Europe Travel Stories

Viking Longship Launching in Amsterdam

by Barbara Barton Sloane

Biking, busing, tramming or hoofing it, Amsterdam is a city easy to get around. It has beauty, charm, and hundreds of canals connected by 500 pretty bridges – and flowers everywhere! These 17th century canals enjoy the honor of having been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010 and their grassy banks are perfect paths for a romantic stroll.

Recently I had the great good luck to visit Amsterdam and attend an historic launching of ten new Viking Longships as this most award-winning line expands into a new era of European river cruising. This was an auspicious occasion because, for the first time ever, a river cruise company was launching ten ships all at once – and I was there to witness it!

As that wise gentleman, Mark Twain, once said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines and sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

That is precisely what happens on a Viking Longship. Although my stay aboard the Viking Aegir was brief, I nonetheless was able to debark a few times and explore parts of Amsterdam, experiencing some of its special treasures and causing me perhaps to dream? Yes, indeed I did.

Amsterdam – My Short but Sweet Visit

In Amsterdam’s medieval center, there stands the Gothic basilica Nieuwe Kerk, the coronation church for Dutch royalty. Its intricately carved oak altar was stunning and the stained-glass windows handsome despite no sun shining through that day. I sat in a pew hoping that perhaps I’d hear some notes from the massive, gilded organ. After some 20 minutes or so, my optimism was rewarded with the thunderous peal of Bach’s organ fugue in G minor. Could there be a more perfect end to my church visit?

Another outing took me to Museum Het Schip (the ship), one of the highlights of the Amsterdam School of Architecture, so called because its shape somewhat resembles a ship. Built in 1919-1921, three monumental social housing blocks designed by architect Michel de Klerk are viewed as a masterpiece and symbolize the solidarity and emancipation of the working class at the beginning of the last century. No longer were the poor condemned to live in basements and slums but now had safe, affordable housing. The Amsterdam School paid a great deal of attention to the applied arts, designing in such a versatile and expressive way that the style is often seen as the Dutch version of Art Deco. Inside, there’s a charming little post office and a floor plan that is completely decorated with furniture and objects that were available to the working class in the twenties. Remarkable is the fact that this design by famous artists and architects was to be found in these modest working class houses.

At Concertgebouw, (Royal Concert Hall), opened in 1882, I attended a concert of Brahms, Chausson and Ravel with violinist Tosca Opdam and pianist Victor Stanislavsky, their music at times bold and regal, other times poignant and tender; at all times rendered gorgeously by this world-class duo.

Although our ship had no plans to stray afar of the ceremonial goings-on, we did take a brief cruise down the Ijsselmeer River to Hoorn, an ancient harbor town founded in 716. This is a pretty community with monumental building facades and inviting sidewalk cafes. Sadly, no sidewalk sitting this day….waaaay too cold. However, the experience of leisurely making our water-way down the river was picturesque.

Ship Christening and Launching

The ceremony of christening and launching a ship is based on traditions thousands of years old – to protect the ship and all who sail her. A Babylonian narrative dating from the 3 rd millennium BC describes the completion of a ship:

“Openings to the water I stopped; I searched for cracks and the wanting parts I fixed; Three sari of bitumen I poured over the outside; To the gods I caused oxen to be sacrificed.”

Nooooo, let’s have none of that. The ceremony for the ten new Viking Longships was dignified, decorous and dazzling.

The Godmother

For more than 4,000 years it has been a maritime tradition for each ship entering service to have a ceremonial godmother who is entrusted with the guidance of the ship to her destinations. In Amsterdam, there were ten godmothers, one for each of the ships to be launched. Distinguished, remarkable women are historically honored to become godmothers and this year was no exception. The group was chosen from representatives of a number of Viking’s valued partners and significant port and privileged-access destinations. They gallantly smashed champagne bottles against the ships’ hulls, after which there was a post-christening reception held in the Amsterdam cruise terminal. We guests then enjoyed a divine dinner and a maiden voyage around the Amsterdam harbor.

As evening drew near, I thought on the words of a poem by Hendrik Marsman called “Memory of Holland:”

The sky hangs low and slowly the sun
by mists of all colors is stifled and greyed,
and in all the regions the voice of the water
with its endless disasters is feared and obeyed.

