Travelling Starfish

Thundering roar of the winter falls

Growing up in Toronto, Canada I was fortunate enough to only be an hour away from Niagara Falls.  Over the years, I’ve visited the Falls on a number of occasions.

I know that I’ve spoken about the Falls before but I was thinking back to a time when I was at the Falls close to the winter period and remembered how miraculous they were.  As the weather starts to get warmer (yeye!), thinking of colder temperatures doesn’t feel so bad.

In November 2005, I headed over to the Falls from Toronto and stayed overnight.  One of my favourite hotels in the area is the Embassy Suites Fallsview.  We were looking for a nice hotel at a decent price and we were lucky to find just that.  For $100, we got a massive suite overlooking the Falls (with a jacuzzi), full breakfast and a happy hour with free drinks and snacks.  It couldn’t be beat and the views were spectacular.

Even though it was only one night, it was a great overnight stay that I’ll never forget.  After indulging in a meal at The Keg, we woke up and decided to venture out to the Falls for a site that I’ve never seen before – the Falls in the wintertime.

With it being November, Niagara Falls had its first taste of winter – it wasn’t snowing but it was chilly.  Winter was on its way.  Although not a lover of the cold, I bundled up and thought that I’d give it a go for a change.  As soon as we set our eyes on those Falls, I knew that I’d made the right decision.

As much as the Falls are lovely in the heart of the summer, there is something even more picturesque and special in the cold.  Maybe it’s the glimmer in the water that almost looks like ice or the fact that there aren’t as many tourists around.  I’m not sure but I do know it was a lovely experience that I would even do again.

Me at the falls - a bit chilly

I’ll tell people time and again that, unless they love the cold, that they should only visit Canada when the temperatures start to improve in the spring-time.  However, I have to say that a visit around the winter time is a different experience and a visit to the Falls at this time is very special indeed.

Since this visit I’ve been back a few times.  I have a lot of fond memories there that I hold close to my heart – lots of laughs with friends & family.  Sometimes I look back on some of the things I’ve seen in my 32 years and I realize how fortunate I am.  Hopefully my next visit to the Falls will be just as glamorous.  Hey, they didn’t make a Marilyn Monroe movie in Niagara for nothing, did they?

Bye for now, Miriam

Out of all the Canadian cities I’ve been to, my absolute favourite on the East side of the country is Montreal.  First of all, my mother is from there so I got to spend a lot of time there as a kid.  Second, it is such a gorgeous city with an influence from the French.  Most importantly, it has some of the most amazing food I’ve ever experienced in North America!

So, when I was thinking of this month’s Top 3 Eats, it had to be Montreal all the way.

Here’s my top 3 picks of where to dine when you go to this amazing French Canadian city –

A mix of classic and modern – L’Academie on St Denis

Set just outside the main downtown area is the lovely area of St Denis.  I can’t emphasize enough how much I love this area.  The downtown core of Montreal can get quite hectic and a bit tiring at times.  With all the amazing shopping and nightlife, it is nice to get away from it all and grab a bite to eat in a more relaxed area.  L’Academie is a restaurant that I keep going back to.

I first found out about L’Academie from a work colleague.  He told me that this area of Montreal was known for allowing people to bring their own wine.  This practice would never happen in Toronto where they would either charge you an astronomical corkage fee or you wuoldn’t be allowed to brown bag it at all!  The bonus here is that the restaurant is actually located right beside a liqour shop so you don’t even have to worry about thinking ahead.  Right before you go to sit down, just hop in the shop and off you go.

The restaurant is located right on the main street at 4051 St-Denis and has the contemporary atmosphere I adore.  The food is fantastic with my favourite being the delicious moules (mussels) dishes with different spices and flavours. They are delicious and blend traditional French cuisine with a modern flare.  L’Academie is a must for anyone visiting the city.

Gotta have your smoked meat – Schwartz’s Deli

For those who’ve visited Montreal before, I’m sure you’ve heard of this name before.  Montreal is known for its smoked meat.  Before I gave up beef, I was addicted to this stuff.  Smoked meat is sold all over in delis across the world but smoked meat in Montreal just tastes different.  It is absolutely delicious.

