"Abdul! Are you enjoying the views," he asks me in his thick, Quebecois accent. "I'm trying not to!" I bark back at him, just barely managing not to suppress a barrage of foul language. Cedric, my guide, watches on in amusement, a thick smirk covers his unshaven face. I'm balancing on the narrow beams of a hanging bridge, 85 meters long but only 20 cm wide, some 150 meters above Saguenay fjord (280 feet, 8 inches and 500 feet, respectively). The … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday Montreal, 375 Years Young!
THE BIG 375 The candles are lit, the streamers are ready – Montréal is officially turning 375 this month. And boy, are we putting on a show! We’re lighting up Jacques-Cartier Bridge, inviting Giants over, celebrating history with Cité Mémoire and the St. Lawrence River with AVUDO, and praising the powers that be with AURA at Notre-Dame Basilica. Won’t you come see? THE STREETS COME ALIVE From July 6 to 30, 2017, Montréal’s already animated … [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...]
Puebla – City of Angels
Mexico City. Acapulco. Puerta Vallarta. Cancun. If you're like most people, these are the Mexican cities you are familiar with. However, Puebla, or La Puebla de los Angeles (“the city of the angels,”) is the most beautiful Mexican city that you've likely never heard of. Only a couple of hours from Mexico City, I first visited it during a backpacking trip in 2005, more by coincidence than by design, and was astounded by one of the most remarkable … [Read more...]
New Haven: Mecca for Revolutionary War Fans
Working as a tour guide in Philadelphia’s historic district, I must have become a little Pennsylvania-centric on my view of the American Revolution because I was absolutely stunned when I stumbled upon the Trumbull Room at the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven, Connecticut. It was the thrill of unexpectedly running into dear acquaintances while on vacation – the familiar blue and yellow uniform in the painting of my favorite founding … [Read more...]
5 Types of Accommodation that Will Make Your Trip Magnificent
Where you stay can make a big difference to your vacation. It is difficult to feel like you are experiencing the culture of the country when you are staying in a hotel room that looks like anywhere else in the world. If you do a little bit of research beforehand you can find some really magnificent accommodations that will be the highlight your stay. Here are five examples of places to stay that truly reflect the culture. You want to escape … [Read more...]
AccuWeather “Every Minute Matters” Sweepstakes Gives Chance to Win a Magical Disney Parks Vacation
AccuWeather Invites Fans to Make Every Minute Magical in "Every Minute Matters" Sweepstakes, with Chance to Win a Magical Disney Parks Vacation Register for a chance to win a great prize instantly each day and a grand prize vacation for six to Disneyland(r) Resort or Walt Disney World(r) Resort. AccuWeather Global Weather Center - January 26, 2016 - AccuWeather, the global leader in weather information and digital media, today announced … [Read more...]
Trimmigrants- Our Adventure in Marijuana Land
Harvest season in Northern California is a hot destination for travelers looking to find work and make some cash in the ever-growing medical marijuana industry. After a long summer of outdoor growing, cannabis farmers have a large amount of product that needs to be trimmed and manicured before it can be sold. Most farmers hire trim crews to get the job done quickly and efficiently. This is the story of our highly irresponsible adventure in … [Read more...]
FlightHub’s Best Snowy Christmas Destinations
While lots of people enjoy Christmas at home with family, some like to take the time to get away from the World and go on a relaxing Christmas vacation. While much of the World is shrouded in Winter and the unpredictable weather that accompanies it, many Winter destinations make great Christmas getaways. Likewise, you also have the choice to escape Winter by retreating closer to the equator and getting some sun during what is traditionally the … [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...]