrack Obama’s favourite snack stop the Moulin de Provence Bakery and enjoy some of their mouth watering sweets they offer. During the night time street performers come out and the area becomes a great place for dinner and drinks.

parliament-hill-rideau-canal-ottawa-onot003Parliament Hill

1 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON

The central point of Ottawa is Parliament Hill, which is comprised of three Neo- Gothic buildings that act as the centre of Canadian government. Broken up into three sections there is much to see and do at Parliament Hill. In the Centre Block you can head to the observation deck of the Peace Tower to enjoy an expansive view over the Parliament grounds, Rideau Canal, and the rest of the city. Another recommended activity is to visit the Memorial Chamber which is a tribute to Canadians killed during military services. On the main lawn you can watch the changing of the guard which occurs each summer day at 10 am. And finally to the North is the library of Parliament which has many thousands of priceless books as well as some lovely art galleries attaches to the library. The other blocks – the east and the west – house key government buildings. The East Block has the privy council chamber as well as the house of the Governor General. While the West Block houses the Supreme Court of Canada, which can be toured as well. Visitors are welcome to the Parliament Buildings year round. There are also several free guided tours commencing through the day for visitors to enjoy and learn more about the various buildings that make up Parliament Hill.

More Things to do in Nice

niceThe sun, beautiful people, and the French sophistication are elements of Nice – a city set on the French Riviera. Long an area where the rich and famous come to play Nice is also a city that has much to offer to the average person too. Filled with great restaurants, boutiques, and historical monuments Nice is a city where a person can just wander around and savior their time here. A person can start their day wandering the markets of Cours Saleya, spend the afternoon on the beach, then enjoy the night time activities of Place Massena.

Cours Saleya

Cite du Parc | Nice 06300

Its hard to miss Cours Saleya – the city’s outdoor market – with its bright colors and fantastic smells. Cours Saleya is located in the bustling heart of the tourist friendly old town. It’s recommended to come here early as possible as by even 9 am there will be throngs of people wandering around buying foods for the day. Coming into Cours Saleya is a great way to see the commerce of the city in motion, as well as to see how regular citizens of the Nice live.

Place Massena

Avenue de Verdun / Avenue Felix Faure | Nice

The central square of Nice is Place Massena. A wonderful alive square Place Massena has the seafront flanking it to the south and the commercial delights of Avenue Jean Medecin – one of Nice’s main shopping streets – to the north. Nearby is the well maintained and lovely Massena Gardens is also a draw for people to visit. Especially enjoyable for its ambiance at night Place Massena always draws an eclectic ground. A night time feature is varied art exhibits hoisted above the crowds of passersby on tall steel pool as well as the immaculately restored fountain a blaze with lights.

The Beaches

Promenade des Anglais / Quai des Etats-Unis

Naturally the beaches of Nice are worth a look as this is the French Riviera. Known for its iconic blue chairs a vacation to Nice requires some beach lounging. Many of the beaches are designed for the wealthy however as much of the beach space is broken up into private beach clubs that cost a fair bit to enter. Private beaches do have the iconic blue chairs, which keep you off the pebble beaches, but they also do not allow you to bring your own food or drinks in. There are free beaches to, but there are no lounge chairs are rest room facilities in them.

Things to do in Nice, France

Villefranche-Sur-Mer-French-Riviera-france-1People who visit Nice enjoy a varied experience as they dart between the city’s world famous beach, fantastic shopping and the varied historical sites. Set down on the French Riviera, Nice has long been a French – and more recently – world vacation destination. In the summer months the city is assured to have long stretches of sunshine and a crowded board walk. Night life and a great gastronomic culture assure that visitors to this city will have a fantastic time both night and day. A few things to do in Nice include:

Promenade des Anglais

Promenade des Anglais | Nice 06000

The most iconic of Nice’s attractions most certainly is the promenade. This is where you can stroll along with the legions of visitors to the city flanked by the ocean on one side and high end shops and restaurants on the other. It is recommended soon after arriving to Nice that you take a walk along the Promenade to get your directional bearings as the view from there will highlight the other historic attractions that the city has to offer. The promenade is always lively at all times of day and there are plenty of options for food and drinks along it.

Chagall Museum

16 Avenue du Docteur Ménard | Nice

One of Nice’s most acclaimed museums is the Chagall Museum. Filled with various art works from France and around the whole of Europe art lovers will certainly get their fill of visually arresting art. Chagall is best known for its wonderful stain glass art works that create colourful, and often, surreal visuals as light refracts through them. Previous visitors to the museum recommend getting an audio guide to provide additional information about the art works. The Chagall Musuem is open from 10 a.m. until 5 or 6 pm and entrance only costs a moderate fee.

Castle Hill

Montee du Chateau | Nice

Perched above the city looking down and over it is Colline du Châteauas or in English: castle hill. Though much of the original castle has succumbed to weather and years of wear and tear visitors to Nice still enjoy climbing its more than 300 feet of stairs to the top of the hill. To those who make it that far fantastic views over Nice and the Bay of Angels serve as a reward. Not just a place for a great view there is also a nice park area that is wonderful for picnicking. There is also a children’s playground close by too.

