Quebec's New & Improved Ice Hotel Chapel

Thanks to Jacques Desbois’ vision and genius idea in 2001, the Quebec Hotel de Glace (Ice Hotel) has become one of the most successful winter tourist attractions in Quebec. Nicknamed Mr. Igloo, Desbois has always been fascinated by the winter experience. His company, La Piste Desbois was engaged in the construction of igloo villages, participating in Quebec Winter Carnival, la Fete des Neiges in Montreal and the Musée de la Civiliisation. It was a natural progression for him to build an ice hotel, following the model of the Swedish Ice Hotel, but with Quebec’s unique interpretation.

Desbois overcame many challenges when he first decided to create the Hotel de Glace. His search for investors and partners took until October of 2000, leaving only three months to build the structure, the hotel and still be ready to launch in January 2001. The second challenge was to find a strategic location close to a water source with the maximum public relations exposure of a large city for the market launch, so he first chose Montmorency Falls, just outside Quebec City.

Designer Rooms at the 2012 Hotel de Glace, Quebec

The following year, however, Desbois wanted to further allow expansion efforts, so he rebuilt the Hotel de Glace at the Ski Station Duchesnay with a resort and variety of winter activities already established. This site continued successfully for the next 10 years, adding different features from year to year to keep people coming back.

Last year, a strategic decision was made to move the Ice Hotel closer to Quebec City to enable its participation in the Quebec Winter Carnival activities. Thanks to this decision, the Hotel de Glace saw a 26% increase in visitors, welcoming its 30,000th overnight guest and its 600,000th visitor. The Quebec Hotel de Glace is now outpacing the number of visitors of the original Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, significantly.

With the new location also came some added amenities. The entrance pavilion and boutique has almost tripled its surface, and a new Celsius pavilion with restaurant and private salon for overnight guests enhances the quality of the experience.

New in 2012

This year, the Hotel de Glace is teaming up with the First Nations to educate visitors about their important influence in areas such as Northern Quebec, where they have been living for millennia. This season, three weekends will be dedicated to demonstrations and activities by Inuits, Cris, Innus and Wendats including game tasting, artistic performances and native camps.

A 40-ft outdoor ice rink has also been constructed for families to enjoy, as well as the longest covered slide made completely of ice and snow. Special family packages and pricing will also be available during the week of Winter Break.

Desbois’ success is not only attributed to his unique vision of the Hotel de Glace, but his acumen as an entrepreneur. Winning the personality of the year in the province of Quebec, as well as Best Tourism Attraction, 100,000 Visitors or Less for five years running, his accolades read more like an academy award than a tourism professional!

This year’s hotel will stay open until March 25, 2012.

Hearty Revellers at Quebec Winter Carnival

While Rio and New Orleans are world-renowned as the top places of choice for Carnival, here’s a lesser-known, but equally fun choice, Quebec City. Although, you’ll have to pack an entire suitcase of warm-weather clothing, don’t forget your swimsuit! (see left). Now ranked as the Number One Winter Carnival in the World, and the 3rd largest Carnival celebration, it’s worth mentioning that Quebec City almost doubles in size over a two-week period to invite revellers from the rest of Canada, and a few hardy souls from the US as well.

How did this famous chilly celebration get its start? In the early 1890s, the North American economy was very slow, including Quebec. Québec City was particularly hard hit because of the permanent closing of its shipyards and problems with the shoe manufacturing industry. In October 1893, the owner of the Quebec Daily Telegraph, Frank Carrel,  launched the idea of a new carnival in Québec City to help the city get back on its feet economically.

The first major winter Carnival took place the following year. The carnival tradition was continued sporadically until 1954, when the department of economic development re-launched the festivities as a major tourist attraction. That same year, the Carnival mascot, the snowman or Bonhomme was born. The first official edition of the Québec Winter Carnival took place in 1955 and has been taking place every year since.

Elaborate float at Quebec Winter Carnival

I first attended Quebec Winter Carnival in 1998, but this time I have to say, I saw a dramatic improvement in the overall organization of the festival, as well as the effects of its growth and success. The festivities were much larger and well-attended. The grounds of the Carnival were expanded to include a giant Ferris Wheel, a horse & buggy race, and The Bonhomme’s own Ice Palace.

The parade resembled that of its famous Quebecois troupe, Le Cirque du Soleil, including elaborate costumes, creative designs and incredible makeup.

Even so, Winter Carnival is not so well-known here in the US. Only 15% of Americans know about Winter Carnival, a bit more in New England, with 19% notoriety. Maybe it’s the chilly weather, or the fear of speaking French, but whatever the reason, right now, Winter Carnival is mostly a Quebec and Canadian draw:  52% of the visitors come from Quebec City, 37% from the rest of Quebec, 7% from the rest of Canada and the remaining 4% from outside Canada.

