Bath is a fairly small town which you can easily explore on foot. Roseate Villa Bath is located a scenic ten-minute walk from the city centre, through the iconic Pulteney Bridge. The villa overlooks the seven-acre Henrietta Park and has its own private garden. Mornings at the Roseate Villa begin with a peaceful view of the garden, or perhaps a stroll around it, if the weather permits. This neigbourhood is quieter than the city centre, an ideal setting for a prolonged breakfast or an afternoon tea break. Consistently voted as the traveller’s choice on TripAdvisor, Roseate Villa is an ideal weekend stay in Bath.

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

The Vibe & Shared spaces

The property encompasses two Victorian houses, converted into a boutique hotel. The structure has a historic character, noticeable from a distance. Separate from the main road by a brick fence, the Villa is surrounded by a tranquil private garden. A portion of the garden is used as the restaurant terrace during warmer months, while the more secluded area has loungers and sitting areas that guests can take advantage of. 

Immediately to the right of the front desk is The Henrietta Bar & Restaurant. Here, guests can enjoy a slow breakfast, afternoon tea, and dinner. The restaurant is a destination, so this room fills with locals and tourists alike. 

Roseate Villa Bath is dog-friendly.

Bar & Restaurant 

The Henrietta Bar & Restaurant is split into two spaces, the bar and lounge and the main dining area. The hotel kitchen uses 95% fresh local produce, leaning on the SLOW philosophy: seasonal, local, organic, wholesome foods, keeping their carbon footprint to a minimum.

For breakfast, guests can opt for a continental breakfast or choose items from the kitchen menu. The continental breakfast includes hot and cold beverages, yoghurt, fruits, cereal, and freshly baked pastries. The kitchen menu is a selection of larger breakfast items like the Full English Breakfast, Eggs Benedict, and Avocado Toast, among other items. Kitchen sweets are decadent pancakes, which we strongly recommend trying. No vacation is complete without a mimosa, and Roseate’s version is the Buck’s Fizz. 

Afternoon tea is served in the main dining room and on the terrace in the summer months. Available Monday through Sunday, this is a quintessential English tradition brought to life in a historic space. Henrietta Restaurant & Bar offers one of the best afternoon tea experiences in the area. 

In the evenings, patrons gather at Henrietta to get a taste of modern European cuisine. The starter menu includes terrines, prawns, pickled and otherwise prepared vegetable dishes, and a seasonal salad. The mains range from seafood to steak and naturally includes an English pie. For dessert, there are baked treats and cheese options.

Inside the Suite

The villa has 21 rooms and suites, each with a slightly different or completely unique decor. Each luxurious room is a combination of vintage decor charm with sophisticated modern finishes. In the room, guests will find flat screen TVs, Hypnos beds, goose down duvets and Egyptian cotton linen, robes and yoga mats tucked away in the closet. Water, coffee, tea, and biscuits are ready for guests in the cabinet above the fridge cabinet.

Luxury Junior and The Hideaway suites have large luxurious bathrooms with chic bathtubs, separate showers, heated floors, and a double vanity. The rest of the rooms have comfortable modern showers with the same luxurious finishes and bath supplies.

The comfortable rooms with friendly decor begin to quickly feel like home. It is tempting to spend the morning with a cup of tea, looking out into the garden or cosy up on a chair with a good book. 

Luxury Junior Suite, Roseate Villa Bath, UK. Above: sitting area and reading material. Below: Suite bathroom, bedroom, and yoga mat.

Roseate Villa Bath
Rooms starting at £165 / $285 CAD for a classic double
Henrietta Rd, Bathwick, Bath BA2 6LX, United Kingdom
Book directly on roseatehotels.com to take advantage of special offers. Roseate Villa Bath offers a mix of packages that include various experiences across Bath. 
Compare rate to: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor 

The post A restful weekend at Roseate Villa Bath appeared first on Paths to Travel.

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 
Cover image by Venancio Dionela.

Note on rates: CAD prices are taken from aggregators like Expedia and TripAdvisor; South Korean won rates are taken from hotel websites.

Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul

Banyan Tree is a luxurious spa resort with a tropical feel set at the foot of Namsan Mountain, a ten-minute drive from Seoul. This is a full-service resort focused on health and wellness. Facilities include Banyan Tree Spa and Gallery, sauna, fitness centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis court, golf course, and an ice rink. Guests and visitors can dine at the Granum Dining Lounge (seasonal menu), Festa by Choonghy (contemporary European), and grab a beverage at the Moon Bar. Members also have access to the Members’ Lounge and Club Members’ Restaurant.

Ninety per cent of rooms have a personal pool, and some rooms are built specifically for business travellers. Rooms range from Bayan Room to Banyan Suits (equipped with a bathtub) and a range of Pool rooms and suites. The suites have separate sitting areas, while the Presidential Suite is divided into a living area with a dining room, living room and a relaxation pool, and a bedroom with two beds and an ensuite bath. Walk-in closets and wall-to-wall views are standard in all room types.

60 Jangchungdan-ro, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea | Map link
Rooms starting at $470 CAD | ₩492 KRW
Book directly on banyantree.com to access special offers or your preferred booking site: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Hotels.com | Agoda

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

A luxury hotel located in the heart of Seoul, a short walk from major attractions. Guest amenities include three swimming pools, fitness facilities with group classes and weight training equipment, a sauna and a full-service spa, a barbershop and nail salon, and executive and kids’ lounges. Guests and visitors can dine at The Market Kitchen speciality restaurant, enjoy Italian food at Boccalino, Asian at Akira Back or MARU, or Chinese at Yu Yuan. The hotel also has a cocktail or two at the Charles H. secret bar and H. Bar, where you can indulge in a course-style cocktail experience. Make sure to check seasonal activities for special experiences.

Guest rooms feature a blend of modern and traditional decor, complete with top-of-the-line mattresses for a restful night’s sleep. Rooms range from Deluxe to Premier Family and speciality Suites. Standard Deluxe rooms are residential-style rooms, perfect for explorative city visits. Ambassador One-Bedroom Suite, on the other hand, accommodates three adults or two adults and two children, and has two bathrooms. All rooms have electronic lighting systems, have bedside controls for drapes, and can request a PlayStation/Xbox.

97 Saemunan-ro, Dangju-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea | Map link
Rooms starting at $616 CAD | ₩621,000 KRW
Book directly on fourseasons.com to access special offers or your preferred booking site: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor

L’Escape Hotel

The hotel is an attraction, an escape to Seoul and 19th-century Paris, inspired by the French architect Belle Époque. On-premises is a luxury spa, a stunning library, and a fitness facility. Dining options include contemporary, romantic restaurant L’AmantSecret, modern Chinese restaurant Palais de Chine, and a beautifully decorated Marqued’Amour bar.

The rooms are maximalist and romantic, decorated with canopy headboards, embroidered textiles, and clawfoot tubs. The rooms have voice-controlled curtains, lighting, and TV. Rooms range from Classic to Grand Deluxe and Suites. Guests who book suites gain access to the Le Escape Boutique Lounge, which includes breakfast and happy hour. The corner suite has a wrap-around window with a sitting room, while the Royal Suite and above have multiple rooms ideal for families and longer stays.

67 Toegye-ro, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea | Map link
Rooms starting at $329 CAD | ₩317,900 KRW
Book directly on lescapehotel.com to access special offers or your preferred booking site: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Hotels.com

L’Escape Hotel, images courtesy of the property.

Mondrian Seoul Itaewon

Located in Itaewon, Mondrian is a modern hotel with high-tech comfort rooms. One can easily get lost at the hotel, exploring the lobby Fores Zone, swimming at the Altitude Pool and Lounge or at the breathtaking indoor pool. The hotel also has a great fitness club, sauna, pilates room, golf range, and an actual arcade. Rooftopbar, Privelege, serves single-malt whiskeys and fine wines while Cleo restaurant is focused on Mediterranean cuisine, adopting Hollywood glamour. Mondrian Hotel also houses Blind Spot, open all day, serving teas and cocktails, and Rumpus Room, which has live jazz music on the weekends.

The rooms have been designed by an award-winning, Singapore-based interior design company, Asylum. They are airy and comfortable, with great amenities, including water purifiers, Bluetooth speakers, and in-suite rain showers. Rooms range from Signature King/Twin to large Suites with private terraces and dining rooms.

23 Jangmun-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea | Map link
Rooms starting at $222 CAD | ₩215,050 KRW
Book directly on mondrianhotels.com or All Accor to access special offers or your preferred booking site: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Hotels.com | Agoda

Mondrian Seoul Itaewon, images courtesy of the property.

Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador

Positioned on the banks of the Hangang River, the hotel is inspired by the interplay of art and nature, taking cues from historical poets and painters. Naturally, art can be seen throughout the property and is monumental to the space. The hotel has indoor and outdoor pools, a large fitness centre, spa and sauna. The lobby is set on the 20th floor, offering a spectacular view of the river. There are X dining areas at the hotel, including the Restaurant Voisin (Korean), Bar Voisin (Korean), Lounge & Deck (sweet treats, tea, and coffee), and an artisanal bakery, Mapo Eight.

The guest rooms are airy, with high ceilings and oversized windows. Rooms range from Superior to Family and Suites. Superior rooms are standard-sized hotel rooms and have a city view, while some of the suites have dual vistas and a terrace.

8 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea | Map link
Rooms starting $243 CAD | ₩263,340 KRW
Book directly on hotelnaruseoul.com to access special offers or your preferred booking site: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Hotels.com

Signiel Seoul

Landmark hotel, holding 2 Michelin keys, located near Seokchon Lake and Lotte World. The hotel is set across floors 76 to 101 of the Lotte World Tower and includes multiple dining options, a wedding hall, and a convention centre. The property offers four types of rooms, from basic suites to grand deluxe and presidential suites. Each beautifully decorated room offers an unparalleled view of the city. All rooms are fully stocked with basic and premium amenities, including bathrobes and complimentary mineral water.

The main restaurant, STAY, is led by a 3-Michelin-starred chef, Yannick Alléno. Additionally, the hotel also houses Bicena, a Michelin 1-star restaurant for a fresh interpretation of Korean cuisine, Bar 81, a premium bar with the largest champagne selection in Korea, and of course, a comfortable lounge. Guests have access to the Signiel Spa, sauna and indoor swimming pool, top-of-the-line fitness centre, and luxurious business facilities.

300 Olympic-ro, Songpa District, Seoul, South Korea | Map link
Rooms starting at $805 CAD | ₩511,830 KRW
Book directly on lottehotel.com to access special offers or your preferred booking site: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Hotels.com

The Shilla Seoul

Surrounded by greenery, The Shilla is set near Seoul Yeong Bin Gwan and Myeongdong Cathedral in the Myeong-dong neighbourhood. The hotel architecture is a mix of classic and contemporary architecture. The designer created guestrooms at the hotel range from standard to executive and suites, including the magnificent presidential room.

The property has luxurious meeting and event spaces, seven dining areas (five restaurants, two bars), and a bakery. Guests are also able to take advantage of the hotel’s indoor and outdoor pools, spacious gym, indoor sauna, jogging course, walking trails, business amenities, and even an indoor golf range. The outdoor pool area includes private cabanas, available by request.

249 Dongho-ro, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea | Map link
Rooms starting at $726 CAD | ₩ 748,000 KRW
Book directly on shilla.net to access special offers or your preferred booking site: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Hotels.com

Vista Walkerhill Seoul

The building feels like a blue glass sculpture nestled alongside the Hangang River, near Achasan Mountain in Gwangjin-gu. Vista Walkerhill is a wellness alternative to bustling city hotels. The hotel has a wellness club, sauna, indoor swimming pool, and a foot spa. On the 4th floor, guests will find the Skyard Botanic Garden, equipped with sunbeds, a yoga deck, and tea tables.

