The trouble starts when the day has more than one stop. Add an afternoon visit outside the city and a flight home the same evening, and the airline timetable begins to decide how long each meeting can run.

What does a same-day trip look like on scheduled flights?

Take a team of three from Vancouver with a 10 a.m. meeting in downtown Calgary and a 2 p.m. visit to a supplier in Lethbridge. On scheduled flights, the day starts well before the meeting. Airports generally ask domestic travellers to arrive 90 minutes to two hours ahead, and the clock jumps forward an hour once you land in Mountain Time.

The second stop is where the plan comes apart. Lethbridge has had no scheduled passenger flights since WestJet ended its Calgary route in late June 2026, and Medicine Hat lost its service at the same time. The afternoon becomes a drive of roughly 210 kilometres each way, about two and a half hours on the road, followed by another security line at YYC for the last practical flight home. A meeting that overruns can easily mean an unplanned hotel night. Days like this are where a private jet charter earns a place in the comparison, because it lets the meetings set the timetable.

How the same day changes when you fly privately

Instead of working around a fixed departure, the team chooses when to leave. Private terminals cut the time spent at the airport, and passengers can sometimes arrive just 15 minutes before take-off. The flight over the Rockies takes about as long as it would on an airliner, but the time saved at each end adds up.

There are more ways into Calgary, too. Alongside YYC, Calgary Airports runs Springbank Airport (YBW) west of the city, a regional hub for light jets, helicopters and flight training. After the downtown meeting and a quick working lunch on Stephen Avenue, the team flies on to Lethbridge rather than driving. The airport there is far from quiet: according to the City of Lethbridge, WestJet made up only about two per cent of its 33,366 flight movements in 2025, and charter flights still use it.

The final leg makes the biggest difference. The aircraft takes off from Lethbridge and flies straight back to Vancouver, so nobody has to double back to Calgary for an evening departure.

What changes on board?

On a working day, the cabin matters as much as the schedule. A light jet usually seats four to eight passengers, which means a small team can go over the morning’s notes and prepare for the site visit together, in private, rather than scattered across separate rows. Hold space depends on the aircraft and is confirmed in advance, which helps when a visit involves samples or equipment.

Booking runs through one contact. A charter broker arranges the flight and assigns a dedicated specialist, who recommends a suitable aircraft for the route, such as a light jet or a turboprop suited to smaller airfields, and stays reachable around the clock if plans change. 

When is a scheduled flight still the better choice?

For a single meeting in Calgary with a direct flight each way, scheduled service is hard to beat on cost, and YYC’s network means there is usually a flight that fits. Solo travellers with a flexible afternoon will rarely need anything else.

The balance shifts once a group or a second stop enters the picture. Several colleagues travelling together, a destination without scheduled flights, or a firm need to be home that evening can make a charter the more practical way to fit everything into one day. Pricing both options against the same itinerary is the clearest way to see the difference.

Final thoughts on same-day trips

Calgary itself is well connected, but the region around it is not always as easy to reach. Before booking, map out every stop and the latest time you need to be back, then look at which way of flying fits that plan. On a simple day, the scheduled flight usually wins. When the day includes a second stop, flying privately can be what gets you home the same night.

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Saint-Germain & Latin Quarter

Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter make up the Left Bank’s intellectual heart. The area is known for its literary cafés, bookshops, the Sorbonne and a long history of artists and writers. The architecture is a mix of Haussmann-era limestone, medieval lanes around the Latin Quarter, and the Romanesque tower of the abbey church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of the city’s oldest. The elegant 17th-century Luxembourg Palace sits at its edge, and the area suits strolling, browsing and long café afternoons.

Popular attractions in the neighbourhood include Musée d’Orsay, Musée Rodin, Louvre (a walk across the Seine), Jardin du Luxembourg, and Musée de Cluny. For nice photo stops, visit Pont des Arts and Pont Neuf at golden hour, Medici Fountain, Place de Furstemberg, and Rue Mouffetard. Seine River cruise is a great way to see the city skyline.  

Some of the locally favoured restaurants are Semilla (Michelin Plate in 2024 and 2025), Les Papilles (fixed-menu bistro and wine shop near the Luxembourg Gardens), and Le Petit Pontoise (classic bistro). Multiple neigbourhood food tours are available in the area. 

Where to stay in Saint-Germain & Latin Quarter

Mandarin Oriental Lutetia
$$$$
Two Michelin Keys

The Left Bank’s Art Nouveau landmark has Brasserie Lutetia, Bar Josephine, Le Saint-Germain and Bar Aristide for dining and drinks. For wellness, the Akasha Spa has a 17-metre indoor pool, sauna and steam room. It’s grand rather than intimate, but it’s the most polished stay in the area.

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Relais Christine
$$$
One Michelin Key

This is a 13th-century abbey turned 48-room hideaway on a quiet cobbled courtyard, with beamed ceilings and rich fabrics. It has a Guerlain Spa plus a sauna and jacuzzi. There’s no on-site restaurant, but the buffet breakfast (~€40/pp) is generous, and the concierge is highly rated.

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Hôtel Saint Paul Rive Gauche
$$

A small, antique-filled boutique hotel on a restaurant-lined street, with old-fashioned fringed room keys and a good breakfast. Guests praise the air conditioning and the housekeeping. The hotel has Luxembourg Gardens and dozens of bistros a few minutes’ walk away.

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Le Marais

The Marais is one of the few central districts that escaped Haussmann’s rebuilding, so it keeps its medieval street plan and 17th-century aristocratic mansions (hôtels particuliers). The centrepiece is Place des Vosges, a symmetrical square of red brick and stone arcades that dates from the early 1600s. The area is known for its museums, independent boutiques, a historic Jewish quarter around Rue des Rosiers, a long-established LGBTQ+ scene, and some of the city’s best bars and casual dining.

Popular attractions include Musée Picasso, Musée Carnavalet, and Place des Vosges. For scenic photo opps, head over to Place des Vosges arcades, Rue des Rosiers, and Rue Vieille du Temple.

Notable dining spots include Datil (a set tasting menu), Robert et Louise (traditional French, open-fire cooking), Chez Nénesse (home-style neighbourhood bistro, closed on weekends), and Le Petit Marché (known for its duck dish). For a nightcap, head to The Cambridge Public House or Bar Nouveau. Neighbourhood-specific food tours are available daily.

Where to stay in Le Marais

Maison Proust
$$$$
One Michelin Key

A 23-suite hotel designed by Jacques Garcia as a tribute to Marcel Proust, with a Moorish-fantasy Spa La Mer and a bar serving literary-inspired cocktails and light bites. The room rate doesn’t include breakfast (€22 continental or €36 American).

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Hôtel de JoBo
$$$

A 24-room, four-star boutique hotel, set on the remains of a 17th-century convent near Place des Vosges and Saint-Paul metro. It has a playful Directoire look, with rose motifs, pink corridors and leopard print around a hidden courtyard. The cocktail bar and tea room are a good spot for breakfast, afternoon tea or a nightcap.

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La Chambre du Marais
$$

This is a small, richly decorated hotel on Rue des Archives with fresh flowers, a lounge and a daily breakfast. The property has a clean decor with colourful touches and an on-site bar.

