Itinerary

Here is the run down of the weekend's main events:

May 8th -

For anyone who is interested we are having a Sushi & Pizza Party at our house located at 1-184 King Edward Avenue, then we'll head out for some dancing!

See the link below for a map to our place:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=184+king+edward+avenue,+ottawa,+ontario,+canada&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.214763,59.765625&ie=UTF8&ll=45.433304,-75.689793&spn=0.014365,0.029182&z=1

May 9th -

Visit Le Nordik Spa or site see (which ever you prefer)

Le Nordik is a Scandinavian style spa with steam rooms, saunas and cold, mild and hot pools.
You can also get a massage here (but book that ahead of time).
There is a café on location so you can take a break from the spa for lunch and a glass of wine!
http://www.lenordik.com/home/index_e.php

May 10th -

Ceremony at 5:00 pm (arrive 10 minutes before) & Reception at 7:00 pm

See the posts We Do! and Eat, Drink and Be Merry! to get the details on the ceremony and reception


May 11th -

Site see or recover from reception


May 12th -

Visit with anyone who is still in Ottawa

Things To See And Do In The Capital

I know most of you will not be in Ottawa for a long time, but I have made a list of some of the best things to see and do in the City if you have some extra time.

THINGS TO DO:

Canadian Tulip Festival
Concerts, an arts and crafts market, fireworks and millions of Tulips. Check out Major’s Hill Park, along the Rideau Canal and Dow’s Lake http://www.tulipfestival.ca/

Parliament Hill Tour
Just go in the doors under the Peace Tower to book a free tour http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/visitors/index-e.asp

Canadian Museum of Civilization & IMAX
Right across the river in Hull, you can see this museum from Parliament Hill and can easily walk across the bridge to it http://www.civilization.ca/visit/indexe.aspx

National Gallery of Canada
If you don’t have time to go see the amazing art in this gallery then you must check out the exterior of the building, there is also a very unusual sculpture outside of the building that is a must see http://www.gallery.ca/

Water Tour
Paul’s Boat Lines – cruises on the Ottawa River and Rideau Canal (613) 225-6781 http://www.paulsboatcruises.com/

Walk along the Rideau Canal http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/

Canadian War Museum http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/cwme.asp

Canadian Aviation Museum http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/

Haunted Walks Inc. http://www.hauntedwalk.com/

COOL NEIGHBOURHOODS:

Byward Market/Downtown
Most of you will be staying in this area, it’s a great neighbourhood to explore on foot and there are many shops, restaurants and bars. The Downtown is very close to the Byward Market. Check out Sparks Street the pedestrian walking zone that runs through Downtown.

Sussex Drive
Sussex Drive starts in the Byward Market Area and if you follow this lovely boulevard you will eventually reach the Prime Ministers and Governor Generals Residence. Along the way you will see the National Gallery of Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint, the Notre Dame Basilica, a number of Embassy’s and other important buildings. This road is also on the way to the site of the wedding ceremony.

The Glebe
You can reach this beautiful neighbourhood with the number 1 or 7 bus from the bus stops on Rideau Street. Once the bus passes under the Queensway (HWY 417) you are in the Glebe. This area has beautiful houses and architecture, shops and restaurants.

Wellington Street West & Westboro Village
The number 2 bus from Rideau Street will take you to this eclectic neighbourhood which is filled with down-to-earth cafes and shops.

To Register Or Not To Register

I am sure some of you are wondering about the registry so I thought I would address it here.

After much thought we have decided that registering does not make sense for us at this point in our life's.

As you all know Cordell and I will be living in Germany soon. Any gifts we receive at the wedding would have to be put in storage for a long time, as we are not sure how long we will remain abroad and for that matter do not know where we will be living when we come back to Canada.

No one is obligated to buy us anything, but if anyone does want to donate to the Barb & Cordell Moving to Germany Fund we won't stop you. We have luggage to buy and need to set up a modest apartment while we're in Germany.

Arrivals & Departures

We are going to try and pick up and drop off as many people as we can from the airport. The only days that may be a bit hard are May 9^th for pick ups and May 11^th for drop offs.

Here are some options for getting to and from the airport if we can not get you:

Taxi Service, Shuttle Service, Limousine Service, Bus Service and Car Rentals

Taxi

Number: 613-523-1234
Fare: $25 average to downtown

Shuttle

Departs from post 10 outside the level 1 Arrivals area , between 5:00 am to 12:05 am (every 30 minutes)

Information 613-260-2359

Website www.yowshuttle.com

Fare (one way)

1 adult $14
2 adults $11
3 adults $8

Return Fare $24

Limousine Service

Airport service: 613-523-1560
Toll-free number: 1-888-901-6222

Public Transit

Information 613-741-4390

Website www.octranspo.com

Adults $3 or 2 tickets

*must have exact change

Route 97 departs from post 14 outside the level 1 Arrivals area

Car Rental

Car rental companies are located in the Parkade, across the street from the passenger terminal building.

AVIS
613-739-3334

BUDGET
613-521-4844

ENTERPRISE
613-248-0005

HERTZ
613-521-3332

NATIONAL ALAMO
613-737-7023

A Place To Lay Your Head

I recommend that if you know you are coming to the wedding or even think you might that you book accommodations soon. The Canadian Tulip Festival takes place in Ottawa from May 2nd to May 19th, 2008 and it will be hard to find rooms if you leave it too late.

