Victoria Day in Ottawa

Victoria Day is a federal statutory holiday in Canada celebrating the late Queen Victoria's birthday. Observed on the last Monday before May 25, it has become more commonly known as "May 2-4 weekend." Canadians honour the Queen, known as the 'Mother of Confederation' by consuming a 2-4 pack of beer. We travelled 5 hours Northeast to the nation's capital, Ottawa, to celebrate the holiday.




We fell in love with the city, situated along the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal, as it offers history, greenspaces, architecture (a balanced blend of modern and traditional buildings) and the Byward farmers market. We took a stroll across the provincial line to Quebec and back along the river. A wonderful city and we can't wait to go back!











In 1945 the Dutch royal family sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa in gratitude for Canadians having sheltered Princess Juliana and her daughters for the preceding three years during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, in the Second World War. Today over 1 Million tulips are in bloom throughout the city and the Tulip Festival has been a major attraction since 1967.













Mark and Henry in front of Parliament. Mark took in the amazing architechture of the historic building while breaking in the new baby backpack. Henry did not find Parliament that exciting, but did appear to be rather comfortable in the pack.





Nana Myra was happy to see bagpipers on Rue Rideau outside of our hotel, Chateau Laurier. Nana loved the music, but Henry looks a bit concerned about their outfits.