| January 30, 2006
| |
| | Cordon Bleu Ottawa.
|
| Presenting: Ottawa - Canada's Capital and
| |
| | 7. Please give us an overview of the
|
| An Exciting Travel Destination
| |
| | performing arts on offer in Ottawa.
|
| In anticipation of my upcoming trip to
| |
| | The National Arts Centre is Canada's
|
| Ottawa next weekend I have started to do
| |
| | premier performing arts centre, offering
|
| some research and contacted Ottawa
| |
| | English and French theatre performances,
|
| Tourism. Ottawa, as Canada's capital, is
| |
| | dance, and the National Arts Centre
|
| one of Canada's most popular travel
| |
| | Orchestra. Numerous smaller theatres also
|
| destinations and it has a great variety
| |
| | abound, in both English and French,
|
| destinations, activities and events to
| |
| | including the Great Canadian Theatre
|
| offer.
| |
| | Company, La Nouvelle Scene, Ottawa Little
|
| I had an opportunity to talk with Jantine
| |
| | Theatre, Third Wall Theatre Company,
|
| Van Kregten from Ottawa Tourism who was
| |
| | Odyssey Theatre (offering outdoor
|
| kind enough to give me a great general
| |
| | performances next to the Rideau River), A
|
| overview of things to see and do in
| |
| | Company of Fools, and many productions at
|
| Ottawa.
| |
| | Arts Court, a municipal facility.
|
| 1. Please provide us with some general
| |
| | From May 18 to June 11, the Cirque du
|
| information about Ottawa. How large is
| |
| | Soleil will bring its production of
|
| the city, where is it located, what is
| |
| | Quidam to Ottawa. The Canada Dance
|
| the weather like?
| |
| | Festival takes place every two years
|
| Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and its
| |
| | (June 2-10, 2006) in Ottawa and the
|
| fourth largest city. With the
| |
| | Ottawa Fringe Festival (also in June) is
|
| neighbouring city of Gatineau in the
| |
| | one of the best ways to see new
|
| province of Quebec, the region has about
| |
| | productions and new innovations. In
|
| 1.2 million people. Ottawa is located in
| |
| | The Centrepointe Theatre in the west end
|
| eastern Ontario, about four hours' drive
| |
| | offers a variety of performances, as do
|
| northeast of Toronto; two hours west of
| |
| | the University of Ottawa and Carleton
|
| Montreal; and one hour north of the
| |
| | University.
|
| border with the state of New York.
| |
| | Larger events are usually held at
|
| Ottawa enjoys four distinct seasons, with
| |
| | Scotiabank Place and the Ottawa Civic
|
| warmest temperatures and sometimes high
| |
| | Centre.
|
| humidity in July and August; a temperate
| |
| | 8. What are some of the shopping
|
| fall with gorgeous fall colours; a cold
| |
| | opportunities in Ottawa?
|
| and snowy winter; and a wet spring.
| |
| | Some great shopping centres exist in
|
| 2. How can one get to Ottawa and what is
| |
| | Ottawa, including Bayshore Shopping
|
| the best way of getting around in Ottawa?
| |
| | Centre in the west end, Rideau Centre
|
| Ottawa is accessible with direct flights
| |
| | downtown, the St. Laurent Centre in the
|
| from major centres in Canada and several
| |
| | close east end, and Place d'Orleans
|
| U.S. cities including New York,
| |
| | Shopping Centre in the east end. These
|
| Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia,
| |
| | centres offer the best of the well-known
|
| Detroit, Atlanta and more. Ottawa is a
| |
| | brands.
|
| major stop along the Windsor-Quebec City
| |
| | For more eclectic offerings, the ByWard
|
| corridor of VIA Rail and bus service also
| |
| | Market neighbourhood offers great fashion
|
| links the city with other Canadian
| |
| | and housewares; as does the Glebe,
|
| cities.
| |
| | Westboro, and some small towns on both
|
| By car, major thoroughfares include
| |
| | the Ontario and Quebec side of the Ottawa
|
| Highway 416 that links Ottawa with
| |
| | River--inclouding Merrickville, Manotick,
|
| Highway 401. Highway 417 runs through the
| |
| | Perth, Chelsea and Wakefield.
|
| city, while Autoroutes 5, 50 and 148 are
| |
| | 9. What are the outdoor, recreational and
|
| the major highways on the Quebec side of
| |
| | sports opportunities in and around
|
| the river.
| |
| | Ottawa?
|
| 3. Ottawa is Canada's capital and has
| |
| | From a professional perspective, the
|
| played a significant role in the history
| |
| | Ottawa Senators are particularly beloved
|
| of this country. Please tell us more
| |
| | by Ottawans, as they march to a Stanley
|
| about that and the Canadian Heritage
| |
| | Cup victory! The Ottawa '67s offer a
|
| Experiences offered in Ottawa.
