Although it is the fourth largest city in Canada and considered to be a political and technological center, what is perhaps most appealing is it’s high ranking  on the quality of life index.  Wikipedia says Ottawa…”ranks 2^nd out of 150 in the Numbeo quality of life index, and 14^th out of 221 in the Mercer Quality of Living Survey.” (Numbeo is a database which provides information on world living conditions.  The Mercer survey measures the quality of life in a total of 221 cities.)

The factors considered in determining the quality of life of a city include the cost of living, housing indicators, health care, traffic, crime and pollution.

In 2013  the Police Services Board reported Ottawa was considered to be one of the safest cities in Canada, and it also has a healthcare system that is one of the most highly regarded in the world, because of quality institutions such as The Ottawa Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Queensway-Carleton Hospital, and Montfort Hospital.  The Royal Ottawa Hospital provides specialty mental care.

In addition to that the North American Sustainable Cities Scoreboard ranks Ottawa No. 1 for Environmental Quality. It’s a city where you can connect with green-minded people through organizations like “Green Ottawa”, which calls itself the gateway to a green, sustainable Ottawa.

 February 2015 stats indicate you can get a Big Mac Meal for $8.00, 2 liters of CocaCola for  $2.26, one month of utilities for $126.00, 4 rolls of toilet paper for $3.18, a tube of toothpaste for $2.56, and a cappuccino for $3.60.

Ottawa is also known for having top notch academic institutions, world class research centers, major international companies, and the city and the countryside are considered to be beautiful.

Academic institutions include Algonquin College, Carleton University, La Cite Collegiale, University of Ottawa, Dominican University College, and Saint Paul University.

Major employers include the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Royal Canadian Mint, (which produces coins and coinage for 57 countries), MDS Nordion, Inc., a health care company, Lockheed Martin Canada, and General Dynamics Canada, the country’s largest defense contractor.

Ottawa also boasts the CHEO Research Institute, which sponsored a $60 million national research network for innovative cancer treatment, and the Human Rights Research and Education Center, which has developed international research and education programs  for such countries as Zimbabwe, Brazil, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, El Salvador, Kosovo, India and Indonesia.

The city is also becoming more and more diverse.  It boasts Chinatown, Little Italy, and where once it was known for occupants speaking English and French, it now includes Arabic, Chinese, Spanish and Italian.

No wonder Ottawa is  developing a great reputation for attracting newcomers.

The post WHAT MAY SURPRISE YOU ABOUT OTTAWA appeared first on A Moms Review.

People of different walks of life congregate here and find persons of similar interests. The horizon is full of social places, quiet scenes and a few faces that will hopefully become familiar to you. So while you consider how to best spend some leisure time, it will benefit you to consider the below activities for fun and relaxation. It’s what we in Ottawa do best.

The National Gallery of Canada

At the National Gallery of Canada, visitors get an up close and personal look at original Tom Thomson wilderness sketches among renown contemporary artists. Inuit sculptures are available in what is the world most prestigious collection of Canadian art. The gallery currently has a collection of roughly 40,000 works of art that can be seen by visitors.

The visual and intellectual displays are great for all ages and interests. There is no limit to who will enjoy this experience. The Canadian and international scenes are captured at the National Gallery of Canada with its impressive Contemporary Collection of over 3,000 items. Throughout an entire year, over 300 individual pieces will be purchased or given as gifts to the gallery. This is a memorable place sure to bring about unforgettable moments of a lifetime.

The Peace Tower

What stands today as the Peace Tower was once the 55 metre Victoria Tower. That older structure was burnt to the ground in 1916 with the majority of neighboring buildings, and the only survivor was the Library of Parliament. Today, the Peace Tower is a clock tower with a bell inside and is surrounded by the Canadian Parliament buildings.

Ottawa is truly a place of culture. The tower, designed by Jean Omer Marchand and John A. Pearson, includes stone carvings of roughly 370 different gargoyles. These figurines are in theme with the Victorian High Gothic appearance of the building’s architectural complex.

Ottawa’s ByWard Market

Imagine craft merchants, artisans and farmers hosting a fun public market in none other than Ottawa. These participants will be selling specialities you’re not likely to find elsewhere. It is all a walk from Parliament Hill. The market was started by Lieutenant-Colonel John By during the year of 1826 and has been running since.

Warms days at the market are great for lounging in chairs and enjoying café while the world moves around you in a lively manner. Exciting annual events occurs at the market and include the ByWard Market Mardi Gras, Tastes of ByWard or even the Winterlude Stew Cook-Off. So come join in on the fun of Ottawa city, Canada.

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Family Oriented Resort Activities

Kids are going to want to have fun and be entertained with games, other kids, and fun in the sun. Finding a resort that can offer up activities all day long is a must. Many time resorts can even put together day trips and activities for groups of kids, giving parents a chance to relax and spend time together. The great part about creative activity directors and the addition of sun, beach and pool sides are kids are guaranteed to have a great time. Not being forced to go to boring adult restaurants and just tag along with parents, kids will have their own vacation, and steer clear of other travellers that might be looking for more adult activities such as dancing and parties. Many times a resort can have an adult pool as well as a family pool, so the family oriented pool can free up space for child oriented games and activities.

