Tourism Winnipeg

Romance Consider Winnipeg to be that strand of spaghetti between Lady and the Tramp — we're going to help bring those lips together. They may say Paris is "the City of Love," but here in Winnipeg we are willing to toss our hat in the ring for that title, especially when you follow this itinerary: You may not be able to have a stylish marriage, particularly if you can't afford a carriage, but we guarantee you two will look sweet, upon the seat(s), of a bicycle built for two. Yes, what better start to the day can two lovebirds have than peddling the city together on tandem bikes from Bee-2-Gether. With several stations in the city, including The Forks, The Forks Waterfront, and Assiniboine Park, these bike rentals are ideally situated to see some of the nicest — and most romantic — spots in the city. Should you choose The Forks route, we recommend exploring all the curves along the river pedaling over the Esplanade Riel — Winnipeg's très sexy pedestrian bridge — to St. Boniface, Winnipeg's French neighbourhood which is oozing with the sort of French flavour that will make you say oh là là. In a little nook tucked-in behind the St. Boniface Cathedral is where you'll find La Belle Baguette, a little eatery that is cuter than a husky puppy. The bakery itself smells like heaven, while the pastries, breads and baked goods that come out of its kitchen are guaranteed to be love at first sight. Get a small selection of pastries, have a seat on their sunny patio, then hand feed each other like they do in the movies — a charming way to start your morning. Seemingly all of St. Boniface is teeming with delightful patios, with one of the best ones found at Promenade Café and Wine, which provides stunning vistas of all of downtown. Promenade itself is an excellent restaurant for French fare, so you should also include a glass of wine and some moule frites as part of your romantic plans if you are looking for an early lunch. Should the Red River (which you'll have cycled over and spied from Promenade) be calling to you two, answer that call on a trip along Winnipeg's winding rivers with Splash Dash Guided River Tours. These river taxis take off and pick up passengers at multiple stops throughout the Assiniboine and Red rivers while providing stunning perspectives of our riverbanks and architecture. Your date will love it, we swear. Handholding is of course a great way to get together, especially when it is during a leisurely stroll through a park teeming with gardens, wondrous works of art, and the sounds of the summer. For this, take your date to Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg's verdant 1,110-acre masterpiece. You two will smell the abundance of flowers in the Formal Gardens while marvelling at the tree lined paths that will lead you into the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. This tranquil garden contains more than 300 awe-inspiring works from Mol, the renowned Ukrainian Canadian sculptor. These include depictions from Greek mythology like Europa and the Bull that, if you know your classics, is pretty much foreplay. Throughout summer free jazz performances are a regular occurrence here, adding some extra amour to the ambiance. www.tourismwinnipeg.com 43 WINNIPEG ITINERARIES Photo courtesy of Bee-2-Gether Bikes Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature: Nordik Group

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