Exploring The Best Of Canada's Breadbasket
Saskatchewan, Canada's breadbasket, is sandwiched between Manitoba to the east and Alberta to the west, the Northwest Territories to the north, and the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota to the south. A flight over the landscape unveils an agriculturally rich area—a tapestry of verdant fields, rivers, lakes, and farms— all against the backdrop of a huge, blue sky.
This is, after all, the Land of Living Skies, a slogan adopted and placed on all the province's license plates. Despite its wide open spaces, this prairie province has plenty of places to explore, and a road trip may be the best way to discover the main cities and small towns, myriad foods and off-the-beaten track adventures.
Saskatoon
Constructed during the height of the Great Depression on the banks of the Saskatchewan River, The Bessborough is the perfect place to stay for a night or two. With your choice of city or river views, this iconic landmark hotel offers travelers a luxury experience with elegant rooms and friendly service.
For lunch, Capanna Pizzeria is within walking distance of the museum. With one of the only pizza ovens of its type in Canada, the chef creates his own artistic visions of thin crust pizzas in about 90 seconds. They have many unusual varieties such as their fabulous roasted beet, mascarpone, and arugula pie with white truffle oil.
For dinner, you must try Ayden's Kitchen & Bar, run by Canada's Top Chef winner (2011), Dale MacKay. After learning his trade working for the likes of Gordon Ramsey in the U.K., Mackay is wowing customers with dishes created alongside two other chefs. One of many returners, Mackay grew up in Saskatoon but left. Later in life, however, he came back to his roots to start his restaurant and re-discover his revitalized home town.
Comprising fresh, locally sourced, organic ingredients, the menu changes weekly and features items such as grilled asparagus with fingerling potatoes and fried egg, bacon, and shallot vinaigrette. Entrees are varied but the Korean fried chicken with onion waffle is one of the most popular.
If it's still on that week's menu and you still have room for dessert, order the drumstick sugar cone with caramel and fudge sauce, cashew praline, and caramel ice cream.
North of Saskatoon
As you make your way further north along Highway 11 and then Highway 2, the topography slowly transitions from flat terrain to rolling hills covered by trees. The 2- to 3-hour ride will take you past some beautiful scenery so enjoy the ride.
Your destination will be the Elk Ridge Resort in Prince Albert National Park. If you're looking for a bit of luxury in the wilderness, this is it! A four-season resort, Elk Lodge boasts one of the top 27-hole championship golf courses in the province.
The resort is constructed like an upscale mountain lodge with rooms overlooking the golf courses and surrounding forest. They have all the amenities you would expect in a luxury resort and their on-site restaurant, Copper, serves palate- pleasing fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
At the nearby Waskesiu Township, there are shops, restaurants and even a sandy beach. You can stroll around the nearby shops but make sure you stop in at the local bakery for one of their delectable cinnamon buns.
Manitou Beach
After leaving Elk Lodge, you will be traveling south to your next destination—Manitou Springs. This is about a 4-hour journey and make sure you have a camera to capture some of the rural scenes along the way: lone tractors, grain silos catching the morning light and blue and yellow fields of canola and flaxseed plants. South of the town of Waka along Highway 2, you will notice what can only be described as possibly the world's longest train. On the right side of the road are 20+ kilometers of various types of train cars just sitting in on the tracks—never moving.
As you come to the town of Watrus, cut across Main Street to your next destination— Manitou Beach and the Manitou Springs Hotel Resort & Mineral Spa. This property sits on the banks of what has been dubbed "The Dead Sea of Canada."
Both the lake and indoor pool are highly mineralized with magnesium, sulphate, potassium, and sodium, which make it possible for visitors to float, just like in the Dead Sea in Israel. Travelers come here from all over the world to soak in the waters with many reporting relief of physical symptoms such as skin conditions and arthritis.
Nearby at the famous dance hall, patrons can dance the night away on the signature horsehair floor. Even though this is a small resort town, it has one of the few surviving drive-in theaters left in North America where you can take in a movie under the stars.
Regina
Continue heading south and in two hours you'll reach Regina, Saskatchewan's second largest city. The Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson, located on Victoria Avenue, is rated #2 on TripAdvisor and offers luxury accommodations in the heart of the city.
Regina is seemingly on the cusp of becoming a food-lover's destination with a number of fun culinary options from which to choose.
With the downtown area converted into a trendy semi-pedestrian mall, there are food trucks and street vendors as well as restaurants within an easy walk from this central location.
20Ten City Eatery features fresh, innovative cuisine in a pleasant, modern setting. Try their spiced chicken burger or the Mosaic Salad. At Crave Kitchen and Wine Bar, executive chef Jonathan Thauberger uses seasonal ingredients from local purveyors to create tasty traditional European fare. His charcuterie plates are a local favorite.
The English tradition of afternoon tea is also alive and well here. Tea is served on various days at set times at the Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson and also at Government House. The latter, built in 1891, is the restored official residence and museum of the Lieutenant Governors of the Northwest Territories. Their Victorian Tea is sold out months in advance so call as early as possible to make reservations.
If you are a fan of microbreweries, you will love Regina. Originally having started as a home brewing community with what were known as ale clubs, this movement has grown over the years to include five breweries with some also serving food. Locals have their favorite hangouts such as Rebellion, Bushwakkers, and Brewsters. Pop in for a pint.
A version of this story was originally published by Communities Digital News.