By far, the most famous smoked meat in Montreal is at Schwartz`s Deli on Saint Laurent Boulevard (3895 to be exact).  Their website states that it has been a Montreal tradition since 1928!  When you think about it, that is very impressive – a business that has lasted the test of time through the depression and other economic hardships and is not too far away from celebrating it being in business for a century.  All for the love of the smoked meat.

Smoked meat & all the trimmings

I have to admit that as a kid, my parents never took me to Schwartz’s, we had another smoked meat place in town we went to.  About 15 years ago, we decided to give it a try and we’ve never gone back.  The restaurant has a personality onto itself.  Everytime I’ve walked by it, there has been a massive line to get its classic sandwich.  If we’ve decided to eat in, you are asked to share tables in a cafeteria style setting.  The business here is about getting you your sandwich fast and getting people chomping down those yummy slices of smoked meat.

In my opinion, Schwartz’s is a part of Montreal that I don’t think will ever fade away – I feel that, up there with the classic montreal bagel (which is also divine), it is a mainstay in Montreal’s culture.  You MUST go there!

A bit of Old Montreal – Gibbys

I couldn’t possibly do a post on the food of Montreal without highlighting one of the most classic and beautiful areas of the city, Old Montreal (or Vieux Montreal).  In the summer, this area definitely comes alive and is full of outdoor cafes and restaurants.  It is again another favourite part of the city as it almost feels like you are in another part of the world – like Europe.

One restaurant I’ve been to is Gibbys.  Located at 298 Place d’Youville, it is right in the heart of the area and offers gorgeous food in a lovely setting.  Like L’Academie it has traditional French food with a contemporary twist – again, my favourite.  I have eaten steaks here before with au poivre (pepper) sauce which is lovely but I’m a big fan of their seafood dishes.  The dish that I found most tasty was the Jumbo Shrimp Provencales.  The atmosphere is beautiful too with a lovely courtyard and amazing service.

Whatever type of cuisine you’re in the mood for, Montreal has it – smoked meat, French favourites or steaks/seafood galore!  If you are a foodie at heart, make the trip to Montreal!

As I’ve said before, sometimes a girl has got to treat herself.  There is nothing better to achieving that then by taking a day out on your own (or with a girlfriend) and heading to a first class spa.

After travelling around the world and visiting quite a few spas, I must say that some of the best I’ve been to have been in my hometown province of Ontario, Canada.  For anyone making a trip over to Toronto or other parts of Ontario, I highly recommend booking yourself in for a massage and a bit of pampering.

There are a number of reasons as to why Ontario is such a fantastic destination.

As I believe most things in life run in threes – here are my 3 reasons for this claim –

1) Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) – in order to be a practicing massage therapist in Ontario, you need to be registered.  Ontario has a strict policy on this and anyone who is not an official “RMT” is actually performing massage therapy illegally.  This may sound a bit over-the-top but I think it’s great.  It does run the costs of massage a bit higher than other parts of the world but you will not regret it.  Also you know that when you go for a massage you are not placing yourself at risk of getting a bad massage (and value for money) or (even worse) getting an injury if the person isn’t properly trained – which does happen.

2) Lots of competition – there are so many spas across the province that they all compete with one another.  There are loads of deals on offer, especially in the slower months and customer service (which as I’ve said before is typically fantastic in Canada anyway) is incredible.  I’ve never left an Ontario spa without being fully satisfied.

3)  A truly relaxing experience – many of the spas I’ve been to, whether they are deep in the heart of the city or in the countryside, all help you unwind and getaway from your day-to-day stresses.  This should be true of all spas but, in other countries, I have found that this obvious element sometimes is missed – which can be quite disappointing.

If you are travelling to Ontario, most likely you will pass by Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and many of the spas I love are there.

Here are my top 3 regions and some spa suggestions in each:

Niagara-on-the-Lake

1) Niagara on the Lake (NOTL) – as most of my friends and family know, I love this part of Ontario and the world in general.  Niagara-on-the-Lake is a small town just outside of Niagara Falls.  Unlike its neighbouring city, NOTL is quiet and relaxed.  It is a very quaint getaway from the hustle and bustle of the Falls tourism.

Surrounded by Bed & Breakfast accommodation and wineries (yes, wineries!) this area has blossomed into a spa destination for many.

