Travellers always have this fascination of  taking back a memorabilia from the city they are visiting as a glorious testimony of the journey to an unknown land. While each city has its array of emporiums and curio shops addressing this very need of travellers, it is another matter and an adventure in itself to skew through the unfamiliar surroundings, bargain with the locals and finally take home a souvenir that has somehow more value attached to it because of the preceding hunt.

In Ahmedabad, the vibrant city of Gujarat, India, this discovery may happen in a street market at Law Garden. While pockets become lighter and bags in the hands grow heavier, the eyes continue to be dazzled by the great traditional shopping fiesta offered from one corner of this busy street to the other.

Law garden is called so because of the Law College in the vicinity and it is indeed a peaceful garden in the heart of the city with plenty of play area, lush green lawns, and shaded green avenues for families to spend some relaxing moments all around. But what many come here for is not the peace and tranquillity offered inside the garden gates but the hullabaloo of activities present around it.

Shopper's Paradise. Courtesy Sudhamshu via cc/Flickr

The entire boundary wall of the garden has been utilised by enterprising gujaratis to open up their tea stalls, snack shacks, gaming shops, children rides, soda shops and to the uttermost delight of many traditional apparel hunters, hundreds of shop selling authentic Gujarati costumes and jewellery.  

It seems it is festival time 365 days a year on this side of the garden that plays host to these shops. The shimmering dresses and the glittering jewellery displayed temptingly all across the street coax every passerby to give a second glance and even stop for some impulse buy.

What you can find here

  Those who have visited the states of Gujarat or Rajasthan in India may have been greeted quite often with the sight of local women wearing a voluminous long skirt called the ghagra or the lehenga with a matching top and an unstitched cloth called odni or duppatta covering their head. It is the traditional wear of this part of India made hugely popular by bollywood movies and the great Indian weddings. What you can find in the law garden street shops is exactly the same apparels and ornaments coming straight from the creators of these items. Choices are plenty and before you splurge on the first design that you find, it is wise to traverse the length of the road and shortlist the best of the best.

The Vibrant Ghagra-Choli, Courtesy sudhamshu via cc/Flickr

Here is a list of the things you can get here,

Chaniya choli or ghagra choli – The Indian version of the skirt and top these are the most common of the items in display at every shop and interestingly with the most varied designs. Owing to the creative abilities of the creator each pair of ghagra and choli is a customised work of art. Although certain design elements prevail like the use of flower motifs, mirror work, stars and colored glasses, the ultimate costume is unique in its own respect and it is hard to find two pairs the exact replica of each other. If one notices there are regional difference too in the design patterns. While the more intricate thread work is visible in the Kutchi patterns, the other gujarati designs are adorned more with mirror and glass work. But regardless of their birth place, all are hand stitched and exquisite.

Kurta Tops – Ahmedabad is known to be a very fashion conscious city and there are many who have blended western influences with ethnic Indian wear giving rise to a new breed of garments called the kurta tops that can be worn with an Indian salwar or the ubiquitous blue jeans. The amazing design choices for this particular kind of tops is endless in the law garden shops and with the price range, any sane shopper may wish to take everything home!

Angarakha/Kurta Dhoti – Men may not feel left out after all, because there are plenty of shops selling traditional Gujarati wear for men too. The typical angarakha a frock style loose kurta for men is hugely popular garment choice during the festival season from September to November when the entire country celebrates Navaratri and Diwali. It is especially worn by men performing garba dance. There are special vivid colored, small sized costumes for kids too that can make your little boy the centre of attention of any party.

Silver Jewellery – As you keep buying your dresses it is easy to accessorize them then and there with some shops selling exclusively easy- to- wear silver jewellery. Most of course are not made of the precious metal and thus priced exceedingly low. From small studs, to drop earrings to complete set of a neck piece, matching earrings and bangles you can find almost any design complimenting your buy. The best part is, the shop owners are the creators themselves and if you ask for it, you can get a particular design of your choice with matching coloured stones, made to order in minutes!

Jewels galore , courtesy mckaysavage via cc/Flickr (This particular photo is of a shop in Rishikesh but the merchandise and display is very similar to the ornament shops in Law Garden, Ahmedabad)

Bed sheets/Cushion & Bolster covers – There is no easier way to make India come alive in your home than with these amazingly beautiful hand stitched bed sheets and bed covers. The colours are as dynamic as the country itself and patterns showcase the traditional Indian love for elements of nature and wildlife. There are again plenty of designs, shapes and sizes to choose from. For those who want a special something to adorn there walls there are also many wall hangings that you can get here. Peacocks, lotuses, creepers and the lovable Indian God Ganesha, the artisans have much in store for the connoisseurs of wall art. 

Stationary – Folders, visiting card holders and pen stands get a visibly new meaning around these street shops. The designs are simple and more essentially hundred percent eco-friendly made of cloth and hardboard. They not only make good souvenirs to gift friends back home, but also can be great to portray your love for the eco-friendly goods the chic way.

