Travel Bliss Now
Click here to navigate
  • About
    • Contact Me
    • Work With Me
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Morocco
      • Namibia
      • South Africa
    • Asia
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Sweden
    • Latin America
    • North America
      • Canada
      • USA
    • Pacific
  • Indulge
  • Insights
    • Reviews
  • Photography

Christmas markets

Confessions of a Christmas Market Neophyte
December 23, 2015

Confessions of a Christmas Market Neophyte

I confess.  Until this year, I'd never been to any bona fide Christmas markets in Canada or anywhere.  I'd been blithely walking around, not knowing…
ABOUT ME:

Can travel contribute to happiness? Hi, I'm Cindy Baker and I'm on a quest to find out. Join me on my 'get happy' search for blissful travel experiences. There will be chocolate. Read more. Pepperjam Verification

AWARD-WINNING TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER:

SUBSCRIBE:

Let me help you follow your travel bliss. Sign up for my monthly newsletter.



FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK:
Travel Bliss Now
INSTAGRAM: @TRAVELBLISSNOW
Did you know that the largest public display of tu Did you know that the largest public display of tulips in the world is in ….Canada. There are over one million tulips now blooming in Ottawa. I think all of this colour boosts the mood of the city after our long snowy winter. Probably works for visitors too! Do flowers affect your mood? * * * * #cdntulipfest #myottawa #ottawaphoto #igersottawa #facesottawa #ottawacanada #ottawafestivals #tulipslover #tulipsofinstagram #tulipsgarden #springflowers🌷 #springincanada #flowersreels #tulipsfestival #yellowtulips #redtulips
Best stops on the Icefields Parkway in Canada: 1. Best stops on the Icefields Parkway in Canada: 1. Herbert Lake. (Little-known, but worth stopping) 2. Bow Lake 3. Peyto Lake (a short hike to the viewpoint) 4. Columbia Icefield-Athabasca Glacier 5. Sunwapta Falls 6. Athabasca Falls Of course, there are many more. See the blog for a complete guide. Save for your trip on the Icefields Parkway! * * * * * #icefieldsparkway #icefieldsparkwaycanada #travelalberta #explorecanada #banffnationalpark #jaspernationalpark #banfflakelouise #mybanff #banfftojasper #peytolake #bowlake #athabascafalls #canadianrockies #albertaroadtrip #canadaroadtrip #loves_canada #igerscanada #igersalberta #hikingcanada #mountainvista #mountainlakes #slowtravelling #canadatravel
Top two places to see tulips at the Canadian Tulip Top two places to see tulips at the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa: •Major’s Hill Park (downtown). This spot offers tulip shots with Iconic Ottawa buildings like Parliament (above), the National Art Gallery and the Chateau Laurier. •Commissioner’s Park -This is the main location with thousands of tulips and many festivities. This year, there’s a cool new “Black Light Boardwalk” to see the tulips at night. Note: i took this photo a few years ago. The tulips are at 5/10 on the Tulip Meter, right now, according to @ncc_ccn The festival is on May 12 - 22. Save this post for your visit to the Tulip Festival in Ottawa! * * * * * #cdntulipfest #myottawa #ncc_ccn #discoveron #explorecanada #tulipfestival #ottawaphoto #igersottawa #facesottawa #ottawacanada #ottawasworld #tuliplove #tulipflower #tulipfest #tulipsofinstagram #springtulips #ottawatulips #tulipsgarden #raw_flowers #springflowers #canadianspring #springincanada #majorshillpark #tulipphotography #ottawaevents #redflowers #bns_flowers
The early bloomers are here! It’s going to be a The early bloomers are here! It’s going to be a spectacular show at the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa May 12 -22. * * * * * #ncc_ccn #cdntulipfest #myottawa #outaouaisfun #quebectourism #discoveron #explorecanada #ottawaphoto #facesottawa #igersottawa #ottawatulipfestival #ottawasworld #ottawafestivals #tulipsofinstagram #tulipslover #tulipsfestival #yellowtulips #redtulips #springflowers🌷 #tulipsofinstagram #flowerreels #springincanada #canadianspring #tulipphotography #canadaphotos #canadaphotolovers
What if birds were the stars of a Wes Anderson mov What if birds were the stars of a Wes Anderson movie! Okay, so it doesn’t exactly fit the trend. But it seemed like a good way to share these cloud reflection shots with birds as paid actors.😁 * * * * * #wesanderson #ottawariver #ottawaphoto #igersottawa #facesottawa #outaouaisfun #myottawa #quebecoriginal #discoverontario #igbirds #explorecanada #birdmovie #igers_gatineau #raw_birds #sharecangeo #feather_perfection #bird_vibrance #reflectionjunkiez #reflection_fun #ottawacanada #reelshumor #canadareels #planetbirds #total_birds #canadabirds #canadawildlife
Spirit Island is an iconic spot in Jasper National Spirit Island is an iconic spot in Jasper National Park in Canada. But did you know that it’s not actually an island? It’s connected by a tiny strip of land which sometimes gets covered by water in spring. Jasper is usually the end (or starting) point on a trip along the Icefields Parkway in Alberta. To see Spirit Island, it’s a 45-minute drive to Maligne Lake from Jasper. Then the best option is to take a boat cruise to the island. It would take about 5 hours to paddle (no thanks). It isn’t just a great photo op. The “island” is a spiritual place for people from the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. For them, the surrounding mountains represent their ancestors. * * * * * #jasper #jaspernationalpark #malignelake #malignelakecruise #spiritisland #icefieldsparkway #icefieldsparkwaycanada #stoneynakoda #travelalberta #travelalbertacanada #explorecanada #canadianrockymountains #canadaroadtrip #albertaroadtrip #majestic_nature #naturephotographylovers #canada_places #loves_canada #canadaphotolovers #hikingcanada #albertaviews #mountainlakes #beautifuldestinations #tourcanada
