Travel Canada

Sublime Nature
The globe’s second-biggest country has an endless variety of landscapes. Spiky mountains, glinting glaciers, spectral rainforests, wheat-waving prairies – they’re all here, spread across six time zones. Expect wave-bashed beaches, too. With the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic Oceans gnashing on three sides, Canada has a coastline that’d reach halfway to the moon, if stretched out.
It’s the backdrop for plenty of ‘ah’-inspiring moments – and the playground for a big provincial menagerie. We mean big as in polar bears, grizzly bears, whales and everyone’s favourite, the ballerina-legged moose. You’re pretty much guaranteed to see one of these behemoths when you leave the city behind.
Active Endeavours
Winter or summer, grand adventures lurk throughout Canada. Whether it’s snowboarding Whistler’s mountains, surfing Nova Scotia’s swell, hiking Newfoundland’s Appalachian Trail or kayaking the Northwest Territories’ white-frothed South Nahanni River, outfitters will help you gear up for it. Gentler adventures abound, too, like strolling Vancouver’s Stanley Park seawall, swimming off Prince Edward Island’s (PEI) pink-sand beaches, or ice skating Ottawa’s Rideau Canal. Before you know it, you’ll be zipping up the fleece and heeding the call to action (and maybe having a go at dog-sledding, walleye fishing, snow-kiting...).
Cuisine (& Poutine)
Rarely do you hear people sigh over Canadian food the way they do, say, over Italian or French fare. So let’s just call the distinctive seafood, piquant cheeses and off-the-vine fruits and veggies our little secret. Ditto for the bold reds and crisp whites the country’s vine-striped valleys grow.
Canada is a local food smorgasbord. If you grazed from east to west across the country, you’d fill your plate like this: lobster with a dab of melted butter in the Atlantic provinces, poutine (golden fries soaked in gravy and cheese curds) in Québec, a bulging slice of berry pie in the Prairies and wild salmon and velvety scallops in British Columbia (BC).
It’s best to leave the belt at home.
Cultural Flair
Let’s see: Okanagan’s icewine festival in January, Quebec City’s winter carnival in February, Regina’s powwow in March, Whistler’s ski and snowboard fest in April, Ottawa’s tulip fest in May, Montréal’s jazz fest in June, Calgary’s stampede in July, New Brunswick’s Acadian fest in August, Toronto’s film fest in September, Kitchner’s Oktoberfest in October, Hamilton’s Aboriginal Fest in November, Niagara’s winter festival in December – yep, Canada parties all year long. Even places you might not automatically think of – say Edmonton, Winnipeg and St John’s – rock with fringe festivals, live music clubs and shiny new art museums.

CANADA TOURS

CANADA TOURS
A country of contrasts, with the picturesque street of Quebec City, the high rise towers of Toronto, the epic and amazing Niagara Falls and the ice fields and mountains of the West. Glide through the Canadian Rockies aboard a train, watch dust billow up from horses’ hooves at the Calgary Stampede and spot a Blue Whale cresting the waves in Quebec’s Charlevoix region. A holiday to Canada is unforgettable.



If you think following your travel dreams is impossible, then you haven’t checked out these eleven Canadian bloggers. They’ve travelled the country, and the world. What’s more, they’ve chronicled all of it for your inspiration.

Nora Dunn

Canadian travel blogger and former CFP Nora Dunn kicked her corporate life to the curb a number of years ago to travel full time in a financially sustainable manner. Her blog, The Professional Hobo, details her cultural and travel writing adventures in a way that is simultaneously transparent and inspirational. That’s right. She keeps it real.

Evelyn Hannon

From kicking it with grandchildren to strolling solo in some of the more sought-after destinations in the world, travelling granny Evelyn Hannon shares her tips and tricks for women’s excursions on her web site, Journey Woman. From dining alone and still feeling secure to washing dishes with a bandana, Hannon dishes on the details that female travelers need to know.