With the Viking Longships’ meaningful and heartfelt ceremonies and the godmothers’ blessings, there will be no endless disasters! The mists were banished, the greyed skies cast out and at close of day, in the far distance – a rainbow.

More Information: www.vikingrivercruises.com

Photos by Barbara Barton Sloane

1. A 17th Century Amsterdam Canal
2. The City of Amsterdam
3. Amsterdam Street Scene
4. The Viking Prestige

Sea Dreaming on the Amalfi Coast of Italy

Story and photos by Barbara Barton Sloane

Our truest life is when we are in our dreams, awake
– Henry David Thoreau

I was awake yet was, most definitely, in a dream – the “SeaDream” Yacht to be precise. Cruising along the Amalfi Coast of Italy, heading toward ports I’d only fantasized about, it was a pinch-myself moment. Yes, this was true life. Let the dreaming begin!

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the SeaDream Yacht Club, whose motto is “It’s yachting, not cruising.” That it is. It’s a family owned company, conceived by Norwegian entrepreneur Atle Brynestad with a maximum of 112 guests on board and catered to by an award-winning crew of 95, insuring that you will be “Splendidly Spoiled” and receive the most incomparable service at sea, bar none. In fact, Conde Nast Traveler magazine recently ranked SeaDream number one in the category of small ships with a higher score than any other cruise ship regardless of category.

Cruising is my favorite mode of travel, and in that I’m not alone; even the esteemed Sir Francis Drake said “It isn’t that life ashore is distasteful, but life at sea is better.” Think about it: cruising lets you share a front porch with a billionaire, your view the very same beautiful sea, blue sky and if you’re lucky, cavorting porpoises and the occasional leaping whale. The boarding process always puts happy, fluttering butterflies inside me, and being greeted before mounting the gangplank by a handsome crew member proffering a celebratory glass of champagne set exactly the right tone. It just got better from there when, upon boarding, we stepped into an already-in-progress festive cocktail party hosted by the Captain.

Every stateroom has a large window with an ocean view and the color scheme echoes that scene with navy, white and beige. My bathroom was taupe-colored marble, and my bed was dressed in white Belgian linen. There was champagne cooling in a silver bucket, a comfy sofa and a large flat screen TV. Heaven.

On board, the SeaDream offers a host of amenities and fun activities. Yoga is offered daily, there’s a well-equipped fitness center, and a Thai-themed spa, the only one of its kind at sea. From the moment you rise, your dining is going to be a fine gourmet experience. I looked forward each morning to dining al fresco on the pretty upper deck, and evenings, as I entered the dining room, I was asked if I wished to be alone or if I felt a bit sociable. I usually chose the latter and had the opportunity to meet my attractive and appealing neighbors. After dinner, we typically sauntered up to the Top of the Yacht Bar where we were serenaded with our favorites by a piano or guitar. When in port, one can choose from a choice of custom-designed land adventures. If one stays on board, this vessel offers experiences unique to cruising: the yacht is able to lower a water sports platform which allows guests to enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing and jet skiing!

Another distinctive feature of this yacht is their luxurious on-deck Balinese Dream Beds. Each afternoon, this is where I could be found. I’d raise the bed for an unobstructed view and simply relax, watching the world go by, a favorite libation close at hand. At night, one has the option of sleeping under the stars on one of these beds made up with a fluffy down comforter and pillows. “Fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars….” Voila: your own private star-studded playground, an oasis of perfect tranquility and an experience like nothing before.

In true yachting fashion, our SeaDream cruise took us to delighful, intimate yachting harbors where sometimes large cruise ships cannot go. We visited Positano, with its Flavio Gioia Square and the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption housing a Byzantine black Madonna with Child. Another port was the mythical island of Sardinia. In Corsica, its rugged mountains and lakes of glass offered breathtaking photo opps. From Amalfi’s harbor, a car took us up narrow, twisting and winding, white-knuckle roads to Ravello, one of the most famous spots on the Amalfi Coast and home in the past to Greta Garbo, Gore Vidal and D.H. Lawrence. Romantic Sorrento offered a high-point lookout where we could spy the ruins of Pompeii. Finally, one day we heard a crew member shout: “Here comes Capri!” Now I ask you, can there ever be a happier, more thrill-producing call?

