Corporate Jet vs Commercial Jet: What a Different World

Valerie Athanas

I never really thought I’d get such a close look into an industry like private aviation.  I actually started working on the commercial side, as a flight attendant.  I thought that I was getting into this glamorous, thrilling lifestyle that people only dream about.  I quickly realized that I was doomed to live out of a suitcase, in basement studios in bad neighborhoods in New Jersey for the next decade or so if I didn’t get out, and quick.  Then I stumbled upon my new dream job; working on the corporate side of things with millionaires, celebrities and every investment banker that ever hit it big on Wall Street.  What a culture shock that was.

The lifestyle that my clients lead is still, after a year in this industry, shocking to me.  I see people chartering a 27 million dollar airplane to take a 20 minute flight to the Hamptons, while the rest of us carpool, in horrendous traffic to our summer share that we are splitting between fifteen people or so.

I recently flew from New York to Athens, Greece, in coach, of course.  Now, I was stuck on a full flight, in the middle seat, of the middle row for a nine hour, overnight flight.  We were packed in like sardines, treated quite rudely by our flight attendants (which I was particularly sensitive to, since I was flying on my former employer), and fed meals that I’m pretty sure weren’t even up to par for the local state penitentiary.  So, I get it. These clients that spend millions of dollars yearly on their weekend getaways have their reasons.  They work hard for their money and deserve the best service out there.  I guess now, my next step in this business, is to find out how to end up sitting in the back of one of those airplanes, as opposed to working in one of them, up front.

Image of corporate jet interior © Timur Nisametdinov/iStockphoto

Majestic Mountains: Red Mountain Resort & Spa

Lynn Burshtein

If happiness were a colour, it would be the colour of Red Mountain – more specifically the russet-hued rocks located in St. George, Utah on the northeastern tip of the Mojave Desert. Its epic scenery surely makes this one of the more picturesque places on earth. Indeed, it is as if the area has been photo-shopped by Mother Nature herself. Read more

Toronto Neighbourhood Profiles: Leslieville

Jessica Napier

Just over the Don River this former 19^th century farming village turned working-class industrial centre is transforming once again into one of the city’s most eclectic destination neighbourhoods. In an area where garages and abandoned storefronts were once the norm now trendy resto-lounges, galleries and home décor shops dominate along the Queen Street retail strip.  So why not head east to discover what this unique Toronto hood has to offer…

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Ste. Anne’s Country Inn & Spa: A Castle in the Country

Lynn Burshtein

 

Those seeking to escape the hectic pace of city life in favour of peace and tranquility need look no further than Ste. Anne’s Country Inn & Spa. Situated in a 19^th Century fieldstone castle among the gentle rolling hills of Northumberland County (a mere 90-minutes outside of Toronto, accessible by car or Via Rail), guests might feel as though they’ve been transported to another time.

But once the concierge greets you with your customized itinerary and takes you on a tour of the property, you realize the serene, dream-like surroundings still leave room for modern efficiency and 5-star treatment. It soon becomes clear why Ste. Anne’s has been voted among the Top 100 spas in the world by readers of Spa Finder Magazine, several years running. Read more

Trattoria Nervosa: The Golden Charm of Yorkville

Nhi La

Summertime dining calls for lighter fare to beat the heat, and nothing is more fitting than casual trattoria dining on an open air patio.  The rich history of Italian cuisine with its numerous regional delicacies makes each trattoria experience special and unique.  On this side of the Atlantic Ocean, Italian eateries can range from family-friendly chain restaurants to high-end establishments serving multiple courses with paired wines.  The appeal of trattoria dining is that it is versatile enough to offer something for everyone. Read more

Wellness in the Wilderness – The Rosseau Resort & Spa, Minett, Ontario

Lynn Burshtein

How do you like to spend your weekend getaways, being cocooned in luxury or by getting back to nature? The J.W. Marriott Rosseau Resort & Spa offers the best of both worlds: all the amenities of a world-class spa resort and access to wilderness adventures in Muskoka cottage country.

For those whose idea of unwinding includes breathing in fresh country air and partaking in athletic pursuits, there is plenty here to go around. Outdoor activities include hiking (the resort is adjacent to a 700-acre nature reserve), mountain bike rentals and canoeing (all priced a la carte). Guests can either venture off on their own, or with the help of one of the activities staff. (The $20/hr guided hike is well worth it if you are accompanied by Meredith, one of the resort’s guides. With a formal education in ecotourism, Meredith is able to rhyme off countless species of trees and explain the details surrounding the development of the large beaver dam we see). Since the resort is open all year round, during the winter season there are outdoor activities such as snow mobiling, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing.

For those looking to achieve a slightly more Zen-like experience at the Rosseau, they only need to look inward during a yoga class at the resort’s “Mind & Body” centre, or perhaps by participating in the artist-in-residence program, or by unwinding with one of the many spa services offered (try the Rosseau Signature Massage or the Red Leaves Ritual).

The interior of the Rosseau resort pays homage to its Canadian roots – the suites with their cottage-like décor (complete with comfortable beds, kitchenettes and fireplaces), a chalet-like lobby, and walls adorned with paintings done by local artists.  The spa itself is large, 13,000 square feet in total and occupying two floors of the resort.  Modern with clean lines and a calm environment, the spa also boasts a private outdoor swimming pool (there are four other pools elsewhere at the resort) a Jacuzzi, three relaxation lounges, and an up-to-date fitness centre.

The resort has two spacious restaurants, Cottages, serving continental cuisine breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Teca, open for dinner only, serving Italian cuisine and an extensive wine list.

