Friday, June 24, 2011

The Great Canadian Blog Bash! Plus, a Giveaway!!!

Canada Day is fast approaching and what greater way to celebrate than by participating in The Great Canadian Blog Bash?
Follow fellow Canadian bloggers for this celebration and make sure to check out the hosts of this great party!  Mom vs. the Boys, Whispered Inspirations, Pampered Patty, Kat's Confessions, and Good Girl Gone Green :)

Oh, Canada!

As an ESL teacher (English as a Second Language teacher), I am in contact with people from around the world every day.  My job is mainly to help students improve their speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar skills, but I also help them learn about Canadian culture.  Basically, they become immersed in the culture and the language. What better way to learn a language than to just delve right into the culture?

This means that I need to expose my students to all things "Canadian".  Without being stereotypical or too cliche, we try to offer our visitors from other countries an experience to remember. What do we think all visitors to Canada should experience?

* Visiting the cabane a sucre (sugar shack) and seeing how maple syrup is made. There's nothing better than having a pancake breakfast with the works and slathering pure Canadian maple syrup all over everything!

* Visiting Vieux Montreal/ le Vieux Port (Old Montreal and the Old Port) in the summer. Take in the sights of this beautiful, magical, historic city! Listen to street musicians, sit at a patio restaurant and have a cool drink, or sample a Queue de Castor (Beaver Tail) pastry. There's so much to do in Montreal! Of course, having lived there for 23 years, I'm not biased at all!

* Eating real Poutine! Only in Quebec can you experience real poutine! They use a gravy known as "poutine sauce" and real cheese curds. Though this is definitely not your #1 health conscious choice, you can try it just for the experience. Quebec = poutine + beer + hockey!

* Also on the Montreal list are two Montreal traditions: smoked meat sandwiches at Schwartz's Hebrew Delicatessen and Montreal bagels. St. Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel are my favourites! As a former Montrealer, I cannot eat bagels if they are not from Montreal. I know, I know. Total bagel snob!

* Spend some time in historic Quebec City.

* Toronto - Film Festival, Taste of the Danforth, visit Casa Loma, check out the Bata Shoe Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario...and of course, visit the CN Tower. There are tons of things to do in Toronto. These are just a few to begin with!

* Niagara Falls - No ESL student travels to Canada without visiting Niagara Falls!

* Go wine tasting and experience fine dining on Niagara on the Lake. While you're there, make sure to pick up some ice wine to take home with you!

* Appreciate the sights on the East Coast! Though the only Maritime province I've been to is New Brunswick, I have always wanted to visit Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island! Call me a geek, but I've always wanted to go to Anne's Land! Huge fan of Anne of Green Gables  here!

* Vancouver and Victoria are two of my favourite places in Canada. There are plenty of things to do and British Columbia is such a beautiful province!

* Of course, living on Manitoulin Island, I'd have to say that you need to visit "The Island"! Take a stroll on the boardwalk and soak up the scenery. The white sand beach and the turquoise water at Providence Bay will blow you away.  Hike up the Cup and Saucer hiking trails, check out the Bridal Veil Falls, treat yourself to something sweet at the Chocolate Works, appreciate the talent of the many artists on the Island by checking out the Perivale Art Gallery, catch a musical at the Burns' Wharf Theatre, go stargazing at Gordon's Park (and if you're lucky, you might even see the Northern Lights), go to the Farmer's Market and sample local fare, make sure to buy local produce from the Gypsy Family Farm, take a coffee break at Loco Beanz, and have a delicious and healthy dinner at the Garden's Gate Restaurant... These are only some of the many things you can do on beautiful Manitoulin Island!





The Giveaway!

In participating in The Great Canadian Blog Bash,  I am also hosting an amazing proudly Canadian giveaway! Many of you have heard (ummm...or read!) me rave about how fabulous Ultimately Chocolate 
is.
 
Not only is Ultimately Chocolate a great Canadian business, but they are from the island I now call home. That's right! Made on beautiful Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada!
Ultimately Chocolate is giving one of my lucky blog readers a box of TOFFLES! What are TOFFLES, you ask? They're decadent and delectably smooth chocolate truffle, surrounded by a rich, dark chocolate toffee.
*TO ENTER:*

Simply leave me a comment in the comments section of this blog, telling me what you love best about Canada or what your favourite thing to do or place to visit in Canada is.
Please make sure you leave your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win. Also, please leave one comment per entry if you opt for extra chances to win!

