Alberta reels in new residents, takes top spot in Canada

Winter in Alberta. Photo by Sue Frause.

According to an article in the CBC News, Alberta is reeling in more new residents than the other 13 provinces in Canada. With a 3.1% growth in the past year, it topped Nunavut (2.3%) and British Columbia (1.4%).

The provinces losing the most people? Newfoundland and the Yukon are both down 0.7%.

The current population of Canada is 32,976,026. USA population is 301,139,947.

La belle province: Five of my favorite hotels in Quebec

Manoir Hovey in North Hatley, Quebec. Photo by Sue Frause.

The city of Montreal isn't alone when it comes to having lovely inns and hotels. The entire La Belle Province has a flair for innkeeping. Here are some of the wonderful places in Quebec where I've stayed over the past five years.

Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, La Malbaie - Located 90 minutes northeast of Quebec City in the Charlevoix region, this 1929 “castle” is in fact a resort complete with a golf course and casino. I’m not big on gambling, so I look the other way, out to the glorious Saint Lawrence River. Beautiful dining and public rooms along with a pool, spa and tennis courts. 405 rooms, 418.665.3703.

Manoir Hovey, North Hatley - This charming inn is located on Lake Massawippi in the Eastern Townships of Quebec (near the Vermont border). It was fashioned after George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, and everything about it is warm and cozy. The inn’s restaurant is one of the finest in the region. 39 rooms, 800.661.2421.

Auberge Saint-Antoine, Quebec City - This boutique hotel is located in Quebec City’s Old-Port and near the bustling streets of Le Petit Champlain. Since I’ve stayed there, they have added the restaurant Panache. Their amenities are among my favorites, a product line called We Live Like This. They must be popular, as they’re available through the hotel’s website. 94 rooms, 418.692.2211.

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City - This is the ultimate in romance. On one occasion while staying there during the Quebec Winter Carnival, a couple arrived in their wedding attire to have dinner for two in the hotel’s Le Champlain. Located on the city’s highest point, it overlooks the Saint Lawrence River, complete with ice floes in the winter and toboganing outside the door. 618 rooms, 418.692.3861.

Hotel Le Germain-Dominion, Quebec City - Located in the Old Port, the city’s first skyscraper is now home to this hip hotel. It’s a modern contrast to the historical Le Chateau Frontenac up on the hill, and within walking distance of shops and art galleries. We trudged along in the snow one evening to celebrate my birthday at Initiale Restaurant, a lovely resto serving contemporary French cuisine. 60 rooms, 418.692.2224.

Hotels in Montreal: Five favorite getaways in Quebec's largest city

Montreal's Bonsecours Market in Vieux Montreal. Sue Frause photo.

I love nice hotels.They don't necessarily have to be high end, or totally chi-chi, but a few ingredients are key: a great bed, top-notch service and good value. That's easy to find in Montreal. Here are a few of my favorites:

OPUS Montreal | Formerly the Hotel Godin, the building that is now home to OPUS Montreal was built by Joseph Arthur Godin in 1914 (and the first poured concrete building in North America). Located on the corner of Sherbrooke Avenue and Boulevard Saint- Laurent, this boutique hotel has 136 guest rooms that are sleek and luxurious, with vibrant colors on the walls. Art Nouveau in style, it features a signature curving staircase, which is no longer in use but may be viewed from the third floor. Notice the Gaudi influences on the corner exterior section of the hotel. Saint-Laurent is the perfect street for shopping or enjoying a meal at one of the many fine restos.

La Place d'Armes | Located in Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal), this was the city's first boutique. It features luxurious rooms, studios with balconies and penthouse suites. There are also fireplaces in every room, complimentary breakfast and complimentary wine/cheese each evening. I enjoyed Rainspa, an urban spa with a hammam, where I had a massage and a pedicure one afternoon. Aix Cuisine du Terroir serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and the Suite 701 lounge bar is nice for a cocktail or two.