Some of the spas to check out, from my experience, are the White Oaks Resort & Spa, which is right off the highway en route to Niagara Falls and a beautiful complex for an overnight stay or just for a spa day.  They have a number of packages that include massages, body treatments and manicure/pedicures.

If you want a spa closer to the old town of NOTL (which is fabulous by the way), the historic Pillar & the Post is just what you need.  It has a gorgeous spa that was refurbished in the past few years and offers all the treatments a girl (or guy) could ask for.

2) Jackson’s Point – for something a bit closer to the city without losing that country feel, I recommend this area on Lake Simcoe.  Just about an hour north of Toronto and near a town called Newmarket, is Jackson’s Point.  A favourite cottage country getaway in the summer, it is a quiet town with a very comfortable atmosphere.

The Briars is a resort that offers accommodation alongside the spa.  Years ago, my mother and I did a 2-night getaway there in the winter.  They often have deals at this time of year so check them out.  It has serene surroundings, amazing food and fantastic spa treatments – truly a perfect place for the weekend.  Summertime is their popular season and you will find that they have a number of activities for all tastes.

Getting dolled up at The Briars

My mom and I really enjoyed the spa there and we even got our hair styled a bit too – it was fun.  The aestheticians were lovely and they let us take our time to really enjoy the time we had together.

While there,I also got a massage which was really nice and my mom got a manicure and pedicure which she enjoyed.  We chatted with a lot of the ladies there and many just adored the treatments they had, making me want to go back another time.  It’s been a few years now, so maybe we are overdue – another thing to add to my list.

3) Toronto – even though Toronto is city that you wouldn’t typically associate with relaxation (that’s for sure!) there are some premium spas here.  Booking a spa day in the city, is a perfect way to unwind after a long day at work or shopping!

In 2009, when I was home for just over a month my good friend Michelle took me to Stillwater Spa at the Park Hyatt for a manicure and pedicure.  I have to admit, I was a bit sceptical that it wouldn’t compare to other spas I’d been to – including those in NOTL or Jackson’s Point.  It definitely did.

We spent 3-4 hours in the spa – enjoying the steam room, sauna and relaxation room before we headed over for our manicure and pedicures.  It was a really nice time – a perfect way to unwind on a Friday with a great friend.

For all of you who are making plans to Canada and love spas (like I do) consider booking one of the ones I’ve suggested above.

Tell me what you think!

Me in Vancouver, BC

So what makes Canada and the US unique?

A part of the fun of travelling is getting to know and experience cultures.  Having grown up in Canada and having had the chance to travel across North America quite a bit, I realize that there are a lot of things that make this part of the world unique.

Over the years, my travels across the globe have made those North America-isms (as I call them) that more obvious.

A typical Canadian stereotype is around what we say.  Many say that Canadians always say ‘eh’ as in ‘I come from Canada, eh?’.  I don’t say this so I guess I’m an exception to the rule.

There are loads of North American-isms I could list but I’ve narrowed it down to my top 2 good and 2 bad ones – here I go:

Cleveland

The goods -

1) Excellent customer service – I think most people will agree about this point and I believe its partly why many people who visit North America,that  love it. Everytime I’m in Toronto for a meal, I’m always amazed at the quality of the food, the friendlieness of the staff and the value for money.

Similarly, whenever I stay in a hotel I always love the size of the beds and the cleanliness – something that can vary in other parts of the world that I’ve visited.

2) Multi-culturalism – since North America is a ‘new world’ continent, we are a mix of cultures from all sorts of countries. I love that about North America.

Some may say the Irish influence in Boston or the Asian influence in Vancouver (as examples) aren’t genuine as it goes back so many generations.

I disagree because these cultures have built up the cities they immigrated to.  In Toronto, when you go to Chinatown, Greektown or Little Italy, you get a taste of those cultures and an interesting perspective from those generations who took a bold chance and headed to the new world.  You have to give these people credit for this.  As an expat and the granddaughter of a Canadian immigrant (from Hungary), I am amazed about this part of North American history.  Can you imagine packing up your life, getting on a boat and starting out in a place you’ve never even seen a picture of before? Probably not as, with the Internet and cheap travel, that would rarely happen in this day-and-age.

