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...]
Trolling Humans for Whales, and Other Divine Madness from the North Country
The Mad Hatter: “Have I gone mad?” Alice Kingsley: “I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.” The Mad Hatter: “There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it you need to be as mad as a hatter. Which luckily I am.” This seems crazy. In the stern of a Mark V Zodiac on the Arctic Sea I’m slipping into a dry suit, fitting into … [Read more...]
Sexy Vermont: 50 Shades of Green
Who would have guessed? But, as laid bare before me, Vermont is the sexiest state. Beyond its partially-trussed shoulders, and sensually curved back, beyond its juicy, succulent berries, Vermont is a place that emanates a pheromone that smells more pine than Axe. And yet it somehow manages to excite in ways unexpected. The favored car is not a Porsche, but rather a Subaru. The state color not hot pink, but forest green. It is more Von … [Read more...]
Varadero Golf Club – A Paradise for Golfers
"I must come back and enjoy this golf course!" my colleague sighed as we stood beside the 'Xanadu Mansion', the Club House of the Varadero Golf Club - Cuba's only 18-hole golf course. He went on, "Imagine we can combine a holiday by everyday romping on this beautiful beach with its talcum sand and relaxing waters then play [playing] a game of golf. It will be a perfect vacation for golfers seeking a fulfilling holiday." My colleague had a … [Read more...]
Casino Du Lac-Leamy: Offers ‘Lady Luck’ and Other Pleasures
Quebec Outaouais Casino du Lac Leamy We were excited as we walked in a glass walkway between the Hilton Hotel and the Casino Lac-Leamy located in the same complex in the city of Gatineau, across the river from Ottawa, Canada's Capital. This evening we were going to dine in the Casino's gourmet restaurant - one of the best dining places in the Ottawa Region - the only CAA/AAA Five Diamond ranked in the area. "Move quickly!" One of my … [Read more...]
Enjoying Sea and Sand in Varadero: A Catamaran Seafari
Through the years while visiting Cuba's resort spot Varadero, I have participated in its, many land and sea activities, but I had never taken a catamaran sea tour. However, today, this was to be remedied. I was on my way to join a catamaran safari - one of Varadero's top tourist offerings. Everything in Varadero, a town of some 8,000 inhabitants is geared toward foreign visitors. A spread-out town edged by 22 km (13.5 mi) of sugary- white … [Read more...]
A Safari through Cuba’s Wilderness Island
I felt content as our catamaran gently sailed through the gentle waters of Bahia de Nipes on our way to Cayo Saeta, located 120 km (75 mi) southeast city of Holguin in eastern Cuba. The bar on the catamaran was open and everyone in our group with drinks in their hands was enjoying the massage of the soothing breeze. We lazed in this glorious do-nothing atmosphere, thinking of the day we would soon spend on a pristine island, literally … [Read more...]
Relishing the Mountains and Forests of the Dominican Republic
Not that I was not enjoying the pleasures of Playa Dorado -Puerto Plata's chief resort area. In spite of all the tourist facilities a traveller could ask for, from casinos, fine restaurants to enticing sands, I developed the urge to explore the nearby region in the Dominican Republic. After studying what the numerous organized tours offered, I decided on the Santiago- Jarabacoa excursion - a trip which included the city of Santiago, … [Read more...]
Quebec’s Lac Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve
An Idyllic Natural Haven The rain was pouring when we left Montreal to begin our journey of touring the Lac Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve - a nearby natural part of Quebec preserved for the coming generations. It had not let up when, after an hour's drive, our bus stopped in front of a boathouse in the Lake Saint-Pierre archipelago at the merging of the St. Lawrence, Yamaska and Richelieu Rivers. Quickly our group of twelve scurried into the … [Read more...]