Tag Archives: Ontario

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French Cultural Influence in Ontario

Celebration in Ontario

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It was just over 400 years ago when French explorer Samuel de Champlain explored the wilderness of Ontario, bringing with him the first wave of French culture and heritage. Over the years, French-Ontarians have had to fight hard to keep their culture alive, but have managed to do in a spectacular way, and it is still easy to see the many French cultural influences all around Ontario.

The Arts
The arts are always an important link when it comes to language and identity, and French art is greatly supported throughout Ontario. The Ontario Arts Council have a program that is specially dedicated to Francophone Arts, and this supports everything from new French-language films to visual art groups and craft projects.

Franco-Ontarian Festival
The Franco-Ontarian Festival is held each June in Ottawa, at Major’s Hill Park, and is believed to be the largest Francophones and Francophiles celebration in the whole of Canada. The festival has been running for over 40 years now, each one bigger and better than the last, complete with special musical events and plenty of family entertainment.

Monument de la Francophonie d’Ottawa
The Monument de la Francophonie d’Ottawa was opened in 2006, and features a Franco-Ontarian flag at the center. Around the flagpole is a granite monument that tells the story of French education in Ottawa over time. The monument was so greatly appreciated that the committee that created the park built five more monuments the following year.

Cinefranco
Held each year in Toronto, Cinefranco is a week-long French film festival that showcases both Canadian and French-language films. Launched in 1997, the film festival this year will be held from the 27th of October to the 1st of November, and gives the audience the opportunity to appreciate French films that would not otherwise have been distributed among a Canadian audience. For those of you who cannot make it for Cinefranco this year, keep an eye out for some of the many other film-related events and activities that Cinefranco hosts in Toronto throughout the year, all of which can be found on their social media accounts.

French Food
With such a strong sense of French culture all over Ontario, it is no surprise that there are countless French restaurants to be found. Just like everywhere else in the world, there are a few that really stand out from the crowd, such as Le Select Bistro in Toronto, which first opened its doors in 1977, and whose menu features a delicious array of Parisian classics. Another popular French eatery in Toronto is Coquine, which has won numerous awards for their authentic French cuisine. For those of you in Ottawa, give the modern Black Cat Bistro a try, or, for a truly cutting edge menu, head to Restaurant 18.

French culture is deeply ingrained into life in Ontario, and it brings a certain unique charm to the region. From the authentic French cuisine of Toronto to the lively French festival in Ottawa, Ontario is clearly, and rightfully, proud of its French heritage, and will hopefully be able to retain that for years to come.

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Get Outdoors Festival

Held on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th of August this year, Ontario’s Get Outdoors Festival takes place at Wye Marsh, the largest wetlands in Ontario. From interactive workshops to wildlife identification sessions, this festival is a way to experience the best of what the great outdoors has to offer.

Guided Canoe and Kayak Tours
Wye Marsh is home to a large amount of wildlife, from the Midland Painted Turtles to the River Otters to the Trumpeter Swans, and taking a ride out onto the water is one of the best ways to experience all of this. These guided tours take place on voyageur canoes, with each one led by a Wye Marsh naturalist.

Cycling

Cycling
With over 25km of cycle trails, renting a bike is a great way to explore Wye Marsh. The festival will have bikes available for rent, although if you do not feel like biking, you can easily walk the trails too. One of the highlights of the trails is the 490-foot floating boardwalk, which takes you out over the water and rewards you with a stunning panoramic view.

Live Animal Demonstrations
While it is always exciting to view wildlife in their natural habitat, experiencing them close-up will help you to learn so much more about them. This is the aim of the live animal demonstrations at the Get Outdoors Festival, where guests will be able to meet animals such as the snapping turtle, fox snake and red-tailed hawk, learning about these unique creatures and the role they play in our ecosystem. The Wye Marsh bee-keeper will also be putting on a talk and demonstration each day of the event, showcasing his gorgeous honeybees and explaining exactly why they are so vital to life on this planet.

Bird watching

Basics of Birding
At the festival, a Wye Marsh naturalist will be on hand to teach visitors the basics of birding. From discovering how to recognize the different bird calls that are constantly sung around Wye Marsh, to learning about the natural environments of these specific birds, these sessions are always a big hit with both adults and children.

Paddle Carving Seminar
New to the festival this year is the Paddle Carving Seminar, which will be held by Roger Foster, who is an instructor at the Carlisle Canoe Co. Visitors will learn all about how to use a century-old tool to carve a paddle from a solid piece of local wood, and are guaranteed to leave the seminar with a beautifully finished paddle, as well as skills that they will be able to carry with them for the rest of their lives.

The Get Outdoors Festival aims to provide people with a new way in which to experience the outdoors, showing them the many different benefits that spending time in nature can have. With the average North American spending 95% of their day indoors, the Get Outdoors Festival is something that everybody should embrace, as you will be able to discover new passions that will encourage you to spend plenty more time outdoors in the future.