The rooms are bright and spacious, with modern facilities and a complimentary mini bar. Suite sizes range from Vista Deluxe to Studio and Presidential Suites. The most unique room, perhaps, is the Spa Suite, which has a large whirlpool facing a floor-to-ceiling riverview window. On site, guests can choose from a Buffet restaurant, Moegi serving traditional Japanese, Pizza Hill, or Myonwolgwan, serving Korean beef charcoal grill.

177 Walkerhill-ro, Gwangjin District, Seoul, South Korea | Map link
Rooms starting at $323 CAD | ₩ 308,550 KRW
Book directly on walkerhill.com to access special offers or your preferred booking site: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor

Find more hotels in Seoul

The post Eight unique hotels for your next visit to Seoul appeared first on Paths to Travel.

One can easily spend an entire week leisurely exploring Halifax, dedicating mornings to tourism attractions and evenings to sampling the city’s bites and sips. An ideal visit should take three to five days, topped up by a day or two if you include some day trips. But if a weekend is all you have, the city will still embrace you with open arms.

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 
This trip was hosted by Discover Halifax who did not review or approve this story.
All images by Kateryna Topol.

Do sleep in North End Halifax

North End Halifax isn’t far from the Downtown, but its wide range of offerings and unique atmosphere set a different scene from the city centre. Here, low-rise houses with decorative porches line the streets. The laidback energy calls for slow strolls around the neigbourhood, peaking into independent shops and cafes and enjoying meals outdoors. In the evening, the energy vibrates through the dimly lit windows of bars and restaurants where people pack in to enjoy some of the city’s best culinary experiences. Stay one, to two nights to properly enjoy the neigbourhood.

What to do in North End Halifax

Explore the Forth Needham Memorial Park and the Hydrostone neigbourhood, known for its’ circa-1920s row houses and the Hydrostone Market. Pop into the 14 Bells Fine Art Gallery before crossing over to Agricola. Slow stroll through Agricola Street, stopping by various boutique shops and get lost at the Halifax Vintage Co-op. Find unique housewares and decor at Isle at Ease or stationery at Cahier Stationery & Life Goods. Pick up a whole new outfit shopping across small local clothing stores like Sattva Boutique, Nor’easter Apparel, Slowly Slowly, and Meyvn Sustainable Apparel.

As you walk, pay attention to the many street art pieces found across North End Halifax, this can be its own guided tour. For a more active adventure, rent some skates and cruise around the Emera Oval.

Breakfast, lunch, or call it brunch

North End Halifax is home to many exciting restaurants, bars, and cafes, many of which are open during the day. But first, pick up a coffee at Rambler’s or Espresso 46 on the opposite side of the neigbourhood. Espresso 46 is ajesent to Warehouse Market, where crowds of locals come to stock up on fresh farm vegetables, baked goods, and butchery products.

Testing out the Happy Patina bifold wallet, handcrafted in Spain from natural full-grain leather. The wallet comes with an all-natural leather care kit, so it can last you a lifetime. The care and attention to detail that goes into the Happy Patina lineup of leather goods certainly made us do a double-take. From November 25th to December 3rd, 2025, customers can enjoy 15 % off all collections and complimentary gift wrapping.

Cucumber and Muffuletta sandwich, with mortadella, Genoa salami, and Swiss cheese.

Have a casual breakfast or lunch at Luke’s Small Goods, where tasty sandwiches are made among interesting pantry staples and baked goods. The menu might seem simple, but each sandwich is packed with flavour. Even the typically simple cucumber sandwich stood on par with fresh Italian cold cuts. Add chips and a pickle to any sando for two bucks. 

Opt-in for a sit-down lunch at Edna, nestled at the edge of the neighbourhood on Gottingen Street. This bistro has a cosy atmosphere with a laidback vibe, serves up seasonal menus from brunch to seafood suppers. The restaurant has been around for over a decade and has been award-winning from the start. Cafe Aroma Latino is a great alternative for those looking for a taste of Central American cuisine. This family restaurant and grocer offers a great selection of homemade dishes, handmade empanadas, and other tasty snacks. All art in the space is made by co-op students, and proceeds from sales are donated to the community.

Dylan Brentwood mixing up craft cocktails at Bar Kismet. On the table below is the Ahi Tuna Tartare with Allumettes Fries.

Dinners and nightcaps in North End Halifax

Bar Kismet is the spot that brings folks from Downtown to the North End nightly. This restaurant, set in a classic low-rise house with an appealing storefront, has made many lists: 50 Best, 100 Best, and even has a three-heart listing in the Frommer’s Guide. The backbar is packed with speciality spirits, the bar menu has a robust selection of craft cocktails and unique wines, and the kitchen efficiently preps mouthwatering fresh seafood and handmade pasta dishes. 

Down on Young Street, surrounded by neigbourhood restaurants, is The Ostrich Club, another fantastic dining destination located in Hydrostone Market. The restaurant is operated by an all-women team: GM and sommelier Alana Steel, Chef Moira Murray, and bar manager Lindsay Jones. Chef Moira was a contestant on the most recent season of Top Chef Canada (came in 2nd), and Lindsay is well known in the mixology scene as a talented competitive bartender. Naturally, the menu is a smooth blend of well-paired beverages and fine-tuned, intricately plated dishes. Every dish was delicious, but the Shrimp Dumpling is what people come back here for.

Here on Agricola Street, between shops and restaurants, you will also find Compass Distillers. The company started as a production facility but quickly pivoted to opening a bar and tasting room, inviting people in to see their beautiful copper stills and taste the product lineup. All spirits (gins, vodka, rum, whiskies) are made from Nova Scotian-grown grains and other raw ingredients, like sugar and molasses. The terrace and tasting room are a fun spot for a happy hour, whether you choose to taste the spirits or try one of the speciality cocktails. 

Mare Knight, bartender at Compass Distillers, walked us through a 4-pour tasting of in-house-made spirits. 

A local staple for late-night drinks and live music is the Narrows Public House. The pub is only three years old, but built with parts and memorabilia from other historic places, giving it a historic vibe. The Narrows is open all day and has a lush food menu, but it is the drinks, the stories, and the cask ale that people come here for. “This city used to be run by the Hell’s Angels, did you know?” the barkeep shared while pouring an Oban 14 dram for me, “Go on,” I leaned in. 

Bonus: If time is of the essence, but you’re looking to taste as much as possible, consider a walking food tour.

Where to stay in North Halifax

Brewery Park Hotel, located in the centre of the neigbourhood, is a great place to make home for the weekend. It is a self-catering style property built to blend into the classic Halifax architecture. There are King and Queen suites, all of which have comfortable platform beds, sitting areas, and a kitchenette, or what they call a wet bar. All units have beautiful wood finishes, spotlight local art, have plenty of storage, and large windows allowing the light to illuminate the unit. On the ground floor is the hotel’s front desk, open during office hours, where you can store your luggage.

Alternatively, there is a lovely boutique hotel called The Halifax Rooftop, which has an outdoor pool, rooftop terrace, and a sauna. 

Brewery Park Hotel
Rooms starting at $199 CAD per night
2853 Agricola St, Halifax, NS B3K 4E7
Book directly on brewerypark.ca or with your favourite booking website: Expedia | Booking.com | Hotels.com | TripAdvisor

The Halifax Rooftop
Rooms starting at $159 CAD per night for a Queen
3574 Acadia St, Halifax, NS B3K 3P4
Book directly on hfxrooftop.com or with your favourite booking website: Expedia | Hotels.com | TripAdvisor

Brewery Park Hotel, North End Halifax.

Halifax Harbour, views, playground, and the Tidal Beacon sculpture.

Halifax Harbour, Queen’s Marque district.

Level up in Downtown Halifax

Downtown Halifax stretches from the Public Gardens to the Waterfront. The look and feel of the neighbourhood changes as you move towards the water, from city living to casual harbour atmosphere. Each day spent in the city can be different, from historic explorations to casual evenings on the harbour or energetic nights out. Spend two, to three nights in the city centre. 

What to do in Halifax

Spend time in the Halifax Harbour

The Halifax Harbour is one of the deepest and largest ice-free natural harbours in the world. The boardwalk stretches 4.4 kilometres along the harbour, offering a serene view of the water on one side and bustling leisurely life on the other. Along the boardwalk are restaurants, resting areas, marinas with access to public boat tours, and public playgrounds. 

One of the newest developments in the Halifax Harbour is Queen’s Marque, a new waterfront neigbourhood encompassing residential units, a hotel, multiple restaurants, and a public square with a staircase descending into the water (entering the harbour is not recommended). Perched above the harbour, on top of Mystic Halifax, is a 60-foot art installation called Tidal Beacon. The sculpture is interactive and responds to tides, weather, and the surrounding environment.

A great way to experience the harbour is from the water. J Farwell operates public sailing tours directly from the harbour with five daily experiences to choose from (private charters are also an option). The Sunset Wine & Cheese Sail, for example, takes two-and-a-half hours of cruising around the harbour with a small group of guests. The experience includes a hosted tasting of four Nova Scotia wines accompanied by a loaded cheese and meats board ($176 pp). The Beneteau Oceanis 45 yacht sails along the narrows of the Northwest Arm, where you can see beautiful coastal homes, the shipyards, and if you get lucky, even some porpoises leaping out of the silky water.  

J Farwell Sailing Tours
Book on jfsailingtours.com 
Tours starting at $56 per adult

Walk and learn in Downtown Halifax

The interior heart of the city is at the Halifax Public Gardens, a Victorian-era garden built in the year of Canadian Confederation (1867). Across the park, you will find fountains, statues, gazebos, and a dahlia flower garden. Plenty of wildlife swims in the garden’s pond, unencumbered by the human visitors the ducks often nestle along the walking paths. Free public tours are available by reservation. 

Another notable historic stop is, of course, the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. The site is a star-shaped fortress overlooking the city and the harbour from a hill. Here, visitors can learn about the military history of Halifax or go on a ghost tour, whichever fits their travel mood most. Keep an ear out for the daily cannon fire at 12 PM, a ritual performed since 1857. 

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
5425 Sackville St | Map link
Citadel admission starting at $9 per adult in shoulder season
Some of the grounds are free to explore.

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

On the left, Maud Lewis’ home at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. On the right, sculpture in front of the gallery.

For a cultural break, visit the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The gallery museum houses an impressive Indigenous collection of arts, Ta’n a’sikatikl sipu’l | Confluence, which occupies an entire floor and includes seasonal showcases. In addition to the permanent collection and touring shows, the Art Gallery is also home to Nova Scotia’s favourite artist, Maud Lewis, whose tiny house can be seen inside the space. 

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
1723 Hollis St | Map link
Admission: $13.16/adult 

If you find yourself in Halifax on a Saturday, make sure to visit the Alexander Keith’s Brewery Market. Set in a historic brick building, the market is a city staple for locals and tourists alike. Sixty-five vendors set up shop weekly, offering farm produce, prepared meals, baked goods, art and other locally produced goods. Chefs, shoppers, and tourists can be seen in the market side by side, packing their totes while live music is playing in the background. 

Bonus: Pop into the new-ish Halifax Central Library to soak in the architecture and get a different perspective on the city from the higher-up floors and the terrace.

Lunch on Daryâ’s waterfront terrace, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Any time meals in Downtown Halifax

When on vacation, a leisurely meal is always recommended, and Halifax’s culinary scene is here to provide. Begin the day with a pop-in at the Two If By Sea Cafe, Weird Harbour Espresso Bar, Coffeeology Espresso Co, or Terra Cafe for your morning coffee kick and a breakfast pastry. 

Take the afternoon meal break at Queen’s Marque’s many restaurants. Daryâ, for example, is located directly on the harbour. The restaurant has a spacious outdoor terrace and beautifully decorated interior with a menu focused on Mediterranean cuisine. Bar Sofia, on the other hand, is focused on sharing plates, taking inspiration from the traditional Argentinian kitchen. Drift is open from early breakfast to late-night meals. This menu is focused on regional ingredients and the community behind them.

