It's not often I head into a new city without having done a significant amount of research. Montreal is a place I've always wanted to visit, but I didn't have a running list of places to go or things to see. All I knew that it held a lot of French history and culture, and since it's a much easier destination to get to than France itself, I figured Montreal would be a great place to moderately satisfy Paris wanderlust between transatlantic trips.

We picked up our Enterprise car rental late morning the day of our departure and drove five hours north from Boston. I was never loyal to a car rental company—I just always went with whatever was cheapest—until I realized Enterprise was the cheapest every time I searched. After renting from them so many times both traveling and at home in Seattle, I realized I was an Enterprise Plus member and almost always get a free upgrade from whatever car I requested online. I'm excited to work with Enterprise later on this year, and very glad we got to partner on this little east coast road trip.

Hôtel Place d'Armes was our home for the weekend (right around the corner from Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica where Celine Dion was married, a popular tourist spot), and I knew we made the right choice when we were greeted by cake pops in our stunning executive suite. I'm always ready for a late afternoon sugar fix. The room itself is very dark and moody, but it felt like it represented the city we discovered very well. Montreal, especially Old Montreal, has an elegance about it, and our first evening's activities fit right in. We drove into downtown and ate a hearty albeit average-tasting meal (I had pasta, Emily had a burger) at Upstairs Jazz Bar, but the vibes were just what we were after. We hung for an hour or so, at a back table next to the musicians who were up next or just finishing a set. Afterwards, we stopped next door at N sur Mackay for an early and delicious nightcap. 

We only had one full day in Montreal, and after I turned to my gracious Instagram friends for recommendations, the day filled up fast. Of course, it began with bagels at the famed St. Viateur Bagel bakery (sesame and rosemary were delicious—of course I got two!). Myriade coffee is right next door in the Mile End neighborhood, and is a light & bright coffee shop with a great cappuccino and pretty greenery. 

After that, we had about 12 shops to stop into on Boulevard Saint-Laurent. The shopping in Montreal is such a delight—even if the boutiques have some brands you've seen before in the States or elsewhere, the stores are arranged so beautifully and they all smell incredible. So many of them have truly unique housewares and trinkets. It would be easy to fill up an extra suitcase to bring home. Some standouts were Vestibule, Annex Vintage, and Général 54.

All along Boulevard Saint-Laurent, I was both surprised and delighted to find a ton of murals! If you're familiar with truelane, you'll know that I've spent the last two years becoming somewhat obsessed with murals and street art. It turns out Montreal has a huge arts community, and their own yearly mural festival, which I hope I get to go someday! There were so many pieces around every corner that I was borderline giddy, especially when I saw work by artists I recognized.

We stopped for a snack at Bar Darling before our next adventure for the day began: the Montreal Biodome. I am a big Olympics nerd, so seeing that they were able to take an arena that was built for track cycling for the 1976 Games and turn it into a wildlife experience that houses replicas of four ecosystems that are found in North America completes my wildest nerd dreams. Although I have severely mixed feelings about seeing animals in captivity, it was an interesting experience and incredible to see how they can transform and reuse an entire building that was built for one single purpose. The entire Olympic village is pretty interesting to walk around—the pool is still there and in use!

Emily and I also took what is probably the most hilarious picture of our friendship just before we went in to see the penguins.

The evening was reserved for exploring the beautiful and charming neighborhood of Old Montreal. Still craving my afternoon sugar rush, we stopped at an adorable and well-loved patisserie, Maison Christian Faure, for a snack before refreshing for dinner back at Hôtel Place d'Armes. The Mont Blanc was one to remember! We counteracted the afternoon indulgence by going to an all-vegan restaurant for our evening meal. LOV was just a ten-minute walk from the hotel and offered a great wine list and delicious food options. I had the veggie burger with fries while Emily decided on an Asian noodle bowl, and we split Brussels sprouts as an appetizer. Then, of course, neither of us had room for dessert. 

We did have room for one more nightcap though—cocktail culture in Montreal is just as serious as any other big city, and we had an amazing time at an unnamed speakeasy tucked underneath a pizza place. It has a hidden door in a brick wall that swings open when you apply pressure to the right brick. We had a great time playing cards and sipping cocktails, feeling like we had strolled straight into the 1920s. 

