Travel + Tourism
Make The Most Of This Season's Long Weekends
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The Victoria Day weekend marks the unofficial start to the cottage/camping season. It is the time of year when people choose to hit the road for a couple of days to relax and unwind. So where do people go once the weather warms up and the urge to get away sets in?
Cottage
If you are lucky enough to be a cottage owner, this would likely be your first choice. The first long weekend of the season gives cottagers a chance to make the first of many weekend trips and open their cottage for summer. Once the housecleaning and general upkeep has been taken care of, people love to spend time outdoors, far away from the noise of the city and the stress from work. While it may be too soon for swimming, going for a boat ride tops my list of relaxing activities. There is no feeling quite like skimming the water with the sun in your face and family and friends around to enjoy it with you.
Camping
If modern luxuries like showers, a warm bed and a Tim Horton’s drive-thru are essential to you, then take a pass on the camping experience. I tried it and while I can see what people enjoy about this activity, I am not one of them. But don’t let my high maintenance ways deter you. There is something so simple about eating, sleeping and even going to the bathroom outside that makes your larger worries melt away. Life is simple again, similar to childhood, when all you had to worry about was eating, playing and sleeping. Catching your own food can give you a sense of adventure, even though the likelihood of your starving to death is practically none. Long hikes can make for some fantastic pictures and gathering around a fire at night is just what you need to feel at one with nature (just don’t forget the marshmallows).
Staying At Home
While it doesn’t sound like much fun, some people decide to spend the weekend at home, simply enjoying some extra time off work. There is something to be said for staying close to home and visiting local tourist attractions. Every Canadian province has its own attractions, some unique and some general. So take advantage of the nice weather and visit a splash park or zoo. Should the weather happen to be questionable, use the time to visit your local art galleries or museums. Having been a Greater Toronto Area resident all my life, years have passed since I’ve been to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and I don’t think I’ve ever been to the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO).
Or consider using the opportunity to catch up on stuff around the house whether that means spring cleaning inside the house or gardening outside. It may not seem like much, but taking care of lingering issues creates a sense of accomplishment.
Don’t Forget The Meaning Behind Each Long Weekend
There is a reason for every long weekend. Victoria Day is a celebration of the controversial queen who was uninhibited at a time when women were supposed to be meek. Canada Day is a celebration of when our country became official: 142 years ago this July 1st. The Civic Holiday (may have a different name depending on the province) is a municipal holiday whereas the rest are statutory holidays. Typically it is the first Monday in August. It is simply a day the government suggests be used for recreation instead of work. The final long weekend of the summer is Labour Day. As noted on Wikipedia, this day celebrates the accomplishments of workers first recognized by the labour union. It was created to identify the importance of daily balance; eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation and eight hours for rest.
There Are Only Four!
Think of each long weekend as a chance for a mini vacation. They are limited in number so be sure to plan ahead to avoid being stuck with nothing to do. Canadian summers go by all too fast so ensure you don’t postpone outings or weekend trips to the cottage or, before you know it, the summer will be gone and it will be back to business as usual.
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