The places I am recommending are all centrally located around the Byward Market and Downtown.

It would be nice if everyone stays in the same couple hotels, I have contacted Courtyard by Marriott, Albert at Bay Suite Hotel and Arc regarding group rates and I will post the information when I receive it. Once I hear from the 3 hotels I will let everyone know what the best deal is.

All the prices I mention below are before taxes.

HOTELS:

Courtyard by Marriot (located in the market)
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yowcy-courtyard-ottawa-downtown/

This hotel is in a great location. The rooms range from $150.00 to $200.00 a night.

*There is an online only deal for $134.25 per night for 2 queen beds, this is a good deal but non-refundable.

I have contacted the Courtyard about group rates - I will post the information when I get it from the hotel.

The Albert at Bay Suite Hotel (located downtown)
http://www.albertatbay.com/

Cordell's parents are staying here and they have apartment style rooms with kitchens.

This is a good option for small groups of people who want to share a hotel, 1 to 2 bedroom suites range from $118.00 to $200.00.

I have a group quote from this hotel - they will give us 1 bedroom suites for $129.00 a night (1 bedrooms can have 1 or 2 queen beds).

Bostonia Executive Suites (located downtown)

http://www.thebostonian.ca/index.html

Breakfast is included with some of the rooms. $98.00 for studio suites, $132.00 for one bedroom suites and $108.00 for 2 doubles.

Arc (located downtown)

http://www.arcthehotel.com/

This is a beautiful hotel and a nice choice for couples. It is where Cordell and I are going to stay for 2 nights. It is expensive but if you are only coming for the weekend they do offer a 'weekend rate' if you check online, $165.00 per night for 1 queen. There is also a special called 'on a whim' for $125.00 a night!

I am also checking on group rates at this hotel.


BED AND BREAKFASTS:

Albert Inn
http://www.albertinn.com/

Rooms here range from $118.00 to $178.00.

Benner's Bed and Breakfast
http://www.bennersbnb.com/
This is a modern style B&B perfect for those who don't like the old, Victorian look of many B&B's. There are only 3 rooms at this place so if some of you are interested we could book all 3 rooms for the wedding.

The rooms are a great deal ranging from $95.00 to $130.00 per night.

Auberge McGee's Inn
http://www.mcgeesinn.com/

This is a nice looking place, the rooms range from $118.00 to $198.00 a night.


DORM ROOMS:

University of Ottawa (located in the market)

Here is an interesting option, the University of Ottawa Student Residences operate as accommodations starting in May. Apparently rooms are available in in a variety of residences but the one that is recommended is at 90 rue Universite (it was recently built and has all suites).
The suites have 2 bedrooms (with 1 double bed in each room), as well as kitchens and ensuite bathrooms. You can have access to a pool and exercise room for an extra fee. The University of Ottawa is located right in the market area. $99.00 for a 2-bedroom suite / max 4 people.

http://www.blogger.com/www.uottawa.ca




OTHER HOTELS - (if nothing above works for you)

Lord Elgin (located downtown)
http://www.lordelginhotel.ca/

Hotel Indigo Ottawa (located downtown)
http://www.ottawadowntownhotel.com/

Fairmont Chateau Laurier (located in the market)
http://www.fairmont.com/Laurier/?cm_mmc=icppc-_-Branded-CLH%20-%20Chateau%20Laurier%20-%20Canada-_-google-_-chateau+laurier

Ottawa Marriott (located downtown)
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yowmc-ottawa-marriott/

Sheraton Ottawa Hotel (located downtown)
http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton_ottawa/so.htm?PS=PS_aa_NE_Google_Sheraton_Ottawa_072506_NAD_FM

The Westin Ottawa (located in the market)
http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/westinottawa/so.htm?PS=PS_aa_NE_Google_ottawa_westin_072506_NAD_FM

Eat, Drink And Be Merry!

Approximately an hour after the ceremony the reception will be taking place in our neighbourhood, Lower Town (or the Byward Market).

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Courtyard Restaurant located at 21 George Street

Parking: Their are two large pay public parking garages located beside the Courtyard, with access from George Street or York Street. Metered public parking is also available throughout the Byward Market

See the link for the exact location of the restaurant:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=21+George+Street+Ottawa&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.214763,59.765625&ie=UTF8&ll=45.432069,-75.693312&spn=0.014365,0.029182&z=15&om=0

It is a 5 minute drive between the ceremony site and reception site. While we have pictures taken there are various watering holes one can visit before the reception begins. I will trust that the locals attending will take care of the visitors during this time! Or weather permitting the Market area is a lovely place to take a walk.

Once the ceremony is over most of you will be able to walk back to your hotels or homes.

We Do!

The ceremony will be held at Rockcliffe Park Pavilion

Time: If all goes according to plan the ceremony will begin at
5:00 p.m.

Location: The Pavilion is located along the Rockcliffe Parkway, looking over the Ottawa River, approximately 1.1 kilometres east of the Prime Minister’s residence.

Parking: Parking is free

Follow Sussex Drive, then take the Rockcliffe Parkway and make a left hand turn to reach the pavilion (there are marked signs showing the turn).

See the link below to a view a map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Ottawa+Rockcliffe+parkway&sll=37.09024,-95.712891&sspn=33.214763,59.765625&ie=UTF8&ll=45.444295,-75.677862&spn=0.028724,0.058365&z=14&om=0