Caribou,the Only Authorized Alcoholic Beverage at Carnival

Caribou Cane

You may have seen this plastic cane before, especially if living in New England, tucked away in an attic or coat closet. It’s the caribou cane, to hold a special drink authorized for Quebec Winter Carnival revellers. The snowman’s head unscrews to reveal a hollow cane that is filled with a special drink, caribou.

Originally made from caribou blood and whiskey to keep hunters and loggers warm in the freezing Quebec winters, now it is a much more tasty drink, made of red wine or port, whiskey and maple syrup. It’s the only authorized drink at Carnival, so be sure to pick up a bottle at a local tourist shop. All alcohol is bought at the SAQ, or Societe des Alcools du Quebec, so this is where to buy your caribou. Be careful, as drinking too much caribou often causes excessive silliness or abrupt fits of uncontrollable laughter. It’s also a great way to keep warm during the sub-zero festivities.

Any way you look at it, if you don’t mind the single-digit temperatures, Winter Carnival is a great way not just to beat the Winter doldrums, but to celebrate them!

Costa Concordia, Carnival Cruise's Mega Cruiseliner

After watching close to a week of media attention directed at the plight of the shipwrecked Concordia, I have to loudly protest the comparison being made to the 1912 Titanic disaster.

First, the Titanic didn’t even contain enough lifeboats or life vests for all of the passengers on board. This was clearly not the case for the Concordia.

Second, 1500 people perished in the freezing waters off the coast of Newfoundland on the Titanic. Right now, 6 are confirmed dead with 16-29 missing, depending on which news report you listen to. Out of 4500 people, 45 people perishing would be 1%, which is doubtful the count will be this high. Not by any means to discredit the personal tragedy of the unsuspecting victims who lost their lives on this trip.

Yes, it is true that chaos reigned right after the incident, but the fact that 99% of the 4500 passengers are safely on land in Tuscany, should be attributed to the under-appreciated staff who were as much in the dark about what was happening as the passengers!

I think it is also important to remember that no matter how high-tech the ship happens to be, as in both the case of the Titanic and the Concordia, human involvement is still crucial to ensuring the ship is handled properly in whatever emergency arises. Instead of draconian safety measures, cruise ship companies should increase the scrutiny in selecting their captains, including a sense of humility and weighted responsibility of the huge number of passengers on board their ships.

After the Bath Degas Nude now at the MFA

When you think of Degas, what images come to mind? For me, it’s the voyeuristic view into the private world of ballet, or the stop gap images at the horse races. Rarely do I associate nudes with Degas. However, I am remiss, as I learned how revolutionary Degas was  viewed by his contemporaries, all thanks to his nudes.

After all, Degas started out as a historical painter, sketching classics like Botticelli to improve his technique. These academic sketches were soon replaced by much more real life sketches of women bathing, using a view from behind. Gone was the perfect, creamy God-like perfection of the academic sketches, now transformed into modern depictions of Victorian life. The skin color is more real, sometimes blotchy, showing imperfections of the model instead of idealizing them.

What else is revolutionary about these sketches is the sometimes shocking subject matter, especially for the Victorian time period. Prostitutes performing paid acts to their patrons, or even a few same gender scenes, willingly sketched by Degas, revealing a very hidden part of Victorian life.

Yet for me, the most innovating part of Degas’ work is the variety of mediums he chooses to work with. Not just oils, but pastels, oils using the same strokes as pastels, and in some cases combined mediums. He loved the new techniques like lithographs and monotypes and not only mastered their use, but combined them, like monotypes finished with pastels, resulting in an almost three-dimensional effect.

Thanks to the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and several private collectors in Boston, this unique exhibit showcases not only Degas’ talent, but his revolutionary depiction of the nude in modern day life. The only thing missing? At least one or two of his famous ballet scenes, just as a point of reference.

Degas and the Nude: October 9, 2011 – February 5, 2012

Hotel Chocolat The Best Socially Conscious Chocolate in Boston

If you haven’t yet discovered this amazing chocolate boutique, here’s your chance! Hotel Chocolat is celebrating it’s two-year anniversary in Boston with an all-day celebration and tasting on Sat. Nov. 12th. Take 10% off all purchases of $50 or more, enjoy samples of their dark or milk chocolate solids, or their signature Liquid Chocolat and enter to win a raffle of gourmet savory cacao goodies in a lovely gift basket.

