INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS
Flipping through a brochure offering excursions from Prague, I came to a listing for the UNESCO Heritage Site, Kutna Hora. “Silver mining town…former Royal Mint…15th century stone fountain…” Sounds alright, but I wasn’t sold yet. Reading on further I came to this: “You also will visit one of the most interesting burial grounds in the world-...
No trip to Bavaria is complete without a visit to Alpsee Lake. Just four kilometres southeast of Füssen, Alpsee Lake sits nestled between wooded mountain slopes, in an area so beautiful that Bavarian kings chose to build their romantic castles here. A boat ride on the lake offers splendid views of Neuschwanstein and Hohenshwangau castles,...
For our honeymoon, Mike and I decided to spend five weeks in Europe. We travelled to six different countries experiencing everything from small lakeside villages in the mountains, to one of the world’s most popular festivals. I’ll admit it, I planned a very ambitious (and detailed) itinerary for our five weeks in Europe. I left...
Last year, Travel Supermarket launched a photo contest for travel bloggers called Capture the Colour. It was so successful, that this year they are doing it again. I had never heard of this contest before and just started our blog a few months ago, so when I was nominated to participate by fellow Edmontonian and...
The Temple of Hephaestus is the best preserved Doric temple in Greece. It was built on the western edge of the Ancient Agora in honour of God of the Forge, Hephaestus. The temple has 34 columns, a frieze depicting nine of the Twelve Labours of Heracles and was once surrounded by foundries and metalwork shops....
On the Ligurian coast of Italy, you’ll find five colourful seaside villages, nestled along a jagged coastline and surrounded by terraced vineyards. Known as Cinque Terre, or “five lands”, the villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore make up one of the most scenic regions of Italy. Cinque Terre and Porto Venere,...
When you’ve lived in the same city for a long period of time, sometimes it’s hard to feel inspired by it. It’s easy to become jaded and no longer notice the beauty that surrounds you. After 14 years of living in Edmonton (and growing up only 45 minutes away), I’ve been feeling…unenthused, to put it...
A dramatic Baroque masterpiece, Rome’s Trevi fountain is considered to be the most famous fountain in the world. Each year, 7-10 million tourists make their way to Rome. One look at the crowds surrounding the fountain day and night, and it’s fair to assume most travellers to Rome make a visit to the iconic Trevi...
I LOVE the Okanagan! It’s a place that I enjoyed visiting as a kid on summer vacation and a place that I still love escaping to as an adult. Mike and I love the Okanagan so much, that we chose to have our wedding there in the summer of 2013. Okanagan Lake made a stunning...
The most famous church on the island of Mykonos is Panagia Paraportiani, whose name translates to “Our Lady of the Side Gate”. In addition to its obvious beauty, the church has a unique construction that makes it one of the most interesting churches in Greece. Panagia Paraportiani is actually not a single church, but a group...
In a race against the clock, we each hopped on a bicycle and pedalled as quickly as we could down the dirt road leading us into Coba’s ancient jungle. Tires flicking up dirt, handle bars creaking and rattling, pedals spinning as fast as our legs could turn them, we laughed loudly all the way to...
Excitedly, Mike and I climb up Rockpile Trail, weaving our way around huge boulders of glacial moraine so prominent that the nearby Moraine Lake was named after the debris. Walking a little faster than normal, we are anxious to see the famous lake that graced the back of Canada’s $20 bills during our childhood. A...
The decor throughout the Chateau Lake Louise pays homage to the Swiss influence that was paramount to the early development of the Lake Louise Area. This chandelier in the chateau’s main lobby has four maidens, facing each of the cardinal directions. The women are said to represent the wives of the Swiss mountain guides. The...
On the August long weekend Mike and I like to take in one of our hometown’s largest festivals- the Edmonton Heritage Festival at Hawrelak Park. The Edmonton Heritage Festival is a fun way to celebrate and learn about the different cultures that contribute to Canada’s identity as a multicultural nation. You may not know this,...
Rome is one of the most incredible cities I have ever visited. Everywhere you go, remnants of the city’s great history surround you. There is an impressive amount to see, do and learn about in Rome that even after a week I still didn’t see all I wanted to see. As I wandered around the...
The Pantheon was first built in 27 BC by Marcus Agrippa (whose father-in-law was Augustus). The temple was rebuilt around AD 120 by Emperor Hadrian but Agrippa’s name was left inscribed over the entrance. The Pantheon is famous for its extraordinary dome, the largest masonry vault ever built. It’s considered the most important achievement of...
From almost any point within Athens you can see the Acropolis standing high above the city, a monumental beauty built in homage to Athena, the goddess of wisdom. When I arrived in Athens, I could not wait to visit the Acropolis, one of the most famous ancient Greek sites. Walking towards it and getting my...
There are so many different options available when it comes to travel- cruises, coach tours, all-inclusive vacations and independent travel. You may not know what your travel style is until you get out there and try and few different options. What you find out about yourself may surprise you. How I Discovered My Travel Style...
The Johnston Canyon trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Banff National Park. However, not too many people hike as far as the Ink Pots. Those who make the 3 km trek from the Upper Falls to Johnston Valley are rewarded with this beautiful view, unspoiled by the masses of tourists you...
Capri’s craggy coast, turquoise waters, abundant sea caves and beautiful views of the Gulf of Naples make it a popular spot for day-trippers coming from Sorrento and Naples. In the summer time, the island welcomes up to 5,000 visitors a day. This popularity means that Capri is heavily geared for tourism- shops overflowing with tacky...
We are Rhonda and Mike, a Canadian couple who make it a priority to travel every chance we get!
We describe our travel style as "laid back luxe" and enjoy a mix of outdoor adventures and historic sites.
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