John Steinbeck once said “The Amalfi Coast bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” One can say the very same of the SeaDream Yacht. Aboard, the experience is not quite real but once you’ve debarked, its siren call of style, quality and casual perfection beckons you back – again and again.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Photos Courtesy The SeaDream Yacht Club

1. On Board the SeaDream
2. The Balanese Sea Bed
3. The SeaDream at Anchor

The Frolicking Festivals of Summer in Germany

By Barbara Barton Sloane

August in Germany: Frankfurt, Bad Nauheim and Kassel to be precise, a propitious, tourist-perfect time.

I was lucky to be there last year in August and experienced happy events in each of these cities. In Frankfurt, the city plays host to its annual arts and culture happening – the Museum Embankment Festival. It is Europe’s largest cultural festival featuring countless arts and crafts stalls, live music, culinary highlights from around the world, and Frankfurt’s fabulous museum row. This year the Festival occurs on August 23-25.

In Bad Nauheim, August is a special time because that’s when the European Elvis Festival takes place. More on that later.

In Kassel this same month and occurring every five years, the city holds the world-renowned Documenta phenomenon, presenting contemporary artwork of international artists in its most diverse manifestations. Not being sure I can return in 2017, I was immensely gratified to be able to experience Documenta in 2012.

Frankfurt
We landed in Frankfurt and I must confess that finding world-class art and a plethora of fabulous museums was not highly anticipated. But – surprise – it’s all here – in abundance! Frankfurt am Main is a bustling metropolis in the heart of Europe. Here you can find over 200 banks, more than any other German city, as well as more than 60 museums and art galleries.

A great walking city, it blends tradition and modernity and its significance as a bustling international trade and finance center dates to the Middle Ages. The cultural scene is as international as the city itself with numerous stages, award-winning opera, and countless open-air festivals. The city has an imposing, modern skyline, romantic river-scapes, and an historic half-timbered Old Town. All this contributes to making Frankfurt shine slightly differently from every angle, just as a jewel shines differently when looked at from all sides.

A visit to the Stadel took me aback. This venerable, 200-year-old museum has recently reopened after a major three-year remodeling which, from the exterior, is no more than a modest, if not unique, polka-dotted lawn.

A subterranean plan was used to provide almost 100,000 more square feet of space to house post-war and contemporary art. Nothing short of stunning, it’s unique with an utterly fresh feel. It has to be seen to get it. Suffice it to say I found it enchanting. During August this year, this museum has two major exhibits: Hans Thoma, known as “The German People’s Favorite Painter,” featuring a major retrospective on his life’s work, and Piero Manzoni, one of the most important artists of Italian post-war art.

I said I was lucky to be in Germany at this particular time and yes, still another reason: a major Jeff Koons retrospective, covering his 30-year career, was happening at the Liebieghaus Sculpture Museum. Joyous, kitschy, (think Michael Jackson and Bubbles), the show was mounted so as to enter into a dialogue with the historic building and its collection spanning 5,000 years of sculpture. How do you do that? By displaying Koons’ pieces in the same room as, say, Renaissance and Baroque pieces and, somehow, having it work beautifully.

No visit to Frankfurt is complete without checking out the Kleinmarkthall, a food hall extraordinaire. The stalls are fabulous, carrying exotic fruits and vegetables, some never before seen. There were 8 different kinds of potatoes, 12 kinds of tomatoes, lots of unusual mushrooms and fresh herbs of every kind. Do allow the vendors to pick your product for you as they take enormous pride in making everything look perfect and beautiful. The famed Dijon Les Halles has nothing over this great market.

Bad Nauheim

Since 2002 each August the city of Bad Nauheim hosts the European Elvis Festival and this year it will be held on August 15-18. Why, you may ask. When the “King of Rock ‘n Roll” started his military service in 1958 it was in—bingo!—Bad Nauheim. Tours take visitors on a journey back in time to the ‘50s and ‘60s and to his European home. Rock ‘n roll becomes the sound and spirit of the whole town and people from all over the world celebrate the legendary star with famous bands, movies, exhibits; also Cadillac and Harley parades. If you think, however, that Bad Nauheim’s only claim to fame is Elvis you would be wrong. Back in 1911 the town achieved nationwide attention for the healing power of its springs. Today Bad Nauheim is designated a top location for medical science and research.

