Tag: Culture

Costa Rica

Costa Rica: The Highlights

Arienne

One word: Amazing.

My one-week visit to Costa Rica was that in every way. Amazing! With every turn in the road, meal we ate, new activity we tried, and information we learned about the country, amazing was the only way we could describe it.

It’s been a while since a country has won me over so quickly. Just 2 days of being on Costa Rican soil I was Skyping with Tristan and proclaiming that I’d found the next place we would live in. A big proclamation indeed.

Ok, I realize I need to rewind here a bit before my giddy inner 12-year old brain farts all over the page in an incoherent mess.

At the beginning of December, myself and my travel blogging amiga Cristina traveled down to Costa Rica as part of the Tourism Board’s ‘Happiness Campaign’. The intent was simple, find happiness in Costa Rica. But even before departing I knew this would be an easy feat. Read more “Costa Rica: The Highlights” →

Video: Toronto’s Distillery District From a Segway

Arienne
Segway Tour Distillery District Toronto
The main Gooderham & Worts sign in Toronto’s Distillery District.

I love spending time in Toronto’s Distillery District. Every time I visit the area I feel like I’ve stepped back in time. It’s one of the city’s most historic areas and the rough cobblestones and Victorian buildings are a stark contrast to Toronto’s Financial District core. The district was at one point the largest distillery in the world and has since become a vibrant cultural and entertainment area filled with one-of-a-kind shops, gallery and performance spaces, cafes, and restaurants. In the wintertime, it transforms into an outdoor Christmas market modeled after the Christmas markets made famous in Germany.

The Distillery District is the largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian Industrial architecture in North America. It’s one of the most sought after shooting locations in the city with Hollywood blockbusters such as Cinderella Man and Chicago using it as their backdrops.

The Distillery District is open to pedestrian traffic only and makes for a great place to explore at a leisurely pace. But if you want a little action and adventure to go along with your latte and fine art, pop into Segway Ontario where you get a tour of the district while scooting around on a Segway. Read more “Video: Toronto’s Distillery District From a Segway” →

Photo Essay: Street Art in Montreal

Arienne
Street Art
The Paria Crew take over the side of a building during the Mural Festival in Montreal.

Ever since my tour of New York City’s street art last fall, I’ve been looking at this art form in a completely new way. First off, I’m noticing it more, I didn’t realize how much of it actually exists. Secondly, I’m taking the time now to look at the pieces and the creativity that goes into making them instead of just walking past thinking, “oh that’s cool” as I once used to do.

Of all the cities in Canada, Montreal has the strongest street art scene. You don’t have to venture too far out your front door before you’re face to face with one of its forms (stencil, mural, wheat paste, and stickers). The city fully recognizes and encourages what street art can do for a neighbourhood or community. Just this past spring, the first annual Mural Festival was launched where close to 20 new murals were created by local and international artists over a period of 4 days transforming a 2km stretch of Rue St. Laurent into an outdoor gallery.

I was so excited to discover my trip to the city coincided with this festival. On the Friday when we arrived, we meandered our way along Rue St. Laurent (aka The Main) watching as the artists were slowly transforming huge sides of buildings. Each piece was different from the next and drew crowds of interested onlookers watching as the scenes were taking shape. On the Sunday before we left, we made our way back and were amazed at the finished products. I personally felt like my inner creativity was being awoken just viewing the different pieces and I loved the bright colours and vibrancy it brought to the area. Read more “Photo Essay: Street Art in Montreal” →

Video: Top 5 Things to Do in Toronto

Arienne

Toronto-Skyline2

The more I travel, the more I realize what a phenomenal city Toronto is. And I’m not just saying that because it’s my hometown. What I like most about Toronto is that it’s one of the most multicultural cities in the world, giving it a unique character and vibrancy unlike most international cities. You can almost literally experience the world right here in a single city.

Unfortunately, Toronto doesn’t rank up there as a “must-see” big city around the world. But I’m hoping this video will help convince you to reconsider your travel choices. There’s an incredible amount of amazing things to do in Toronto, and trying to pick the top 5 was no easy feat. From professional sports teams to wandering our various ethnic neighbourhoods, to experiencing our performing arts scene and yes, even climbing the CN Tower, not everything could make the list.

I consulted with a number of fellow Torontonians, and in the end we decided it was about experiencing certain aspects of our city rather than giving you 5 specific things to do.

So, may I present to you the Top 5 Things to Do (Experience) in Toronto: Read more “Video: Top 5 Things to Do in Toronto” →