Hand bags – Cloth hand bags never cease to go out of fashion and that is why here too you can see unlimited shapes and sizes of bags that can be used anywhere, from carrying college notebooks to loose change or to just ethnically accessorise a party dress.

Handy tips

• Bargain, bargain and bargain. The rule of thumb at these street shops is to give less than half of what is asked for. Do stick to your price once you have quoted it and you would surely reap the rewards of buying much more than you expected at the same price.
• Take a local with you. It is best to have a local as an aid if you are here for the first time as the shop owners are quick to recognise an outsiders especially if you come from another country. Apart from the ease in conversation, the local friend may also save you from the job of bargaining.
• When buying any apparel, whether a chaniya choli or a top, make sure that the shop owner unpacks and shows the complete set to you. There are sometimes stitching errors that go unnoticed if you do not check before you buy.
• Always dryclean the first wash as the colors run and may spoil the entire dress if not washed carefully.

To know more about Ahmedabad, visit Gujarat Tourism

Good weather while traveling is like the precursor of all good things to come. When the sun is shining gently and the breeze is soft and cool, even the uninteresting start looking like the perfect setting for a photographic pause or simply a moment to introspect.

In India, the weather is hot almost all through the year and although a well versed tourist is ably prepared to deal with the extra hard sunshine, with lots of sun-screen lotion, hats, sunglasses and loose clothing, you might also want to double check and avoid the scorching summer months, before you embark on the journey to this land.

With India, another important reason to be extra cautious about the weather is because of the visible dissimilarity of the whole thing. Being such a dramatic combination of different topographies, the same month and the same season may look and feel quite different, depending on your choice of destination.

Here is a rough guide of the weather scenario in India and the best time to visit the different regions of the country.

The Weather

India is primarily a country of three seasons, summer, rains and winter broken by short spells of spring and autumn.

The summer temperatures in the month of April-June across the country can go as high as 47-48 degree Celsius though the northern parts like Kashmir are still blessed with cool climates. Winter months from October to February are cooler and pleasant and many trip advisors do suggest traveling during these months, to avoid extreme heat, humidity, sudden rain spells, and sunburns. Winter is also the time for many major festivals and therefore a good time to see the country in all its colorful glory.

North

Mountain Region, including Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The states have short spells of summer but prolonged winters that are cold and dry. The lowest temperatures are recorded in the Himalayan belt averaging below 7 degree Celsius.

Dal Lake, Kashmir. Courtesy Tony George via Flickr

North-East

Himalaya Region including Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Cold, humid winter with short and pleasant summer months. The states are still worth a visit any time of the year except rainy months from June to September.

Rain. Courtesy judepics via Flickr

Northern and North-Eastern Plains

This area includes states like Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, and part of Assam and Sikkim and other north-eastern states. Also parts of central states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh.

The states broadly coming under humid subtropical category, experience very hot summers, followed by heavy rainfall and dry winters.

Hill-stations located in these states can be visited in summer months. Other destinations make good winter vacations.

West

Rajasthan and Gujarat are the major states of the region with low rainfall, and extremes of temperature in summers and winters. Months from September till March are good for traveling to these destinations especially if you are interested in the desert safaris.

Sun 'n' Sand, Rajasthan. Courtesy ManojVasanth via Flickr

South, South-West, South-East

The states in this area experience tropical Savannah climates with long, dry seasons, high summer temperature and mild winters. Coastal areas are mostly humid in summers and extremely humid in rainy season.  The eastern coast receives winter rainfall from the receding Southwest monsoon.

This area includes states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Again summer is avoidable, as is the monsoons.

Weather Enduring Tips

• To prevent dehydration drink plenty of fluids.
• Add an extra pinch of salt to the food.
• Stay indoors during the hottest times of the day.
• Use hats, sunglasses, sunscreens profusely.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
• Wear light, loose fitting cotton clothing.
• Prefer wearing sandals over covered shoes.

SXSW (aka South By Southwest) is fast approaching, and here in Austin this is a rather crazy time of year. (I mean, aside from the freak snowstorm we experienced yesterday!) Locals are trying to snap up wristbands to get into events, hotel owners are jacking up prices in anticipation of the rabid hoardes of film and music fans descending upon the city, and new venues are being slapped together literally at the last second to hold all of the shows that’ll fit into the space between March 12 and 21.

Just one example of some of the weird things you'll see at SXSW (photo by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid)

While I’ve, personally, never been a huge fan of attending live music events (call me crazy, but I like listening to music alone in the dark through my headphones), the SXSW festival is the best of three very different worlds: music, film and interactive technology (i.e. computer and video game nerdiness). So, really, there’s a little something for everyone.

While my husband has been getting psyched about all the neat experimental musicians who will be in town for the event (including the excellent neo-classical/avant cellist Zoë Keating), I’ve been poring over the lists of films that are going to be shown at this year’s festival. Man, there are a ton of good ones! How will I ever be able to see them all?!

