BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

I recently arrived back from a short but sweet trip to one of America’s oldest cities – Boston. This was the first time I have ever really had the chance to explore Boston properly so you know I had to hit the ground running!!!

Ok so after arriving in Boston, looking for the best attractions and restaurants was a little hard. I don’t necessarily think that their food scene is that obvious meaning I have heard from others that it’s there, but still quiet underground so make sure to ask locals for recommendations if you can. A lot of establishments have been around for a while so finding the coolest new places can be a challenge, however I managed to find something for everyone!

SIDE NOTE: If you are flying into Boston’s Logan airport make sure to look out the window during landing! The Boston Logan airport is located on the waterfront and you get absolutely picturesque views of the city!!!!

First things first! Things to do!!!!

Samuel Adams Brewery - 30 Germania St, Boston, MA

I made sure that I stopped by the Samuel Adams brewery. Not just because they have tours starting from 11-4 every day for a simple $2 donation (proceed go to one of their chosen charities), but you also get FREE samples!!!! Tours are about 45 minutes long and include a FREE sample tumbler souvenir as well!

Fun facts about the Samuel Adams Brewery:

-       They let you sample and review beer that isn’t on the market a.k.a. you get to give the ‘Gladiator’ thumb-of-approval
-       Boston is home to a Samuel Adams beer you can’t find anywhere else! It’s called the Boston Brick Red and its only available on tap and in Boston.
-       Boston water (as in PH levels, Dissolved Oxygen, Chlorophyll and other Fluorescing Materials levels, etc) is one of the most important components to the flavor profile you can find in their beer.  Samuel Adams does have breweries in other states and they will break down their local water content and build it up again to match Boston’s water profile before brewing.
-       Samuel Adams (a founding father of America) didn’t start the Samuel Adams Brewing Company - Jim Koch’s did in 1984
-       Their autumn seasonal Octoberfest beer is available August through October and can be purchased in the gift shop along with other small batch growlers! I grabbed their Blueberry growler and it was so YUM!

SAMUEL ADAMS BREWERY -> LINK

Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum - 25 Evans Way, Boston, MA

This museum is better known for its gorgeous courtyard, which is ideal for amazing photo opportunities. The Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum is the converted residence of Isabelle Stewart Gardner – an American art collector, philanthropist, and patron of the arts. She was a very affluent lady in her time and incorporated her property into the museum in 1900. Today, the museum hosts exhibitions of historic and contemporary art, as well as concerts, lectures, family and community programs, and changing courtyard displays.

Fun fact about the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum:

- admittance is discounted to those wearing Boston Red Sox memorabilia, and is free to anyone named Isabella!

ISABELLE STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM -> LINK

Quincy Market - 367 S Market St, Boston, MA

Quincy Market is a historic market complex near Faneuil Hall in downtown Boston (near the water). I loved this place and found it a great place to stop after you explore the Boston harbor. The market itself offers a wide range of food vendors and restaurants. The market can get a bit hectic on the weekend but is still a fun place to go if you want a family friendly activity. Also expect to see horse drawn carriages around the market/Faneuil Hall and street busker performances.

QUINCY MARKET -> LINK

Place to eat! YUM!

Sorellina – Fine Dining $$$$ 1 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA

I loved the Italian-Mediterranean cuisine at this restaurant. I ordered the octopus appetizer with squid ink cous cous and it was a symphony of flavors in my mouth. This restaurant is super posh so it’s great for a nice celebratory dinner occasion or if you are looking to really impress someone. Wink wink nudge nudge.

SORELLINA -> LINK

Saltie Girl – New Seafood Restaurant/Oyster Bar $$$ 281 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA

A new comer to the Boston restaurant scene, Saltie Girl is an oyster bar and seafood paradise. Boston is known for their lobster rolls and clam chowder and you can definitely get both of these staples here! I got their spicy tuna carpaccio, which was literally art on a plate. I also would recommend their Foie Gras with brioche as it was so decadent and delicious it brought tears to my eyes – ok not really but you get the point! LOL!

SALTIE GIRL -> LINK

Kashmir – Indian $$ 279 Newbury St, Boston, MA

Located on Boston’s famous Newbury Street this place serves up some great Indian food. I had their version of Chana Masala and a side of their Dahl and had absolutely no regrets! You can also enjoy their patio and free WIFI if you’re in the area and are in need of refreshments or a break from shopping.

KASHMIR -> LINK

Gourmet Dumpling House – Chinese $$ 52 Beach St, Boston, MA

I was recommended this place by one of my followers and I am so glad I went. This little dumpling house located in Boston’s Chinatown was packed full of people and served up some pretty awesome steamed dumplings. Expect very nice portions that are good for sharing.