Groups Bringing the Party

Whether you group is looking for a fun bachelor or bachelorette weekend, or are part of a destination, it is easy to come into a resort and feel as if you are taking over! You want to feel as if you have come to the party and haven’t simply brought it with you. Resorts that offer extreme outings, dancing and late night activities will make your travel group ready for the action. By accommodating those who may be around for a little more fun, groups won’t feel as if they need to quiet down and that there isn’t anything to do. If resorts can offer up fun for groups on their own terms, they can still have a great, safe time on the resort and commingle with other travellers.

Couple’s Retreat

Resorts cater to honeymooners, destination weddings and anniversaries, and there are plenty of couples activities such as massages, special dining and creative ways to set an all date date on a couple cabana. Make sure to check what spa packages are on offer with an all inclusive package, oftentimes upgrades and deals can be found before hand and booked along with travel. Finding a resort that can offer up romantic, calm settings while keeping the entertainment alive and a fun setting for all is what an all inclusive resort is all about.

All inclusive resorts really can offer up a good time for all types of guests. There is no reason travellers with different ideas of the dream vacation cannot all find what they are looking for at the same resort. When booking, make sure your needs are accommodated for upfront. If so, there is no need to be scared off if you want to party but there are kids at the resort, or if you have a family and there are couples activities on offer. Making every traveller happy is just a part of being an all inclusive resort.

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History of an Empire

The history of Chiang Mai or the “new city” founded in 1296 is the site of the former hill tribe community, Wiang Nopburi. Closely related to Burmese Wa tribes to the West, the Wiang Nopburi Lanna tribal society populated quite large cities across the Chiang Mai valley. Led by the ruler, or Chao, Chiang Mai succeeded Chiang Rai as the seat of the Lanna Kingdom. The decline of the Kingdom saw a transition to Burmese rule in 1556.

In 1775, Chiang Mai was incorporated as part of Siam in 1775 by an agreement with Chao Kavila, after Thai King, Taksin liberated the city. While abandoned from 1776 to 1791 during the Burmese insurgency, Chiang Mai continued to grow post this period. The contemporary landscape of Northern Thailand’s culture, economy, and especially trade substantiates its recognition as the second most important city in the country.

Cultural Sites

Recognized for its more than three hundred Buddhist temples or Wat, Chiang Mai is a center of religious pilgrimage. The city most visited for temple architecture, the efficacy of the region’s influence on the structural elements of Thai Buddhism is well acknowledged. So important is Chiang Mai’s development in Thai art and architectural history that the city is unrivalled by the capital in respect to transmission of key cultural aspects of Buddhist intellectual and spiritual thought and practice.

The Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center. Chiang Mai National Museum, and the city’s Tribal Museum encompass a vast history of resplendent regional culture. The Chiang Mai National Museum offers highlights of the history of the Kingdom of Lanna and the greater region affected by the tumultuous Burmese invasion. The Tribal Museum exhibits local mountain tribal culture, describing the history of shared ritual and economic activity.

The continuity of Chiang Mai as a second financial center of Thailand’s north is illustrated in the presence of two institutions: Bank of Thailand Museum and the Mint Bureau of Chiang Mai. The Bank of Thailand Museum covers the history, operations, and market activities of the organization, and its import in national and international commerce.

The city’s history as a Southeast Asian trade center put the city on the map for the Sala Thanarak, Treasury Department. Tourists can visit the Ministry of Finance, Mint Bureau located one block from AUA on Rajdamnern Road. The coin museum is open to the public for viewing of the Lanna Kingdom currency, including leaf money produced from recycled silver and brass bubbles. Also known as “pig-mouth” currency, these rare currency pieces are fascinating to review.

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Phuket Island

Thailand’s Phuket island is the most popular of the island resort destinations in the country. Specifically, the Island’s Patong, Kata and Karon beaches known for their geographical beauty are host to an array of world class hotels. While more crowded than other island destinations in Thailand, Phuket’s resort hotels are notable for excellence in service. Where to stay Phuket: Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa, Rawai, and Vijitt Resort, Rawai.

Islands to Visit Near Phuket

Outside of Phuket, Thailand’s other islands are less spoilt than other coastline destinations in the Archipelago. Koh Hae (Coral Island), Koh Lanta, Koh Mook, Koh Ngai and Koh Radang are smaller chains of islands. The latter located just south-east of Phi Phi Island, is exquisite in limestone rock formation. Visit Morakot Cave and swim through a 70-metre tunnel located under a cliff face. Koh Phi Phi’s Maya Bay is a stunning cove speckled coast. The Pileh Lagoon on the island offers snorkelling in crystal clear waters, with visibility of more than 50 metres.

Koh Racha about 19 kilometres off of the coast of Phuket is a white sand beach paradise. Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi is very similar, yet dotted with high-end resort spas not as frequented by foreign tourists. Visit Krabi on the mainland for its pristine beaches. Phang Nga is a beautiful hideaway offering vista views for miles.

Where to stay: Sri Lanta Resort.