Kassel
Kassel is a diverse city with a more than 1,000-year history. Three forces come together here: iconic architecture of the 1950s, an important historical background, and celebrated art. Drawing almost a million visitors over a 3-day period, Documenta, its famed art festival, was a mind-blowing experience because much of it was cutting-edge, unconventional, and avant-garde. One of my favorite projects was created in 1982 by the German artist Joseph Beuys – an installation that is now permanent. Called a social sculpture, it consists of the artist having planted 7,000 oak trees around the city of Kassel. Beuys explains that the tree is an element of regeneration which, in itself, is a concept of time. He believes that the oak is appropriate because it is a slow-growing tree of solid heartwood. This undertaking was enormous in scope and at the time met with some controversy.

Joseph Beuys - part of the 7,000 oaks exhibit — Joseph Beuys – part of the 7,000 oaks exhibit

To that, the artist said “I not only want to stimulate people, I want to provoke them.” He achieved his goal most effectively. Mark your calendars for Documenta, August, 2017! In the meantime, you should know that a permanent exhibit of Beuys work is installed at the Neue Galerie in Kassel.

Stop by the Brueder Grimm (Brothers Grimm) Museum – a delight with fairytale drawings housed in the original home and much of the furnishings original to that time.

If it’s a beautiful day, visit Bergpark. A mountain park, it is replete with streams, waterfalls and bridges – a Kassel treasure.

When I left home to visit Germany, I wasn’t thinking festivals or celebration or gaiety. I wasn’t thinking culture or art. Now, all these inspiring thoughts and feelings are a-swirl in my soul. They’ll be there for a long, long time to come.

If You Go:

More Information
www.germany.travel
www.frankfurt-tourismus.de
www.kassel-marketing.de
www.bad-nauheim.de

Photos

1. Stadel Museum – polka dotted lawn.
2. Monument honouring Elvis in Bad Nauheim
3. Joseph Beuys – a social sculpture involving some of the 7,000 oaks in Kassel

The Birth of St. Petersburg Russia

by Irene Butler

Day Trips from St. Petersburg to Peter and Paul Fortress are a pleasant one-hour-str0ll from the city’s famous landmark, Palace Square. We make our way down charming streets and cross a bridge to the renowned fortress on Zayachy (Hare) Island in the Neva River.

This first walled settlement was the beginning of St. Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703 at the height of the Great Northern War to protect Russia against the Swedish Empire. A complex of museums is now housed in the old structures depicting centuries of historical significance.

Peter and Paul Cathedral’s prominence is overpowering; its bell tower rises to 122.5metres, a gilded angel tops the cupola. My husband Rick and I swing open heavy wooden doors to a resplendence of marble and gold. Rows of sarcophagi surround the edges of the gleaming marble floor – with the exception of two, all of Russia’s Emperors and Empresses are buried here. It was a heady feeling to gaze upon the final resting place of “The Greats – Peter, Alexander and Catherine.”

I move to the canopied section at the back of the church where on July 17, 1998 the remains of Tsar Nicholas II, the last Romanov Emperor, his wife Tsarina Alexandra Fyodorovna, and daughters Olga, Tatiana and Anastasia are laid to rest, along with the servants who were murdered with them. This macabre execution by the Bolsheviks took place in the city of Yekaterinburg in July 1918, to ensure ties would be broken to those citizens who after the Revolution might remain loyal to the Romanov Dynasty. The remains of the other two Romanov children, Maria and son Alexei were discovered in 2000, approximately 70metres from where the other members were found in a mass grave 16 years earlier. Authenticity has now been proven by DNA tests. Burial is awaiting approval by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Checking out the selection of other Fortress Museums, we decide on the Commandant’s House to glean the city’s history prior to 1917. The rooms are filled with old office-type furniture that the top-dogs who once ran the place may have used.

Our last museum choice is the Prison of the Trubetskoy Bastion. Built in 1720 and rebuilt in the 1870s it was the holding facility for a long line of political prisoners and dissidents. Prison cells with one small high window contain a small table and a metal cot, some with bare springs, others with thin mattress or rough grey wool blanket. Outside each cell are write-ups with photos of some of the prominent figures once imprisoned here – two names are immediately familiar – Revolutionary Leon Trotsky and Novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky.