Dian Emery

The driving force behind Girl’s Getaway, Dian blogs about domestic and international destination getaways women can take with their best girl buds. From camping in Shenandoah National Park to swimming with the sea lions in Mexico, Dian and her writers explore vacation options with an eye towards what their readers are looking for.

Corbin Fraser

Founder of I Backpack Canada, Corbin Fraser writes about destinations, activities and adventures from the perspective of an independent backpacker travelling throughout the country. Insider travel tips, inspiring videos and more can be found on his Canada-specific travel blog.

Mariellen Ward

Editor and owner of Breathe Dream Go, Mariellen focuses on travel that inspires. Just as her inspirational trip to India changed her forever, she strives to include articles on destinations, sights and experiences that stretch your perceptions and expose you to new ideas.

Janice Waugh

If you’ve ever wanted to just pack a bag and go on a trip by yourself, then reading Janice Waugh’s work over at Solo Traveler Blog is a great way to get inspired. Waugh also speaks publicly to groups interested in long-term travel, for those interested in a more consultative experience.

Dalene and Peter Heck

Founders of Hecktic Travels, this Canadian couple chronicles their full –time travel experiences which began in 2009. After selling everything they owned, they hit the road. Being together 24-7 for several years straight is a great litmus test for any relationship. It’s one they’ve clearly survived, because their adventures continue.

Ayngelina Brogan

A Canadian woman who dances to her own drummer, Ayngelina founded the food, photography and travel blog, Bacon is Magic. It chronicles her experiences in a variety of countries around the world. Being a food fan, this blog has caught my attention in particular.

Matt Gibson

Gibson’s self-titled travel blog features adventure travel articles from around the world. From Borneo to Taiwan and Spain to Sweden, Matt Gibson covers everything from the traditional to the quirky. He’s great inspiration if you’re trying to break out of your travel rut. I know I packed a couple of more boxes after clicking through just a few pages of his site.

Dave Bouskill and Deb Corbeil

The founders of The Planet D, aka Canada’s Adventure Couple, Dave Bouskill and Deb Corbeil have been traveling together nonstop for the past 11 years. From Antarctica to Africa, they dish on their travel experiences, keeping it real for the readers as to what you can expect when traveling long term as a couple.

Cailin O’Neil

Canadian travel enthusiast Cailin O’Neil documents her vacation adventures both in writing and video on her blog Travel Yourself. From Spain’s tomato festival to the Australian Outback, O’Neil inspires others to pack a bag and hit the road.

Où trouver les meilleures plages d’Ottawa ?

Où trouver les meilleures plages d’Ottawa ?


Les plages d’Ottawa accueillent les baigneurs durant l’été !

Si vous êtes à Ottawa durant l’été, ne manquez pas de profiter de l’une des quatre plages de sable de la ville. La plage Britannia, la plage de la baie Mooneys, la plage de l’île Petrie et la plage Westboro sont gratuites et elles sont surveillées durant la saison estivale. Des employés de la ville d’Ottawa y prélèvent de l’eau quotidiennement (durant la saison des baignades) afin d’en vérifier sa qualité. Les résultats sont affichés sur les plages et sur le site internet de la ville d’Ottawa.

Les plages d’Ottawa offrent un magnifique environnement pour se relaxer, bronzer, lire, se baigner, jouer au volley-ball, pique-niquer, faire un barbecue, se balader ou pour naviguer sur l’eau (la location de canoë/kayak est disponible à plage de la baie Mooneys). Notez qu’il est interdit de fumer sur les terrains des plages supervisées de la ville Ottawa depuis le printemps 2012.

Les spécificités des 4 plages de la ville d’Ottawa :

- La plage Britannia (Britannia Beach) :
La plage Britannia se situe à l’ouest d’Ottawa (2805 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON). Cette plage dispose de toilettes, de stationnement gratuit, de douches extérieures, de tables de pique-nique, de foyers pour barbecue, d’une aire de jeu pour les enfants et d’un point de vente de nourriture et boissons. La plage est parfois animée par un DJ, comme ce fut le cas quand j’y suis allé en août dernier.

