Canada
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Prepaid 4G SIM/eSIM in Canada: How Much Does It Cost? Where to Buy One?
If you’re heading to Canada for a trip, make sure your mobile plan covers the country. If it doesn’t, it could end up costing you a fortune. For example, with Orange, using your French SIM card in Canada will cost you: So you’d be wise to find a more economical alternative. Buy a SIM card before you leave The simplest solution: order a prepaid SIM card before you go, and it’ll be delivered to your home. As soon as you land in Canada, just pop it into your phone and you’ll have instant internet access without worrying about the bill. There are deals on Amazon (like this example) and they’re…
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2 months in Quebec (Canada) as a Digital Nomad
We arrived in Canada in May hoping to have a little better weather. But the winter lasted longer than expected and it was very cold when we arrived, the nice weather did not come back until mid-June. So we enjoyed Canada as locals, not as tourists. Here is a non-exhaustive list of what we have found, or things we have been told by French expatriates in Montreal. We went there to test the ground and see if we really want to settle there one day. The answer is noš Apartments that aren’t too expensive but difficult to rent by the month like a normal Canadian We rented 1 Airbnb in…
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A day in Ottawa (Canada): Canada Day, Canadian National Day, July 1st
From Montreal, we take the bus to Ottawa, where we spend CanadaDay. Everyone tells us that this city isn’t as beautiful as the others in Quebec, it’s true, but spending a day in Ottawa, on July 1st, is highly recommended. We start with one of the most visited places: the National War Memorial. It is here that we are in the full tourist center, with a lot of things to visit. As we are on July 1st, the roads are pedestrian, it is very pleasant. Here is the Chateau Laurier, now a luxury hotel. Its magical side reminds us of the luxury castle in Quebec City Rideau Canal & Locks…
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A day in Quebec City (Canada)
During our 3-day roadtrip in the Quebec region, we were so tired that we had to zap Quebec City. We decided to come back there to attend their Quebec Day on June 24th. Part 1: Travel Diary Part2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary Bus tickets being bought online, we leave from the bus station in Montreal and arrive at the (beautiful) train station in Quebec City. For info, we chose the Orleans Express company, on time and comfortable. Note: the entire region is called Quebec City (e.g. Montreal is part of Quebec). But the city is called Quebec City. Saint-Jean Street JB chose our Airbnb very well. It is…
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[road trip] A day at Mont-Tremblant National Park (Canada)
After 2 days in the Eastern Townships, we continue on our way to spend the 3rd day of the extended weekend at Mont-Tremblant National Park. This park is so large that despite its proximity to Montreal (1h30 drive), we can easily camp there and spend several days. Part 1: Travel Diary Part2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary We still have the car rented at Avis (link, 40$CA/day), the weather is splendid and there are fortunately not too many people on the road because it’s Sunday. We arrive at the town of Mont-Tremblant, on the shores of Lake Mont-Tremblant. It’s a ski resort so it has faux-airs of Chamonix, with…
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[road trip] Two days in the Eastern Townships (Canada): Foresta Lumina, Mont-Orford, Saint-BenoƮt du Lac, North Hatley
This weekend, we are again renting a car from Avis (link, 40$CA per day) to visit the surroundings of Montreal, namely the Eastern Townships, which are very close to the border with the United States. Part 1: Travel Diary Part2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary Day 1 Wave to Guy This wave isn’t in the Eastern Townships but since it is on the way, we take advantage of having the car to get there. On Google maps, the road that passes in front of it is a Boulevard, but in reality, it is a nice little road and we can park there without any problem (during the week anyway).…
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Discovery of axe throwing in Montreal (Canada)
I’m not sure if it’s really a traditional Canadian activity, but it’s certainly in fashion: we tested the barbaric practice of axe throwing in Montreal. There are several addresses in Montreal, we simply chose the one closest to us : Rage Axe Throwing which is very well rated on Google and Tripadvisor (the name is well chosen too) The reservation is made online. The rate is 45 CAD (+ taxes) from Monday to Thursday and 55 CAD from Friday to Sunday. This rate is for a target that can accommodate 1 to 3 people for a period of one hour. Only instruction: come with closed shoes, it would be a…
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My first skydiving jump in Montreal (Canada)
Years ago (5 years?), Anh gave me for a birthday a voucher for a skydiving jump which is in my wishlist of things to do. In France, it is generally necessary to weigh less than 90 kg to make a tandem jump, so I was a little bit over, it was not done. Since we have been travelling around the world, there have been several occasions but there was always an excuse (“it will be prettier in this place”, “no time”, “it would be better with a French-speaking person for a first jump”, …). In Montreal, thanks to K., I met H. with whom we followed the NBA final. From…
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[Test & Review] I tried the “Cupping Facial” facial treatment by Tata Harper in Montreal (Canada)
Today, we’re meeting up – again – for another facial in Montreal, still at etiket. This time, it’s the famous “cupping facial” by Tata Harper. Context This article is NOT sponsored (even though I wish they’d paid me to get free facials). I got the famous Hydrafacial, which is very well known in North America (read my review here) at etiket in Montreal, and I had a long chat with my esthetician. I told her about my interest in Tata Harper spa facials (I’ve seen their videos on Instagram here – it’s not quite the same treatment but you get the idea). She told me that she used to work…
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A day in Montreal (Canada): Notre-Dame Basilica, Underground City, Chinatown…
Today, I will take you on a tour of Montreal. We’ve taken time to explore each neighbourhood, but I’m putting them all together in one article, so if you’re short on time, you can explore them all in one long day. Part 1: Travel Diary Part2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary Our airbnb For a month, we were in an Airbnb filled with green plants, next to the Lionel-Groulx metro station (orange line). The location isn’t super central, but we are only 20 minutes from downtown by subway. The neighborhood is quiet, full of restaurants. The only constraint is the mezzanine (where the bed is) and the staircase leading…
