Thursday, March 7, 2013

24 Hours In…Your Hometown


WMM will be making her way back from NYC to NB today.  Happy she’ll soon be returning as our Cheerleader in Chief – eager for the exploits, a wee bit wistful for her that her getaway has, I am certain, sped by fast.  I also sure do hope she found THE shoes…

Four decades ago, before everyone had a trip “bucket list”, the International World Heritage Convention – a working group begun,  surprise, surprise by two (American) politicians in a bi-partisan effort – created a list to help preserve the world’s outstanding cultural treasures.  (Yep, it was before we had a Top 10 or 5 Things for every subject too.)

Now monitored by UNESCO, this wonderfully eclectic compendium includes 21 sites in the U.S. of A. alone, mostly national parks, like the Grand Canyon, art forms like Japanese Kabuki theatre and two fairly-off-the-beaten- tourist-path places I’ve actually been to: Canada’s Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump, near Fort MacLeod, Alberta and England’s Ironbridge Gorge, a collection of 35 historic sites in Shropshire that were the cradle of the Industrial Revolution.  The last time I pulled up the actual list, there were over 930 places and nearly 270 intrinsic customs or traditions that make the cut.  And the 10 nominating criteria – along with the form they come on – aren’t small potatoes either.



TODAY’S DYK: It wasn’t until I started to write this that I discovered destinations can actually be dropped from the list, like Germany’s Elbe Valley was in 2009.  Apparently there is also media, NGO and academic pressure to seriously short-list the list, which some experts consider is getting too political and unwieldy, or simply devalued by its size.



However, given our own innate wanderlust (the TRSC estimates that roughly 16% of the over-18 population of Canada leaves the country during March) and a list of nearly 1,000 places there’s some sense of collective global agreement are really worth seeing, we can tend to forget about the very individual  wonders of our own back yard.

For a while I worked with a team that produced those 24-Hours-In [name the city] magazine features, usually curated by local personalities and meant to get people at least a street or two beyond the really obvious landmarks.

INSIDER GUIDE: In the interest of perspective and a bit of armchair travel for those of us who don’t get to “go anywhere” this month, humour me by sharing 4 Special Spots if we only had 24-hours (and want to spend a few of them sleeping) in YOUR specific corner of the planet.    They can be things to do, see, eat, drink, places to play, shop, watch or listen, just somewhere to unwind, stretch your legs, be surprised.  Whatever you’re loving right now about home, or always value and wouldn’t want someone else to miss.  Sure, the picks will be subjective and we might not all appreciate every “must”.  But they are a part of what makes you tick.  And who knows, they might inspire some good reminders and an adventure or two.

(Abby, if you’re reading please comment chime in.  Somehow imagine you lived surrounded by chocolate box and postcard spots. Ditto Lane, as I know you live in a gorgeous, sniff the salty tang spot.)

MY DOWNTOWN TORONTO 4 (in no particular order)

 

SEE: Most people who visit me get walked through the Commerce Court complex (King & Bay Streets) for its singular mix of Romanesque, international and early Modernist architecture.  The 34-storey north tower was (25 King St. W) was the tallest building in the British Empire until 1962.  In the 1930s, its now-closed observation deck was the place to promenade, see and be seen, as well as for pre CN Tower viewing of Lake Ontario.  Today it’s a hub of the PATH, the downtown core’s daytime web of underground shopping, lunch and services.  (Be sure to look up and grab a photo of the lovely vaulted ceiling.)



DO: If you’re an early riser, walk down to Queen’s Quay and ride the Ongiara Ferry from the Toronto mainland to Ward’s Island, a one-of-a-kind residential and recreational community on our outer rim.  The view of the city skyline and nature is stellar.  The summertime and weekend ferries to the rest of the interconnected parkland and yacht club necklace are what you might expect, polished wooden plank floors, gleaming brass, festoons of bright orange life vests and nautical bunting, throngs of escaping urbanites.  But the workhorse Ongiara is designed to haul island residents, cars and packed bikes and wagons in a must-sail rota, a literal 15-minute lifeline between the city and a bygone country.  No nonsense, big pleasure and clearly Canadian.