If  you'd like extra chances to win:
- Follow me on Google Friend Connect.
- Follow me on Twitter @chancesmommy
- Tweet this post/giveaway
- Like us on Facebook

**Giveaway ends on July 1st, 2011 and is open to Canadian residents only.** 


116 comments:

  1. My mouth is watering after that post! ;)
    My fav. thing about Canada these days is that I can give birth for free! ;)

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  2. following on twitter @raisingmemories
    odebt at yahoo dot com

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  3. I like you on facebook :)
    odebt at yahoo dot com

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  4. Hi I love the nature at our finger tips and that there is still so much undiscovered in this great land.

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  5. I love that I can live in and benefit equally from the English and French cultures and languages. Double the fun!
    robyn dot ouimet at gmail dot com

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  6. I like you on facebook (Robyn Ouimet)
    robyn dot ouimet at gmail dot com

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  7. I follow you on twitter (robynthecoach)
    robyn dot ouimet at gmail dot com

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  8. I re-tweeted the giveaway (robynthecoach)
    robyn dot ouimet at gmail dot com

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  9. Great blog, Christine! The vast and diverse multicultural tapestry of Canada is something to be celebrated every day of our lives in this amazing country! Lovin' it!
    @shannonartsdiva @perivalegallery

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  10. pick me! pick me! i love those toffles. you brought us each a box when you came down to toronto. what is it that i love about canada? the freedom we have that many people in other country's don't and i don't have to sell my kidney if i need to go to the hospital. our healthcare has its problems but in all it is pretty darn good !

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  11. i follow you on gfc

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  12. i like you on fb. don't have twitter but would follow you too if i did..

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  13. I love Canada and the freedom we experience. I love the beautiful scenery from BC to NFLD. We are truly fortunate to live in such a great country!

    ajmizen(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  14. Tweet:
    http://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/84363719265619968

    ajmizen(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  15. I "like" you on FB. (Amy M)

    ajmizen(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  16. I love all of Canada and everything about it. I can not choose a favourite place. I love so much of it. I love that we are a country that is proud and accepting of one another too

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  17. http://twitter.com/#!/Gingermommy/status/84366303120457728

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  18. I love that Canada is always on the list of best countries in world to live in. And my city Vancouver is always in the top 5 cities! That makes me very proud to be a citizen.
    jenyasha87 at hotmail dot com

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  19. http://twitter.com/#!/mysecrethome/status/84369315993882624
    jenyasha87 at hotmail dot com

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  20. Wow those look yummy! My favourite thing to do is to visit our glorious beaches and hike in our forests and provincial parks.

    melacan at hotmail dto com

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  21. I love our freedom in Canada,and that Canadians are so friendly! I love all of canada,cant pick a particular place,but where I live in NL is really nice! :)
    ksceviour at hotmail dot com

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  22. I follow you on twitter
    @Ksceviour

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  23. I like you on facebook(Karla Sceviour)

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  24. I tweeted
    http://twitter.com/ksceviour/status/84376198238568448

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  25. I love Canada because of its freedom of speech and the land.

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  26. I love the nature and friendly people :) and I do hope those Toffles will end up here in Levis, Quebec!

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  27. I love everything about Canada - the 4 seasons, the beautiful scenery! So much!

    Thanks for the yummy giveaway!!
    stellarbookblog[at]gmail[dot]com

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  28. I love Canada, the seasons, the diversity, and especailly Newfoundland. If you want a peak, head over to my blog and check out the photos. It is a beautiful place, and I wish I still lived there!

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  29. I love the fact that Canadians are respected throughout the world. When you are travelling internationally, once someone finds out you are Canadian, you get stellar service.

    It is wonderful to live in a country that is democratic and free speech is afforded to everyone without fear of penalty.