Sad to say, since I do have to work for a living, I definitely won’t get to see everything on my list. However, if you’re trying to organize your SXSW schedule and make sure you check off every single item on your to-do list, I thought I would point you in the direction of a few good sites that will help you do exactly that.

1. The official website, SXSW.com, is obviously a good place to start. It’s got all the official news, announcements, lists of parties and performances, and the insane schedule for absolutely everything going on between March 12 and 21. Try not to be intimidated by the massive amount of things going on and pick one sub-section to focus on at a time (music, film, interactive) to avoid being overwhelmed.
2. Do512.com is another good place to cruise, especially in terms of the music side of things. They’ve got all of the musicians playing at SXSW listed alphabetically, by popularity, and even by hometown, so you’ll easily be able to locate all your favorites as well as some new finds. Current favorites on the site are Toronto’s Broken Social Scene, Austin’s own Spoon, and New York City’s We Are Scientists.
3. Angrysong is the blog of an Austin-based computer programmer named Donald Mason, who also happens to be a very dedicated SXSW-er. His suggestions on how to pick bands to see at the fest, as well as the very useful link to the Home of the Unofficial SXSW Torrents (which he says he sifted through in its entirety to devise his personal fest schedule), will definitely come in handy when your eyes start crossing and you begin mumbling “But… who… are all of these people?!” With 15 years of SXSW-ing under his belt, I think this is definitely news we newbies can use!
4. Need more good advice on where to go, what to do, and which bands to see? Check out this blog by Bob Knoxious, entitled “My 2-cents of Bad SXSW Advice,” where another 15-year veteran of the fest advises you to avoid shelling out for wristbands, refuse to “go easy” or “take it slow,” and try to cram as much fun and as many freebies into your SXSW experience as possible. Rock on!
5. Film lovers should absolutely check out Film School Rejects‘ extensive SXSW previews, especially those looking for advice on which flicks truly must not be missed. Shun the typical and figure out what’ll really fry your noodle, with the help of some true movie junkies who don’t give a darn about the hotshots from Hollywood.
6. And finally, SXSW Baby! is the festival’s unofficial blog, run by longtime fans and participants with lots of advice on the fest, as well as the city outside the fest. (Huh? There’s life in Austin outside of 1,800 bands, a buttload of movies, and all the computer geeks you can handle?!) They’ve even got links to ride and room shares that’ll help you save money on transportation and sleeping accommodations (y’know, if you actually plan on sleeping). Very wise indeed.

When you are in a country, that changes its ambience and culture every step of the way, it really becomes difficult to choose the one thing that you can take back home as a distinct memory of that place. The problem becomes more acute when you are in India where each state, even each city has a wide, dizzying array of handicraft, handloom, and other artistry to choose from.

Therefore, to make your job of souvenir hunting a little less complicated, here are a few things, that you can take home and that can remind you of this beautiful country even as the travel memories fade.

Carpets 

Kashmir is indubitably the carpet capital of India. This state has a history of carpet weaving that goes back centuries and the trade has been learnt from the original carpet makers-the Persians. With time the distinct, intricate weave of the Kashmir carpets has not only mesmerized royalties, but have become the focal point in many a commoners home.

Carpet from Kashmir. Courtesy Hewy via Flickr

If you cannot go all the way to Kashmir to get your prized carpet, the vast selection is available in most major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Darjeeling etc. Be sure to bargain and choose only the hand knitted original Kashmiri ones as there are many who sell carpets made of synthetic fibers nowadays.

The carpets are definitely a high end buy.

Woolens

The Northern and the North Eastern states are known for creating some warm winter clothing that are comfortable, trendy and very very affordable. Do your bargaining right, and you can buy some quality cardigans, shawls, stoles, gloves even woolen woven shoes for the whole family back home.

Handicraft

If tulips mean Netherlands, Handicrafts means India. The whole country is buzzing with artistic talents that have been passed on from generations to generations. Be it the terracotta wares of Bengal, the sandalwood carvings of Mysore, the carved metal art of tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh or the blue gazed pottery of Jaipur. Just ask about the particular handcraft specialty of the area and keep a look out for one while sight seeing.

Handicraft Market. Courtesy Brajeshwar via Flickr

 Jewelry

Indian jewelry designs are known for the intricate work involved and the use of precious stones. Rajasthan is a good place to find some nice collection in Silver and gold and also buy precious stone that can then be placed into a customized design of your choice.

Jewels of India. Courtesy jainshashikant via Flickr

If you are not the one splurging on precious metals, you will be amazed at the variety of jewelry that you can get here, made of other items like pearls in Hyderabad, lac work in Jodhpur or even terracotta jewelry worth few rupees but truly worth buying selling in Bengal.

