Category: Our Views on Travel

Every city I visit has its own unique street art, preserved over decades or newly added to celebrate the contemporary achievements of its rich heritage.  My hometown is no different. Every time I drive through St. Thomas I can’t help but notice the abundance of art; murals splashed across the sides and fronts of buildings…

After years of writing about my travels in Europe, I was stumped when asked what would I recommend a traveler do while visiting my home town.  It was an interesting and thought provoking question. Often we fail to see the trees for the forest, especially when you have been staring at the forest your entire…

Ken and I are now firmly entrenched in our sixties with retirement looming. I am sure it will not come as a shock to any of our faithful followers that we plan to travel frequently and with gusto in our retirement. Despite all of our careful organizing and planning there is an emerging issue that…

English writer Samuel Johnson is famously quoted as saying “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” A truer statement I cannot imagine as we have been to London numerous times and can’t wait to return.  London is a vibrant, every…

Our next long anticipated vacation will be a cruise in the Baltic this summer.  Our original itinerary had changed with the removal of an overnight in St. Petersburg, but so far everything else looks good. While doing some research into the Baltic ports I came across a very interesting study.  “Canada stands out as the…

St. Patrick’s Day has always been a favourite holiday for me.  I am a little bit Irish (according to Ancestry) and the date marks the beginning of nicer spring weather.  I love shamrocks and harps, the Celtic cross and all things Irish, especially the cooking.  Every year I make Irish Stew with Colcannon for our…

Although English is the language of commerce in the European Union, and most folks in tourist and related industries speak English, I have found that a few choice words or phrases spoken in the native language is appreciated when you are travelling. In my case it is also a source of hilarity as my pronunciation is…

One of my first dinners in Italy was a simple pasta with sauce, roasted tomatoes, Parmesan and fresh basil.  Coupled with a basket of the best bread I have ever eaten and a cheap glass of house wine, which in Italy is still better than any other, it was a meal I will never forget.  Add…

Socrates is quoted as stating “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” As we enter the third year overshadowed by a global pandemic it is important to embrace the new normal as it relates to everyday life; social distancing, mask wearing,…