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So much to do, so little time - A Tourist in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Let's see what shall it be today?

We've done the obligatory bus trip featuring the Ottawa tourist highlights to get the lay of the land, and now it's time to get down to business.

Shall we tour the recently opened, world class War Museum? Take in the pageantry of the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill? How about the Canada Aviation Museum at Ottawa's historic Rockcliffe Airport - Canada's premier aeronautical collection, or perhaps the Museum of Nature? Maybe we should take a guided tour of the Parliament Buildings - Canada's political hotbed - capped by an eagle-eye view of the Ottawa skyline from the top of the Peace Tower? What about the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, or the National Art Centre to draw in some Canadian culture? How about the National War Monument in honor of Canada's veterans? Perhaps we should we tour the picturesque Rideau Canal? Or maybe visit the renowned Museum of Civilization, across the picturesque Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec?

"The early bird gets the worm," - so we decide on a trip to the eclectic Byward Market, an Ottawa magnet for restaurateurs and shoppers of all kinds. Bistro 115 has caught our eye - with original French cuisine in a 1908 completely restored heritage house, featuring a quintessential courtyard flanked by vines of grapes and pergola, as well as a romantic fountain beneath a maple tree - we want to arrive early to make sure we can be seated in quiet corner. I've already had my usual gastronomical fix at a Dunn's Famous Deli, on Queen Street, so it's my wife's choice for today's lunch and she's picked a local favorite. Andre Giroux and his wife, Suzanne Lafrance who's the Bistro 115 chef, have created one of the most unique eateries in Ottawa, if not Canada, featuring many local specialties.

Needless to say, a vacation in Ottawa - Canada's capital - is jam packed with tourist attractions and activities ; a must-do vacation Canadian whether it be spring, summer, autumn or winter! I've visited Canada's capital city of Ottawa many times - it's a national treasure without parallel - and I'll be going back again!

Tie your trip in with one of Ottawa's many seasonal events, such as the gigantic tulip festival held each May; maybe during the prime festival season in August; perhaps amid the beauty of the autumn colors during October; or during Winterlude in February when ice sculptures and snow carvings dot the city, home to the

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