The most surprising part of Phoenix, Arizona, is the easy access to nature and outdoor activities, even though it is one of the larger cities in the United States. Phoenix is in the Sonoran Desert, a striking landscape dominated by huge saguaro cactus. The best place to get oriented is at the Desert Botanical Garden […] Read more
Tag Archives Tales from the Road
How to receive the best value from your Aeroplan miles
If you’re confused over what is happening with Aeroplan, you’re not alone. Aeroplan started out as Air Canada’s frequent flyer program. Then Air Canada sold it, bought it back again early in 2019, but announced that it will roll out a new program to replace Aeroplan in June 2020. They made a few changes in […] Read more
Independent travel in South Africa is worth the road trip
Earlier this year, we took our sixth trip to South Africa. Over the past decade or so, we’ve visited parts of all nine provinces and most major national parks, plus many minor parks. We’re often asked why we keep going back and how we travel, so we thought it’s time to discuss what it’s like […] Read more
Thunder Bay rich in history and natural attractions
Thunder Bay has long been an important Canadian transportation hub. In recent times it has been best known as the western-most port on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system, where grain and other products are loaded onto ships bound for export markets. However, this strategic location for transportation dates back to the early days of […] Read more
Garden provides a Japanese experience on the Prairies
The grounds are dominated by a classical Japanese pavilion, home to events such as the ancient tea ceremony. Pagodas, a bell tower, and trees pruned to exacting standards surround a pond. Visitors learn about the time-honoured symbolism from hosts and hostesses in traditional dress. It’s as if we’ve wandered into an historic site in Japan, […] Read more
Sask.’s Qu’Appelle Valley makes for the ultimate road trip
Did you know that you can travel a third of the way across Saskatchewan while staying in the scenic Qu’Appelle Valley? Despite this being one of the Prairie’s most stunning landscapes, travellers tend to see only bits and pieces, since most highways simply cross the valley, such as Highway 11 between Regina and Saskatoon, which […] Read more
Dawson City still known as Canada’s icon of the North
Dawson City is a fundamental part of the Canadian psyche. Just think of the North and this icon of the Klondike Gold Rush springs to mind. In the late 1800s, it seemed that the entire world was stampeding to the Yukon, where fortunes were both made and lost. Almost overnight, Dawson City became the largest […] Read more
Exploring the pros and cons of staying at an Airbnb
A lot has changed in the world of travel recently, but one of the most significant phenomenon in the past decade has been the emergence of Airbnb. Starting with an idea in 2007, it has become bigger than the five largest hotel chains combined. The odd name originated with two young cash-strapped roommates in San […] Read more
Southern Mexico reveals history and natural beauty
We gazed up at vertical cliff faces almost a kilometre high as our boat zigzagged through narrow passages between canyon walls. We stopped to see caves and strange rock formations, or to get closer looks at birds or spider monkeys playing in the trees. Most impressive was the Christmas Tree Waterfall. Wispy streams of water […] Read more
Angkor Wat lives up to its reputation
For the last two years, Angkor Wat was chosen as the World’s Top Landmark in Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards. This ancient city in northwestern Cambodia has risen from near obscurity during the bad old days of wars and political turmoil in the late 20th century to become one of the most popular tourist destinations […] Read more
