1. Banff, Alberta: Lake Louise is located in Banff National Park, just under two hours away from Calgary. This lake is turquoise in colour and sits in between two mountains which makes it pretty iconic. The historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is located right on the lake front with spectacular views. Lake Louise becomes a skating rink once it freezes over, perfect for hikes, snowshoeing, skiing or dogsledding.

2. Whistler, British Columbia: Visit Whistler, a popular North American ski resort. Spend all day on the slopes and unwind in the alpine Village at the base of the twin ski hills at night. Whistler is located less than a two hour drive from Vancouver and offers sophisticated dining options and so much more.

3. Ottawa, Ontario: Ottawa is quite popular in the winter as it is known for ice skating on the Rideau Canal, BeaverTails, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking in the Gatineau, and lastly, the architecturally stunning Parliament building. Ottawa is also the nation’s capital, so it tends to attract many tourists especially during the holiday months. Did you know the Rideau Canal Skateway is the largest natural outdoor skating rink in the entire world!

4. Whitehorse, Yukon: Into some hardcore adventures up north? To get the full Yukon experience, head there in the winter and experience the aurora borealis, backcountry dogsledding, stay in a luxury yurt or lodge and relax by the fire.

5. Quebec City, Quebec: Quebec City transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season as it mimics a European festival. The city is surrounded by 400 year old walls and along the streets you will find little stands and shops offering hand-painted wooden toys, delicate ornaments, locally crafted cheeses, fresh sausages and mulled wine. There are also fireworks, outdoor concerts and dance parties!

There are so many other places to visit in Canada during the holiday season, however these 5 are our top favourites!

To read more, click here.

The post The Best Holiday Getaways in Canada! first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

Although Hamilton has always been known as Canada’s “steel city” because of it’s home to a large manufacturing industry, natural attractions are becoming a destination for travellers.

The Hamilton waterfalls become extremely crowded during the summer months, therefore, try visiting in the spring, fall or even winter! In the winter, the falls are a winter wonderland, with many options to explore, but as soon as it warms up, the falls are surrounded by lush greenery.

When visiting the falls, it is important to respect the land and be aware of any uneven ground area which can cause injuries. The city itself has warned visitors to stay away from the area right beside the waterfalls, as they are typically near a very steep drop and the land can become unstable. It also advises that some areas are prone to flash flooding, while others have polluted water and aren’t suitable for swimming.

For more information about the Hamilton waterfalls, click here and here.

The post Head to Hamilton, Ontario – the waterfall capital of the world! first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

1. Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain: For $60 you can access all of their outdoor baths, steam rooms and saunas. An incredibly relaxing getaway where you can experience ultimate serenity.

2. Elmwood Spa: You can find this spa downtown Toronto! On weekday evenings you can get access to their hot tubs, pool, steam room and lounge area for just $30!

3. Sweetgrass Spa: Located in Toronto’s east end, you can enjoy pool, sauna, jacuzzi and bar for just $50 dollars!

4. Nordik Spa-Nature: A far drive from Toronto, but for those in Ottawa, this spa is just a 25-minute drive. Located in Chelsea, Quebec, you can find an outdoor spa with steam rooms, saunas and so much more for only $60!

5. Lakeside Spa at Oakwood Resort: This spa is located in Grand Bend, which is a great way to escape Toronto for the day. With the purchase of any of their amazing treatments from anti-stress massages to facials, you get access to their relaxing water facilities for $50!

To read more, click here.

The post Feeling the winter blues? Try a Scandinavian spa! first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

Firstly, you should have winter tires when driving on ice and snow, ensure that they have enough air and maintain a safe distance between the car in front of you.

Do not speed, and go well under the speed limit when weather conditions are rough, such as black ice or a heavy snowfall. Blizzards and drifting snow can make it hard to see what is in front of you and going too fast on snow and ice could make you lose control. Speed limits are for ideal conditions – dry weather, good visibility and low traffic volume.

Keep in mind that even if your vehicle has All-Wheel Drive (AWD), this doesn’t mean that your tires automatically have more grip, it means that your vehicle can accelerate more efficiently on low-friction surfaces.

Watch out for black ice. You may not always see the ice beforehand but it is usually found on bridges, overpasses and shady spots where the pavement is very cold. If you do hit black ice, do not slam on your brakes as this increases your chances of losing control. You should remain calm, and slow down gradually.

Make sure you have lots of windshield washer fluid as you do not want to run out of this on the highway. Make sure your car is full and also keep extra in your trunk in case of an emergency.

Lastly, check the weather reports so that you can plan ahead. There are many different apps that you can check to ensure the route you will be taking is the safest one, such as google maps or waze.

To read more, click here.

