Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

DREAMSCAPES WINTER/SPRING 2024 64 T R A V E L S L E U T H figure eights on the outdoor skating rink, go snow tubing, or even learn how to curl. Snowmobile and winter four-wheel- drive excursions are also available. The hotel's three-story lobby with its massive stone fireplace is one natural winter gathering spot. You can also warm up in the 23-metre indoor heated swimming pool. MORE OUTAOUAIS ADVENTURES Montebello lies on the eastern edge of the Outaouais, a Québec region along the north shore of the Ottawa River. A little over an hour's drive to the west brings you to the charming Outaouais village of Chelsea on the doorstep to Gatineau Park. Fuel up for a day's adventures with the Good Morning Bowl, a hearty breakfast of yogurt, granola and berries at Biscotti & cie. Then, a stone's throw from this cosy café, rent cross- country skis from Nomades du Parc to tackle some of Gatineau Park's 200 kilometres of ski trails. For the truly intrepid, the outfitter also organizes outdoor winter yoga classes. On the other side of the village, you can reward yourself with another water therapy circuit at Le Nordik Spa-Nature, the largest spa in North America. ROOM TO RELAX One of the newest additions to the Chelsea lodging scene is Lofts du Village, which offers studios (for one to two guests) and lofts (for up to four guests). Each huge, light-filled loft has a full kitchen, comfortable platform bed and sleek bathroom stocked with locally made products, such as mint and tea tree shampoo bars from Saponaria Savonnerie in nearby Val-des- Monts, Québec. And the finishing touch? You can switch on a glowing Asakuki essential oil diffuser, to fill your room with softly coloured light and a relaxing scent. Ahhhh. DS PIZZA PERFECTION The gourmet slices at Roberto Pizza Romana in Chelsea are as far from big-chain pizza as filet mignon is from hamburger. Chef Roberto Catervi and his team pile house- made sourdough crust with unusual (for Canada) combinations, such as potato, truffle and pecorino, or zucchini, basil and mozzarella. You can round out your meal with cannoli, amaretti and other pastries, along with a bottle of Italian wine. It's all outstanding, which isn't surprising: Catervi earned a Michelin star in his native Italy.

• Cover