Gulf of Thailand

Koh Phangan and Koh Samui have recently increased in popularity for its youth oriented recreation. Koh Samui is a spectacular island known for its crescent-shaped beach at Chaweng. Nightlife lovers will enjoy listening to sounds of Blues and Reggae music, then escape to calm south of Chaweng Noi. The island also offers some significant Buddhist architecture on the north coast, in the wooden village of Bophut. Take a ferry or speedboat to visit Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. Angthong National Marine Park is also nearby.

If diving or snorkel is your sport, Koh Tao and adjacent Koh Nangyuan in the Gulf of Thailand, offer divers and snorkelers some of the best waters in Thailand. Smaller than Koh Tao, the island of Koh Nangyuan is an untouched virgin. For exploration Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan offer an excellent environment for the active visitor.

Where to stay: Impiana Resort, Chaweng Noi, Palita Lodge, Koh Phangan, The Sarann, Chaweng Noi, or Tapan Noi, Kho Phangan.

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This was, of course, a major embarrassment to the city’s engineering department, who had no idea that a tunnel ran underneath their city that they were totally unaware of, but there it was, and Diamond was on a quest to find it.

Finally, Diamond was able to convince the gas company to open a manhole that he thought was the entrance to this tunnel, and it was in the middle of a busy intersection on Atlantic Ave. Soon Diamond was digging underneath the street. Dirt mounds were everywhere, but he was soon uncovering evidence that a long lost trolley system existed. Not only that, but until 1861, it was one of the busiest trolley networks in the world.

A few years after his discovery, Diamond found out something even more intriguing: the existence of a locomotive that is supposedly buried inside the tunnel, and even pages from John Wilkes Booth’s diary, the missing pages that have mystified Lincoln assassination buffs for years.

Unfortunately, a corrupt contractor in 1861 convinced city officials that they should close the tunnel and fill it in, gaining the contract for himself. But he only half did the job, walling up both ends with an open area in between and covering the walls with dirt and pocketing the full amount for the job.

So by the beginning of World War I, the stories about the long lost trolley system were rampant, and would not die. Only the single manhole cover was the sole access point to the mystery, until, that is, Diamond went on his hunt.

From the mid-1970s until recently when the city revoked all of their permits, Diamond was the sole operator of a tour for the tunnel, keeping the stories alive and reviving hope that the tunnel could be reopened for the enjoyment of anyone who wanted to take a trip through history. City fathers, however, had different ideas, but they won’t share them with Diamond or anyone else.

As a result, the mystery of what is between the walls on the Atlantic Street tunnel remains. It hard to tell what is in there. Even with as much technology that is available that could answer the questions of why nobody wants to see what is behind the wall remain unanswered. And, unfortunately, it seems like the answers will never be revealed unless something changes in the near future. The good news is that Bob Diamond will still be there, ready to lead a tour, knock down a wall, or whatever else it takes to discover the secret of what is behind the wall.

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The Brooklyn Brewery has tours for their guests. These tours are free and most enjoyable. One can pack into this day a trip to Central Park. Tour the park on bicycle, foot or horse drawn carriage rides.

There is too much to mention to see that all Central Park holds for visitors. The Chelsea Galleries located spaced out among the 20th Streets between 10th and 11th Avenue. Stroll among the artwork where there is no pressure put on tourists to buy anything, but just enjoy the arts.

Many guests find a tour of New York’s City Hall wonderful to see with all the marble halls, architecture, and design. See where Abraham Lincoln’s coffin lay in state in 1865.

Be sure to catch a breathtaking view of the 911 Memorial Site and pay respects to all who perished on that forever-remembered day in history. Take a free ferry ride to Governor’s Island, a 172-acre island. The island holds a hiking path of just over 2-miles, picnic area, mini golf, the Admiral’s House and Nolan Park, which is host to a ‘ghost town’. Visit Rockefeller Center Public Art and take a Kayak trip free. The Staten Island Ferry takes guests to see the Statue of Liberty and tours are $12.00.

New York City offers so much culture, history and art, in addition to an endless venue of more expensive restaurants and shopping never ends in New York. There is an entire street in the city of New York dedicated to Broadway plays, so just pick what you want to see and get your tickets. New York is the backdrop for amazing movies and television shows. When in New York City find out how real the restaurant was in the Seinfeld series. In the Seinfeld series the cafe was Monk’s Cafe aka Tom’s Restaurant. Go and sit down for lunch or just a cup of coffee at West 112th Street and Broadway.

Visit one of the most expensive toy stores in the world call FAO Schwarz. View their giant floor piano or purchase one of your own. It is only $250,000.

When in New York, visit the Yankee Stadium and watch the game only from your luxury party suite where there is no missing any game action. This suite includes a large HD television for close up plays, an inclusive buffet with all the must have baseball foods.

Women can buy a personal shopping tour with all the best on the list, such as, Prada and Gucci. Indulge in a special makeover for $300.00. For $425.00 one can buy a personal SUV tour of New York.

From the most expensive restaurants and broadway plays, to the most casual dining and walks in Central Park , New York can be an elaborate get-a-way or a casual laid back holiday. New York offers something for every taste and budget.

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