4 Romantic Winter Getaways in Alberta
Albertans love to complain about our long winters, but rather than dreading Canada’s coldest season, we think it’s the perfect time to have a romantic weekend away. Covered in a…
What to Expect on Your First Trip to Bolivia- A First Time Visitor’s Guide for Travelling in Bolivia
Of the three countries we visited during our 3 week trip to South America, I was most nervous about visiting Bolivia. People either seemed to love it or hate it,…
The Uyuni Salt Flats- Our 1-Day Tour of Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia
Bolivia was never on our radar as a place to visit until I started seeing photos of the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni). I was drawn to its simplistic…
Photo of the Week: Cave and Basin, Banff National Park
Banff may be world famous for its breathtaking mountains and glistening blue lakes, but it was a small cave and its thermal waters that spurred the creation of Canada’s first…
Japan Rail Pass Guide- How to Buy and Use the JR Pass
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you may have heard about the Japan Rail Pass. It’s a convenient, easy to use pass designed for tourists who will be travelling…
Hiking the Inca Trail- What to Expect on the 4 Day Trek to Machu Picchu
Of all the things we did and places we saw during our 3 weeks in South America, hiking the Inca Trail in Peru is our favourite memory. It even climbed…
Visiting Machu Picchu- Peru’s Hilltop Inca Citadel
Machu Picchu- just hearing the name conjures up classic images of this hilltop Inca city, high in a tropical forest of the Peruvian Andes. These ruins, once concealed by the…
Photo of the Week: Strasbourg’s Astronomical Clock
The astronomical clock in Strasbourg Cathedral is a fine example of what can be achieved when art and science come together. Statuettes and paintings embellish a case housing clock dials…
Orongo- Ceremonial Village of the Birdman Cult
Set between the sprawling crater of Rano Kau and the plunging cliffs of Easter Island’s southwest coast, is the small ceremonial village of Orongo. Orongo is a much different site…
Rano Raraku- Carving Site of Easter Island’s Moai
Scattered across the slope of a volcano are hundreds of stone heads, their serious facial expressions gazing out over Easter Island’s barren landscape. These are moai- idolized by the original…
4 Days in Easter Island- Itinerary for a Self-Guided Tour of Rapa Nui
“We’re most looking forward to spending 4 days in Easter Island,” I’d say when friends asked about our upcoming trip to South America. “What’s Easter Island?” some would ask, a…
3 Weeks in South America- Our Itinerary’s Hits and Misses
South America has been a place I’ve wanted to visit for 10 years, but for some reason it has always taken a back seat to other destinations. I am happy…
Visiting the Edo-Tokyo Museum
UPDATE: The Edo-Tokyo Museum will be temporarily closed for renovations from April 1, 2022 until possibly the spring of 2026. The entire facility will be renovated including displays, equipment and…
The Tottori Sand Museum- Around the World in Sand
Walking into the Tottori Sand Museum I was dripping with sweat, having spent the last hour or so across the street exploring Japan’s largest sand dunes. I was eager to…
The Tottori Sand Dunes- Enjoying Japan’s Largest Dunes
Wait a minute…I’m still in Japan, right? I scan the scenery surrounding me- it’s all sun, sand and sea. This looks nothing like what I saw on my first trip…
Climbing Mount Mitoku- The Trek to Nageiredo
Walking up a smooth, well-worn stone staircase to Sanbutsuji Temple, I instantly hoped the whole trail up Japan’s Mount Mitoku wasn’t going to be this steep. Looking back now, that…
How to Spend 3 Days in Tottori, Japan- My Itinerary
Stretching along the Sea of Japan, in the Chugoku region of Western Honshu, is a coastal prefecture that’s largely untouched by foreign visitors, at least for now. But once the…
Photo of the Week: Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park
When we first arrived at Sylvan Lake, in South Dakota’s Custer State Park, I was shocked (in a good way) by its unique appearance. Rising up from the shore line,…
Boat Tour of Islamorada- Visiting Bloodline Filming Locations
Islamorada was a place I wasn’t familiar with until I became hooked on the Netflix original series Bloodline. This gripping family drama and thriller is set in the Florida Keys,…
Feeding Deer in Nara Park, Japan
Entering into the heart of Nara Park we are greeted by a small, friendly deer wandering freely throughout the grounds. Approaching us, the deer bows its head down, as if…