INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS
Kodai-ji Temple is an outstanding Zen temple in Kyoto offering one of the best sightseeing experiences in the southern Higashiyama area. At Kodai-ji, you can admire a traditional Japanese garden, visit important cultural properties, wander through a bamboo grove, and relax at a tea house- all without the crowds that flock to Kyoto’s more famous...
I always look forward to connecting with Japanese traditions and one of the best ways to do this is by visiting shrines in Japan. Shinto shrines in Japan are respected places of worship, rich with spirituality and superstition. Here you can witness age-old rituals and discover beliefs that are the foundation of many Japanese customs....
Jasper National Park has long been a favourite place of mine. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been fascinated by Jasper’s rocky mountains, pristine lakes, icy glaciers, roaring waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. It wasn’t hard for Jasper to capture my heart, but even after countless trips, I’m still head over heels in love...
There are plenty of hikes near Palm Springs but one that really impressed us with its variety of scenery and adventurous spirit was the Painted Canyon and Ladder Canyon Trail. Whether we were walking in the shade of towering canyon walls, climbing up rickety ladders, or meandering through a slot canyon, we were completely engaged...
Palm Springs is a beautiful desert city in California full of golf courses, stylish hotels, spas, and boutiques. If that’s what you’re into, it’s a great place to spend some time. But for me- someone who loves active travel, getting out into nature and exploring- it was harder to connect with the city. So, we...
One day in Joshua Tree National Park was all it took to become completely mesmerized by this unique protected area in California. It was a weird and fascinating landscape, almost cartoonish, and I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Dr. Seuss’ Lorax or everybody’s favourite Stone Age family, the Flintstones, go walking by. The desert...
I’ve been visiting Jasper National Park ever since I was a kid, but had never got around to enjoying one of the park’s most iconic experiences- the Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island. I can honestly say, I saved the best for last! The scenery I saw during the Maligne Lake cruise epitomized everything I...
It’s well known among locals of Québec that the Laurentians (Laurentides in French) is a terrific destination for a weekend getaway from Montreal. With 9,012 lakes, 103 rivers, forested trails, and part of the Laurentian mountains, the region is ideal for outdoor adventures and reconnecting with nature. Despite its popularity as an all-season tourist destination,...
The more I visit Québec the more I fall in love with its vast wilderness. One region that exemplifies the province’s natural beauty and appreciation of outdoor adventures is Abitibi-Témiscamingue. The region’s Algonquin name describes it accurately- Abitibi means place where the waters divide and Témiscamingue means place of deep waters. Abitibi-Témiscamingue’s location on a...
Thun is known as the gateway to the Bernese Oberland, but not just because of its geographical location. The city and its surrounding landscape serve as a wonderful introduction to the history, culture, and natural beauty of this region in Switzerland. With several Swiss heritage sites of national significance, an enviable alpine backdrop, and riverside...
I’ve visited several castles in Japan but one that stands out in terms of beauty, historical interest, and visitor experience is Matsumoto Castle. As a National Treasure of Japan, Matsumoto Castle is one of the finest of Japan’s 12 original castles. Its towering black donjon, elegant scaffolds, and engraved roof tiles blend strength with grace,...
Near a bend in the River Boyne, in Ireland’s Ancient East, is a complex of mysterious monuments older than the Egyptian pyramids. Known collectively as Brú na Bóinne, these three Neolithic passage tombs- Knowth, Newgrange, and Dowth- make up a fascinating archaeological landscape that dates back over 5,000 years. During my tour of Brú na...
Valley of Fire State Park is known for its astonishing rocky landscape and there’s no better trail to experience the diversity of its beauty than White Domes Loop. During our hike on White Domes Trail, we walked in the shade of towering sandstone formations, passed through a small slot canyon, and marveled at colourful rock...
I don’t think I’ve ever been somewhere more appropriately named than Valley of Fire State Park. As the sun reflected off red Aztec Sandstone, Nevada’s oldest state park glowed in warm light, the surrounding rocky outcrops resembling huge masses of burning embers. The landscape instantly grabbed my interest and held tight throughout the entirety of...
Away from the busy crowds and ultra-modernity of central Tokyo sits Nezu-jinja, one of Tokyo’s oldest shrines. Hidden among tall trees and lush azalea bushes, Nezu Shrine is a place where you can experience the tranquility of nature and recall the traditions of old Tokyo. As I wandered around Nezu Shrine, I felt like I...
I’ll always remember my first trip to Paris. I was in the eleventh grade, on a school trip to experience the French culture I’d been learning about and romanticizing in my mind for so long. In many ways, my first trip to Paris was exactly what I expected. There were grand buildings, manicured gardens and...
Walking up the main approach to Horyu-ji Temple, it was obvious that we were going to have a peaceful visit. While crowds were flocking to nearby Nara Park, we had Horyu-ji Temple almost all to ourselves. I welcomed the chance to visit a temple without groups of tourists, but wondered why there were so few...
St. Gallen, a city in northeastern Switzerland, was a place I didn’t know much about until I arrived. What I discovered was an elegant city with a long and interesting history, growing from a small hermitage into an influential urban centre. With only one evening and a morning to explore, I decided to join a...
If you’re looking for a hike in Zion National Park that offers beautiful views away from the crowds, then Watchman Trail is a fantastic option. The Watchman Trail hike showcases the south end of Zion Canyon and its most magnificent rock formations, especially the trail’s namesake, The Watchman. While hiking Watchman Trail, we experienced much...
For an adventure-filled winter holiday, we decided to spend 3 days in Zion National Park hiking among the sandstone canyons, towers, and cliffs. Zion’s larger-than-life scenery, fascinating geology, and exciting hikes, quickly made it climb the ranks as one of my favourite national parks in the United States. It’s a powerful place that filled me...
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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