Me in Boston

The not so goods -

1) The large portion sizes – although a positive to some, something I dislike about North America (especially in the US) is the large portion sizes. There is so much excess that isn’t necessary. I recall one visit to The Cheescake Factory in Boston where I ordered a lunch size Symphony Salad (which is delicious by the way) and my partner ordered a club sandwich. Doesn’t sound like anything so special?  Well, when he got his sandwich there was a mountain of fries. It was insane and my salad was enormous considering it was the lunch size. I recommend taking a doggie bag home with you or share – both common practices in North America – for good reason.

2) Saying sorry & being too polite - again this could be viewed as a positive but I don’t think so anymore. After living in the UK (a country known for its politeness) and Israel, I think the whole sorry thing is something I don’t like. I’m actually trying to change it in myself – not any easy task after 26 years of saying it all the time:). Sure, it’s good to say sorry when you’ve done something wrong but I know some fellow Canadians who say sorry when someone pushes them out of the way! Does it really get us anywhere as individuals to be so freaking nice?  I think you know where I stand…your thoughts please!

Well, that’s my laundry list. Do any other North Americans out there have anything to add?

What about all of you who’ve visited the US or Canada…what do you like or dislike about it? Have your say!

Three times a charm – well, not for me unfortunately. 

A few months ago, I set myself up with a bit of a challenge.  I commited to give the dating scene a try again and decided to conduct my own little Travelling Starfish experiment.  After living and working across a number of countries and cultures, I wanted to understand how dating differs across 3 very different countries  – Canada, Israel and the UK.

So far, my personal dating luck has been minimal (see how honest I am!) but my research has been plentiful.  So, being the research nerd that I am, I’m oddly satisfied.

Looking at UK and Israel, I found out that Israelis are very in your face about dating, making it easy to see what’s out there.  A refreshing approach – one that isn’t for everyone but definitely something welcomed from my perspective.  The UK had a lot of options but the week lay over I had was a bit aggressive to set one up.  I’m headed back that way soon so maybe I’ll be able to directly test the waters soon.

So what is Toronto like for dating?

I’ll keep all of you guessing on if I had a date or two over the 2 months I was there (a girl shouldn’t really kiss & tell should she) but I have plenty of experience dating in the T-dot.  Especially, from my years of singledome in my 20s. Plus I also have a lot of friends in Toronto who’ve dated so research was easy in this thriving metropolis.

Toronto is a wonderful town but I find it hard to meet new people in the city. Unlike the UK (especially Jersey) and Israel I don’t find that people socialize so much after work.  My opinion is that it has to do with the commuter culture there.  In Jersey, Friday was the big night to go out and have a few drinks with colleagues. I loved it and found it was an easy way to meet new people.  In Toronto people typically live and work in different places making it tough to have a few before heading home.  People work really long days too so they want to go home and just kick back. For meeting people naturally, it makes it difficult.

Here’s some of my observations:

1) How Torontonians typically meet significant others -

Via friends, meetups or online.  The latter is the one I hear most people talk about.  For those in their 30s, online appears to be the way to go. I’m not convinced it’s for me (after years of practice in my 20s) but I guess it’s always good to keep an open mind.

2) What to do on a date in Toronto -

This aspect of dating in Toronto is a positive.  There is tons to do – go for a coffee, drink, bite to eat, walk around the Royal Ontario Museum, see a movie and so on. The possibilities are endless.  A typical first date is usually a coffee or a drink. I prefer the latter as I find the initial meetup less awkward and a bit of wine helps to take the edge off.

3) My thoughts of dating generally in Toronto -

To be honest, it is one of the bug bears I have with settling in Toronto. I find it to be a really hard city to meet new people and when you are looking for the man of your dreams (lol) it can be a bit of a pain. I guess you never know though.

One innovative way to meet people that is used more often now in Toronto are meetups through www.meetup.com.  If you haven’t used this site, check it out. It allows members (which is free) to join groups of interest in their local area. It’s not a dating site but definitely a good way to meet someone who shares a passion or hobby.

So what is the moral of dating across all these countries?

One thing really – looking for love wherever you do it, isn’t easy.  The key is to keep an open mind, try new things and hopefully that magic person will come into your life.  It’s like they say, sometimes the best things in life happen when you least expect it.

Good luck to all those singles across the world looking for love.

Bye for now, Travelling Starfish