More Things to Do in Yellowstone

Yellowstone is one of America’s great natural escapes. This national park is filled with a variety of different camping areas, waterfalls, canyons, forests and other varied natural attractions. Since the colonial era people have marvelled at the bounty of nature located in this part of the state of Wyoming. Each year the national park is filled with legions of nature lovers who take to the outdoors and savour Yellowstone. If chance should bring you to Yellowstone you will have much to explore. Still more things to see and do in Yellowstone national park include:

2892_355_Hayden_Valley_Yellowstone_mdHayden Valley

One of the key draws for visitors to Yellowstone is the chance to see the parks varied wildlife. Perhaps no place provides better opportunity for this then Hayden Valley. Located a few miles from Yellowstone Lake this lush valley is a natural grazing ground for elk, coyotes, bison, a vast variety of bird species, and even the occasional grizzly bear. Two of the major trails that hikers enjoy in the valley are the Hayden Valley Trail – which travels to Grand Canyon of Yellowstone from the valley – and the Mary Mountain Trail which leads hikers along the Northern edge of the valley. A few of the valleys calling card sites include a few geothermal pools such as Sulphur Springs, Black Dragon Caldron, and Mud Geyser.

Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center 

Once you have enjoyed enough natural pursuits many visitors to Yellowstone take the time to visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. This non profit center details in depth the history and features of the bears and wolves that are, and have been, inside Yellowstone. Beyond just the history of the animals, present conservation practices are also detailed in the center too. Nearby to the center are several habitats that actual house bears and wolves complete with viewing areas so you can safely view them.  Located near to the entrance to Yellowstone national park the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is open in summer from sunrise to sunset daily.

Grand Prismatic Spring

If you’re looking for a bit of artistic inspiration, you’ll find it at the Grand Prismatic Spring. Sitting in the Midway Geyser Basin, this is the largest hot spring in the United States, approximately 250 by 300 feet in size and around 160-feet deep. But it’s Grand Prisimatic’s rainbow waters that really make it fascinating: While the center of the pool’s deep cerulean hue is pretty characteristic, the deep reds, bright yellows and fiery oranges encircling the edges are not. These colors are caused by pigmented bacteria that thrive on the rich minerals produced by the geothermic activity. The color of the bacteria is determined by the temperature of the water — the center of the spring is too hot to support life — which is then reflected when light hits the organisms.

Saving Money on Vacation

It’s not easy to see the world on a budget – believe me, I’ve tried. There are always things eating away at your bottom line and sneaking money out of your pocket at every turn to the point that you wonder if there’s a hole in your pants! So much of it starts so innocently that you don’t fully realize it until you add everything up at the end and swear you’ll do it differently next time, or else enter the poor house in the process.

Thankfully, there are some great ways to save money that are easy and don’t away from the experience or enjoyment of travelling. Many of these things can be planned for in advance, from opening a savings account years in advance to keep tabs of your money or researching hotels coupon codes for use when you book your accommodation. Some can come up at the last minute, like realizing buying a whole baguette and cheese can serve as your meal for a few days, rather than eating out for every meal. You learn a few things as you travel on how to cut costs, but for first timers, what do you do?

Well, here are a few pointers to get you started!

Avoid Bars and Go to Bed Early

No, this isn’t the most fun for the partiers out there but let’s be honest, whether you’re dancing at a bar at home or at the hottest disco in Milan, what really is the difference? Plan to have your days packed full of doing and seeing great things so that you’re so tired at the end that you actually make use of your hostel bed and don’t waste the day. Buy some beer or wine at the grocery store or liquor shops and hang out with people at your accommodation – it’s much cheaper and less draining than a midnight to dawn rave with a 20 euro cover charge and 8 euro martinis.

atwater-marketBuy your Food from a Market

This hinges on you staying at a place with a kitchen, but paying the extra 5 euros to get a place with a kitchen means your meal expenses drop significantly, as you can cook your own meals with food from a local market. Plus, you might make a few friends with the other travellers doing just the same thing!

Exploit the Free Sights

It’s unfortunate that people think the best things to see have to cost them money as this really takes away from enjoying a city or any spot for that matter if they always have to be forking over some cash. Many cities have some of their best attractions though completely free of charge, you just have to know where to look. It costs nothing to see the outside of Rome’s Coliseum and the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica; entrance to Westminster Abbey will cost you a hefty fee but walking along the Thames River in London and gazing at that postcard view of the Houses of Parliament is free. Tokyo’s Hachiko Crossing in Shibuya won’t cost you anything, along with almost every temple and shrine in the country; gazing at the Sydney Opera House and walking the Botanical Gardens is a spendthrift’s delight. You don’t have to be rich to see the world – you just have to know where to look!