GOURMET DUMPLING HOUSE -> LINK

Other fun stuff to do in Boston

If the Red Sox are in town go to Fenway Park to see a game!!!! -> LINK

Keep an eye out for awesome acts at the House of Blues!!! -> LINK

Zip around the waterfront in a speedboat called Codzilla!!  - This looks like a lot of fun and I wish I could of done this! Be prepared to get wet! -> LINK

DESTINATION MONTREAL!!!

Have you ever traveled somewhere and felt more at home there then you do at home? For me Montréal is one of those places. When I was in my early twenties I visited a friend going to university there and it didn’t take me long to get hooked.  It seems that now I am drawn back to this beautiful historic French city every summer. With over 100 festivals annually, Montreal is a vibrant, energetic city where something is always happening. It’s a place with a booming culinary scene that comes with great value and more bang for you buck then any other major city in Canada.  It has a social scene that is young, trendy, creative, and shows itself through the colourful street art and murals that prominently decorate the city.  With so many great hotels, attractions, historic building and delicious places to eat there is no way you can’t enjoy yourself.

Last month I visited Montréal and filmed this travel vlog. My goal was to highlight why I think Montreal is such a great place to visit. Whether you are Canadian or not it’s a perfect destination to travel without putting too much strain on your wallet. It’s a place with endless options and infinite amounts of amusement – so why not visit? Watch my vlog below to see what I got up to when I went to Montreal.

Thanks for watching my vlog! If you are interested in visiting any of the places I went to I have added information on them below! You can also visit Tourisme Montreal to see what festivals are currently going on in Montreal.


Markets:

Atwater Market - 138 Atwater Avenue Montréal, Québec H4C 2H6

Located in the southwest corner of Montréal near the Lachine Canal, the Atwater Market was established in 1933. Open year-round, Atwater Market is known for its many butchers and delicatessens, as well as its horticultural vendors and farmers whose kiosks are brimming with fresh produce and border the perimeter of the building from spring through summer. Its many shopkeepers offer a wide variety of fresh, unique and specialty products. The expertise and dedication of many of the merchants have been passed down from generation to generation and have helped build Atwater Market’s reputation internationally.

Jean-Telon Market - 7070 Henri-Julien Avenue Montréal, Québec H2S 3S3

In the heart of Little Italy, the Jean-Talon Market is one of the oldest public markets in Montréal opening in May of 1933. The Jean-Talon Market is known for its numerous local fruit and vegetable vendors as well as the cultural diversity of its shopkeepers. It is one of the largest public markets in North America and its atmosphere is lively in both summer and winter.

At the Jean-Talon Market, you won’t just find fruits and vegetables, but also flowers, spices, oils, cheese, meat, fish and artisanal bakery goods, in addition to a wide selection of regional products from all over Québec!


Restaurants:

Bouillon Bilk - 1595 Boul. St-Laurent Montréal QC H2X 2S9

A lovely, refined restaurant located in downtown Montreal that caters to a young hip professional crowd. Their dishes are both elegant and thoughtful often presenting masterpieces so beautiful to look at you are not sure you should eat them. So do what I do, snap a photo and save the memory and then dive right in and explore the symphony of flavors in each dish. Waiters are also very helpful and knowledgeable at making recommendations from both the menu and the wine list.

I recommend calling for reservations - 514.845.1595 or visit their website.

La Diperie - 68 Ave des Pins E, Montréal, QC H2W 1N5

LA DIPERIE is one of my favorite soft service ice cream shops! With over 20 different dips, numerous toppings and endless combinations – this place will have you rethinking how you use to do ice cream.

Grumman 78 – 630 Rue de Courcelle, Montréal, QC H4C 3C5

Situated on the western edge of St-Henri, Grumman 78 is located in an old garage that formerly housed the City’s cavalry. Industrial yet warm, this restaurant’s take on Mexican street food is perfect for intimate gatherings or large groups. They also have a food truck that you can usually find at different events and festivals in the city. 

For reservations call - 514-290-5125 or visit their website.

Olive and Gourmando - 351 Saint-Paul W. MONTREAL, QC H2Y 2A7

Olive and Gourmando is a small café patisserie restaurant located in Old Montreal that serves amazing Panini sandwiches. They often have a line up out the door but don’t shy away because you can always get take out. One of my favorite items on the menu is the Cuban sandwich!


Festivals:

Just For Laughs – Comedy shows are held at various locations. Festival stomping grounds are located in the Place D’Arts on Rue Ste. Catherine.

A yearly festival dedicated to making you laugh! The Just for Laughs festival brings together a plethora of the worlds top comics to entertain you for an entire month! Be prepared to bust a gut because you will be laughing till you cry. Some of my favorite comics to see this year were Jermain Fowler, Nick Thune and Joe Mande!