Textiles

Again, each area has its distinct specialty when it comes to the art of weaving. While Punjab is famous for phulkari embroidery work, Rajasthan and Gujarat are known for the colorful tie and dye work and also the mirror work. Tamil Nadu is where you can buy some intricately woven silk fabrics and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh for the chic chikan work. 

Try to scout for the unique handloom item of the area and you will be amazed at the variety of things made from that one style. From Sarees, stoles, bed sheets, cushion covers, evening dresses, kurtas, skirts, jackets to even caps, your entire wardrobe can get an instant Indian flavor if you so wish.

Spices

Spices grow in plenty in the Southern states of India and you can get them in bulk any time of the year to stock up your home for many days to come. The aroma and the pure quality you can get here, is hard to find anywhere else.

Chillies and peppers. Courtesy Sudhamshu via Flickr

Tea and Coffee

While south is where you head for your pack of coffee, tea is a must buy from the north eastern states and especially if you are visiting Assam or Darjeeling. The taste and aroma is sure to make you reminiscence the days you spend touring India.

Foot wear

For some traditional Indian footwear, the best place to look for is Rajashthan for the ethical Mojris and Maharashtra for the famous leather work shoes and sandals of Kolhapur and other areas.

It is really impossible to contain the vast range of authentic Indian artistry in one post, so I hope you just visit the country and see for yourself the multitude of things it has in store for you.

When planning a vacation, there can be several stressful financial factors leading to the actual trip, like how to afford the trip and expenses that could occur during travel. However, many experienced travelers have shared advice on how to alleviate the burden of worrying about finances.  Here is a compilation of some of their best cost-reducing tips:

• Plan, Plan, Plan: There is no substitution for planning. Experienced travelers agree that shopping around for the best deals on the Internet is the most effective way to reduce vacation costs. People should research every aspect of a potential trip and compare the cost of each segment (air, hotel, rental car, etc.), and continue to check rates even after making a reservation, one traveler suggests. People that are proactive in the early stages of planning usually find the very best deals.  

• Look For The Best Deals: Consider calling the hotels directly to inquire about discounts. Another great idea is to sign-up for email notices of sales and promotions from online travel sites, and be flexible with your travel dates when your destination goes on sale or runs a special promotion, recommends one traveler.

• Bring Food and Money: After scheduling for the vacation, people should consider bringing a cooler full of favorite foods and drinks when traveling by car to reduce or even eliminate the cost of dining out. Another tip is to avoid ATM fees by taking cash out at grocery stores. Many grocery and drug stores enable you to request some cash back with the each purchase (even when purchasing just a pack of gum, bottle of water or soft drink). Consider visiting local grocery stores to buy foods that are easy to store and prepare in your hotel room rather than dining out.

• Be Loyal: Frequent travelers are even planning to use their airline and hotel loyalty program points to defer their travel cost. A few even mention redeeming points for gift cards to gas stations, restaurants, and national retail chain stores, such as Target and Wal-Mart, for use on their trips. This will help cut costs in other areas.

• Bundle Packages: If your travels take you overseas to Europe, consider taking a cruise. Cruises typically offer an all-inclusive type package and may provide more “bang for your buck”, which should be considered given current exchange rates.

• Consider Alternative Routes: Several travelers recommended flying to a major European hub to connect to your final European destination on Europe’s low-cost airlines (RyanAir, Easy Jet, etc.).  The trains in Europe are another convenient and economical way to travel to your destination.

Whether the travels takes you on a road trip across the States or overseas in Europe, planning and researching for the best deals in addition to cutting basic costs with the tips from experienced travelers, you’ll be able to vacation without worrying about finances.

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This content is courtesy of Priority Club Connect. Priority Club Connect is an online community for Priority Club Rewards members. It provides a forum for members to connect and engage with other travelers and to learn about the Priority Club Loyalty program and the InterContinental Hotels Group family of brands. Topics of discussion range from exotic travel destinations and special offers to packing tips and financial travel information helpful for any traveler. To join the community and contribute your travel tips and experiences, please visit: http://community.priorityclub.com/.

In case you’re still hungry for Verdun, I’ve got a few more hot spots in my borough for you to explore. These are the gourmet places you’ll want to check out if you’re a foodie, from cafés and bistros to fromageries and specialty groceries.

Most importantly, however, I must correct a mistake from my last post about Gastronomie le Naked Lunch, which—as a restaurant, at least—is sadly no more. However, it lives on in its gourmet canned goods incarnation, found in grocery stores and upscale boutiques throughout the city.