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Opéra & Grands Boulevards

This area is the polished Haussmann Paris of the 19th century: wide boulevards, cream limestone façades with wrought-iron balconies, and grand department stores. Its landmark is the Palais Garnier, an opulent Second Empire opera house with a gilded, sculpted façade. Nearby are glass-roofed 19th-century shopping arcades such as Passage Jouffroy and Galerie Vivienne. The area is known for shopping, theatre, easy transport links and, on its southern edge, a growing cocktail scene around Montorgueil and the Bourse.

Attractions include Palais Garnier, Musée Gustave Moreau, Galeries Lafayette rooftop terrace, and Printemps rooftop terrace. Popular photo spots are Palais Garnier façade, Passage Jouffroy, and Passage des Panoramas. You can visit the Opéra Garnier on a guided tour or go on a guided walking tour along the Seine River or navigate the covered passages with a guide.

For a taste of Paris, dine at Frenchie (1 Michelin star, blind tasting menu), Chez Georges (classic bistro, closed on weekends), Aux Lyonnais (Lyon-style bistro), and Au Petit Riche (historic brasserie with a long Loire wine list). For a cocktail, grab a bar stool at Danico or De Vie.

Where to stay in Opéra & Grands Boulevards

Nolinski Paris
$$$
Two Michelin Keys

The hotel is on Avenue de l’Opéra and has Nolinski Le Restaurant, with Art Deco-inspired interiors, and a spa with a stone-walled swimming pool. The Grand Salon is the place for cocktails. It’s a small 45-room hotel with a real pool, which is rare in Paris.

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Maison Souquet
$$$

A former Belle Époque “pleasure house,” it’s now a maximalist boutique with Jacques Garcia interiors, an atmospheric bar and a restaurant. The spa is reserved for private use, so you book a slot with a pool, sauna and shower to yourself. It sits on the Pigalle/Montmartre border.

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Grands Boulevards Experimental
$$

It’s a courtyard hotel with a lobby open to the air, a restaurant for breakfast and dinner, and a rooftop bar that guests rave about. Rooms are small but stylish. This is a hidden gem discreetly tucked away from plain sight, with 50 rooms, a restaurant and two cocktail bars.

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Bastille & Oberkampf

Bastille and Oberkampf is a lively, younger and more local part of the city. The architecture is a mix of 19th-century apartment blocks, former workshops and courtyards from the district’s furniture-making and artisan past, and the modern glass-fronted Opéra Bastille on the historic square. The area is known for its nightlife, its dense run of bars and bistros along Rue Oberkampf and Rue de Charonne, and the Marché d’Aligre. It is also home to some of the city’s most influential neo-bistros.

For a taste of art and culture, visit Opéra Bastille, Marché d’Aligre, and Promenade Plantée. Nearby photo spots also include the Bastille column at sunset and Rue Crémieux, in the 12th, about a 15–20 minute walk away. 

A few of the local favourite dining spots are Le Servan (Franco-Filipino neo-bistro), Septime La Cave (wine bar with small plates), and Le Saint-Sébastien (vegetable-led neo-bistro with a 400-bottle wine list). Tour the Aligre market for a wider variety of bites.

Where to stay in Bastille & Oberkampf

Le Petit Beaumarchais Hotel & Spa
$$

It’s two minutes from Bastille metro, with a boutique feel, a bar and a café for breakfast. Guests praise the spa massages and the strong air conditioning, and there’s a family room that works for three or four people. The spa has a Flotarium pool, very concentrated in salt it is a reference to the Dead Sea.

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Ginette à la Folie
$$

This is a 46-room hotel with a private basement spa (sauna and jacuzzi) that many guests count as the highlight; some room types pay €30 per person for access. There’s a rooftop and a very good breakfast, but no restaurant. Oberkampf metro is a two-minute walk.

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Le Clark Hotel
$$

A stylish 4-star boutique hotel located between Place de la République and the Grands Boulevards. Guests can enjoy a sauna, fitness centre, and hammam. Additional facilities include a bar, coffee shop, and business area.

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Canal Saint-Martin & République

The Canal Saint-Martin is a 19th-century waterway lined with plane trees, iron footbridges and locks, set among modest apartment buildings and former warehouses. Place de la République is a large, monumental square anchored by a bronze statue of Marianne. The area is known for its relaxed, local feel, with café terraces along the quays, natural-wine bars, independent shops and a strong coffee culture. It also has one of the most diverse restaurant scenes in the city.

Popular attractions are mostly along the water, like Canal Saint-Martin walk and Canauxrama canal cruises, but don’t miss the Artazart bookshop. Great photo opps can be found along the Canal footbridges and locks.

Notable restaurants include (all Michelin-featured) Amâlia (1 star), Fugue (contemporary bistro), Alluma (Mediterranean cuisine), Masaikuta (blind tasting menu where France meets Japan), and Vertueux (French and South American fusion). There is also a local food tour.

Where to stay in Canal Saint-Martin & République

Renaissance Paris République Hôtel
$$

The hotel is a Marriott property and favoured for its spacious-for-Paris rooms and a front desk that goes out of its way. It sits at Rue René Boulanger, a short walk from République. The hotel serves a continental breakfast.

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Hôtel Taylor
$$

A narrow townhouse hotel with French-inspired décor, a buffet breakfast (favoured for the crêpes) and a free minibar of soft drinks. It’s quiet and well air-conditioned, and sits between République and the Marais.

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La Planque Hôtel
$

A family-run boutique hotel with 36 rooms, a sweet-and-savoury buffet breakfast, a garden, and a cosy library. The hotel is tucked away toward Belleville, about a 9-minute walk to Place de la République and a bit farther to the canal.

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Eiffel Tower & 7th

The 7th arrondissement is Paris at its most formal. It has broad, quiet avenues, Haussmann-style and earlier 18th-century townhouses, and government buildings, including embassies and ministries. The Eiffel Tower, an iron lattice structure from 1889, rises above the Champ de Mars park. Nearby are the gilded dome of Les Invalides and the Beaux-Arts Musée d’Orsay, a converted railway station. The area is known for its landmarks and museums, and for an upscale residential feel, with markets such as Rue Cler.

Aside from the Eiffel Tower, popular attractions include Musée Rodin, Musée d’Orsay, and Musée du Quai Branly. For photo spots, head over to Trocadéro, Pont de Bir-Hakeim, Champ de Mars, and Rue Cler (a great place to pick up a picnic before you head to the Eiffel Tower). Multiple guided tours are available in the neigbourhood. 

Noteworthy restaurants include L’Ami Jean (Bib Gourmand, known for the rice pudding), Bistrot Belhara (Basque-leaning bistro), Les Cocottes (authentic French), Le Violon d’Ingres (1 star, upscale neo-brasserie), and Au Bon Accueil (Eiffel Tower view from the terrace, Michelin Guide).

Where to stay in the Eiffel Tower & 7th

Shangri-La Paris
$$$$

One Michelin Key

Across the river in the 16th, it’s a former mansion of Prince Roland Bonaparte with Eiffel Tower views from many rooms. The hotel has five on-site dining options. The hotel spa has a 17-metre swimming pool and terrace bathed in natural light.

