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