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Most Beautiful Fall Destinations

Fall is a stunning time of the year, with the foliage transforming green landscapes into fiery, vibrant shades. Take a look at OROGOLD’s picks of the most beautiful fall destinations to give you some inspiration when it comes to planning your own fall vacation.

Tuscany, Italy.

Tuscany, Italy
While there is no arguing that Tuscany has some beautiful fall foliage, one of the best reasons to visit Tuscany this season is because this is harvest time, and the locals take their harvest extremely seriously. When it comes to traditional Italian gastronomy, Tuscany is at the heart of this, making it an ideal fall destination for any foodies out there. Festivals celebrating each harvest, from grapes to mushrooms to polenta to pumpkin, are held throughout the region, giving you the opportunity to taste some of the best, and freshest, food that the area has to offer. While there, OROGOLD recommends going truffle hunting in the Tuscan forests before eating your findings in a delicious pasta dish, or going on an olive tasting tour if you are in Tuscany later on in the season.

Ontario, Canada.

Ontario, Canada
One of OROGOLD’s favorite things to do in the fall in Ontario is to take a drive along the Niagara Parkway, the road that Winston Churchill said was “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world”. Canada’s Ontario province has some of the most spectacular fall foliage that we have seen, and a great place to take this all in is the Algonquin Provincial Park. With almost 8000 square km of lush forests, twisting rivers and peaceful lakes, the beauty all around you is absolutely breathtaking. OROGOLD recommends going for a paddle in a canoe to best enjoy the display from the maple and red oak trees.

Huangshan Mountain

Huangshan Mountain, China
Huangshan, also known as the Yellow Mountains, is a mountain range in the east of China, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The peaks of the mountains are all lined with trees, and when these begin to transform into their fall colors, the sight is simply incredible, with the wispy clouds around them making the scene seems slightly magical. The spectacle attracts visitors from all over China, so be prepared for crowds. To see the foliage at its most beautiful, OROGOLD recommends going out at sunrise, as the colors from the sun complement the foliage in an ethereal way. For when you aren’t taking in the fall beauty, there are plenty of other things to keep you occupied, from visiting the many hot springs in the region, to tasting the area’s famous Chinese teas, to learning more about Huangshan’s rich history.

OROGOLD loves to travel in the fall, taking in the beautiful foliage from all over the world, as well as experiencing the fall traditions that different countries have. From a sunrise walk through the Yellow Mountains in China to helping to harvest olives in Tuscany, these amazing fall destinations will make you appreciate the season in a completely different way.

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Top Oktoberfest Celebrations

Oktoberfest

Although it may have originated in Germany, Oktoberfest is now celebrated all over the world. No matter which continent you may be on, you can be sure that there will be a Bavarian bash hosted near you. Here are OROGOLD’s picks of the top Oktoberfest celebrations around the world.

Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada
The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside of Germany, making it the second largest in the world. Attracting around a million visitors each year, the festivities last for nine days, with the most popular feature being the Oktoberfest parade on Canadian Thanksgiving. The region has strong German roots, with Kitchener’s former name being Berlin, and not only do many of the residents have a German heritage, but they also speak the language. This all contributes towards the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest being truly authentic. With cultural attractions and a whole host of entertainment options, as well as plenty of German beer and food, this is an Oktoberfest celebration that you won’t want to miss!

Hong Kong, China
Home to the largest and most exciting Oktoberfest celebrations in Asia, Hong Kong has been holding their own festivities for over twenty years. Unlike the majority of Oktoberfest celebrations, the ones in Hong Kong stretch all the way into November, so you are bound to be able to find the time to attend one. Their oldest celebration is the Marco Polo German Bierfest, with the beer, including a special Oktoberfest version, being provided by Erdinger. With a German band, endless options of German cuisine, and a view overlooking the harbour, the Marco Polo German Bierfest is definitely one of OROGOLD’s favorite Oktoberfest events in Hong Kong. However, the city has a whole lot more to offer, with many other Oktoberfest celebrations. From Oktoberfest at the Happy Valley Racecourse to Beertopia to the quieter festivities at the Regal Airport Hotel, you will no doubt be spoiled for choice when deciding where to go.

Munich, Germany
No Oktoberfest list would be complete without mentioning the grandest, most popular celebration of all – the original Bavarian Oktoberfest. Held each year in Munich, over 6 million people attend the celebrations each year, making the most of the 17 days of beer-filled fun. The attractions seem almost endless, with great options for the whole family, from fairground rides to sideshows to games and competitions. The massive beer tents, all serving up Oktoberfest beers that have been brewed within the city limits of Munich, welcome thousands at a time, while the traditional food served up, from the sausages to the roast pork to the potato pancakes, will be some of the best German cuisine that you will ever try.

Oktoberfest is a significant part of Bavarian culture, with celebrations dating all the way back to 1810. For those of you that have never attended an Oktoberfest celebration, it is something that OROGOLD highly recommends, not only for the fun that you will have, but also for an authentic taste of German culture and tradition.