- La plage de la baie Mooneys (Mooney’s Bay Beach) :
La plage de la baie Mooneys se situe au sud de la ville d’Ottawa (2926 Riverside Drive., Ottawa, ON). Cette plage se trouve à proximité de l’Université Carleton. Elle dispose de toilettes et vestiaires, de stationnement payant (de 7 h à 18 h), de tables de pique-nique, de foyers pour barbecue, de terrains de tennis, de structures de jeu et d’un point de vente de nourriture et boissons. Si vous êtes chanceux, vous verrez peut-être passer le bateau de « Pirate Adventures ».

- La plage Westboro (Westboro Beach) :
La plage Westboro se situe dans la région centrale d’Ottawa (745 Ottawa River Parkway., Ottawa, ON). La plage est plus petite que les autres, mais elle est tout de même animée et dispose de toilettes, d’un stationnement gratuit, d’un petit restaurant avec tables et terrasse. La première fois que je m’y suis rendu (en août 2012), il y avait une scène avec des concerts live de groupes locaux et des stands de vente de tableaux, t-shirt, massages, etc.

- La plage de l’île Petrie (Petrie Island Beach) :
La plage de l’île Petrie se situe à l’est de la ville d’Ottawa (727 Trim Road., Ottawa, ON). Je n’ai pas encore eu l’occasion d’aller à cette toute nouvelle plage d’Ottawa. Cependant, je peux vous dire qu’elle dispose de toilettes, d’un stationnement payant (de 7 h à 18 h) et de 12 tables de pique-nique. La plage de l’île Petrie est supposée offrir une belle étendue de sable avec vue sur l’autre rive de la rivière des Outaouais. Des tournois de volley-ball y sont organisés durant l’été.

Insurance Insurance PVT Chapka

Insurance Insurance PVT Chapka


Get 5% discount on compulsory insurance - PVT Canada!

To purchase your health insurance online in just a few clicks, visit the Cape working holiday page and enter the code WHCANAD5 to get 5% discount. You receive your contract within two minutes after the purchase.

Contract guarantees health "Cap working holiday"!



Main guarantees:

Repatriation (7/7 and 24/24h) with actual costs
Medical expenses and hospitalization unlimited and free franchise! (Including a simple flu). You are also covered if you go back to France for your holidays (less than 30 days)
Search and rescue costs: € 5000
Early return of the insured (return ticket)
Billet A / R and living expenses for a loved one
Liability abroad injury € 4,500,000, € 450,000 damage
Cash advance: 500 €
Legal assistance
Baggage Insurance: € 2,000
A death (€ 8,000) or disability (40 000 €)
New: you touch more than 30 € per day if you are in hospital
You are also covered in other countries for your holidays (the United States, countries in South America ...), even in France if you get some time to see your family. You are also covered for extreme sports and many more other warranties useful throughout your stay

Prices: from 37 € / month

To subscribe online with a few clicks: http://www.blog-canada.com/CapWorkingHoliday

Do not go to Canada without PVT compulsory health insurance!

Did you know that appendicitis operation abroad can cost up to € 12,000? It is not for nothing that insurance, hospitalization and repatriation is required for the duration of your stay in Canada. Do not forget to print your insurance policy, as Canadian immigration officer (at the airport) check your proof of insurance before deciding if you can get on Canadian soil.

Student housing and colocation Ottawa

Student housing and colocation Ottawa


Student housing and colocation in Ottawa, Canada

Find their dwelling or roommate before leaving or on the spot?
On-Campus student housing, university residences in Ottawa.
Student Accommodation and Off-campus roommates in Ottawa.
Where and how to find her roommate or student housing in Ottawa.
Housing prices and student flatshare in Ottawa.

Student housing and colocation Ottawa
1. Find their dwelling or roommate before leaving or on the spot?