Before we set off on our Sunday drive back to Boston, we made one more important stop at the iconic brunch place, Arthur's Nosh Bar, which describes itself as "Jewish classics served with a twist and a whole lot of family pride." With a twist indeed—they were bumping top 40 rap tunes all morning. However, they have reason to be proud...I'll remember those cottage cheese pancakes for years to come. Until I go back, really. 

With just a few hours left in the city and needing to make room before poutine, we stopped at the highly recommended St. Joseph's Oratory for views of the city and an impressive pipe organ. Although it's barely a hundred years old, it's an impressive building and the largest church in Canada. Again, it was strange to have a list of recommendations that I hadn't made myself—I didn't know a single thing to expect before I arrived in Montreal. I didn't even know that all the signs would be exclusively in French! I was expecting it to be like an airport—one sign in French, and one right next to it in English. It was definitely an exercise in language and even driving, but one I hope I get to experience again very soon.

Thanks to Hotel Place D'Armes and Enterprise for supporting out trip!

Last month, I had the wonderful honor of being invited to Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler, B.C. to celebrate their tenth anniversary. As a first-time visitor to Whistler, I was excited to see what all the hype was about and actually place myself in the many photos I've seen of this beautiful mountain town. Almost as soon as we rolled in, we were off to the exciting and exclusive 10th anniversary dinner at the lodge's well-loved restaurant, Aura. After a long day of train and bus travel, I was more than ready for a five-course meal—especially since there was a special vegetarian menu available. Afterwards, we got to enjoy the afterparty and live band at Cure, Nita's cozy lounge.

After our fast and fun introduction to the property, we woke up to a beautiful sunny morning and couldn't wait to hit the ground running. We had heard Aura also offered an incredible breakfast, so we wandered our way downstairs to pancakes, avocado toast, scrambled eggs and fried potatoes. It was definitely the hearty mountain breakfast we were looking for before the day's activities. It was even more magical to be there in the daylight, and enjoy our meal overlooking the lake and snowcapped mountains.

We then spent some time walking the property discovering where the trails led and watching people walk on the frozen lake...although you would never catch me doing that when it's above thirty degrees! The stunning vistas are undeniable—after all, you're right in the middle of the mountains. Nita Lake Lodge has the unique title of being the only lakeside lodge in Whistler. I can't imagine a better view!

Before we made the trek up to Whistler Village, we spent some time exploring our own back yard. Nita Lake Lodge offers free snowshoe rentals at the front desk, and although there wasn't any fresh powder for us to trek through, we decided to try our hand at climbing some hills around the property. Even though the conditions weren't ideal, we still had a blast. I haven't gone snowshoeing since I was a kid, and it was definitely on my bucket list to try again. I already want to go back up on a weekend with snow in the forecast!

Between the relaxing hours we spent at Nita Lake Lodge and the more adventurous time we spent up on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, we fully packed our limited time in Canada. During our quick tour of Whistler, we also made our way up the mountain for some quality "aprés ski" time. Little did I know I would be terrified of the ski lifts, so the twenty-five minute ride up was heart-racing peril, but once we got to the top the views were absolutely worth it. The hot chocolate up there was some of the best we've ever had—I was tempted to ask for the recipe. 

Michele then talked me into riding the Peak to Peak Gondola, which is almost 2 miles of completely unsupported cable line between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. It doesn't go fast, and it's extremely safe, but it definitely wasn't for me. The views, again, were incredible, but it is definitely a thrill. Thank you for the once-in-a-lifetime tickets, Tourism Whistler!

Spending the weekend at Nita Lake Lodge was my first ski-town experience, and I have to say, I loved the vibes of the mountain. Although you'll never get me in a pair of skis or strap me to a snowboard, it was amazing to watch so many thousands of people enjoying the sport at the same time. And after spending an afternoon in the thin mountain air, it was so relaxing to come back and enjoy the outdoor hot tubs at Nita. Perfect for soothing a skier's muscles in crisp winter air.

I've spent a lot of time in the snow after living in Minnesota for five years, and heading back to the cold for a winter wonderland getaway was just what this snow bunny needed. 

Congratulations to Nita Lake Lodge on a successful ten-year run, and here's to many more!