| |
| | window to the Ontario Hockey League. The
|
| The story of Ottawa begins with the
| |
| | Ottawa Renegades provide Canadian
|
| building of the Rideau Canal between 1826
| |
| | Football League excitement while the
|
| and 1832 by Lt. Col. John By of the Royal
| |
| | Ottawa Lynx are part of baseball's
|
| Engineers and thousands of mostly Irish
| |
| | International League (they're the Triple
|
| labourers. The Canal stretches 202 km
| |
| | A farm team for the Baltimore Orioles).
|
| (126 miles) through eastern Ontario to
| |
| | But sports in Ottawa are much more
|
| the St. Lawrence River and was built to
| |
| | participatory than that. Home to hundreds
|
| ensure a supply line in case of American
| |
| | of kilometres of recreational pathways,
|
| attack (which never came). The Canal was
| |
| | Ottawans love to cycle, inline skate and
|
| never used for a military purpose and its
| |
| | hike. The Ottawa River offers
|
| 49 locks are still operated in the same
| |
| | unbelievable whitewater rafting, as well
|
| way as when they were built. In fact, the
| |
| | as canoe and kayak adventures for the
|
| Rideau Canal is Canada's nominee to be
| |
| | adventurous.
|
| named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which
| |
| | The highest bungee freefall in Canada is
|
| is expected in 2007, the 175th
| |
| | located just north of Ottawa, just
|
| anniversary of its construction.
| |
| | outside Gatineau Park. Year-round,
|
| Queen Victoria decreed in 1857 that
| |
| | Gatineau Park offers something for the
|
| Ottawa would be the capital of the
| |
| | outdoor lover. Whether it's camping,
|
| country that became Canada. The majestic
| |
| | canoeing, kayaking, hiking, mountain
|
| Parliament Buildings were constructed
| |
| | biking or swimming in summer; or
|
| shortly thereafter and remain a
| |
| | snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in
|
| "must-see" attraction in the capital. As
| |
| | winter, the Park is beloved by all in the
|
| the capital, Ottawa is also home to 24
| |
| | region.
|
| Sussex Drive (the prime minister's
| |
| | As proof of how diverse a destination
|
| residence and not open to the public);
| |
| | Ottawa is, it's the only location where
|
| Rideau Hall (home of the Governor
| |
| | you can skate on the world's largest
|
| General, with guided tours of residence
| |
| | skating rink and play in the world's
|
| and gardens available); and dozens of
| |
| | largest beach volleyball tournament?
|
| high commissions and embassies from
| |
| | 10. What type of accommodations options
|
| governments around the world.
| |
| | are there in Ottawa?
|
| Don't miss Laurier House, home to both
| |
| | There are over 11,000 hotel rooms in the
|
| Sir Wilfrid Laurier and WIlliam Lyon
| |
| | Ottawa-Gatineau region. The major chains
|
| Mackenzie King, two former prime
| |
| | (Hilton, Fairmont, Westin, Marriott,
|
| ministers, or the Mackenzie King Estate,
| |
| | Delta, Sheraton, Novotel, Holiday Inn,
|
| King's summer home in Gatineau Park.
| |
| | Best Western, Comfort Inn) are
|
| 4. Please tell us about some of the major
| |
| | represented, as well as more unique
|
| attractions, museums and galleries in the
| |
| | offerings such as the boutique ARC
|
| Ottawa area.
| |
| | the.hotel or Brookstreet Resort.
|
| The latest addition to the national
| |
| | Downtown locations are within walking
|
| museum scene is the impressive Canadian
| |
| | distance to many major attractions.
|
| War Musuem, which opened in May 2005 in a
| |
| | Several bed-and-breakfast providers also
|
| stunning location next to the Ottawa
| |
| | offer a cosy alternative to hotels.
|
| River. Canada's most-visited museum is
| |
| | A comprehensive list of options is found
|
| Gatineau's Canadian Museum of
| |
| | at
|
| Civilization. The National Gallery of
| |
| | 11. What are some of the major events and
|
| Canada offers the largest collection of
| |
| | big news stories coming up in 2006 and
|
| Canadian art, along with European and
| |
| | beyond in Ottawa?
|
| American masters. Other cultural
| |
| | The Canadian Museum of Civilization
|
| facilities include the Canadian Museum of
| |
| | celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2006.
