My time in Austria came to an end on May 8, 2013 when my brother and sister-in-law dropped me off at the train station in …
Austria Travel: A Visit to a Farmers Market and a Big Birthday Party in St. Kathrein
Saturday, May 4, 2013, was market day in my home town of Weiz. Every Wednesday and Saturday, local farmers from the area come to the …
Austria Travel: A Piano Concert and a Hike in St. Radegund
On May 2, 2013, we attended a concert in the Kunsthaus Weiz, a modern multifunctional exhibition and performance venue right in the center of town. …
Austria Travel: A Hike in the Raabklamm River Gorge
May 1 is a public holiday in Austria – Labour Day. On this gorgeous summer-like day, my brother, sister-in-law and I decided to go for …
Austria Travel: A Visit to my Hometown of Weiz in Eastern Styria
After an amazing 10 days in Southern Italy, April 30, 2013 was the first day in my native country of Austria. I arrived in my …
Sorrento Travel: A Day Trip to Positano, Nocelle and Montepertuso
After my first full day in Sorrento I decided to visit Positano on April 23, 2013. Although the town is officially less than 20 km …
Sorrento Restaurants: An Evening at O Parrucchiano
In the afternoon of April 22, 2013 I went for another walk through the old centre of Sorrento and admired many historic buildings such as …
My Connection in Interlaken: Beat Kornfeind, International Tour Guide
One thing I love so much about travel is that it provides a chance to meet some really interesting and cool people. During my recent …
Naples Travel: Excursions to Marechiaro, Bagnoli, the Campi Flegrei, Baia, Miseno and Caserta
In the morning of a brilliant April 28, 2013, my local host Nino Pezzullo embarked with me on another excursion on the outskirts of Naples. …
Naples Travel: The Chiaia Area and a Guided Tour of the Tunnel Borbonico
After our stroll along the Lungomare, on the way back downtown, we walked along the Via Chiaia, one of Naples’ most important shopping streets with …
Naples Travel: The Galleria Umberto, Piazza del Plebiscito and the Castell dell’Ovo
Local host Nino Pezzullo and I continued our walking tour of Naples on April 27, 2013 with a visit to the Galleria Umberto I, an …
Naples Travel: Exploring Spaccanapoli, San Gregorio Armeneo and Lunch at Pizzeria Da Michele
On April 27, 2013 I left Sorrento on the very crowded Circumvesuviana Train and arrived in Naples in the rain in the late morning. During …
The Historic Charm of Amalfi
April 20, 2013 started with an early morning and breakfast with my Salerno hostess, Annarosa. I found out that she is an urban planner and …
A First Stroll through Sorrento and a Tour of the Gran Hotel La Favorita
In the morning of April 22 it was raining cats and dogs in Sorrento and I took my time getting ready in the elegant Grand …
Goodbye to Salerno, a Crazy Bus Ride and Arrival in Sorrento
April 21, 2013 was my last day in Salerno. I got up early and my hostess Annarosa fixed me a pleasant breakfast and equipped me …
Salerno, Italy: The Giardino della Minerva, the Presepe Dipinto and the Duomo of Salerno
After my initial visit of Salerno’s waterfront promenade, the Lungomare, and the Villa Communale public park, I continued back into the historic quarter of the …
Salerno, Italy: A Visit to the Lungomare and the Villa Communale
On April 19, 2013, a new travel adventure started: Southern Italy! I was going to spend the first ten days of my four weeks in …
Iconic Rail Journeys: The Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway is a network of railways that links Moscow with the far eastern portions of Russia and the Sea of Japan. Apart from …
Clarington Travel: Orono, Newcastle and Bowmanville
After my adventures in the Enniskillen area, all part of the Ontario’s Clarington’s travel region, I drove about 20 minutes south east to the small …
Clarington Travel: Tyrone Mills & Archibald’s Estate Winery & Cider House Golf
My explorations of the Clarington travel region on August 3, 2012 continued with a visit to Tyrone Mills, a saw mill and flour mill that …
Clarington Travel: 1 Stop Alpacas and Gallery on the Farm
August 3, 2012 was a packed day for me during my getaway in the Clarington travel region: after a tasty breakfast at the Our Valley …
Clarington Travel: The 4th Line Theatre & Our Valley View B&B
Ontario is a beautiful place in the summer. With its rolling hills, its fertile farmland and the rocks and lakes of the Canadian Shield, Ontario …
Ontario Travel: A Visit to Goderich and a Huron County Drive
The second last stop on our discoveries of Ontario’s West Coast on October 11, 2011 was Goderich, with about 8000 people the largest town in …
Ontario Travel: The Blyth Festival and the Benmiller Inn
Our last day, October 11, 2011, on Ontario’s West Coast had begun. It started with a nice home-made breakfast at our bed and breakfast, Clair …