With its majestic view overlooking Lake Rosseau and attentive staff, Cottages is an excellent place to start your day. The Muskoka Buffet which includes made-to-order omelets and waffles (with maple syrup, of course) is your best bet. Lunch includes comfort foods such as club sandwiches, fish ‘n’ chips and mac ‘n’ cheese. The dinner menu features linguine with wild mushrooms, artichokes, black olive tapenade, grilled Atlantic salmon served over corn & sweet potato succotash, and the “Grill Signatures” – natural Rowe Farm beef, served with potatoes, roasted vegetables, Pinot Noir jus, roasted garlic & lemon butter. For desert, grown-up versions of “S’mores” and “PB&J” are available. (Curiously, there is no dedicated “spa” cuisine section on the lunch or dinner menus, although they do promote Ontario-grown ”farm to fork” cuisine, and dishes are made with local, sustainable ingredients).

But for all the splendor that is the Rosseau Resort & Spa, the true beauty here lies in the outdoors (still, the high thread count in the sheets don’t exactly hurt).

Several deals & packages available, including the Escape! Spa packages for two. More information can be found on their website.

 

A Road Trip to Port Stanley

Cayley Pozza

Everyone loves a nice relaxing vacation- but during this crucial stage of ‘penny pinching’, not everyone can afford that ultimate trip to Hawaii. So why not take a summer road trip and explore one of Ontario’s own, the quaint beaches of Port Stanley. Read more

Prince Edward Island: A Tiny Island with a Huge Heart

Sabrina Ramnanan

Coining Prince Edward Island The Gentle Island was no arbitrary decision. This quaint Canadian province can enchant even the most city-frazzled Torontonian. Known for its delicious seafood, Anne of Green Gables, lush green golfing courses, gorgeous beaches and cozy B&Bs, this little island should be on your destination list.

 
For a real taste of the Maritimes, visit Fisherman’s Wharf Lobster Suppers located in the beautiful village of North Rustico. This salad bar stretches on for 60 ft and offers a fresh, colourful spread of the island’s goodies. You can experience it again and again, because the purchase of a lobster supper grants unlimited access to the salad bar – that means Island Steamed Blue Mussels and seafood chowder galore! The casual restaurant offers a gorgeous view of Rustico Bay, great food, and for you novice seafood eaters, excellent staff who will teach you the delicate art of extracting luscious lobster meat from its imposing red claws. Yum! Read more

International Cuisine: Denmark

Logan Niles

While driving cross country from Germany to Jutland, Denmark  it’s hard to imagine that pork is the main stay of the Danish diet. With nary a pig in sight amidst the wild lilac bushes, horse pastures, Lego Land and the constant whirl of electricity producing windmills, Denmark leads the industry in green wind power equipment manufacturing by the way, it makes one wonder where all of that pork comes from?

Such thoughts quickly faded away as our hosts, old family friends, greeted us with a late breakfast spread worthy of Holger Danske, the sleeping Danish warrior. Now I’m not much of a breakfast person but in the face of such a delicious Koldt Bord, an assortment of cold, sliced meats, cheeses, vegetables, pork pates and seafood spreads, along with a multitude of jams and breads I was hooked. In Denmark the open face sandwich or Smørrebrød is king be it for breakfast, lunch or a quick snack. Your Smørrebrød can be made on moist, thinly sliced rye bread (always buttered!) know as rugbrød but may also be featured on any of the crisp rolls common to Danish bakeries.

The crowning jewel is a taste of true Danish pastry served individually or in the shape of an open circle with its golden edges rolled inwards towards the filling.  After seven years of hearing my husband denounce what I knew of as “Danish Pastry” as unworthy imitators of the flaky sweets he survived on twenty-five years ago as an exchange student, I was more than a little eager for the “real deal”. As promised, the flaky, buttery pastry was spectacular and a very far cry from the overly frosted, often soggy and rarely flaky Danishes most of us are used to. For our first breakfast we were treated to a ring of pastry meant to be sliced and shared at the table. Filled with a sweet cream reminiscent of French pastry cream but richer in color and egg yolks combined with dollops of white icing demarking each serving. It was well worth the wait.

Granted not every visitor to Denmark will have the opportunity to eat so well in a private home and if it does happen it is a special event for all reserved for visiting guests and family.  Though eating out is a luxury for most Danes, due to high prices, it’s a must for most tourists. One thing to keep in mind is that Denmark has opted not to join the EU so your buying power with the Danish kroner will not go as far as your Euros will within neighboring EU countries; so do budget accordingly. Eating out will also be particularly hard for vegetarians since Denmark’s cuisine is heavily meat based and it’s not unusual to have seemingly vegetarian items like potatoes or cabbage cooked with meat fats or bits of pork.

If it’s meat you crave though you will have many options from plump sausages to cutlets, roasts or Smørrebrød piled high for a hearty mid-day lunch or filling dinner, you will not be left wanting.  On route to Kronborg castle in Helsignor we ate a great lunch at a local eatery; one of many which lined the cobble stoned pedestrian walk through the center of town. Shop doors stood open to the Spring weather displaying curred meats, incredible local and imported cheeses from around the world and stylish clothing beckoning visitors and locals alike to take a look inside or sample a taste. It was a great way to take in the full measure of Danish cuisine where stinky cheese on sweet rye bread is cherished along with a nice cold beer or shot of icy Aquavit.

Even if you can’t get to Denmark any time soon there’s no reason why you can’t create your own Koldt Bord feast at home. Most grocery stores carry the wonderful bricks of the thinly sliced rye bread you’ll need to create your Smørrebrød  and the rest can be left up to your imagination. With grocery chains like Loblaws now carrying vegetarian pates and tofu spreads the vegetarians in your life with have just as much fun creating their own delicious masterpieces right along side you.

Tak !

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