Piknic Electronik  - Parc Jean Drapeau

Piknic Électronik is a weekly electronic music festival that takes place every Sunday during the summer in Montréal. Established in 2003, the festival takes place at Parc Jean-Drapeau and features local and international DJs and producers. There are two stages, food trucks and lots of space to bring a blanket, lounge under a tree and spend your day off listening to some good music with friends.

To see what this weeks music line up is visit their website.

♥ ♥ These are just two of the 100+ festivals that go on each year in Montréal. Make sure to check out Tourisme Montreal to see what else is happening in the city.


Museums:

MAC aka The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal - 185 Sainte-Catherine Ouest

Located in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal presents temporary exhibitions devoted to outstanding and relevant current artists from all over the world. It is a place of discovery, offering visitors experiences that are continually changing and new, and often unexpected and stirring. Every form of expression may be featured: digital and sound works, installations, paintings, sculptures, ephemeral pieces, and more.

Check out their website to see exhibits currently on at the museum.

MMFA aka Montreal Museum of Fine Art - 1380 Sherbrooke Street West

The Montreal Museum of Fine Art is one of the most prominent art museums in Canada. It has works that encompass all the great cultures of the world. The museum itself dates back to 1860 and has a permanent collection of approximately 41,000 works. They are currently building their fifth pavilion making it one of the largest art museums in North America.

Check out their website to see exhibits currently on at the museum.

DESTINATION OSOYOOS!!!

This April I went to Osoyoos. Osoyoos is located in the south Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada just 10 KM away from the border of Washington State. The Okanagan Valley is known for its amazing climate. Often the hottest places in Canada in the summer, the climate is ideal for growing grapes and other fruit. Although the resident population of Osoyoos is small the area swells with tourism in the spring and summer as people swarm in to visit the abundant wineries and farm-to-table restaurants.

I put together a travel vlog while I was there this past April! Check it out below!

If you are interested in learning more about any of these businesses or events I encourage you to check out their websites below!

Lake Village Bakery

Osoyoos Oyster Festival

Shucker Paddy

The People's Craft House

Terrafina Restaurant at Hester Creek

Dubh Glas Distillery - Noteworthy Gin

Liquidity Wines

Smoke and Oak Bistro

River Stone Estate Winery

Pig Out

Covert Organic Farms Family Estate

Destination Osoyoos

SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT PARTICIPATED IN THIS VIDEO!


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THE UP EXPRESS, THE FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK & DINNER AT EPIC RESTAURANT

UNION STATION TO PEARSON AIRPORT

Only two short weeks ago I was graciously invited to try the UP Express and experience a stay at the newly renovated Fairmont Royal York Hotel. As with most happy surprises I was ecstatic by the news and knew the only way I could do the experience justice was to video document it for you.

The UP Express, for those of you who have not yet traveled to Toronto, is Toronto’s express airport train that runs between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Union Station in Downtown Toronto; Toronto’s busiest transpiration hub. Having opened its services less than a year ago the rail service has already lowered its cost to $9 for Adults with presto cards and $12 for those without (children 12 and under ride for FREE). With trains departing every 15 minutes they put the ease and convenience back in traveling to and from the airport and is a great alternative if you don’t want to take an expensive shuttle to and from Pearson Airport . Their trains are fully equipped with bag storage, power outlets and the WIFI is free! It takes a total of 25 minutes to get from the airport to downtown Toronto and the best part is that it’s completely traffic free.  If you don’t need to go all the way downtown do not worry, the train also makes two quick stops along the way at Weston & Lawrence and Bloor & Dundas West. For more information on the UP Express and to view the UP Schedule, feel free to visit their website.


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FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK - A HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN TORONTO

Upon arriving at Union Station getting to the Fairmont Royal York is literally just a hop, skip and a jump. Located across the street from Union Station the Fairmont Royal York Hotel is Toronto’s most historic hotel having opened in 1929. The hotel has recently undergone renovations, revamping room decor including new HDTVs in every room! They have also renovated the pool (that’s right, a Toronto hotel with a pool) and exercise room, have upgraded services on demand, satellite iPad check-in during peak hours, paperless checkout, and digital path-finding monitors. I also highly recommend checking out the Fairmont Royal York Spa during your stay as it is fabulous. To book your next stay in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York feel free to visit their website for easy web-booking.

Once I was fully able to settle into my room and lounge in their plush bathrobes before getting ready for dinner, I received yet another happy surprise – a small pre-dinner amuse bouche.

