A Canadian Summer, Curated by Marie Pier and Hugo
This year, Marie Pier and Hugo are sharing their dream summer itineraries across Canada. No passport required, just a few days, some well-chosen addresses, and a taste for discovery. Their routes are packed with culture, nature, great food and cozy hotels. Two travel styles. Two curated itineraries to inspire your own escape.
Marie Pier’s Go-To Getaway
From Ottawa to Toronto — walkable cities, inspiring culture, and food stops worth the detour.
Marie Pier loves vacations where you walk a lot, eat incredibly well and take your time discovering new places. Her ideal summer trip starts at Le Germain Hotel Ottawa, with a refined dinner at Norca, the perfect way to immerse herself in local flavors from night one. The next morning, she stops by Alt Café Ottawa, strolls along the Rideau Canal, visits the National Gallery of Canada… and ends the day on the patio at Jackson, one of her favorite dinner spots, now open in the evening with a new menu of shareable dishes, cocktails, and local wines in an artistic setting.
Day three is all about the journey — one last breakfast at Norca, and then off to Toronto by car or train (with her summer playlist in ears, of course). Marie Pier checks in at Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer, drops off her bags, and heads up to Le Germain Rooftop, an urban oasis on the 11th floor of the hotel, perfect for a sunny aperitif above the city buzz.
Toronto, for her, is best explored on foot. A few hours in the Distillery District, wandering galleries and sipping coffee on sunny patios. Then over to Queen Street West, maybe a picnic in Trinity Bellwoods Park, and to top it off: cocktails at Bar Le Germain at Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square — one of Marie Pier’s favorites for its vibrant energy and relaxed elegance. To mix things up: a visit to the CN Tower for a sky-high view of the city, or Ripley’s Aquarium, perfect for a refreshing and playful break. The trip ends with a coffee in Harbourfront or a stroll through the colorful streets of Kensington Market... and a camera roll full of new favorites.
Hugo’s Ideal Itinerary
Calgary, Banff, and the Sweet Spot Between City and Nature
A car is highly recommended to fully enjoy this journey between Calgary and Banff.
For Hugo, summer is about exploring without ever sacrificing comfort. He kicks things off downtown at Le Germain Hotel Calgary then heads to Alt Hotel Calgary East Village and spends the evening immersed in the world of chef Darren MacLean : dinner at NUPO, proudly ranked No. 30 on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list in 2025 — a must-visit for fans of modern Japanese cuisine. After dinner, he slips into the speakeasy tucked behind the restaurant to discover afterEIGHT, proudly featured on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 list. Dim lights, inventive cocktails, and perfect service make it the perfect place for an unforgettable nightcap.
The next day, he’s off to East Village for a full day: Lazy Day Rafting or fly fishing on the Bow River. True to his habits, Hugo explores the local food scene by spontaneously stopping at places off the beaten path such as Sidewalk Citizen Bakery, and Scozzafava’s. In the evening, he winds down at the hotel with his signature Negroni at Lounge 899 — satisfied and ready for his next adventure.
On day three, the vibe shifts. Hugo checks into Alt Hotel Calgary University District, a calm and colorful hub that still keeps him close to everything. Dinner is at CHARCUT, a local favourite known for its warm, rustic fare, lively atmosphere and New York–style pizzas that rival the real thing.
Then comes the highlight: Banff. Hugo has the ideal plan: stay in Calgary, just under an hour away, and avoid the crowds inside the park. He leaves early, spends the day exploring trails, lakes and mountaintops, then returns to the hotel for a quiet night’s sleep.
