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I spent the night with the great Maurice Richard. There I said it... Helping Haiti Cabrera, Dominican Republic - Life is slow on the country roads of the DR... Voluntourism: Hard Work Soft Sheets Maui- Here at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua luxury rules the day. In total seclusion between two sprawling... The Transformation of Shanghai Shanghai, China - "It's like magic! my guide replies... The Arful Royals at Buckingham Palace Who said the Royals are old school anyway? Royal Watchers and techno geeks take note. Despite the Old World pomp and circumstance... Edmonton Mall Edmonton - "What draws visitors to Edmonton?"... Epicurean Union: Stars of the Upper Rhine Upper Rhine - The upper reaches of the Rhine hold some big surprises. And it’s not the Lorelei tale kind either... Park City: Bark City Cocooned in a heated chairlift, the first of its kind in America, Douglas firs and sky-high aspens swooshed beneath us.... To Hana With Love Maui - Under a Maui sunset with waves lapping around our catamaran the melodic pu conch was paying tribute to the end... Wuzhen: Venice of the East Two hours after leaving the booming metropolis of Shanghai, we parked at the entrance of Wuzhen... The Transformation of Shanghai I could not believe my eyes when I saw the hundreds of skyscrapers transforming Shanghai’s skyline. “The world will see the metamorphoses at the World Expo... Holiday Travel Survival Tips This is the busiest time of year on the travel calendar. To avoid the long line-ups try checking-in online at home. But before you actually book your seat... Rui Opens in Costa Rica Costa Rica - I wonder if singer songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk’s upcoming vow renewal at the swanky Riu Guanacaste Hotel in Costa Rica... My Date with a Prince Xocimilco - On the edge of Mexico City’s Floating Gardens, there’s a strange phenomenon. “In a few minutes you will be seeing... Need for Speed: My Ride with Sarah Fisher Speedway, INDIANA - Instead of sporting femme fatale attire like in Thelma and Louise we’re decked out in sponsor-ladened fire-retardant coveralls, balaclava, gloves... Relic Hunters by London's Tower Bridge London, ENGLAND - Face it, London is so ancient you feel like you’re walking in the footsteps of Charles Dickens or William Shakespeare... It was a Breeze Houston, Texas - Enormous turbines on flatbed trucks, green space retrofitted for an outdoor concert and 776 exhibits demonstrating the virtues of.... Voluntourism: Hard Work Soft Sheets Maui - Here at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua luxury rules the day. In total seclusion between two sprawling championship golf courses... Tehuacalco: Where Yope Giants Walked Tehuacalco - After an hour’s drive from Mexico’s resort capital of Acapulco our van parked in front of the recently opened Museum... Valle de Viñales Years ago a Canadian traveller I met in Havana became jealous when I told him of a trip I would take to the valley of Valle de Viñales... 48 Hours in Taipei As Big Brother China viagrates on the upcoming Olympics, wayward child Taipei has full-throttled its way to becoming the capital of techno-chic, Eden on the St. Lawrence Charlevoix - Stuck in the ruddy muck that beached his ship in low tide, the story goes how Samuel de Champlain swiftly cursed this unlucky bay, "La Mal Baie."... Land of Sun and Salsa Christopher Columbus might have discovered Cuba in 1492 but as one sun worshipper to another can tell you, Canadians have laid claim... The Hashemite Kingdom You don’t have to look far to find the next new destination. In fact, tour operators today are scratching their heads on how they can best capitalize on this new-found product. Bekoning Beacons For centuries, Nova Scotia's rugged south shore was the stomping ground for privateers and fishermen whose lives depended... Trek into the Dominican Republic Bathed in sun, sea and sand, the allure of the Dominican Republic has long been luring vacationers to its enchanted tropical shores... Sleepover, Keefer Mansion Inn, Niagara Region The skyline of Niagara Falls is riddled with mega-box hotels. But a short drive from the famous brink in the heart of Niagara sits... Barging into Burgundy France - Spring in Paris as always promises to rejuvenate and renew even the most worn and wintered spirit. I have always found a sense... Maverick Billionaire unveils luxe lodge on Curaçao Mention Curaçao and the sapphire blue liqueur might come to mind. But this hurricane-free southern Caribbean isle just off the coast... The Sweet Grapes of Mallorca Off the Spanish coast sits the Balearic Islands. It’s here where I discovered wine production has been ongoing for centuries... Eco Trek to the El Limon Falls The Dominican Republic a.k.a the “DR” is the home of snazzy resorts, spicey merengue and big baseball exports like Sammy Sosa... Favourite Destinations - A Ticket To Paradise A new year has started and now it’s time to plan for your dream vacation. Here’s a spotlight on dreamy vacations around the world... Morocco's Wild West Morocco - “I’m anxious to explore a part of Morocco I have never seen!” My friend Ahmed mused as we began our trip northward from Rabat. Nature's Temple of Stone Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur - At the base of the mountain a wedding is in full swing, inches from the parking lot and a stone’s throw from the congested highway to KL. Fast Track of Cuba Cuba - When I told a