Tag Archives: Quebec

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Prettiest Winter Wonderland Destinations

Winter has the power to turn a beautiful destination into somewhere truly extraordinary, bringing out the best in many places all over the planet. OROGOLD takes a look at some of the prettiest winter wonderland destinations around the world.

Bergen, Norway

Bergen, Norway
For those of you who would like to see the real-life landscapes that inspired Disney’s Frozen, Bergen in Norway is the place to go. Bergen is located on Norway’s southwestern coast, and is surrounded by the Seven Mountains. From here, it is easy to visit some of the most beautiful icefalls and fjords in the country. OROGOLD highly recommends Eidfjord, a 650 foot frozen waterfall, dripping with stalactites, that can only be viewed in the winter. Skiers will love Bergen’s cross-country slopes, most of which are floodlit in the evenings, ensuring that you can have a ski-filled day.

Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
The world-famous Yellowstone National Park may be a popular destination in the summer months, but in the winter, it transforms into 3500 square miles of pure winter wonderland. The snowy landscapes are truly unforgettable, and there are many different cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing trails for those who want to really get out there in the white wilderness. If you aren’t too keen on the cold, there are heated winter safari vans available to take you out to explore the park.

Quebec City, Canada

Quebec City, Canada
The charming Quebec City, in Canada’s French-speaking Quebec province, is a great place to embrace the winter, especially during the two weeks in February when the city holds their annual Winter Carnival. Here, activities include ice sculpting, ice canoe racing, dog-sledding and so much more, and there are also skating rinks and toboggan hills throughout the city. The city experiences over 400cm of snowfall each year, and ski lovers will enjoy the multiple resorts and ski slopes available during the winter. For those of you who want to sleep in an icy winter wonderland, OROGOLD recommends Hotel Du Glace, Quebec’s version of an ice hotel, which is only ten minutes away from downtown Quebec City.

Reykjavik, Iceland

SurangaSL / Shutterstock.com

Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik may be blanketed in darkness for the majority of the day in the winter months, but its dramatic winter landscape is still worth seeing. Of course, a visit to the azure-colored Blue Lagoon is a must, which glows beautifully in the dark, inviting you in with its layers of steam. The water is comfortably warm, even when everything around you is covered in snow, and these special waters also contain silica mud, which will work wonders on your stressed winter skin. While in Reykjavik, OROGOLD also recommends a visit to the incredible Golden Falls, as well as to the Strokkur Geysir, which is always alive with explosive activity.

While the winter cold may have its downsides, these are easy to forget when you are in a gorgeous winter wonderland. From the steamy Blue Lagoon in Iceland to the snow-covered landscapes in the Yellowstone National Park, these winter wonderlands are definitely capable of banishing those winter blues!

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Top Festive Getaways

Winter scenery

Many countries around the world are usually at their best during the festive season, and, with children and adults both having time off from work and school, this makes it an ideal time to take a vacation. For a festive break like no other, take a look at OROGOLD’s picks of top festive getaways.

The Resort at Paws Up, Greenough, Montana
The Resort at Paws Up, located on a working cattle ranch, brings some elegance and sophistication to the countryside each December with their Christmas package. The family-friendly resort offers five nights of accommodation in one of their luxurious lodges, with all meals and snacks taken care of. In addition to a fine dining experience on Christmas Eve, families will also enjoy a Christmas tree in their lodge, and the children will most definitely appreciate the personal visit from Santa!

Manoir Hovey, Quebec, Canada
For the festive season, the Manoir Hovey, which is set in 20 acres of picturesque wooded land next to Lake Massawippi, is offering a fantastic Christmas Celebration package. This consists of a two-night stay with a holiday brunch, a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the local village center, s’mores by the fire, a four-course traditional feast at Le Hatley restaurant, and a gourmet breakfast in the morning. The rooms are luxurious and stylish, many of them with their own fireplace or balcony. There is also a diverse range of activities, from a relaxing spa afternoon to showshoeing across the country, offering something to keep everybody happy.