Ontario Travel: A Country Bike Trip and Dinner at the Little Inn in Bayfield
After a good lunch at the Black Dog Village Pub and Bistro on October 10, 2011, we were now ready to embark on our afternoon …
Ontario Travel: A Hike in Bayfield & Lunch at the Black Dog Pub
This sunny Thanksgiving Monday, October 10, 2011, started with gorgeous sunshine again, a perfect beginning to an action-packed day in the picturesque village of Bayfield. …
Ontario Travel: The Little Inn of Bayfield, Hullet Marsh and Clair on the Square
One of Bayfield’s signature properties is the Little Inn, a historic inn that was built in the 1850s, although an earlier stagecoach stop had existed …
Ontario Travel: The Enchanting Main Street of Bayfield
In my quest to savour every last moment of fall, my travel partner and I embarked on a 3-day getaway to Ontario’s West Coast, starting with the town of Bayfield, on October 9, 2011.
A Map of China: Travel to Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Macau and Guangzhou
A map of China reveals a country of stark contrasts, where ultra-modern urban skyscrapers coexist with ages old grass-roots traditions. Your holiday in China can …
Off the Beaten Path: The Australian Outback
The Australian Outback is a vast expanse of land located in the remote sections of Australia. Covering an area of 6.5 million square kilometers (about …
Africa Travel: The Wonders of Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, is the largest waterfall on the planet with the largest sheet of falling water. …
Dalmatia Travel: Zadar, Vir, Petrcane and Borik
In the morning of April 30, 2012, we followed our usual routine and drove downtown from our rental apartment on the outskirts of Zadar. First …
Dalmatia Travel: A Visit to Skradin and Sibenik
Until 1991, when it declared independence, Croatia was part of Yugoslavia. What followed were four years of a horrific war when the country was attacked …
Paris Attractions: The Picturesque Parc des Buttes Chaumont
April 22, 2012 was another day with very predictably unpredictable weather. One hour it was sunny, then it rained for an hour, then it got …
Poland Travel: A Visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Fortunately, after my visit to Auschwitz, the second half of the afternoon of May 8, 2012 was focused on a much more pleasant destination: the …
Poland Travel: A Visit to Auschwitz
May 8, 2012 was a tough day: my program in the morning and early afternoon was a visit to Auschwitz, the most notorious and brutal …
Krakow, Poland: Exploring Kazimierz and Tyniec
After our May 7, 2012 visit to the Oscar Schindler Factory, my expert guide Monica and I crossed the Vistula River and walked into Kazimierz, …
San Jose, Costa Rica: A Guided Walking Tour
After an enjoyable guided tour of the opulent Teatro Nacional, I was ready to explore more of San Jose, Costa Rica. Theatre tour guide Jeff …
San Jose, Costa Rica: The Gran Hotel Costa Rica and the Teatro Nacional
An enjoyable 20 minute walk through the Barrio Chino had taken us from our hotel to the downtown area of San Jose, Costa Rica. Right …
Texas Travel: El Paso, Laredo, Amarillo and Galveston
In our previous article we already examined the Texas travel opportunities of the larger cities of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin. Here are some …
San Jose, Costa Rica: Hotel Bergerac and a Walk Downtown
In the morning of February 17, 2013 our Caravan tour of Costa Rica had come to an end and most of our friends left for …
Texas Travel: Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio
Texas is the second largest state in the United States, both in terms of size and population numbers. It is an expansive region that offers …
A Map of India and India’s Major Destinations
Located in Southern Asia, India is the seventh largest country in terms of area and the second most populated country in the world. India offers …
Austria Travel: History Museums in Vienna
Vienna, the capital and largest city of Austria, is a city that brings together the past and the present. On top of being one of …
Austria Travel: Art Museums in Vienna
For centuries now, Vienna has been known as a prime destination for art, music and culture. The abundance of art museums in Vienna provides travellers …
Madeira, Portugal: An Island Paradise with the Perfect Climate
Madeira, Portugal – The name just has a wonderful exotic ring to it. Located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the African coastlines of Marocco, Madeira …
Buenos Aires Travel: Exploring the Barrio Chino by Bicycle
Our November 4, 2011 bicycle tour of Buenos Aires continued. After we left the Bosques de Palermo, it started raining so we had to put …
Toronto Travel: Canada Blooms – Canada’s Largest Flower and Garden Show
