A post to get us through Friday: Siena, Italy

Example of Italian architecture, and
well dressed Italian men.
Thank you Pentax DSLR.

It was one of those weeks where I had that moment, where I really really really need a vacation. I also saw "Eat, Pray, Love" this week, and really wanted to go back to Italy, eat copious amounts of pasta, gelato and drink a ton of wine, look at amazing clothes, and look/gawk at amazingly well dressed Italian men. So let's go to Siena Italy shall we?

Siena Italy is a wonderful City in the Tuscan region, a perfect place to stay if you want to tour the vineyards, but don't want to pay the high prices. I was there in October and thought it was a perfect time to visit. Siena lends itself to getting lost on its winding streets, and during the fall the colors of the buildings become that more vibrant. Its a wonderfully preserved town. It wasn't completely run over with tourists either, so you can stroll along at your own pace.

While in Siena we stayed at Albergo Bernini, it was perfect.  In fact aside from the place my friend and I stayed in Capri, this was our other favorite place. Its a charming B&B, in a great location, the owners are amazing, always making sure your stay is perfect. They helped us arrange a day tour of some Tuscan vineyards, which is a must, because you will fall in love with Truffle Oil...and the wine. 

The City does a great job at lighting
during the evening. 

Piazza Del Campo

Return Trips: Yay or Nay?

First off, I want to apologize for the severe lack of posts, the summer got in the way !!!

I generally have a rule that I won't go back to a City/Country that I've been to before, there's just so many places to see. Have I broken the rule? Yes, a few times, but for all valid reasons. Plus I take it a step further, where I have Cities that are on a list of being ok to visit more than once, London, Paris, New York City, Montreal and Vancouver are on that list. Do you have any travel rules?

Never in a million years did I think that I would have the chance to go back to India, but alas my trip to Nepal has a stopover each way through Delhi. Granted I will be there for a combined total of 16 hours, but still there, and at night. So now I am forced with the dilemma of, should I leave the airport and kick it in Delhi for a bit, or just hunker down in the airport and go on a shopping trip.

India Gate - Delhi, India

Next Trip Update: Nepal Bound !!!

Hi everyone !!

Ok so remember I told you that I was going to Sri Lanka? Well, that trip got cancelled because I was the only one who signed up for it lol. So now I am off to Nepal on October 25th. So please if you have any tips please let me know !!

I know I've been slacking with the posts but I have some lined up for this weekend and next week !!

Thanks !!
Meaghan

Hot night, wind was blowin' - Montreal

Hello !!! Sorry about the lack of posts, I was getting ready for a big music weekend in Montreal. I went to Osheaga , an awesome music festival over the August long weekend (at least it was one in Ontario). So many great bands at such a great price, for a one day pass to the festival for $85 I saw some amazing bands, one of my favorites being The Black Keys. A little musical interlude if you will, here is my favorite Black Keys song...

So I have a new crop of things to do, places to see while in Montreal. It was definetly a party weekend this time, as opposed to last time where it was super relaxing. Here we go:

We had a great lunch in Old Montreal at Bevo Bar and Pizzeria,  my friends had the pizza's and they loved them. I had a great caprese salad, sadly they didn't have any gluten free pizza options, le sigh. But I still highly recommend it, they a great patio as well.

A great street to party on is St.Laurent, now I come from a family of current and reformed hipsters, so these are their favorite places, you will have fun and they aren't you typical bars you would normally go to.

We started off our night at Bifteck, incredibly cheap drinks, 2 pool tables, what more do you need right? Its a great place to start your night off. Once you're ready to move on, just head north on St.Laurent to...

Korova, now this is the most hipster place I've been to, and I used to live next to Kensington Market in Toronto. But for a fun night of dancing, foosball and $5 Pabst you can't go wrong, I happened to have loved the music playing that night, it was retro music great for dancing. Its small, hot, sweaty, but you'll never go to a place like that anywhere else.

After your night of partying you need to go somewhere to help you out the next day, and what better than chicken shawarma, go to/order Boustan, get the trio, you'll thank me the next morning.

So enjoy an amazing night out in Montreal !!

Hot night, wind was blowin' - Toronto

I’ve said this countless times to my friends,very few things beat a hot night out in the City, there is something about the summer heat that brings out my love of Toronto.