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Hôtel Montalembert
$$$

A calm, design-led hotel in the 7th with a terrace and a full-service spa. It has a restaurant, and guests get breakfast served at the table or sent to their room. Rooms are spacious and quiet, and some have a balcony with a view of the top of the Eiffel Tower.

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Hôtel La Comtesse Tour Eiffel
$$

Favoured for the balconies with Eiffel Tower views, a pretty breakfast room and chocolates left in the room. The hotel is in a quiet residential pocket near Les Invalides and Rue Cler. Breakfast is about €25 per person.

Book on Expedia | Booking.com

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This trip was hosted by Winnipeg Tourism which did not review or approve this story.

Left: Winnipeg Art Gallery; image by Alyssa Tomchak. Right: Saint Boniface Cathedral; image by Kristhine Guerrero.

Winnipeg’s Indigenous cultural experiences

Winnipeg’s stunning museums serve as poignant monuments to truth, justice, and human ingenuity. The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG-Quamajuq) houses the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit Art, bridging the gap between fabled, millennia-old narratives and modern, urban audiences hungry to learn, and understand. 

Nearby, the Manitoba Museum is home to nine museum galleries and nearly three million artefacts and specimens. Its Prairies Gallery was built alongside an Indigenous Advisory Circle, ensuring that regional history includes the lived realities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, communicated through authentic, modern voices. Explore the 1,200-year-old Brockinton archaeological site, featuring ancient pottery and bison bones. A full-scale Sioux Valley Dakota Nation tipi offers immersive traditional oral storytelling audio, and confronts head-on the colonial history of Treaty 1 through striking artefacts, including the historic Bible belonging to Saulteaux Chief Peguis. 

At The Forks, the breathtaking, architectural marvel of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights commands the skyline, and stands as a powerful beacon of global justice. Greeting visitors is a solitary, demure statue of Mahatma Gandhi, a silent symbol reflecting the power of the individual to shift the course of history. The museum’s location is deeply symbolic. For over 6,000 years, this sacred junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers served as a historic meeting place where Indigenous peoples forged early frameworks of community, trade, and inherent human rights. By housing a national museum dedicated to the rights of all people, at the birthplace of Indigenous governance, Winnipeg directly connects visitors to global struggles for equality to the foundational history and spirit of the land beneath it. 

While Winnipeg Waterways provides a standard 45-minute historical crash course cruise of the city’s landmarks, their partnership with Turtle Tours unlocks a deeper cultural experience of the rivers. Based right inside The Forks Market, Turtle Tours, owned and operated by award-winning tourism operator, and Anishinaabe Ikwe Ashley Smith, complements the water journey with an enthralling 45-minute walking tour of the sacred grounds, offering insightful context and an impactful understanding of Indigenous foundations. 

Among the stops along the tour is the Oodena Celebration Circle. An amphitheatre for modern Indigenous ceremonies and storytelling, the space is deliberately designed as a celestial observatory. Stone monoliths are perfectly aligned with the stars to track seasonal changes, all of which surround a sacred, unifying fire pit. It’s a profound testament to how ancestral science and modern cultural resurgence and vision converge at the literal birthplace of the city. 

Elevate your experience with a River Woman Tea Experience, and dive into traditional plant teachings, respectful harvesting practices, and the cultural connections of tea as medicine. 

West of the downtown core, the expansive Indigenous Peoples Garden at Assiniboine Park’s The Leaf celebrates human connection to the land using themes of fire and water to honour traditional agricultural knowledge and landscaping. Pathways showcase native prairie vegetation and medicine gardens, both designed to illustrate the resilience and enduring environmental stewardship of local First Nations and Métis communities. 

Indigenous culinary experiences

On the plate, Winnipeg’s Indigenous flavours are highlighted prominently across the city. Feast Café & Bistro, led by chef/owner Christa Bruneau-Guenther, is rooted in First Nations cuisine. Having appeared on Top Chef Canada and Wall of Chefs, Chef Christa intentionally uses local ingredients to prepare irresistible dishes, including Saskatoon berry smoothies, bannock pizza, Manitoba pickerel, and Bison stew. 

Tucked inside the Wyndham Garden Winnipeg Airport, Canada’s first urban reserve hotel owned by the Long Plain First Nation, Manoomin Restaurant is led by Red Seal Executive Chef Jennifer Ballantyne of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Deriving its name from the Ojibwe word for wild rice, Ballantyne’s menu beautifully illustrates hearty prairie staples including rich elk pot pie, savoury bison meatballs, and indulgent bannock bread pudding. On Main Street, Shelly’s Indigenous Bistro boasts a team where over 50% of the staff identifies as Indigenous. Managed by Vince Bignell of the Mathias Colomb First Nation, the show-stopping menu features massive house-made fry bread tacos, even bannock-crust pizzas.

Left: Feast Cafe Bistro chef/owner Christa Bruneau-Guenther; image by Mike Sudoma. Centre: Manoomin Wyndham Garden. Image by Maddy Reico. Right: Jay Lekopoy, owner of Promenade Brasserie. Image by Abby Matheson.

Meanwhile, across the river in the historic French Quarter, St. Boniface Cathedral is not only a striking landmark, but just steps from its entrance lies the resting place of Louis Riel, the Métis leader who fought to protect Indigenous sovereignty and cultural rights. That legacy lives on at Promenade Brasserie, where Red Seal Chef Jay Lekopoy uses his kitchen as a canvas to celebrate his own Métis-Francophone roots. Using locally sourced prairie ingredients, his dishes, including bison tartare, Three Sisters Bowl with wild rice risotto, and Arctic char with tomato-ginger salsa, offer a taste of the region’s Indigenous cultural and culinary traditions. 

With world-class modern experiences, built on a 6,000-year-old foundation, Canada’s underrated “middle child” invites you to take a second look. The beauty of Winnipeg is unveiled for those bold enough to finally pay attention. 

Find a hotel in Winnipeg

The post Canadian crossroads: Truth, taste, and tradition in Winnipeg, Canada’s most overlooked city appeared first on Paths to Travel.

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 
This stay was hosted by Leeward House Thornbury, which did not review or approve this story.

The Vibe & Shared spaces

At first glance, the hotel feels like a modern reno, but unique architectural touches here and there expose it as a new build. Leeward House owner and founder John Paul Adamo purchased the lot with a Victorian house pub still intact. The original structure was not safe, but Adamo took inspiration from its character. The new build was designed by Hamilton-based interior design studio Westgrove, which leaned into the region’s Great Lakes shipping history and the rural character of Grey County. The result is a clean, classic build that seamlessly blends into the town and the nature surrounding it.

The main building is a lobby that serves as the hotel lounge. A few cosy, intimate seats surround the concierge desk, which also serves as a bar, ready to pour your wine and mix your cocktails. A built-in cabinet on the right is stacked with books and board games to facilitate a relaxing stay. The wrap-around porch with just a handful of tables is perfect for a pre-dinner beverage or an afternoon snack, like crudite and dips or a salumi plate. 