Auberge Bonaparte | Also located in Vieux Montreal, it's a small hotel with 31 rooms. Built in 1886 by architect Victor Roy, it features old stone and shiny wood floors, along with large windows that open out. I had a side view of the Notre-Dame de Montreal Basilica, just a few blocks away. The basilica is where Celine Dion was married and where the late Pavarotti performed, as did The Three Tenors. Enjoy breakfast and dinner at Restaurant Bonaparte on the main floor. Chef Gerard Fort has been creating yummy classic French cuisine here since 1991. Ask for a table overlooking rue Saint-Francois-Xavier and watch the caleches go by.

Sofitel Montreal | Don't let the office building look scare you away. The interior of this 258-room hotel is glass and metal throughout, contemporary and light. The lobby features furniture of Quebec cherry wood and a stained-glass window representing a pastoral view of Montreal. I loved the colorful carpet. Thick and hand-woven, it was designed in the style of French painter Fernand Leger and has four themes: Montreal Jazz Festival, Cirque du Soleil, Grand Prix of Canada and Montreal winter sports. Since I sleep around a lot, I give this my VBB Award (Very Best Bed Award). It was like being in a cozy cocoon! The hotel is located near McGill University and in the heart of the Golden Square Mile. Renoir serves contemporary cuisine.

Hotel Le Guilleret | This is a delightful little spot I found in Vieux Montreal on rue Saint-Vincent. Built in 1780, the red and white facade is a favorite of photographers. In 2005, a young couple took over the former printing office, which was also a restaurant, hotel and private residence. When you check it, you receive your own key to the outside door, so you feel like you're living here. The charming auberge has a total of three suites and five rooms, all very French with wood floors and six fireplaces throughout. Free WiFi, but bring your own shampoo and robe. A full breakfast is served with fresh croissants, and you can even cook an egg in the open, stone-walled kitchen. If you wish to rent the entire house, it fits up to 22 people comfortably. My room with breakfast was $98. A real find!

Official 2010 Icemakers Announced for Vancouver Winter Olympics

A rookie curler in Victoria, BC. Sue Frause photo.

Somehow I missed this major sports news story from the CBC this summer: Olympic icemakers named. With the 2010 Olympics scheduled for Vancouver Feb. 12-28, 2010, they had to line up somebody to make all that ice.

Two ice gurus have been appointed to the chilling task: Hans Wuthrich of Gimli, Manitoba and Dave Werklinger of New Westminister, BC. They'll be the technicians in charge of the men's and women's curling rinks, which will be located near Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver.

Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park will be complete in 2008. After the Olympics, the curling venue will become a multi-purpose recreation centre with an ice hockey rink, gym, library and 6-8 sheets of curling ice. A new aquatic centre will be attached to the facility, with a 50-metre pool and a leisure pool.

With US and Canadian money at par, Canadians heading south to shop

Cars line up at the Douglas Border Crossing between BC and Washington. Photo by Sue Frause.

It's big news. Even The New York Times wrote about it in Saturday's paper. Canadians are flocking across the border to shop. With the US and Canadian dollars now at par, they're shopping, playing and even spending a night or two.

Major construction is going on at the Douglas Border Crossing in Surrey, BC / Blaine, Washington. Expect long lines both ways and travel off-peak times if possible.

But border back-ups are not stopping Canadian shoppers who like the new "buck for a buck" routine.

Tim Hortons is a longtime Canadian institution

Tim Hortons' cup in Halifax. Photo by Sue Frause.

The Tim Hortons chain was founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario by Canadian hockey player Miles Gilbert "Tim" Horton. Back then, it was all about donuts and coffee, and their specialties were two original creations -- the Apple Fritter and the Dutchie. They're still two of the most popular items today.

My favorite is the Timbit, a little bite-sized donut hole, available in more than 15 varieties. Today's menu features everything from coffee and donuts to soupsand wraps.

Recently, I had a hot chicken club sandwich at the Vancouver International Airport, en route from Montreal to Seattle. Not bad!

