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A Refreshing Visit to Louisiana Northshore

Paula — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 14:08:10 +0000

So close to New Orleans, and yet a world away in spirit, Louisiana Northshore is a little slice of something spectacular and a very refreshing soft adventure reprieve after our busy 3-day girl’s trip to New Orleans. Across the Shore, a World Apart Louisiana’s Northshore, St. Tammany Parish, is just a 45-minute drive from NOLA. With access to the same fresh seafood, cultural influences and chefs inspired by Acadian cuisine, Northshore Louisiana has a lot in common with The Big Easy, but without the hustle and the raucous streets of New Orleans. This makes the Northshore a charming spot for a soft adventure, romantic getaway or family vacation. I recently took a 12-day girl’s getaway Gulf Coast hosted media fam trip. We started in New Orleans and then drove to Louisiana’s Northshore. North of Your Expectations Louisiana’s Northshore drapes across the coast of Lake Ponchartrian, less than an hour away from the New Orleans French Quarter. New Orleanians have been using the Northshore as a getaway since the 1880s, way back when steamboats were the common mode of transportation leading people across the lake to stay in stately resorts shrouded by tall trees. The air in Northshore Louisiana was cooler and cleaner than it was in New Orleans and the deep-spring water was reputed to cure ills and calm nerves. Northshore Louisiana consists of: Madisonville, Old Mandeville, Lake Ponchartrain, La Combe, and Abiti Springs as well as Folsom, Pearl River, and Sun. Where to Stay in Northshore Louisiana As soon as we arrived in Louisiana Northshore, we checked into the stunning De La Bleau Bed and Breakfast in Old Mandeville. The decor in every room is themed according to colour. I stayed in the orange room which also had a bit of a safari feel with giraffe art on the wall. There was a small seating area, a large, private, well-appointed bathroom and reliable wifi. With a window seat that offered a view of the water from my room, and a very funky handmade headboard, the suites were all about the unique atmosphere. A Bit About this Charming Louisiana Bed and Breakfast De La Bleau was a passion project in retirement for husband and wife team Cindy and Clyde Touchstone. The bed and breakfast is spacious and clean and welcoming, with the sweetest personal touches. Located on Lafitte Street, you can easily walk to the boardwalk and water. Also, the Bed and Breakfast has bikes to borrow. De La Bleau can accommodate weddings and pets can stay in a lower level suite. High ceilings and a gorgeous breakfast bar, with fresh coffee always on hand, makes De La Bleau Bed and Breakfast cheery and bright, even for those who are not morning people. It’s hard to choose just one favourite feature here because it’s clear Cindy, a retired school bus driver, and husband Clyde, who both did some property flipping in their spare time, are genuinely talented at renovations and decorating. The space has character, but it also provides a lot of privacy for those who prefer that kind of stay. However, of all the endearing elements that make this such a great choice for a stay, the most memorable one is the food. The breakfast bacon here in this adorable Bed and Breakfast is worth the visit alone. It is the best bacon you will ever taste. Take a stroll along the water every morning. Grab a bike and go for a ride. A Sunset Pontoon Tour After checking in, we headed out to meet up with Louisiana Tours and Adventures for a pontoon boat tour. While the night was a bit cool when we were there, that pontoon boat ride was a fantastic way to get a good look at some of the prettiest spots on the water. View this post on Instagram We took a pontoon boat out on the Ponchartrain and watched the 🌅sunset, then we spied this swamp bar on the way back and asked the Captain to make a stop. When I came out of the restroom, @downshiftingpro was dancing with a real character. #hosted #lanorthshore #travel #wanderlust #tammanytaste #northofyourexpectations #travelling #canadalovesgulfshores #canadalovesgulfcoast #water #food #fun A post shared by Paula Schuck (@inkscrblr) on Nov 21, 2019 at 7:25am PST As the sun set, on the Tchefuncte River, the captain of the boat, Mike, showed us around and timed the ride perfectly so that we were right in front of the lighthouse as the sun lost its grip on the day. So glorious and appreciated! We spied a couple of our first tiny alligators of the trip out on the water. We had snacks and warm beverages on the boat and then a Northshore Louisiana swamp bar caught our eye. After circling around for a bit our amiable captain and PR guide Christina waltzed right in to T Rivers Bar and Grill with us. Because, when in Louisiana and you see a swamp bar, I mean, how can you resist? I left the room for five minutes and returned to find Margarita Ibbott dancing with a total stranger in a swamp bar in Louisiana. That’s something you don’t see every day. Of course, we had to try the swamp punch too, which was green and, while worth trying, not my kind of drink. I saddled up to the bar, where football was playing on multiple smaller screen TVs