National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa

Advantages: Plenty to see in a fairly small area
Disadvantages: B****y cold in winter - fuzzy knickers required

...in Canada, having holidayed in British Columbia, but B.C is to Canada what California is to the USA, i.e. “in it” but not necessarily “of it”, so this was to be my first experience of mainstream Canada. My wife and I have a Canadian friend whose job with IBM (I’ve Been Moved) keeps on resettling her, the first time in Vancouver, this time in Ottawa – where next? Who knows? Anyway, thanks to IBM, it’s a different floor to sleep on. We went there first in June 2000, and over this last New Year as well. Getting to Ottawa is relatively easy but limited in choice to national carriers, i.e. BA and Air Canada/Canadian (these two are in the throes of merging, much to their mutual disgust, it would seem). If you’re looking for a bargain basement fare, you want the bread-and-butter routes like Toronto... Read review

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Advantages: Historical, lots to see, cheap
Disadvantages: Transport links

...are magnificently cast and look very real. In front of the memorial is the Canadian's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We found the square surrounding the memorial a lovely place to sit and enjoy our lunch. THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA: Outside the National Gallery was one of the worst pieces of modern art I think I've seen. It was a huge metal spider, complete with egg sack, which you could walk under. I thought it was absolutely hideous and it nearly put me off the whole museum! Inside there are better things to see. Admission is $5.95 but its free on Thursdays after 5pm and that's when we went. The museum houses a lot of Canadian art but also houses art from all over the world. I like older European art (pre 20th century) and there was a gallery which suited this and the paintings in there were beautiful. There were also galleries... Read review

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Advantages: not too large, lots of museums, sights, shops
Disadvantages: not as easy to get to as other large cities

...would have, it has its fair share of museums. The War Museum is quite small but very interesting, there is a technology museum which is a fair bus ride from the centre. The National Gallery of Canada is also beautifully laid out and has a fine collection with rotating exhibitions. Hull has it's own museum, namely the Canadian Museum of Civilisation, which was my favourite in Ottawa, possibly because it is trying a bit harder to be more child-friendly (even though I was just travelling on my own and didn't have any children I find this a positive aspect in boredom-factor in museums!). It has a great exhibition area about the history of native canadians prior to the European immigration and provides an interesting insight into the indigenous cultures of Canada. Not forgetting that you have crossed into Quebec at this point (it... Read review

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