What I like the most about Hotel Chocolat is that it’s the best chocolate in Boston, in my opinion.They follow the European method using more cocoa and less sugar, resulting in a dark chocolate that isn’t bitter with no aftertaste. Plus, the quality of their cocoa itself is unsurpassed, due in part to the exceptional control they are able to maintain over the entire production process, which is game-changing for the global cocoa market.

Interior of Cocoa Pods at Hotel Chocolat St. Lucia

However, they carry their unique vision one step further. by using socially responsible production methods. They even went as far as buying their own chocolate farm in St. Lucia to ensure the workers were fairly paid! And starting this coming December, visitors can see for themselves their unique vision and participate in their socially responsible mission with their completion of a luxury hotel at the Rabot Estate in St. Lucia. With six cocoa pods complete, and eight more in the works, you can enjoy the luxury of paradise while helping to sustainably farm cocoa.

At the resort, you can also experience Hotel Chocolat’s innovation at the Boucan Restaurant. While the rest of the world uses cacao very often in savory dishes like molé, now you can enjoy the Hotel’s own version, like local Dorado fillet on a bed of creamed leeks, with red wine and cacao sauce. Any way you look at it, everything is coming up chocolate at  Hotel Chocolat!

Hotel Chocolat’s success is spreading fast. A resort is soon opening to complete the St. Lucia experience, and Hotel Chocolat is opening up a 2nd US store in New York. Now when you buy their chocolate, you’re also buying their dream, ethical cocoa farming!

EVENT DETAILS
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 9
6:00 – 9:00 PM
THE WESTIN BOSTON WATERFRONT HOTEL
425 SUMMER STREET
BOSTON, MA

Taste of France 2011: Taste of Québec!

Since 2006, the French-American Chamber of Commerce, New England Chapter (FACCNE) has presented the annual series “A Taste of France.” Each year this event highlights a different region of France, allowing members of the French-American community in New England to celebrate a region’s culture, food and wine in a environment conducive to networking. Previous ‘Tastes’ featured: Alsace (2010), Bordeaux (2009), the Loire Valley (2008), and Provence (2007).

This year, the FACCNE, in collaboration with the Québec Delegation in Boston, is proud to present the Taste of Québec! A celebration of all things French and Québecois, the soiree will commemorate the unique and strong link that bonds France, Québec, and New England through a sampling of fine food and wine from a dozen of Boston’s finest restaurants, including a demonstration by guest Québec chef, Marie-Chantal Lepage, as well as an auction fundraiser and live jazz music by the band Occidental Gypsy.

Our exceptional extravaganza is expected to draw 400+ guests from a variety of backgrounds. For more details about the event and tickets sales, please visit the Taste of Québec Website .

Why Québec?

Last year’s Taste of Alsace was a major change in the Taste’s format and a big success. More than 300 guests attended the event. This year, this event wants to reach even more people staying a little closer to home. Québec is the only region in North America with a majority of French-speakers: nearly 80% of the population is francophone. French is the official language of Quebec. France and Québec not only share the same language but the same origins, values and culinary influences!

“We are very excited about this year’s Taste of France,” said Ludivine Sanchez-Wolczik, Executive Director, FACCNE. “Over the last 25 years, our chamber has grown to serve an important role in the French-American business community of Boston. The annual Taste of France festival allows us to celebrate this success and prepare for future endeavors. In 2011, we are especially delighted to work with the Québec Delegation”. For Jean-Stéphane Bernard, the Québec Delegate to New England “This fruitful partnership with the FACCNE illustrates the close relationship which unites France, Quebec and New England. Taste of Quebec is the perfect opportunity to showcase the richness and diversity of our cuisine, influenced by our French heritage, and our regions, particularly the Montérégie and the Cantons-de-l’Est”

About the Quebec Delegation in Boston

Québec has maintained an office in New England since 1970, recognizing its importance as a neighbor and partner region. The Québec Delegation, based in Boston, represents Québec’s interests throughout New England. Its mandate is to develop and provide support for economic, political and institutional exchanges with the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. The Québec Delegation promotes Québec businesses and industries in New England, while promoting US investment in Québec, scientific and technological exchanges. Offers a wide range of export assistance services to help Québec businesses find funding and develop relations with key players in the venture capital sector.

For additional information

• Ludivine SANCHEZ-WOLCZIK, Executive Director, FACCNE: contact@faccne.org
• Patrick HYNDMAN, Public Affairs Director, Quebec Delegation: patrick.hyndman@mri.gouv.qc.ca
  

Southwest Airlines

These days, when airlines are charging you for everything from blankets to peanuts, and change fares are the norm, not the exception, I have to stop and say hats off to Southwest Air.

