Canadian Traveller - Summer 2013 by Canadian Traveller

CANADIAN TRAVELLER SUMMER 2013

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An Indian Odyssey

US Roadtrips Caribbean Golf European Adventures

ESCAPE To MERCER CoUNTY! GETAWAY To SHARoN, PA THEN... WaterFire, a World Class multi-sensory arts event, can be experienced in Providence, Singapore, Rome, Paris, Brussels, Houston, Kansas City, Columbus and now… Sharon, PA! Imagine... Over fifty sparkling bonfires, the fragrant scent of aromatic cedar and pine wood in the air, flickering firelight off the bridges and silhouettes of firetenders passing by the flames as you stroll along the river and city streets, enjoy enchanting music, ethnic food tastings and performers from around the globe. Dance until midnight to the sounds of a big band under the stars in an outdoor ballroom and participate in unique arts experiences with the entire family. This is WaterFire Sharon. Each day-long event offers a new and different theme with interactive arts programming that can be enjoyed again and again! Visit www.WaterFireSharonPA.org for dates and a complete list of event activities.

Sharon, PA is home of World Class Inns, World’s Largest Stores and the World’s Most Famous Wings! Daffin’s, the world’s largest candy store has created quality homemade chocolates since 1949. Reyers, the world’s largest shoe store, offers over 100,000 pairs of shoes including hard-to-find sizes for men, women and children. The Winner, the world’s largest off-price fashion store features the latest designer fashions and accessories at discounted prices. Refresh yourself with lunch at the original Quaker Steak & Lube®, America’s #1 motorsports themed family restaurant voted for “Best Wings USA”. After reveling in the day-long interactive arts events of WaterFire and shopping in the “world’s largest stores” and boutique artist shops, indulge yourself at one of two worldclass inns: Buhl Mansion Guesthouse & Spa and Tara – A Country Inn. Tara, inspired by Gone with the Wind, offers “Southern Hospitality” with lavish guestrooms, gourmet and casual dining. Buhl Mansion boasts opulent guestrooms and a world-class spa in an 1890s ‘castle’. Guestrooms at both inns have fireplaces, Jacuzzis, and provide the ultimate in luxury and pampering; perfect for romantic couples or girlfriend getaways. There are several family friendly hotels within minutes of downtown Sharon. www.SharonPA.com

THE FUn doESn’T SToP in SHAron & GroVE CiTy. The Mercer County area is known for great golf. There is no shortage of courses or challenging holes in Mercer County. Here you will find a variety of 4 and 4½ star courses within a half hour or less drive from one another. The area has become a mecca for golfers looking for great courses and great value. The low greens fees offer some of the most competitive and affordable pricing you will find anywhere in the U.S.A. The rolling terrains, perfectly manicured greens and tree-lined fairways are a beauty to behold and a pleaseure to play.

STAY A LITTLE LoNGER IN GRoVE CITY Visit Grove City, PA to enjoy tax free shopping at a top rated outlet mall, a unique metal gift shop and charming historic downtown shopping district. Experience one-of-a-kind American Craftsmanship at Wendell August Forge. For nearly a century, Wendell August Forge has created beautiful handcrafted metal giftware. Make your way to the historic shopping district of downtown Grove City where you will find Joden Jewelers. Within the walls of this nationally recognized jewelry shop you will find the largest inventory of antique, estate and modern jewelry in this part of the United States; Where they say, “You can go to a museum and look or you can come to us and touch”. Once you have shopped for the day, enjoy a relaxing dinner at either Rachel’s Roadhouse, The Iron Bridge Inn, or Springfield Grille. Finally, make yourself at home in either the Hampton Inn & Suites or the Holiday Inn Express in Grove City, PA, two of the areas newest hotels. You can also find tax free shopping on clothes and shoes at Grove City Premium Outlets. The open air center features 130 stores offering great designer brands at value prices. To experience all that Grove City, PA has to offer, book a 2-night weekday “Stay A Little Longer Package” through the hotels and receive $100 in gift cards to Wendell August, Joden Jewelers, and the Springfield Restaurant Group, a voucher for a VIP coupon book to Grove City Premium Outlets, worth hundreds in savings, and free hot breakfast each morning. www.VisitGroveCityPA.com.