fixed to the walls behind the bar and asked for a cocktail. But literally, after running through maybe three possible drinks, I realized that I was clearly at a swamp bar. So, local beer it was then. Pizza Night Later that night, after returning to the shore and thanking Mike for an amazing pontoon ride, we drove to Duman Pizza. I had a wood oven fired pizza featuring shrimp and it was superb. In fact, I ate about four pieces, which for me, is unheard of, so but this point of our girl’s getaway I was all in on the gulf coast shrimp dishes. This would be a theme for me and I committed fully. After I finished some work back at the quiet B and B, I called it a night and woke up in time to meet everyone for breakfast. Liz’s Where Y’AT Diner on Florida Street in Mandeville is a must visit and a winner. The walls are all covered with bright beach colours and the bar, counter area is set up to resemble a Tiki Hut. But the cutest part of the restaurant is all of the fun sayings, quotes and witty anecdotes painted on the walls. The Bennies One of my personal favourite things here was that there’s a breakfast dish where you can mix and match the Eggs Benedict or the Bennies. So I had one crabby Eggs Benedict with Nawlin’s Eggs Benedict on a fried green tomato. The crabby bennies were rich and moist and such a southern Gulf Coast treat. Where Y’At? Are you ever on a trip where the restroom wows you so much that you have to take photos? Liz’s Where Y’at Diner is that kind of place. It’s a neighbourhood diner featuring scratch New Orleans cuisine. The vibe is beach mixed with 60s Hippy Flower Child Surfer Girl Vibe. Service was exceptional. Traveler Tip – > Try the Debris. Also the crabby Eggs Benedict was scrumptious. Debris is beef ends that are scraped off the end of the pot and are extremely flavourful. Grits and scramblers are also popular dishes here. Kayak with Alligators The four of us split up after breakfast. Both Margarita Ibbott and I were keen to try kayaking in the bayou. Again, I felt like how often in life do I have the chance to kayak in a bayou in Louisiana? So, for me it was not even a question. Whenever you have a chance to kayak on the bayou with alligators, embrace that opportunity. The paddling was leisurely and we spied two small alligators as we headed all the way to the lake. While you should always have a healthy fear of alligators, we heard repeatedly here that people and gators coexist. If you don’t feed them and leave them alone, they will leave you alone. Check Out Bayou Adventures Kayaking Bayou Adventures Kayaking, a family-owned business with bait shop and restaurant in the back, is a great place to rent what you need in order to do watersports in the area. They offer bike rentals, stand up paddle boards and kayaks as well as swamp tours. Bayou Adventures Kayaking delivers your kayaks and rental gear to the bayou, making your job the paddling and picture-taking. Take a Tour – Historic Mandeville QR Tours Explore the 31-mile Tammany Trace, on the Rail-to-Trail Hall of Fame project. You might also consider taking a fishing charter. Nuvolari’s In walking distance of De La Bleau Bed and Breakfast, Nuvolari’s is Italian food in a casual fine dining atmosphere on Girod Street, moments away from Lake Ponchartrain. We had dinner here on our second night in Old Mandeville and service was flawless. The oysters appetizer was scrumptious, but the Genoa Shrimp with candied pecans and fettuccini was exceptional. Candied pecans added texture and a dash of something sweet, making the Genoa Shrimp one of the best shrimp dishes I have had ever. Covington Browse the Shops in Covington There are dozens of adorable antique shops, a legendary hardware store, a cute shoe store and a few boutiques in downtown Covington. Founded in 1813, Covington is the seat of the parish of St. Tammany. It’s also quaint and walkable and it’s home to the Southern Hotel. Traveler Tip – Shopping Here in Covington? You will find many of the galleries and shops on Lee Lane and Columbia Street. The English Tea Room WOWZA. From the second we set foot inside this adorable Covington tea room we were all charmed. Sit in the Churchill room, surrounded by gigantic cardboard cutouts of Downton Abbey, and be transported. Order the high tea and by all means ask for suggestions! The servers are incredibly well informed about all of the teas here. It was insane how many different varieties of teas this restaurant had. Crafty DIY Ideas The day we left for Coastal Mississippi we drove over to Hammer and Stain Covington. The perfect Covington girl’s getaway activity for Northshore Louisiana and so affordable too! We spent a good three hours painting our Christmas snow globes. A similar activity costs about $35 each. Of course, there are dozens of projects to choose from at various price points. Hammer and Stain Covington also offers private DIY paint parties and Mini Makers parties too for the younger set. Louisiana Northshore Has A Quiet Southern Charm The northshore is full of character and opportunities for soft adventures. Consider it a quieter alternative to New Orleans, or do New Orleans for a couple of exciting days and then retreat to Louisiana Northshore to relax and start planning your next vacation.

