Television actors Nandish Sandhu and Rashmi Desai take time off to travel across Canada — the fun way

Gone are the days when we used to look forward to holidays and what with the schedule on television, even a day’s off is such a luxury. Recently, when Rashmi and I managed to take off on a Canadian escapade, we were determined to make the most of it.

And with my cousins around to make the holiday a fun one, we were sure to have quite a trip. From the rugged West coast to the Alpine meadows of the Canadian Rockies or the metropolitan city of Toronto, a Canadian vacation combines delightful train journeys, walking across vibrant French Canadian cities and the coastline of Charlevoix. And we were lucky to be right on time for the splendid Fall foliage that Quebec is famous for.

Canada is an adventure lover’s paradise — a place where you can sail and ski in the same day, hike through the Alpine meadows and canoe on emerald coloured lakes by the Rocky Mountains.

Rashmi and I enjoyed the vacation to such an extent that we often find ourselves ‘daydreaming’ about the terrific train ride or the canoes or the long walks. I have tried to relive every moment and still find new things to remember, realising how breathtaking it all was.

I am very happy that we decided ‘not to have any goals’. This allowed us to see and cherish every single moment and store it in our memories for good. Rashmi loves water but can’t swim well and she kept making a zillion excuses to skip the rafting expedition that my cousins and I had planned.

Finally, we decided to lie to her and before she realised she was by the water. She would cow down every time there was a wave — big or small — but finally, it was she who enjoyed the most.

For starters, we spent a day enjoying the vibrant city of Montreal and then rode the VIA Rail to stroll down the cobbled streets of Quebec City. This brand new luxury train journey into the stunning Charlevoix region reveals some charming villages and offers the unique fare of local artisans.

As we moved on, we were thrilled to find a sunny and clear sky at Churchill. The people there are so friendly and I think that makes a trip to any new place so special. I’m quite passionate about the history, culture and natural terrain of any area I visit and this trip, helped me add immensely to my knowledge.

Also the belugas were fantastic and the boat trips were so memorable. And yes, there’s no way we could have missed out on the local food at the small eateries on our way — be it the local bakery, deli or even the town hang out. I remember the Tundra Inn Restaurant and the Aurora Inn which was so simple, yet so liveable.

We chose to stay at Stilwell, on the outskirts of Ottawa. Located in the countryside, we expected it to be cold, but the place turned out to be even hotter than Mumbai! We also visited the Niagara Falls and it was one of the most amazing experiences.

A rafting expedition, a casino tour and a visit to a haunted house were the other activities we indulged in. At Niagara, we took the Maid of the Mist boat ride and was so close to the Falls that the sound of the roaring water stills echoes in my ears.

Of course, no trip is complete without shopping and Rashmi made sure she spent half her time and budget on the same. We picked up a lot of jackets and some yummy cheese along with the usual souvenirs for family and friends. Since I’m quite a foodie and enjoy cooking too, I picked up a lot of exotic stuff for my kitchen. And we made it a point to save the rest of the shopping for the next trip.