By the time March rolls around, Ottawa residents can be forgiven for thinking longingly of sunny skies,warm breezes, and blue seas. My husband and I recently returned from a two week cruise,– our favorite way of escaping the winter blahs. We have waxed eloquent on cruising holidays but a few of our friends remain skeptical about the value of this form of holiday. Some talk about sea sickness, some about the brevity of the shore excursions, some worry about their waistlines, and some just say “a whole week on a boat! Are you kidding?” This article is directed to all of you who share these concerns or who have never cruised for whatever reason.
Ottawa, for most Canadians, conjures up images of Parliament buildings, of the longest skating rink in the world, of the site of many of our national institutions such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the National Gallery and foreign embassies. Visitors to the Capital region are also impressed by its beautiful natural setting with the Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau rivers flowing through it against the backdrop of the Gatineau Hills. Plenty of parklands, waterways and greenspace adorn it, with extensive walking and bike paths. In Ottawa, the two founding cultures of Canada meet and interact, contributing to the making of a vibrant community. Formerly known as a government town, it is now also known as a high tech centre with the number of technology workers rivaling that of the government sector. All of these factors play a part in making Ottawa a great place to live.