Every year, by about mid-March, I get sick of the Canadian winter, and when I don’t have a chance to travel abroad to a sunny …
Buenos Aires Travel: Bicycling through the Bosques de Palermo
My first full day of Buenos Aires travel adventures had already been action-packed. After exploring the Plaza de Mayo and the landmark buildings surrounding it, …
Buenos Aires Travel: A Sightseeing Tour, the Japanese Garden and El Rosedal
Following my quick explorations of the Plaza de Mayo on foot, I was ready to get to know the city in more detail. I figured …
Cape Verde Travel: An Exotic Holiday off the Coast of Africa
Travellers have discovered Cape Verde as one of those picture perfect destinations that we all dream about while planning our next holiday. You can expect …
Buenos Aires Travel: Arrival in Palermo and a Visit to the Plaza de Mayo
For many years I had been dreaming about embarking on a Buenos Aires travel adventure. There is just something almost magical about the name “Buenos …
Costa Rica Travel: Visiting a Pineapple Plantation
February 12, 2013 was our day for transferring from the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica to the region around the Arenal Volcano and the plan …
Costa Rica Travel: Leaving Tortuguero and Lunch in Guapiles
After two interesting and very educational days, our time in Tortuguero had come to an end and we had to move on to continue our …
Costa Rica Travel: A Boat tour of Caño Palma in Tortuguero
On February 11, 2013 I had enjoyed my personal tour of the Pachira Lodge eco-resort. In the mid-afternoon it was time for another boat tour …
Costa Rica Travel: A Tour of Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero
Following our very educational boat tour through the Tortuguero National Park, we were welcomed back at Pachira Lodge with a tasty pizza snack. I then …
Costa Rica Travel: A Morning Boat Tour inside Tortuguero National Park
In the early morning of February 11, 2013 I realized that we were indeed in the jungle inside our comfy room at Pachira Lodge in …
Costa Rica Travel: Explorations of Tortuguero Village
After our adventurous excursion to Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, we were ready for some local explorations: Tortuguero Village was waiting for us. In the mid-afternoon …
Costa Rica Travel: Our Adventurous Trip to Tortuguero
Our second day in Costa Rica, February 10, 2013, started very early since we had to make it to the village of Tortuguero on the …
Costa Rica Travel: A Scenic Lunch and the Café Britt Coffee Tour
I had truly enjoyed our outing to the Poas Volcano, and for this afternoon another typical Costa Rican experience was in store: the Café Britt …
Costa Rica Travel: The Poas Volcano National Park
After our scenic bus trip through Costa Rica’s Central Valley our Caravan tour bus had finally reached its first destination: the Poas Volcano National Park. …
Costa Rica Travel: The Lush Landscapes of the Central Valley
On the schedule for our first travel day in Costa Rica was an exciting excursion from the Central Valley to the Poas Volcano, one of …
Costa Rica Travel Diary: The Odyssey to San Jose, Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica, was the destination of my flight on February 8, 2013. But as it looked right now, there was no way …
The Marvels of Bali Indonesia
Bali, Indonesia has long been considered an earthly paradise full of beauty and culture. The warm and sunny tropical climate makes it a coveted destination …
An Evening Tour of Paris by Bike and Bateau Mouche
Paris by bike and bateau mouche – that sounded like a great – if somewhat unusual – combination to for exploring the French capital. The …
Romania Travel: Bucharest, Transylvania, the Black Sea and Much More
In recent years, many more people have been discovering Romania travel opportunities and fallen in love with what this small nation has to offer. In …
Montevideo, Uruguay: The Mercado del Puerto
During my bicycle tour of Montevideo, Uruguay, on November 12, 2011, I cycled to one of the city’s most famous spots at noon time: the …
Minneapolis, Minnesota: The Mall of America
So what exactly brought me to Minneapolis, Minnesota? Actually, I had been thinking for a while now that the twin cities – Minneapolis and St. …
Montevideo, Uruguay: A Bicycle Ride along the Waterfront
To get the most out of my one full day (November 12, 2011) in Montevideo, Uruguay, I decided to go bicycling to explore the city. …
Montevideo, Uruguay: A Perfect Side Trip from Buenos Aires
During my trip to Argentina in November of 2011, it was absolutely clear to me that I would make an excursion to Montevideo, Uruguay. The …
Ottawa Travel – The Auberge King Edward
After an enjoyable day of explorations with my friends Mony and Alberto on January 20, 2012, two friends from work were arriving at the train station to join me for a couple of exciting days of Ottawa travel adventures.