Having lived a week looking for housing there, I'd be tempted to advise you to find accommodation before leaving, this will avoid the stress of not finding as well as the cost of the inn. However, some locations are real (pig) slums. In fact, if I had to relive the experience, I would prepare actively research in France and I will take contact with the owners, but I would urge not before he had seen the housing with my own eyes. If you have the opportunity to ask someone there for you to visit, it would also be an interesting solution.

When I arrived in Ottawa, I went to the hostel HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel. The former prison converted you can be accommodated economically ($ 25 per night) while living an extraordinary experience. Both hostels cheapest in Ottawa are:

- Backpackers Inn http://www.ottawahostel.com/
- HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel http://www.hihostels.ca/OntarioEast/en/index.aspx?sortcode=2.0

2. On-campus student housing, university residences in Ottawa.

Not having lived on-campus (in residence), I still heard that the advantage is to meet many people and have fun. However many young people have left their homes in the family home recently, and think a little too much partying ... In addition to noise, is to spend your life on campus surrounded by students is not necessarily the best way to discover the city in which you live.

3. Student Accommodation and Off-campus roommates in Ottawa.

On the Off-Campus Housing, I recommend roommate. Economical and efficient way to immerse themselves in the culture and language of the country. Share an apartment or a house is something quite common in Canada even among young professionals and adults.

Remember that it is customary to pay the first and last month when we moved. If you need to equip your house, enjoy garage sales (garage sale) and people who leave everything they do not want their homes to furniture, sofas, televisions, books, lamps.

4. Where and how to find her roommate or student housing in Ottawa.

Regarding the location, I suggest you stay close to the university and to avoid Gatineau, unless you want to find yourself in the French speaking part. Finally, here are some resources to help you find an apartment or a room in Ottawa:

Service housing at the University of Ottawa (1): https://web5.uottawa.ca/rezweb/search.php
Local classifieds (2): http://ottawa.fr.craigslist.ca and http://ottawa.kijiji.ca
Research Facilities: http://www.roomster.com and http://ca.easyroommate.com/
Local newspaper (3): Ottawa Citizen

Note: (1) Computers, telephones and individuals are available at the center housing assistance to help you in your search for housing. (2) Real gold mines, however be careful as there are to everything ... and anything. (3) By buying this local newspaper on Wednesday and Saturday, you can find more ads.

5. Housing prices and student flatshare in Ottawa.

Rents vary on average around 400 $ -800 $. In my case, I tried to find a budget accommodation ... After a week of intensive research and a lot of stress, I found a room in a house with four Canadians. My average rent was $ 400 utilities included.

My fifth Canadian Housing

My fifth Canadian Housing


Pictures of my new apartment in Ottawa, Canada!



I moved into my new apartment in July 2012. As promised, here are the pictures. For those who want to get an idea about the price of housing in Canada, it is a 1BR apartment (890 $ / month + electricity) located at the west end of Ottawa (outside the city). If you prepare your departure to Canada under a PVT / studies, I advise you not to live alone in an apartment. Prefer a roommate to reduce the cost of your rent and to promote the social aspect.


The bathroom

the kitchen

Cooking (twice) and a cat

The living room

The living room (bis)

The view from my apartment in Ottawa (Ontario, Canada)

A method to quit smoking easily and quickly!

A method to quit smoking easily and quickly!



Quitting smoking is a challenge and this is not surprising since the addictive potential of tobacco is above that of alcohol, heroin and cocaine. But there is a method to stop smoking, without fear, without regret and without transferring your addiction to cigarette patches, or other scams pschitt sold by cigarette manufacturers.

Why is it so hard to stop smoking?

Everyone knows the negative effects of tobacco as the government continues to grow in the face of smokers by printing messages and photos foul on cigarette packages without understanding that in practice, it does not help to stop smoking. The approach will be ineffective, as ex-smokers do not get rid of the urge to smoke. As for nicotine substitutes, they play exactly the same role as the cigarette they feed our body the substance responsible for addiction then it is necessary to eliminate this dependence.