Bistronomie Terre Ferme – 4816 Wellington

Bistronomie Terre Ferme (via Bistro Terre Ferme.com)

As for the restaurant at 4816 Wellington? It’s currently called Bistronomie Terre Ferme and has been taken over by two employees of Naked Lunch, according to an article in Voir. Their current menu (which changes weekly, just like at Naked Lunch) includes a table d’hôte consisting of an entrée of crème de maïs vanillée avec pétoncle fumé-poêlé, popcorn et huile de truffe (smoked scallops with a vanilla corn-cream sauce, popcorn and truffle oil… there’s a recipe and video in French here, to give you an idea of what this dish looks like, as my description/translation makes it sound a bit gross). The main dish is flanc de porc confit, purée de courge musquée, légumes racine, sauce chipotlé (pork flank confit with acorn squash purée, root vegetables and chipotle sauce). For dessert there’s panacotta à la fleur de lavande, compote de Kumquat, and tuile d’amande (lavender flower panna cotta with Kumquat compote and an almond cookie).

This sounds fairly similar to the types of meals you would have found at Naked Lunch, so I don’t think the set-up has changed very much. They’re also still selling the Naked Lunch canned items, so it looks like the Naked Lunch relationship is still strong here, despite a change in ownership.

For more menu items, be sure to check out the Terre Ferme website.

Fromagerie Copette & Cie – 4650 Wellington

Fromagerie Copette & Cie (photo by Laura Roberts)

For those seeking more of this upscale vibe in Verdun, there’s a great cheese shop (or “fromagerie” in French) just up the street on Wellington that you should check out. Fromagerie Copette & Cie offers approximately one-hundred (!) different kinds of cheeses, including a wide variety of Quebec-made artisan cheeses that you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Thrifty Table has a great article on this shop, which offers store co-owner Luc Gendron’s suggestions for four regional cheeses that create a harmonious appetizer for a party of six, all for under $25. Take this list with you when you go to avoid going bankrupt in this small but pricey shop, as they’ve got some cheeses with price tags that will really raise your eyebrows.

Cha Noir Tea House – 4646 Wellington

Cha Noir Tea House, after dark (photo via Cha-Noir.com)

Got an hankering for some tea or chocolates? Then you’ll definitely want to check out Cha Noir Tea House! Next door to Copette & Cie, this little Asian-inspired tea house offers plenty of excellent loose teas to choose from (whether you’re into black, green, or anything in between), as well as desserts, fine chocolates and fresh fruit juices.

Want to take some tea home with you? Looking for a great gift for a tea lover you know? They’ve also got teas for sale in bulk, by the pound or kilogram, and accessories like loose tea holders and fancy teapots available for purchase. Tea-sampling workshops are also available in French for those that are curious about trying new things, and the walls often feature works by local artists to stimulate your senses as you sip.

Marché Branche d’Olivier – 4342 Wellington

Marché Branche d'Olivier sign (photo by Laura Roberts)

Marché Branche d’Olivier is a total godsend for home cooks and anybody who actually likes their food to have spice. While the usual grocery stores may carry amenities like salt and pepper, if you start asking for serrano chiles, they’re going to give you the “What the heck are you talking about, lady?” look. (Trust me, I’ve been there. Now, stop giving me that look, IGA, and learn how to source items your customers want!) For those hard-to-find “ethnic” items, there’s Branche d’Olivier, or The Olive Branch, a fabulous little grocery store that stocks everything from bulk spices to Indian canned goods to that special brand of salsa you love (Herdez is in the house).

If you’re looking for speciality items in Verdun, there’s a good chance The Olive Branch carries it. They specialize in natural and organic products, as well as Oriental (Asian, Middle Eastern) foods and spices. They’ve got organic white tea, fair-trade chocolate, natural soaps made from olive oil, a wide assortment of spices, canned chiles, dried legumes, fresh tofu… if it’s a hard-to-find ingredient in a recipe that goes beyond your grocery store’s realms of possibility, check here before making the time-consuming trip down to the Atwater Market. You’ll be glad you did.

Café La Tazza – 3922 Wellington

If you venture all the way down to 3922 Wellington, you’ll find Café La Tazza, a tiny café that serves up a mean cappuccino as well as offering a variety of gourmet items to those looking for foodie-friendly gifts. Though the café only holds eight tables, it’s a great place to stop in for a hot drink on a cold day, or to treat yourself to one of their homemade desserts.

On holidays and throughout the year there are coffee tastings and special themed items for sale; an article in the Gazette mentioned pumpkin pie and Halloween cupcakes for October 31. My husband and I popped in looking for truffle oil, which they don’t carry, but the owner was very friendly and made suggestions about where to look. If you’ve got a hankering for a certain type of coffee, like say authentic Kona, she can even make a special order for you if you’re nice.

Verdun is for foodies

From sweet to savory, high-priced to affordable, Verdun is full of great gourmet finds. You’ve just got to know where to look!

Sunday brunch is a Montreal tradition, as I’m sure it is in many cities. We like to sleep in late, roll out of bed somewhere around the crack of noon, and then pack in a nice greasy American-style breakfast. If you love breakfast meats, eggs, and home fries, there are plenty of places to get a delicious and affordable breakfast any day of the week. Here are Montrealers’ top spots for Sunday—or anyday!—brunches.