Continue your outdoor adventure. The Upper Shenango Water Trail, a 21 mile stretch, on the Shenango river has recently been awarded “Water Trail” status by the PA Fish and Boat Commission. This class one flat water trail offers a scenic and relaxing adventure. you may begin your float just below the dam in Pymatuning State Park with several launch/ take out points. Mercer County offers a get away that is affordable, close and fun. For more information on Mercer County attractions call 800-637-2370 or visit www.VisitMercerCountyPA.com for your Free Escape Plan Coupon Book and Visitors Guide.

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CANADIAN TRAVELLER

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SUMMER 2013 • Volume 28 • Issue 6

Where Next? Europe 8 Boats, Books & Believers

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Two First-Timers Share Their Favourite Sights, Sounds & Places

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Abbey Cruise…Hong Kong Foodies…Elephant Research Artful In Amsterdam… Tech Detox…Austin F1 Dracula Tours…A Walk In Seoul…A Night At The Museum Seat Tracker…Wallet Blockers…Designer Sleeves

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Snap Shots 6 Poo Walks…Downton

SUMMER 2013

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Three Very Different Ways To Organize Your European Voyage Of Discovery

Asia 16 Amazing, Awesome, Inspiring India

Contributors Laurie Carter, Bryen Dunn, Vickie Sam Paget, Christine Potter, Melanie Reffes

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United States 36 Road Trip

US ROADTRIPS CARIBBEAN GOLF EUROPEAN ADVENTURES

ON THE COVER:

First-time visitors Mike and Rosemary Carter were as fascinated with the people in India as they were with the sights. Turn to page 16 to find out more. Photo Credit: Rosemary Carter

www.canadiantraveller.net A Supplement To CT Magazine – SUMMER 2013

Snapshots

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Tasty Tours Of Hong Kong Tickle your taste buds and get a real flavour of the city on one of Hong Kong Foodie’s new Sham Shui Po Foodie Tours. “We selected Sham Shui Po not just for the food it serves, but also for the cultural value it offers,” says Cecilia Leung, the founder of Hong Kong Foodie. “Having escaped much of the urban redevelopment in recent years, Sham Shui Po has retained much of its history, tradition and charm. We will venture beyond the typical tourist route to eat and see this old Kowloon neighbourhood like a local.” www.hongkongfoodietours.com

england

africa Kids get the bug with andBeyond.

‘Poo’ Walk, Anyone? Animal tracking, crafts and ‘poo walks’… Africa specialist &Beyond is reinventing the family vacation, bush style. Featuring a blend of daily excursions and childcare, the company’s new ‘WILDchild’ program provides adventurous kids with unique safari learning experiences in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. For example, at South Africa’s Kirkman’s Camp, expert rangers show them how to follow bush clues to track animals, while on a ‘poo walk’ at Botswana’s Sanibe Okavango Safari Lodge, they get to indulge their poo fascination and learn that hyena droppings are often white due to the amount of bones that they consume! The WILDchild program is included in &Beyond's lodge fees. www.andbeyond.com

Tasty treats in Kowloon.

Cruise To Downton Abbey Barge cruising company European Waterways has launched an exciting array of screen-themed itineraries in Britain and Ireland. Highlights include meandering down the River Thames to visit Highclere Castle, the setting of PBS’s hugely popular drama, Downton Abbey. “There is a real similarity between life at Downton Abbey and a sedate voyage aboard the 75-year-old hotel barge Magna Carta along the Royal River Thames – the

The Magna Carta at Hampton Court.

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grace and elegance of a bygone age,” explains Derek Banks, managing director at European Waterways. The itinerary also features a private tour of Dorney Court, the Tudor home where Elizabeth, The Other Boleyn Girl and Agatha Christie’s Poirot were all filmed. www.gobarging.com

thailand

An Experience You’ll Never Forget Have You Ever Wondered Whether It’s True That Elephants Never Forget? Thailand’s Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa Can Help You Find Out…