We hurriedly approach Naryshkin Bastion and climb the tower platform for a good view of the cannon firing at noon. I no sooner get settled along the rail with about 200 other spectators than church bell chimes. I expect a loud boom – but not the unraveling ear-shattering blast! I yelp and jump a foot almost losing my video camera over the railing – my resulting footage is only the deafening explosion and trickle of aftermath smoke.

After visits to a functioning Mint and The City History Museum within the fortress grounds, it’s time to spread out our picnic fare on the lawn that runs along the river outside the walls. We sit among like-minded locals soaking up the late afternoon sun and leave the island with an enlightened perspective of the historical roots of St. Petersburg.

About the author
Irene Butler is an award winning travel writer and author of “Trekking the Globe with Mostly Gentle Footsteps” now on Kindle. Her articles have appeared in national and international publications. She and her photographer husband Rick explore the world for six months of every year. www.globaltrekkers.ca

Photo Credit: Rick Butler

Roman Pompeii: Suspended in Time

By Chris Millikan

A day trip from Naples, Italy introduces us to one of Europe’s best-preserved archaeological sites. The catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD entombed Pompeii under six meters of volcanic ash. Entering this sophisticated Roman trading metropolis through ancient Porta Marina.

Massimillio guides us toward the main city square, gesturing widely, “Visualize bakers, merchants and aristocrats from nearby neighborhoods patronizing this marble-paved Forum!” He points out what were law courts, bustling shops and eateries. Of the surrounding lavish temples, a single statue defines one end of the Temple of Apollo; an intact marble staircase delineates the Temple of Jupiter.

Elegant homes mingle with smaller houses along Via de la Fortuna. At House of the Faun, a forest sylph welcomes us into its open courtyard. This grand mansion belonging to wine merchants had forty stylish rooms, including four magnificent dining rooms, one per season. Carved columns line two immense gardens, once filled with statuary and fountains. Nearby, the House of the Vetti boasts original mosaics in green jade, white marble and indigo-blue onyx; vibrant frescoes decorate entertainment rooms. A small house next door features earth-tone frescoes of flowers and whimsical fairies, my favorite.

Encountering a 2000-year-old lead pipe prompts Massimillio to explain, “From an aqueduct-fed tank, three systems supplied water to all public baths, homes and fountains. During droughts, only main fountains operated. At the next intersection he adds, “Locals met daily at public fountains, exchanging news and views.” Continuously overflowing, fountains flushed streets and gutters; elevated steppingstones allowed pedestrians to cross the flooding streets.

Raised sidewalks lead us toward one of 34 bakeries feeding Pompeii’s population of 20,000. Imagining tantalizing aromas wafting on air, we marvel that their brick ovens so closely resemble today’s pizza ovens. “During excavations, centuries-old loaves of blackened breads were found inside many,” grins Massimillio.

Beyond, a mosaic bear holding its head announces Taberna Hedones, a tavern of high living self-indulgence. The marble buffet that kept foods hot still stands out front. Stalls selling wine, cakes, nuts, figs and bread once lined these streets.

Crossing steppingstones to the red light district’s top lupanare, we join other curious visitors cuing to view faded erotic frescoes and discover that multi-lingual clientele used these depictions to select preferences. Inside, surprisingly small ‘cells’ held stone beds covered with mattresses. Wealthier clients used second-story rooms bedecked with fancier frescoes leaving little to the imagination.

Pompeii’s citizens relaxed in three public baths. At Stabian Thermae, men and women played endless games of knucklebones amid erotic frescoes in reds, greens and gold. Heated water running through wall cavities warmed rooms decorated with elaborate mosaics and bawdy sculptures.

First built in the 2nd century BC, the Grande Theater seated 5000 patrons; a smaller semi-circular neighbor, the Odeon staged mime and music. From topmost hillside seats, we spy gladiator barracks and the colonnaded courtyard beyond. According to Massimillio, gladiator-slave extraordinaire, Spartacus had trained here… but fought in the 12,000-seat amphitheater ten minutes away.

Just as in days of old, Pompeii again attracts thousands of foreigners annually.

