This powerful historical fiction is one of our best reads in 2025. The man is real; the story highlights the important points in his life with the author taking some creative liberty to fictionalize some of the minor and unimportant points. This is a gripping novel based on the 26 letters Patrick O'Donnell wrote to Victor Hugo during his last days in the Newgate Prison in London between December 5th and December 17th. O'Donnell was in prison … [Read more...]
The Most Breathtaking Train Journeys Across Canada’s Landscapes
Canada’s size and natural diversity make rail travel one of the best ways to see the country. Unlike driving, where attention stays on the road, or flying, where landscapes disappear beneath the clouds, trains provide an open view of mountains, forests, rivers, and plains. Trains also reach areas that cars cannot. Remote regions, untouched by highways, come into sight through windows or glass-domed observation cars. Train journeys across Canada’s … [Read more...]
Louise Reilly Sacco, Permanent Acting Interim Executive Director of the Museum Of Bad Art
Q. Tell us about yourself, how you joined the Museum Of Bad Art, and what you love most about working with the volunteers? I am a native Bostonian, retired from a career as a consultant to small businesses. In 1993, when my brother and his friend came up with the concept of a Museum of Bad Art, I offered to take on the role of Director of Financial Enablement. Around 2000, the other founders moved on to new ventures. I assumed the role of … [Read more...]
The Best Casinos in Canada to Visit 2021 Year
When top attractions and countries that offer the latest and the best to their visitors are mentioned, Canada is a good choice. It is also one of the most popular destinations for casino-loving tourists. It is indisputable that it is home to many iconic land-based casinos with the best facilities that gamers seek. It receives approximately 25 million visitors per year. The Canadian casino industry builds and supports the casinos, enabling … [Read more...]
Blooming Where We’re Planted, and A Taste of Honey
We were a busload of older women off on a jaunt on a hot day in July. Departing from a Montreal seniors’ center, we rode off to Mirabel, located in the Lower Laurentian Hills. In less than an hour we arrived at Routes des Gerbes d”Angelica, a collection of 14 themed gardens which are the creation of 20 retirees who have invested their money and the rest of their lives, it seems, into creating and sustaining a sanctuary of natural beauty. Most of … [Read more...]
Top 10 Unique Activites When Visiting Canada
Canada is mostly known around the world for its cold weather and a lot of frozen, barren land. The majority of visitors only visit the major cities of Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal, thinking that is all Canada has to offer. Well, there is a lot more to this country than meets the eye! We have picked out 10 unique activities visitors can do on their trip to Canada. But before you embark on the trip, make sure you are covered with IEC … [Read more...]
Top 11 Things to Do in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile
The name of Montreal's Golden Square Mile or Le Mille Carré, a square mile of signature historic blocks at the heart of downtown at the foot of Mount Royal, traces its origins back to 1950s real estate developers promoting the area's prosperity. Today, "Golden" more aptly describes the stellar array of attractions available within such a small radius. In 1983, only 30% of the district's historic buildings survived the wrecking ball due to … [Read more...]
Franconia Notch – an easy day trip from Boston
One of my favorite things to do when I used to live in Boston was to spend the weekend in one of the adjoining states. I'd load my car with my dog, grab a backpack and head out to either the Green Mountains in New Hampshire or the White Mountains in Vermont. Because the states in the US northeast are so small, getting there was all too easy. So when I visited Boston recently for a conference, I decided to extend my stay through the weekend and … [Read more...]
Pow Wow of the Northern Cree
"Under the reflection of the northern lights, we see the head of Ciiwetinustikwaan, the man of the north." - saying of the Northern Cree After days of adventure travel in the Saguenay-Lac-St Jean area come to a close, I let my fingers meander across the map to find my next would-be destination. This is actually one my of favorite activities: simply pick a remote location on a map and make my way there, never really knowing what I’ll find. I … [Read more...]
Adventure Travel in Quebec – Part II
“Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventure.” When I last left you on my week-long adventure trip to Quebec's Saguenay-Lac St. Jean region, I had just finished two days of aerial challenges: an exhausting a treetop obstacle course, followed by an even more obscene climb along the 250-meter high Via Ferrata. What was next on the agenda around Saguenay fjord, I wondered? Sea kayaking in the fjord Turns out, that next stop … [Read more...]