Do you need bear spray on your summer trip to Banf Do you need bear spray on your summer trip to Banff National Park? It’s always a good idea, but if you’re planning to only stop at the main lookouts and busy spots like Lake Louise, it’s not necessary. But if you’re going to do any trail hiking or camping, it’s a must to carry bear spray. You can’t take bear spray on a plane, so you’ll have to get some when you arrive. In Calgary, you can buy it at Canadian Tire for around $75. In Banff, you can buy or rent a canister at many outdoor shops, like Snowtips-Bactrax, Ultimate Sports or RAdventures. Rental is about $10 per day. Bear spray is only to be used when a bear is quite close (about a bus length) and threatening. If you see a bear (and it sees you), the first thing to do is to speak to the bear calmly, make yourself big and back away slowly. Talking to the bear lets it know that you’re a scary human and not prey. I grew up near the Rockies and have never actually had to use bear spray. Generally, bears will steer clear if you hike in groups and make noise as you go. (Note that this is a stock photo of a grizzly in Banff National Park. 99% of the photos here are mine, but since I follow the safety rules, I haven’t been close enough to a grizzly for photos). * * * * * #banffnationalpark #banffcanada #mybanff #bearsafety #bearspray #grizzlybear #grizzlys #grizzlybears #hikingsafety #hikingtips #travelalberta #canadatravels #hikingcanada #canadianwildlife #canadianwilderness #lovingtheoutdoors #banffwildlife #albertawildlife #wildlifephotos #lakelouisecanada #icefieldsparkway #parkscanada #bearsphotos #bearslove
The best time to visit Banff National Park in Cana The best time to visit Banff National Park in Canada is…. ….it depends what you like: •Skiing. -Dec to May -Hiking -June to Oct -Wildlife-spring and fall -Photography - September, early Oct and winter. The best time for the turquoise lake colour is July and August but it’s extremely busy. My favourite time to visit is end of September or early October. This is when the larch trees turn yellow. The lakes aren’t frozen yet, but there may be snow in the mountain tops. Second favourite is winter. Of course, no guarantees on weather. It’s highly variable in the mountains. I’ve seen snow in every month of the year! Save this reel to plan your trip to Banff! * * * * * * #banffnationalpark #banffcanada #banffalberta #cangeotravel #travelalberta #explorecanada #canadalandscape #canadalakes #canadaweather #canadianseasons #canadianrockies #banffwildlife #banffphotography #mountainlovers🌄🌲 #mountainhiking #snowsport #skiingcanada #theweathernetwork #outdoorfolk #canadatrip #canadatravels #albertamountains #explorebanff #parkscanada #beautifulcanada
Some things you should know about driving from Ban Some things you should know about driving from Banff to Jasper: •The route is via the Icefields Parkway or Highway 93. The exit from the TransCanada Hwy #1 to the Parkway is 3 km past the village of Lake Louise. •It’s 233 km so you can do it in one day. But I don’t recommend that because there’s so much great stuff to see along the way. •There is no cell coverage along most of the route. •Fill your gas tank in Lake Louise. There’s only one gas station on the route (at Saskatchewan River Crossing) and it’s expensive. It’s also the only place to buy snacks. •You need a Park pass which you can buy online from Parks Canada or at the Banff park gates. Enjoy the scenery! Save this post for your trip to the Canadian Rockies. * * * * #banffnationalpark #banffcanada #banffalberta #icefieldsparkway #icefieldsparkwaycanada #travelalberta #albertarockies #albertaroadtrip #explorecanada #raw_canada #canadaroadtrip #rockymountains #banfftojasper #roadtripcanada #roadtrippers #cangeotravel #canadatravels #canadatrip #slowtraveller #moutainlovers #mountainlandscape #albertahikes #albertatravel
Follow on Instagram
Popular Recent Comments Tags
  • 12 Things You May Not Know About Small Ship Cruising with Windstar 12 Things You May Not Know About Small Ship Cruising with Windstar: Small ship cruising is becoming increasingly popular and, on a…
  • 6 Terrific Ways to See the Lipizzaner Stallions of Vienna In Real Life 6 Terrific Ways to See the Lipizzaner Stallions of Vienna In Real Life: As a rider, I've always wanted to see the legendary…
  • Fogo Island, Newfoundland: A Complete Guide Fogo Island, Newfoundland: A Complete Guide: Getting to Fogo Island, a rugged and windswept island off…
  • The Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa: A 2025 Guide The Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa: A 2025 Guide: You may have thought it was just a Dutch thing,…
  • How to get to Moraine Lake in Banff National Park in 2025 How to get to Moraine Lake in Banff National Park in 2025: I know a lot of people are wondering how to…
  • A Secluded Romantic Getaway in Alberta, Canada A Secluded Romantic Getaway in Alberta, Canada: What's your idea of the perfect romantic getaway in Alberta?…
  • TravelBlissNow: It really is a thrill. I thought it was funny…...
  • TravelBlissNow: So glad to hear you enjoyed it. Thank you!...
  • susie hughes: We have just come back from here, it was an…...
Africa Alberta beach bliss books Calgary Canada Cuba destinations Dordogne Ecuador fall food France Havana horseback riding hotel hotels Iceland life Lisbon Newfoundland new york Ontario Ottawa Paris Photo photography photos Porto Portugal Quebec restaurants road trip Rome safari Sarlat Stockholm Sunset sunsets Tobago travel Trinidad Tuscany work
Copyright 2019 Travel Bliss Now
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in . By scrolling or clicking on a link, you agree to the use of cookies.  See our full Disclosure & Privacy Policy here.

Travel Bliss Now
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.