waitress at the Iberostar, one of Varadero’s top 5-star hotels that the delicious food in their restaurant... Captured by Capri Capri, Italy - Is there any place on earth that better evokes the spirit of La Dolce Vita than the mere whisper of Capri? Rock Star Newfoundland St. John's, Newfoundland - Breathing new life into derelict buildings has not only revitalized the local economy but insiders here say it is transforming... Volunteer Vacations: Travel Trends that Feed the Soul Let’s face it. Relaxing vacations where we veg by the poolside with a Danielle Steele novel are so yesterday. These days it’s all about personal involvement toward global causes... The Aztec Heart Beats Mexico City - “Look! It must be one of the most breathtaking sights in the world!” Our guide motioned to Mexico City's huge Plaza de la Constitution, better known as the Zócalo... The Dragons of Drakensberg NELSPRUIT, South Africa – The sign screams bold, “Do not go beyond this point!” In South Africa’s newest and fastest growing province of Mpumalanga which translates from Zulu as “place of the rising sun,”... Lovin’ La Belle Ville Quebec City – The charm of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is world-renowned. For years, highbrowed diplomats, movie stars and millionaire tycoons arrived to its historic hilltop... The Gems of Tunisia TUNISIA - Since the turn of the twentieth century, moneyed Europeans arrived to the dreamy landscape of Tunisia in search of sandy beaches, azure waters and ancient cities... Adventure in the Avakas Gorge PAFOS, Cyprus – Outbacking isn’t a sport you’d associate with a Mediterranean island. But here we were racing up a secluded road kicking up dust... The Nabataeans: Builders of Petra JORDAN - Everyone who travels to Petra in southern Jordan is likely to ask, “Who are the Nabataeans and why did they chisel this city into the rock... Beam Me Up Halifax, NOVA SCOTIA - Get on your sea legs as old sea captains spin their yarn like retired Captain Matthew Mitchell, a former crewmember of the Bluenose... Mexican Dreams MEXICO – Snug on the southern tip of the Baja peninsula in Cabo San Lucas Mexico, Jennifer Aniston sans Brad Pitt is lapping up a spa treatment... La Belle Boutique: Small Hotels are a Big Draw QUEBEC CITY – is recognizable by its crowning glory, Le Château Frontenac, a historic jewel that tops the province’s capital city. While this UNESCO... Holiday Twist The age-old call, “What’s for dinner?” echoes daily in most kitchens. But that familiar plea takes on a new ring... The Stones of Ebla EBLA, Syria - The sun's rays were barely visible on the horizon as we set out from Aleppo for Tell Mardikh.... The Bounty of Table Bay CAPE TOWN, SA - Recognized as one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world, South Africa is positioning itself... Dominican Republic Goes Glam PUNTA CANA – This Caribbean island isn’t just your average all-inclusive resort destination... Rebel Safari ULUSABA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, South Africa – You probably don’t know how boring running an airline, a record label and a mobile phone company is... Italian Treasures ROME — I am on the Crystal Symphony luxury liner in search of Italian treasures as we cruise past the myriads of coves and inlets along Italy’s west coast. Do The Munster Mash TOWN OF MUNSTER - Situated in the sleepy, bucolic setting of the old township of Goulbourn in the town of Munster along Bleeks Road sits Saunders Farm... Journey to the Secret Rose City of Petra JORDAN - "You must see Petra! It's unlike any other place on earth." A friend, who had travelled to the ruins of the ancient trading city... Trumped Up The Donald has arrived. The real estate mogul turned reality TV tycoon is about to put his golden touch if not his brand label on Toronto... DEEP Top Resorts in Southeast USA... Highstyle While William Van Alen was erecting his stainless steel gargoyles... Banff National Park BANFF, ALBERTA -- After an 8-minute gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain there is a perfect view of Canada's most... The Pyraminds of Cobá Cancún, MEXICO - This resort town was barely beginning to awake when we began our journey to the ruins of Cobá. Oak Alley Plantation VACHERIE, LA - When the brochure described how the guest cottages of the Oak Alley Plantation are "tastefully furnished and cheerfully decorated," they weren't kidding. Escape to Uncle Tom's Cabin DRESDEN, ON - Harriet Beecher Stowe a small-town Connecticut women from a long line of ministers, was so appalled by slavery she penned "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Playing in Provence GORGES DU VERDON, France - I squeezed with all my might until my knuckles turned white. The bike's brakes were useless. I was careening out of control down the D957, one of Europe's most death-defying roads... Veracruz: Mexico's Gateway Veracruz, Mexico - “This is a vestige from my Indian ancestors. They created one of the first civilizations in the world and sadly the history of my people was erased...” Pompeii POMPEII, Italy - On the 24th of August 79 AD., the summit of Vesuvius exploded and a tsunami of ash and pumice buried the Roman city of Pompeii... Picasso Modigliani and Pearls TORONTO - Hogtown is not letting a hockey strike get the best of it. Nor is Canada's largest city letting construction zones around its leading art institutions hamper a good show. Cyprus Island of Love LIMASSOL - Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, was