Tim Hortons has twice as many Canadian outlets (2,733) as McDonald's. But they're headin' south. In 1995 they merged with Wendy's and are now in the eastern US, with 345 locations south of the 49th Parallel.

For me, Tim Hortons is pure Canadian.

Check your smart phone and table at the door, s'il vous ples!

I do take photos of my food, like this breakfast at Sante in Spokane. Photo by Sue Frause. 

Last night I dined at one of Montreal's many fine restaurants. It was a Sunday night, and the resto gradually filled up with middle-aged couples dressed for the lovely venue. By the time I finished my meal, the place was jammed.

Most of the diners were couples. There was only one other solo diner, a young woman. I saw her snapping photos outside the restaurant and when she sat down, she immediately opened up her laptop, complete with bright screen. Throughout the evening she was snapping pictures of her food (sans flash, thank goodness) and typing into her laptop. Bad etiquette, for sure ... even if she is a food blogger or travel writer.

If you're at Starbucks or St. Hubert, go ahead. But this was one of Montreal's lovelier restos. Are owners going to have to add this at the bottom of menus?

No shoes, no shirt, no service! No outside food! No cigars or cigarettes! No smartphones, tablets or laptops! No flash photography! No baseball caps! No screaming children!

Let's hope not.

Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent star in 'Away From Her

It was only fitting that I was on an Air Canada flight to Montreal when I finally saw the film Away From Her. It's a lyrical screenplay adaptation by Sarah Polley of celebrated Canadian author Alice Munro's short story The Bear Came Over the Mountain. Here's a synopsis of the film:

Away From Her is a beautifully moving love story that deals with memory and the circuitous, unnameable paths of a long marriage. Married for 50 years, Grant (Gordon Pinsent) and Fiona’s (Julie Christie) commitment to each other appears unwavering, and their everyday life is full of tenderness and humour. This serenity is broken only by the occasional, carefully restrained reference to the past, giving a sense that this marriage may not always have been such a fairy tale. This tendency of Fiona’s to make such references, along with her increasingly evident memory loss, creates a tension that is usually brushed off casually by both of them. As the lapses become more obvious and dramatic, it is no longer possible for either of them to ignore the fact that Fiona is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Canadian actor Gordon Pinsent and the ever-lovely Julie Christie are outstanding, along with the wonderful Olympia Dukakis. The movie was filmed in Ontario in the communities of Hamilton, Kitchener, Lake of Bays and Paris.

Healthy living Toronto and Montreal With Vitamin T and Vitamin M

Gallery in Vieux Montreal. Photo by Sue Frause.

Vitamin V has freshened its look and added two new cities to the mix. What started in Vancouver has now spread to Toronto and Montreal.

I've been a Vitamin V fan since its inception three years ago, and now I've joined Vitamin T and Vitamin M. It's easy and free to get your daily dose. Just log–in and create a user name. You can then join the forum to talk live and trade tips with other subscribers.

Expect to see advertising from national brands in addition to the local Steals & Deals that you've come to know.Here are the individual webdresses:

• Vitamin V : www.VitaminV.ca
• Vitamin T : www.VitaminT.ca
• Vitamin M : www.VitaminM.ca

Sunset on the Fraser River in Steveston, British Columbia

Sunset on the Fraser River from Garry Point in Steveston, BC.
Photo by Sue Frause.

Up, Up & Away! A Wiew from The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel

A view from Room 835. Photo by Sue Frause.

I've stayed twice at the The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, and it's a trip. Whether you're coming or going, ask for a room with a view. You'll see planes preparing for take-off, taxiing in the distance and finally flying away.


If you're flying away or returning home, it's the perfect place to land for a night. The hotel is sound proofed from the outside (although I did hear the drapes being pulled in the room next door), so there's no evidence that you're in the heart of an airport.

To get to the hotel, simply take an escalator or elevator ride up from the International Departures terminal. There's a self-service check-in kiosk in the lobby.