Stop smoking, a personal victory!

The $ 1,000 question is to know how to deal with this addiction in order to eliminate it. There are still three months, I smoked 1-2 packs of cigarettes per week (5-10 cigarettes per day) and I did not know the answer to this question. I had the idea to participate in Driven to Quit Challenge, a contest held in Canada (the Province of Ontario *) to encourage people to quit smoking for a whole month, and more if affinity ... The all with cars, money and everything else as a carrot to motivate asses. In short, it does not happen as I wanted ...

In short, I did not win a car, or money! In fact, I did not even registered, but that is not the question. A few days after the start of the contest, I heard about the book Easy way to stop smoking by Allan Carr. This book has 5 stars on Amazon.com and nearly 850 testimonies from people who have quit smoking after reading the book. Impressive is not it?

For information, the book in French called "The simple method to Stop Smoking: Quitting smoking is actually easy! ".

Allen Carr's "Easy Way" to quit smoking!

It seems that this book makes miracles, anyway, I did not read! However, I bought the adaptation of the book Allen Carr DVD order not to delay the reading of my many textbooks. I watched 4 March 2012 and I have not touched a single cigarette since! Unlike people who use the conventional method based on the will, I am calm and I do not fight daily against the craving that these people face probably for the rest of their lives.

Note: the book costing almost the same price as a pack of cigarettes so if you want to quit you have no excuse not to empower you!

* There is a similar competition in Quebec: "Defiance I Quit to Win! '

Go on living in Canada or the United States!

Go on living in Canada or the United States!



This article is sponsored by Kaplan International

North America is a dream destination for young people looking for adventure, new experiences and knowledge. Learning languages, especially English, can not be as easily and quickly than by the experience of the English immersion.

The North American cities!

Among the largest cities in North America, there is New York first, the former capital of the United States known and recognized for Manhattan, Central Park and Times Square. The motto of the City of New York, "The city that never sleeps", sums up the mood hyperactive hosts the largest city in the United States and one of the largest cities in North America!

In Canada, the two largest English-speaking cities are Toronto and Vancouver. Multicultural symbols, these two cities are a window on the world and its different cultures. Between the CN Tower in Toronto and Vancouver Harbour, where you will no longer give head.

From the conquest of languages!

Although a course in New York makes dream a lot of young French and Europeans, this is not the only way to immerse themselves in American culture to learn English. In fact, you can go to the United States or Canada for a job, an internship, au pair, an academic year, etc.. Regardless of the city and the way you choose to learn English, remember that living abroad is a social experience, cultural and linguistic prepares in advance. Explore blog posts for more information on administrative procedures in order to go independent, or call a third body (agency, language school, etc..) If you prefer to be assisted in your approach.

Complete guide to apply for a CAQ for studies!

Complete guide to apply for a CAQ for studies!

What the QCA and to whom he?
How to apply for a CAQ?
Documents to accompany the application for a CAQ
CAQ and proof of your financial capacity
The time and cost of CAQ


You have received your letter of admission to a university in Quebec? BRAVO is the beginning of a hassle and stress because you now have a few weeks to get both paperwork without which you will not be allowed to study in Québec (CAQ and study permit).

1. What the QCA and to whom he?

Quebec is a province of Canada chooses its own immigrants (workers and students). For this reason, students who wish to study from Quebec must apply for a Certificate of Acceptance (CAQ) from Quebec Immigration before applying for a study permit from Immigration Canada. If you want to go study in Canada (outside Quebec), the study permit is required.

Note that the CAQ and study permit is not required for stays of 6 months and studies less!

2. How to apply for a CAQ?

The easiest way and the quickest way is to make your CAQ application online on the website of Immigration-Québec. It takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete your application provided you have your passport, letter of admission from the University of Quebec and a credit card handy.