Dusty’s
4510 Park Avenue

Breakfast at Dusty’s is served from crazy early in the morning (and it’s doubtful that any Montrealers have seen it open) until 7 PM, so you can get your brunch on here no matter how late you get started. If you’re hung-over from a night of partying, Dusty’s can cure what ails you. Plus, you’ll never be hustled out the door by servers trying to turn over tables. Come here to relax and enjoy life, read through the Sunday paper or a good book, and take advantage of the daily specials. Fast and friendly service, old school diner atmosphere, and you can even get your blintz fix here. If there’s more to life than brunch at Dusty’s, I don’t want to know about it.

"takeyourorder" at Dusty's (photo by Flickr user Sadax Golum)

Beauty’s
93 Mont-Royal West

Beauty’s is a Montreal landmark. Some may say the food is overpriced, given the fact that it’s another diner and just a walk away from the über-cheap Dusty’s, but others will argue that it’s well worth it for the Beauty’s Special: lox, onions, tomatoes and cream cheese piled high on a legendary Montreal bagel. Just don’t listen to the owner when he promises you that the wait is “only 5 minutes.” It’s totally not, but you’ll wait in the line anyway, grumbling along with the locals, knowing it’s worth it. Sometimes you’ve gotta suffer for your Beauty’s, kid!

Cosmos Snack Bar
5843 Sherbrooke West

Venturing off the Plateau and west into NDG, you’ll find Cosmos Snack Bar, a tiny little dive of a joint where the owner is infamous for never cleaning his grill. Though the Man of Grease himself is rarely at the helm, his daughters have taken charge and continue to serve the same deliciously greasy breakfasts we Montrealers know and love. And I’ve got one word for you: Mishmash! Order it when you’re hungry, cus they’ll make you eat it all, no matter what. The mishmash is a gigantic omelette monstrosity, consisting of eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, salami, tomato, onion and cheese, served with toast on the side.

B&M Restaurant
6200 Somerled

Also in NDG, B&M Restaurant is a brunch tradition at my house. They’re a bit on the pricey end of the spectrum, and you may have to wait for a spot on their terrasse during the summer months, but it’s well worth it for the delicious food. B&M serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you can satisfy other cravings, but their breakfasts are really divine. Try the unusual omelettes, like the avocado, sun-dried tomato and goat cheese marvel, or the tasty London steak and eggs. All of their breakfasts come with mashed potatoes piled high, and you can even class it up with a Mimosa on the side. Love!

For more tasty breakfast and brunch spots, be sure to check out local reviews at Montreal Breakfast Review, Eat Well Montreal, and Shoestring Montreal!

The Most Popular Neighborhoods

When you hear mention of Barrio Norte, it’s in reference to a somewhat amorphous area comprising parts of Recoleta, Palermo, Balvanera and Retiro. Barrio Norte, as the name suggests, is located in the northern reach of the city, and centers around Santa Fe Avenue. In and of itself it’s not an actual barrio, but rather a catchall term for the more affluent, middle class part of the city spanning from Palermo to Plaza San Martin.

Recoleta

Buenos Aires is often called the Paris of Latin America and it is in the well-heeled, jacaranda-lined neighborhood of Recoleta that this cliché rings most true. Recoleta’s streets present a striking scene with belle époque apartment buildings housing ritzy boutiques, cafes and art galleries. It is in this neighborhood where you’ll find Evita Peron interred amongst the Art Deco and Modernist styled mausoleums at the Cementerio de la Recoleta. Recoleta is also home to the ultra-chic Alvear Palace Hotel and the Four Seasons. Comparisons to New York’s Fifth Avenue are apt. Recoleta is nothing if not polished, elegant and exclusive; of course, it is one of the more expensive places to live in the city. Points of interest include the beautifully fin de siècle French ice palace or the Palais de Glace, the Buenos Aires Design Center snug alongside Recoleta’s cultural center, La Biela Bar, a classic Porteno bar, the National Library, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Palermo

Palermo, a rambling and leafy neighborhood, with large parks and narrow running tracks, is often touted as being a hothouse of all that is trendy and cool.  As the largest neighborhood in Buenos Aires, it has been subdivided into several distinctive enclaves: Palermo Chico, Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Viejo, and Palermo Freud.

Palermo Freud, (aka Palermo Sensible or Guadalupe, or simply Alto), is so named for the high concentration of psychoanalysts and psychiatrists in the area. This part of Palermo incorporates the trendy shopping mall Alto Palermo, and runs along Avenida Santa Fe, a main transportation route and commercial center. Plaza Guemes on Boulevard Charcas, a pedestrian street lined with cafes, is at the heart of Palermo Freud.

Palermo Viejo runs from Avenida Santa Fe south to Avenida Cordoba and continues east to Colonel Diaz. Many of the buildings have been recycled, their Spanish style facades renewed with more modern touches. The area has a large Armenian population; communities from Poland, Lebanon and Ukraine are also present. An Armenian cultural center hosts dinners each Friday, and you can find a string of falafel joints and Arab confiterias on Scalabrini Ortiz.