Globe@yvr is The Fairmont's signature resto with a view. I enjoyed yummy poached eggs with fresh Dungeness crab for breakfast. And don't worry about bad airplane food. Food for Flight is available from In-Room Dining, featuring fresh and healthy packaged meals to go. The hotel also has a health club and is home to Absolute Spa at the Fairmont.

Best of all is that very cool view.

Breezy border crossing if you travel midweek, travel early

Peace Arch crossing at Blaine, WA between US and Canada. Sue Frause photo.

I reported earlier about the border crossing between the US and Canada at Blaine, Washington. The headline in the Seattle P-I screamed, Wait at Canadian border going from bad to worse.

Yesterday I drove up to Canada, arriving at the Peace Arch crossing at Blaine around 10:30 AM on a weekday. Although only two inspection lines were open, plus the NEXUS lane, I only had about a ten-minute wait. So don't let the headlines scare you away. Travel midweek, travel early.

And if you're a frequent visitor to Canada, think about applying for a NEXUS pass. It's only $50 and both Canadian and US citizens are eligible.

Note: On my way back on a Friday afternoon, it was a 40-minute wait at the Peace Arch crossing.

Opus Montreal: Ooh, la la for this new boutique hotel

Early morning at Vieux Montreal's Bonsecours Market. Sue Frause photo.

I'm off to Montreal next week and looking forward to spending one of my nights at the new Opus Montreal. Formerly the Hotel Godin, one of Montreal's premier boutique hotels, it was purchased by Trilogy Properties Corp. They're the folks who own the highly acclaimed Opus Hotel in Vancouver, along with Adara Whistler Hotel.

The 1914 Art Nouveau style hotel features the Opus Bar, a stylish lounge serving up cool cocktails and tasty tapas, with live music from the city's best DJ's. A restaurant is scheduled to open in 2008.

Opus Montreal blends modern design with a nod to history. With 136 guest rooms done up in sleek minimalist style, there is no shortage of luxurious comfort. Amenities include French or English morning newspapers, Frette' bathrobes, L'Occitane bath products and twice daily maid service.

Located on the corner of Sherbrooke and St. Laurent, the hotel is steps from the entertainment district and minutes from Vieux Montreal and Le Plateau Mont-Royal.

Canadian Country Music Awards presented in Regina

The Radisson Plaza Saskatchewan Hotel Regina. Sue Frause photo.

I tuned into the CBC last night to watch the Canadian Country Music Awards hosted by Paul Brandt. Held at Brandt Centre (no relation to Paul) in Regina, the big winner of the evening was Emerson Drive. The group snagged three awards, including Single of the Year for Moments. It's the first single by a Canadian band to hit No. 1 on the Billboard country chart.

Other winners were Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Female Artist of the Year and Brad Johner, Male Artist of the Year. The most unusual award was the Kraft Cheez Whiz Fans Choice Award that went to Terri Clark.She's received it seven times in 11 years.

Vancouver's COAST Restaurant features authentic Indian cuisine in September

Vancouver sunrise from Granville Island. Sue Frause photo.

Yaletown's COAST Restaurant is featuring authentic Indian cuisine September 12-23, 2007."At COAST, we love to expose our guests to exotic tastes from around the world," says Executive Chef Jeremy Atkins. "With Indian cuisine, you have the freedom to experiment with different spices and flavor combinations to really create that wow factor for guests."

Here are some of the menu items. Pair with a local BC wine and you'll be transported to an exotic place and taste.

Indian Ocean Tiger Prawns with green curry, slivered mango and chilled panna
Black Widow Gewurztraminer 2006, Naramata Bench

Fire-Grilled Jack Fish & Summer Vegetable Kabobs with cumin scented basmati rice and roasted cashew butter
Winchester Cellars Sharp Rock Chardonnay 2005, Victoria

Chai Kheer Rice Pudding with chilled coconut sabayon
Mission Hill Late Harvest Riesling 2005, Okanagan Valley

COAST Restaurant is located at 1257 Hamilton Street in Yaletown. Call 604.685.5010 for reservations.