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All the Best Things to Do in Saguenay Lac Saint Jean

Paula — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 11:57:57 +0000

Saguenay Lac Saint Jean was a complete mystery to me when we arrived there after touring Quebec Maritime and Quebec City this spring. I didn’t really know what to expect and I had never been before. Sometimes those adventures are the best. Having no preconceived notion of what to expect allowed me to let my imagination run wild. I’d say the sky is the limit when you take that kind of trip but it’s only half true in Saguenay Lac Saint Jean. The sky, the lake, the mountains and fjord are really the only limits. Boasting some stunning natural vistas, a spectacular lake, which many say looks more like an inland sea, and the Saguenay River which flows through a gorgeous fjord, Saguenay is resource rich. Riverfront communities abound in this water-rich area of Quebec which offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, cultural experiences, fine dining, and more. All of this makes Saguenay Lac Saint Jean a great choice for a relaxing, adventurous getaway. There’s So Much to Do and See in Saguenay Lac Saint Jean Nature lovers, history buffs, outdoors enthusiasts and foodies will all find something in the area. With its unique natural beauty, historical sites and landmarks, cruise and dining options, it makes a great getaway for both couples and families with children. And honestly is there any other Canadian destination where a fjord is this accessible? Plan a visit soon and don’t miss several of these activities and attractions when there. Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Felicien Both kids and adults will love Zoo Sauvage which features hundreds of native animals in a respectful, natural setting. I had the opportunity to visit Zoo Sauvage in May while traveling through the area with three other travel writers and friends. This was a true highlight. On a rainy May morning we met just before lunch in the lobby area of ZOO Sauvage. First we were blown away by the quality of the food in the cafeteria. Tourtière anyone? The facility is a lovely new looking building and we joined our guide on a bus through the Borealie environment. At Zoo Sauvage the animals roam free throughout and the people are merely passing through their home. There’s a camp offered here too. Basically you can sleep on site and kayak on the lake and wake up to caribou and elk. The Zoo Sauvage is a 485 hectare animal facility with over 1,000 animals including 75 native and exotic species. Saguenay Fjord National Park Nature lovers will be impressed with the stunning beauty of this federally protected marine park. Innumerable pines cover the mountains that slope right down to the water. Trails and tons of watersports like sea kayaking make for a natural paradise. Val-Jalbert Historical Village – “The Ghost Town“ This town is perfect for families with children and history lovers. Explore the town that is just as it was before it was abandoned. Original buildings, an old paper mill, beautiful waterfall, and more await, all described by knowledgeable guides. AND, you can book a stay here. Modern amenities in a ghost town atmosphere make it cool and comfortable too. So plan ahead and consider sleeping in a ghost town. Not everyone can say that. Parc Cap Jaseux Treehouses Remember how much fun treehouses were when we were kids? At Parc Cap Jaseux visitors can stay in their very own treehouse. Situated 8 feet off the ground, these treehouses offer spectacular views of the Fjord du Saguenay and the surrounding natural beauty. Be prepared to rough it, though. There’s no water or electricity. Or you can choose a transparent dome overlooking the fjord. Insanely awesome. Sea Kayaking Kayaking through the Saguenay Fjord is serious kayaking. We worked hard to get through the waves at so many points. Fitting into those wetsuits was something else. For the real deal sea kayaking check out Charles at Organisaction. Cannot say enough good things about Charles and the stunning natural surroundings in Parc Cap Jaseux. Also, if you want to do a long sea kayaking and hiking adventure this is the spot to do it. La Velouroute Des Bleuets. The blueberry route leads cyclists of all calibres on 256 kms of world-class cycling trail around Saint Jean Lake. I wish the weather had been warmer when we visited this area because we were all looking forward to doing this. The morning we had a cycling adventure planned it snowed. IN MAY!!?? So we headed to Val Jalbert ghost town instead. Air