EAT: I’ve been known to suggest take-out Spadina dumplings and a seat in one of Toronto’s many pocket-sized parks. (Yes, Yummy Yummy’s dumplings are yummy and include such less common variations as mutton  -OAP sheep -  with perfect crunchy flecks of carrot.  More-ish.  And kids seem to get a kick out of eating finger food they just watched being made in a street-side window.  But since lots of places have a Chinatown, I’m going to take you one of my other, less common treat addictions, Arepa Café, at the start of the trendy section of Toronto’s Queen West.  Arepa are a handcrafted Venezuelan cornmeal pocket bread (similar to the Mexican gordita) that are partially split and filled with just about every filling you can imagine.  Perfect for urban picnics and lunch on the go. My reco: Reina Pipieda, a chicken and avocado filling that means Saucy Queen and was named after the country’s winning Miss World 1955.

SHOP: Walk off your lunch along Queen West.  There’s a busy Joe Fresh “concept store” and be sure to stop at Preloved, a company that upcycles un-sold and vintage retail sweaters, suits and more into fabulous modern fashions and homeware, check out a small sampling at
www.preloved.ca (Great for gifts as well as the occasional incognito Hollywood celeb sighting, especially in early September).




Share your spots, please.  Dream big.  Travel far – even if it’s only in your dreams right now.  And stay safe.  (In honour of WMM’s return and Miller Time it’s an early shot of welcome back cocktail hour tomorrow.)

39 comments:

  1. I'll never get a job for the tourist board but here goes:
    Visit Scotland - play boring golf, visit a stinking whisky distillery, stare at a neolithic ruin, feign interest in local wildlife, and wear all of your holiday clothes at once for a walk on the beach.

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    1. Tabs, think everyone has had at least one holiday like that. And you've already fascinated us with your turf.

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    2. For record, your board is doing okay with their list inscriptions. Only Edinburgh (Royal Mile/ New Town) means anything to me. But ditto St. Kilda, Neolithic Orkney (Skara Brae, Sterness Stones), the Antonine Wall, New Lanark mill village.

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    3. Orkney is amazing actually, it was one of my favourite holidays ever even though I threw up on the ferry in front of the world.

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    4. I still have the hand dyed and knit sweaters from Isle of Skye yrs ago. Magical place. Loved all of Scotland; MLane did a yr abroad at U of E so we visited the pub he frequented, street he lived on etc.

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    5. Oh you make it sound so irresistible. Will do without the golf though.

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    6. We don't golf either; could happen though

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    7. Per Mark Twain, golf perfectly good walk, spoiled. But courses do have gorgeous scenery, particularly in Scotland. And most men you tell you it's a sport that comes with wheels (not so much in Europe) and beer.

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  2. Come to New Brunswick - highest tides is world, lots of beach and woods, people are friendliest ever and Miller time every Friday night!

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    1. Wow WMM, you're willing to cover the whole province! Isn't it Moosehead or Picaroon's Time?

      Safe home...

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    2. Oh yes, for sure.assortment of bevs for al.

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  3. South coastal Maine.

    EAT: Well, lobster obviously. Blueberries in August. We'll walk down from my house onto the pier and stop in at Pier 77 where Kate and Pete will greet us and seat us at the bar for a meal. OUr version of Cheers with lobster boats and a lighthouse. Downstairs is the sportsbar, the Ramp,covered with Pete's impressive collection of old sports stuff. If you want your "bug" grilled, we can manage this at my place.
    SHOP: People like Freeport, home of LLBean open 24 hours a day. I don't shop much. Daytrip Society in downtown KPT has lots of Maine items that are't tacky.
    DO: Rent 2 hours of the Schooner Eleanor and get on the water with the charming and knowledgable Woody, see the houses you can't drive by from the water. Everybody seems to want to see the Bush compound; can't miss it from a boat. Rent a kayak and do Cape Porpoise Harbor-- this is my front yard and like a lake so you need no skill to do this. Get up to the Old Port in Portland and walk around the cobble stone streets-- we even have a Barbour store there.

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    1. Lane, can't wait to get back to The Ramp and try the kayaking! Must road trip to WMM and you. Your "Do" sounds lots like what people do up in Muskoka, our first "cottage country" (and an early plot feature of Blue Castle.) Cruising past all the shoreline mansions (magnates, hockey players, Goldie Hawn...) where boathouses are bigger than many regular peoples' homes, a big visitor past-time.

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    2. Oh, and can I potter in your garden? We NB/NS folk always marvel at how far ahead your season is as compared to not that far north of border.