The resort, which is home to Asia’s premier elephant camp and research program, has created the Golden Triangle Elephant Researcher Experience so that ‘eleenthusiasts’ can study elephant behavior with the camp’s on-site scientific experts. The package involves hands-on scientific studies, providing you with the opportunity to interact with Thailand’s gentle giants in their natural environment. “Both our daily hotel operations and unique guest experiences highlight our stringent efforts to protect, preserve and enhance local nature, culture

and community,” says Christian Zunk, general manager at the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa. “The elephant activity program includes a mahout training day, three private presentations by elephant researchers, two research sessions, an elephant veterinary examination and a meal with the elephant research staff.” For every package of four nights or more, Anantara is donating THB 40,000 (approximately $1,354) to the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation to help

sustainable elephant projects throughout South East Asia. The program is available on the following dates: July 27 to 31, August 14 to 18, September 12 to 16, October 17 to 21, November 4 to 8, November 18 to 22, November 30 to December 4, and December 18 to 22. Rates start at THB 41,420 (approximately $1,402) per room, per night, for a deluxe ‘Three Country View’ room. www.thinkelephants.org Reflect upon Thailand’s gentle giants with Anantara.

Make some unforgettable memories in Thailand.

where

imagination reality. meets

The Plains of Africa Kenya Wildlife Safari

14 Days • 33 Meals Departure date: September 7, 2013

5099 *

SAVE

$25RS0ON!

PER PE

per person, double, land only

Highlights... Nairobi, Samburu National Reserve, Fairmont Mt. Kenya Safari Club, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Karen Blixen Home, Mt. Kilimanjaro, 9 Wildlife Safaris

Sedan Service Included! On all air-inclusive tours, receive roundtrip home to airport sedan service! † For more information, contact your local travel agency and mention promo code BGC0-AX1-918. Or visit www.collettevacations.ca * Rate includes park fees. Rate does not include discount. **$250 off per person for any new retail booking with deposit made from June 19, 2013 to July 31, 2013 for travel from June 19, 2013 to April 30, 2014 on Plains of Africa tour. Offers can expire earlier due to space or inventory availability. Space is on a first come, first served basis. Offers are not valid on group or existing bookings or combinable with any other offer. Other restrictions may apply; call for details. † Not valid on group travel. Service is offered on all air-inclusive departures when within 100 km radius of most major Canadian gateways. One transfer per room booking. Additional stops are not permitted on route. Other restrictions may apply; call for details. Travel Industry Council of Ontario Reg. # 3206405 BC Reg. # 23337

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Göran Assner/imagebank.sweden.se

The whole family will enjoy Gothenburg’s Maritime Adventure Centre at Packhuskajen (the quay). Housed within is an armada of 20 vessels including a U-boat, destroyers, minelayers and fireboats.

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Boats, Books

& Believers Three Very Different Ways To Organize Your European Voyage Of DiscoverY

By Christine Potter

Anyone who dreams of visiting Europe, whether for the first time or to see something they missed before, need wait no longer. Our strong Canadian dollar makes it the best time in years to cross the pond. With so many special places, however, the most difficult choice will be which country (or countries) to visit. To help you choose, we look at three not-so-obvious themes – Literary Places, Seafaring Cities and Pilgrimage Sites – as bases for interesting, and a bit off the beaten path itineraries. Read on.

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From Jane Austen to Hans Christian Andersen, readers love to explore literary Europe. Here are some favourite places:

Brenda Anneri

Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus e.V.

Visit Denmark

By The Book

This is the 200th anniversary year of the Brothers Grimm, with events taking place across Germany. A 600-kilometre German Fairytale Route runs from the brothers’ birthplace in Hanau, to Bremen.

The mountain ski resort of Vlasic in Bosnia & Herzegovina, is famous for native son and 1961 Nobel Prize winner (Literature) Ivo Andric. His Bosnian Trilogy is about the area under Ottoman rule.

osnia & Herzegovina: The Ottoman town of Travnik in Central Bosnia was onceknown as the European Istanbul for its ancient mosque and fortress. Near the mountain ski resort of Vlasic, it’s famous for native son and 1961 Nobel Prize winner (Literature) Ivo Andric. His Bosnian Trilogy is about the area under Ottoman rule. www.tourism.ba Denmark: In April, 1805 Denmark’s famous native son Hans Christian Andersen was born in Odense, the country’s third largest town and one of its oldest. Echoing his fairytales, Andersen’s father was a poor shoemaker who lived with his family in one tiny room in a small, half-timbered house. It’s now part of a museum depicting the writer’s life. “Danish children study Hans Christian Andersen like the English study Shakespeare,” I was told. “I think, had HCA married and had children, the fairy tales would nev10

