Presenting: Ottawa - Canada's Capital and An Exciting Travel Destination

In anticipation of my upcoming trip to Ottawa nextGreekFest; CKCU Ottawa Folk Festival; the Central
weekend I have started to do some research andCanada Exhibition; and Pride Week.On Parliament Hill,
contacted Ottawa Tourism. Ottawa, as Canada'stwo free activities occur daily in the summer: the
capital, is one of Canada's most popular travel10:00 a.m. Changing the Guard ceremony and the
destinations and it has a great variety destinations,evening Sound and Light Show.In the fall, the
activities and events to offer.I had an opportunity toGatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival colours the skies;
talk with Jantine Van Kregten from Ottawa Tourismwhile the La Vendemmia Harvest Festival tempts
who was kind enough to give me a great generalvisitors' palates. The Ottawa International Animation
overview of things to see and do in Ottawa.1. PleaseFestival showcases artists from around the world
provide us with some general information aboutwhile the Ottawa International Writers Festival
Ottawa. How large is the city, where is it located,provides a forum for authors' lively debates. Fall
what is the weather like?Ottawa is the capital ofRhapsody celebrates the splendid autumn colours.The
Canada, and its fourth largest city. With thecapital lights up for the holidays with the Christmas
neighbouring city of Gatineau in the province ofLights Across Canada program.6. What about
Quebec, the region has about 1.2 million people.restaurants and entertainment / nightlife areas in
Ottawa is located in eastern Ontario, about fourOttawa?Several neighbourhoods offer entertainment
hours' drive northeast of Toronto; two hours westoptions in Ottawa. The ByWard Market is one of
of Montreal; and one hour north of the border withOttawa's oldest neighbourhoods and also functions as
the state of New York.Ottawa enjoys four distinctits entertainment district, with over 100 food and
seasons, with warmest temperatures and sometimesdrink options in just a four-block-square area.
high humidity in July and August; a temperate fall withWhether it's fine dining, a good diner, a cosy bistro,
gorgeous fall colours; a cold and snowy winter; and aor a romantic cafe, you can find it in "the
wet spring.2. How can one get to Ottawa and whatMarket."Elgin Street is another popular nightlife area,
is the best way of getting around in Ottawa?Ottawawith an eclectic selection of bars, restaurants and
is accessible with direct flights from major centres incafes in just a few blocks. Bank Street offers three
Canada and several U.S. cities including New York,or four distinct areas along its length, including a
Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta andpopular area known as the Glebe. In the near west
more. Ottawa is a major stop along theend, Westboro is also an attractive option for dinner
Windsor-Quebec City corridor of VIA Rail and busand drinks.Of course, one could also choose to
service also links the city with other Canadianexplore the various options at the Casino du
cities.By car, major thoroughfares include HighwayLac-Leamy--whether it's gaming excitement or a
416 that links Ottawa with Highway 401. Highway 417show at its popular theatre or a dinner at its
runs through the city, while Autoroutes 5, 50 and 148five-diamond restaurant Le Baccara. The region's
are the major highways on the Quebec side of theother five-diamond establishment (two of only 11
river.3. Ottawa is Canada's capital and has played aacross Canada) is Signatures at Le Cordon Bleu
significant role in the history of this country. PleaseOttawa.7. Please give us an overview of the
tell us more about that and the Canadian Heritageperforming arts on offer in Ottawa.The National Arts
Experiences offered in Ottawa.The story of OttawaCentre is Canada's premier performing arts centre,
begins with the building of the Rideau Canal betweenoffering English and French theatre performances,
1826 and 1832 by Lt. Col. John By of the Royaldance, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra.
Engineers and thousands of mostly Irish labourers.Numerous smaller theatres also abound, in both
The Canal stretches 202 km (126 miles) throughEnglish and French, including the Great Canadian
eastern Ontario to the St. Lawrence River and wasTheatre Company, La Nouvelle Scene, Ottawa Little
built to ensure a supply line in case of AmericanTheatre, Third Wall Theatre Company, Odyssey
attack (which never came). The Canal was neverTheatre (offering outdoor performances next to the
used for a military purpose and its 49 locks are stillRideau River), A Company of Fools, and many
operated in the same way as when they were built.productions at Arts Court, a municipal facility.From
In fact, the Rideau Canal is Canada's nominee to beMay 18 to June 11, the Cirque du Soleil will bring its
named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which isproduction of Quidam to Ottawa. The Canada Dance
expected in 2007, the 175th anniversary of itsFestival takes place every two years (June 2-10,
construction.Queen Victoria decreed in 1857 that2006) in Ottawa and the Ottawa Fringe Festival (also
Ottawa would be the capital of the country thatin June) is one of the best ways to see new
became Canada. The majestic Parliament Buildingsproductions and new innovations. InThe Centrepointe
were constructed shortly thereafter and remain aTheatre in the west end offers a variety of
"must-see" attraction in the capital. As the capital,performances, as do the University of Ottawa and
Ottawa is also home to 24 Sussex Drive (the primeCarleton University.Larger events are usually held at
minister's residence and not open to the public);Scotiabank Place and the Ottawa Civic Centre.8.
