Wooden souvenirs by Signature Woodcraft
Take home a piece of the province with an engraved bookmark, luggage tag or magnet by Signature Woodcraft, all made from recycled BC lumber. Each one of these Canadian maple beauties is earth-friendly, as it uses wood left over from the construction of high-end musical instruments. Buy these long-lasting souvenirs at Circle Craft or Capilano Suspension Bridge.—Jennifer Patterson
AYA flip-flop by Claudia Alan
Summer days aren’t too far away. Give your tootsies a treat with a pair of AYA flip-flops by Claudia Alan. The Canadian company adorned its comfy rubber-soled sandals with frog and raven motifs by local First Nations artist Corrine Hunt, who designed the medals for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Now that’s what we call a winning combination. Available at www.claudiaalanstore.com. —Kristina Urquhart
Treat yourself to a day of indulgence in the nation's capital.
You work hard, it’s time to enjoy yourself! From small splurges to big-ticket items, we’ve highlighted five luxury items that — bonus — also make great souvenirs from your trip to Ottawa.
ROAD TO RELAXATION
Nothing says luxury like taking time for yourself (why is that?). In this day and age of smartphones, laptops, and nonstop digital communication, there is no greater feeling than turning off and tuning out to curl up with a magazine. The glossy pages, beautiful photographs, and scintillating stories offer an escape — if only for a little while. Whether you’re reading fodder for the mind or guilty pleasure rags, this act (and its inexpensive price) is one of life’s simplest pleasures. While in Ottawa, a trip to Mags & Fags on Elgin Street is a must. In business for 30 years, this shop carries 4,000 magazine titles that range from obscure and special interest to mainstream favourites. 254 Elgin St., 613-233-9651.
koko chocolates: delicious, rich, and local, too!
GO GOURMET
Local chocolatier Jen Winter has created quite a reputation for her gourmet sweets, koko chocolates. A perfectly grown-up treat that won’t break the bank, her tasty truffles have creamy ganache centres and are dipped or molded in premium Belgian chocolate. Find fine flavours such as Thai Chili, Triple Chocolate, Margarita, Passion Fruit, and more, as well as seasonal offerings. Retails for about $5.25-$6.50 per 3-piece sleeve. Available at The Candy Store, 350 Richmond Rd. in Westboro, and several other locations in Ottawa.
(more…)
By Kat Tancock
If you’re a maple lover, you’re probably already using the syrup on more than just pancakes: on top of plain yogurt, added to salad dressings or as a natural sweetener for your morning oatmeal. But if you’re ready to take things up a notch, reach for a bottle of the latest kid on the maple shelf: sweet and sour maple vinegar from Brigham, Quebec’s Cabane du Pic-Bois. (more…)
By Kat Tancock
Maple syrup is a potent symbol of Canadiana and a key staple in many of our nation’s pantries. But what you may not know is that the sugar maple doesn’t have a monopoly on the business of sweet sap. A growing industry is making use of birch trees to produce a similar sugary nectar.
Like maple syrup, birch syrup is produced by tapping mature trees—usually 30 to 70 years old, and at least 10 inches in diameter—in early spring, then evaporating and filtering the sap before bottling. Érablière Escuminac, in the Gaspésie region of Quebec, currently taps 6,000 trees annually, though the property has the capacity to harvest from up to 25,000 as demand increases. (more…)
The retail store at Edible Canada. Photo by KK Law
Save your stocking stuffing for the retail store in Edible Canada’s stylish new space (pictured), where you’ll find gourmet goodies from across the province, from dressings and herb-infused oils to jellies and pickled nibbles. Our pick? The Vancouver-themed salts by Sea to Sky Seasonings, which are a souvenir and a savoury treat all rolled into one. For those on your list who have been extra good this year, select a gorgeous gift basket—then try to resist keeping it for yourself.—Kristina Urquhart
More information:
EDIBLE CANADA AT THE MARKET . $$. B/L/D (daily). Granville Island Public Market, 1689 Johnston St. 604-682-6675. www.ediblecanada.com
We asked. Where readers voted. Here are your top spots to shop.
Whistler Village photo copyright Hartemink/Dreamstime.com
Apparel
Roots.
Honourable Mentions
Lululemon.
Hatley Scoops.
Fine Art
Mountain Galleries.
Honourable Mentions
Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery.
The Plaza Galleries.
Black Tusk Gallery.
Outdoor Gear
The North Face.
Honourable Mentions
Affinity Sports.
Escape Route.
Souvenirs
Cows Whistler.
Honourable Mentions
The Trading Post. 604-938-6204.
Sea to Sky Souvenirs. 604-932-3201.
Spa
Scandinave Spa.
Honourable Mentions
The Spa at the Four Seasons.
Vida Spa.
To vote for next year’s winners, visit www.where.ca/whistler.
To see Vancouver’s winners, visit www.where.ca/vancouver.
By Kat Tancock
Saskatoon berries, also called juneberries, are antioxidant-rich, sweet blue-purple berries with (edible) seeds.
Though the berries grow elsewhere in the northwestern US and western Canada, the Canadian Prairies are where you’ll find most of the world’s commercial production of Saskatoons, and in Okotoks, Alberta, about 20 km south of Calgary, you’ll find the Saskatoon Farm, home to 50 acres of pick-your-own saskatoon berries, usually ready in mid-July. (more…)
Stuart's Bakery in Granville Island Public Market is a delicious pit stop, serving tarts, cakes, cookies and breads. Photo by KK Law
Join locals and visitors at bustling Granville Island Public Market for a day of fun-filled shopping and good eats. Find sweet treats aplenty at Stuart’s Bakery (pictured). Artfully stacked fruit sits ripe for the picking at numerous produce shops. Grab handmade ravioli for later or fresh-cut flowers to use as a thank-you gift. Souvenir-worthy items line the shelves at Edible BC, including honey, jam and chocolate, all made in British Columbia.—Jennifer Patterson
A souvenir of your Toronto trip need not be kitschy. Take home a sophisticated birch plywood coaster map of the city, which can double as a show-and-tell tool as you inform family and friends of the fantastic restaurants along Eglinton Avenue, the luxe shopping on Bloor Street or your adventures on the Toronto Islands. A set of four “I Kinda Like it Here” coasters is $40; available at Russet and Empire.
Do you have great photos from your travels in Canada that you'd like to share with us? Submit them to the Where Canada Flickr pool and they'll show up here.
Stay, Dine, Do
