The Communion: Cha McCoy’s Wine Pairing Series You Don’t Want to Miss

It’s happened to the best of us at one point or another: you’re perusing the wine list in a restaurant, only to discover that you don’t know a thing about any of the wines listed. Languedoc-Roussillon? Gewürztraminer? Blaufränkisch? What is this gibberish? Help!!

Enter The Communion, Cha McCoy’s unpretentious pop-up wine pairing series. The events, which are all about demystifying wines and pairing them with local cuisine, have been garnering serious buzz: she’s recently been featured in Food & Wine and New York Magazine.

I had the good fortune to attend one of her events in Québec City at the Women in Travel Summit this May, and can safely say I came away from The Communion armed with lasting memories and new friends. Here’s why you, too, need to grab a seat at the table.

A long time ago in my college days of yore, a friend returned from winter break with tales of a strange land up north. “They speak French, but it’s not in Europe,” he waved his hands wildly. “They have this one hotel that looks like a huge castle, and there’s fries with these cheese things and gravy. And get this — they have another hotel made completely of ice!” Suffice it to say that I’ve been dreaming about Québec City ever since.

Flash forward fifteen years later: when I learned that the annual Women in Travel Summit was taking place in Québec City in 2018, I knew it was the perfect time to go. Québec City — and its hip food and drink scene — surpassed my expectations, and I can’t wait to share all these spots with you. So without further ado, here’s your ultimate guide to where to eat and drink in Québec City.

He said there would be tea.

That’s how my brother, Sir Campsalot, convinced us to make the trek up to Lake Agnes Tea House in Banff National Park. He’d been living in Calgary for nearly a year now, and our family had ventured up to the Great White North to see what his new life was all about: the digs, the poutine, and — of course — the mountains.

It’s no secret that my usual vibe is cocktails in a New York City bar or craft beer in Belgium instead of contemplating the wonders of the universe surrounded by trees. But in the spirit (ha!) of getting healthier this year, I hoped to change all of that in Banff this past June.

Having tea as a reward was the motivator I needed to turn this rusty pair of legs into an actual hiker. But what’s the deal with the Lake Agnes Tea House trail, and why should it be on your list of hikes to do in Banff? Here’s the scoop for all of you non-hikers out there.

Ahh, dear, sweet icewine. It’s one of those dessert drinks that leaves you feeling like you’ve tasted the nectar of the gods and are experiencing life fully for the first time.

I kid, I kid. (Well, somewhat.) Truth be told, though, icewine is pretty darn fantastic. The Niagara region in Ontario, Canada is world-renowned for its premier icewines, which is why we were so excited to fly out in January 2017 for the annual Niagara Icewine Festival. After a full weekend sampling icewines ranging from the traditional to the groundbreaking, here are the Niagara wineries you need to put on your itinerary for your next trip.

I’m a huge film buff. In fact, spending hours in a cool, dark theater watching the latest Coen brothers’ masterpiece or Audrey Tautou film gets me just as excited as jetting off to Iceland or Barbados. That’s why spending this past weekend as a bright-eyed newbie at the Toronto International Film Festival was undoubtedly one of my top experiences this year.

As with any first—first date, first job, first time eating piping hot Shanghai soup dumplings—you’re bound to do some things right, but you’ll also make some mistakes. Here’s what we learned during our first trip to Toronto’s prestigious cinematic event.

It was only a matter of time.

Between the two of us itching to travel together, plus the fact that most of our friends had visited Montreal and raved about it, it was only natural that Mr. Five O’Clock and I selected our Northern neighbor for a quick weekend getaway. We quickly fell in love with Québec’s metropolis, replete with food and drink that left our tastebuds dancing like jitterbugs and architecture that left our minds reeling.

If you only have 48 hours to spend in Canada’s second largest city, make it a priority to hit these picturesque places. Trust me: you’ll leave with drool worthy Instagram pics and a satisfied stomach!

Montreal, I’ve got to hand it to you: I had no idea that the caliber of your watering holes (not to mention your food) was so high. Here we are, sitting in New York City after a fantastic whirlwind getaway to Québec’s metropolis last weekend, and all Mr. Five O’Clock and I can think about is how soon we can return to your charming city to revisit our favorite spots and scout out new ones.

While there’s no doubt that our current residence will always have a new, hot “bar of the moment” to try, there’s something really exciting about a city that hasn’t been overrun with dozens of speakeasies and can hold its own in the world of excellent microbrews. If you find yourself up in the Great White North with a hankering for some booze, here are the top spots to grab a drink in Montreal right now.

Category: Canada

The Communion: Cha McCoy’s Wine Pairing Series You Don’t Want to Miss

Where to Eat and Drink in Québec City Right Now

Banff National Park: The Lake Agnes Tea House Trail Guide for Non-Hikers

Love Icewine? You’ve Got to Visit These Niagara Wineries

How to Survive Your First Toronto International Film Festival

If You’ve Only Got 48 Hours in Montreal, Here’s What You’ll Want to See

The Best Places to Drink in Montreal Right Now