Tourism Winnipeg

Romance Oh, hey there good looking. If you are looking for advice on how to turn up the heat when the city gets cool this year, look no further. The thing about crisp air is it gives you the perfect excuse to hold your partner close. Winnipeg, being a four-season city, has the sort of fall that you'd find in a J-Crew catalogue; one with multi-coloured leaves and the sounds of migratory birds in the air that makes for an environment that is ripe for romance. Our winters too are primed for steamy encounters, as our outdoors involves spas, skating, and walks through a silent park, all things that makes you want to get a little closer. First off, let's get you two a room, shall we? If you are feeling adventurous how about an exotic room at Mariaggi's Theme Suite Hotel & Spa, where you love birds can nest in exotic locales like Morocco, Rome and Jakarta, via lavishly decorated rooms replete with jacuzzis. Mariaggi's is the number-one-rated romantic hotel in Winnipeg on TripAdvisor — making it a prime destination for acting out some of your worldly fantasies. If role-play is not your thing, and your style is more old-world grandeur, the always-classy Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre is a great choice. When you approach this stunning façade you'll see how its polished brass rails invite you in through the lobby for drinks in the elegant Palm Lounge, where evenings almost always feature someone tickling the ivories on the grand piano. But save that lounge for later, because after you two check-in you should hit the streets of Winnipeg where romance permeates like music from performance tents at Festival du Voyageur (February 16–25). With hay at your feet, maple taffy in your hands, and warmth in your heart at being surrounded by such joy, Festival du Voyageur is prime grounds for courtship. Perhaps you'll meet that special someone at single's night? Or, if you are a couple already, you two can get bundled up in your fur-trimmed coats, drink some caribou out of glasses made of ice, then cozy up to live music while passions flicker like the bonfires that dot the grounds. Not far from the Festival grounds (Fort Gibraltar) in St. Boniface is Chocolatier Constance Popp, where you can sip on spicy Mexican hot chocolate and feed one another all manner of handmade, ethically sourced chocolate goodies that will see you closing your eyes with pleasure. In fact, Winnipeg's whole sweets scene is one to be savoured by lovers. More bean to bar chocolates are made at Aschenti Cocoa; Jenna Rae Cakes is where you can buy no shortage of Instagram- approved sweet treats (167,000+ followers can't be wrong); while Baked Expectations has launched many a high school romance over a decadent schmoo torte (PSA: caramel is the sexiest of dessert sauces). www.tourismwinnipeg.com 45 WINNIPEG ITINERARIES Constance Popp: William Au Mariaggi's Theme Suite Hotel & Spa

• Cover