Dear Kate and Will,
You've no idea how chuffed we are that you chose Canada as your first overseas Royal Tour. We want to make sure you two newlyweds have a right Royal blast while you're here so we've taken a look at your official itinerary, and we've come up with some suggestions in each of the Canadian cities you visit:
From the Canadian Living editorial team to you: Welcome to Canada, eh!
The National Capital region, the first stop on your Royal Tour: June 30 to July 2
Canada Day
Spending Canada Day in Ottawa is a great choice. You'll be impressed with the evening show on Parliament Hill with all kinds of great music groups, dancers and other entertainers from across Canada. Don't miss Newfoundland folk-rock group Great Big Sea or Galitcha and Lalonde, who deliver an amazing (and perhaps unexpected) fusion of Punjabi and French-Canadian folk music.
Great Big Sea on Canada Day: Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Montreal: July 2
Okay, Old Montreal and Mont Royal are must-sees, but, really, for something a little different, Your Royal Highnesses, check out the
Fantoms Montreal Ghosts walk on the east side of Montreal. It's haunting but a real hoot. And, of course, you cannot visit Montreal, or anywhere else in Quebec for that matter, without eating poutine. Just think of it as fries (you call them chips) covered in cheese curds and gravy. You'll love it, seriously, no doubt about it. (You could both stand to gain a few pounds so ask for seconds.) Our suggestion for poutine: La Banquise on Rachel Est. is open 24 hours a day and cooks up 28 different flavours of poutine.
Quebec City: July 3
Quebec City is all about history, culture and food. You could easily spend the entire day on Dufferin Terrace, which is within walking distance of most major hotels. There are street artists, musicians, mimes, one-man bands and a mish-mash of other street performers on this popular hangout overlooking the St. Lawrence River. For grub? You can't go to Quebec City without having crepes. Your best bet (well, one of): Le Petit Chateau: Creperie. It's next to the historic Chateau Frontenac.
Dufferin Terrace, Quebec City: non-stop entertainment (Courtesy: Tourism Quebec)
Charlottetown - July 3 to July 4
Of course your handlers will want you to see a performance of "Anne of Green Gables" at the Charlottetown Festival. The feisty red-haired girl has made Prince Edward Island famous with travellers around the world. Another option: get your butts off those theatre seats and hop on a bicycle. Call the folks at Smooth Cycle to arrange a bike tour of the island. Use Charlottetown as your base and take a couple day trips.
Cycling Prince Edward Island (Courtesy: Smooth Cycle)
And if you're not too tuckered out after spending the day cycling, take in some local nighttime entertainment. Get tickets to a showing of Come all Ye at The Mack Theatre, which is part the Charlottetown festival. You'll be treated to a lively evening of true island fun.
Summerside: July 4
Well, Duke and Duchess, today you're in the quaint city of Summerside, Prince Edward Island. We hope you have a hankering for oysters. For a true island experience, consider signing up for a Tong and Shuck day. You two can hop into an oyster dory with a seasoned fisherman and head out to catch oysters and then learn the art of oyster shucking. There's nothing like working for your supper.
Yellowknife: July 4 to 6
You're going to love this experience of Northern Canada. (Bring warm clothes.) If you've just come from Eastern Canada you'll have had your fill of oysters and lobsters. Up north, the cuisine leans toward game meats, such as wild boar, elk, buffalo and ostrich. It's quite likely that pheasant, duck, whitefish and arctic char will land on your plate. The place we're thinking of? Fuego, under the direction of chef Kevan Paradis, serves up some of the finest food in the Northwest Territories. Dig in. Oh, and considering your family background, you'd be remiss if you didn't visit the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. We're quite proud of our northern heritage and the centre is an excellent reflection of Canada's spirited northerners.
Calgary: July 6 to 8
Calgary Stampe (Courtesy: Tourism Calgary)
You've timed your visit well. Attending the Calgary Stampede could be the highlight of your trip. The horse shows won't be what you're used to back in England. This is mostly about western style riding. Broncos, bulls and bucking horses. But we should tell you about the stampede grub. It is a little different. Have you ever tried Deep Fried Pop Tarts, Colossal Onion, Kubie Korn Balls, Sausage Hoagie, a Chicken Cheese Steak Sandwich or Mac & Cheese Pizza? Last year, the Pulled Pork Parfait won the prize for the Stampede's New Food Award. For a round-up of seemingly odd bites, visit the Food & Dining page of the Calgary Stampede web site.
If anyone else has suggestions for Prince William and Duchess Kate, post them below!
