There’s something magical about seeing Eastern Canada and New England from the water. Maybe it’s the blend of history and scenery, or the way each port feels completely different from the last. Or perhaps it’s the simple pleasure of unpacking once and letting the ship take you from one charming coastal town to another.

This fall, my cousin Tam and I sailed on Holland America Line’s Canada & New England cruise from Quebec City to Boston, and it turned out to be one of my favourite itineraries for food lovers, slow travellers, and anyone who wants to explore this beautiful corner of the world without rushing.

If you’re looking for a peaceful Fraser Valley escape that feels a little bit historic, a little bit cozy, and completely unplugged, Rowena’s Inn on the River is one of those places that quietly surprises you — in the best way.

Rowena’s is tucked away on a sprawling riverside property in Harrison Mills, about a 90-minute drive from Vancouver. The moment you arrive, everything slows down. The buildings have that old-world English manor feel, the grounds are wide open and green, and the river just quietly does its thing in the background.

Maurya's elevates familiar dishes and cocktails with traditional Indian flavours in house-made spice mixes to create the most special and unique cuisine yet keeping some familiar dishes such as butter chicken for those not quite as adventurous.

Maurya’s has the first East Indian Inspired Craft Cocktail Bar and offers a unique twist on traditional drinks. Two of my favourite cocktails are the Tamarind Margarita and Perfect Gin (I love pineapple). The flavours are nothing I’ve tasted before, and I found them intriguing and delicious.

This holiday season I visited Mission Hill Family Estate Winery for a wine tasting paired with delicious bites and a special tour of the beautifully decorated trees throughout the humidity-controlled barrel cellar and Visitor's Hall. All trees were sponsored by local businesses in support of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation (BCCHF) and a percentage of the proceeds from each experience was donated to the BCCHF. This Festival has been hosted at Mission Hill for over six years and has been a community tradition in BC for over 30 years.

Nestled in the beautiful Purcell Mountains of British Columbia and within the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation, this award-winning destination offers something for everyone—from the golfer to the gambler and everyone in between. With world-class amenities, a vibrant casino atmosphere and picturesque mountain vistas, St. Eugene is the perfect place to escape from a busy day-to-day life and relax in the comfort of luxurious surroundings.

Spirit Ridge Resort has so much to offer. It's located in Canada's only desert, around Osoyoos, and is a place sacred to the Osoyoos Indian Band. The resort comprises 226 condos, suites, and villas, and features a top-notch restaurant, a winery, and a cultural centre where visitors can learn about the Indigenous history of the region.

Celebrate the holidays in British Columbia’s South Okanagan, where festive lights, local wine, and Indigenous culture shine. From the Fire & Ice Festival at Spirit Ridge Resort to the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre and the District Wine Village in Oliver, this region seamlessly blends holiday magic with rich history and a strong sense of community spirit.

This is a 6-night self-drive road trip that gives you the highlights of some of the most stunning and less crowded areas in Western Canada. I've driven this Western Canada Self-Drive Road trip myself many times, having lived in the area for most of my life, so I am very familiar with the places on this trip.

There's so much to do at SilverStar Resort year-round. From hiking and biking to skiing and snowboarding — each season offers several unique experiences. Centrally located in the heart of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley in the Monashee Mountain Range, this colourful Village is a short drive from where I live and a perfect location for a weekend getaway.

I couldn’t wait to spend three days on a luxury train in Canada from the Rainforest to Gold Rush. Rocky Mountaineer is an experience that rivals no other in Western Canada and the USA. This tourist train travels by daylight only, allowing us not to miss anything! On this journey, we began in British Columbia, in Vancouver, stayed overnight in hotels in both Whistler and Quesnel, and finished in Jasper, Alberta.