Schools out, the snow has fallen and you’re sitting at home wondering what you should do during the holiday season. First thing that comes to mind: it has to be cheap. After all, you’ve spent all your money trying to buy people good gifts (even though they’ve probably returned them by now) So after much Googling as I like to call it, I came up with a list of things you can do right here in Toronto that will cost you little to no money.

1.    If you’re ever downtown, you will notice Nathan Phillips square is decorated just like a movie set. Winter isn’t complete without skating at the outdoor rink under the beautifully lit backdrop. Harbourfront centre also has an outdoor rink. Both are free if you bring your own skates! BYOHC (bring your own hot chocolate!).

2.    Toronto’s annual winter festival Wintercity offers a city-wide celebration of Toronto’s delicious culinary experiences, unique free entertainment and a showcase of Toronto’s arts scene.

3.    The Toronto Zoo is open 365 days a year and has discounted tickets when visiting in groups.

There’s also so much that goes on around the world once the snow falls. Here’s a list of unique winter activities from across the globe.

Ski-jöring in Switzerland: This popular activity is when a skier is pulled by a horse, a sled dog, a motorbike or snow scooter.

Wok Racing in Germany & Austria: A sport developed by a German TV host modified Chinese woks are used to make timed runs down an Olympic bobsled tracks.

Snowshoeing in Mont Tremblant: Discover Mont-Tremblant along with some nature interpretation and native fire carrying techniques and chances to see deer! DEER!

Ice climbing in The Canadian Rockies: Climbers are roped, protected and climb icefalls, frozen waterfalls, cliffs and rock slabs covered with ice refrozen from previously flowing water.

Then again you can always just sit by the fireplace and eat lots and lots of marshmallows and smores, I consider that a winter activity!

-P

Bonjour mes amis!

Let’s talk French. Quebec City, la belle provence, is her nick name… short form for beautiful, inside and out. Quebec City-ers:  Unlike what some of us may have heard about this French-dominated population, they don’t actually hate English folk!! (That’s only Montrealers…!)  Instead they welcome you with open arms, celebration, and lots of great, great food! I’ve got 3 words for you: Maple syrup pie. If there is one thing that you should take with you from my rambling, it’s those 3 glorious words… and remember one piece is easily your sugar intake for a month! I ate the whole pie.

Quebec is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year!  The city was filled with tourists, banners, horse-drawn carriages and life.  An image mill - the world’s largest projection screen played across 81silos - hard to envision but trust me on this one- became the go-to place for over 5000 people every night for over 2 months now, projecting animated and real footage of the history if Quebec City in its last 400 years.

          Don’t know what we would do without our fabulous tour guide Marguerita who showed us the greatest places in Quebec City to see, from restaurants to stunning views to hotels and ferry rides, she had it covered! Le Chateau Frontenac is a must-see! (Well it’s literally a ‘must-see’ because no matter where you look you can see the Chateau perched above a mountain!)It is stunning.  But you might have to actually be a King if you want to stay the night at Le Chateau… Rooms vary anywhere from $200 - $6000/ night. Ballin’.

If you want to get a sense of Europe in Canada, visit QC. The narrow streets, cafés, boulangeries, shops, cobblestone roads and the overwhelming French language everywhere you turn, will truly make you scream “Vive le Quebec!”

A bientôt!

P.S. Quebec = Poutine. ‘Nough said.

A little intro about myself:  For one, I’ve never been a blogger. I’ve never been a writer, either.  For those who know me, I’m a talker, with a kind of sarcastic twist about my words. I need to know everything about everyone. I love people.  I’m a traveler - or at least would like to be - so when I got the opportunity to work for the Hospitality Guide, I knew from day one that this would be a perfect gig! My passion for travel and my ‘Why did I decide to take journalism?’ journalism degree actually became the perfect remedy needed to work for this fabulous, fun, fearless television show!  I’m so glad to be part of the HG team and wish YOU, who is reading this, a warm welcome to our team… get ready for great fun adventures.. the HG has no limits… well it does - it’s a family show… Enjoy!

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