The World

Thankful for my Canada 150 moment in Ottawa

December 20, 2017 by Anne-Marie Marais Leave a Comment

As the number of days left in 2017 dwindle away, so do the days left in Canada’s 150th anniversary year. My time was running out to recognize this important moment in our history. I knew that I needed to step foot in our capital, Ottawa, even if just for a few hours.

Being an immigrant to this incredible country, I live and breathe Canada and all the wonderful things it is and stands for. I’m as patriotic as they come. Shedding many a tear when I hear our anthem played at sporting events, seeing our flag blow in a perfect breeze against a gorgeous blue sky and even getting a maple leaf tattoo to show my love for this country.

With the days disappearing in this historic year, I grabbed a quick flight on Porter to our capital and stayed close to all the action just down from Parliament Hill at the Metcalfe Hotel. I knew that I didn’t need much time in town, but I had a list of activities that I had to experience.

A quick and simple ride on the Ottawa transit from the airport on the 97 bus, dropped me in the heart of it all. Right off the bus I made a bee line to Parliament Hill. With a chill of about -20C in the air, but no wind and the most brilliant blue sky, I arrived on the hill just as the festivities of the day were beginning. Not overwhelmed with too many people yet, I was able to get some clear shots of the beautiful centre block of the Parliament Buildings. It provided the perfect backdrop for my historic pictures of the ‘Canada 150’ sign. Definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.

In Halifax, Rum Runs in the Blood

August 11, 2017 by Anne-Marie Marais Leave a Comment

(Originally written for BillyYTZ.com – no longer live)

Three years ago I drove my little red rental car around Prince Edward Island in search of the Prince Edward Distillery, which I had heard made vodka out of P.E.I. potatoes – as it turns out, 18 pounds of them (8 kilograms) to make each bottle.

The outfit also distilled delicious gin and blueberry vodka from local ingredients. While there, I had the honour of meeting, touring and tasting with the distiller and co-owner, Julie Shore.

Jump ahead a few years: I was visiting Halifax and stopped in at the new Halifax Distilling Co. After chatting with the team, I discovered that the amazing women behind the Prince Edward Distillery had opened a second distillery and tasting room in a fabulous space in the Nova Scotia capital.

And since the new venture is located in the rum-drinking capital of Canada, this time the focus is on spinning molasses into gold.

Julie Shore and Arla Johnson, both originally from the United States, fell in love with Canada a decade ago – especially the Maritimes. They originally settled into the calm of Prince Edward Island and as well as being the founders of the Johnson Shore Inn, they began creating fantastic spirits for east coasters to enjoy.

Hunting IPAs in Vermont? This Beer Concierge is at Your Service

December 5, 2016 by Anne-Marie Marais Leave a Comment

(Originally written for BillyYTZ.com – no longer live)

As beer lovers know, Vermont isn’t just for ski trips.

Just as people have travelled to destinations for specific foods, restaurants or wine, the rise of craft breweries has inspired people to become beer travellers. If you’re part of that suds-seeking audience, how would you like to have a beer concierge at your service? Beer lovers, meet fellow aficionado Matt Canning of the Hotel Vermont in Burlington, now helping like-minded travellers navigate the phenomenal beer landscape of this hilly part of New England.

The hotel couldn’t help noticing the growing interest in beer in recent years. It was receiving more and more inquiries about which breweries to visit, what beers were the best, and how to plan a trip in order to experience as much of the Vermont beer scene as possible during a single trip. Recognizing how important beer tourism has become, the hotel designated Canning – also the hotel’s front desk manager – as its first beer concierge in May of 2014, and tasked him with combining his hospitality experience and his beer and brewery knowledge to create a unique beer tourism program for guests.

“A lot of people tell me I have the best job in the world,” Canning says. “I agree … but insist that it is not all fun and games. There are countless hours of laborious research and development.”

Feeling safer as a solo female traveller by staying connected

May 24, 2016 by Anne-Marie Marais Leave a Comment

Being connected has opened up the world for the solo female traveller. Even though we travel to disconnect from our day-to-day lives, it’s comforting to know that we can still be connected just enough to give us, and our loved ones, piece of mind.

When I first started traveling a cellphone wasn’t the most important item you packed, like it is today. And even with my first few cell phones, it was far too expensive to use them while travelling.

All connection to home was by way of sending a post card, or finding a public phone with a pocket full of change for a quick, expensive, 30-second conversation to tell your parents you were fine.

Beer lovers can broaden their palate in Belgium

April 28, 2016 by Anne-Marie Marais Leave a Comment

Belgium reveals beers of all types, tastes and levels of alcohol.

BRUSSELS-Wine lovers tour Italy. Whisky connoisseurs tour Scotland. Beer lovers visit Belgium.

On my five-day beer pilgrimage to Belgium, I tasted or drank more than 107 beers, visited six towns/cities and at least 11 breweries, and lost count of the number of brewers I met.

With the relatively recent popular craft beer explosion in North America, it was a treat to visit a country where the beer roots run so deep and be part of the 2015 European Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference.

Anna Maria Island keeps families fed with fun and food

April 21, 2016 by Anne-Marie Marais Leave a Comment

This Florida destination will engage both kids and parents alike with Segway rides, manatees, specialty doughnuts, and eateries by the sea.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND, FLA.—After some fun at Legoland in Winter Haven, Fla., it’s great to return to family-friendly Anna Maria Island and its gorgeous beaches and amazing sunsets. There’s fun to be had here, too:

The World

Belgium reveals beers of all types, tastes and levels of alcohol.

This Florida destination will engage both kids and parents alike with Segway rides, manatees, specialty doughnuts, and eateries by the sea.

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