“I think, had HCA married and had children, the fairy tales would never have appeared. These were an entry to other people’s family life for the lonely, difficult man.”

er have appeared. These were an entry to other people’s family life for the lonely, difficult man.” For the more cerebral, Copenhagen celebrates philosopher Soren Kierkegaard’s 200th birthday this year. Widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher, Kierkegaard is the subject of lectures, conferences, and other events. www.denmark.dk Germany: Once upon a time, there were two brothers who wrote fairytales. They lived in Germany and December 20 marked publishing’s 200th anniversary of Children’s And Household Tales by the Brothers Grimm. This is their anniversary year, with events taking place

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across the country. A 600-kilometre German Fairytale Route runs from the brothers’ birthplace in Hanau, to Bremen, where a statue of The Town Musicians of Bremen celebrates the brothers’ famous story. Events include the Fairytale Festival (through July 1) in Hanau, Literary Spring exhibition in Kassel (July 18 to August 18) and more. www.germany.travel

Holland: The house where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary is a museum with a story. In the heart of Amsterdam, visitors see the place where Anne hid from Nazis, and where she wrote for more than two years during the Second World War. It’s an emotional experience, and one of the city’s top visited sites. On a happier theme, Utrecht celebrates Dick Bruna and his creation Miffy in the Dick Bruna Huis, a museum dedicated to the writer and his rabbit. Miffy has been translated into 40 languages, with more than 85 million books sold. www.holland.com

There was a time when Europe, in particular Portugal, Spain, and England, ruled the waves. Here are some suggestions for those who “love to go down to the sea in ships.”

©VisitBritain / Daniel Bosworth

Jose Manuel/Turismo de Portugal

Tourism IrelanD

SEAFARING CITIES

What better than a tour of Jane Austen’s England? Start at her birthplace in Steventon, Hampshire then head to Chawton, near Alton, where the family moved in 1809; their home is now Jane Austen’s House Museum.

And don’t miss Trinity College and the Book of Kells, one of its great library treasures. The 9th-century illuminated manuscript has its own exhibition and is one of many cherished objects

Ireland: Ireland has such a rich tapestry of authors, poets, playwrights and storytellers it’s impossible to list them. Dublin is a UNESCO City of Literature and no wonder. Culture pours off the very pavement. Take a tour of Glasnevin Cemetery and walk in the footsteps of James Joyce’s Ulysses character Leopold Bloom. Visit the Dublin Writers Museum to explore a rich literary past and present. And don’t miss Trinity College and the Book of Kells, one of its great library treasures. The 9th-century illuminated manuscript has its own exhibition and is one of many cherished objects. Across the island on the west coast is Yeats Country – poet W.B. Yeats that is – comprising Sligo and parts of Leitrim and Roscommon. The poet and his artist brother Jack drew inspiration from the sloping green hills, the lakes, and the megalithic grave complex at Carrowmore. www.visitireland.com

United Kingdom: With the legions of Jane Austen fans in Canada it seems only right to concentrate on the 200th publishing anniversary of Pride and Prejudice this year. What better than a tour of Jane’s England? Start at her birthplace in Steventon, Hampshire where she wrote Northanger Abbey, Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice. The family moved to Chawton, near Alton, in 1809 and their home is now Jane Austen’s House Museum. Walkers will enjoy following in her footsteps in a circular hike to Farringdon, or the nearby market town of Alton where she and sister Cassandra shopped. Bath is another must-see on the Austen trail. She lived there between 1801 and 1805, and the town’s Jane Austen Centre hosts an annual festival, this year from September 13 to 21. Included in the 67 events are exhibitions of costumes, manuscripts and film clips plus Regency dancing, music and drama. www.visitbritain.com

enmark: Fregatten Jylland is the world’s longest preserved wooden battleship and the last screw-propelled steam frigate. It featured in the Battle of Helgoland on May 9, 1864 during the Second War of Schleswig in 1864. The battle is re-enacted in a drama-packed cannon display daily throughout the summer season. Location: Ebeltoft near Aarhus.