Many of the carefully curated decorative elements around the property are sourced from local vendors like Danfield Antiques, Inheritance Studios, and reDiscovered on Marsh. By the main entrance is a large firepit, which upon request will be prepared for evening marshmallows and nightcaps by the hotel’s friendly staff. 

Lobby and firepit at the Leeward House Thornbury, images by Kateryna Topol.

Built-in Wellness 

The fenced area between the two buildings contains a year-round pool and a mini Nordic spa circuit. The hotel does not position itself as a wellness retreat per se, but the complimentary availability of such serves certainly makes it feel like one.

Bengal striped sunbeds, shaded by burgundy coloured umbrellas, line the long side of the pool. Loungers with similar motifs are set along the far end for a sit-down moment. At the far end, the hot tub is followed by a cold plunge pool, and a black Nordic sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the afternoon sun. Many hours can be purposefully lost in this space while the Leeward team attends to your every need.

When the winter comes, the heated pool flooring will be paired with space heaters and appropriately cosy decor, making this small wellness retreat a year-round wellness destination in Thornbury.

Sauna and poolside cava at the Leeward House Thornbury, images by Kateryna Topol.

Inside the Suite

Two of the larger guest suites are located in the main house. These rooms have king beds, built-in bunk beds, and private balconies with partial lake and town views. The Guest House contains the other seven rooms, each with a private entrance and a shaded balcony out back. A wall-mounted privacy spinner sits by each door.

The rooms follow a through design, with the bathroom by the main door and the bedroom with a vaulted ceiling closer to the window. The bathrooms have heated floors, rainfall showers and terracotta-tinted ceramic tiles, bringing that spa feeling into the room. The vanity, made of earthy Golden Cobra marble, is uniquely placed outside the bathroom, wrapping around the corner where it turns into the coffee nook. Each room is equipped with a Dyson hair dryer, portable Marshall speaker and smart TV, plush towels and bathrobes, and B-Corp-certified Le Labo bath and body amenities.

King room at the Leeward House Thornbury Guest House, images by Kateryna Topol.

The bedding is Italian linens with goose-down duvets and feather pillows resting on a Canadian-made organic mattress. Storage is hidden behind candy-striped curtains, a large, natural fibre rug, made by Montreal rug maker Mark Krebs, sits under the bed.

The balcony faces private homes, but there is enough tree shade to make it feel like your personal secret retreat. A couch, in the same pattern as the pool cushions, is paired with a coffee table and a comfortable lounge chair with a stand. Here you can take your morning coffee while listening to the sounds of nature and migrating birds as squirrels and chipmunks chase across the trees. 

Book direct on leewardhouse.co to take advantage of special offers; compare rates to Expedia.

Private terrace at the Leeward House Thornbury Guest House, images by Kateryna Topol.

The post Leeward House Thornbury, a year-round wellness retreat in Ontario appeared first on Paths to Travel.

It is a region where dense spruce forests abruptly drop off into wind-swept ocean cliffs, where ancient pirate havens shelter modern-day fishing communities, and where the fierce natural beauty of the coast is matched only by the deep, intergenerational hospitality of its people. To step onto the peninsula is to leave the frantic pace of modern life behind and step directly into a living maritime story.

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 
Parts of this trip were hosted by Happy Adventure Inn, which did not review or approve this story.

Sanctuary in Powell’s Cove

Tucked along this jagged coast lies a refuge for travellers in Powell’s Cove, a stunning seaside retreat overlooking Newman’s Sound: the Happy Adventure Inn. The surrounding community traces its storied roots back to 1710, built around a hidden harbour allegedly chosen as a sanctuary by the 17th-century pirate Peter Easton. But today, the true heartbeat of Happy Adventure lives in the radiant, charming smile of Shar-lett, the daughter of the Inn’s pioneering owners, Chuck and Brenda Matchim. Shar-lett runs the business alongside her partner, James, who manages the restaurant, keeping the family legacy alive; together, they welcome you with the kind of ease and warmth that makes you forget you are checking into a hotel at all. The property is a labour of love where Chuck’s forty years of entrepreneurial experience meets Brenda’s creative spirit, highlighted by her lifelike canvas paintings anchoring the spaces with local scenes.

Left: Shar-lett and James from Happy Adventure Inn, image by Nupur Singh. Right: Happy Adventure Inn, image courtesy of the Inn.

The experience deepens at the acclaimed Chucky’s Seafood and Wild Game Restaurant. Here, over slow mugs of coffee, locally foraged nature, and freshly hauled ocean catches, visitors enjoy slow, hearty, nourishing meals overlooking jaw-dropping scenery that bridges the gap between historical storytelling and island hospitality. Just steps below the dining room tables, the icy depths of the harbour reveal an otherworldly ecosystem. Peering past the docks, the shadows come alive with spectacular marine life as dozens of Northern Comb Jellies float past like translucent ghosts, their specialised cells firing with brilliant bursts of blue and green bioluminescence in the pier shadows. Rising from the darker channels, the massive, amber-hued umbrellas of Lion’s Mane jellyfish drift with a slow, hypnotic weight, trailing a dangerous web of fine, sweeping tentacles through the currents—a stark reminder of the fierce, hidden sting guarding these northern waters.

Salvaje Longhouse Brewery, images courtesy of the brewery.

Trails, tides & Tails

The call of the wilderness draws me out for a morning trek along the Damnable Trail, a world-class hiking network weaving deep through a thick spruce forest before unfolding onto dramatic, wind-swept cliffs that look out at the sweeping expanses of the North Atlantic. After tackling the challenging coastal terrain, the perfect midday reward waits in the neighbouring historic community of Salvage at the striking red Salvaje Longhouse Brewery. Visitors can lounge under a warm golden sun on the patio to try a tasting flight of their craft beers—from the Little Light Lager to the Beach Day IPA—alongside a delicious lobster roll.

Happy Adventure Tours, images courtesy of the tour company.

Conveniently, the brewery serves as a dockside departure point for Happy Adventure Tours. Stepping directly from the longhouse onto the rigid-hull zodiac boat, we roared out into the deep open waters, leaving the iconic red Salvaje Longhouse behind. A row of pastel homes dotted along the shore quickly faded from view, and before I even realised it, we were out in the deep blue ocean. The marine landscape was teeming with life. Hundreds of colourful puffins and razorbills blurred past, nesting along the weathered rock faces and diving into the swells. Just twenty minutes into the offshore tour, our onboard naturalist, Andrew, pointed us in the right direction. Suddenly, two blowhorns ruptured the quiet air as massive tails slapped against the surface, revealing two sperm whales floating serenely at the top, witnessing something of that wild scale felt entirely unreal.

By evening, I made my way to Eastport Beach, where the entire shore lines up with people fishing with their bare hands and kids sprinting along the tide line with nets, scooping up fish by the dozen. This spectacular wonder is known as capelin rolling—a frantic spawning ritual where massive, shimmering silver schools swarm the shallows. Hitting the sand by the millions, their arrival completely transforms the landscape. The surging abundance draws humpback whales, cod, and thousands of seabirds right to the water’s edge to feed alongside humans, washing over the smooth pebbles and pulling the entire ecosystem into the surf.

