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All posts by Valerie Howes

National Magazine Award-nominated writer Valerie Howes writes feature stories for publications such as Globe and Mail, National Post, enRoute, Toronto Life, Reader's Digest, Canadian Living and Chatelaine. Her blog, Open Kitchen, took Gold at the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors Awards and the Canadian Online Publishing Awards. ***** Valerie Howes, finaliste aux National Magazine Awards, publie des reportages pour le Globe and Mail, le National Post, enRoute, Toronto Life, Reader's Digest, Canadian Living et Chatelaine. Son blogue, Open Kitchen, a remporté l'or aux Canadian Society of Magazine Editors Awards et aux Canadian Online Publishing Awards.

Discovering the Wineries of Ontario, Part 2: Prince Edward County

August 19, 2021 Valerie Howes Leave a comment

After exploring Windsor-Essex last week, I was excited to check out another Ontario wine destination: Prince Edward … Continue Reading

Discovering the Wineries of Ontario, Part 1: Windsor-Essex

August 12, 2021 Valerie Howes 2 Comments

Most people know Windsor-Essex, Ontario, as a place where cars are made, but it’s also one of Canada’s three largest wine-making regions. Grapes love this … Continue Reading

Unique Holiday Markets For One-of-a-Kind Shopping

November 22, 2019 Valerie Howes Leave a comment

Forget stinky perfume sets and novelty socks this holiday season—give gifts that speak to what your loved ones really love. The best way to find something … Continue Reading

A Baie-St-Paul getaway on the Train de Charlevoix

August 2, 2019 Valerie Howes Leave a comment

When the starting point for your train ride is right by cascading waters even higher than Niagara Falls, you take it as a sign of … Continue Reading

Dog Days in London, Ontario

April 11, 2019 Valerie Howes 1 Comment

We took our pooch on the train to London, for a weekend of canine capers.

Last summer, we adopted Piña, a sassy little hurricane-rescue dog from … Continue Reading

Explore Black Excellence on a Culture Break in Toronto

January 31, 2019 Valerie Howes Leave a comment

Torontonians find joy and community in celebrating their diverse roots, sharing creative ideas and exploring contemporary concerns around race and culture. In anticipation of Black … Continue Reading

Haunted Canada: A Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Scary Destinations

September 27, 2018 Valerie Howes 1 Comment

If you’re too old to trick or treat but you still love a good scare, there are more than enough haunted destinations in Canada to give you goose bumps, wherever your travels take you. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to visit, dine, or stay this Halloween—with the possibility of a ghostly encounter—we’ve got a cross-country list of suggestions. Enjoy your trip—see you on the other side?

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