by Jane Cassie Swiss Family Robinson had been a favourite bedtime story when I was young. Before lulling off to sleep, I'd imagine being swept away to an island paradise where palm trees swayed in sugar white sand. Although I eventually learned … [Read More...]
Frolic in Nature and Taste the Culture in Riviera Nayarit
by Irene Butler Curtains of foliage drape the sides of narrow waterways deep in the mangrove forest. Our small boat manoeuvres past the bulging roots needed to hold these towering trees upright in the silt base. “See the crocodiles?” says our … [Read More...]
Turtle Trekking – In Search Of Costa Rica’s Arribadas
by Cherie Thiessen Beneath a dense black ledge of clouds a full moon hoists itself above the horizon, revealing the best place to cross the swollen rivers. We can’t believe our luck. The downpour that has assailed us since dawn, has stopped just … [Read More...]
New Orleans: Where the Soul Survives
by Kayt C. Peck Signs of Katrina are everywhere; water lines on the concrete embankments of the freeway during the taxi ride from airport to hotel; stories of whole neighborhoods abandoned and destroyed; or the haunted look in the eyes of the … [Read More...]
Olympic Peninsula Rainshadow
Story and photos by Glen Cowley It's called a rainshadow. A microclimate on the lee side of a mountain chain which receives less rainfall than its neighbours. Welcome to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State where the seasons run long and … [Read More...]
The Enchantment of California’s Central Coast
by Leslie Jones The rugged Santa Lucia Mountains gracefully tumble down to the Pacific Ocean along California's Central Coast. Towering high overhead, their majestic size safely guards many secrets of this intriguing area's cultural and historical … [Read More...]
Petrified Pompeii – A City Frozen in Time
by Caroline M. Jackson "Mt. Vesuvius is not dead. It is a scaring presence.... like a bomb!" whispered Marco, our Italian tour guide, as our bus climbed up the narrow highway overlooking the Bay of Naples. En route to the well-preserved ruins … [Read More...]
An Alaska Cruise Offers Many Sights
by Lauren Kramer With a deafening roar, a 600-pound chunk of ice breaks suddenly from the edge of the tidal glacier and plunges with a ginormous splash into the ocean."You've just seen an iceberg calving, folks," comes a too-cheerful voice from … [Read More...]
The Village of St. Jacobs: Ontario’s Mennonite Heritage
by Margaret Deefholts At nine o’clock on a perfect summer morning the Village of St. Jacobs is tranquil. From where I stand looking down King Street, the only vehicle on the road is a horse-drawn black buggy driven by an Old Order Mennonite farmer … [Read More...]
Key West, Florida: Historic Party Central
by Chris Millikan Arriving in legendary Key West just before the crimson sun slips into blue seas, we join celebrating sunset revelers at Mallory Square and all along the waterfront. While artisans peddle unique handicrafts, jugglers, zany … [Read More...]
Niagara’s River Road
by Guylaine Spencer Picture yourself rollerblading through a gallery of Impressionist paintings. Now you’ve got some idea of what it’s like to cruise the river-hugging Niagara Parkway during the brief but brilliant fall-color season. The route … [Read More...]
Victoria’s Gardens: Free for the Viewing
By Chris Millikan Year round floral spectacles may inspire a day trip from Vancouver to Victoria, BC, where a passion for gardening is evident everywhere. Riotous flowers adorn boulevards and store fronts; hanging baskets, wooden tubs, classy … [Read More...]