|
| Contemporary Photography; the Canada
| |
| | It began its life in May 1856, as part of
|
| Aviation Museum; the Canada Science and
| |
| | the Geological Survey of Canada. The
|
| Technology Museum; the Canada Agriculture
| |
| | young museum grew into the National
|
| Museum; the Royal Canadian Mint; the
| |
| | Museum of Canada and then, into the
|
| Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada;
| |
| | National Museum of Man. In 1986, it
|
| and the Canadian Museum of Nature,
| |
| | became the Canadian Museum of
|
| currently in the midst of a massive
| |
| | Civilization, moving into its magnificent
|
| renovation project, to be completed in
| |
| | Gatineau buildings three years later and
|
| 2009.
| |
| | continuing to present informative and
|
| Other museums include the Bytown Museum,
| |
| | entertaining exhibitions for a wide range
|
| which tells the history of Ottawa's early
| |
| | of interests.
|
| days, including the building of the
| |
| | The Casino du Lac-Leamy celebrates 10
|
| Rideau Canal; the Billings Estate Museum
| |
| | years of non-stop excitement in March
|
| that traces the history of a prominent
| |
| | 2006. Originally opened as the Casino de
|
| local family; and the funky Diefenbunker,
| |
| | Hull, it has grown to be one of the top
|
| Canada's Cold War Museum, a four-storey
| |
| | attractions in Canada's Capital Region,
|
| underground bunker that was constructed
| |
| | offering gaming each day from 9:00 a.m.
|
| between 1959 and 1961 as the location to
| |
| | to 3:00 a.m.; five-diamond dining at Le
|
| which the Canadian political and military
| |
| | Baccara; an adjoining Theatre offering
|
| elite would ride out the effects of a
| |
| | matinees, musical programming, and
|
| nuclear attack.
| |
| | variety shows of all kinds; docking
|
| 5. Our readers would like to find out
| |
| | facilities; an adjacent Hilton hotel with
|
| about the festivals and special events in
| |
| | spa; and conference facilities. The
|
| Ottawa.
| |
| | Casino is celebrating with a series of
|
| The festival scene in Ottawa is a robust,
| |
| | themed activities, including the popular
|
| year-round affair. The year kicks off
| |
| | 7 Lucky Days promotion which offers a
|
| with Winterlude, a huge winter festival
| |
| | different promotion each day of the week.
|
| held over the first three weekends in
| |
| | Emily Carr is the featured exhibition
|
| February. In March, the Irish community
| |
| | from June 2 through September 3, 2006 at
|
| celebrates Irish week, and in March and
| |
| | the National Gallery of Canada. Her
|
| April, the maple syrup season spawns a
| |
| | paintings of First Nations villages and
|
| number of delicious festivals and events
| |
| | landscapes of the northwest Pacific
|
| celebrating this tasty treat.
| |
| | coast, including many images of totem
|
| May belongs to the Canadian Tulip
| |
| | poles, help define Canadian art,
|
| Festival--three weeks of celebration of
| |
| | especially that of the early 1900s.
|
| Ottawa's favourite flower. During World
| |
| | In the third Indiana Jones movie, the
|
| War II, the Dutch royal family took
| |
| | climactic scene took place in a
|
| refuge in Ottawa and Princess Margriet
| |
| | spectacular desert location carved into
|
| was born here, in a hospital room
| |
| | the side of a cliff. That venue is part
|
| designated Dutch soil for the event.
| |
| | of Petra, located in Jordan, and from
|
| Canadians played a huge role in
| |
| | April 7, 2006 through January 2, 2007,
|
| liberating the Netherlands and when the
| |
| | you can learn more at the Canadian Museum
|
| royal family returned home after the war,
| |
| | of Civilization's exhibition PETRA: City
|
| as a gesture of friendship, respect and
| |
| | of Stone.
|
| appreciation, they sent thousands of
| |
| | The Seven Years War is the focus of a new
|
| tulip bulbs. The bulbs have followed
| |
| | exhibit at the Canadian War Museum,
|
| every year since and now 3,000,000 tulips
| |
| | Ottawa's newest cultural attraction which
|
| bloom in Canada's Capital Region.
| |
| | opened with much fanfare in May 2005. The
|
| Late May brings Canada's largest marathon
| |
| | exhibit Clash of Empires: The War That
|
| as part of the Ottawa Race Weekend. Over
| |
| | Made Canada runs from May 18 to November
|
| the summer months, festivals abound:
| |
| | 12.
|
| Doors Open Ottawa showcase heritage
| |
| | Outdoor activities are a crucial part of
|
| buildings; Italian Week; the Ottawa
| |
| | Ottawans' lives. This summer, residents
|
| Fringe Festival; the TD Canada Trust
| |
| | will be able to relish in others'
|
| Ottawa International Jazz Festival; the
| |
| | accomplishments, too, as Ottawa plays
|
| Nortel Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival;
| |
| | host to more than 3,500 athletes and
|
| Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest (Canada's
| |
| | coaches during the 2006 Ontario Summer
|
| largest); the Ottawa International
| |
| | Games from August 9 to 13, 2006.
