Category: Natural

The St. Antthony Hermitage, Bouchette Lake, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada

rose Leave a comment

The St. Anthony hermitage of  Bouchette Lake was founded by Father Elzéar Delamarre in 1907 with the construction of a second home and a chapel dedicated to St Anthony of Padua. The place became a pilgrimage site and the abbot was building a larger chapel to accommodate the visitors. In 1925 the site was taken in care by the Capuchin Minor Brothers who built a monastery and a church dedicated to the Virgin. Today the place has also a hotel with a large dining-room with terrace overlooking the lake and an excellent gastronomic choice with local products and typical menu of the Lac St-Jean region as the famous pie called ‘tourtière’. There is also a wooden observation tower, a pedestrian path, a souvenir shop, a bakery, a camping area with parking for trailers and the warm welcome of the Brothers and staff who make of this place a beautiful option for a relaxing holiday, solo, with family, friends or couples. To see: the St. Anthony of Padua chapel (neo-Gothic country), the frescoes of the Quebec painter Charles Huot, the monastery (neo-Romanesque), the Marian Chapel, among others and of course the natural environment that is really beautiful!

Tips

You can book your accommodation with or without breakfast but it is good to take it even as the supper cause the site is in nature and there are no restaurants very near.

You have a small beach nearby, on the way to the village, and there are some games for children on the site next to the lake.

Taste the bread and buns baked at the bakery on site, it’s worth it.

There are many activities around Lac St-Jean; so staying at the monastery would be economical and comfortable to come and visit the area.

Cumberland Bay State Park, Plattsburgh, New York, USA

rose Leave a comment

Cumberland Bay State Park, on the west shore of Lake Champlain, is very popular with campers and day-users because of its large natural sand beach and picnic grounds with tables and grills. The park has 152 campsites, a playground and playing fields, showers, food, and a dumping station. Visitors enjoy romping on the playing fields, camping, picnicking, and lounging on the beach. The park is a runner’s paradise, especially in the fall. You can also camp with your pet if your site allows pets but you must have proof of current rabies vaccination – certificate inoculation or dated collar tag; you must household them only, caged or on a leash, not more than 6 feet. They aren’t permitted in picnic or bathing areas; there is a two-pet maximum. To visit: Macomb Reservation State Park, John Brown Farm State Historic Site, Point Au Roche State Park, and Crown Point State Historic Site are all nearby.

Tips

The park opens from early May to Columbus Day.
If you love camping on parks, for $65, the Empire Passport provides you unlimited day use vehicle entry into most of New York parks.
You can do lots of activities like swimming, picknicking, biking, boating, canoeing, fishing, water skiing, voleyball, basketball, etc.

152 Cumberland Head Road Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Beach of the Caravelle, Sainte-Anne, Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe

rose Leave a comment

The beach of the Caravelle is a beach adjoining the Club Med in Guadeloupe and of course it is well maintained. But to get to it you have to go a long way by the beaches that are not maintained at all and sometimes it’s a bit difficult if you go with the kids or if you have difficulty walking on a completely irregular path. Once you arrive, you will feel that you are in a place like the beaches you see on the postcards. White sand beach, crystalline water, with plenty of trees to protect from the sun. You can not access to the Club Med but there is a beach bar that is accessible to everyone. There are several aquatic activities to do and it is okay if you go with children as there is not a big slope or big waves, it’s more like a natural pool.

Tips

There is no parking so you will have to leave the car at about a fifteen minute walk. You can also leave the car at Pointe-à-Pitre, take the ferry and walk.

If you do not like bugs, be careful as the iguanas walk between people and pass on your towel without any inconvenience.