After spending 3 days in Zion National Park, we decided to make a quick visit to nearby Grafton, one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Utah. Grafton was settled by Mormon pioneers in 1859 when Brigham Young, leader of the Church of Latter-day Saints, sent some families to Utah’s “Dixie” region to start growing cotton…
On my first trip to Japan, I wanted to experience the country’s traditional side, so I made a point to visit as many temples in Japan as we had time for. Even though we visited numerous Japanese temples during those 2 weeks in Japan, I didn’t get my fill and continued to search out more…
Without a doubt, there are many incredible cities to visit in Europe. Some are known for their physical beauty, interesting history, and rich culture, while others are popular for their culinary offerings, local arts scene, and nightlife. What draws someone to a city is deeply personal. There’s no disputing that individual preferences play a huge…
It wouldn’t be a trip to Tokyo without visiting Senso-ji, one of the city’s most significant and famous temples. As the oldest temple in Tokyo, Senso-ji attracts thousands of visitors each day who come to worship, participate in traditional rituals, and admire the temple’s vibrant red buildings. During the day, Senso-ji Temple is buzzing with…
Standing alone in a field, overshadowed by the popular Rock of Cashel, are the ruins of Hore Abbey. The remains of this 13th century monastery are delightfully gloomy, its stone walls crumbling away as plants invade the cracks between rocks. It’s a place I loved visiting, even with wind, rain, and spooky looking black birds…
I included a lot of ancient sites in my two week Ireland itinerary, but one that made a lasting impression was the Rock of Cashel. Prominently perched atop a green, rocky hill rising from a grassy plain, is a collection of medieval fortifications and religious buildings, their stone walls still strong and imposing though centuries…
We ended our 3 days in Zion National Park by checking out Observation Point Trail, one of the park’s more strenuous hikes. Over the next six hours, we followed a rough trail through a canyon, along steep ridges looming above sharp drop offs, then up to a plateau high above Zion Canyon. While hiking Observation…
Arizona is known for its impressive natural attractions, but one of its most astonishing sites is Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon near Page. Ever since I first saw a photo of Antelope Canyon, I wanted to visit. The narrow passages, smooth curves, and warm tones of this sandstone slot canyon had me infatuated, along with…
I made it a point to do some cycling during my two weeks in Switzerland and one of my favourite routes was Alta Verzasca Bike, in the upper Verzasca Valley. Cycling in the Verzasca Valley was the perfect way to experience the natural beauty and traditional architecture that makes the Ticino canton such a wonderful…
There are many incredible hikes in Zion National Park, but no other invokes nervous excitement like Angels Landing Trail. Steep, narrow, with sheer drop offs on either side, this trail is not for the faint of heart or anyone fearful of heights. The Angels Landing hike is quite literally breathtaking, not only for the dramatic…
What I love so much about Japan is the rapport between nature, history, and spirituality. The strong connection between the three can be felt throughout the Kansai region, especially on the Kii Peninsula, but one of the finest examples of this balanced relationship is at Nachisan, a sacred mountain site. Getting to Know Nachisan Nachisan…
Scattered along a stretch of road near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are dozens of large metal sculptures dotting the landscape, their rusty forms blending naturally with their sandy surroundings, despite not being what you’d expect to find in a desert. Super-sized dinosaurs, horses, sloths, tortoises, mammoths, saber-toothed cats, dragons and more, appear to be roaming…
One of the best ways to experience both the natural beauty and Italian influence of Lugano is by hiking on Monte Brè. Monte Brè is one of two mountains that frame the lakeside city of Lugano, separating Switzerland from Italy just a short distance away. From the top of Monte Brè, I got to witness…
Ireland has no shortage of scenic driving routes, but one that should not be missed during a road trip in Ireland is a drive on the Dingle Peninsula. Narrow roads on the Dingle Peninsula weave their way across a rugged and ancient landscape, linking together timeworn ruins, small towns, and sandy coves. Driving the Dingle…
After a few days of enjoying winter activities in Saskatoon, I decided to extend my winter trip to Saskatchewan by heading north to Prince Albert National Park. Surrounded by boreal forest, Prince Albert National Park was a great destination to experience both the tranquility and adventure that I find so rejuvenating. Whether I was inside…
I like to travel locally in the winter, so this year decided to hop one province over to Saskatchewan, to see what the city of Saskatoon had to offer winter adventurers. During my winter trip to Saskatoon, I discovered that Saskatoon is the “cool kid” of the prairies. I don’t call it that since it…
Switzerland was an absolute joy to visit and a big reason for that was how easy the Swiss Travel Pass made it to explore the country by public transportation. For my two week trip to Switzerland, I decided to utilize the Swiss Travel Pass since it was inclusive of many different types of transportation, straightforward…
It’s no secret that sightseeing in New York City can be expensive. Admission prices for most attractions are $25 and up, then add in a bad exchange rate for us Canadians, and a trip to New York can quickly end up costing a small fortune. To help save money during our 5 days in New…
Perhaps no other region we visited during our 5 weeks in Europe had a more romantic atmosphere than Bavaria in Germany. From fairy-tale castles, idyllic villages, and unspoilt countryside, there were plenty of lovely places to visit in Bavaria during our honeymoon. In addition to Bavaria’s more romantic locations, the state is also home to…
Of all the wonderful locations included in my two week Switzerland itinerary, there was no place I was more excited to visit than Zermatt. Zermatt had everything I hoped to see and experience on my first trip to Switzerland– wooden chalets, rocky mountains, sprawling glaciers, sparkling lakes, alpine hikes, and oh-so satisfying cheese fondue. And…
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