|
| Chamber Music Festival (the world's
| |
| | Québec Scene: April/May 2007: The
|
| largest); the Sound of Light fireworks
| |
| | National Arts Centre has played host to
|
| festival; Ottawa Busker Festival; Ottawa
| |
| | two previous "scenes"-Atlantic Scene in
|
| GreekFest; CKCU Ottawa Folk Festival; the
| |
| | 2003 and Alberta Scene in 2005-and in
|
| Central Canada Exhibition; and Pride
| |
| | 2007, it's Québec's turn to shine, as the
|
| Week.
| |
| | very best of its theatre, music, dance,
|
| On Parliament Hill, two free activities
| |
| | comedy, culinary arts, literature and
|
| occur daily in the summer: the 10:00 a.m.
| |
| | film forms the basis of this cultural
|
| Changing the Guard ceremony and the
| |
| | festival.
|
| evening Sound and Light Show.
| |
| | Treasures from Beijing: May 11-September
|
| In the fall, the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon
| |
| | 30, 2007: At the Canadian Museum of
|
| Festival colours the skies; while the La
| |
| | Civilization, learn more about the
|
| Vendemmia Harvest Festival tempts
| |
| | development of Chinese civilization while
|
| visitors' palates. The Ottawa
| |
| | viewing selected treasures from the
|
| International Animation Festival
| |
| | National Museum of China. There will also
|
| showcases artists from around the world
| |
| | be an attempt to provide a glimpse of
|
| while the Ottawa International Writers
| |
| | China's recent history, including
|
| Festival provides a forum for authors'
| |
| | economic reforms and the Olympic Games
|
| lively debates. Fall Rhapsody celebrates
| |
| | bid.
|
| the splendid autumn colours.
| |
| | Renoir's Landscapes: June 8-September 9,
|
| The capital lights up for the holidays
| |
| | 2007: One of the best-loved of all the
|
| with the Christmas Lights Across Canada
| |
| | Impressionists, Renoir will be front and
|
| program.
| |
| | centre next summer at the National
|
| 6. What about restaurants and
| |
| | Gallery of Canada.
|
| entertainment / nightlife areas in
| |
| | FIFA World Youth Championship 2007: July
|
| Ottawa?
| |
| | 1-22, 2007: Ottawa has been selected as
|
| Several neighbourhoods offer
| |
| | one of six Canadian host cities for this
|
| entertainment options in Ottawa. The
| |
| | three-week, 24-nation, 52-match
|
| ByWard Market is one of Ottawa's oldest
| |
| | tournament featuring the best youth
|
| neighbourhoods and also functions as its
| |
| | (under-20) soccer players in the world.
|
| entertainment district, with over 100
| |
| | It is the second largest event staged by
|
| food and drink options in just a
| |
| | FIFA, following the FIFA World Cup.
|
| four-block-square area. Whether it's fine
| |
| | Rideau Canal as UNESCO World Heritage
|
| dining, a good diner, a cosy bistro, or a
| |
| | Site: The heritage Rideau Canal,
|
| romantic cafe, you can find it in "the
| |
| | stretching 202 km from Ottawa to
|
| Market."
| |
| | Kingston, is Canada's entry to be named a
|
| Elgin Street is another popular nightlife
| |
| | UNESCO World Heritage Site. The
|
| area, with an eclectic selection of bars,
| |
| | designation should be received in time
|
| restaurants and cafes in just a few
| |
| | for the 175th anniversary of the
|
| blocks. Bank Street offers three or four
| |
| | completion of the Canal in 2007.
|
| distinct areas along its length,
| |
| | Portrait Gallery of Canada: Following
|
| including a popular area known as the
| |
| | last spring's opening of the new Canadian
|
| Glebe. In the near west end, Westboro is
| |
| | War Museum, the next major cultural
|
| also an attractive option for dinner and
| |
| | institution planned for Ottawa is the
|
| drinks.
| |
| | Portrait Gallery of Canada, due to open
|
| Of course, one could also choose to
| |
| | across the street from Parliament Hill in
|
| explore the various options at the Casino
| |
| | late 2007.
|
| du Lac-Leamy--whether it's gaming
| |
| | Thank you, Jantine, for providing such a
|
| excitement or a show at its popular
| |
| | great overview of all the things Ottawa
|
| theatre or a dinner at its five-diamond
| |
| | has to offer. You have given me some
|
| restaurant Le Baccara. The region's other
| |
| | great ideas for my trip next week and
|
| five-diamond establishment (two of only
| |
| | possible future excursions over the
|
| 11 across Canada) is Signatures at Le
| |
| | coming year.
|