Palermo Chico is elegant, but also seriously upmarket. Skirting avenida Figueroa Alcorta and San Martin de Tours, this terrain is home to the famous and the wealthy—e.g. mayor Mauricio Macri and TV personality Susana Gimenez. Palermo Chico is also where you’ll find a slew of embassies, all housed in meticulously kept mansions.

Palermo Soho is the area surrounding Plaza Serrano aka Plazoleta Cortazar, in the neighborhood’s southwestern corner.  It’s a recently gentrified district, with glamorous and eclectic boutiques, émigré bars, designer shoes, an ecstatic nightlife, and a hip, boho edge. While the moniker and the glitz might give you the impression that Palermo Soho is very commodified, the breezy, warm-hearted élan of the residents, the presence of cracked facades and old world style homes sitting in dilapidated repose lend Soho its charm.

North of the railroad tracks at Juan B. Justo and skirting Cordoba and Dorrego, Palermo Hollywood, so called for its numerous production studios, is best known for its happening night life. The zone is filled with trendy clubs, ethnic restaurants, cafes and discos.

Game?  I see no game.

“Hot dust choking, swirling, smashing, the thuds of panicked hooves and screams of dislplaced young.  The tearing growls and slashing clawls deliver no mercy.  The chaos of perfection, the chase for the hunt, the hunt for the kill, the kill for survival.  What started with the grace and light footedness of a ballerina, ended with the deadly force of a Stealth Bomber.  There is no game here - as games are for men – only life skills in action.” Jay Otaigbe 2009

The word ’safari’ in swahili means ‘journey’.  The original safaris had nothing to do with wildlife and more to do with trading, especially slave trading.  In the beginning of the 20th century, after slave trading became less profitable, the safari became more of an adventure and appreciation of the natural world.  Early safari involved game hunting and the term ‘Big Five’ was coined referring to five particular animals as being the most ferocious animals when injured.  Namely, the Lion, the African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Leopard and the Black Rhinoceros.

For those of us who have the luxury of not worrying about how breakfast will arrive, imagine the idea of smoked salmon and cracked black pepper with lemon juice on granary toast.  Mmmmm.  Now imagine chasing a giant fish across a five mile arid plain with wild bracken slicing through your calves, whilst balancing a lemon on your forehead and a grilled tomato between your legs.  That, is a chase.  Somehow, your appetite is lost.  So how do those couragious animals go through that every single time they want a simple meal?  The fact is that, there is no such thing as a simple meal and that to chase and to kill is the only way.

Watching the excitement of the chase, the tension and anticipation of the kill, are all things that make even the idea of a safari full of adventure and the allure of the unexpected.  It is no wonder that millions of visitors enter Africa each year looking for the thrill of  the hunt or the beauty of the wild.

Sararis are available in many African countries, but the most popular destinations are:

Kenya

• Masai Mara
• Tsavo East National Park
• Tsavo West National Park
• Amboseli National Park
• Lake Nakuru National Park
• Aberdare National Park

Tanzania

• Serengeti National Park (Great Wildebeast migration from Maasai Mara to here)

South Africa

• Kruger National Park

Botswana

• Selinda Reserve

Zambia

• South Luangwa National Park

A Rhino, one of the 'Big Five' in Lake Nakuru National Park

There are other parks but I have listed the ones that are reviewed as being amongst the best.  For example, I went to Nairobi National Park and was driving around for four hours just to see a load of monkeys and some Giraffes.  I would not recommend it if you are serious about seeing any of the ‘Big Five’, only if you wanted an adventure based on getting lost and ending up in extremely hard to traverse terrain heading into the night hours.  We got lost and found ourselves on such rough ground that it should have been blocked off.  We were in a little Toyota and I thought we would get stuck and then eaten by  lions.  Oh yes, sorry, there were no lions.  The incline felt like a 75 degree angle and the rocks were bigger than our wheels.  I saved the day of course with my skillful driving.  Yeah right, lots of baby wipes actually.

Nairobi National Park - I stayed for four hours and this is all I saw!

To be fair to Nairobi National Park, it is a man made park where most of the animals have to be shipped in.  In addition, wild animals do not perform for humans unless by accident.  Patience is really a virtue when it comes to spotting any of the ‘Big Five.’  Be sure to take part in an organised safari tour as the guides would have selected the best time and places to view certain species (unlike me who used to just wonder around looking for beasts on my own).

Safari holidays are available for all budgets, ranging from the back packing experience, right through to the delux tent, lodge or hotel. 

When

You can go on safari anytime but there is a High and a Low season where the prices differ.  Of course high season commands higher prices for safari and hotel accommodation and starts 4th January until 31st March and starts again from the 1st July to the 15th December.  Low season starts from the 1st of April to 30th June.  There are also periods when surcharges apply such as Valentines day, Easter, Christmas and New Years.

