🦌 Parc Omega

May in Montebello: Peaceful wildlife x Quiet luxury

Last may, my boy and I packed up the car to visit Parc Omega, a nature and wildlife park where animals roam freely throughout the accommodation section of the park. To be honest, it wasn't so much a random getaway as an Instagram ad inspired escape! 😅. We had a long weekend free and needed a family getaway and it seemed like it would align with our COVID-conscious approach to travel.

While Parc Omega isn't marketed as a COVID-safe destination (rightly so!), it's design is COVID-conscious friendly thanks to the outdoor attractions, distanced accommodations, and flexible contact-light experiences.

Peaceful porch views

🛌 Our Stay: The Panoramic CHalet

I had fully intended to experience the "sleep with the wolves" aspect of the park. Unfortunately, the only chalet accommodations available during the long weekend were on the "prey" side of the park - we didn't sleep with the wolves, but we did enjoy our own serene sanctuary where deer and other gentle wildlife wandered freely outside our cabin.

The panoramic chalet was simple, elegant, and fully of peaceful touches - a cozy fireplace, spacious immaculate bathroom, and a back porch with views of the landscape where we watched the animals stroll past at dawn and dusk.

There is a fully equipped kitchen. In fact, our stay at Omega is where I fell in love with Nespresso coffee! There's no TV (which we loved - a welcome digital detox), but the chalet did have reliable cell service if you want to use your phone or hotspot. With some of the most comfortable beds we've experienced, the chalet is the perfect place for rest, reflection, and reconnection. I have plans to return for a writing retreat when I'm further along in my studies!

"Hello, deer!"

😷 COVID-Conscious Choices

We took our typical precautions to keep our travel safe and enjoyable:

• We drove to the park - no need to mask or fly enroute

• Avoided all indoor dining - takeout from nearby Montebello's many amazing café kept us well fed

• Stayed in an independent unit - no shared hallways or HVAC

• Explored the park early in the day to avoid crowds

• Kept our distance during walking portions of the park

The "drive through" section of Parc Omega was a perfect low-risk to see wildlife - from the safety of our own vehicle.

💡Travel Tips

If you want to enjoy Parc Omega, here are a few tips from our experience:

• Visit during the off-season: Our mid-May visit proved to be less crowded and chalet accommodations are more available than later in the summer.

• Book early: The chalet's book up quickly, especially those in the "wolves" side of the park.

• Bring your own food: Each chalet has a beautifully appointed kitchen - perfect for minimizing contact and eating safely. Our stay was only for 2 nights and I regret being "lazy" 😅

• Visit attractions early in the day: Like most destinations, getting out as early as possible will help with avoiding the crowds and having a quieter more relaxed time.

• Talk a walk through Montebello: The town has excellent cafés and while no one was masked, the atmosphere was welcoming.

Panoramic chalet spacing in 2024

🌱 Final Thoughts

Parc Omega isn't designed with COVID in mind, but for those of us still travelling with care, it's a gem - naturally distanced, quiet, and deeply restorative accommodations. It's a reminder that COVID-conscious travel doesn't have to mean "missing out." Sometimes, it leads to us to new experiences that are slower, quieter, and peaceful.