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Canadian road trip: Toronto to Winnipeg

Fresh from a Canadian road trip with her granddaughter Margot, Christiane Germain, co-president and co-founder of Germain Hôtels, shares tales of her adventures from Montreal to Calgary.

The purpose of the journey was to reunite with our Alt and Le Germain teams that Christiane had not seen in person for many months. The trip was filled with emotion as she reconnected with members of the great Germain family, and at once she also realized the high level of hygiene standards we have implanted across the country.

The distance between Toronto and Winnipeg is 2,076 km, so needless to say, the two travel companions didn’t do it all in a single day! Here are the stops they made along the way.

SAULT STE. MARIE

After a first long day of driving, Christiane and Margot drove the iconic Group of Seven Road, which features breathtaking landscapes that have inspired the work of many Canadian artists. At the end of this magnificent stretch of road, the duo celebrated Canada Day in Sault Ste. Marie. After a refreshing dip in the hotel pool, they ended the day by taking a stroll along the beautiful Sault Ste. Marie Canal.

UPPER LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK (KATHERINE COVE)

On the second day of the drive from Toronto to Winnipeg, the duo stopped at a personal favourite of Christiane’s: Katherine Cove in Lake Superior Provincial Park, where they had a surprising encounter with horses! A horse lover and rider herself, Margot was over the moon! The two horses, aged 10 and 11, were also on their way to Alberta and their owners were taking a short break on the beach before heading back out on the highway.

THUNDER BAY

En route to Thunder Bay, Christiane and Margot stopped at a roadside market where they purchased Lake Superior smoked trout. Anxious for her daily swim, thanks to the Waze app Margot found the tranquil area of Rabbit Lake and enjoyed a short, well-deserved break. The two adventurers ended their second long day's drive in Thunder Bay, where they enjoyed a dinner of the famous smoked trout purchased earlier in the day.

WINNIPEG

Finally arriving in Winnipeg, they dropped off their suitcases at Alt Hotel Winnipeg before enjoying a delicious meal at The Merchant Kitchen, located within the hotel. Inspired by the street food of Latin and Asian cultures, the restaurant's menu encouraged them to combine flavours for a refreshing experience. Christiane and Margot both fell in love with the Buffalo chicken wings served with a jalapeno sauce. On the next morning began the great crossing of the Canadian Prairies, destination: Calgary!

On the driving playlist: Toutes les femmes savent danser by Loud

Follow the rest of their road trip here!

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Anne Murray-Potvin 2
Anne Murray-PotvinJuly 24th, 2020
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