I was unexpectedly called to go to Denver, Colorado because my dad is undergoing open-heart surgery. Thank God for Southwest Air, because they don’t charge outrageous rates for last-minute bookings!

I inadvertently booked my flight a day later than I wanted, but didn’t realize it until I got to the airport. If I waited, I would miss seeing my dad before his life-altering surgery. So I asked the ticket agent, Camille, what my options were. I told her why I was flying, so she immediately set to work to waive the $193 change fee, which I was planning on paying!

I was comparing my experience with American Airlines in January, who double-booked me, charged $250/ticket for a change fee, and didn’t refund the double booking until 10 days later, after countless bounced checks and a MAJOR headache.

This time, however, Camille at first tried to find me another flight through Baltimore, but no luck. She finally found me a direct flight the same day, and waived the rebooking fee, in a gesture of what I will call GREAT WILL.

PS–I was very impressed with their very easy boarding routine–type in your confirmation number and VOILA, instant check-in. You don’t even need to print out the 3-page confirmation–just save the confirmation number on your iPhone. Don’t forget your ID, though!

So next time I have to fly domestically, it’s hands down Southwest Airlines!

Copper Lane Inn at Niagara on the Lake

While some New Englanders insist on 3-hour drives to the Cape, or overbooked ferries to the Vineyard, others opt to head north, just over the Canadian border to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. This town over the years has enjoyed prosperity as a naval centre, armed forces training base and a 19th-century summer resort.

Formerly a haven for British loyalists, during the War of 1812, Americans invaded the town and captured Fort George, destroying the town in the process. The British rebuilt it, still retaining much of its original historical charm.

Next year is the Bicentennial Celebration of the War of 1812, where the British tried to exact revenge for the Revolutionary War. Reenactments will be happening all throughout 2012, starting June 15-17, 2012 with the Bicentennial Grand Opening Celebrations.

Just like culture-seekers in Martha’s Vineyard can opt for a summer performance at the Vineyard Playhouse, Niagara-on-the-Lake proudly boasts of 4 theatres to choose from! The birth of the Shaw Festival in the 1960s injected the town with a cultural and economic vitality that continues today. The Shaw Theatre is the only theatre in the world specializing exclusively in plays by George Bernard Shaw and other works that question the status quo.

Royal George Theatre

The wooden false front of the Royal George Theatre suggests a modest classical interior ­ but inside  Edwardian gilt mouldings, red walls and golden lions remind me of Boston’s Wang Theatre. Fine acting with New York and Ontario actors showcase their talents classics like My Fair Lady & Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Oban Inn

Bar at the Oban Inn, Niagara ONL

The town’s first country inn overlooks Lake Ontario and the oldest golf course in Canada. This landmark property was built as a private home in 1824 by Captain Duncan Milloy of Oban, Scotland, who then converted it to the 4-diamond Inn and Spa that it is today.

Shaw Spa

While Europeans have known about vinotherapy for centuries, it has just recently been discovered in North America, available at the Shaw Spa in Niagara OTL. Vinotherapy is the infusion of residues from the wine making into various spa treatments. Wine pulps and pips are mixed with grapeseed oil, full of polyphenol antioxidants and rubbed into the skin.

One of Shaw Spa’s signature treatments is the Divine Red Wine Wrap. This luxurious relaxing treatment begins with a grape and wine scrub to exfoliate followed by a warmed red wine hydrating body mask. To finish, a delightful, nourishing, divine body balm. Enjoy a local Niagara wine while you relish in this invigorating treatment!

Copper Lane Inn

The Copper Lane Inn is one of only 210 recognized historic buildings that make up historic Niagara-on-the-Lake. The house was originally built circa 1871 for military officers when they were first allowed to live “off base” with their families. The layout has been kept the same as in 1871, with the original floors, front and interior doors and walls.  Add the modern touches of a brand new kitchen, new ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, wifi and LCD televisions bring you to the luxurious present.

Zoom Bike Tours

If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy wine tasting at Niagara OTL, take a winery bike tour with Zoom Winery Tours. Enjoy an afternoon of Niagara-on-the-Lake history while you learn about the art of wine making and wine tasting. We will visit three local wineries, sampling their award winning wines. Their handlebar baskets are just big enough to bring home your favourite bottle of wine!

Berry Manor, Rockland’s Most Romantic Getaway

Arriving in Rockland, we were greeted at the Berry Manor with the same red carpet treatment all the guests receive. Built in 1898 by a Civil War General, this Victorian mansion has been ranked as one of the top 10 most romantic B&Bs by Country Almanac Magazine.