The evening’s dinner was hosted at the Fairmont Royal York’s Epic Restaurant. Chef de cuisine Joshua Dyer provided us with a four-course meal perfectly complimenting each dish with wine selected by the house sommelier. Each course presented is available on the current restaurant menu, which changes seasonally. The restaurant’s reputation for innovation and quality was truly evident with each dish. They are known for placing importance on sourcing and using regionally grown premium ingredients; purchasing ingredients from only the best of Ontario's growers. Further, you may also be interested to know that all of the Fairmont Royal York restaurants takes advantage of the hotel’s rooftop herb garden and hand-harvested honey, which they incorporate in many of the dishes and cocktails.

After dinner I was also able to sit down with chef de cuisine Joshua Dyer of Epic Restaurant and learn more about his passion for cooking and what it’s like working for the Fairmont Royal York. Below is a video of that interview. To book a reservation at Epic restaurant please visit their website.

If you have any questions about my experiences please do not hesitate to leave a comment below! If you missed my SnapChats from the event I'll add the video below!

Here are the links to all websites for quick reference:

UP Express - https://www.upexpress.com/Home/index
Fairmont Royal York - http://www.fairmont.com/royal-york-toronto/
Epic Restaurant - http://www.epicrestaurant.ca/home

Fun Fact:
Honey Bees: In June 2008, the Royal York installed three beehives on its fourteenth-floor rooftop terrace to serve its in-house garden. Approximately 350,000 honey bees provide several hundred pounds of honey each year, including 800 pounds (360 kg) in 2011.

Many thanks to Una MacNeil, Sonya Singh, Jessica Bertolo, Brody Horne and Chef Dyer for hosting me!


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CUBAN SANDWICHES & THE MIAMI WYNWOOD ART DISTRICT, FLORIDA

MY MIAMI TRAVEL GUIDE

One of most amazing parts of being a blogger is discovering things. New food, new places, new people. If you have been following me for a while you have probably already figured out that I’m quite a naturally inquisitive person and if you haven’t, well let me tell you – I like an adventure. You may even soon discover that locals want to share their experiences with you and recommend places to go and restaurants to eat at. Sometimes, it’s even before you have a chance to ask for it! Haha!

I recently went to Florida to visit my mom who like many other Canadians has become a snowbird flying south for the winter. I will admit I went on this trip with one objective, to find the best El Cubano sandwich. It is well know that Miami is the epicenter for Cuban influence in America and I was determined to find the best, most authentic Cuban pork sandwich Miami had to offer – and thankfully, my mom was game!

After doing some research I found a Cuban restaurant located in Little Havana called Versailles that was supposed to have the best Cuban sandwich in Miami, so off my mom and I went.  It was no surprise that the restaurant was packed with Cuban families and businessman.

Aesthetically the restaurant is a little outdated, but the prices are great and everything that came out of the kitchen looked delicious including my sandwich. The bread was toasted until golden, cheese melted just so, pork perfectly roasted and full of juicy flavors, all topped with the perfect amount of mustard accompaniment - YUP! It deserved all the hype I had previously read about!

Now, this is when things get good because blogging and being a social media creator opens a lot of doors/windows into other people’s lives. I mean, isn’t that what social media is for? To discover and share experiences? Well, it didn’t take long for me to soon stumbled across photos of walls, many walls, painted in these amazing murals. I was very happy when at one point I made a new Instagram friend who grew up and worked in Miami and recommended I check out the Wynwood Art District while I was in town – specifically the Miami Wynwood Walls. Perfect! My mom was game so off we went on another adventure!


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The Wynwood Walls (where you find all the murals) occupy an entire city block on NW 2nd Avenue between 25th and 26th Streets. Here you will also find a garden, indoor gallery and studio space, as well as the adjacent Wynwood Kitchen & Bar.

Finding parking, a places to eat or bars in Wynwood is very easy. The entire art district and neighbourhood seemed to consist of about five square blocks but even before visiting the walls my mom and I went to a great contemporary art gallery in the area and grabbed food in Wynwood at The Butcher Shop Beer Garden & Grill . The Butcher Shop has both an indoor seating area and an outdoor patio at the front of the restaurant shielded nicely from the street. Like a little oasis my mom and I took some refuge from the mid-day sun for lunch and were pleasantly surprised to find the service quick and food delicious. I really liked this spot and thought it had a great casual dining vibe and a perfect spot to grab drinks if you are looking to enjoy a Wynwood happy hour . It also soon seemed to be a popular spot amongst young creative’s that work and live in the area which made it all the more appealing to me.

With our bellies full and the taste of sangria still on our lips we wondered over to the Wynwood Walls and were surprised to discover how many murals there were and how they span both sides of an entire block not to mention lining a pedestrian only walled walkway/art park. The entire place was awesome and I would definitely recommend the Wynwood Art District to anyone visiting Miami who is looking for a cool activity for a day. If you are like me you won’t miss the opportunity to snap a photo in front of a Miami mural than perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to leave with a new profile picture like me – it’s just that good.

Cheers!!!!


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