The post Tips for driving safely in harsh weather conditions this Winter first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

1. Ziplining over the Elora Gorge!
In the winter time, this summertime favourite turns into a winter wonderland where you can ride a zipline over the snow-covered Elora Gorge.

2. Grab a BeaverTail!
BeaverTails are a Canadian delicacy. They originally opened in Ottawa but have now expanded to Toronto, so make sure to grab one while they’re hot!

3. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in Collingwood
Scenic Caves Nature Advenutres in Collingwood has a really cool snowshoe and cross-country skiing trail that consists of a spectacular suspension bridge that you can actually walk over!

4. Skiing and snowboarding in the mountains
Check out Blue Mountain Ski Resort and stay in a cabin for the weekend with friends and family.

5. Watch the Northern Lights at Torrance Barrens
Torrance Barrens is a dark sky reserve located in Gravenhurst, which is a few hours from Toronto. Strong geomagnetic activity in the area helps to amplify the brilliance of the Northern Lights.

6. Go snowmobiling through Bon Echo
Discover one of Ontario’s snowmobile routes at Bon Echo Provincial Park. It includes a 232-km path that takes you through the whole park. Rent a snowmobile and go on an adventure!

For more ideas, click here.

The post Activities to try this winter in Ontario! first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

The Weather Network’s chief meteorologist, Chris Scott, said that after speaking to his forecast team, you should, “buckle up, because it looks like a stormy winter.” He says that this year’s La Nina weather system is strikingly similar to that of 2007 – 2008, when Toronto had its snowiest winter on record. He continued to say that when we have cooler waters off the coast of South America, that’s La Nina, and those winters tend to be classic Canadian winters.

According to the Forecast, residents in British Columbia, the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada should all prepare for above normal levels of precipitation.

La Nina winters usually mean unpredictable weather as one month we may see numerous snowstorms and the following month we may experience periods of milder weather. This weather pattern also calls for a winter that lingers, which means winter may be around for a bit longer than expected as we could potentially see snowstorms in March.

On the contrary, the only region of Canada that will not be experiencing falling temperatures is Nunavut, as temperatures are expected to be warmer than usual with average levels of snow due to global warming.

To read more, click here.

The post Canada is Expecting a Whole Lot of Snow this Winter! first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia: Whistler and Blackcomb mountains offer more than 200 marked runs, 16 alpine bowls and three glaciers over 3,200 hectares of beautiful terrain. There is also dog-sledding, a tube park, and very trendy shops and eateries to enjoy within the Whistler Village!

Banff/Lake Louise, Alberta: In the heart of the Rockies, skiing is offered in three main resorts: Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise Mountain Resort. With Banff National Parks being a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is no surprise that it remains a popular tourist destination all year-round!

Mount Tremblant, Tremblant Quebec: This busy ski resort is nestled about 130 kms from Montreal. Some non-ski options include spa treatments, Scandinavian baths and tours of nearby Quebecois villages!

Blue Mountain Resort, Collingwood, Ontario: With 36 runs and 3 freestyle terrains, Blue Mountain is the third most popular ski resort in Canada (after Whistler Blackcomb and Mount Tremblant)!

So grab your warmest coats, and head to the nearest ski resort with friends and family. After all, there is something for everyone at most ski resorts, even for children and non-skiers!

The post Canada’s Best Ski Destinations! first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

There are different flavors for all to enjoy – for those of you looking for something different, Peace Treats has also released a few other warm beverages this holiday season – yum!

Peace Treats is located at: 131 Ossington Avenue – right in the core of Downtown, Toronto!

For more information and to see some of the hot chocolates that Peace Treats offers, click here.

The post Delicious Treats: Perfect for the Winter Season! first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

Here are some towns that you must check out:

Lambton County – Located in southwestern Ontario. Lambton is a beautiful little town with an amazing view of Lake Huron!  This view is even better during the snowy months!

Burlington – Located right by lake Ontario. Make sure to check out their festival of lights which happens all winter long at Spencer Smith Park!

Waterdown – This small town is located just above Hamilton.  During the winter months, Smokey Hallow waterfall freezes and turns into the most picturesque spot for a winter walk! Take out your cameras and be ready to snap some memorable shots!

Dundas – Bring along your friends and family and enjoy some great restaurants and awesome Christmas boutiques!

Let us all come together and embrace the beautiful sights around Ontario. Bundle up and enjoy!

The post Winter Wonderland Sights around Ontario! first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

Here are a few rinks that will be open this Saturday:

• Nathan Phillips Square
• Trinity Bellwoods Park
• Christie Pits
• Dufferin Grove Park
• High Park
• North Toronto Memorial CRC/Eglinton Park
• Regent Park

So lace up, hit the rinks, and enjoy some winter fun!

The post Toronto’s Outdoor Skating Rinks Set to Open! first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.