Hudson's Bay Company

Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) has a rich history of exploration, adventure, control, trading and more that spans over 340 years. There is way too much history to write about in this blurb (to learn more you can visit HBC's history website) but I would like to share a neat fact that most Canadians overlook.

The last trading post ever built by Hudson Bay Company

HBC has long been thought to be an iconic Canadian company. However it was originally formed in England in 1670 to maintain and profit from fur trading in the new land (eventually Canada). It wasn’t until 1970 (the company’s 300th anniversary) that HBC was granted a new charter and moved its head offices from England to Winnipeg. Later they would move the office to downtown Toronto where it still sits today. However the company was bought out by a private US company fronted by Jerry Zucker in 2006 and after his death in 2008 was scooped up by National Realty and Development Corporation (NRDC) Equity Partners, who also own Saks 5th Avenue and Lord & Taylor.

While officially only a Canadian company for 38 years, we still love the iconic 4 colour stripe products they have been creating for centuries (mostly the blankets though).

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Date Night in Athens

Taking advantage of the afternoon sun we hopped out of the taxi. Excitement filled the air for our date night in Athens. As we made our way up the mountain side, we paused frequently to drink in the magnificent views of the city below. We trekked passed the ruins of ancient Greece stopping only to attempt the daunting "couple selfie"  before we made the summit of Acropolis Hill.

"The Acropolis of Athens and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world. In the second half of the fifth century bc, Athens, following the victory against the Persians and the establishment of democracy, took a leading position amongst the other city-states of the ancient world. In the age that followed, as thought and art flourished, an exceptional group of artists put into effect the ambitious plans of Athenian statesman Pericles and, under the inspired guidance of the sculptor Pheidias, transformed the rocky hill into a unique monument of thought and the arts. The most important monuments were built during that time: the Parthenon, built by Ictinus, the Erechtheon, the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis, designed by Mnesicles and the small temple Athena Nike." - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

The history of it all may not amaze her but the views... those will make it a date to remember. A tip: check out the admission times for Acropolis you don't want to miss on the final entry time. You can also hire a certified guide to take you through if you want. And be sure to pray to Zeus for good weather.

Ya... this view

Pandrousso street market

Ice cream at the ice scream shop!

As it started to get dark we made our way to Monastiraki Square near the Plaka District; a very busy part of Athens. It was here that we found the Pandrousso Street Market which was lit up beautifully. The many shops provided the chance to find the perfect souvenir and the aroma of Greek fare wafted from the many restaurants. We stopped for some ice cream along the way.

Rewarded for my always entertaining dance moves

A traditional Greek feast at a typical taverna in the renowned Plaka district is the perfect way to finish your night out in Athens. I'm talkin' mouth watering lamb and rice with loads of feta and olives - all topped off with dancing (well, some may call it that). The Unique Greek Zorba Dance is the perfect recipe for fun. The dance cast interacts with the audience and pulls them onto the stage to dance along in the show. You and your date will never forget the experience, I'm sure of it. Check out the fun the fun we had in the video below.

Another tip: Planning a date in a city like Athens can be a little overwhelming with all the different things in the countless different neighborhoods. Thankfully there are tour companies like Key Tours who have it all figured out for you

Of course, if the date is going well, it dosent have to stop there. Head over to the local bar Sinatra or Einstein and dance some more. If you have any other places that you would recommend in Athens feel free to let us know in the comments section.

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Exploring Rome with Walks of Italy

Taking a walk in a city you have never been to is exciting. You don't know what to expect and feel a sense of history as the place unfolds around you. That's how I felt as I walked past the spectacular monuments that line the streets of Rome; the eternal city with the Pope's house right next door. When I was looking up what to do in Rome, I found myself in need of guidance. I had questions like: Where do we start? What should we see? Why is everything a ten minute walk when you ask locals for directions? Where are the best views of the city? That's where our friends at Walks of Italy came into play. 

We had the privilege of experiencing the Walks of Italy three hour driving tour, one of a rather impressive number of different tours they offer. In a whirlwind of history and beauty our tour guide, Amy, took us in a luxurious limo van to the outskirts of town away from the hustle and bustle of city centre. Here are some of the highlights of the tour, and it all ends with a big bang (literally)!

Our first stop was the Circus Maximus, which used to be the main stage for chariot racing where the audience would sit and watch from the hills.

We stopped by the wonderfully quiet Parco Savello that had a few fountains at its gateway. As we entered, the smell of citrus filled the air. The park is home to dozens of orange trees that apparently produce redundant non-edible oranges. There is a large lookout over the city as well.  It is the perfect place to propose to that special someone, if that's what you're looking to do while in Rome (though my friend Scott chose a different park in Rome to pop the question, read about that here).