Rideau Hall (home of the Governor General, withWhat are some of the shopping opportunities in
guided tours of residence and gardens available); andOttawa?Some great shopping centres exist in
dozens of high commissions and embassies fromOttawa, including Bayshore Shopping Centre in the
governments around the world.Don't miss Laurierwest end, Rideau Centre downtown, the St. Laurent
House, home to both Sir Wilfrid Laurier and WIlliamCentre in the close east end, and Place d'Orleans
Lyon Mackenzie King, two former prime ministers, orShopping Centre in the east end. These centres offer
the Mackenzie King Estate, King's summer home inthe best of the well-known brands.For more eclectic
Gatineau Park.4. Please tell us about some of theofferings, the ByWard Market neighbourhood offers
major attractions, museums and galleries in thegreat fashion and housewares; as does the Glebe,
Ottawa area.The latest addition to the nationalWestboro, and some small towns on both the
museum scene is the impressive Canadian WarOntario and Quebec side of the Ottawa
Musuem, which opened in May 2005 in a stunningRiver--inclouding Merrickville, Manotick, Perth, Chelsea
location next to the Ottawa River. Canada'sand Wakefield.9. What are the outdoor, recreational
most-visited museum is Gatineau's Canadian Museumand sports opportunities in and around Ottawa?From
of Civilization. The National Gallery of Canada offersa professional perspective, the Ottawa Senators are
the largest collection of Canadian art, along withparticularly beloved by Ottawans, as they march to a
European and American masters. Other culturalStanley Cup victory! The Ottawa '67s offer a
facilities include the Canadian Museum ofwindow to the Ontario Hockey League. The Ottawa
Contemporary Photography; the Canada AviationRenegades provide Canadian Football League
Museum; the Canada Science and Technologyexcitement while the Ottawa Lynx are part of
Museum; the Canada Agriculture Museum; the Royalbaseball's International League (they're the Triple A
Canadian Mint; the Currency Museum of the Bank offarm team for the Baltimore Orioles).But sports in
Canada; and the Canadian Museum of Nature,Ottawa are much more participatory than that. Home
currently in the midst of a massive renovationto hundreds of kilometres of recreational pathways,
project, to be completed in 2009.Other museumsOttawans love to cycle, inline skate and hike. The
include the Bytown Museum, which tells the historyOttawa River offers unbelievable whitewater rafting,
of Ottawa's early days, including the building of theas well as canoe and kayak adventures for the
Rideau Canal; the Billings Estate Museum that tracesadventurous.The highest bungee freefall in Canada is
the history of a prominent local family; and the funkylocated just north of Ottawa, just outside Gatineau
Diefenbunker, Canada's Cold War Museum, aPark. Year-round, Gatineau Park offers something for
four-storey underground bunker that wasthe outdoor lover. Whether it's camping, canoeing,
constructed between 1959 and 1961 as the locationkayaking, hiking, mountain biking or swimming in
to which the Canadian political and military elite wouldsummer; or snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in
ride out the effects of a nuclear attack.5. Ourwinter, the Park is beloved by all in the region.As
readers would like to find out about the festivals andproof of how diverse a destination Ottawa is, it's the
special events in Ottawa.The festival scene inonly location where you can skate on the world's
Ottawa is a robust, year-round affair. The year kickslargest skating rink and play in the world's largest
off with Winterlude, a huge winter festival held overbeach volleyball tournament?10. What type of
the first three weekends in February. In March, theaccommodations options are there in Ottawa?There
Irish community celebrates Irish week, and in Marchare over 11,000 hotel rooms in the Ottawa-Gatineau
and April, the maple syrup season spawns a numberregion. The major chains (Hilton, Fairmont, Westin,
of delicious festivals and events celebrating this tastyMarriott, Delta, Sheraton, Novotel, Holiday Inn, Best
treat.May belongs to the Canadian TulipWestern, Comfort Inn) are represented, as well as
Festival--three weeks of celebration of Ottawa'smore unique offerings such as the boutique ARC
favourite flower. During World War II, the Dutchthe.hotel or Brookstreet Resort.Downtown locations
royal family took refuge in Ottawa and Princessare within walking distance to many major
Margriet was born here, in a hospital room designatedattractions. Several bed-and-breakfast providers also
Dutch soil for the event. Canadians played a huge roleoffer a cosy alternative to hotels.A comprehensive
in liberating the Netherlands and when the royal familylist of options is found at
returned home after the war, as a gesture of11. What are some of the major events and big
friendship, respect and appreciation, they sentnews stories coming up in 2006 and beyond in
thousands of tulip bulbs. The bulbs have followedOttawa?The Canadian Museum of Civilization
every year since and now 3,000,000 tulips bloom incelebrates its 150th anniversary in 2006. It began its
Canada's Capital Region.Late May brings Canada'slife in May 1856, as part of the Geological Survey of
largest marathon as part of the Ottawa RaceCanada. The young museum grew into the National
Weekend. Over the summer months, festivalsMuseum of Canada and then, into the National
abound: Doors Open Ottawa showcase heritageMuseum of Man. In 1986, it became the Canadian
buildings; Italian Week; the Ottawa Fringe Festival;Museum of Civilization, moving into its magnificent
the TD Canada Trust Ottawa International JazzGatineau buildings three years later and continuing to
Festival; the Nortel Ottawa Dragon Boat Racepresent informative and entertaining exhibitions for a
Festival; Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest (Canada'swide range of interests.The Casino du Lac-Leamy
largest); the Ottawa International Chamber Musiccelebrates 10 years of non-stop excitement in March
Festival (the world's largest); the Sound of Light2006.
fireworks festival; Ottawa Busker Festival; Ottawa