We were shown to our room, once a 3rd floor ballroom; the mod cons are a gas fireplace, hair dryer, plush burgundy robes and Hersey’s kisses on the pillows at night. Did I forget to mention the claw foot bathtub with the rain shower? The bed required a catapault to climb into it, once there, you could enjoy the steeply pitched walls covered in blue and white flowered wallpaper throughout.

The Berry Manor also offers the down-home hospitality of the owners, Cheryl Michaelson & Mike LaPosta. They even called ahead to arrange a visit to a local winery when we excitedly discovered it.

Pemaquid Oysters using custom purging baskets

We were also invited to an event where we discovered oysters from the Pemaquid Oyster Company, Inc. POC was founded in 1986 with the goal of producing the highest quality cultivated, cultchless American oysters (Crassostrea virginica) for the half-shell market.

Their oysters are spawned in late winter at their hatchery and reared at their summer nurseries in the Damariscotta River.  In late fall, oyster seeds are bottom planted on their growing beds.

Because the Pemaquid Oysters are held in the river’s mouth near Clark’s Cove, the oysters obtain their distinctive clean, salty and refreshing flavor.

You can also visit their facilities in Waldoboro to see for yourself the oyster farming experience. Be sure to stop by the Pemaquid Oyster Festival, September 25 at the Schooner Landing in Damariscotta to sample the delicious result.

Seagull Cottage Boutique, Affordable Maine Art

Seagull Cottage, Rockland Maine

On Main Street, we happened upon a wonderful little boutique of sea-inspired gifts and home decor: driftwood coffee tables, scallop shell ornaments, and buoys with painted New England scenes.

Elsa and Jim Stewart, the owners, both grew up loving the sea, Jim as a Captain, and Elsa, as a collector of sea shells and sea glass. After a successful stint in Florida, they both missed their New England roots, and settled in Warren, Maine.

They’ve recently expanded to Rockland, with a second store, so the idea is catching on.

Breakwater Vineyards, Rockland’s Newest Winery

Breakwater Vineyards Rockland

Formerly a horse farm, the Johnstons bought Breakwater Vineyards in 2007, named after the breakwater in the Rockland harbor. They wanted a business together-Jeanne liked the sales and marketing aspect, Bill liked the science of winemaking. For the time being, Bill still works in financial services in Boston, making wine on the weekends.

They buy their grapes from the Finger Lakes region in New York. Last year, their 2nd year, they made 8500 bottles of wine, this year upping it to make close to 20,000 bottles.

Aged in both Hungarian Oak and French Oak, they prefer used barrels because they give a more subtle flavor than new barrels.

One of their most unique wines is a dry blueberry wine where the fruit is fermented dry or to negative brix. The result is a very dry, intense wine, akin to a barolo Italian wine.

We were surprised to learn that the Maine Wine Trail boasts of 16 wineries in mid-coast Maine alone. Here’s a good thing coming from climate change–wines from Maine, a delicious surprise.

So if you need an affordable weekend getaway, drive 4 hours north to mid-coast Maine. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Fiddlestix Food Trolley

Fiddlestix Food Trolley, Sandwich

Heidi Pleso, the owner of Fiddlestix Trolley, the newest “restaurant mobile” in Sandwich, is a well-respected chef, having worked at the Belfry Bistro, Whistleberries and at the New Seabury Country Club, among others.

Now she’s offering an affordable lunch on a stick with an international flair like Cajun Shrimp with Kilbasa  Sausage, or Falafels on Flatbread or Teriyaki Shrimp with sticky rice. All for less than $10, and served in 2 minutes flat.

Check out the website for truck locations and times.

Casa Bella Home Décor

Casa Bella, Sandwich

If you’re tired of everything looking like Pottery Barn or a similar style, Casa Bella Home Furnishings is a new home décor boutique that will appeal to you. Especially if you like a European style, and/or very unique objets d’art, there’s something for everyone here. Plus, they completely change out the store every two months, so better buy it now, it won’t still be there when you return!

Even though these items look VERY expensive, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the pricing. But the best thing about this shop, is you can’t find it anywhere else.

The Shipwreck Ice Cream

The Shipwreck Ice Cream, Sandwich

Last but NOT least, Mashpee’s Polar Cave Ice Cream is expanding to Sandwich at The Shipwreck Ice Cream Shop. All locally made ice cream, with fun flavors like Moose Tracks, vanilla ice cream, fudge swirls and peanut butter cups and Chocolate Decadence, brownie bites, fudge swirls and chocolate ice cream.

They’ll even serve your dog a kiddie cup of vanilla with a doggie biscuit!

Any way you look at it, Sandwich is a hopping place to be!