Set on the far end of the Halifax Harbour, Water Polo is a destination in its own right. The restaurant opened over a year ago, but this year they opened the outdoor terrace. Exiting directly onto the boardwalk, with an unobstructed view of Georges Island, the restaurant has a French Riviera feel, intentionally set with nautical decor. This landmark seafood restaurant offers a robust selection of fresh seafood meals (and some turf, of course), from decadent sushi rolls to seafood towers and grilled specialities. The cocktail menu is equally exciting, putting forward interesting takes on the classics.

Lunch at Water Polo, Halifax: Shrimp cocktail, sushi roll, and a Sea-Sar cocktail, Waterpolo’s interpretation of a Caesar with lobster oil-washed Ketel One Vodka.

Memorable dining moments

The main culinary attraction in Halifax is Mystic, positioned directly in Queen’s Marque, under the Tidal Beacon sculpture. The restaurant is built into the environment with floor-to-ceiling windows blending the dining room with the harbour. The restaurant operates like a fine-tuned musical instrument, with every team member moving in effortless synergy. At the centre of the room is an open kitchen where every dish is artfully plated with steady hands and kitchen tweezers.

Mystic’s menu is created by Chef Malcolm Campbell, who sharpened his skills across multiple Michelin-starred kitchens, from Gordon Ramsay’s Hospital Road to Auberge de l’Ile Barbe (Lyon, France). The menu, split into Fauna and Biota, uses ingredients sourced from local farmers and producers or foraged by the restaurant’s team. Chef Campbell is often seen at the Saturday market, picking out ingredients for the weekend, while some members of the restaurant team forage daily.

Guests have an option of ordering a la carte or letting the kitchen guide them through a blind tasting, known as the Discovery Menu. Seated in the galley, you will get a front-row seat to the kitchen orchestra. This menu changes daily, and every dish feels personal, especially when paired with the sommelier’s wine selections. Each Discovery Menu opens with an amuse-bouche, a teaser of what’s to come.

Mystic Halifax, front entrance, interior, and one of the wine bottles paired with the Discovery Menu.

A few courses from the Mystic Halifax Discovery Menu, created by Chef Malcolm Campbell.

Happy hours and liquid libations 

Between lunches and dinners are happy hours and nightcaps, and a visit to a new city should not be wasted on repeat stops. With a 4-6 PM happy hour, Obladee wine bar is a popular spot among locals. This casual wine bar is focused on sustainable and low-intervention wines, served alongside a full kitchen menu, so it can be your complete evening stop. 

Highwayman, on the other hand, is an energetic, happening spot most know for its cocktails. This 40-seat restaurant is set in a historic building and made world news when bar manager Keegan McGregor won the World Class Global Bartender of the Year title in Diageo’s Global World Class competition in 2024. The craft cocktails are paired with seasonally fresh Spanish tapas and pintxos.

Back in the Halifax Harbour is Peacock Wine Bar, which opens at 4 PM, just in time for the early peckish mood. The restaurant has an impressive wine selection accompanied by a chef-driven menu of small plates and homemade pastas. Fresh pints of Guinness and casual banter can always be found at the Old Triangle Irish Alehouse. Beer fans can join an Alexander Keith’s Brewery tour, spend an afternoon at the Stillwell Beergarden (seasonal), or taste some local small brews at 2 Crows Brewing Co..

On the left Paloma at Highwayman, on the right, a glass of wine and wall art at the Obladee wine bar.

Where to stay in Downtown Halifax

The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites, across from the public gardens, offers classic hotel luxury in the heart of the city. This historic property has great amenities, an on-premises pub, and offers guest passes to the nearby YMCA (for the pool). The rooms range from petite to classic queen and one-bedroom suites. All rooms are well-equipped and comfortable, while the suites are ideally suited for longer stays, offering privacy of a separate sitting area, large walk-in closets and a mini wet bar.

For a luxury escape on the waterfront, look at Hotel Muir, located in the new Queen’s Marque district. The hotel has a secret bar, multiple restaurants, elevated fitness facilities, a spa, and even offers car service for the guests. 

The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites
Rooms starting at $152 CAD per night 
1515 South Park St, Halifax, NS B3J 1G9
Book directly on lordnelsonhotel.ca to save 15% or access packages. Compare prices with Expedia | Booking.com | Hotels.com | TripAdvisor

Muir, Autograph Collection
Rooms starting at $320 CAD per night for one King
1709 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS B3J 1S5
Book on marriott.com or with your favourite booking website: Expedia | Booking.com | Hotels.com | TripAdvisor

The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites, images from the One Bedroom Suite.

The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites, images from the mezzanine event space.

Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse and Village, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Daytrips from Halifax

A must-visit to Peggy’s Cove 

Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse and Village are perhaps the most popular tourism attraction in Halifax. This can be a half-day or a full-day visit if you are open to adding a hike to your agenda. Visitors can explore the village, stroll along the shore, settle in for a picnic, or grab a seafood chowder at the Sou’Wester Gift & Restaurant Company Ltd.. If time permits, walk the Crystal Crescent Beach coastal loop to Pennant Point (10km) or choose one of the biking and hiking trails nearby. 

Getting to Peggy’s Cove: Rent a car, take a taxi ($80-$100 each way), or join one of many available tours. 

Visit local wineries 

A lesser-known fact about Halifax, and Nova Scotia, is that it has a wonderful wine region, well-positioned for white and sparkling wines. The region actually has a signature white wine varietal, called Tidal Bay, a crisp, fresh, aromatic wine made from 100% Nova Scotia-grown grapes (specific varietals). An hour and change drive will take you directly into the vineyards.

Benjamin Bridge is the local pride and joy, bottles of which you will likely spot in most restaurants and on the sunset sail. Recently certified as a B Corp, this is a family-owned farm winery open for visits year-round. In the summer months, the winery has a wonderful outdoor terrace, while the cold winters are embraced with winter vineyard adventures, firepits, and holiday lights. 

Tip: Join the Benjamin Bridge newsletter to be notified of their rare but fantastic cellar days.

Ten minutes away is Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards, which also makes for a great lunch stop. Another local favourite with a spectacular view and a great selection of German-style wines. This family-owned farm vineyard practices biodynamic viticulture, producing minimal intervention wines. Make sure to try it if you see it on a restaurant menu.

Farm-to-table lunch and wine tasting at Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards, Halifax.

Getting to Halifax

Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) is a half-hour drive from the city (plus-minus depending on the traffic) or an hour by transit. Taxi is always an option, but the public transit actually works quite well. The bus stop at the airport is well marked. Regional Express 320 will take you Downtown ($4.75 cash, see schedule).

The post Don’t sleep on Halifax for your next urban escape appeared first on Paths to Travel.

Interesting fact: The country is a monarchy and has been a grand duchy since 1815. Currently, the country is led by Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg. According to the Royal Central, “Luxembourg is the only Grand Duchy with the House of Nassau reigning since 1890”.

Luxembourg City, despite its naturally small size, is a showcase of the vast history and influences of the neighbouring countries. It is a multicultural city filled with UNESCO World Heritage monuments, museums, and beautiful neighbourhoods that often feel like their own cities. There is also a wealth of cultural activities to explore.

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 
All images by Kateryna Topol.

Local basics

Currency: Euro

Language: As a country landlocked by France, Germany, and Belgium, Luxembourg is a place of many languages. Luxembourgish, French, and German are official languages, but many people, at least in the city, also speak English. 

When to visit: July and August are the warmest months and therefore the highest tourist peak season. I visited in October and aside from the rain, the weather was quite lovely. Turning leaves creates a poetic fall atmosphere.

Public transit: Luxembourg public transit is free across the country and has been so since 2020. There are buses and streetcars moving around the city, including a line which loops through the shopping village (Ville Haute). Find maps and connections on Mobiliteit.lu app or on the transit website. Most stops also have extensive system maps.

Sightseeing tip: Some of the attractions are free to enter on certain days. Quite a few are included in the LuxembourgPass; check your wishlist against the pass inclusions. Pass fees start at €21 per person for one-day access and go up to €66 for 3-5 people for three-day access.

Adolphe Bridge exterior on the left, exterior on the right.

Luxembourg’s walking paths

The city can be easily explored on foot with casual coffee and snack stops sprinkled between sightseeing and entertainment. Twenty Tour company offer free guided walking tours, but if you choose to go on a self-guided walking tour, a great place to start is on Boulevard Royal at the foot of Adolphe Bridge. The bridge is a double-decked arch bridge that serves as a one-way route for road traffic across the Pétrusse. The view from the bridge is quite wonderful, and if you take the underpassageway, the scenery will be framed by brick arches.

Take a stroll through Place Guillaume II, a town square in the heart of the Ville Haute quarter. In the winter, the square houses one of the city’s Christmas Markets. If timing works out, pop into Notre-Dame de Luxembourg, to take in the tall arched roof and stained glass windows.

Most walking paths will also lead you to the Gëlle Fra memorial and Place de la Constitution, or as the locals call her, The Golden Lady. The monument is set in memory of those who perished in WWI. The square sits on the edge of a wall, looking over Parcs de la Pétrusse, travelling theme parks, farmers’ markets, and the annual Christmas market set up here, at the Golden Lady’s feet. 

Galeries Lafayette is a shopping centre, but at the top of the shopping centre is a spacious outdoor terrace with a restaurant and a sprawling view of the city. Last summer, the terrace cafe was set up by Veuve Clicquot, yellow umbrellas reflecting the sun. 

Gëlle Fra memorial and Place de la Constitution.

Above: The Grund neigbourhood during the day. Below: Grund city gate and the neigbourhood at sunset.

Experience the remnants of the old city

A visit to the Grund quarter is a must, this part of the city is set below the Downtown. The Grund is a UNESCO cultural and architectural heritage site and home to many locals. Here you will find restaurants, pubs, museums, and outdoor art galleries. Partially surrounded by the old city walls, the Grund feels like a charming historic village with pastel-coloured homes with charcoal roofs curving along the Alzette River. The easiest way to access the Grund is by using the elevator near Cité Judiciaire. The observation deck near the elevator offers a picturesque view of the Grund. From here, you can walk along the wall to the other side of the city, looking down at the Grund. 

While here, you can visit the Neimënster Abbey, which now operates as a cultural and conference centre. Various events take place in the Pais (square) of the abbey throughout the year, and sometimes the entire square can be a temporary art installation. 

Casemates du Bock will take you into the rock tunnels surrounding the Grund, one of the most important historical points in Luxembourg. This is a subterranean defence system made up of many kilometres of tunnels, which you can walk through on your own, stopping to look out through the windows onto the city. 

Casemates du Bock
10 Montee de Clausen, 1343 Grund, Luxembourg | Map link
Admission: €10 adults, €18 for a guided tour

In the Grund, you will also find the National Museum of Natural History (MNHNL), which, as the name suggests, contains a collection of special exhibits focused on nature and science. The collections include botanical, mineralogy, meteorites and tektites, palaeontology, and many more. 

National Museum of Natural History
25 Rue Münster, 2160 Grund Luxembourg | Map link
Admission: €7 adults, free on Tuesday evenings after 5:30 PM

Galleries, museums & Monuments

National Art & History Museum (MNHA, or Nationalmusée um Fëschmaart) is the city’s art and history museum with a large archaeological collection. What looks like a white cube from the outside is combined with an older structure, which houses older art and artefacts. The building is set in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, so you will likely walk by it more than once. 

Nationalmusée um Fëschmaart
Marché-aux-Poissons, 2345, Luxembourg | Map link
Admission: Free entry for permanent collection, temporary exhibitions €7 adults, free after 5 PM on Thursdays. Closed on Mondays. 

National Art & History Museum, Luxembourg City.

Left: National Art & History Museum. Right: Grand Ducal Palace.