Travel to Ottawa – Friendships, Art and Explorations
For a while I had been thinking that I would like to travel to Ottawa as I had not visited the city for several years …
Attractions of Paris: Moulin Rouge, Pigalle, Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est
My explorations of Paris on April 21, 2012 included a walk past some of Paris’s most famous attractions: the Moulin Rouge, Place Pigalle, the historic Gare du Nord and the Gare de l’Est.
New York City Travel: Lunch at the Chelsea Market
This was my last day in New York City and I needed to do some sightseeing. After a 40 minute subway ride from Queens I hopped off in the Chelsea area of Manhattan. My lunch destination was the Chelsea Market, housed in a former Nabisco cookie factory.
Krakow, Poland: The Oscar Schindler Factory
The second stop on our walking tour of Krakow, Poland, was the Schindler Factory, the actual factory owned by Oscar Schindler who saved over 1,200 Jewish lives in his enamelware and ammunition factory during WWII.
Krakow, Poland: A Visit to the Krakow Ghetto
The Krakow Ghetto was created by the Nazis in March of 1941 and all Jewish inhabitants of the city were forced to relocate into the ghetto. 15,000 people were crowded together in a part of town that originally had only 3,000 residents.
Paris Attractions: The Cemeteries of Montmartre
Following my visit to Sacré Coeur I strolled down the southwestern flanks of Montmartre, past the Moulin de la Galette, one of the few windmills left on this iconic hill. It was one of about 14 windmills that once stood here which were used to press grapes and mill wheat.
Krakow Travel: Blonia Meadow, Kosciuszko Mound and Main Market Square
In the afternoon of May 6, 2012, my Krakow travel adventures continued. After seeing some of the main sights, local bicycle guide Monica took me outside the city centre, past the huge Błonia meadow to the Kosciuszko Mound.
Mexico Travel: The Best Mexico Beaches in Western Mexico
During the cold North American winters, the warm weather and the beautiful Mexico beaches draw millions of tourists to relaxing vacations and holidays in all-inclusive resorts. Mexico is one of the most affordable vacation destinations, especially for North Americans,
New York City: The Lower East Side & Washington Square
In the evening we headed off into Manhattan with our subway pass and embarked on a walk through the Lower East Side, traditionally a working class neighbourhood that was the first place of residence for many new immigrants.
New York Travel: Exploring Cornell University in Ithaca
Before heading off for my planned excursion to Cornell University, we started our second day in Ithaca with a nice home-cooked breakfast in our self-contained apartment. Deer were grazing outside our neo-Classical mansion and the chickens out back were busy laying eggs.
New York Travel: Ithaca and the Finger Lakes
As big tennis fans, we went on our annual trip to New York City to the US Open and on August 25, 2012 we stopped over in the city of Ithaca in the Finger Lakes, a town most famous as the home of Cornell University.
Dalmatia Travel: The Outstanding Beauty of the Krka National Park
On April 29, 2012 we started driving inland from Zadar into the coastal mountain range of Croatia to our first destination: the Krka National Park, one of Croatia’s most popular nature destinations.
Dalmatia Travel: Discoveries of Zadar
Dalmatia, that beautiful coastal stretch of Croatia, was the next step of my big European trip in 2012. After spending a week in Paris and a few days in my native country of Austria, my brother, sister-in-law and I had decided to take a five day trip to Croatia.
Krakow Travel: Old Town Krakow and the Main Market Square
On a gorgeous May 6, 2012, my Krakow travel explorations by bicycle continued. Following our visit to the Royal Castle, my knowledgeable bicycle guide Monica and I continued our ride through Krakow’s Old Town.