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    3. Pottering most welcome, weeding encouraged.

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    4. You're good, all can do is weed and pick (early vegetable/ hobby farm edu.), know-nothing otherwise.

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  4. Knoxville,TN:
    Eat - Biscuits & Gravy, Benton's Bacon, Grits, Fried Chicken & Mashed Potatoes, BBQ. Plus we now can fry anything. Fried oreos are great.

    To Do - Have to go see the Great Smoky Mountains. Especially after the breakfast you just had. Yes, that was all breakfast above.

    Eat - Dead End BBQ Pizza at Hard Knox Pizza, light lunch

    To Do - Nap. Or if you want to shop head on over to Pigeon Forge for endless amounts of outlet malls and pancake houses and Dollywood. Or, Knoxville Museum of Art, sports game on the campus of UT, or nap some more.

    Eat - Pork Belly at Knox Mason. We are not one of the fattest states for no reason.

    Night Life - Hopefully something is at the Tennessee Theater. It is a wonderful venue for a show or intimate concert - maybe something a bit country for all you non southerners.

    Night Cap - mixed drinks go to Saphires, moonshine stop by any trailor you see, Kentucky Bourbon and wine...come on over.

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    1. BB, there was deep fried butter, ice cream and tempura sushi tuna at our big exhibition/ fair here last summer. It's spreading north!
      The DH has developed a true affection for biscuits and gravy on southern US/ road trips. Scones in UK do not come with gravy. I prefer red eye (but not the ham really). It's the salty, coffee infused thing.
      And will definitely be round for a nightcap, although might have to do jumping jacks to stay awake (and keep wearing our vacation wardrobe) after all those eats.
      (Your mountains ARE wonderful based on family photographic evidence.)

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    2. A chef here imports that Benton bacon-- TDF!

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    3. It does amaze me what they can deep fry..but seriously, the oreos are really good. Benton's also does the country ham. Very good with red eye gravy. I prefer my biscuits with lots of honey. knoxville is great because in 2-3 hours you can be so many places, Atlanta, Nashville, Louiseville/Lexington, Asheville. Blackberry Farm is only 30 minutes from us. Very expensive but a wonderful place to stay for two-three nights and get a taste of Tennessee - plus they give you unlimitted Dove Bars, well I guess you are paying for them.

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    4. The DH is in ATL periodically and has wanted to do Nashville for a while as well. So with all those good tips BB, adding Knoxville to our road trip list. Unlike the "big" bucket list journeys, the flying anyway, what drive can we add-on US jaunts seem to get done fast and are always a ton of fun.

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  5. Heidelberg Germany,
    one of the must see´s for every american and asian tourist.
    The castle is world famous,this and the Neuschwanstein castle(aka cinderella castle).
    It has the oldest university in germany,is famous for poets and philosophers.
    it houses the cancer research center for germany and has many nobel laureats.
    It lies in the Upper rhein valley and has the mildest climate in germany.
    Spring arrives here four weeks earlier than any other part of germany.
    It has one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in europe.
    It has great wine:)

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    1. Wine, and a mild climate with spring, can I please come over right now Ina?

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    2. Ina, you make me want to go! We are not so far from there. I've been to Konstanz and to Ulm, but never as far up as Heidelberg.

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    3. Abby,you should!
      It really is beautiful here.It might be around 3-4 hours to drive for you.

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  6. Gray skies, damp, mud, and precipitation, not to be missed!

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    1. Must pack wellies and brolly then.

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    2. Glamourous wellie use includes tour of yard cleaning up after dog lol! Leave wellies at home if you'd rather not partake!

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    3. Wellies not glam city slicker sort, definitely workhorse. And have cat, past doggies so know about crap. But you get walks and endless affection too.

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  7. Fun topic!

    It is a bit picture-perfect around here. The first time that my mother visited, she kept looking at vistas and saying "oh, look, another postcard."

    My recommendations - well, Zürich, is a little boring and extraordinarily expensive. An espresso is 5 Francs. So "doing stuff" always feels like a big commitment. According to the Swiss, Zürich has that Protestant work ethic and is all about working and making money. It's a little weird to live in that environment, let me tell you, and has taken quite a while to make like-minded friends.

    I don't live in the city itself (though I do work there), and things are a little more mellow where I live :) Around home, my favourite things to do are say hi to the goats and walk in the vineyards or go for runs on the wooded trails.

