Educational Trip To Ottawa

By Katharine Jordan

Business Events Canada organised an educational trip to Ottawa at the beginning of June 2013, which was supported by Canadian Tours International, Tourisme Outaouais and the Ottawa Convention Bureau. The DMC, Canadian Tours International, was excellent, well-organised and work all over Canada.

The flight time from London is around 7½ hours and the time difference is -5 hours. I was surprised that I wasn’t too tired and it was fine to go for 3 days and not suffer too much with the time difference.

Ottawa is the capital of Canada and on the banks of the Ottawa River. It is a small city (1.2 million people) very open and green. It is easy to get around with a good transport system and the city is home to the national government and a lot of public services.

Ottawa International Airport is a 15 minute transfer to the city centre. There is a public bus service. It is quite a small airport and quick to collect luggage and clear customs (it is the 5th largest airport in Canada). It is served by Air Canada and other international carriers.

We visited a range of restaurants in Ottawa and the surrounding area. The standard of food, service etc was great throughout the trip. If anything, we were given too much to eat.

There is plenty to do in the area for groups of any size or profile. In Ottawa there is a gourmet food tour on food around Byward Market, a cycling sightseeing tour of the city along the river and canals, Museums such as the Canadian Museum of Civilisation, Aboriginal Experience, visiting the Parliament Buildings. In the surrounding area it is possible to visit a Maple Syrup farm with lunch or dinner, Land Rover off-road driving, clay pigeon shooting, aerial experience with obstacles and zip wires, Nordic Spa visit or sightseeing from a vintage aircraft. In the winter, there is skiing.

Hotels visited:

Fairmont Chateau Montebello Hotel

A 5* hotel about 1hr from the centre of Ottawa and 1hr 15mins from Ottawa airport and 1½ hrs from Montreal airport. It is situated on the river, beautifully quiet location, great for activities and miles of land for team building events. Traditional in style with spa, pool, sailing, shooting, off-road driving, it is a popular leisure destination.

Bedrooms 211

Meeting rooms 20

Max capacity 425

Westin Hotel in Ottawa

A 5* hotel in the centre of the city and 15 mins transfer from the airport. Great location for seeing all the sights and walking to restaurants etc. Close to Byward Market – local specialist shops, restaurants and Farmers’ Market. Maximum group size 450.

Bedrooms 496

Meeting rooms 27

Max capacity 1700

Hilton Lac-Leamy

A 5* hotel about 10 mins from the city centre and 25 mins from the airport. The hotel has large meeting space and bedrooms, views over the lake. There is a casino onsite.

Bedrooms 349

Meeting rooms maximum 12 if divided in to smallest sections (flexible so min no is 6)

Max capacity 1600 (ballroom)