Thanks to Nita Lake Lodge for partnering on this post.

It's no secret that Victoria, B.C. is the destination to hit if you're looking to escape to the beautiful outdoors, spend some time on the water, or get your gourmet tea fix. But more and more these days, it is becoming a foodie's paradise. It even has more restaurants per capita than Vancouver! Although I was only there for two days this month, I got to try several of their best offerings. Tourism Victoria also gave me a ton of recommendations I didn't have time to hit—listed those at the end of the post!

Crust Bakery

Lunch, dessert, coffee

On a cold winter day, there's nothing like hot soup and toasted bread to warm the soul. Unfortunately for me, the only soup offering of the day had meat in it, so I opted for a fresh falafel wrap from Crust Bakery for our first stop into town while my mother enjoyed the corn chowder. Although there are only a few stools at which to sit and eat, people are in and out of Crust pretty quickly, so you're bound to get lucky if you're having your lunch for here. Do not miss the black current tart with meringue on the way out—Mom and I took one for the road and were crushed that we didn't have time to go back and get another before we headed back to the mainland. Honorable mentions are the vanilla cronut and almond danish.

Olo Restaurant

Farm-to-table fresh meals, great wine pairings, cozy

Although I forgot my camera en route to our fabulous dinner hosted by Olo Restaurant, pictures wouldn't quite do the place justice at night. It's an incredibly small space for such a big reputation. Although it's not technically a community dining table, they are close quarters and the cozy vibes are real. We started off with two sharing plates: buckwheat cornbread with honey butter, and their deservingly famous semolina cubes with garlic aioli. The cornbread speaks for itself, but the semolina cubes I ordered out of pure curiosity, and they were divine. Little pockets of crispy, gooey perfection smothered in garlic sauce? Send. Me. Home. Both my mother and I hadn't known what to expect, and were met with absolute indulgence. For our meals, I decided on the gnocchi while my mom ordered a simple yet flavorful prawn pasta. Both of us were too full for dessert! I'm definitely recommending this to any and all readers.

Little Jumbo

Late night cocktails, New Canadian cuisine, truffle fries & burgers

Little Jumbo was a place I stopped by on my first visit to Victoria last summer, and I knew immediately it deserved a return trip. Not only did I meet a couple new friends who took me on a cocktail tour of the best Victoria bars afterwards, but the cocktail I enjoyed then (the "Holy Shiz!") was beyond memorable—the names alone get stuck in your head. This time, I selected the "A Sherry Unlikely Quincedence," purely because I've been trying to find an opportunity to drink sherry ever since I started watching Frasier four years ago. It was about the most complex yet tasty cocktail I've ever had...ready for the ingredient list? Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka, Fino Sherry, Silk Road London Fog Tea, Quince Jam, Plum & Rootbeer Bitters, Lemon, Egg White. They also boast a lengthy food menu, which I've never been fortunate enough to experience, but there definitely seemed to be favorites as I glanced around the busy space.

Venus Sophia

Afternoon tea, brunch, healthy lunches & all vegetarian

Venus Sophia was a place I was looking forward to very much when I found out we were booked for early afternoon tea—big thanks to Venus Sophia for hosting us. We got to try their seasonal special, Christmas Holiday Afternoon Tea. It was absolutely stunning, as you can see from the photos above. I went with their Blue Sapphire Earl Grey tea blend while my mom decided to try the Cream Earl Grey, enhanced with hints or vanilla and caramel. Not only was the tower of treats adorable, but delicious! The kale quiches were far and away favorites for both myself and my mother, and the lavender shortbread was another favorite of mine. There was also Victorian sponge cake, chocolate-covered strawberries, cheesecakes, chai scones with cream and jam, finger sandwiches...the list goes on! All for $38. Such a wonderful Christmas treat—don't sleep on this delightful afternoon!