Defense Museum Open from June to September, The air defense museum will appeal to aviation enthusiasts as well as children. See real aircraft such as jets and helicopters up close as well as real jet engines and more. Learn all about Canadian aviation history. Via Ferrata or Aerial Adventures in Parc Cap Jaseux. If you have never seen one of these Via Ferrata’s then picture this: Rock climbing through the gorgeous Parc Cap Jaseux. I mentioned a different Via Ferrata in Tremblant National Park last year which was super challenging and very high. We didn’t do it, but the Tremblant Park one looked insane. So the Via Ferrata in Parc Cap Jaseux looked doable for families in my opinion. I mean they both are marked as family friendly. But I can say I feel like my active family could do this one in Parc Cap Jasuex. Did I mention the dome? Sphere at Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux. What a unique spot to rest your head in beautiful Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. So many cool accommodations here. ✈🇨🇦👍🐳🐋 #saglac #adventures #ad #sageunay #travel #quebec #travelblogger #travels #saguenaylacstjean #saguenaylac #saguenayfjord #wanderlust #ifwtwa #fun #springadventures #adventuretravel #Canada #quebecoriginal A post shared by Paula Schuck (@inkscrblr) on May 9, 2018 at 3:28pm PDT Parc national de la Pointe-Taillon Nature’s beauty is on full display in this gorgeous national park. Enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, and more in this natural wonderland. This area of Quebec lends itself to many outdoor activities and adventures. Airplane and Helicopter Tours There’s no better way to take in the beauty of Saguenay Lac Saint Jean than by air. There are wonderful aerial tour options available for those who want to take to the skies for the ultimate tour. We had one of these tours planned but we were too early in May and the snow lasted too long. The planes were literally still frozen to the lake and couldn’t move to fly yet. (GO in the summer months and make this happen.) Nordic Spa Relax in luxury at the Chalet et Spa Lac St Jean. Rebuilt after a major fire last year the spa features all the spa goodies you know and love, with Nordic hot, cold relax series of baths designed to improve circulation and relax you. The loft style condos here were adorable. Outdoor facilities along the riverside include warm basins, dry sauna and more. Auberge des Battures Foodies will love the fine dining at Abuerge des Battures. Featuring gourmet French and regional cuisine, all made with locally sourced ingredients, this restaurant takes food to a new level. This was the best meal we had the entire trip. The braised beef was outrageously good and fall off the bone moist. I of course shared my meal on Instagram. The blueberry wine aperitif was crazy delicious. Musee du Fjord Such a surprise! I assumed it would be a museum like any other. Not so. Musee du Fjord is creative and engaging. From the moment you enter you are transported into a theatrical arena reminiscent of a Star Trek space ship. An immersive show draws you into the geography and history of the area from billions of years ago. Also there’s a giant aquarium, a touch pool and numerous rotating itinerant exhibits. It’s educational without being boring. Saguenay Lac Saint Jean has Something for Everyone Whether you’re a nature lover, historical buff, or outdoor enthusiast, Saguenay Lac Saint Jean has something for you. I could travel every year to a spot in Quebec and never get bored. It’s a province that naturally supports exploring and adventures where the environment always is the star of the show. If you’re looking for a unique Quebec getaway, consider Saguenay Lac Saint Jean. Its beauty, historical and cultural importance, and amazing geography make it so worth the visit. Meanwhile in Quebec Maritime Region nearby: Near Tadoussac while visiting Cote Nord Region? Plan to do a Tadoussac whale watching tour. And families will love Ferme 5 Etoiles working farm and animal observation/ rescue centre. If you the it right around May then consider staying at Cap Au Leste overlooking the fjord. Views are spectacular and the prices aren’t bad. The road there is impassable for a few months of the year. It is perfect from mid-May to August. I was a guest of Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean in May and as such received accommodations, meals and attractions. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. This post may also contain affiliate links as a service to readers.

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