If you love Almonte (pictured above), this week’s Heads Up posts has links to three different posts showcasing the Lanark County community (and its role in many a holiday movie). You can also learn about an immersive art exhibit in Montreal, a new B&B in Shawville, romantic dinners in a greenhouse, barbecue workshops in Long Sault, and shopping itineraries throughout South Eastern Ontario. And as if all that weren’t enough, I also point you to a video that will show you how to use a potato to keep ice from forming on your windshield. How’s that for practical?
Condé Nast has ideas for a Montreal getaway
Planning a trip to Quebec’s largest city anytime soon? Then you might want to read Condé Nast Traveler‘s list of the 23 Best Things to Do in Montreal. Most of them won’t be surprises to frequent Montreal visitors, but I was intrigued by a few I hadn’t heard of, including the Oasis immersive digital art exhibit at the Palais des Congrès (which looks seriously cool) and an intimate jazz club that has been ranked among the world’s best.
I have two new posts about Almonte
If you’re a regular Ottawa Business Journal reader, you may have spotted my monthly Regional Roadtrips column there. This month’s article focuses on Almonte.
My latest post for Perceptive Travel highlights Almonte as a holiday movie location.
And speaking of Christmas movies, I have a brand-new post on Ottawa Road Trips about Christmas movies shot in Ottawa and nearby communities.
Shawville has a new B&B
Reader Katharine F. gave me a tip on a B&B that opened in Shawville, Quebec, earlier this year. Circa Bed & Breakfast has two rooms available for guests, each with a queen-sized bed and private bath. It’s located in a brick mansion built in 1898, and some rooms are still available over the holidays.
These new self-driving routes in South Eastern Ontario offer shopping inspiration
I mentioned these briefly in last week’s newsletter, but just in case you missed the notice, I’m repeating the info here. The South Eastern Ontario tourism association has just developed six itineraries aimed squarely at holiday shoppers.
- The Village Gems Holiday Trail winds through Gananoque, Westport and Rideau Lakes.
- The Home and the Holidays Shopping Route focuses on home decor stores in Bay of Quinte and Prince Edward County.
- The Bookworm’s Paradise Shopping Route takes you to bookshops in Brockville and the 1000 Islands.
- The Artisan and Vintage Charm Route helps you discover artists, crafters and makers in Cornwall, SDG Counties and Prescott-Russell.
- The Sweetest Route to Shop showcases spots to buy cakes, pies, chocolates and more in Rideau Lakes, the 1000 Islands and Gananoque.
- The Gourmet Goodies Expedition Route helps you find gifts for foodies in Lennox and Addington, Frontenac County and Kingston.
Disclosure: I’m currently doing some writing for a different project for the South Eastern Ontario tourism association.
How a potato can help you drive better
I can’t believe I’ve lived through 40 Ottawa winters without knowing a handy-sounding tip from The Weather Network. Apparently, rubbing a cut potato over your windshield before an ice storm can help stop ice from forming on it (it has something to do with the sugar in the potato). I didn’t have any potatoes in the house to try it Monday night, but my husband did try one of the Weather Network’s other freezing rain prep tips—covering the rearview mirrors with plastic bags. That worked like a charm.
For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out how to embed a Weather Network video in this post, so the image above is just a screenshot. To see the potato tip and many other ideas for prepping for freezing rain, check out this Weather Network video.
BBQ chef is offering workshops in Long Sault
Cornwall BBQ caterer Mat Drouin (AKA BBQ with Drew) will be offering a couple of two-hour barbecuing workshops at the Lost Villages Brewery in Long Sault this winter. First up is a class on brisket on Sunday, February 16. Next is a class on pork ribs on Sunday, March 2. (Thanks to the excellent Off the Hook newsletter for this tip.)
You can have Valentine’s dinner in a greenhouse
And thanks to the also excellent The Ottawan newsletter for this tip: Tickets are on sale now for Valentine’s dinners in a tropical greenhouse at the Robert Plante Greenhouses in Navan. The three-course meal includes vegan and non-vegan options, and you can add wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages as well. Deadline to reserve is Friday, January 24.
Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.
