INTERNATIONAL ONE WEEK ITINERARY-FALL | WINTER DAY 1 Jump start your taste buds at Prairie Ink Restaurant housed Walk off your meal by shopping at some of the fantastic within McNally Robinson Bookstore, where executive specialty shops that sprawl over six blocks on Academy chef Gord Harris and master baker Eric Bari have created Road. Then, catch a nap and rest up for what’s sure to be an a Parisian café experience. After brunch, browse the book eventful evening. store for treasured tales and one-of-a-kinds gifts. Or pop into a Winnipeg institution, Salisbury House, for a hearty Travel the world at Banville & Jones during an international diner-style breakfast of bacon, eggs and buttered rye toast. wine and food pairing event, often hosted by one of Winnipeg’s finest chefs. Located in St. Vital, this Tuscan- Then, head to Half Pints Brewery Company for a tour and a inspired wine emporium houses more than 3,000 bottles of sample of their award winning British-style amber ale, India wine, as well as gifts and gourmet items from around the pale ale and hearty stout—be sure to try the chocolate beer! world. Served at restaurants throughout the city, this microbrewery is garnering attention across the continent. Top the evening off at one of Winnipeg’s many hot spots like the new Sensi Wine Lounge in the Exchange District, which Take a five minute drive and get up close a personal with offers an eclectic assortment of internationally acclaimed fame—chocolate style. Chocolatier Constance Popp’s bottles and wine flights as well as a stellar menu of Italian- creations have made their way to the Academy Awards, inspired tapas. For dinner, try out Corydon area mainstay 2010 Winter Olympics and the Golden Globes. They’ve also Café Carlo for an eclectic menu of Californian-Italian- been requested by numerous international celebrities. Pre- inspired cuisine fused with locally-sourced ingredients. book your learning (and tasting) tour to learn her secrets. For a more casual evening, head to one of the city’s pubs for For lunch, try Fusion Grill on Academy Road, where the a brew and some pub grub like the King’s Head Pub, Toad menu offers up innovative creations like caviar and Winkler in the Hole or Shannon’s Irish Pub. For a retro, Rat Pack- corn tostadas, white truffle perogies with duck sausage like experience, head over to Rae and Jerry’s Steakhouse. and walnut cream sauce, grilled bison tenderloin with wild Kick back with a classic Manhattan and sway to adult pop porcini mushroom demi glace, and to top it all off, a candied standards in posh red leather lounge chairs that set the beet sundae with salted caramel ice cream. mood. Page 1 DAY 2 Start out the day on Corydon Avenue where you can check to the Line-Up for chicken fingers and honey dill sauce out the Falafel Place’s famous falafel breakfast—eggs and served in a paper cone, so you can easily continue scouting bacon served alongside the fried chickpea treats with a the area. Or head into local favourite The King’s Head Pub helping of hummus. for a cold one washed down with familiar pub grub and spicy curries. Once you’re done, it’s time to explore this hip area of the city. Find a rare treasure at Abbey’s Antiques, Selim’s Antiques or Walk a few minutes to downtown where you can check out Things Antiques and Gifts. Shop for upscale, cutting-edge popular spots like The Bay and Mountain Equipment Coop, fashion at Cha Cha Palace, Soul Shoes and Chic Clothing, as well as the more than 100 shops and services in Portage or pick up something sassy for your four-legged friend at Hip Place like Holt Renfrew Cosmetics, WK Chan, Mach Pooch. Then, outfit your home with stunning pieces from Artworks, Argento World of Silver, Uptown Sports and shops like Stoneware Gallery, carrying amazing glasswork more. Pop by Aqua Books on Garry for your used book fix, and pottery, and Blue Moon Evolution and Room for Style, and then head to unique shops like those at the Winnipeg selling furniture you won’t find elsewhere. Art Gallery and Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art. After that, head to The Forks and Johnston Terminal for Then, take a ten-minute drive to the Exchange District handcrafted gifts and artwork of all kinds. where historic 360-degree turn-of-the-century architecture is contrasted with Winnipeg’s oldest and newest boutiques, Last, it’s time to get browsing at some of the city’s other specialty shops and art galleries. Jewelry shopping is at its shopping hot spots (depending on what direction you’re funkiest at Winnipeg’s own Hilary Druxman and its most headed) like St. Vital Centre that houses favourites like