Steamship Grill

While Steamship claims to be the best patio in Victoria, I'd give it a good spot in the running for coziest Christmas decor as well. My mother and I ate dinner here on our last night in Victoria, and besides thoroughly indulging in a seafood fest, I was quite taken with their Christmas decorations, and the impressive space itself. We started with a Steamship favorite, Spicy Firecracker Shrimp with chili lime butter and garlic herb toast—it was so good my mother and I were literally dousing the toast in the sauce after the shrimp was long gone. (We are slightly seafood crazy, don't feel like you have to order seafood for every course like we did.) We split the three-piece fish and chips between the two of us, but I would have been fine with just a two piece because the fish were huge! My mother and I were both craving classic fish and chips before we found Steamship, and we were definitely not disappointed. In addition to the great food, it was so pleasant and comfortable that I could sit and chat long after the meal is over—as long as dessert is on the way.

Other Recommendations

Thanks to Tourism Victoria:

Breakfast

La Roux
Opened in summer 2016, La Roux is a French style patisserie serving up pastry favourites from flaky croissants and Paris Brest to éclairs and macarons. Pair with a fresh cup of Fernwood Coffee to set you up for the morning! Crust Bakery

Fol Epi
Fol Epi is the place to find hand crafted European style breads. Using traditional European methods, organic ingredients and flour milled in the store, Fol Epi’s baked good include handcrafted baguettes, croissants, danishes, pain au chocolat and streusals. Gluten-free macarons and cookies are also available along with tasty seasonal items.

Lunch

Yalla Middle Eastern Street Eats
The brainchild of chef Joel Pollock and his wife Pam Smith, trainer sommelier and CPA, Yalla is a middle eastern inspired restaurant serving up tasty street food inspired dishes including falafel, hummus, Hawai’j sprinkled fries, shawarma and kale salad topped with fried Haloumi, fresh mint and parsley. Their authentic recipes are inspired by a recent trip to Israel and the West Bank.

The Ruby
The Ruby serves up breakfast favourites and house brined rotisserie chicken for breakfast and lunch. Owners Josh Goyert and Chris Jones have extensive experience in the food industry in Victoria and beyond and crafted The Ruby’s menu using fresh local produce including chicken from Fraser Valley, locally roasted Discovery Coffee and Red Barn bacon. Try their selection of generous breakfast hashes and bennies, a breakfast taco or sweet or savoury waffle.

Superbaba
A new counter-service concept that mixes the authentic and familiar flavours of the Middle East with the laidback feel and fare of the West Coast opened in August 2017. With licensed indoor seating for 38 and another 12 on an outdoor patio, Superbaba is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. The menu features fresh, faithful takes on Middle Eastern favourites like falafel and hummus in a variety of bowls, sandwiches and sides, as well as chicken and steak kebabs, fresh-baked pita, turmeric cookies, iced Turkish coffee, house-made pickles and fried cauliflower.

Dinner

Nourish
Enjoy the flavours of fresh, seasonal produce in every bite at Nourish in the Harbour. The restaurant's first location at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific opened in 2010 serving up wholesome dishes made using product from local farms and providers in the Saanich Peninsula.
The new location, tucked inside a colourful heritage house in the James Bay neighbourhood, is a space to eat with people you love. Enjoy a nourishing cup of house made broth at their bone broth bar, indulge in healthy oatmeal pancakes with fresh fruit toppings or stop by for their Rad Thai made with turnip and carrot noodles. The James Bay location also houses a Fermentorium where preserves and kefir are made and will soon have its own farm garden to produce more delicious, healthy foods on site.

Bodega Bar
The Tapa Bar’s sister location, Bodega Bar, is the place to sample pre-dinner or late night cocktails with small, flavourful bites. Enjoy their authentic tapas paired with one of many varieties of sherry. Indulge in individual “pintxos” featuring serrano ham, manchego cheese, chicken liver mousse and stuffed piquillo peppers, or share their Bodega Board with a selection of charcuterie, cheeses, pickles and salads. Be sure to try their sherry flight to complement your dishes.

Agrius Restaurant
Agrius is a contemporary regional restaurant inspired by French cuisine. They learn from, but are not confined to, traditional and classic methods, while always remaining progressive in our approach to handling ingredients and preparing food. The menu is dictated by the seasonal availability and quality of the organic ingredients they use, so much like the seasons change, so does their food menu. They deal with many local producers, farms and foragers to ensure the freshest and highest quality level of everything that goes into each dish. Their bartenders take the same approach with the drinks program, which is constantly changing to showcase classic and original cocktails, local beers, wine and spirits.