These super touchy Americans are etremely inhospitable. Was very cold and windy out and they…read morewouldn't even let us in the building to keep warm while we asked some questions. Had to talk to the security officer in the cold outside. What's the bloody point of having a "visitors" door when you don't even let visitors in? Waste of time and gas going here. I'd advise to call instead.

The US Embassy in Ottawa takes up two city blocks. Buster expected to be greeted by the ambassador…read morehimself, instead we were not allowed even though the front door. Blame in on 9/11. But as an American at least I was able to check it off my bucket List.

The Italian Embassy isn't at all what you think it is until you start working there like I did. I…read morethought I would be treated with respect which I did from everyone except three people. #1 The Ambassador - Gian Lorenzo Cornado...what a joke. This guy doesn't care about human decency and has no respect for any of his staff. He sits in his office all day and night and doesn't say hello to anyone. He screams at his staff me included and he even had the audacity to scream at me saying "I will ruin your life, I will ruin your career, I will ruin your job" all in reference to (not renewing my contract trial period). Okay there...what world do these people live in? 9 month probation what a joke! This guy shouldn't even be allowed to work in Canada. Threatening a new driver for making you wait 30 seconds to getting picked up? What a joke. Not only did I have to work RETARDED OVERTIME HOURS with no OVERTIME PAY but I had to put up with his shit. This guy has been reported to the police who told me they couldn't do anything about it because I had no proof. I reported him to the Liberal Government who told me they couldn't assist me because he's a diplomat and told me to contact the Labour board. The labour board told me they couldn't do anything either. WOW its all I could reply to him when he screamed at me over 6 times while working with him. Who does this guy think he is screaming at an employee? What does he think this is Italy in the 1930's and Hitler is in power? I would strongly suggest to anyone who tries to go work at the embassy that they do not do it, unless they want to be treated like trash or worse. Gian Lorenzo Cornado Italian Ambassador to Italy is a fake, phony, joker who will run over you with his shady ways. This guy is glued to his work and has no understanding of valuable employees even if it means you start work at 9am and at 1am you are still waiting for him to come out of a house for you to drive him home. I wish I would have quit and left his dumb ass on the street. #2 Gaetano Mazza - The Ambassador Driver This guy is married with two kids and all he could do all day while I worked there was talk about women in derogatory ways. He is super unprofessional, self loathing, completely stupid, unable to work with co-workers, super shady, a cry baby, control freak, and did I say unprofessional? He says everyone he works with are "Gente di Merda" translation in English "People of shit", why does he work there then? By far the biggest piece of crap I know him and the Ambassador THE PERFECT COUPLE! This guy is so off the tracks I have no clue how he was offered a job at the EMBASSY!! Wow what a mind job! #3 Rosa Maio - Secretary of the Ambassador This woman isn't all there mentally. She snaps at the littlest thing and has a warped sense of reality. If anyone has any questions about these people let them end here, these three people are the cancer of this Embassy who hold the entire Embassy under the dark cloud of their negative personalities. BEWARE say NO to the job, don't trust these people.

Ottawa's urban castle…read more Ok, it's not really a castle, but it could be with it's crenellated roofline. This is one of my favourite quirky buildings in the city, with it's enchanting architecture. I haven't had the good fortune to visit the interior, but here's to hoping the embassy opens it's door again this year for "Doors Open Ottawa".

I have missed the embassy on my first visit as it is hidden in the residential area. Parking is not…read moreallowed on the front driveway, but is available behind the house (drive around). The staff there are friendly, extremely helpful, and compassionate to my situation. They should be recognized for their work ethics and passion for their job. By far the most pleasant experience I had with any embassy.

Since I live right pretty well on the border of Rockcliffe Park, I often go walking there. It is…read morereally nice to walk by all the different residences of ambassadors. Not only are the houses huge, but they seem to have lots of character of the countries that they represent. People in the neighbourhood are always friendly and greet eachother when passing. There are always plenty of people out walking their dogs, cycling and jogging. The neighbourhood is really safe and I have gone walking at night on several occasions without any problems.

I am writing this review in regards to the cycling available along the rockcliffe parkway, which…read moreruns through the park. This is a wonderful route to follow, especially if you can find a time when it is not busy with cars. I went out on March 7th around 1pm, and it was lovely. The air was crisp, and there were no cars. The view along the river is breathtaking, and offers several opportunities to venture off the road and shore. The whole parkway is about 22km one-way, and there seemed to be a gentle slope. The actual parkway road is decent, however the surround streets you use to access it are ridden with potholes. I would suggest bringing your bike to one of the parking lots in the park and setting out from there. I am sure it can only get lovelier as the weather gets warmer, and the festivals and tourists dots the landscape. From my understanding the parkway is heavily used by cyclists in the summer, this is comforting. Also, I found drivers passing me on the road gave me a lot of room. I will definitely keep riding this route, and return once the snow clears to explore the park! The only downside to cycling, is the actual parkway is not very long. You could do the stretch multiple times but your passing the same scenery which is boring. Once the parkway ends the roads get considerably more busy.

This is a neat place to visit if you haven't yet. I was fortunate enough to get an architectural…read moretour, and it was breathtaking to say the least. This delegation building is modeled after a rock crystal based on Fatimid Times in the 10th century. The roof is model after rock crystal and regulated temperature made with woven fiber glass. The ceiling was created with great detail, and it was a prestigious piece with which to work as many neighbors saw it come to fruition after a long period of time. The crystal piece itself is often considered difficult to work with, but when hit by a light source, it bends light to show colors. It's neat detail to each corner and piece of the building allows one to notice the separate spaces and those with intentional limited visibility allowing for both the private the public to exist together. I was especially impressed by the use of local materials such as Canadian maple wood in the flooring and walls along with clean lines allowing for lines of clarity. The garden is beautiful and multi-functional and made with Canadian winters in mind! The Char Bagh (4 square gardens) represents four seasons and is inspired from common Muslim architectural gardens. I hope to return one day, but it's a definite gem in Ottawa.

This phone number keeps calling my number and a few friends lately…read more It either Leaves no voicemails or ones for about 3 seconds long; and when I did pick up the one time it was just nonsense coming from an automated voice recording in Chinese. As an Embassy here in Ottawa, I would suggest you look into this and stop spamming peoples phone lines.

Scam. Got my name and phone number and said my ID was used in China and they're shutting my phone…read moredown. But can't answer me in English or French. What kind of embassy only speaks Chinese.

So lovely and fitting for the Japanese Embassy to host the bonsai exhibit by the Ottawa Bonsai…read moreSociety (September 23-24, 2023). The embassy is pretty easy to access and they have a small bike rack inside the gates. The entrance/lobby area was used for the demonstration so there were 2 rows of chairs but more people showed up than anticipated so many were standing and crowding around the front doors. There were several long tables set up in the wood paneled meeting hall to display the several dozen bonsais.

I provide information about repatriation in Ottawa. The…read morecorrespondence was at the beginning, analyzed emails for 3-5 days clearly, very carefully, with understanding. The process went straight away: thoughtful details were provided promptly and with respect. The embassy staff react under pressure, but work competently and quickly. I would like to note especially - Natasha, for her professional and humane approach to compatriots. I feel part of the great country! Huge thanks to all of you!