Esprit, indulgent at Tiffany-like Birks located across Main Street. The Gap, Melanie Lyne, Old Navy, Buffalo Jeans, West Point If vintage is your thing, then look no further than shops Shoes, MAC Cosmetics, and Build-a-Bear Workshop. In the like Hoopers, Ragpickers and Vintage Glory, all carrying opposite direction on Regent Avenue, try Kildonan Place for pre-loved fashion and accessories. Special interest seekers stores like Le Château, Shoe Warehouse, Urban Behavior can browse Winnipeg’s pinnacle used record store, Into and more. If you find yourself near McPhillips, check out the Music, and shop for other interests at Toad Hall Toys, Garden City Shopping Centre where you will find Winners Red River Book Shop, Antiques and Funk, Humidors and Canadian Tire. The houseware and clothing outlets, as Tobacconist, Imagine Games and Hobbies and more. well as numerous other stores along Kenaston Boulevard, are Winnipeg favourites. Check out Home Sense, Urban Barn, By now, you’ve probably got a hankering for a nibble. Home Outfitters, Bombay, Liz Claiborne, Nygard, Adidas Sweet tooths should pop into Cake-ology for a signature and Motherhood Maternity. And finally, go off the beaten cakette—a ball of cake slathered in buttercream and coated path to the can’t-miss Ten Thousand Villages, where you’ll find in chocolate. If savoury is more your thing, take a few steps distinctive handcrafted fair trade gifts from around the world. DAY 3 Get up and head out for some fresh air on the skis trails armchair complete with cup holder and tray. Thirty LCD TVs throughout the city. Whether you’re a novice or pro, the are placed throughout the bar, so you´ll be able to view your city offers miles and miles of groomed ski trails where game of choice from any seat in the house. While there, try you can swish through the snow. Head to Windsor Park your hand at one of the interactive Wii Suites and virtual Nordic Centre, Birds Hill Park or wait for the Red River to sport simulators featuring the world’s top 40 golf courses. freeze and make your way right through the heart of the Top it off with a stellar menu of classic comfort foods like city. Another option is FortWhyte Alive an urban nature burgers, pizza, chili and pastas. preserve where you can work on those rosy cheeks and then pop into Buffalo Stone Café for some hot chocolate and After that, paradise waits at Club Regent Casino with its mystical creamy mushroom soup to warm you from the inside. tropical jungle that includes vibrant flowers, swaying palm trees and the sounds of exotic birds. Enter Neptune’s Cave and After all that fresh air and exercise, head to Winnipeg’s explore the magic of Manitoba’s only walk-through saltwater newest sports haven, 4Play Sports Bar & Grill. Here, it’s aquarium. The casino offers exceptional dining and lounges, live all sports all the time. Sit back and watch your favourite entertainment, a dance club and a first-class gaming experience events on a towering 24-foot screen as you relax in a leather all within a 182,000 sq. ft., smoke-free facility. Page 2 DAY 4 Start off your morning in Assinboine Park, where you can This afternoon, scale to great heights at Vertical Adventures, watch the leaves change colour as you stroll along the Manitoba’s first wall-to-wall, full service indoor rock climbing pathways. Once the snow flies, the park turns into a pristine facility. Satisfy your need for speed at Speedworld Indoor Kart wonderland perfect for exploring on skis or snowshoes. Track, home to European race karts that send you squealing Stop in for breakfast at Star Conservatory Restaurant for around corners at up to 50 km/h. Work on your swing during rib-sticking fare like Brie French toast with orange brandy the off-season at The Golf Dome, where an indoor three-tier sauce and fluffy buttermilk pancakes served with bacon. driving range and state-of-the-art virtual golf simulators wait. After a morning outdoors, head inside and relive the In the evening, chow down on juicy ribs and moist roast opulent splendor of the past at one of the most unique chicken at Lovey’s BBQ & Smokehouse and then catch the entertainment facilities in western Canada, McPhillips city’s newest NHL superstars as the Winnipeg Jets take to Station Casino. Deep red velvets, rich woods and twinkling the ice at the MTS Centre. chandeliers take you back to a grand era of excitement and indulgence. The 178,000 sq. ft., smoke-free facility offers You can also get into the action by taking part in the exceptional dining and lounges, live entertainment, sports Hypothermic Half Marathon, picking up a game of shinny at bar and a heart-pounding gaming experience.