Nearby, you will undoubtedly see the Grand Ducal Palace, which serves as the residence and official workplace of the Grand Duke. Guided tours are offered in the summer months. 

Luxembourg City History Museum (or Lëtzebuerg City Museum) is a fun and interactive way to learn about the city’s history. The permanent exhibit, The Luxembourg Story, is quite fascinating, looking back at the history from the 10th century to today. Temporary exhibitions range from historic to cultural, looking at topics beyond Luxembourg City. The museum also offers a mix of workshops, if you’d like to get creative on your trip. The museum is larger than it seems and can easily take up multiple hours. Don’t miss the outdoor terrace for the view. 

Lëtzebuerg City Museum
14 Rue du St Esprit, 1475 Ville-Haute | Map link
Admission: €5 adults, free on Thursdays after 6 PM

Above left: Luxembourg City History Museum seen from the Grun, right is the view from the museum terrace. Below: images from inside the museum.

Art lovers will also enjoy a visit to Villa Vauban, home to a collection of European art pieces from the 17th to 19th century and Luxembourgish art from the 20th century to today. The building is surrounded by the Municipal Park of Luxembourg, which occasionally has interesting pop-ups with live music and a temporary bar.

Villa Vauban
18 Av. Emile Reuter, 2420 Ville-Haute Luxembourg | Map link
Admission: €5 adults, free on Fridays after 6 PM

Mudam Luxembourg Museum is a new structure within an old structure, or rather, surrounded by the remains of it. It is a great, medium-sized museum that features a range of touring contemporary exhibitions and a permanent collection. The building itself is quite beautiful, with geometric shapes making it look like a crystal from certain angles. 

Photo tip: On the way to the Mudam, you will also pass Philharmonie Luxembourg with the large Luxembourg sign.

Mudam Museum of Modern Art
3 Park Drai Eechelen, 1499 Clausen, Luxembourg | Map link
Admission: €10 adults, free Wednesdays after 6 PM

Mudam Museum of Modern Art.

Municipal Park of Luxembourg, summer pop-up bar and play areas.

Bonus stop off-the-beaten-path: Coque Sports Center (D’Coque). This spaceship-looking structure is the national sports and cultural centre. The centre houses various fitness facilities and a (nude) spa; day passes are available for visitors. The building is surrounded by a lovely park, playground, and a maze garden.

Coque Sports Center
2 Rue Léon Hengen, 1745 Kirchberg | Map link

Entertinament & nightlife 

As with any major city, something is happening in Luxembourg throughout the year. The VisitLuxembourg app is a great way to learn about daily happenings, from large events to small comedy pop-ups.

Weekdays across the city can be a little quiet. But on the weekends, the city centre is overcome with life, with people mingling across bars and restaurants, often spilling out on the streets in every weather. In the winter, multiple Christmas Markets are set up in the city, and you can visit more than one per day. Each market has a selection of prepared food and beverage vendors and speciality shops. With music playing, these markets become makeshift bars for people looking to escape their regular social spots.

Tip: Most bars will take a deposit on a mug, which you can reuse throughout the market and return for change when you are done.

Munchies Burger Luxembourg.

Locally created pastry, Pâté de Riesling at Pâtisserie Hoffmann.

Where to eat & Drink in Luxembourg

A fun way to get a taste of any new city is with a walking Food Tour, and Luxembourg has one, operated by a local company, Sightseeing.Lu. On this food tour, you will learn about local specialities and visit some of the oldest restaurants.

Plenty of restaurants are scattered throughout Luxembourg City, some casual, some elevated, and many family-owned. 

Rôtisserie Ardennaise, for example, offers fine dining French cuisine while Max + Moritz across the street serve delicious shareable small plates. Brasserie Restaurant L’Hêtre Beim Musée, is a great spot for an elevated meal with wine service. Nearby is Bar Lady Jane, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar on the upper floor (password can be found on their Facebook page). 

If you are looking for cocktails, look at The 18th Bar at Hotel Place d’Armes and Paname, whose bartender, François Bachmann, recently competed in the Diageo Global World Class Finals. Head to The Spirit, Kaale Kaffi, BARBAR or the Tube for a more casual vibe. 

For casual meals and snacks, visit Pâtisserie Hoffmann or Kaempff-Kohler for pastries and traditional Luxembourgish snacks, Munchies Burger for a juice burger, Nnert de Steiler for traditional hearty meals, or Restaurant Himalaya for hearty Indian food. 

Boutique Léa Linster Delicatessen specialises in freshly-baked madelines, served with local Crémant or coffee, is an absolute must for a sweet treat. The cafe is located steps away from the Grand Ducal Palace.

Day trips

Luxembourg is a small country and within 30 minutes or under, you can get to a wide variety of activities, from visiting castles to the wine routes along the Moselle River and multi-day hiking trails. Half an hour out of the city, for example, you will find Haff Réimech and Biodiversum nature reserve. A cluster of ponds and lakes connected with mixed paths and fields form a protected wildlife heaven. The main structure is quite futuristic-looking, simultaneously blending in with the environment through materials and standing out due to its stark, dark shape. 

Visitors can learn about local wildlife and sustainability in the centre, hike or bike across the biosphere (easy paths) or take a moment bird watching from a designated cabin above one of the small lakes. 

Haff Réimech and Biodiversum
5 Breicherwee, 5441 Rëmerschen Schengen, Luxembourg | Map link 

Réimech and Biodiversum nature reserve.

More day trip ideas from Luxembourg City

The views & flavours of the Luxembourg wine country

In pictures: A quick walk through the Mullerthal Trail, Luxembourg

Go back in time touring Luxembourg’s castles & medieval villages

Find a hotel in Luxembourg

The post Double-take on the small but mighty Luxembourg appeared first on Paths to Travel.

Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford, turned 1111 this year. Founded in 914 AD by Vikings, it is the country’s oldest urban centre and while Dublin has outgrown it vastly since, Waterford is an important heritage stop in Ireland’s history. 

Stretching along the Atlantic coast, County Waterford encompasses scenic coastal villages, notable historic cities, and breathtaking rocky beaches. The wine capital of Ireland and the birthplace of St Patrick’s Parade, Waterford’s deep history serves as a backdrop for everything in the region, but the personality of the city is found in its people, gathering in its many pubs over hearty food and (mostly) cold pints.

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 
The trip was hosted by Visit Waterford; the DMO did not review or approve this story.
All images by Kateryna Topol.

Waterford Marina Hotel, Waterford, Ireland.

The Viking beginnings and the tall tales of Waterford 

Waterford is set on the shore of River Suir, connecting the two river banks by an arched bridge. The river flows through 185 kilometres of County Tipperary and County Waterford before entering the Celtic Sea section of the Atlantic Ocean (Muir Cheilteach in Irish). Despite the distance, on a nice weather day, you might be lucky enough to see dolphins from the terrace of the Waterford Marina Hotel, a newly renovated boutique hotel we called home during this visit. 

The historic centre is just a block away from the river, made up of a museum cluster, The Viking Triangle, and cobblestone side streets dotted with beautiful pubs, storefronts, and restaurants. We meet our Epic Walking Tour guide on the steps of the Cathedral Square, joined by couples and families from around the world. Pivoting through the city streets, we walk through a thousand years of history, passing through the old city gates, pausing in the Viking Triangle, and hearing often comedic stories behind other monuments, dating back to 1190 AD. 

Epic Guided Walking Tour
Tour times: 12 PM, 2 PM and 4 PM daily
Duration: 45 minutes
Tickets: Adults: €10 | Children under 16: Free 
The tour is included in the Freedom of Waterford Pass
Book on waterfordtreasures.com or Get Your Guide
A fun alternative is The Bridgerton Tour, focused on the history and scandalous affairs of the Bishop’s Palace. 

On the left: Our Epic Tour guide standing next to the 23-meter-long Dragon Slayer Sword, hand-carved from a giant Douglas fir tree, depicting the Viking history of the city. On the right, Strongbow and Aoife sculpture, a tale of an epic love story from the days when no woman can be forced into a marriage she didn’t want to be a part of. 

For many years, Waterford was the trading centre of Ireland, and much of this history is shared through its museum cluster: Medieval Museum (aka  Waterford Treasures Museum), Bishop’s Palace, The Irish Museum of Time, and The Irish Silver Museum – all included in the Freedom of Waterford Pass.

The epicentre of Irish wine trade

Many of the museums and city buildings include a portion of the old city wall. The Medieval Museum, which contains perhaps the biggest piece, is where we step into a dim wine cellar to learn about the city’s wine trade. This bit of history I was not expecting, and was abruptly stumped by the wine trade displays, we are on an island, after all. My mind haze was interrupted by Donnchadh O Ceallachain, the museum keeper, who summarised the important bits of it all, guiding me through the building, sharing stories, pointing out artefacts, and architectural quirks.  

While no wine was produced on the island, tons of it were imported by ships from Rome, Greece, France, and other European regions. For a time, wine was used as currency by Vikings to pay off their Irish overlord, King Brian Boru. As the city grew, the business of wine became synonymous with its politics. Gascony wine merchant Eymar de Godard, for example, held the mayoral role four times, starting in 1304. A century later, another wine merchant, Peter Rice, became a three-time mayor, passing the leadership torch to his son James, who held on to that position for eleven terms. 

At the time, water quality was incredibly unhealthy, making wine a safe hydration choice and Waterford the greatest importer of wine in Ireland. Remnants of wine history are on display at the Medieval Museum in Peter Rice’s wine cellar, while a 13th-century stone-vaulted wine vault was recently found completely intact under the Bishop’s Palace.

Medieval Museum, Waterford, Ireland, is seen above and below. In the middle is one of the remaning city gates.

History through artefacts

The remaining two floors of the Medieval Museum show the dark and joyful centuries of Waterford’s history, the false kings, religious prosecutions, and civil war rebels. The rest of the museums are much smaller, each with its own niche focus. The Irish Museum of Time, for example, houses an impressive collection of clocks and watches, with 600+ timepieces on display and in the vaults. This visit can be a short stroll or hours spent examining the intricate ticking creations.

Reginald’s Tower and the Viking boat at its foot are the most popular attractions in the city. The tower was built in three stages and had many lives begining as a Viking fort, the strongest point of the medieval defensive walls. Over the years, it served as a mint, a storage facility for instruments of war, and for about 50 years operated a women’s prison on the top floor. Nicknamed “the ballroom” because of the less-than-ideal temperature conditions (women would dance to stay warm), the prison has many unique stories, including one of Meg Collender, who frequented the Ballroom 150 times for drunk and disorderly. 

At the foot of the tower is a replica Viking Long Boat, called Vadrafjordr, the Viking name for Waterford. The longboat is modelled after the famous Viking ships found at Roskilde, in Denmark, one of which was built in Ireland using Irish oak. The boat was not built for use on water, merely for skills training and decorative purposes. But according to our tour guide, Vadrafjordr had its moment at sea during a Winter Festival a few years back, carrying Santa across the river, slowly sinking en route.

Whether you choose a walking tour or to explore the city on your own, the promise is 1,000 years of history in 1,000 paces, leaving you enough time in the day to take a leisurely lunch break and a lengthy dinner. 

Freedom of Waterford Pass
Includes five attractions and the walking tour
Adults: €18 | Children under 16: Free
Purchase on waterfordtreasuresbookings.com.

Reginald’s Tower and the Vadrafjordr Viking boat, Waterford, Ireland.

Displays and a window at The Irish Museum of Time, Waterford, Ireland.

The Reg, Waterford. Below on the right is an example of one of the Sallyports boots.

Everything happens in the pub

Upon arrival in Dublin, I was met by a local travel community friend who naturally recommended a gathering at the pub. As a novice to Irish pubs, I followed him through the busy streets past many pubs until we reached the acceptable, less-touristy option. In County Waterford, there are no touristy pubs. 

Irish pubs are generationally family-owned community hubs offering live music, fantastic food, and uniquely maximalist decor. Stunning from inside out, similar in feel yet uniquely different from one another, each pub is a reflection of the community it serves. 