    Anyway! There are still cool things to do in Zurich! All that said, my Zürich area list:

    TO SEE AND DO:
    - The Kunsthaus Zürich is a good art museum and often has interesting exhibits.
    - The Fraumünster Church has stained glass windows designed by Chagall, though I have yet to manage to be there when the church is open.
    - Walk along Limmatquai and wander up the little cobblestone side streets
    - Schloss Lenzburg is a bit outside the city, and is one of the most interesting castles that I have ever visited. It is well-done as a museum, so there's lots to see and learn. Unlike a lot of other castles, this one was actively inhabited into 20th century.
    - Thermal baths. It doesn't really matter where you go. There's usually an outdoor pool, thermally heated, and then a series of saunas and often a steam room. The ubiquity of thermal baths is honestly one of the very best things about living here. There's a nice one in Bad Ragaz, and I hear there's a great one in Rheinfelden. Everything is "close" around here.
    - Go to the mountains. You can travel about 2h by train and go up Mt. Titlis (yes, "Tit-less"), or take the world's steepest train ride up Mt. Pilatus - both are outside Luzern.
    - Take the train to Konstanz, which is in Germany (and in the same province, I believe, as where Ina lives). It's a nice city on a lake and makes a great day trip.

    TO EAT:
    - Well, chocolate, obviously, and it's everywhere.
    - Go to Sprüngli for Luxembergerli, which are essentially mini macarons and very tasty.
    - Fondue or racelette. I prefer raclette.
    - Cheese and dairy in general!

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    1. p.s. Great Toronto picks. I love the Island - thought about having our wedding there. Actually, I've never managed to bring my husband there! Next time.

      I like the idea of preloved, but can never really find anything there. I remember shopping at the first one in Montreal and even bought some things, but never wore them. The sales assistants at the Montreal store would always say "OMG that looks so good on you," no matter what you actually looked like. Still like the concept, though!

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    2. Hi Abby, I love that you have vineyards to walk in and wooded trails to run on at home. How long is your work commute? Ditto on raclette vs. fondue (potatoes). One of the resorts I used to work for in AB has Swiss restaurant (Walliser Stube) because of the Swiss Mountain guides CP used. So I got my fill. Thanks so much for chiming in with your deets!

      Re. Preloved, I find it is better for aprons, tote bags, pillows, placemats, jewelery rolls, scarves, mitten than clothes - although I do have one cropped sweater and a recycled golf shirt casual dress from them. I think the trick is to go when they have just stocked up and you have time to go through piles of textile, since a pattern can really make a difference on a skirt etc. Also a younger, more boho look than I generally am.

      Oh, and in general I am irked by sales people like that. I think WMM had a similar encounter this week. Unfortunately, it generally turns me off altogether, I tend to ignore and leave ASAP.

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    3. Raclette is far superior to fondue ;)

      My work commute is pretty short, much less than an hour. There isn't a lot of sprawl here, so it's pretty easy to live outside of the city or in another town or city and still be close by. Plus, the trains are excellent. I have colleagues who commute in from Basel and even that is only about an hour.

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  9. GF, I am also in Toronto, so not much to add, as Queen West is also my first choice for a stroll if I happen to have some free time. I am first on the ferry to the Toronto Islands as soon as the weather warms up - Centreville, even though shabby and worn, is still a great place to take the kids. Having worked on Bay St. for over 10 years, I can say my favourite lunch time spot (in the summer, at least) was the square in the TD Centre, followed second by BCE Place.

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    1. Greetings Louise! For the first four years I've been here I worked out of the TD Centre. Still love the Courtyard Cows and how all the suits look different, happy and relaxed as soon as the sun comes out and the grass greens. My DH volunteers with an urban fishing assoc. (they do family-youth days with MNR on the Islands, at High Park etc.) so once it warms up he's on the ferry or a dingy, kayak most weekends. We are lucky to have so much public waterfront, that someone at some point had some urban vision.

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  11. Well since I live in the country (basically) outside of Toronto it wouldn't be a very thrilling tour. I guess I could show people the University, the piddly river which we would have called a creek growing up, and then we could get ourselves to my favourite French bistro and commence eating and drinking!
    Fun to read this!

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    1. Hey Dani, I'd come to where you are for Blush and Artisanale! There must be several more treasures also proximity to festival theatre etc.

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