At our next stop I was a little puzzled as we pulled up to a giant green door. We were told that it was the Piazza of the Knights of Malta and that we were to bend down and look through a tiny key hole. It may have seemed silly, but when my eye focused on the view of St. Peter's Basilica the hole provided, my breath was taken away.

From there we headed outside the city walls to the ancient Appian Way. The "Queen of Roads" as it's called, is the reason why it's said that all roads lead to Rome. Engineered in the fifth century, it ran from Rome to the Port of Brindisi, along the Adriatic coast, where boats departed for Egypt, Greece and North Africa, among other places. According to Christian legend, it was on the Appian Way that Jesus Christ appeared to St. Peter. 

Our second last stop was the ancient aqueducts, also located on the outskirts of the city. The aqueducts were used to bring water into the city from sources outside of Rome. When no one was around, the area made us feel as if  we were living in ancient Rome, though locals seemed to use the area for jogging and walking. 

For our last stop, we found ourselves at the highest spot in Rome's historical district of Janiculum Hill on a balcony overlooking three soldiers loading a howitzer. The firing of this howitzer signals midday and locals make sure they check their watches when they hear this peculiar alarm go off!

At the end of the tour we were dropped off at our meeting point and said our goodbyes to the nice people we had met. We thanked our tour guide and driver and set out to find a nice Italian lunch.


A post by Chris

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5 “Must Do” Experiences in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Canada’s East Coast is a beautiful place, and it may not get any better than Halifax, Nova Scotia. The good folks at Destination Halifax (check out their website if you are even considering heading east) were kind enough to provide trip planning assistance for this excursion, pointing me to some can't miss spots in the Warden of the North. Some of the "Must Dos" listed below also come care of the staff at the Radisson Suites Halifax. Trevor, the Head Concierge and member of the infamous Les Clefs d’Or (similar to the Society of Crossed Keys from the film, Grand Budapest Hotel), and the team at the front desk were extremely knowledgeable on all things Halifax and provided unbiased insights on anything from where to eat, what to see, and which local chocolate milk you really must try. With so much to see and do, this post will be the first of a three part series detailing my experience in "Happyflax."

Built in 1820 the Alexander Keith's Brewery is the one of the oldest working breweries in North America

1. Alexander Keith’s Brewery Tour 

Located in downtown Halifax, right at the waterfront, sits one of North America's oldest working breweries. Built in 1820, a tour of this historic brewery is well worth the visit. While I was a bit hesitant about a tour led by actors in period garb, I left with a greater understanding of Alexander Keith’s rich Nova Scotian history, and a stomach full of his delicious ales.

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 near the Seaport Farmers Market

2. Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 

There’s a pretty good chance that if you’re Canadian your family immigrated here at some point in time. Well if that point of time was between 1928-1971, there's a good chance they passed through Pier 21. The museum does a masterful job giving visitors a glimpse into what life for families and individuals immigrating to Canada was like. The Scotiabank Family History Centre will even help you trace your own lineage. They did so for me, and seeing my Great Grandfathers name on the passenger manifest of the ship that brought him over from Wales was icing on the cake for this visit.

Lobster traps and various fishing equipment line the harbour in Peggy's Cove

3. Drive to Peggy’s Cove 

A scenic one hour drive out of downtown Halifax sits the remote fishing village of Peggy’s Cove. Now primarily a tourist destination, it maintains a rustic charm as people flock to see the lighthouse and the view from Peggy’s Point. When you get there you’ll fully understand why. Make sure you take them time to sit on a bench, or a rock, and just watch the ocean roll in. You are on vacation, after all.

Inside the Citadel walls

4. Experience the Halifax Citadel 

Citadel Hill is easy to spot as you make your way through the city. Citadel Hill houses not only the Maritimes’ oldest working town clock, but also a Parks Canada’s National Historic Site. With living history being the centrepiece of the Citadel, you will get a glimpse into a British naval base in the 1850’s. I suggest you visit in the mid-morning to take in the changing of the guard and the firing of the noon cannon.

Georges Island from the Harbourfront boardwalk

5. Walk the Harbourfront 

The Halifax harbour is a truly beautiful site. It’s easy to find a bench from which to watch the ferries run in and out of the Halifax Terminal or just people watch as tourists and locals alike move by on the boardwalk. If you’re looking for a place to take a picturesque jog, look no further. Simply start from the Casino Nova Scotia and run the boardwalk to the Seaport Farmers Market in the early hours of the morning. I promise, at least once during the 2km stretch, will contemplate packing up and moving. With restaurants, shops, museums and a casino, the Halifax harbour has something for everyone.

Check in next week for Part Two of the Halifax series – a guide to dinning in Halifax.

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