Tucked away behind the Reginald’s Tower is The Reg, built around the 900-year-old medieval City Wall. This pub is an institution, split into multiple areas across two floors. The main dining room is respectfully designed to include two Sallyports – stone arches previously used as passages, now converted into dining booths, bringing guests literally inside the City Wall.

Taking a brief break from examining the historic decor and robust whisky selection, I locked my eyes on the menu. Salads, seafood, chicken wings, duck, and Katsu chicken curry … I felt my eyes grow bigger than my stomach, finally landing on Prawns, Pimentro, and Chorizo as a starter and Dunmore Seafood Pie as the main. This was going to be a meal to beat, we both agreed, ending dinner with local whisky. 

The prawn starter at The Reg was an immediate hit, flavourful, fresh, and with a hint of spice, it’s a dish I could eat weekly. And then there was the fluffy mashed potato pie with gratinated cheese, blanketing the decadent seafood mix, the thought of which still makes me salivate. 

The Reg offers live music nightly, and in the summer, they host The Churchyard Sessions in the nearby square every Saturday and a few select Fridays, bringing the pub and live music outside. Up until recently, Waterford was also home to Waterford Distillery, which unfortunately had to close recently, but a few bottles of it are still available on the shelves at local pubs. If you spot one, definitely give it a try.

On the opposite end of the city is a cluster of smaller pubs: Tully’s Bar Waterford, Thomas Maher Bar, and J. & K. Walsh Victorian Spirit Grocer. Establishments in Ireland close earlier than those in Canada and closing hours found on Google might not match the real hours. On this particular weeknight, J. & K. Walsh Victorian Spirit Grocer was shut by 10 PM, and the rest followed within the hour. “But then, there is the lock-in,” locals kept insisting in mixed conversations, a term for when the closing time comes, but you get to stay back with the barkeep behind closed doors.

Our nightcap route led to the Thomas Maher Bar, an 1886 long pub with an enclosed terrace out back. A few small wooden chairs and tables lined against the wall face the traditional wood bar stocked top to bottom with whisky, top shelf lined with dusty vintage Guinness bottles. 

Before Guinness was served on draft in the 80s, each pub did their own bottling. Barrels of Guinness were shipped across the country to be poured, bottled, labelled, and stored for 28 days before service in each pub. Thomas Maher has a longstanding Guinness relationship and still offer small batch pours at the pub, most of which, according to the barkeep, is preferred at room temperature by local Guinness drinkers. 

Having made friends with a regular pub patron, neither of us quite noticed when the doors locked. “Every drunken pub conversation will end with a discussion of its turbulent history,” I read somewhere days after, and that is exactly what happened today. From small talk to travel talk, to beer talk and tasting, we covered a lot of ground with our new Irish friends. “Have you done the Copper Coast Drive?” he asked, “Tomorrow!” I couldn’t hide the excitement. “Oh, well, happy days then,” he commented.  

Traditional bottled Guinness, served at room temperature at Thomas Maher Bar, Waterford. Thomas Maher Bar interior decor and backbar.

An afternoon garden break 

With a new day comes a new adventure, and this is a short drive from the city, at Mount Congreve Gardens and Country Estate. Mount Congreve House, built in 1760, is home to six generations of the Congreve family. A project of Ambrose Congreve, the garden works began in the 1950s and were inspired by Exbury Gardens in Southampton (UK). Today, the Mount Congreve Gardens is the largest private collection of plants in the world, often described as the “Great Garden of the World”. The garden collection has plants from every continent, weaving through the property in intricate walking paths, occasionally mimicking a rainforest. The feel and scent of the gardens change seasonally with flowering plants making an annual membership worthy of serious consideration. 

The Stables Café at Mount Congreve Gardens is tucked away behind the gift shop with a sunny terrace looking out at the greenery. Open daily for breakfast and lunch The Stables is an award-winning cafe offering meals prepared with fresh, local produce (including some grown on the property) by Chef Jean-Baptiste (JB) Dubois. Seated by a round window, sun streaming through the webbed glass, our expectations were met and exceeded by the decadent Stables Quiche (with a side of a tomato basil soup) and the chicken and bacon sandwich served on a house-baked bun. 

Guests can now stay on the property at the self-catering Gate Lodge one of the other rental properties on the garden grounds.

Mount Congreve Gardens and Country Estate
Adults: €11.50 | Senior & student €10 | Children under 16: Free
Included in the Waterford Weekend Pass
Adults: €23.60 | Children under 16: Free
Purchase on mountcongrevebookings.com

White port spritz and a few interior images of the The Stables Café at Mount Congreve Gardens, Waterford. 

Taking the slow route to Dungarvan

While there are many quaint towns and villages you can add to this road trip, one that fits perfectly is Dungarvan. Connected to Waterford by a scenic coastal route and Waterford Greenway the two cities are deeply interconnected.

Copper Coast Drive begins from a nearby town of Tramore and runs the 25km stretch to Dungarvan. If time permits, one could spend multiple days travelling along the coast, staying overnight in various small towns and spending slow afternoons at the beach. At the top of the route is a UNESCO Global Geopark where interactive displays and installations can provide context for the magnificent beauty about to unfold. 

Being a bit restricted on such luxuries we made a few strategic stops in search of that epic Irish scenery you see on Pinterest boards and travel brochures. A quick stop with a short walk around Tankardstown Engine House offered a preview of the view but it is the beach stops that really take your breath away. With ten beach and cove stops to choose from, decisions had to be made quickly. Accommodating brisk walks and mini hikes along the shore, taking a moment to soak in the smell of fresh salty water, we stopped at Ballydwan Beach, Stradbally Cove, and perhaps the most secluded of them all, Clonea Beach. The coast is shaped by undersea volcanoes and shifting deserts, carving caves in black rock and giving root to lush greenery, setting contrast to the deep blue water in the distance. Each stop has something unique to offer, be it a wide rocky beach or a picturesque viewpoint. 

The Park Hotel, Leisure Centre & Holiday Homes, Dungarvan, Ireland.

A leisurely stay in Dungarvan

On first glance, Dungarvan felt immediately smaller but as time past, the city showed us its many layers. For the night, we settled in at The Park Hotel, Leisure Centre & Holiday Homes, located on the outer perimeter of the city. Owned and operated by the Flynn family, Park Hotel is an elegant Georgian estate with a mix of hotel rooms and holiday rentals. On the property, guests have access to Meladon Bar & Brasserie (open quite late), The Garden Bar & Terrace, and Riverside Health Club, open to members and hotel residents. 

A short walk into the city centre revealed to us another selection of colourful pubs. With a few minutes to spare before dinner, my partner insisted on grabbing a pint of Guinness at Merrys Gastro Pub. Yet another cosy pub with beautiful decor, friendly service, and delicious food, this easily could have been the stop for the night.

360 Cookhouse, just across the street, is a popular fine dining and celebration destination. The restaurant has a homey atmosphere with family-friendly decor, mixed sitting areas, and an airy garden room out back. The menu is seasonal and accompanied by cask wine options (in addition to the standard bar selections). In no time our mains hit the table: Aged Prime Hereford Sirloin Steak and shrimp tomato pasta. Neatly plated, both dishes were flavourful and perfectly cooked, giving us just a teaser of Dungarvan flavours. 360 Cookhouse is also home to The Dungarvan Comedy Club, something we’ll have to experience on the next visit. 

This culinary corner of Dungarvan is only a couple of blocks away from the city centre. To the side of it is the Dungarvan Harbour, with its own set of establishments, a perfect spot to watch the sunset. In the main city square, locals split their budgets between Nagle’s Bar and The Local, both of which have spacious outdoor terraces. The walls in The Locals longbar are decorated edge to edge with old posters, Guinness advertisements, street signs, and other vintage memorabilia. The band take the booth by the bar, gathering friends and neighbours for a nightly performance. 

The energy changes significantly in the morning, especially on market days with vendors from across the county setting up shops in the square. Along the perimeter, people gather for coffee at X35 and Cass & Co., which fronts a large home and housewares shop. Tucked away on a narrow street is Dún Artisan Bakery, which by 11 AM was already feeling sparse on pastries. Croissant and Foccacia sandwich in hand, we took one last loop around Dungarvan, taking in its vibrant energy, knowing that the next time we visit, the city will be bigger and even more vibrant than it feels today. 

Getting to Waterford

The closest international airport is Dublin Airport (DUB). After that, renting a car is your best option to see the scenic Ireland. Driving the M9 highway from Dublin, you will cut through the island in about two hours, depending on the traffic. The M11 coastal route is more scenic and, without stops, can take about two-and-a-half hours. However, if you choose this route, consider making stops along the way in notable seaside villages and towns like Greystones, Wicklow, and Arklow. Extend this route by staying along the shore all the way to Wexford, and leave time to explore the shore. 

The post Happy days in Waterford, from Irish pubs to Viking history and scenic drives appeared first on Paths to Travel.

Hotel BonSol Resort & Spa is an eco-friendly property, located in Illetas on the southwest coast of Mallorca, Spain, a 20-30 minute drive from the Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), depending on the traffic. The resort was founded by the Xamena family in 1953 and is currently operated by its third generation. The BonSol theme is luxury with a vintage flair, which is exactly what you get on arrival, with fresh and renewed touches.

Yellow parasols might be the unintended mascot of the hotel, but attention to detail through intricate branding is everywhere: embossed on white tablecloths and yellow beach towels, printed on custom coasters, sweet treat packaging, and sparkling wine labels.

All images by Kateryna Topol.
This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 
This experience was hosted by Hotel BonSol, which did not review or approve this story.

Hotel BonSol Mallorca is a beach resort with a small sandy cove. The resort wraps around the water, with two other hotels picking up the rocky shore on each side. Everything you need can be found at the hotel, one of the many reasons families have been coming here for decades. “We’ve been coming here for 32 years, my kids basically grew up here,” an English woman shared with me unprompted at the pool bar over piña coladas. The resort is a family-friendly, full-service property offering babysitting, fresh flower deliveries, ironing and mending services, and access to on-premises medical staff.

“First visit?” a Scottish couple asked in the elevator, noticing the resort map in my hands. I nodded yes with a smile. “We’ve been coming here for seven years. You’ll find your footing around in no time,” she added, returning the twinkle.

By definition, Hotel BonSol is a boutique property. Cascading down towards the water, most rooms have a sea view. A ten-thousand-square-meter garden fills in the spaces between the buildings, pools, and other amenities. Heavy palm trees and other vegetation indigenous to Mallorca trails through the terrace gardens. Designed to reduce the hotel’s water consumption and support Mallorca’s natural ecosystem, the gardens are their own unique attraction. 

Spread across its many levels are the resort’s many amenities: tennis and squash courts, table tennis and billiard tables, and on the upper deck in a rainforest garden is mini golf. It takes no effort to lose track of time, and aside from knowing the time of your dinner reservation, the fluidity of time can be – and should be – easily embraced. 

Above: Various sitting areas on the first floor of Hotel BonSol. Below: Table tennis room.

Under the yellow parasole 

Looking at Hotel BonSol, the yellow umbrellas are at the forefront of most images. Their bright and welcoming appearance is naturally photogenic, dotting the seaside with colourful contrast. The yellow motif carries through in all beach accessories. Branded yellow beach towels are prepared for a day out in the room, folded inside a large BonSol beach bag. Stuffed with books, water, and sunblock lotion, the beach bag is a token of voluntary uniform embraced by the hotel guests.

Guests spread on sunbeds in layers around the sea, taking turns aimlessly floating in the ocean in the striped yellow tire beach floaties, stacked to the side of the beach steps. The hotel’s regulars find serenity by the shaded garden pool or up on the adults-only terrace. Rearranging furniture to their own liking for a full day of reading and relaxation. Having fully committed to a beach day, I took my turn out in the sea, letting the waves gently rock my yellow floaty across the cove.