OROGOLD-Top-Festive-Getaways-Mohonk-Mountain-House

Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York
The Mohonk Mountain House in the Hudson Valley is less than a two-hour drive from New York City, making it an ideal destination for a quick weekend getaway. OROGOLD recommends the December Delight package, which includes a three-course dinner, a breakfast buffet, afternoon tea and cookies, charming accommodation and access to almost all of the resort’s activities, including ice skating, swimming in the heated pool, cross-country skiing, showtubing and more. Decorations are certainly festive, and there are some great family activities to keep you all busy, from holiday craft making to a family Yule log hunt.

Keystone Resort, Vail, Colorado
The Keystone Resort would be perfectly at home on the front of a holiday card, as it really does look like a winter wonderland. OROGOLD loves the skiing on their three mountain peaks, while children will love snowtubing at Adventure Point, which boasts a state-of-the-art conveyor lift to take guests and their tubes to the large hilltop course. With seven different on-site restaurants, there are many different places where you can enjoy a festive meal, before heading back to your rustic but luxurious accommodation, of which there are many different options to choose from.

Festive vacations are always memorable, and these places really ensure that your holiday will be unforgettable. Whether you’re hunting for Yule logs in the Hudson Valley, or indulging in a gourmet feast in Quebec, these are all festive getaways that OROGOLD would most definitely recommend.

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Fun Things to Do Across Canada – OROGOLD Reviews

The second largest country in the world, Canada is packed with fun and exciting activities. Whether they include exploring some of Canada’s greatest natural wonders or trying a once-in-a-lifetime experience, OROGOLD reviews some of the fun things that people can do across Canada.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge, Canada.

Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver
Just minutes away from downtown Vancouver, the Capilano Suspension Bridge gives you a birds-eye view of the cedar-scented rainforests. Not only is it a big adrenaline rush when you reach the middle of the bridge and look around, but it is also a great way to learn about this unique environment. In addition to the bridge, there is also the Cliff Walk, which juts out from a towering cliff over the Capilano River. Narrow suspended walkways, that are not for those who have a fear of heights, allow you to explore the area like never before, with only a sheet of glass separating you from the vast depths of the canyon far below.

The Peak 2 Peak Gondola in Whistler.

Peak 2 Peak Gondola, Whistler
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola offers incomparable views of British Columbia, from its volcanic peaks to its coastal rainforest. The whole system took 2 years to build, and spans 4.4 km, connecting Whistler with the Blackcomb Mountains. The gondola breaks 3 world records, as it is not only the longest unsupported span in the world, but it is also the highest lift of its kind, and the world’s longest continuous lift system. In addition to the gondola, there is a 360 degrees Alpine Theatre, an open-air chairlift, an alpine trail and a viewing gallery, as well as great dining options.

Woman dressed up as a cowgirl looking at Mount Robson in the Canadian Rockies.

Luxury Cowboy Experience, Canadian Rockies
For the ultimate cowboy, or cowgirl, experience, head to the Canadian Rockies, where a non-profit group, Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, offer 6 day excursions on horse back. The ride takes you through some of the most untouched areas of the Rockies, places that possibly nobody else has ever seen. It may seem strenuous, but the landscape makes it worth it, and there are plenty of luxury perks; accommodation is in teepees on comfortable pads, the meals are comparable to those at a fine dining restaurant, and the evenings are filled with entertainment and square dancing lessons.

Vineyard in Quebec.

Ice Wine Tour, Quebec
Ice wine is a type of dessert wine that has been made with grapes that are still frozen on the vine, resulting in a refreshing and flavorful taste. There are plenty of wineries in Quebec that produce this type of wine, and a tour that combines a visit to two or three of them would be best. In addition to touring the facilities and learning about how ice wine is made, you will also be able to sample the drink, and attend a cocktail mixing class, where you learn how best to mix this drink with other flavors.

Canada is full of fun and exciting activities, for both individuals, couples and the whole family. Although not necessary for some, OROGOLD recommends that you pre-book whenever possible, as not only will this often enable you to skip any queues, but you will also be able to snag the best deal.