born right here in Cyprus. It's said that the love struck Antony gave the isle to Cleopatra... Colours of Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR - In the 1800s the British arrived to transform Kuala Lumpur into tin town where it flourished as an Asian tin empire... Kingdom of Kentucky LEXINGTON, KY - Around the stomping ground of Colonel Sanders, the revered Father of KFC, where the bluegrass is tall and... Chilling in the Cariboo 108 MILE RANCH, BC - Painter Emily Carr once remarked, "I can never love the Cariboo enough for all she gave to me. Dubai: City of the Future DUBAI - Some 30 years ago Dubai was a nondescript place on the map of the Middle East. Today... Winter Getaways ONTARIO - Overlooking the snowcapped Jordan Valley, Inn On The Twenty's... Romancing Evangeline GRAND PRE - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned, "In the Acadian land, on the shores of the Basin of Minas... Niagara's Freedom Trail NIAGARA FALLS - As a young girl growing up in Hamilton, Wilma Morrison recalls how she and others of her small church youth group... Moore Loved the Falls NIAGARA FALLS - If there is peace to be found in this world a heart that is humble might find it here. -- Thomas Moore Willowbank Legacy QUEENSTON - As a young girl I used to spend lazy summer days cycling the Niagara Parkway, imagining the footsteps of Sir Isaac Brock or Laura Secord. I Love New York NYC - In this "City That Never Sleeps," Gotham is captured in its state slogan, "I Love NY," and is a perfect introduction for couples in search of romance. Hot Wedding Bliss CARIBBEAN - In reality TV shows like, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire, tropical hot spots work their magical spell on canoodling couples.... International Bargain Basements Beat the high cost of big fashion labels uptown and dart down to Manhattan's Lower East Side, the birthplace of the garment industry... Cowgirls TUSCON AZ - Dude Ranches became trendy with the 90's comedy hit, City Slickers, starring Billy Crystal. Now, nearly ten years later, another... Hong Kong KOWLOON, Hong Kong - My first inkling was to smile. It's the crack of dawn and I had finally made it to the city known as the pearl in the Pearl Delta. An Adventure in Petra Jordan - “No! Don’t try and climb the 850 steps to the Monastery! At your age, you will never make it!” My colleague advised when I asked her if I should try... Shooting Whitewater OTTAWA - "Ready for another dick spin? Hard left!" yells the helmsman. Gone Fishing SEA OF CORTEZ - "You don't have to lie about your fishing exploits here! Doors Open NIAGARA FALLS, On. - I recently looked back at my high school days and remembered... Camp Hosts NEW MEXICO - Life as a 78-year-old retiree couldn’t get any better... Hide Behind Santa Croce FLORENCE, Italy - Inside the Santa Croce in Florence, three women silently stare into the distance. Cote De Beaupre QUEBEC - The spring morning was surprisingly cold as we climbed aboard our tour bus. Princess Diana's Clothes TORONTO - If clothes make the man, perhaps they helped make the princess as well... William Merritt "Being a poor man myself, I learned from my friends, that Mr. Merritt was the poor man's friend... First Light: A Huron Christmas Carol Midland, ON -‘Twas in the moon of winter time when all the birds had fled, That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead’ Fitzpatrick's Irish Charm CHICAGO - Amidst the chi-chi brands of Tiffany's, Burberry and Hermes there is a new kid... Cheap'n'Easy in the Big Easy NEW ORLEANS, LA - The Big Easy is rarely cheap and easy especially during the Grand Dame... Underground Montreal MONTREAL - As Austin Powers says, "Hey baby it's cold outside." It's -36F so you'd think... Hogtown Sizzle TORONTO - American filmmakers have cast Toronto as virtually every major city in the United States... Allergy Friendly Cities NYC - First opened as the Gorham Hotel in 1929 but recently reopened as The Blakely New York... Privilege with Preston When real estate impresario Donald Trump married Slovenian femme fatale model, Melania... Barbados BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - In itsy-bitsy bikinis, a bevy of Bajan babes bounce to the beat... The Splendor of Florence FLORENCE, Italy - As I exit the brutal train station that Florentines despise as a monument to their dark fascist past... Wigged Out NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE - On her off days, you’re most likely to catch Sherry Nasmith-Jones crouched in her garden... Nesting in Barbados ST. LAWRENCE GAP - On my first night here, intoxicaticated by the heat, the sand and... The Mystery of Volterra Nestled on a mountain top, the medieval city of Volterrra sits like crown on... Summer Bags TORONTO - They say a dog is man’s best friend but ask a woman and chances are... At the Centre Business travel has slowed down worldwide. Travel budgets are tighter. And closer to home... The Jewels of Sintra SINTRA, Portugal, - The Romans dubbed this place, “mons lunae” or the hills of the moon... Made in Manhattan NYC - Business bulls are throttling their cell phones. Tourists gaze skyward, snapping photos of the Empire State Building... Istituto Italiano: Learn Italian FLORENCE, Italy - "Buongiorno!" shouts our teacher as she hurries to the front of the class. We are four nervous students... Wild Washington WASHINGTON - named after America's first president, this Pacific Northwest state that straddles...
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