A glimpse of the garden pool, beach steps with sunbeds layered on different levels, in the background are guest suites.
Last image, with the white roof, is the seaside restaurant, Cala Brugit.

Balance in paradise

In coastal environments like these, wellness comes naturally, but Hotel BonSol is also a Spa, so here, wellness is dialled up. Every weekday morning, guests are invited to join the in-house yoga instructor, Saraj Jane, for a yoga session out on the terrace. This spacious open-air yoga room looks out to the sea, creating an ideal atmosphere for relaxation and exercise. Both of which were high on my list after a 24-hour travel day. The hotel also offers occasional yoga retreats as complete wellness packages, and the next one is coming up in October (23-26, reservation by email). 

Tucked away near the small gym is Nirvana Spa, available by appointment. Here guests can access a sauna, sanarium, Turkish baths, footbaths, and a jacuzzi, in addition to a full massage services menu. Modelled after a Moroccan wellness centre, this area is a great place to escape from your escape.

Romanticising dinner

Strongly encouraged to make a dinner reservation upon arrival, I opted for the main dining room, Las Antorchas Restaurant. As the main restaurant and a local dining destination, Las Antorchas has a dress code and live entertainment. Throughout the evening, a piano player accompanied by a talented vocalist, set the mood for a tasteful evening, surrounded by live flowers and white table cloths.

This particular evening, Chef Mr. Egea prepared a special tasting menu featuring seasonal selections. My dinner lineup began with an anglerfish and mussels cream soup, poured over the fish at the table. This dish was decadently light and delicious, despite its typically heavy composition. My second course, a shrimp cocktail, arrived paired with Can Axartell Blanc-Premsal Blanc, a typical Mallorcan grape, crisp and refreshing. 

Options for the main included four types of protein: hake, sirloin, duck, and lamb. The BonSol-style Wellington sirloin called my name. The sirloin medallion came with a side of vegetables and a flaky wellington pastry, nested on a shallow pool of juicy steak sauce. For the wine pairing, MX ∞ Edición Especial 80 Aniversario D. Martín Xamena, an organic red wine with aromas of dark fruit and minerality in the background, perfectly capturing the essence of Mallorca.

Morning and afternoon meals are served on the beach at the Cala Brugit restaurant or in the Winter Garden on the first floor. Cala Brugit restaurant (open April – October, weather permitting) overlooks the beach and offers guests a la carte or buffet lunch options. The half-board meal plan at the hotel includes breakfast and a choice of lunch or dinner, encouraging guests to try other nearby restaurants. 

Throughout the day, beachgoers flock to the Gala Brugit pool bar, tucked away by the larger pool, to order tropical cocktails and cold beers. People looking for afternoon aperitifs, nightcaps, and a cooler atmosphere gather at the Piano Bar. This space, located directly to the right of the main entrance, is a gorgeously decorated lounge with a spacious terrace, adorned with colourful flowers. In the middle of the summer, however, the heat made it nearly impossible to sit outside, but on a cool fall afternoon, this terrace would be a dream.

Home away from home

There are 73 rooms at Hotel BonSol, spread across various levels of the resort, looking into the garden or facing the sea. All rooms are spacious, thoughtfully decorated, and have at least a small balcony (Classic Double). The room that took my breath away, however, is the Family Suite. This large hotel room has a full-size bedroom with a sitting area, a living room, and a private terrace with sun loungers. The two bathrooms allowed us each to have a personal vanity, while the living room was ideal for late-night catch-up and inevitable remote work.

Two small TVs are available in both rooms, but with a view like that, accompanied by the sounds of nature and the star-dotted sky, turning them on felt unnecessary. Every morning began with a moment on the terrace, looking at the sea, setting a calm mood for the day.

Everything is green

The hotel’s commitment to the environment is particularly noticeable in the guest suites. All guests are encouraged to be conscientious with the use of electricity and AC, thoughtful with water consumption, and use of towels. The shower runoff water is reused to flush the toilets. Much of the electricity is gathered with solar power, one of Hotel BonSol’s many environmental initiatives. 

Three euros from each guest booking is dedicated to the upkeep of 220,000 teak trees Xamena family planted in Costa Rica in 2005, to make up for the air travel impact of their international guests. 

Leaving the resort

Illetas is a resort town, close to other resorts, public beaches, and family restaurants serving fresh fish and cold Spanish wine. If a city day out is on your agenda, a bus just outside one of the main street entrances will take you directly to Palma de Mallorca (by bus: 45 min, by car: 30 min). 

Other beaches nearby: Main Illetas beach 500 meters away, Cala Comtessa 800 meters away, and Es Forti is 1050 meters away.

Getting to Mallorca

From Canada, all trips to Mallorca will have at least one stopover. Multiple airlines fly to the island with stopovers in various cities across Europe. If you are planning to visit multiple countries, consider booking a return trip to the major city with a side trip to Mallorca. For example, a return flight to London, England, paired with a return flight to Mallorca from there can be a cheaper and more flexible option than a combination stopover or an open-jaw flight. 

As of June 2026, Air Canada will introduce a new route to Palma de Mallorca (PIM) on board the new Airbus A321XLR. This flight also seems to include 1-2 stops, depending on the route.

The post Find coastal Spanish tranquillity at Hotel BonSol Resort & Spa, Mallorca appeared first on Paths to Travel.

The growing culinary scene, coupled with the city’s unique location and historic attractions, make the quaint yet vibrant town of Roanoke is quickly becoming a must-visit destination.

Located in Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR), Western Virginia, Roanoke is the largest city along the Appalachian Trail. The city is nestled in the Roanoke Valley, surrounded by thousands of miles of outdoor adventure, which makes it an ideal stop along the Shenandoah Valley road trip or before your visit to Mountain Lake Lodge (Dirty Dancing filming location). 

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 
This trip was hosted by the Virginia Tourism Board who did not review or approve this story.

What to see & Do in Roanoke

For many years, Roanoke was a refugee settlement city, so naturally, it is still very diverse with nearly a hundred languages spoken in schools. This diversity is reflected in the city’s attractions and architecture. In the heart of the downtown, for example, is Century Plaza, where intricately decorated columns represent Roanoke’s sister cities, showcasing the rich cultural connections the city established with the world.

In Downtown Roanoke, everything in Roanoke is 5-15 minutes away, so exploring the city on foot is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon. The architecture in the city is mostly low-rise and historic, with colourful brick and old-school signage. Along the way, you will come across family-owned and small designer shops, antique markets, and the Historic Roanoke City Market, one of the oldest continuously operating public markets in the United States. This walk can easily become an outdoor gallery experience if you choose to follow the Downtown Mural Project map. 

Downtown Roanoke is home to nine museums, quite a few of which are located inside the Center in the Square. Some of the museums are full-blown family attractions where you could easily spend hours (Science Museum of Western Virginia, The Don and Barbara Smith Children’s Museum and the two arcades: Pinball Museum and Roanoke STARcade). Others are cultural and educational facilities committed to the preservation of local and national history (Harrison Museum of African American Culture, Virginia Museum of Transportation, and Taubman Museum of Art, worth a stop just for the architecture). A lot of the city’s rapid growth can be attributed to its location on the Norfolk & Western Railway, and much of this history is shared in the O. Winston Link & Roanoke History Museum.

The biggest attraction in the city, quite literally, is the Mill Mountain Star, or the Roanoke Star. Built in 1949 by local merchants, it was originally a Christmas decoration that became a permanent attraction. The star is 88.5 feet tall, surrounded by lush greenery like an overcoat, overlooks the surrounding valley and mountains 1,045 feet above sea level. The Star is formed by 2,000 feet of neon tubing and was illuminated for the first time on November 23, 1949.

Where to eat & Drink in Roanoke 

For a smaller city, Roanoke packs a punch when it comes to culinary offerings. In addition to the wealth of homegrown chefs, the city has welcomed those looking for a quieter lifestyle, opening up new hot spots or taking over family legacies. The culinary community of Roanoke is collaborative, with chefs working with each other and nearby farmers, shining a spotlight on local seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes. 

Between the restaurants are craft cocktail bars focusing on interesting new techniques and the classics, each with its own unique vibe. And then there are, of course, a few breweries, most of which are destinations in their own right. Needless to say, this culinary scene is surprising, and one could easily spend an entire weekend in Roanoke eating and drinking their way through the downtown. 

The local breakfast and lunch favourites by far are Bread Craft and Scratch Biscuit Co.. Bread Craft is a traditional bakery with a French cafe influence serving coffee, baked goods, and fresh sandwiches. Scratch Biscuit Co., on the other hand, is where you come for a classic Southern meal to set you up for the day (think biscuits and gravy, egg and bacon sandwiches, and French toast). 

Peamento cheese sandwich at the Crystal Spring Grocery Co., Roanoke, Virginia. The Blue Ridge Bucha beverage in the background is made by a local company as well.

A short drive from the city centre is Crystal Spring Grocery Co., as the name suggests, it’s a shop and a cafe. The shop was originally Tinnell’s Finer Foods, which was famous for pimento sandwiches. The ownership has changed, but Chef Matt Lintz kept the pimento on the menu using the original Tinnell’s recipe, to honour the tradition and not upset the neighbours. The market is connected to the Yard Bull Meats butchershop and is steps away from an award-winning restaurant, The River and Rail Restaurant. With an afternoon visit to the Roanoke Star to split up the eating, this corner of the city can easily take up your entire day.

Stock Bistro & Bar is one of the newest restaurants in Downtown Roanoke. Set at the back of the showroom at the Fire Station One Boutique Hotel, this modern restaurant has an open kitchen and a semi-private terrace. Led by Chef Jeff Farmer, the restaurant serves Nordic cuisine with a few regional classics. The menu is unique, to say the least, offering items like Svamptoast (mushroom parfait, wild chanterelles, pickled celery), duck and pork meatballs with lingonberry barbecue sauce, and of course, Virginia Oysters served with horseradish, mignonette, and fried saltines. The Stock beverage program is a strong match to their food menu with a robust listing of speciality and classic cocktails, local spirits and beers, and a deep wine list.

Mid-afternoon snack at the Stock Bustro & Bar: Fried Gouda and Virginia Oysters served with a pomegranate mignonette.
Below: Interior decor of the Stock Bustro & Bar.

The Vault at The Liberty Trust Hotel is another upscale dining destination. The building, which dates back to 1910, was originally First National Bank and was considered “A Temple of Finance”. Today, it is a four-star hotel and restaurant. The original high sealings, marble columns and door trims, and the metal furnishings are eye-catching from first glance. At the back of a bar is an open vault, used as a dining room, the heavy door of which naturally draws plenty of attention. The menu at The Vault is a selection of shareable world classics paired with speciality cocktails.

The Vault at The Liberty Trust Hotel, some of the high-top tables are built with elements from the old, lower-level vault. 
Below: Cocktails from The Vault and Sidecar.

Sidecar also has an impressive food menu, from oysters to Bavarian pretzel (with mustard and beer cheese), and Empanada Criolla (with house chorizo), but among locals, this was the top recommendation for cocktails, rivalling only Lucky. Sidecar is a busy spot with loud music, energetic patrons and an old-world spirits and cocktail menu. Between classic and house features, some cocktails come with a bit of a show, torch-fired table-side. Lucky’s, on the other hand, is a smaller spot serving comfort food and craft cocktails. It’s the bar other bartenders go to, and even if you only come for the drinks, the fresh daily menu will likely inspire an appetite.

For more casual meals, consider Cedar’s Lebanese, Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint, Fortunato, and Three Notch’d Brewing Company. Texas Tavern and Martin’s Downtown are also fun options for an easy meal or a quick snack. Martin’s is also where you go for live music and late-night shenanigans with the locals. 

Blindhouse Beer Company, Roanoke, Virginia.

Golden Cactus Brewing beer flight on the left, arcade games in the middle, and the terrace mural on the left.

