Winterlude (Ottawa's magical, annual winter festival) may be over, but downtown Ottawa is surrounded by a number of ski hills still in full operation! Nothing beats a warm hot chocolate (or hot toddy) after some night skiing at one of Ottawa's best hills - Camp Fortune, pictured here. Only a 15 minute drive - or $20 Uber - from Bella Notte B&B!

We are so grateful to call this magnificent country home. It has welcomed us with open arms, and now we are happy to share its many gifts with people from around the world. On this milestone 150th year, there is more to see than ever. Happy Canada Day!

Friday, March 3rd and Saturday, March 4th, the final race of the 2016/17 Ice Cross Downhill season will feature a track built on the Ottawa Locks of Park Canada's historic and picturesque Rideau Canal, overlooking some of the most iconic views in Canada.
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Watch the clip and take a virtual tour of the magnificent final track! 

The annual Canadian Tulip Festival was another success this spring, covering the city in hundreds of colourful and diverse tulips. This year brought the debut of the "Maple Leaf Tulip" (seen in the background of this photo) in honour of Canada's upcoming 150th anniversary!

In Ottawa, spring is most definitely on its way, and as the last of the snow melts and the flowers begin to bloom, why not take a walk from Bella Notte, across the historic Rideau Canal, and check out the Canadian Museum of Nature! Mingle with Canada's wild animals, gaze in awe at a blue whale skeleton, and maybe even encounter a dinosaur...

Winter in Ottawa holds a magical beauty. As the snow and temperatures descend, so does a hallowed peace and silence over usually buzzing streets. Mother Nature lowers a powerful hand, cooly sweeping a deep chill into our bones, while with the other she delicately and meticulously wraps each branch within ice of glass. We are left both spurred and halted by the majesty - which must be experienced.

Autumn is one of our favourite times of year, and Fall in Ottawa is gorgeous... Take a walk around the tree filled downtown and soak in the spectacle of changing leaves, or take a short trip to the Gatineau Hills and relish in the symphony of colours. Breathe in the crisp air, take-in the view from one of the many look-outs, go for a hike, or if you're looking for a bit of a thrill, partake in a zip-lining adventure above the canopy!

Tonight is Ottawa's 3rd annual Nuit Blanche! Nuit Blanche Ottawa+Gatineau is a 1 night per year, dusk-until-dawn celebration of multidisciplinary Art and local culture that takes place across multiple venues and within the cityscape of Ottawa and Gatineau. Here is a shot from Ottawa's inaugural! http://nbog.ca/en/

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower" - Albert Camus

Our backyard garden at Bella Notte is small but lush, with vines and flowers creating an enchanted oasis in the heart of the city...

August in Ottawa is a beautiful time, when the summer takes a gentle form, with warm days and cooler nights. Perfect for one last summer getaway before the hustle and bustle of Fall. If you come to Bella Notte B&B, we will let you know where this gorgeous patio is (from which this picture was taken). It is one of Ottawa's best hidden gems!