In your request Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for studies you will be asked questions about your identity, your address, your companions, your curriculum, the educational institution and your financial situation .
You must then print the following forms and send them to Canada Immigration to complete your application:
Declaration commitments and authorizations
Declaration of financial support (with bank letter example)
Using custom memory
3. Documents to accompany the application for a CAQ

To attach additional documents will be listed in the checklist you need custom printed at the end of the CAQ. I give you the list of documents that were requested in the checklist personalized CAQ MA (2010) to give you an idea of ​​prepare documents to save time:

1 recent passport photo passport size
1 photocopy of the identification pages of your passport
The letter of admission from the university in Quebec
Proof of your financial capacity
4. CAQ and proof of your financial capacity

I'll try to detail the requirements of the Department of Immigration of Quebec in terms of financial capacity, because I often wonder what and how to supply paper when there is no money in his account.
First, note that to study in Canada, you (or your parents) must be able to assume:
your living expenses (minimum of CAN $ 11,557 per year in 2012);
your tuition and other expenses related to your studies;
the cost of medical and hospital insurance (about $ 700 CDN / year);
your travel expenses (round trip);
your installation costs for the first year of residence in Quebec (valued at $ 500).
If you do not have the ability to finance your entire stay yourself (in my case), you must provide a statement of financial support (the model will be provided) and proof of financial details of the person that supports you financially (employment letter stating salary, wage statements, tax returns, bank letter stating balance, etc..).

Note: The documents you choose to join should demonstrate your financial ability to continue studies in Quebec. See my article "Budget for an international student" to learn more about the real cost of education in Quebec.

5. The time and cost of CAQ

At the end of your CAQ, you will be charged a processing fee of CAN $ 104 (in 2012) after which your application for Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for studies should be treated within a Within 20 business days, which excludes postal delays and problems with incorrectly filled or incomplete records.
If you've done your CAQ application online, here are the steps that will appear in your account history over weeks:
Acknowledgment of your request
Confirmation of payment
Open your file
Receipt of your documents
Issuance of your CAQ for studies
I know from experience that waiting for the processing of your application for a CAQ is stressful. However, there is no need to agitate for service to students of the Department of Immigration and Cultural Communities (MICC) is aware that you must deliver the CAQ quickly so you can apply for a permit studies before school in Quebec. They make every effort to process your request within a maximum period of 3 to 4 weeks.

Note: in the interest of fairness, MICC processes applications for CAQ in order of receipt and you are requested not to contact the Department for confirmation that your documents have been received or for priority treatment.
What to do after receiving the CAQ?

Once you have received your Certificate of Acceptance (CAQ) for studies, it is time to apply for your Study Permit from Immigration Canada. To do this, follow my guide on the application of a study permit (article coming soon ...).

Christmas 2012 and New Year in Canada ... more

Christmas 2012 and New Year in Canada ... more


Christmas on Parliament Hill
At the time of writing, the year 2013 has just begun. It has been almost one year since I quit smoking about 2 months and that CIC has finished processing my application for PR. At the same time, it is also about 2 months I look forward mail Immigration Centre of Ottawa supposed to inform me of the decision taken by CIC (argg! oO).

Anyway, I can not complain since I started the year 2013 with an internship in marketing and communication strategies in an English speaking company in Ottawa. I now crosses fingers that 2013 is the year when I get my diploma Canadian permanent resident status and a good job. I also hope that 2013 will be the year where my parents are finally released their dependent child, the year my sister will meet her soul mate and year marriage and adoption rights for couples of the same sex will finally become a reality in France!

Finally, I wish a Happy New Year 2013 to all my friends and my family: my parents, my sister, my cousins, uncles and aunts, my grandmother and all who come make new ones. Without transition, I leave you with my pictures of Christmas and New Year


Among our gifts were a microwave, a cabinet for TV (wall unit), clothes, chocolate, etc..



Dinner Christmas Eve (24 December 2012) - celebrated at home



Christmas Dinner (25 December 2012) - celebrated with friends



Meal New Year's Eve - celebrated at home, in the pub (to count), followed by friends