I made a friend that will live in my heart forever when I experienced the highlight of my cruise, a dolphin encounter ..read more

Our Yukon expedition began in Whitehorse, which was named for the White Horse Rapids due to their resemblance to the mane of a white horse. We were eager to witness the launch of the “Yukon River Quest” as some 88 teams prepared to make the mad “Dash, Splash & Paddle” down river in canoes, kayaks and even paddle boards. They faced 715 km of hard paddling to Dawson City. On the way to the first stopping point for the River Quest group, we stopped to enjoy the beauty of Emerald Lake, named for the intense colouring caused by the high concentration of ..read more

One would think that numerous military sieges on a city would, at least, be detrimental to the disposition of its inhabitants. However, in its more than 2,000-year history, Maastricht, Netherlands has not only endured, but its indelible spirit has been assimilated into every aspect of society. The spirit lives throughout the city and stands in the Stokstraat Quarter, the city centre of Roman Maastricht. A bronze statue of the “Mestreechter Geis,” the tangible Spirit of Maastricht, is a jester with an impish grin. He is the symbol of Carnival and his essence is perpetuated year-round. The funda ..read more

In a world where we are all living longer, a topic that keeps being discussed is whether there should be stricter measures placed on senior drivers. The impression of a white-haired head peering over a steering wheel and causing havoc on the roads that is perpetuated by the media has led to a general consensus that the older you are, the worse you drive. This impression is exacerbated by studies like this… “Data from Transport Canada shows that more seniors have died in traffic fatalities than any other age group across Canada, from 2000 to 2015. Over that 16-year time ..read more

Exploring the life and times of Kamehameha the Great often enriches our sundrenched holidays on Hawaii Island… A lifelike statue in little Kapa’au town honours this extraordinary king. Heading west, we find his secluded birthplace near Mookini Heiau, a 5th century temple outside Hawi. Born circa 1758, auspicious year of Halley’s comet, Kahuna priests prophesied a noble infant like Kamehameha would become island king. Threatened, the ruling chief ordered his execution. For five years, an uncle hid Kamehameha, secretly raising him in north Kohala’s mountains. He and his father then moved into th ..read more

If you’re the kind of person who is lured by adventure and actively seeks to avoid the kitsch and crowds of overhyped tourist areas, we encourage you to consider venturing off the beaten path to visit one of the most isolated places on Earth. Stark and scenically beautiful, Norway’s Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard encompasses an untamed wilderness shrouded with majestic glaciers, spectacular ice-carved fjords, alpine trees, wind-swept tundra blooming with boreal and arctic wildflowers and jagged snow-crowned mountains. Toss into this mix a rich assortment of arctic wildlife, along with remnants ..read more

“ALL ABOARD”Long and sleek, like the kilometre-long train lined up next to it, the Adelaide Parklands Railway Station gleams in the sunlight as we arrive for our long-awaited rail journey. Inside attentive staff dressed in pinstriped shirts and blue jeans welcome passengers to a spacious waiting area where glasses of sparkling wine are being served. The anticipation inside is palpable as we await the conductor’s call for “all aboard.” Like so many other passengers here, we’re excited to board the legendary Ghan, one of the world’s most iconic train rides. From the South Australian city of Adel ..read more