A Spring City Getaway: Shake Off the Winter Blues!

Looking for a unique activity to start with? Immersia Laval! 

Once again, a first for me! I had never had the chance to do an escape room before… But let me tell you, this won’t be the last time! The scenarios offered by Immersia all looked just as fun as , but the one I tried—"The Game Show,” REALLY blew me away.

Since I don't want to ruin the surprise, I won’t reveal all the details, but I can guarantee that my brain cells got a real workout after finally MANAGING to escape : I was sweating! What a feeling of pride to walk out of the room when there are only a few minutes left on the clock, phew!!! I really recommend to check it out— it’s the perfect opportunity to work as a team while having a blast fun!

Where to have dinner? At Gatto Matto! 

If you'd like to continue your getaway in style, you should definitely head to Gatto Matto for dinner! This restaurant has been one of my favorites ever since it opened. Once again, the decor—charming and vintage decor adds that little extra touch to make the experience even better! The cocktail menu: a MUST-SEE, as many of the drinks are unique creations and, quite frankly, delicious.

If you're having trouble deciding among all the options, let me help you out: for an appetizer, the grilled octopus is simply stunning! And what about the tuna tartare? Oh, my, god. Next, you can choose between pasta and pizza (and many other options, of course!). Paired with a good glass of wine, you’re sure to find something you’ll love! I had a real favorite, though: the ravioli stuffed with ricotta and goat cheese, served with wild mushrooms and a creamy port sauce. Sorry, excuse me, but this dish is to die for!!

Where to stay? At the Grand Times Hotel

It was just me—I’d never set foot in this gorgeous hotel? WOW! As soon as I walked into the lobby, I felt like I was somewhere else: luxurious and grand decor, a modern and artsy—we love it! In fact, it’s the perfect place to channel your jet-setter for a night or two. The hotel is the newest addition to the , and it even has a pool and a gym available!

The Vertige King suite is absolutely ma-gni-fi-cent. It feels It feels like you’re in New York with the view of the city and the in the bedroom! The modern, cozy decor creates the perfect atmosphere for resting and relaxing. A well-deserved good night’s sleep!

Where to have lunch? At Café Ricardo! 

In addition to having a charming gift shop, Café Ricardo is the perfect blend of a cute little café and a delicious spot for fancy! The menu options are truly out of the ordinary, and that’s what makes this place so unique. We got to try a savory waffle with confit duck (!!!) and a croque-madame with mushrooms and porchetta. One word: DIVINE! With a salted caramel latte in hand, I was absolutely thrilled to discover this restaurant!

To wrap things up, we're getting active at the Le Crux climbing gym! 

Don't be put off by the title—the Le Crux climbing center in Laval isn’t just for route climbing—it’s actually a bouldering gym. This huge space is designed to welcome anyone who wants to try climbing for the first time or even train for competitions, including those who are quite a bit more experienced. 

Since I’m a total beginner myself, we got a guided tour from one of the owners, Jean François. It was actually really helpful for getting a better understanding of this sport, which is still pretty unknown! People often mistakenly think you have to be SUPERRRR fit to get started with bouldering, but that’s not true! Of course, you need to work on your technique, but some “routes” are easier than others. The V0, V1, and V2 routes are perfect for taking it slow while having fun.

I'd like to share with you some words from Jean-François that I found particularly insightful!

“Bloc is both an individual and a social sport. Everyone is there to help and encourage one another, while at the same time working on their own to beat their personal bests. It’s a great way to push yourself while sharing tips with other enthusiasts!”

We often forget that you can get a change of scenery without going THAT far! The next time you feel like taking a little getaway, think LAVAL ☺