Roanoke has quite a few breweries, and three of them are located within spitting distance from one another. Golden Cactus Brewing and Blindhouse Beer Company are nearly next door, while Big Lick Brewing Company sits across the street, framed by its large patio. Golden Cactus is a large, open warehouse space that turns into a market once a week. The brewery has a very fun and welcoming decor with a row of classic arcade games lined up against the back wall. Their beer selection is similarly cheeky and often seasonally available for a limited time.

Blindhouse Beer Company is a smaller spot, with a few reclaimed couches and tables in the tap room, garage door open to let in the sun, and only a handful of tables by the bar. Described by casual bar patrons as the “fancier place where you get beer in stemmed glasses,” Blindhouse’s only fancy is their beer serve: cold, crisp, with a trophy-worthy foam head.

Where to stay in Roanoke, Virginia

The city’s newest boutique hotel is a beautiful historic property, Fire Station One Boutique Hotel. The building is an old fire station, refurbished to house only a few rooms, each one is unique. The main floor of the building is shared between a furniture and home decor showroom and Stock Restaurant & Bistro. The shared space also includes a large event room with multiple sitting areas and original firehouse cabinets. Read the full review here. 

The Liberty Trust Hotel is another classic with rich history and one-of-a-kind decor from window trims to lighting fixtures. The rooms are King and Queen suites with a lovely view of the city. On the ground floor is one of the city’s favourite restaurants, The Vault. 

One of the city’s oldest and most notable hotels is The Hotel Roanoke (Curio Collection by Hilton). The property has an old castle feel, full amenities including pool, spa, gym, and multiple restaurants. Connected to the city by an enclosed pedestrian bridge, this is the biggest hotel in Roanoke.

Fire Station One Boutique Hotel, Roanoke, Virginia.

Make it a road trip or a hiking adventure 

Aside from adding Roanoke to your Shenandoah Valley road trip or Mountain Lake Lodge visit, there are many other single and multi-day road trip and hiking alternatives nearby. 

Roaring Run is a great option for an easy morning hike. The trail is 1.2 miles round trip and leads to a cascading waterfall. It’s an easy and beautiful nature walk open 24/7. AllTrails directions, and here are a few other nearby hiking trails.

The Roanoke Appalachian Trail is perhaps one of the most scenic hiking trails in the world and has a few access points from the Roanoke Valley. The trail is about 2,200 miles with many breathtaking viewpoints, including Mount Katahdin as the northern trailhead and Springer Mountain South. 

Blue Ridge Parkway is the larger area surrounding the city. The parkway includes 240+ miles of the Appalachian Trail, 260+ miles of blueways, and 700+ miles of trails for hiking. Along the way, you will come across ancient caverns, Virginia’s natural gravitational anomaly, Mystery Hill, Charlottesville and the Albemarle County wine region, and many other points of interest. Find itinerary ideas on the Blue Ridge Parkway website. 

Virginia’s Blue Ridge Cheers Trail is a version of the above trail but focused specifically on local breweries and distilleries. Break this itinerary up into a few daytrips or a single looping road trip. Find the full itinerary here.

Roaring Run Trail, 45 minutes away from Downtown Roanoke, Virginia.

Getting to & Around Roanoke 

Downtown Roanoke is very walkable, and most things are within a 5-15 minute distance. There are also two old school trolley routes operating in the city connecting the Downtown to the Crystal Spring Neigbourhood, if you are interested in visiting Crystal Spring Grocery Co. and nearby restaurants. Find more information on the Star Trolley line here. Uber and Lyft are also available rideshare options.

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) is the local airport with routes connecting Roanoke to most major cities in the US. Roanoke is also a stop on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional route. If driving, the city is accessible from Interstate 81 and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The post Spend a weekend in Roanoke, Virginia, where nature trails meet world cuisine appeared first on Paths to Travel.

Germain Hotels was founded in the 1980s by Christiane and Jean-Yves Germain. The idea was to create a hotel experience that puts people first, both guests and employees. To this date, the hotel group is owned and operated by the Germain family, who recently appointed the third generation, Marie Pier and Hugo Germain, as co-presidents of the business. Hotel Le Germain Québec was the second property the family opened. Today there are nineteen properties across Canada.

Over the years, Germain Hotels has established itself as a flagship of the Canadian hotel industry and consistently strives to welcome guests as if they were friends in each location. Hôtel Le Germain Québec is a great example of this hospitality and for that, it is recognised by the Michelin Guide. This boutique property is fronted by welcoming smiles ready to share local recommendations and book your hotel reservations. 

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 
This hotel stay was hosted by Hôtel Le Germain Québec, which did not review or approve this story.

 Shared spaces at the Hôtel Le Germain Québec. All images by Kateryna Topol.

The Vibe & Shared Spaces 

The shared guest spaces include two rooms: the lounge behind the front desk and a dining area around the corner. The lounge is fitted with multiple sitting areas, soft couches, and a grand fireplace. To the side, is a large table, perfect for those looking to take advantage of the hotel’s game collection. The back room has a small sitting area and two large tables suitable for family gatherings or meetings. Large arched windows flood the room with light from two sides, nourishing the abundant greenery around the space. Germain Hotels have a special appreciation for art, and so naturally, plenty of it can be seen around the property and in room decor. 

On the lower level is a small gym, equipped with a few cardio machines, a multi-purpose weight station, and a dumbbell rack. While there isn’t a spa on-site, the hotel does offer massage services in the room (solo and duo) by appointment. 

Bar & Breakfast

Breakfast is served daily in the hotel lobby lounge 7 AM to 10 AM and includes a great selection of baked goods, savoury options, yoghurt, cereal, and fresh fruits. Each morning the team will also offer you a warm daily special. During my visit, it was a knotted bread made with leftover chocolate croissant dough (one of the many sustainable kitchen efforts), “it’s best enjoyed with some maple syrup,” the host recommended. Breakfast in bed is always an option if requested the night before. 

The self-serve coffee station is available all day, and the lobby lounge has a fun, minimal menu, also available on the private back terrace. On the bar menu are a few savoury snacks, like cured sausages, redfish, and foie gras from Les Canardises farm, and an aperitif platter. The beverage selection includes wines by the glass or bottle, quite a few cocktails, mocktails, beers, and spirits. 

The guests also have an option to order food from two nearby partner restaurants, Pizzéria NO.900 and Échaudé Restaurant, a Michelin Guide restaurant. 

Inside the Suite 

There are three types of rooms at the Hôtel Le Germain Québec: The Prestige (king bed, large sitting area), The Signature (king), and The Classic (king, queen, or two double beds). All rooms have an unobstructed view of Port of Québec with plenty of sunlight streaming into the suite (blackout blinds are available). The decor differs slightly from room to room, but they all have a working area, a place to sit, stocked fridge, and a modern bathroom. 

The dark wood accents carry through into the white tile bathroom outfitted with a soaking tub, soft towels, and luxurious cotton bathrobes. All rooms are also stocked with an amenity kit complete with feminine hygiene products and even a nail file, something we don’t see often. 

Turndown service is offered every night. 

Sustainability & Social Causes

Germain Hotels are very serious about sustainability and have been building it into the business from the start. These efforts can be seen in refillable bath amenities, glass water jugs in the room (filled up for you at turn down), locally sourced products, and many other less-seen initiatives throughout the chain. Hôtel Le Germain Québec specifically holds a Biosphere Certification, Green Key Certification (3 of 5), and HERE we recycle + “Performance” level certification for best practices in waste management. 

Book directly on germainhotels.com to take advantage of flexible checkout. Receive a price match for a lower rate found on another website with a 10% discount top up. Compare rate to: Expedia | Booking.com | TripAdvisor | Hotels.com 

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Cover image: Salt Spring Island. Image by Andrea Johnson, courtesy of Destination BC.
This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 

Salt Spring Island: The artistic heart of the Gulf Islands

Salt Spring is famous for its vibrant arts scene, friendly locals and stunning natural beauty. This article is informed by multiple trips to this island, including a week-long stay, during which we chatted with artists, sampled local food and hiked quite a few trails.

Top things to do on Salt Spring Island

1. Visit the Saturday Market

The Saturday Market in Ganges is not to be missed. Over 140 local vendors set up shop from April to October. Find everything from handmade soaps to fresh goat cheese. Pair it with some crackers and a bottle of wine for an ideal picnic. The vibe of the market is lively, and chatting with the artisans was a highlight.

2. Explore local art galleries and studios

You can spend hours wandering through galleries and open studios. The Salt Spring Studio Tour is a must. Pick up a map and meet artists in their creative spaces. Activities like glassblowing demos and pottery workshops are available in this space.

3. Hiking, kayaking and beaches

Hike Mount Maxwell for epic views, bike along the bike routes, kayak along the coast, and relax at Beddis Beach. Rentals are easy to find in Ganges, and the trails are well-marked.

4. Camping

Some of the best camping in BC can be found on this island. The only thing to be aware of is that the camping spots get reserved almost immediately on their release date, leaving only a few walk-in sites, so plan accordingly.

Local’s tip: If you are with a larger group, you cannot go wrong with a group campsite. Most of these have an open view of the water, where you can see BC Ferries go past every few hours.

Where to eat and stay

Cafés and restaurants

Become a  regular at Barb’s Bakery for breakfast and indulge in made-from-scratch fare at Auntie Pesto’s. Don’t miss the Salt Spring Island Cheese Company to stock up for a picnic lunch.

Recommended accommodations

Stay in a cosy lakeside cabin or choose one of the many great B&Bs and boutique hotels around Ganges. Harbour House Hotel is a great option with full amenities, while The Cottage and Castle offer a unique local stay. Book early in summer as Salt Spring fills up fast. Camping, of course, is always an option for the more adventurous.

Pender Island: A nature lover’s paradise

Spend a few weeks on Pender Island, it’s a dream for anyone who loves the outdoors. This destination offers plenty of hiking, paddling, and dining options around the island.

Must-see attractions on Pender Island

1. Hiking Mount Norman

One of the most scenic hikes is up Mount Norman. The trail isn’t too long, about 1.5 km each way, but it’s a steady climb. It takes around 45 minutes to reach the top, and the panoramic views over the Southern Gulf Islands are absolutely worth the climb. Make sure to pack water to stay hydrated and a camera for those epic shots.

2. Kayaking and paddleboarding

Rent kayaks from a local outfitter at Port Browning Marina. Paddling along the calm coastline, you might spot seals, deer, bald eagles, and other local wildlife. The water is usually gentle, especially in the mornings, making it perfect for beginners. Paddleboarding is also super popular here because of the calm waters and the stunning views.

3. Exploring beaches and parks

Spend time in  Mortimer Spit and Medicine Beach. Both are great for picnics, beachcombing, and just soaking up the sun. The island parks, like Beaumont Marine Park, are perfect for a quiet afternoon surrounded by nature.

Dining and lodging options

Local eateries

There are many family-owned spots to try, including the local favourite,  Slow Coast Coffee, for breakfast. The vibe is friendly, and the coffee is strong. For dinner, check out the fresh seafood at The Hub.

Unique stays

Book a cosy cabin or one of the many charming B&Bs and glamping options, like Airstreams with hot tubs in the woods. Staying somewhere unique really adds to the island experience. Many places offer stunning views and easy access to trails and beaches.

Galiano Island: Adventure and relaxation combined

Galiano Island can easily become your favourite Gulf Islands destination for its perfect blend of outdoor adventure and laid-back charm.

Highlights of Galiano Island

1. Biking and hiking trails

Explore Galiano’s network of trails. Bodega Ridge Trail is a highlight, with sweeping views over Trincomali Channel. The trails are well-marked and range from easy strolls to more challenging hikes. Alternatively, you can rent a bike and cruise along the quiet roads, traffic is light, so it’s super relaxing.

2. Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park

Spend a few afternoons at Montague Harbour. The white shell beaches are perfect for picnics, and the sunsets are unreal. Kayak rentals are available, offering an opportunity to get closer to seals and otters while paddling.

3. Art and culture spots

Galiano has a surprising arts scene. Visit the Galiano Island Gallery and several roadside studios to see the full range. The local artists are friendly and happy to chat about their work.

Where to eat and sleep

Top restaurants

Make sure to visit  Pilgrimme to experience their farm-to-table dishes. For casual eats, the Hummingbird Pub is recommended for their fish and chips.

Cozy accommodations

Choose a waterfront cabin or one of the many cute B&Bs and eco-lodges. Book early in summer, places fill up fast.

Notes on getting around the Gulf Islands 

Ferries are the main way to get around the Gulf Islands. BC Ferries runs regular routes from Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Make sure to book ahead, especially in the summer. If you haven’t reserved, then always arrive early, as lines can get long. Bring snacks, check schedules, and pack layers because the weather changes fast out on the water.

Guest author: Isheeta and Shrey from the Travelicious Couple

traveliciouscouple.com | @travelicious_couple 

Remote workers and slow travellers since 2018, Isheeta and Shrey have explored all 7 continents while calling British Columbia home. Join them for slow travel inspiration, remote work tips, and deep-dive guides, especially across Canada.

Left: Galiano Island, image by Ben Giesbrecht, courtesy of Destination BC. Right: Gulf Islands ferry, image by @localwanderer.

The post Best Gulf Islands to visit in British Columbia appeared first on Paths to Travel.

After living in Stavanger, Norway, for nearly three months, Bergen quickly became my favourite city to visit. I returned several times to hike the Vidden trail between Mount Floyen and Ulriken, eat at the city’s famous fish market, take fjord tours through Mostraumen, and climb to the top of the Clarion Collection hotel tower for the best views over the harbour. This guide will take you through the top things to do in Bergen and some hidden gem experiences. You’ll want to squeeze the most you can out of this fascinating Norwegian destination.

Cover image: Bergin City Centre. Image by Lars Korvald, courtesy of Visit Bergen, visitBergen.com
This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 

How many days should you spend in Bergen

You need at least two full days in Bergen to experience some of its main highlights. However, allocating four days in Bergen will allow you to see all of the city’s best sights and hidden gems. Four days will allow you to dedicate a couple of days to sightseeing, a day to hiking Bergen’s mountains, and a day for exploring the nearby fjords. The additional days also add a weather buffer, because it’s almost always raining in Bergen. 

When to visit Bergen

Visit Bergen in late spring/summer between May and September for the best temperatures and the most sunlight. Summers in Bergen get up to 18° C, with over 18 hours of sunlight. Technically, the rainiest season runs between October and January, but Bergen is infamous for its rain, no matter the time of year. The city gets an average of 240 days of rain because of its position on the coast and the mountains. Rain is just a condition you’ll have to pack for and accept.

20 Famous attractions and hidden gems

1. Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf

If you’ve done any research on Bergen, you’ve definitely seen photos of Bryggen. It is the centrepiece of the city’s historic waterfront, with a row of colourful wooden buildings. Bryggen is a UNESCO World Heritage site and dates back to the 1700s. This was the main wharf used by the Hanseatic League, a group of merchants that played an important role in solidifying Bergen’s place as a significant trade hub. Today, the site displays the charm of Norway’s local culture. Bryggen is photogenic and lovely to wander through or spend time in its museums, artisan shops, and cafes. 

2. Boat tour to Mostraumen

Mostraumen is a narrow strait in the larger Ostefjord. It is also the easiest accessible fjord from Bergen, with fjord tours leaving right from Bergen’s harbour. The fjord cruises last about 3.5 hours and bring you to the towering fjord cliffs, waterfalls, and tiny colourful towns within the fjord. I loved moving around the deck to catch different vantage points. We even got close enough to the edge of a cliff to feel the mist of a waterfall. Guided tours are the best way to see the fjords in and around Bergen.

3. Fløibanen funicular & Mount Fløyen

Mount Floyen is one of the seven mountains that surround Bergen. It is the most popular mountain to visit because the trails and the funicular are directly in the tourist centre. The top has a fantastic lookout point over Bergen’s harbour. A hike to the top takes about 45 minutes. The funicular operates year-round and takes about 8 minutes to get to the top. During summer, they run every 15 minutes between 10 am – 7 pm, and every half hour between 7:30 – 10 AM or 7 PM – midnight. The top of Mount Floyen has a couple of cafes, washrooms, a souvenir shop, and more hiking trails. 

4. Mount Ulriken & Ulriksbanen cable car

Mount Ulriken is the tallest of the seven mountains in Bergen. It has the highest viewpoint over the city, which shows more of the entire city rather than just the harbour. You can take a 1.5-hour hike to the summit, but keep in mind it is steep and has a lot of stone steps. Or you can take the Ulriksbanen cable car and ride the scenic journey to the top. At the top of Ulriken is the Skyskraperen Restaurant. The glass walls of the restaurant offer a spectacular view while you dine on the mountain top.

5. Bergen Fish Market

Bergen’s Fish Market is a must for both food and local culture. The market has been around for centuries, with vendors selling fresh seafood like fish, crab, and lobster. You can also find Norwegian specialities like cured meats and cheese. Walk the market booths, enjoying the atmosphere and sample local dishes. Some of the vendors sell prepared food like hot dishes, sushi, and ready-to-eat seafood.

6. Magic Ice Bar

As the name suggests, Magic Ice Bar is a bar made entirely out of ice. It has intricate statues and designs carved into the walls and a cool atmosphere. The bar is illuminated with colourful lights, adding a magical, Instagram-worthy experience. Upon entering, you are given a warm poncho and gloves to stay comfortable. Your entrance ticket includes a drink served in an ice glass. 

7. Bergenhus Fortress & Rosenkrantz Tower

Right near the Bryggen wharf, Bergenhus Fortress is one of Norway’s oldest and best preserved fortresses. It was built in the 13th century and eventually protected against invading forces like the English in the 17th century. Bergenhus is open to the public and free to explore. You can wander the grounds or pay to climb the narrow staircase to the top of Rosenkrantz Tower. It has great views of the harbour. 

8. KODE Art Museums

If you love art and culture, visit one of Bergen’s KODE museums. KODE has four museum locations and three historic homes highlighting musicians. The four museums are: 

• Rasmus Meyers: A cute building from 1924 that hosts the collection of a rich businessman, Rasmus Meyers. There are two floors with Norwegian art from 1880 to 1905. It has the third largest collection of the famous artist Edvard Munch in the world.
• Stenersen: The newest of the four locations, it features the collection of Rolf Stenersen. It also has rotating exhibits. 
• Permanenten: It’s in a beautiful neo-renaissance building with rotating exhibits, a craft and design collection, and the Chinese art collection.
• Lysverket: Currently closed for refurbishment

9. Marken Street

Marken Street is a pedestrian area located right near Bergen’s tourist centre, across from the bus station. The street is great for photos with cobblestone streets and colourful buildings lined with boutiques, cafes, and small art galleries. From here, you can capture great photos of the mountains rising from behind the buildings, dotted with tiered houses.

10. Clarion Collection Hotel

This is one of Bergen’s best-kept secrets, with excellent views over Bergen. The Clarion Collection hotel is right near the Bryggen wharf and has a tall observation tower. And the secret? You don’t have to be a guest to climb to the top and enjoy the view. Simply ask the front desk if you could go to the top of their tower. They will make you an elevator card and share directions. At the top are amazing views of the city, which you will likely enjoy solo.

11. Wander the Nordnes District

The Nordnes district is a charming and less touristy part of Bergen. It’s a short walk from the tourist centre but provides an authentic glimpse into local life. You’ll see the typical Norwegian style wooden houses, colourful streets, and narrow alleys. A great way to learn about the district’s history is with a walking tour. Nordnes is also home to the lovely Nordnes Park. Situated right by the water, it has a calm atmosphere away from the bustle of the tourist hub. 

12. Bergen Maritime Museum

Bergen’s maritime history is significant as a major trading hub in Europe and this is showcased in Bergen’s Maritime Museum. The museum highlights the city’s role in shipping and trade over previous centuries. You learn about the lives of sailors and how the technology behind ships has changed. If you’re interested in a significant part of Norway’s past, it’s a must.

13. Trollskogen (Troll Forest)

Trollskogen is a Troll Forest at the top of Mount Floyen. The forest has over 30 wooden troll statues made by local artists. The atmosphere fits the theme, with the ground covered in a bright green moss adding to the mood. There is an easy 1.2-mile (2 km) trail that weaves through the forest, a great activity to do with children.

14. Gamle Bergen Museum

Gamle is also known as the Old Bergen Museum. It’s an open-air exhibit with over 40 historic wooden houses, shops, and bakeries to simulate what life looked like in Bergen in the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum has live actors with period costumes to add an immersive touch. It’s a great way to learn about old-school Bergen compared to what it looks like today. 

15. Hanseatic Museum

Located in Bryggen’s old wooden buildings, the Hanseatic Museum is dedicated to the history of the Hanseatic merchants who dominated Bergen’s trade centuries ago. The museum was established in 1872. You get to see real merchant offices, communal halls, and living quarters to glimpse into what life was like there in the past. They also have old artefacts and original furniture preserved to show what Bergen’s medieval trading era was like.

16. Hike the Vidden Trail

The Vidden Trail is a 15 km hike connecting Mount Ulriken to Mount Fløyen. It takes about 5 hours to complete and has amazing views over Bergen and its surrounding fjords. You’ll pass lakes, sheep grazing, and hike atop the mountain’s ridge with views on either side. The trail is well-marked with cairns and can be extended by adding the hike up Mount Floyen and down Mount Ulriken. I did it this way and it took me about 8 hours.

17. Norway in a Nutshell Tour

Norway in a Nutshell is a company that runs tours for those looking to see Norway’s highlights in a shorter amount of time. They have a fantastic day tour to explore the fjords just outside of Bergen and the scenic Flam railroad. 

The first stop is at Gudvangen, a town in a narrow portion of one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords, Naeroyfjorden. It has a hiking village with displays, food, and axe throwing. Next, you take a scenic boat cruise through Naeroyfjorden to the town of Flam. The cruise lasts about 2 hours, and you’ll see cliffs rising steeply out of the water. 

After making a short stop in Flam, you’ll board the famous Flam railway. It is one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. It lasts about an hour, weaving through the mountains in a vintage train compartment. The train ride ends at the Myrdal station, which has direct lines back to Bergen.

18. Norwegian Sauna experience

Norway and Scandinavia as a whole are known for their saunas. One of the coolest places to visit in Bergen is the Marineholmen location of Heit Bergen Sauna or Nordnes Sea Bath in Bergen city centre. They have saunas right in the harbour with big windows to enjoy the view while you sweat. Just a step outside of the sauna is a ladder that you can use to cold dip into the marina water. 

19. Fantoft Stave Church

Fantoft Stave Church was originally built in the 12th century, but was reconstructed after a fire in 1992. It is a great example of what medieval churches in Norway looked like, with a wooden tiered roof and carvings. Fantoft Church is just outside of Bergen and has peaceful woods surrounding it, ideal for an afternoon stroll or a picnic.

20. Theta Museum 

The Theta Museum is a tiny one-room museum named after a Norwegian resistance group. The group, called the Thetas, sent secret radio messages to England when they were occupied by the Nazis in World War II. The museum is built to replicate one of these secret communication spots, with real old radio equipment, photos, maps, and a machine gun on the wall. It’s also known as Bergen’s smallest museum.

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Guest author: Hailey from The Restless Adventurer

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Hailey is the owner/operator The Restless Adventurer of The Restless Adventurer, a travel blog that inspires those who find themselves restless in anticipation of their next adventure. She is a digital nomad who loves to trek up mountains, sleep in hammocks, and feels rejuvenated by uncertainty.

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