The Twillingate detour with Captain Dave Boyd

The next morning, setting out on a day trip, the journey loops upward toward Twillingate, the Iceberg Capital of the World. This historic fishing town offers another legendary opportunity for open-ocean whale watching. I stepped aboard with Captain Dave Boyd, eager for an encounter, but the horizon remained quiet. No whales were spotted, but I saw a magnificent bald eagle soaring overhead. The true highlight was visiting Captain Dave Boyd’s Museum, a treasure trove of seafaring lore. Captain Dave Boyd himself is a master storyteller. Reflecting on the unpredictable, untamed Atlantic Ocean, he shared his favourite line with a grin: “She is a woman, she don’t listen always.”

Left: Captain Dave Boyd, image courtesy of Dave Boyd. Right: Humpback whale breaching, image by Jorge Vasconez.

A lasting impression

The day concludes on a private balcony at the Happy Adventure Inn. Free from city light pollution, the night sky transforms into a brilliant, velvety theatre as the glowing band of the Milky Way stretches across the horizon. Below, a matching magic mirrors the stars as sea sparkle takes effect, flashing a vibrant neon blue through the gentle harbour currents. Standing between the starlight above and the neon glow below, the entire universe puts on a show for a harbour that has truly stolen my heart—leaving me with the absolute certainty that this untamed edge of the world can always call me back with just one echoing blowhorn.

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Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Images by Kateryna Topol.

Morning

After enjoying a slow morning coffee, begin your day with a stroll across Palma’s Paseo Marítimo, a picturesque waterfront promenade parallel to the city’s seafront. You could walk as far as the airport, but the recommended stretch is the green waterfront and beach near the city centre.  

Afternoon. For a morning snack, walk over to Ca na Cati Pastisseria, near Casa de la Vila de Ciutat de Mallorca (Palma City Hall), and try one of their authentic empanadas. This traditional empanada (Empanadas Mallorquinas) feels more like a small pie made with Iberico ham and takes nearly eleven hours to make.

Empanadas Mallorquinas at Ca na Cati Pastisseria. Images by Kateryna Topol.

Afternoon 

Spend the early afternoon navigating the narrow streets of Palma’s Old Town, often referred to in Spanish as ‘El Casco Antiguo’. Between the charming medieval streets and historic architecture are the city’s many tourism attractions, Gothic churches, scenic squares, and patios that date back centuries. 

Find shade in Parc de la Mar, located at the bottom of La Seu Cathedral. This stunning Basílica was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931 and has the largest original rose (a circular stained glass) window of all European Gothic cathedrals. Nearby is the Royal Palace of Almudaina, a 14th-century palace and one of the official residences of the Spanish royal family. Almudaina is open for visitors Tuesday through Sunday. Make sure to spend some time at the Es Baluard Contemporary Art Museum. This impressively spacious art centre also has a wonderful open roof terrace with endless Palma views. 

No visit to Palma is complete without a taste of Iberico ham (Jamón ibérico), and the best place to find it in the city is Mercado del Olivar. The market is set indoors and does not look like much from the outside, but the interior mini-maze navigates through a mix of fruit and vegetable vendors and multiple jamón shops. Locals perch on stools with curated meat and cheese boards, sipping Spanish wine and discussing weekly events.

Pop into Lili’s for a cold cocktail on the patio, overlooking the lively Plaza del Mercat. Stay longer for brunch and chit-chat, enjoying modern takes on Spanish classics. A fun lunch alternative is a food tour with a local. NoFrills, for example, will take you through all the classics with a dash of history and plenty of food to enjoy.

Jamón ibérico at the Mercado del Olivar. Images by Kateryna Topol.

Left: Cocktail and coffee at Lili’s; Right: Vermouth at La Rosa Vermuteria & Colmado. Images by Kateryna Topol.

Evening

Head over to Carrer de Sant Feliu to take in some contemporary art at the Gerhardt Braun Galleries. This corner of the city is home to many other art galleries, including Gallery Red, Casal Solleric, Pelaires, and the Rialto Living art and lifestyle shop, just to name a few. 

For dinner, set up for the evening at La Rosa Vermuteria & Colmado for a taste of local in a cool environment or spread your meal across multiple stops with Food Tours Balearics, a uniquely local food tour company that offers curated self-guided dining experiences in the city’s newest and coolest spots.

After dinner, walk off the culinary delicacies with a stroll past Sa Feixina Park to find Palma’s many cocktail bars. Enjoy nightcaps and liquid libations at Quentin’S Saloon, Agabar Cocktail Bar, The Library STFU, NOX, or Turpial Cocktail Bar. This “bar crawl” alone could take multiple days and is a great spot to meet and chat with locals. 

Gerhardt Braun Gallery. Images by Kateryna Topol.

Where to stay in Palma

The historic city centre has many beautiful boutique hotels with unique decor, a mix of amenities, stunning views, and on-site restaurants and bars. At the top of the game are Concepció by Nobis, Can Alomar Urban Luxury Retreat, Sant Jaume Design Hotel, and Calatrava Mediterranean Sea House (adults only). Public transit in Mallorca is quite accessible, so you could stay further out in a coastal resort like Hotel BonSol Resort & Spa and simply visit the city for a day.

Pool at Concepcio by Nobis hotel, image courtesy of the hotel. Calatrava Hotel wellness centre, image courtesy of the hotel.

Day tours 

Palma de Mallorca: 5-Hour Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Swim

Cruise along the spectacular south coast of Mallorca by catamaran with two stops along the way. Drop anchor in Portals Vells or Cala Vella to swim and snorkel in the turquoise waters while a delicious barbecue meal is prepared on board.

Book excursion

Caves of Drach Half-Day Tour with Boat Trip and Music Concert

Live classic music from floating musicians makes exploring the Caves of Drach even more dramatic. With a rowboat ride across Lake Martel and a stop at a Mallorca pearl factory, this half-day tour features the cave’s magnificent highlights, from turquoise-colored water to soaring rock formations.

Book excursion

Mallorca: Tour of the Island — Boat, Soller Train, Tram, Lluc and Sa Calobra

Discover Mallorca on a unique route through the Sierra de Tramuntana. Enjoy the wild Sa Calobra, sail to Soller Port, and travel back in time on its historic 1912 tram and train. This is an eight-hour tour with multiple stops across the island.

Book excursion

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But, it’s, ideally, the best bread (Bolle), the best sea-salty butter (Med) and slices of excellent Danish cheese-usually Gammel, a crystal-studded Havarti that’s aged for at least two years, or Vesterhavsost, also known as “North Sea Cheese.”  Everywhere you go in Copenhagen, you’ll see people lining up to buy one. And, despite it only having three ingredients, someone actually wrote a cookbook about  BMOs. 

To get to the bottom of why this most banal of sandwiches has inspired such frenzy, I set out for a day of BMO tasting with Lily and Marie, of My Dear Copenhagen, who are completely plugged into Copenhagen’s baking culture.

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Cover image by Daniel Rasmussen.

