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...]
Adventure Travel in Quebec
“Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventure.” I admit I only know a little about Quebec, that francophone region located right in the heart of North America. I am aware that it is Canada’s second largest (and second-most populous) province. And that 90% of its population lives within just a couple of hours of the border with the United States. But what about the other 10%? Where and how do they live? What’s there to do beyond … [Read more...]
Conquering the Iron Road of Saguenay
"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...]