Belize is all the buzz these days for expats looking to downsize their expenses, live the simple life and retire in a picturesque setting sure to be the envy of their friends and family. So you’ve got the itch to pack your bags, but maybe you’re not ready to hang your hat or your nest egg isn’t quite ready to hatch? If you’re considering the good life in Belize and wondering what it takes to start a business, here’s some advice from 4 expats that … [Read more...]
Varadero, Cuba’s Pampered Tourist Siren
It’s a beautiful resort but it’s not Cuba. More tourists are found here than Cubans. It's only a showplace for tourists", the young Cuban lady guide explained, as she began to give us an overview of Varadero. Her words, more than volumes of reporters' stories, sum up what the local Cubans think of Varadero - the country's top tourist attraction. Everything in this resort of some 20,000 inhabitants is geared toward foreign visitors who are … [Read more...]
The Rift Valley Mountain Trek to Petra, Jordan
Day 1 We began our hike under the 2pm sun from Dana Guesthouse, at about 4,300 feet (1300 meters) above sea level. The beating sun shone down on us intensified by the absence of shade and starkness of our rocky surroundings. Fortunately the hike descended down the side of the rugged mountains until we reached the canyon wash. The three of us were the only ones here - perhaps we were slightly nutty considering really very few people make this … [Read more...]
Best Free Things to Do in Canada
People love free things, and visitors to Canada are not exceptions to this rule. Vacationers are forever looking for ways to get the maximum fun at a minimum cost. Fortunately, Canada is a loveable city that offers plenty of free ways to have fun. The free things you can do in Canada may be outdoor or indoor, adventurous or relaxing, child friendly or adult only. In brief, there is something for everybody and visitors can take their time to … [Read more...]
Iceland’s Wow Air to Begin LAX Service on June 15, 2016
(Los Angeles, California – January 13, 2016) WOW air, the ultra-low-cost transatlantic airline from Iceland, has announced fares from Los Angeles to Iceland for as low as $99 for flights including taxes. Travelers also have the option to continue their trip to WOW air´s 21 European destinations including London, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Dublin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Stockholm. Flights to the other European locations start as low as $199 … [Read more...]
An Introduction to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Culture, Food & Attractions
When one thinks of Canadian cities, iconic urban destinations quickly come to mind such as Toronto, Montreal, Quebec and Vancouver. Saskatoon is not located near any of these major urban centers and is certainly a much smaller city in comparison - both of these aspects are refreshing and are part of the appeal of visiting. So where is Saskatoon anyways? It is located in the southern part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan about 2.5 hours … [Read more...]
Montreal: City of Festivals and Food
Summer in Montreal is filled with a variety of festivals and events to fill up your days with a wide range of music, food and fun. Last week, I was invited to experience the vibrant port city, taking in a market food walking tour, craft beer tour as well as Jazz Festival and Complètement Cirque. Bonus? Discovering Montreal’s first quay-side Poutine Festival during my stay! Sleep My homes away from home were Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth … [Read more...]
An EDM fest in an Igloo? Add Igloofest 2016 to your list!
How cool would it be to say you went to an EDM festival in an igloo? If that sounds like something you’d bundle up for, check out Igloofest in Montreal! I went this past January, and not only was it a blast, but visiting Montreal in January is a great bargain (and cold, but who cares when you’re drinking your jagermeister-root beer concoction!) As it so happens, I went with my mom; she was my travel buddy in Montreal. I had been dying … [Read more...]
Summer Highlights in Québec
With plenty of Festivals, Food events and Road Trips - summer time is a busy time to be in Québec. Geographically, this is Canada's largest province and the second largest by population. With so many activities coming up this summer, I have picked out a few of more intriguing ones. Festivals The Feux Loto-Québec is Montreal's International Fireworks Festival having been held annually since 1985. Not only is this a spectacular fireworks event … [Read more...]
Unique Martinique: A Napoleonic Retreat
John M. Edwards, a future inductee into The Napoleon Society, storms Martinique in search of his own Josephine. A huge fan of Napoleon Bonaparte, the hero of post-Revolutionary France, I left the U.K. Crown Colony of Montserrat in the days before their volcano blew up for the fatal shores of Martinique via a scary Island Air prop plane. Landing with a jarring whump, my galpal and I, along with the burdensome baggage of my Sistah Sah, then … [Read more...]