Our plan was to bike to the shops of the most lauded of the new generation of bakers who’ve helped make Copenhagen the bakery capital of the world (sorry, Paris). Many are former Noma chefs. Others pride themselves on not having gone through the Noma system. We would take a taste of a BM0 at each one. But before that, an overview:  “Nowadays, you can basically find bakeries on every corner of Copenhagen,  influencers lining up in the rain to get a cardamom bun, and snapping photos of bakery windows. But it wasn’t always like this. There is a history of rye bread in Denmark that goes back to the Vikings. Yet through the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, the baking scene was quite dead. People used to buy industrial bread at the gas station or supermarket. Then came what is known as the Danish Sourdough Revolution,” Lily said.

Our first stop was Apotek 57, a bakery and café inside the showroom of Frama, a well-known Danish design firm,  on the site of a 19th century pharmacy. The location faces a block of screaming yellow 18th-row houses built for naval members. This pretty picture was made more appealing by the ultra-stylish crowd queuing up.

I peered into Apotek’s tiny kitchen and saw what seemed like an infinity mirror image of BMO plates being prepared. We ordered ours to go. I took my first taste of the trending item, standing by my rented bike. It didn’t take me long to see the appeal. A case of simplicity done to perfection. The fresh sesame seed bun, the aged cheese with a few crystals, the soft, salty butter. Yum.

Left: BMO, courtesy of Andersen & Maillard. Right: Apotek 57, courtesy of My Dear Copenhagen.

Soon we were cycling past the King’s Gardens and the Rosenborg Castle to Riviera, owned by Italian-born Chiara Barla (who also owns Apotek 57), and here, too, people were brunching on BMOs and beautiful Danish pastries, including Riviera’s signature spandauers. 

Barla explained that what makes BMOs so interesting is that they’re the Platonic ideal of a breakfast sandwich. “With only three ingredients, a BMO has nowhere to hide. It has to be the best quality”.  Riviera’s BMO came in a slightly charred sourdough bun with just the right amount of density, chew and tanginess, delicious Danish butter and two slices of salty Danish cheese.

Each BMO tastes and looks different. Some might have a sesame seed bun, some poppyseed, some plain sourdough. The proper ratio  -bun to cheese to butter – also makes the difference. The spreadability and saltiness of the butter have to be just right, too. There are a lot of factors, it’s positively mathematical. In fact, two anonymous Danes, purported to be mathematicians, have created a website that ranks the city’s BMOs using an equation they developed.

Left: Sesame buns, image courtesy of Andersen & Mallard; Right: Riviera Bakery, image courtesy of My Dear Copenhagen.

Next stop was the ultimate insider Copenhagen bakery. Sinne Gas, a tiny shop on the aptly named Ryesgade street, in hip Østerbro, has no front-of-house staff. Payment operates on the honour system. There was room for only a couple of customers at a time, but there was more than enough space for the intoxicating aroma of baking bread coming from the kitchen. And the finished product: Sourdough that was a dream-slightly crispy on the outside, with a tangy aftertaste. The salty Vesterhavs cheese and whipped butter complemented the bun perfectly. They also make stellar cardamom buns, so we grabbed one of those for good measure.

We veered our bikes towards the culturally diverse Nørrebro neighbourhood, and to Meyers bakery. It was our fourth stop, but historically, philosophically, Meyers could be first on the list. “This tiny bakery is where it all started,” Marie said. Calling owner Claus Meyers “a sort of visionary.” He was the founder of the New Nordic Cuisine Movement and co-founder of Noma, she explained how local farmers had reintroduced Meyers to a high-quality ancient grain called Öland, “full of gluten, high in protein and very good flavour. He sold this flour from his shop because he wanted to bring to normal people the knowledge of sourdough and slow fermentation.” During COVID, as we all know, the sourdough trend boomed, “and it was the start of the BMO trend too, because bakeries were among the only places continuously open”.

Meyers Bakery, images courtesy of My Dear Copenhagen.

Left: BMO on a plate, image courtesy of Hart Bakery; Right: Hart Bakery, courtesy of My Dear Copenhagen.

Hart is probably the best-known of all Copenhagen bakeries, thanks to the TV series The Bear. Emily Corbeil, the Canadian manager at Hart’s Nørrebro branch, said: “I really do feel that our sourdough bread is the best bread in Copenhagen. It has a really nice chew, not too dry or soggy or soft.”  It tasted brilliant with slices of Efterglød, a premium aged cheese with brown butter notes, and a smear of creamy butter. 

By the time we got to Rondo, another local favourite, it was afternoon, and they were sold out of a lot of things, including BMOs. We got one of their other specialities, focaccia, and took a nibble as we passed the old cemetery where the great Danish philosopher Kierkegaard is buried.

Our BMO crawl ended at Andersen & Maillard. After so many BMO tastings, I thought I couldn’t eat any more. But the first bite of this BMO was like my very first one. A revelation. A classic sesame bun with the perfect, salted whipped butter and intoxicating Gammel Knas cheese with its little bits of crystals. (Danes call it cheese candy). The manager mentioned that when there was a shortage of Gammel Knas a while back, Danes went “a little nuts.”

Left: Andersen & Maillard, image courtesy of the bakery. Right: Rondo Bakery, images courtesy of My Dear Copenhagen.

Finally we called it quits. You’d think the last thing I’d want to do is try another BMO, but the next morning, I found myself up early and heading to Juno the Bakery, a social media darling, known for long lines and excellent cardamom buns. But it was a cold and grey morning, so there were only a few people between me and my first BMO of the day, and yes, again, it was absolutely delicious.

I thought of the avocado toast trend and how quickly it went global. There would be nothing easier than exporting this trend. Bread, butter, cheese. But I began to understand that BMOs are really of their place. The sandwich doesn’t just taste of bread, cheese and butter, but also of simplicity, authenticity, the sea, and a particular Danish love of the perfection of functionality.

BMO sandwich and Cardamom bun, images courtesy of Juno The Bakery.

If you go, find a hotel in Copenhagen

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Plan before you travel

Good planning starts well before you pack your suitcase. Research your destination, including local laws, weather conditions, transportation options, and neighbourhoods you plan to visit. Reading recent traveller reviews can also give you practical insights about common challenges, such as reliable taxi services or areas that become crowded after dark.

Keeping copies of important documents, including your passport, travel insurance, and itinerary, can save valuable time if you lose the originals. For example, a digital copy stored securely online and a printed copy packed separately make it much easier to verify your identity or replace lost documents while abroad. 

Stay aware and protect yourself from crime and scams

Most trips pass without serious problems, but staying aware of your surroundings helps you avoid many common risks. Crowded attractions, public transportation, and busy shopping areas often attract pickpockets who look for distracted visitors. Carrying only the cash you need for the day and keeping valuables in secure, zipped pockets makes opportunistic theft more difficult.

Scammers also target travellers by offering fake tours, inflated taxi fares, or misleading currency exchange deals. If someone pressures you to make a quick decision, taking a moment to verify prices or check reviews can prevent unnecessary expense. For instance, confirming a taxi fare before entering the vehicle often avoids misunderstandings when you reach your destination. 

Prioritise digital safety while travelling

Your digital security deserves the same attention as your physical safety. Public Wi-Fi networks in airports, hotels, and cafés can expose your personal information if you access sensitive accounts without proper protection. Using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and keeping your devices updated reduce the risk of unauthorised access.