Krakow, Poland: A Visit to Wawel Hill and the Royal Castle
Krakow, Poland, has been a dream destination of mine for a long time. There is a mysterious charm to some places in Eastern Europe and after having visited Prague and Budapest in recent years, I needed to expand my horizons and visit Poland as well.
Montmartre – The Most Romantic Spot in Paris
Montmartre – in many people’s opinions the most romantic area in Paris… This 130 metre high hill is one of the few areas in Paris that have retained their original medieval street layout and were left unscathed by the big rebuilding of Paris in the 1860s.
Paris Attractions: A Sightseeing Tour of all the Major Paris Sights
The famous attractions of Paris are what make the French capital the number one tourist destination in the world. I had been in Paris twice, 20 years ago for a week, and one more time on in 2004 a 6-hour layover during a flight to Spain.
Dr. Jessie Voigts – Intercultural Expert and Passionate Traveller
Through the Internet, I often come in contact with interesting people, and Jessie Voigts’ postings on Facebook revealed that she is an expert and a kindred soul who is passionate about travel and intercultural connections.
Toronto Travel Escapes: Stirling’s Farmtown Park and A Little Taste of Paradise
Our Toronto travel escape was quickly coming to an end. The drizzly cold day continued as we drove to our next appointment at the Farmtown Park in Stirling, previously known as the Hastings County Museum of Agricultural Heritage.
Peller Estates and Ontario Wine Country
Our visit to Niagara Falls had come to an end, so we drove back towards Toronto on the scenic Niagara Parkway and made one more stop: Peller Estates, one of the most established wineries in the Niagara Peninsula.
Niagara Falls, Ontario: An Icy Winter Wonderland
Our overnight getaway to Niagara Falls, Ontario, was rapidly coming to an end. After breakfast, we bundled up, and took a stroll past the hotels along Fallsview Boulevard and down Murray Street to arrive right next to the mighty Niagara River.
Niagara Falls, Ontario: The Festival of Lights
Niagara Falls, Ontario is a great getaway destination, even in the winter, from November to January when the CAA Winter Festival of Lights is on. Slowly we approached the city of Niagara Falls, with Niagara Falls, Ontario on the west side of the River, and Niagara Falls, New York, on the east side.
Niagara Falls, Ontario: The Fallsview Casino Resort
On our evening stroll through Niagara Falls, Ontario, the winds along Fallsview Boulevard were absolutely howling so we decided to stop in at the Fallsview Casino Resort, have a look around and warm up. The Fallsview Casino Resort is a huge gaming, shopping, dining and entertainment complex.
Niagara-on-the-Lake: A Sneak Peek at the Prince of Wales Hotel
Our Niagara-on-the-Lake afternoon excursion and our walk on Queen Street continued with a sneak peek inside the Prince of Wales Hotel. This Victorian-era jewel was built in 1864 and is one of the most elegant and historic hotel properties in town.
Niagara-on-the-Lake: A Nice Winter Travel Escape
On January 4, 2013, my friend Linda and I hopped in the car around mid-day and sailed straight through to Niagara-on-the-Lake for a weekend getaway. Location of the Shaw Festival since 1962, this town is one of Canada’s most important theatre destinations.
The Art Gallery of Ontario featuring Frida & Diego: A Great Toronto Travel Idea
The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of Toronto’s foremost arts institutions and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Founded in 1900 by some private citizens, the Art Gallery of Ontario has evolved into one of the largest galleries in North America.
Toronto Travel Escapes: A Country Outing to the Forks of the Credit
The Forks of the Credit is one of the most scenic provincial parks close to Toronto and a great Toronto travel escape idea that is not far from the city. Just about an hour north of Ontario’s metropolis, the Credit River has cut a deep valley into the landscape.
Polynesia: Fiji, Bora Bora, Tahiti, Samoa – Island Paradises on Earth
Polynesia is a group of islands located in the Pacific Ocean and abounds with rich natural beauty that make it a dream destination for many.
Toronto Travel Ideas: Toronto in the Winter
Especially at this time, as New Years approaches, so many of us are making resolutions about losing weight and becoming more active in the coming year. Why not try some free outdoor activities in Toronto in the winter?