Victoria Day is the long weekend holiday Canadians use to welcome Summer, but few know it is intended to honour Queen Victoria’s birthday and the current reigning Canadian sovereign’s birthday. It’s time for royalty to reclaim the weekend. Put down those beer flats and celebrate like a queen.

So many Canadians dressed in flannel and Gore-Tex flee cities for campsites, but who wants to chop logs and smell like mosquito repellent when you can relax in a hot tub and test out the latest scented body oils?

There are many local and exotic get-aways to consider when trying to ramp-up your long weekend vacation routine. You could try the beautiful Banff Springs Hotel, a nifty Niagara-on-the-Lake B&B, or a luxurious Lake Rousseau mansion.

Want to go farther away? There’s always B-52 singer Kate Pierson’s Lazy Meadow Motel where you can channel Marilyn Monroe’s River of No Return role.

Not far enough? Embrace your royal wild side and fly to England for the long weekend for Harrod’s high tea. If that won’t make you feel regal, nothing will.

Lucinda’s List: Suggestions for a Royal Weekend

1. Go Gourmet – Hire a caterer, of course! Your weekend of relaxation is no time to test new recipes.
2. Break out the Bubbly – Nothing says “special occasion” quite like champagne. I love Veuve.
3. Mani, Pedi, Massage – If you don’t have one of these treatments, it is not a Royal Weekend.
4. Rent a Butler – Try hiring some help for the weekend. Careful; you could get used to it.
5. Ditch (not pitch!) the Tent – Who can be waited on while under a canvas roof? Ok, Napoleon. But look what happened to him!
6. Mind Your Style – No matter how long the trip, you would never see a monarch with a neck pillow or garbage-bag emergency raincoat.
7. Dress to Impress – Imagine yourself as royalty throughout the weekend, even if one of your activities is berry-picking. Think about what Grace Kelly would have worn.
8. Retreat to a Resort – All the planning is done for you. What could be better?
9. Find a Babysitter – Royal children have nannies. Don’t you owe it to your prince or princess to experience the good life while you do?
10. Get Classy – Fly, drive, or ride first class. Queen Elizabeth would.