    Thanks for the great giveaway. ~Pauline

    dod@rogers.com

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  30. I am following your blog publically with Google Friend Connect. GFC ID: dod

    dod@rogers.com

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  31. I am following you on Twitter. My Twitter ID is @bullittmilner.

    dod@rogers.com

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  32. I tweeted about your giveaway:

    https://twitter.com/#!/bullittmilner/status/84559581304463360

    dod@rogers.com

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  33. I am a fan of yours on Facebook. My Facebook ID is Pauline Milner Pike.

    dod@rogers.com

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  34. My favourite place in Canada is Manitoulin:) Our cottage is on Lake Kagawong, so being by the Bridal Veil Falls is as good as it gets. One of the great things to see is on the way up to the ferry dock on the Bruce Peninsula. It's all just so secluded and beautiful.

    dhunter at musician dot org

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  35. i love the wide open spaces of Canada
    taraz9 at excite dot com

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  36. I live in NL!! And I love the peaceful atmosphere and beauty! Also,,,I LOVE poutine! karasceviour at hotmail dot com

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  37. I follow you via GFC. karasceviour at hotmail dot com

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  38. My favorite thing about Canada as we are known as "the polite people". I like that! Everyone else should be more like us

    sweetpeg at gmail dot com

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  39. I follow you on twitter as sweetmamabrady

    sweetpeg at gmail dot com

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  40. http://twitter.com/#!/sweetmamabrady/status/84694183624982528

    sweetpeg at gmail dot com

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  41. Oh only one thing I love about Canada? The seasons...well mostly just summer and fall:) And the quiet places in the woods and on the lakes. Such beauty!
    modernmom at rocketmail dot com

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  42. I follow on twitter too @SassyModernMom

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  43. My favourite place to visit in Canada in Niagara Falls - I just think it is so fun and there are so many things to do there!

    (PS I wish you'd add a place to subscribe to your blog via RSS or email as I'd love to subscribe)

    charmtime at gmail dot com

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  44. the best thing about Canada is that Canadians are the friendliest people on earth


    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  45. We love to visit Fundy National Park in NB...beautiful scenery and lots of outdoor activities!

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  46. I follow on google friend connect


    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  47. I follow you on GFC as OlderMommy, Still Yummy

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  48. I follow on twitter as OlderMommyStill

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  49. I like you on f/b as Older Mommy, Still Yummy

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  50. tweeted

    http://twitter.com/#!/Prairiebelle/status/85074453591113728

    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  51. Oh Canada! There are so many things I love about our great country! My fave place that I have visited it Ucluelet BC. I would love to journey to the East Coast one day!! Happy Canada Day lovelies!!
    rebthecatsitter at gmail.com

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  52. I am following you with GFC (Rebby)
    rebthecatsitter at gmail.com

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  53. I am following @chancesmommy on twitter!
    @rebthecatsitter
    rebthecatsitter at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I am a Facebook Fan! (Rebecca Roberts)
    rebthecatsitter at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I tweeted!
    http://twitter.com/#!/RebTheCatSitter/status/85105732504137728
    rebthecatsitter at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  57. I love the summers on Vancouver island, B.C. Going swimming and discovering the beauitful trails :). Lots of outdoor activities :). I do however want to visit other places of Canada especially PEI and Nova Scotia.

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  58. Following on GFC under Berendina!

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  59. Following @chancesmommy under @TheArtOfBaking

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Tweeted about post/giveaway!

    http://twitter.com/#!/TheArtOfBaking/status/85113449104936960

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Liked you on Facebook under Berendina Dykema!

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  62. my husband has been to the island, but I never have. I'm thinking I need to change that! lol those look delish! thanks for taking part!
    momvstheboys at gmail dot com

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  63. I love that as Canadians we are welcome all over the world and regarded as polite and friendly.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  64. I follow on twitter as momvstheboys
    momvstheboys at gmail dot com

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  65. I follow Chances Mommy on twitter as 409cope.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  66. I like you on FB and realized I never really answered your question. I love the changing seasons we have here in Canada and I love go hiking and be in nature!
    momvstheboys at gmail dot com

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  67. I like you on facebook.Shari D cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  68. My favourite place in Canada is Banff and Lake Louise!

    sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. follow you via GFC (Sweet Panda)

    sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Follow you on twitter (@PandaSweetSweet)

    sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

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  71. I love everything about Canada from the people to the free healthcare :D

    leanne_gag[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  72. Greetings: I love Canada for our freedom and
    and I support the Armed Forces.
    Happy Birthday Canada.
    Also, love the ocean on LongBeach Vanc. Island BC

    ReplyDelete
  73. follow your blog on gfc as dayle b.
    email addy dayleb at telus dot net
    did not put my addy on #92, sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  74. follow your blog on twitter as vinci777
    dayleb at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  75. like your blog on facebook as dayle b
    email: dayleb at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  76. daily titter June 27
    chancesmommy C
    by vinci777
    @
    @SJM_CookiesMom The Great Canadian Blog Bash! :) Come check out tons of amazing Canadian bloggers :)
    19 hours ago Favorite Undo Retweet Reply

    ReplyDelete
  77. My fav place to visit is PEI!

    didyouknowcanada@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. Did you know CanadaJune 27, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    Follow you on GFC

    didyouknowcanada@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. Did you know CanadaJune 27, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Follow you on twitter

    @diduknowcanada

    didyouknowcanada@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. Tommy Douglas was chosen as the greatest Canadian - rightly so! Universal health care is a very important and beautiful thing about being Canadian.

    fionabarnowl at care2dotcom

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  81. https://twitter.com/#!/Gingermommy/status/85711141975752704

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  82. I'm not eligible but I just have to say that these Toffles are SO YUMMY!
    So creative and cute too.

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  83. There are so many places I like to visit in Canada - however I have never been to BC, so that is on the top of my list to visit next!
    info(at)littlemisskate(dot)ca

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  84. I follow you on twitter
    info(at)littlemisskate(dot)ca

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  85. Thanks for joining #TGCBB. I already follow you on twitter, now on facebook and GFC. One thing I love about Canada is this amazing Bash we've started and all the truly fantastic men and women I have met so far!!

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  86. I love the Kingston Ontario area...a lot to see and do there also. Old Fort Henry, Thousand Islands Cruises, Bellvue House (Sir John A. MacDonald's house), lovely old houses and many other things...Ghost Walk anyone?

    lindahl at rogers dot com

    ReplyDelete
  87. I follow on Twitter-jlindahlj

    lindahl at rogers dot com

    ReplyDelete
  88. I tweeted
    https://twitter.com/#!/jlindahlj/status/86279599650115584

    lindahl at rogers dot com

    ReplyDelete
  89. I liked you on Facebook

    lindahl at rogers dot com

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  90. I love all of the great food that we celebrate as Canadians! Nanaimo Bars, Poutine, Butter Tarts...yum! :)

    I'm a GFC follower (talkingmomcents)

    GFC will not let me log in with my profile to comment

    talkingmomcents(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I'm a GFC follower (talkingmomcents)

    GFC will not let me log in with my profile to comment

    talkingmomcents(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  92. I follow on twitter (@missbobloblaw)

    I'm a GFC follower (talkingmomcents)

    GFC will not let me log in with my profile to comment

    talkingmomcents(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  93. tweeted!
    http://twitter.com/missbobloblaw/status/86347722982047744

    I'm a GFC follower (talkingmomcents)

    GFC will not let me log in with my profile to comment

    talkingmomcents(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  94. I follow on GFC as jlindahlj

    lindahl at rogers dot com

    ReplyDelete
  95. I love the diversity in Canada,it really creates a great country!

    momtodc(at)gmail(dot)com

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  96. I love Canada's multiculturalism. I love our colours and our universal healthcare and our timmies :)

    callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  97. I follow on GFC
    callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  98. I follow on twitter as callista83
    callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  99. I follow on facebook as Kathleen G
    callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca

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  100. One of my favourite places in Canada to visit is Tofino!

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  101. I am a Facebook fan (Jennifer Margaret)

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  102. I follow you on Twitter @jbinvan

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  103. Being from Niagara, I totally agree that Niagara-on-the-Lake is a must visit....one of my favourite places!

    casper (at) dublin.com

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  104. Following on twitter
    @canadagiveaways

    casper (at) dublin.com

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  105. Great list!
    My fav. place to visit is Algonquin park, though Montreal is a close second.

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