For further information on safari and adventure holidays in the countries that we have covered, visit any of the links below:

Click here for Safaris in Kenya

Click here for Safaris in Tanzania

Click here for Safaris in South Africa

Click here for Safaris in Botswana

Click here for Safaris in Zambia

Tip

Whenever you are on a tour, safari or any trip for that manner, try to create your own contacts with locals that you meet.  Then, in future, when you are offered something in particular, you can always go to your local contact to see if they can get it for cheaper.  You will start to create a reference point when it comes to quality and price.  You don’t have to go with your local contact if you don’t want to, but you will have something to use when negotiating with your current providers.

Have a nice trip – and don’t let the lions bite.

Jay

by Susan Stephenson for GiftedTravel.com

“Aw Mum, how come he gets the window seat?”

“We’ll all take turns with the window seat, Brittney.”

“Oh-oh, I think I’m gonna throw-up…”

“Ryan, we’re not even flying yet!”

Kids will be kids Flickr image by Fenchurch

Overseas travel with kids is not for the faint-hearted. Flying inside a pressurized cabin and hours spent waiting at airports take their toll on all of us. Kids usually like to let everyone nearby know about it, too. Maybe you think such travel should be left until they can afford to buy their own tickets? Be brave! Here are ten strategies to make your trip overseas a positive experience for the whole family.

Before you go: “Why can’t we stay home with Grandma?”

Organized, practical preparation is the key to successful trips, particularly with kids.

1. With all children, even teenagers, check what they’ve packed. They’ll need comfortable walking shoes/hiking boots, several pairs of socks, a hat and enough comfortable clothing for the duration of your holiday. Encourage them to compile their own checklists for packing/re-packing. This may help avoid the trauma of leaving Teddy or a game machine behind.

2. It’s a great idea to have baby wipes or antibacterial hand-wash in your backpack or handbag. Some public toilets can be horrific even for adults, but the offer of a germ-destroying clean-up can help avoid dramatic scenes and put health fears to rest.

3. You need a small first aid kit. Mine’s a lightweight, water-proof bag containing bandaids, antiseptic, bite/sting reliever, eye drops, tweezers, and tiny sewing kit. For bigger emergencies, I look for a pharmacy.

4. Pack prescription medications for each member of the family who needs them. They should be accompanied by a letter from your family doctor. Remind him to include any non-prescription drugs you plan to travel with such as headache or flu tablets. Customs officials in some countries take exception to ingredients in these preparations.

During the trip: “Are we there yet?”

Packing thoughtful extras improves the quality of your trip.

Kids Playing on Cart Flickr image by xcode

5. Carry water and packaged snacks in case hunger or thirst strike at inopportune moments. Think of four-hour stopovers when you don’t want to change money. I always pack a little candy to soothe a dry throat.

6. To alleviate boredom during journeys - “Oh no! We saw that in-flight movie last week!”- consider new books, magazines, paper and coloured pencils, electronic games, a pack of cards, a laptop computer with charged-up battery, even a favourite puzzle, toy or board game. A book of paper and pencil games is worth its weight in excess luggage. I offer to play make-believe for an hour and then opt for my old favourite where I’m the sick mother who must rest a lot.

7. During the journey is a great time to discuss your plans with kids. Teenagers may take an interest because there’s nothing better to do. Encourage younger children to draw their version of the coming attractions. These drawings make a great basis for the beginning of a holiday journal. The more your kids are involved in choosing your itinerary, the more likely they are to be happy, willing participants.

When you arrive: “Ergh…yuk…that’s disgusting!”

The journey has only just begun.

8. Locate some eateries with food familiar to your children. Of course you didn’t travel overseas just to go to fast food places, but until everyone adjusts, an occasional visit to McDonalds or Pizza Hut will offer ingredients kids recognize. As my gloomy 16 year old son said in a Pizza Hut in China, “At least I know its dead.” When you’re going to other local restaurants, try to find ones which encourage you to share dishes as this is a great way to offer kids a taste of the local cuisine.

9. Make it a priority to get hold of tourist information about the places you want to see. Visit places of interest to all family members, or at least limit the time you spend at “boring” ones. Family theme parks are knocked by some people as “culture for the masses” but often they’re the very places children will remember from a trip overseas.

10. Get to know other tourists and locals. Be friendly and introduce yourself to parents with kids. This is called “sharing the load” – it can be difficult surviving 24/7 with your loved ones. Younger children enjoy having someone new to play with and even teenagers may grunt sociably together. Share babysitting with another family so you go to the opera without your kids.

Travelling overseas truly can be a wonderful time for the whole family. Put these strategies into place so your junior jetsetters will be jumping for joy before, during and after the journey. If your kids are healthy and happy, chances are you will be, too.

Susan Stephenson is an Australian freelance writer, published in print and online. Both editors and readers applaud her ability to weave factual text with creativity and humour.