Category: Our Views on Travel

In a recent post I had mentioned that we had friends on a cruise ship travelling from South America back to the United States.  We were so happy to hear they are now home and although in isolation are so far healthy. I reached out to Catherine to ask about her experience and she agreed…

As a travel writer, I have been struggling with what to post on our blog this week.  Trite articles about ports of call or planning your perfect vacation seem inappropriate right now in light of what is going on in the world.  Travel, as much if not more than most industries, has been hard hit…

One of the realities of travel, especially on a cruise, is that there are lots and lots of people enjoying the same destinations and excursions as yourself.  It is the certainty of the situation and for the most part traveler’s exhibit patience and understanding.   Then there are the others.  That is not to say that…

The Palace of Versailles was home to French monarchy for about 100 years until the Revolution of 1789 changed all that. The over the top opulence last occupied by the Sun King Louis XIV is now available to the public as a museum including its surrounding gardens and manicured lawns.  About a 35 minute train…

Paris is a culture of food. Every chef studies the French method of creating mouth-watering, aesthetically pleasing adventures in cuisine rich with sauces and little consideration for calories.  We spent as much time planning our next meal while in Paris as we did our next attraction. Although we had plans to dine out while in…

Like many others around the world we watched in horror as Notre Dame Cathedral erupted in flames in April of last year.  As tourists this iconic church had long been on our bucket list and with a trip to Paris planned for the following month, it was a site we anxiously and excitedly planned to…

Paris has so much to offer any traveler, but for us one of the biggest draws were its two renowned art museums, the Louve and the Musee D’Orsay.  We took some courses in art history at our local university, poured over the recommendations in travel guides and spent the time to plan our visits to…

Effective January 1, 2020 the Ontario government terminated their “out of country” coverage for residents.  Until that time OHIP covered a maximum of $400 per day for high level services and up to $50 per day for emergency outpatient and doctor services.  Although the government will continue to reimburse for claims prior to the start…

On June 6, 1944 the Allied forces of Britain, America, Canada and France stormed the beaches of Normandy France in Operation Overlord, hailed as the turning point that led to the Allied victory in World War II.  This year marked the 75th anniversary of this auspicious event.  We would have been remiss not to take…