INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS
On the last of our 3 days in Savannah, we headed out to Tybee Island for the afternoon. Known as Savannah’s beach, Tybee Island is a short 20 minute drive from the city and was a great place to relax after a busy few days exploring the sights of Savannah. We walked down the shoreline,...
Of all the cities we visited during our 5 weeks in Europe, Munich had some of the most fascinating stories. We took part in two different themed walking tours- one was a general tour of the Old Town and the other was all about Hitler and the Third Reich. It was incredibly interesting to learn...
Ryozen Kannon is a temple honouring the Japanese soldiers and citizens who died during World War II. It’s located in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto and features a huge concrete statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Kannon). The statue is impressive at 24 metres (80 feet) tall and 500 tonnes. Its beauty is...
The Belvedere was built in Vienna in the early 18th century as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy. Designed by one of Europe’s greatest Baroque architects, Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt, the complex consists of two Baroque palaces known as the Lower and Upper Belevedere. The Upper Belvedere Palace (seen here) was completed in...
A visit to Ketchikan would not be complete without a walk down the historic boardwalk of Creek Street. Creek Street is a collection of restaurants, shops, museums and private homes built on wooden pilings above the shores of Ketchikan Creek. While its colourful buildings definitely caught my eye, even more intriguing was the history of...
Osoyoos is primarily known as a summer destination thanks to the hot temperatures, beautiful golf courses, and vineyards and orchards that surround Canada’s warmest lake. Yet, it’s also becoming a popular winter destination among “snowbirds”, retired Canadians looking to escape to warmer climates without having to leave the country. My parents are spending winter in...
The Tybee Island Light Station is Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, at 144 feet (44 metres). Originally constructed in 1736 under the order of General James Oglethorpe, it has been rebuilt and altered several times. The version you see today was completed in 1916. The Tybee Island lighthouse is still used as a navigational aid...
One of my favourite things about visiting Savannah was seeing the abundance of large oak trees shading Savannah’s squares and walkways. Their moss draped branches contributed to the mystery and intrigue of a city well known for its haunted tales. Yet, as I walked below these aged oaks, stared up at their mighty limbs, I...
After a weekend of hiking to Larch Valley and horseback riding to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, we ended our visit to Lake Louise with a delicious meal at The Station Restaurant. As a train lover, I was immediately impressed. Located in Lake Louise Station, the oldest building in Lake Louise, the restaurant...
Vienna’s Karlskirche, or St. Charles Church, was built from 1716-1737 after being commissioned by Emperor Charles VI. The emperor had promised to build a church after his namesake, St. Charles Borromeo, if the Black Plague that was infecting Vienna in 1713 left the city. Borromeo was an archbishop of Milan in the 16th century who was known...
On our way home from our Alaska cruise, we decided to take the scenic route back to Edmonton. Well, it was more of a scenic detour since it wasn’t even close to the normal route we usually take home from Vancouver! Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a stickler for efficiency, and...
The Tokyo International Forum is one of the most unique and distinctive buildings in central Tokyo. Forget your typical city skyscrapers, the International Forum resembles a large ship! Its glass atrium features elegant, curved walls reaching 60 metres high, all supported by metal columns and bars. The inside of the atrium was filled with natural...
An unmissable monument in Paris’ cityscape is the glittering gold dome of the royal chapel at Les Invalides. Dôme des Invalides was first inspired by the dome at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Designed by Jules Hardouin Mansart, the dome is considered one of the finest examples of French Baroque architecture. The dome was finished...
The stone path was dim and moody. Centuries old cedar trees towered above us, shading the moss-covered tombstones below. We didn’t say much as we quietly wandered deep into this ancient cemetery, the largest in Japan. When we did speak, it was in whispers, as though not to wake the dead. You see, we were...
This week I’m featuring a photo taken at Mycenae during my 2007 trip to Greece. The aptly named Lion Gate is the main entrance to the citadel of Mycenae, an archaeological site in the north-eastern Peloponnese area of Greece. Mycenae was a major centre of Greek civilization and powerful kingdom way back in the second...
Vienna is known worldwide as a centre of culture and art, but is perhaps most famous for its roots in classical music. A long tradition of classical music attracted many notable musicians to the city. Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven all played music in Vienna. Not all musicians in Vienna moved...
I am not always a fan of public art but there was one specific piece I was itching to see since it was installed in 2013. Wonderland is a bent-wire portrait of a young girl’s head created by Jaume Plensa, a highly regarded Spanish sculptor. The 12 metre tall sculpture features prominently in front of...
Füssen is the ending point (or starting point, in our case) for one of Germany’s most famous drives- the Romantic Road. It’s a picturesque town with colourful architecture, charming old town squares and even a hilltop castle. Füssen is not only beautiful, it has a lengthy history dating back to Roman times. Interestingly, it was...
One of our favourite things to do in Budapest was walk along the Danube to see the bridges and famous landmarks lit up at night. We started our walk at Margaret Bridge, which links Margaret Island with both Buda and Pest. Margaret Bridge is the second oldest permanent bridge in Budapest. Construction started in 1872,...
Bright neon signs, flickering video screens, illuminated towers, glowing skyscraper windows, a vibrant energy on the streets- this is Tokyo after dark. Tokyo at night is a bustling, lively place. Sidewalks are busy with people heading for dinner and drinks after a long day at work, while a steady stream of people pour in and...
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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