Granville Island Hotel sunrise. Sue Frause photo.

Whistler website has snow scoops and other

Whistler Blackcomb has a new website with information about the athletes, their secret spots, adventure and travel.

Untrackedlines.com includes athlete blogs, photos and movie teasers. You'll also find out what's happening in and around Whistler and the ski and snowboard world.

Athletes include Sarah Burke, Leanne Pelosi, Priscilla Leevac, Mark Abma, Justin Lamorureux, Ian McIntosh, Den Treadway and Mikey Rencz.

As the snow season ramps up, they'll be posting updates and photos of their best "pow" day, best Sushi Village moment, best wipe out, best friends and other tales from the cold terrain.

A contest is also part of the website. Three Sticks of Bacon and a Helicopter could result in a great trip for two to Whistler.

The grand prize includes round-trip airfare to Whistler from anywhere in North America; Star Limo transfers; Whistler Blackcomb lift tickets; a day of heli skiing or riding with Whistler Hili-Skiing; accommodation at the Holiday Inn and more.

Travel journalists and members of Tourism Whistler pose with Ullr, the Norse God of Snow. That's me in the green.

'Fabulous Fairholme: Breakfasts & Brunches' debut cookbook from Victoria inkeeper Sylvia Main

That's my friend Sylvia Main on the cover of Fabulous Fairholme: Breakfasts & Brunches. She's the owner and innkeeper of Fairholme Manor in Victoria, BC and wrote this cookbook. That's why she's on the cover, and I'm not!

I did edit the cookbook, which is a collection of tasty recipes for breakfasts and brunches, accompanied by fabulous photos. A lot of people asked me if editing the cookbook meant I had to make all the recipes. Nope. I merely played with the words to make sure it all made sense. I also wrote the copy for the jacket and the foreword to the book that begins, "As a travel writer, I sleep around a lot." It was a fun gig, and I'm happy to have played a part in it.

You can order the book from Fairholme Manor's website, or if you're in western Canada, it's available in many kitchen shops and bookstores.

Canada and our changing climate

Ottawa Parliament Building. Photo by Sue Frause.

Canada took a stand on the climate at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Sydney, Australia.

Read more about their pledge to stop human activity from causing dangerous changes in the climate in The Montreal Gazette.

Ottawa Parliament Building. Photo by Sue Frause.

Norwegian travelers end up in the wrong place. Uff da!

A friend in Montreal sent me this funny news item about lost Norwegians. Knowing that I'm a card carrying member of the Daughters of Norway, he didn't want me to be led astray the next time I go abroad.

RODEZ, France, Sept 5, 2007 (AFP) - A spelling mistake on the Internet led to a surprise trip to remote southern France for three Norwegian tourists who thought they were going to a Greek island, airport officials said Wednesday.

The family group from Torp-Sandefjord thought they had booked a flight to the island of Rhodes but instead the journey from Oslo took them via London to Rodez, capital of the mountainous Aveyron department. According to airport authorities at Rodez, some 10 tourists make the same mistake every year.

Moving Beyond: Vancouver textile show a juried exhibition

Vancouver's Surface Design Association presents its first juried exhibition, Moving Beyond. The show runs Sept. 6-27, 2007.

Venues include five locations in Gastown and Granville Island: Urbanity, Button Button, SAWA Tea & Craft, Textile Content Studio and Mooncruise. The exhibition showcases diverse, original and innovative textile art by BC members of the SDA.

Participating in the exhibition are Angelika Werth, Anne Marie Andrishak, Brigitte Rice, Cher Cartwright, Hanna Haapasalo, Jane Kenyon, Jennifer Love, Julia Manitius, Kaija Rautiainen, Kate Barber, Kristin Rohr, Melissa Bienvenue Woods and Yvonne Wakabayashi.

A roving reception will be held Friday, Sept. 6, from 6-9 PM at the five venues. The #50 False Creek bus runs frequently between Gastown and Granville Island.