Reading week is coming up and some of you have probably been planning for this winter break since the school year started. The rest of us, however, have been working too hard (or hardly working) to even spare a second to plan anything – which means that it’s too late to plan the whole sha-bang we thought reading week would end up being. Here is a list of last-minute trip ideas that would still make reading week 2013 one to remember.
1. Old Montreal
Montreal is a short two-hour bus ride away, with no traffic by greyhound, and if you book at least a week in advance you can get a round-trip ticket for a bargain price of around $40 (student discount). The events to do on a budget in Montreal are more exciting than you may think. In fact, many of Montreal’s best tourist attractions are free of charge. One such attraction is Old Montreal: a quaint, beautiful well-preserved “European” town. Multiple languages are spoken there; however French is the official language of Montreal. The feel of the city is very friendly and it is a liberal place, so you should keep an open mind for maximum enjoyment. Visit the art galleries, museums, and shops and don’t worry about being intimidated by the ‘otherness’ of the French language or food.
2. Blue Mountain
This beautiful skiing destination offers picturesque surroundings and amazing slopes…as well as great deals and packages. Choose from lodgings to village suites for your weekend (or week long stay). Even if you are not an avid skier, the resort offers shopping, delectable cuisine, sushi bars, Irish pubs, bar and grill restaurants and several other nightlife locales.
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3. Stay-cation
Why not stay right here in Ottawa and discover your own city? If you’re guilty of only living at Carleton University instead of in Ottawa, now could be the perfect time to explore and find new things to love about the city. As the capital of the great nation of Canada, there is so much to do. You can go to museums such as the National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of Civilization or the even the Diefenbunker. You can enjoy the many festivals going on such as Winterlude (on until Feb. 18th) or enjoy nature sports like skiing. Also available are a wide variety of entertainment spots and nightlife events – whether you like musicals or sports games, there is something for you.
4. Rent a car and drive!
Canada is a big place and if you’re looking for excitement and adventure, why not get a car, some good friends and a map and see what’s out there. The possibilities of where you could end up before it’s time to head back to campus to the usual planning, papers, and finals are endless.. Go see the world, or at least part the country.