2017’s great expeditions exceeded expectations
Highlighting the year’s standout places to go and things to do across our nation
Canada’s 150th birthday was pretty special. I gobbled down dumplings in B.C., stayed in one of the world’s coolest hotels in Newfoundland and Labrador and slept in a former brothel in the Yukon. I also spent time with the world’s best sports fans and sipped some of Wayne Gretzky’s whisky.
Without further ado, I give you one writer’s highlights of a fabulous year in this great country.
The “How Did I Not Know How Beautiful This Place Was” Destination of the Year
Eastern Townships, Que. Lovely lakeside villages, surprisingly large hills and great places to stay, including Auberge West Brome (awb.ca/en/), Spa Eastman (spa-eastman.com/en/) and Ripplecove Lakefront Hotel and Spa. (ripplecove.com/en/)
Best sporting moment
The inaugural game at the new home of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. A beautiful stadium and wonderful, crazy, passionate fans. riderville.com
Best salad
The East Coast Salad at 2
Doors Down in Halifax, with local greens, Nova Scotia peaches, toasted coconut, goat cheese, radishes and a golden bean vinaigrette. go2doorsdown.com
Best whisky
Gretzky’s Red Cask Whisky, aged in wine barrels. Smooth and delicious.
His new winery and distillery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., features beautiful design and a skating rink with a “lucky loonie” at centre ice. gretzkyestateswines. com
Up-and-coming neighbourhood No. 1
104th Street Northwest in Edmonton’s Ice District. Fab food and local shopping in a series of handsome, historic buildings.
Best night in a former brothel
Bombay Peggy’s in Dawson
City, Yukon, one of the best towns in Canada. I’m not at liberty to elaborate on my stay. bombaypeggys.com
Best snacks and drinks at a former strip club
A preview evening before the opening of the Broadview Hotel in Toronto, an awesome spot in the burgeoning east end of the city. thebroadviewhotel.ca
Best hiking trail I didn’t know
The Skerwink Trail near Port Rexton, N.L. An up-and-down trail with glorious coastal views, and not even remotely difficult. newfoundlandlabrador.com
Coolest winery
Near Lake Erie in Ontario, Burning Kiln makes great wine. And almost all the senior workers are women. burningkilnwinery.ca
Favourite airport hotel
Hands down the Fairmont at Vancouver International. A fiveminute walk from baggage claim, plus a great restaurant and bar, wonderful service and lovely rooms. One of the top properties in Canada. fairmont.com/ vancouver-airport-richmond
Top winter thrill
The Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster at Blue Mountain, Ont.; a super-fun downhill sled ride. bluemountain.ca/things-to-do/ activities/ridge-runner-coaster
Favourite amenity
At the graceful Kensington Riverside Inn in Calgary, they leave a pot of coffee outside your room. Lovely rooms and a fine restaurant, too. kensingtonriversideinn.com
Favourite B&B
A Schooner Inn is a small place outside St. John’s run by Colette Kavanagh, one of the funniest and most engaging people in a province full of them. Her lobster adventure features great cooking lessons and some lively dancing with Newfoundland “ugly sticks.” One of the best things I did all year. aschoonerinn.com
Most surprising beach town
Regina Beach, Sask. A nice beach on a pretty lake along with quirky shops and restaurants, including the funky, historic Blue Bird Cafe. reginabeach.ca
Up-and-coming neighbourhood No. 2
The East Village of London, Ont. A very cool district with passionate folks selling locally made goods and terrific restaurants such as The Root Cellar. londontourism.ca
Best value meal
HK BBQ Master in Richmond, B.C. For about $13, you’ll get a big scoop of fluffy white rice and three kinds of barbecued meat.
Most surprising hotel
The Andaz Ottawa does a great job celebrating Canadian art and local crafts people. A great restaurant and killer rooftop bar. ottawa.andaz.hyatt.com
Best light show
Inside Notre Dame for Montreal’s 375th birthday; with swirling colours and shapes played out inside Canada’s most magnificent church. mtl.org/en
Favourite new shop
Liz and Lottie; a fun and bright store in Calgary’s fast-growing East Village area. lizandlottie.ca
Best overall hotel
The Fogo Island Inn, N.L. A wonderful place to stay that gives back to the community and is making a huge difference in people’s lives. fogoislandinn.ca
Coolest small town discovery
Baysville, Ont. Great food and colourful characters at Goodies in a Jar, Fork in the Road and The Humble Pie bakery. discovermuskoka.ca
Best concert
Seeing Alan Doyle at the amphitheatre at Jackson-Triggs winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. jacksontriggswinery.com
Up-and-coming neighbourhood No. 3
Dartmouth, N.S. Try a meal at The Canteen, then stop in at New Scotland Yard, a combination espresso coffee place, barber shop/salon and record store. destinationhalifax.com
Best new museum
The recently opened Remai Modern in Saskatoon features wonderful local art and almost all the linocuts made by Pablo Picasso. remaimodern.org jim@jimbyerstravel.com