Sedona- Top Five Nature Activities
Whether it's hiking in Pine Forests or peering into endless canyons, this Arizona city is home to boundless cultural and nature-filled adventures.
Scottsdale Spaced Out
Once the desert sun has set the Arizona city becomes a stage for some unmissable stargazing. Pitch up for an after-dark picnic and see why Scottsdale is the ultimate destination for astronomers.
Spring is Blossoming
If you’re visiting Japan, but only staying for a short trip, there is no guarantee that you’ll see cherry blossoms. However, pre-planning and a little research about predicted blooming times in the region you’re visiting should improve your odds. For example, in Okinawa, where the weather is subtropical, cherry blossoms pop out in the middle of January, with peak viewing times in early February.
Take Your Kids to Scottsdale, Arizona: Family-friendly Activities in the Sonoran Desert
Scottsdale is just a four-hour flight from Toronto and under three hours from Vancouver, which is just one reason a million Canadians head to Arizona every year looking for sunshine, red rocks, and some of the best spas and golf courses you can find.
How Far Would You Go to See a Work of Art?
In search of an elusive modern work of art situated in a remote part of Japan, I traveled for over 22 hours by air, landing in Tokyo and continuing on to Fukuoka airport. There I took a subway ride to Hakata Station where I jumped on the sonic express train to Usa in Ōita Prefecture. Finally, we took a short drive to a lakeside park and began our hike.
Why Solo Travel Is on the Rise
Today’s travel enthusiasts aren’t waiting around for a plus one. There’s no doubt that lockdowns and restrictions during the pandemic changed the way we vacation and travel. For many months, airplanes sat dormant and airports were ghostly empty. Even some ground travel was off-limits. It’s no wonder that, as airports are once again operating normally, people are keen to get back to traveling the world freely. What is surprising however is how they are doing so...
Warm Up at an Onsen Inn
The macaque monkeys who regularly take to Japan’s natural hot springs with icicles hanging from their fur may do so simply to enjoy a reprieve from the cold winter temperatures. But there’s another intriguing reason these animals have made hot spring bathing part of their routine.
Researchers at the Jigokudani Monkey Park in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Nagano prefecture have found that these simians take a steamy dip to benefit from the relaxing properties of the warm mineral-rich water.
Experience the Art of Sake Making at These Breweries in Japan
“Good water makes all the difference,” my guide explains as we tour a sake brewery that uses spring water from a source tapped 656 feet below the ground. At Nakano Sake Brewery in the castle town of Kitsuki, they take that water and combine it with mold and rice, waiting 40 days for it to ferment and brew. Classical music is piped through to the tank room to create the perfect environment — and it certainly works. This 6th generation brewery has won multiple awards for its sake.
Kayaking in the Desert
When I arrived in Scottsdale, I expected to find towering saguaro cacti, parched landscapes, and red rock formations. What I wasn’t counting on were all the opportunities available to see the Sonoran Desert from the water. Arizona remains an incredibly popular U.S. destination, welcoming more than a million Canadians every year who come to escape winter, enjoy the local spas, play golf and shop.
But as Old Town Scottsdale is within just a 60-minute drive of eight lakes and rivers, it’s worth trying a range of watersports in the desert, including kayaking.
Three Unexpected Ways to Experience Calgary
Alberta’s biggest city is known for the annual Calgary Stampede, the birthplace of the Caesar cocktail and the booming energy sector but it's an eclectic city with even more to offer visitors.
For instance, for a city 675 kilometres from the nearest ocean, it might surprise you to see folks in wetsuits strolling through city parks with surfboards under their arms…
How to Avoid Airport Chaos by Choosing Flight-Free Travel This Summer
Pandemic travel restrictions have lifted, and those eager to return to flying are creating a boom in bookings. But many environmental advocates are encouraging us to stay grounded, repeating the message that air travel is destroying the planet. Wasn’t the pandemic supposed to be the pause we needed to reflect on our unsustainable travel habits?
The Pandemic Heightened My Anxiety: Now, Adventures Are Helping Me Get Back to Myself
The blade of my paddle slices a path through the clear waters of Arizona’s Saguaro Lake. Carved through canyon walls and surrounded by an abundance of towering Saguaro cacti, this man-made Sonoran Desert Lake is a refreshing oasis...
A Hotel in Scottsdale is Offering Cactus Massages So We Gave it a Try
The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North artfully blends into its desert surroundings at the foothills of Pinnacle Peak. Cleverly laid out casitas and suites make you feel like you are part of the high Sonoran desert landscape while providing privacy and a serene retreat from the world.
11 Ultimate Things to Do in Toronto
Toronto is an incredibly family-friendly city with so many attractions aimed at kids of all ages. Hockey fans should head to the Hockey Hall of Fame to see artifacts dating back to the invention of the game and a chance to see NHL trophies and the Stanley Cup up close.
Venture under the sea to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and marvel at life below the waves...
Should You Ground Yourself? Flight-Free Pledges
It’s no secret that planes aren’t good for the planet. The aviation industry is responsible for nearly 3% of global carbon emissions, even though several airlines are taking steps to reduce emissions. Inspired by the Swedish flygfritt movement, a global campaign has emerged in multiple nations, with Flight Free UK taking off in 2019 and Flight Free USA in 2020...
Ours to Discover: Enjoy springtime in Ottawa
Despite a few late-season snowfalls, spring is here, and it’s time to get outdoors and enjoy the milder weather. Events are back on in Ottawa after two years of shutdowns and postponements, and the downtown core is open for business. Come immerse yourself in the vibrant colours…
Travel Geeks online: discover another side to the Balearics.
Join us as our expert panel offers insight into thoughtful longer stays on the beautiful islands of Formentera, Ibiza, Menorca and Majorca — and find the best gastronomic experiences and events to attend.
Postcard from Ottawa: In the frozen Canadian capital protesters and locals are locked in a bitter standoff
Like Narnia, with its never-ending winter, Ottawa is experiencing its own frozen stasis. Just as residents thought that boomerang Covid-19 restrictions might end, a new threat loomed — this time not a virus, but an equally insidious invasion.
10 of the Best Hotels in Stockholm
Open, modern and diverse, yet still with an eye to preserving spots like the historic Gamla Stan district, Stockholm combines both old-world European splendour and clean contemporary design. Here, you’ll find a palace and museums cosied up to trendy vegan restaurants committed to sourcing local produce and beautiful minimalist souvenirs that are too good to give away.
Here are my top hotel picks in Stockholm...
Spend a Weekend in a Quaint Winter Wonderland
Almonte, a mill town a 40-minute drive from Ottawa, has plenty of practice crafting the perfect holiday feel. This small town has become a popular filming location for holiday movies.
Load More