Many travelers also take time to learn more about online privacy tools, including understanding what is a VPN vs Proxy, before deciding which option best suits their needs. For example, avoiding online banking on unsecured public Wi-Fi can reduce the chance of exposing financial information to attackers. 

Know what to do in an emergency

Even with careful planning, unexpected situations can happen. Knowing how to contact local emergency services, your country’s embassy or consulate, and your travel insurance provider gives you a clear starting point if you need assistance. Saving these numbers on your phone and carrying a written copy provides an extra layer of reassurance if your device becomes unavailable.

For example, if your passport goes missing, contacting your embassy promptly and providing your identification documents can speed up the replacement process. Similarly, understanding how your travel insurance works before an emergency occurs helps you access medical care or support without unnecessary delays. 

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At night, the windows let in no light, heavy curtains setting a barrier to what otherwise would be, a very boring view. All lighting is intentional, setting the mood suitable to the dark green walls and Baroque-era colour palette artwork. There are only eleven tables and eight chef’s counter seats in this moderately intimate establishment. The dinner service unfolds like a performance, with the chef’s team set behind a wide kitchen top at the front of a large open fire – the stage.

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Cover photo by Courtney Peters, courtesy of Revé Restaurant.

Images by Courtney Peters, courtesy of Revé Restaurant.

The experience

The promise is, well, not really simple, but easy enough to grasp: “farm-to-table craftsmanship and unreasonable hospitality,” the website states. The service approach is inspired by Will Guidara’s book Unreasonable Hospitality (there’s also a TED Talk, if you’re short on time). For the team at Revé, that means that every “ingredient and every gesture is guided by passion”. 

Seated at the chef’s counter, my eyes travel to the menu card, my party’s name is at the top. “Imagined by Chef Adriano Cappuzzello, hosted by Nicole Pisarenko, Anna Kruusi and Kevin Gillingham,” a small note in the bottom corner reads. The ten-course menu, detailed on the card, includes the name of the dish and core ingredients, accompanied by the selected wine pairing, if you choose to go that route. I did. A thoughtful wine pairing adds exciting layers of complexity to each dish and the wine itself.

Nicole briefly explains the experience: a narrative menu will be served as a communal experience, bringing people together through food and stories. This particular menu is illustrative of Chef Adriano’s culinary journey and the moments that shaped it. With each carefully placed dish, he tells a story or offers a visual accompaniment. Each dish is intricately plated on mostly odd-shaped plates, chosen to accent the story behind it.

The menu changes seasonally and depending on product availability. Tonight’s menu travels from beef cheek to scallops, broccoli, venison, spaghetti, sweetbreads, sablefish, and beef bouvette. The sweet courses include Chef’s take on a Pavlova and creme caramel. The stories offer context to the unusual flavour combinations, textures, and all-around plating that often results in a visible surprise on first bite. Not everything is what it seems, but it is pleasantly delicious and occasionally new to the palate.

Images by Courtney Peters, courtesy of Revé Restaurant.

The team 

The restaurant concept is the work of two couples, Chef Adriano Cappuzzello and Nicole Pisarenko, and Anna Kruusi and Kevin Gillingham. The foursome met fifteen years ago working in the industry and eventually decided to come together, thinking that maybe “four brains are better than two,”  Anna shared. “The first time Adriano and Nicole made us a meal, it was by an open fire, so when we saw this place, it felt serendipitous,” she reflected, and so the ‘live fire’ concept came to the forefront. The shared ideas, and funds, came together into one restaurant, and this August, Revé celebrated its one-year anniversary. 

Chef Adriano Cappuzzello, born in Ragusa, Sicily, began his career in a 1-Michelin-star restaurant at the age of fourteen. “I started this job because it allows you to travel, and that’s what I always wanted to do,” he admitted. Since that first position, Chef Adriano worked in notable kitchens in Spain, Malta, Germany, and the UK, picking up tricks of the trade for his arsenal. Today, the menu ideas come from these past experiences, drawn from memory and developed in collaboration with the kitchen team. 

Left: Chef Adriano Cappuzzello by Jose Jacob. Right: Kevin Gillinghamby, Anna Kruusi, Nicole Pisarenko, and Chef Adriano Cappuzzello by Courtney Peters. Images courtesy of Revé Restaurant.

The provisions 

The majority of the produce used in the restaurant comes from a farm near Niagara Falls, a three-acre farm managed by Chef Adriano. “I’ve just left the farm,” he explained, joining the call from his car. The remote location, far away from any neighbours or wineries, allows the team to maintain organic practices and regenerative farming. Wildflowers planted throughout the farm create a friendly environment for wild pollinators and bees residing in the farm apiary. “It’s a whole ecosystem,” he added. Aside from supplying the restaurant, this farm also stocks a nearby retail shop. 

Chef Adriano has an inherent respect for the place and its terroir, so seasonality of ingredients is the driving force for the menu. Beef and lamb are sourced from small, nearby family-owned farms, like Heatherbrae Farms. “The cows are just let free, and they eat the fresh grass,” he added. “I care a lot about the animals, they need to be treated properly, and that’s what Daniel does.” To minimise waste, Chef Adriano will also purchase the bits of animals others won’t, to use in stocks, broth, base preparation, and sauces. 

* * *

“What is your collective goal for the restaurant?” I asked. “Michelin stars are every chef’s dream. Anyone who tells you differently is not truthful,” Chef Adriano replied. “If we get there, that’s amazing. But really, we just want our restaurant to be busy every day … everything else will come later,” he concluded. Later in September, Revé was nominated for AirCanada’s Best New Restaurants 2026, and a week later, the restaurant received its Michelin Recommended status.

Image by Courtney Peters, courtesy of Revé Restaurant.

If you go

Revé offers two dining options (reservation strongly recommended): 

• A 4-course tasting: A focused introduction to the season’s best. Built around what the region’s farms are producing right now, served at your own table in the main dining room.
• A 10-course tasting: A blind progression through the season. Ten courses guided by Chef Adriano and the team over the course of an evening, with beverage pairings available.

Find a hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake

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At the time, Maggie was the Director was the of the Michelin Guide and pregnant, and Constance Jablonski was a model. “We were both navigating periods in our lives where we either couldn’t or chose not to drink alcohol,” Maggie shared, but “we found ourselves constantly attending dinners, celebrations, and social events where the non-alcoholic options felt like an afterthought”.

The goal was to be the first to create a complex, terroir-driven sparkling wine that was also natural. Trial and error pushed them to take a cognac approach, starting with bigger wines which, when de-alcoholised, can maintain their integrity. Today, French Bloom has a Mason in France where they grow the grapes and go through every step of wine production regular wines do, plus one: de-alcoholising. The first vintage was released in 2022. Today, there are four 0.0% ABV vintages available in their shop: Le Blanc, Le Rosé, Extra-Brut, and La Cuvée Vintage 2023. 

Following the Canadian launch of French Bloom, we followed up with Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger to learn more about the story behind the company and the complex work that goes into producing alcohol-free sparkling wine. 

Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger, co-founder of French Bloom. Image courtesy of French Bloom.