A few summers back I had the chance to live in the heart of Toronto, at College and Spadina, next to Chinatown, Kensington Market and the University of Toronto. Basically a few of the places you want to visit while in town. So here are a few of my favorite places to go at night, that will help you discover Toronto at its finest.  

A great night out always starts with a great dinner:

Cremini Mushroom Pizza
at Pizzeria Libretto

1. Pizzeria Libretto - for the best pizza you will ever have, I advise on ordering the pizza with the sausage, as it is made in house. Sorry pals, no gluten free pizza here. I go to the location on Ossington, it is the original spot.


2. The Grilled Cheese - in Kensington Market, its grilled cheese done great, my little "insider tip" is, order your grilled cheese, and tell them you'll be at Ronnie's (the bar across the street from the restaurant) and they will deliver your grilled cheese to you !!! Ronnie's is a great place to start and end your night, but you can just stumble outside the bar and hit up any of the hidden bars in Kensington.


3. The Beaconsfield - the best macaroni and cheese you will ever have. Just go.


Watering Holes


After you have had your pizza at Libretto, Ossington Street is a great street to start and finish your night off, if you want dancing, head to Levack Block for a great night of d. Or The Painted Lady, if you don't feel like paying cover at Levack Block. The DJ's are outstanding at both places. Around the corner from The Painted Lady, on Dundas Street, is Communist's Daughter , its a little hidden, but once you find it, you won't forget it. It is seriously a chill place, but gets rowdy nonetheless. I spent a wild Halloween there, but that is another story for another day. Or never.


Another area that is worth discovering, is Roncesvalles (again in the West end of Toronto), its traditionally a Polish area, but its becoming the next great neighborhood with great shopping, and its proximity to High Park. The pub that my friends and I hang out is The Local, a tiny pub with a great selection of beers. A guaranteed great night out. 


After pub grub


After your night out on Ossington, you're going to need something to help you and your stomach the next day. Stumble over to Poutini's on Queen Street, for some Poutine, I always order the standard classic poutine. Tip, consider leaving the bar a tad early to get your poutine, yes its worth leaving the bar early for.




Do you have a list of favorite places that you wish tourists knew about for your City?

A gluten free travel snack idea

Full Disclosure: I'm pretty new to this whole "gluten free" way of life, so I'm not sure if this is a new snack idea or not, but it just hit me this evening.


I just started trying the Gluten Free Chex cereal this week, and its kind of bland. But I thought it would be a great snack, if you mix it in with some spices. If you pack it in the right container they won't break, so a great travel snack to bring along with you on trips. 


A great gift suggestion for yourself, or your favorite traveler is a Travel Spice Kit, no matter where you are, you can have the food to your liking. 

Tea Time: Chateau Laurier in Ottawa

High tea sandwiches, and desserts.

When I travel I don't normally do anything "fancy" per se, but a few years back I went to Ottawa Ontario (which is one of my favorite Canadian Cities), for a bachelorette weekend.


Yes, the bachelorette party did include a stop for High Tea at the Chateau Laurier, I know not exactly the crazy typical bachelorette you normally hear of, but it happened.


The Chateau Laurier is located next to the Parliament Buildings and the Rideau Canal, yet another gem of a Fairmont hotel property. Its in an ideal location, walking distance to everything you will ever need to see in Ottawa. The restaurant in the hotel that offers the High Tea service is named Zoe's Lounge.

Om nom nom, the cheese course

If you are in town and not staying at the Chateau Laurier, I highly recommend going there for afternoon tea, its a reasonable price starting at $30 for a traditional tea. If you're feeling particularly fancy there is a tea course you can for $55 that includes Moet Champagne, yes please.


The food is amazing, and they are really great at customizing your food tray for allergies. I didn't miss out on any of the deliciousness.




The tea barista, and tea cart.

The experience is amazing, when you place your order for the High Tea, you also indicate which tea you would like to have. The tea barista brings a large cart to your table and you watch the tea experience unfold. You have the opportunity to smell the tea leaves before the steeping process begins. Its quite the regal experience, and the food tastes amazing, all very fresh.


TRAVEL TIP: The most amazing Croissant you will ever eat in your life can be found at The French Baker. Trust me, just go, and enjoy.

The calming feel of the restaurant