Carnival Cruise Lines itineraries

About the Author:
Chris Millikan is a freelance writer/photographer living near Vancouver, BC. As a former teacher and elementary school principal, Chris now presents articles as an inviting ‘curriculum’ depicting the joys of travel. Many BC community newspapers, Open Road Driver Magazine and Senior Living Magazine regularly publish her articles. In-flight Magazines, the Vancouver Sun and Province have also featured her stories. As BC Association of Travel Writers Vice President, she supports colleagues’ aspirations. And traveling off the beaten track with writer/photographer partner and hubby Rick, their published tales reflect great adventures. Their 2009 Kalama Award acknowledged an array of their stories reflecting the rich culture of Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

St-Malo: In Search of Jacques Cartier

by Julie H. Ferguson

I glimpse St-Malo from the sea just as Jacques Cartier did on his voyages home from the New World in the sixteenth century: the sun illuminates the old town behind its medieval ramparts and towers. I’m riding the early morning ferry from Dinard across the Rance Estuary for a day trip to explore how St-Malo remembers Cartier, a native son. This town has bred explorers and seafarers for over 500 years and Cartier discovered Canada on July 24, 1534.

As I walk just inside the walls, St-Malo’s granite mansions tower above me – from their upper floors, merchants of old kept watch for their heavy-laden ships returning from the Indies and Peru. I start my search at the Musée d’histoire de la ville in the Great Keep of St-Malo’s castle, which is now city hall, but I find little of Jacques Cartier here.

However, I know the history I seek will be in the cathedral. These millennia-spanning sacred places hold the stories of communities’ celebrations and calamities the world over. As I climb, its spire leads me onward through streets seething with tourists. Buskers entertain at every crossroad, delicious aromas waft from cafés and bakeries, and boutiques beckon…

St-Vincent’s does not disappoint. I gaze at a vast stained glass window back-lit by the morning light. It depicts the Bishop of St-Malo blessing Cartier before his first voyage to the New World. It is a replica of the original dedicated in 1958 after the destruction of the cathedral in World War II. A plaque donated by Quebec in the floor marks the exact spot where Cartier knelt to receive his blessing. Jacques Cartier’s simple tomb, discovered beneath the rubble of war, is adorned with fresh flowers today—someone cares. Cartier died aged 66 in his own bed in Limoëlou, northeast of St. Malo, which has a museum well worth visiting.

I hunt for a crêperie for lunch as I love the paper-thin Breton pancakes, both sweet and savoury. I visit the crêpe chef and try my hand at swirling the runny whole-wheat batter on the griddle with a wooden scraper. It’s not easy. My Crêpe Cartier arrives smothered in flaked almonds and maple syrup, and I want to lick the plate.

To walk off lunch, I circle the ramparts. On the western rampart I find a statue of Cartier—as no one knows what he looked like, his face is guesswork. Cartier leans into the wind and waves, his hand on a wooden tiller, his eyes on the horizon. A plaque here tells me that Pierre Trudeau unveiled it 1984 to celebrate the 450th anniversary of Cartier’s discovery of Canada, but it does not mention it was in the name of France.

I scan the horizon too and imagine Cartier’s top-heavy carrack, La Grande Hermine with all sails set, bobbing like a cork into the English Channel. Canadians may claim Jacques Cartier, but I’m delighted that we also share him with the citizens of St-Malo who honour their intrepid seafarers today as much as they did in 1534.

If you go:

Best months to visit: May, June, and September.
Weather – unpredictable, even in summer.
I prefer to stay in Dinard as St-Malo is overcrowded in summer and the hotels intra muros, within the walls, can be noisy.
Old St-Malo is not readily accessible for those with mobility issues.

St-Malo tourist office has all you need to know about accommodation, restaurants, tours, museums, activities, etc.

Jacques Cartier Museum, Limoëlou Manor, Rotheneuf

Dinard tourist office

Dinard-St-Malo ferry takes 10 minutes; €6.90 return. This company also offers good local cruise tours.

About the author:

Julie H. Ferguson is an addicted travel writer and photographer who is intensely interested in the history and culture of foreign lands, as well as Canada, and her stories and images reflect this focus. She never leaves home without her cameras and voice recorder, always looking for the colour and sounds that captivate readers everywhere.

Julie is also the author of twenty-six books, including four about Canadian history and seventeen travel-photo portfolios. Her travel articles and images have appeared in global markets, both print and online.

She invites you to visit her travelog www.stampsinmypassport.blogspot.com, her website at www.beaconlit.com, and her portfolio at www.flickr.com/photos/beaconlit.