Kateryna Topol: You spotted a rather unique opportunity within the non-alcoholic category, tell us about the early days

Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger: We wanted to create a sparkling wine that would allow people to participate fully in life’s most memorable moments without compromise. Not a substitute for wine, but a truly premium alcohol-free experience in its own right. That vision led us on a multi-year journey of research and development, working alongside experts in French winemaking to create something that combined the elegance of French savoir-faire with innovation. From the very beginning, our goal was to reinvent the art of celebrating and create a product that brought people together, regardless of what was in their glass.

KT: You received several awards last year as well, congratulations! What was your reaction when you found out?

MFT: Receiving industry recognition was incredibly meaningful because it validated something we believed from the very beginning: alcohol-free wines deserve the same level of craftsmanship and respect as traditional wines. To be elected the World’s Best Alcohol-Free Sparkling wine, for three years at the prestigious World Sparkling Awards proved that our hard work pays off. 

Our first reaction was gratitude. Building a new category comes with challenges, and these awards were a reminder that the industry and consumers were embracing the vision. 

KT: Your goal was to create a complex, terroir-driven sparkling wine experience without alcohol, what kind of research and development went into finding the “perfect” bottle?

MFT: A tremendous amount. We worked closely with my husband, Rodolphle, who has expertise in the Champagne and Cognac industry, to understand how to craft complex and sophisticated alcohol-free wines. We tested countless blends, grape varieties, and production methods. The challenge wasn’t simply removing alcohol. It was maintaining texture, aromatics, balance, and length on the palate. Every adjustment was evaluated through extensive tastings until we felt we had created something that could truly stand on its own.

KT: Were there any interesting or funny stories that came out of the trial-and-error period during development?

MFT: At the very beginning, we thought our wines would mainly be aimed at pregnant women and religious markets, but we were wrong! We estimate today that nearly 80% of our customers do drink wine and champagne; they are just looking to moderate. And maintain quality when they do. 

We realised right from the start of this journey that consumer demand was much higher, while there was virtually no supply. Constance and I were convinced that people didn’t want to replace a glass of wine with something less healthy. We knew we didn’t want to compromise on quality or health, which is why our wines are made with organic ingredients and are certified vegan, pregnancy-friendly, and free of added sugar, sulfites, or preservatives.

KT: Your vineyards are located in France. Can you share where they are situated?

MFT: French Bloom is crafted in Limoux, a historic winemaking region in the south of France, renowned for its rich winemaking heritage, exceptional sunshine, and ideal conditions for producing sparkling wines. We work with organic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines, carefully selected for their freshness, concentration, and aromatic complexity. 

In 2025, French Bloom took an exciting step forward by acquiring its own estate in Limoux, becoming the first Maison dedicated exclusively to alcohol-free sparkling wine production. This marks an important milestone in our journey and allows us to further deepen our connection to the region and its terroir. 

KT: Can people visit your winery? 

MFT: While we do not currently have a public visitor centre, we are actively working on creating an immersive French Bloom destination and hope to welcome guests by next year. We look forward to opening our doors and sharing the craftsmanship, philosophy, and unique terroir of Limoux that are at the heart of every bottle of French Bloom.

Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger, co-founder of French Bloom. Image courtesy of French Bloom.

KT: That’s very exciting. Back to the wine, who is your winemaker? 

MFT: French Bloom was co-founded alongside my husband, Rodolphe Frerejean-Taittinger, who leads the winemaking vision behind the Maison. Rodolphe comes from a family deeply rooted in the world of Champagne and Cognac, giving him a lifelong connection to some of France’s most celebrated winemaking traditions. 

From the beginning, he was instrumental in helping us achieve our ambition of creating an alcohol-free sparkling wine that could deliver the same complexity, structure, and sense of occasion as a fine wine. Developing French Bloom was far from a traditional winemaking project. What makes French Bloom so special is that it combines centuries of French winemaking savoir-faire with modern innovation. Rodolphe and the team approached the challenge with the same attention to detail and commitment to quality that you would expect from the world’s great wine houses, resulting in sparkling wines that are elegant, complex, and completely alcohol-free.

KT: French Bloom is dealcoholized. Can you speak to the complexities of that winemaking process, end to end?

MFT: One of the biggest misconceptions about alcohol-free wine is that you simply remove the alcohol and the work is done. In reality, creating a premium alcohol-free sparkling wine requires an incredible amount of precision at every stage of the process. That is how we developed our 0.0% Wine Revelation Process: we craft our base wines specifically for 0.0%, always keeping in mind that they will be dealcoholized. Every decision – from early-harvest grapes to acidity, structure, aromatics and tension – is made to ensure that once the alcohol is removed, the wine still expresses length, texture and balance. It requires an entirely new approach to winemaking – neither traditional nor imitative, but innovative and intentional.  

Everything begins in our organically farmed vineyards in Limoux, in the south of France. We harvest our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes earlier than is typical for traditional winemaking, which helps preserve the natural acidity and freshness that are essential to the structure of the final wine. From there, we vinify the grapes just as we would a traditional wine. 

The wine is fermented and then aged for several months in a combination of stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels, depending on the cuvées. This stage is incredibly important because it allows us to develop the complexity, texture, and aromatic profile that form the foundation of French Bloom. Only once the wine has reached the desired level of maturity do we begin the dealcoholization process. We use a gentle vacuum distillation method, which operates at very low temperatures. By lowering the atmospheric pressure, alcohol can be removed without exposing the wine to excessive heat, helping us preserve many of the delicate aromas and flavour compounds that make the wine unique. The entire process is a balance between traditional French winemaking and modern innovation.

KT: How long are your wines aged?

MFT: Our wines are aged only for our Prestige Collection, L’Extra Brut and La Cuvée Vintage. Six months in oak barrels for the first one, eight months for the latter. Oak barrels help build additional structure and complexity, creating remarkable depth and elegance.  We often say that great alcohol-free wine starts with great wine. The ageing process is a critical part of that philosophy, helping us build the complexity and character that consumers might not expect from a 0.0% sparkling wine.

KT: Can you please talk a bit about your approach to sustainability?

MFT: Sustainability has been part of French Bloom’s vision from the very beginning. We work exclusively with certified organic grapes and craft wines that are vegan, sulphite-free, and produced with a thoughtful, low-intervention approach. More recently, the acquisition of the estate in Limoux has been an important milestone, giving us greater oversight of both vineyard and winemaking practices as we continue building the future of premium alcohol-free wine. For us, sustainability goes hand in hand with innovation and long-term stewardship, ensuring we can create exceptional wines while respecting the land they come from.

KT: Finally, other than opening an immersive French Bloom destination,  what’s next for French Bloom?

MFT: There is so much that excites us about the future. While we’re continuing to expand French Bloom globally and introduce more consumers to the category, we’re equally focused on elevating what alcohol-free wine can be. 

One of the most exciting milestones is our new estate in Limoux, which will become fully operational later next year. This gives us an incredible opportunity to deepen our connection to the terroir and continue pushing the boundaries of premium alcohol-free winemaking. 

More broadly, our ambition is to continue leading innovation in the space while remaining true to our founding mission: creating exceptional wines that bring people together and allow everyone to participate in life’s most meaningful celebrations. 

We truly believe we’re only at the beginning of what this category can become, and that’s incredibly exciting.

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