Torre de Belem, in Lisbon, was where the mighty explorers would wait there to pick up sealed orders before setting out for the unknown. Now it’s a museum housing a fascinating collection of marine instruments and weapons.

www.visitdenmark.com

Portugal: Lisbon was the medieval Cape Canaveral, and its control centre was Torre de Belem. In those days the Torre (tower) was in the middle of Lisbon’s busy Tagus River. Today it’s surrounded by land, but back then the mighty explorers would wait there to pick up sealed orders before setting out for the unknown. Once the centre of exploration to the New World, it’s now a museum housing a fascinating collection of marine instruments and weapons. Farther along the river The Discoverers is a magnificent monument honouring Portuguese explorers. The column of giant figures is led by Prince Henry the Navigator. For a broad picture of Portugal’s history of navigation visit the Navy Museum in Lisbon’s Belem district, with displays from the 15th century to the present, including treasure, instruments and other items recovered from wrecks. www.visitportugal.com

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Sweden: The whole family will enjoy Gothenburg’s Maritime Adventure Centre at Packhuskajen (the quay). Housed within is an armada of 20 vessels including a U-boat, destroyers, minelayers and fireboats. Other maritime objects are on display (many of them interactive) and if you have a Gothenburg City Card admission is free. www.visitsweden.com United Kingdom: This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Royal Yacht Britannia. Launched in April 1953, HMY Britannia was decommissioned in December 1997. It’s now a dedicated museum in Leith, a suburb of Edinburgh. Visitors come to see what life was like on board the Queen’s floating royal residence and to sip a cuppa on the Royal Deck Tea Room where the Royal Family enjoyed entertaining and relaxing. Portsmouth, on England’s south coast, has a long maritime tradition and its Historic Dockyard is a must visit for naval history buffs. It’s home to Admiral Nelson’s flagship Victory (the oldest warship in the world still in commission), the Warrior, built in 1860 as the first iron-hulled, armoured warship powered by steam and sail, and the Mary Rose, flagship of Henry VIII who watched in distress as it sank, taking hundreds of crew to a tragic end. This year marks the opening of a new Mary Rose museum and the 30th anniversary of her raising. In Belfast, Northern Ireland, the Titanic Belfast is much more than a museum. Built on the site of the Titanic’s construction, the architectural phenomenon opened last year, extending over nine galleries with special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and interactive features. www.visitbritain.com

Pilgrimage has been a focus of spirituality in Europe from the days of early Christianity, and the trails worn by those early wayfarers set the routes for today’s travellers. Not everyone embarks on a pilgrimage for spiritual reasons but many agree that, by the end of the journey, their outlook on life has changed, even by a little.

Tourism Ireland

Titanic Belfast is much more than a museum. Built on the site of the Titanic’s construction, the architectural phenomenon opened last year with special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and interactive features.

ON THE PATHS OF PILGRIMS

osnia & Herzegovina: In 1981 the Virgin Mary appeared to six teens playing in the hills of Medugorje. The apparitions did not cease and many sceptics became believers. Since then, over 15 million people have descended on the town near the Croatian border and Medjugorje has become the one of the largest Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world, despite controversy over the legitimacy of the visions and lack of approval from the Vatican. www.tourism.ba France: Lourdes, where Mary appeared to St. Bernadette, is on the list of almost every religious tour of Europe, and it has a profound effect on the non-religious, too, despite the continuous throng of people. Many spiritual sites dot France, such as the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the medieval Sainte Chapelle in Paris, the Basilica of St. Therese of

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Lourdes, where Mary appeared to St. Bernadette, is on the list of almost every religious tour of Europe.

Lisieux in Normandy and the Cathedral of Chartres. Take it in with an organized tour or independently. www.franceguide.com

Ireland: From the challenging St. Patrick’s Purgatory on Lough Derg with its three-day fast and rejection of shoes and sleep, to climbing the summit of Mount Croagh in County Mayo, from where it’s believed St. Patrick banished all the snakes from the land, Ireland is full of pilgrimage sites. The most famous is probably Knock where, in 1879, a group of villagers saw an apparition of the Virgin, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist. The shrine is open year round, but the main season runs from April to October, with the busiest time being late August, around the anniversary of the event. www.visitireland.com

Flickr/Harsh Light

VisitBritain/Daniel Bosworth/Kent Tourism Alliance

The Vatican is a top pilgrimage site for Roman Catholics, but there’s much in Rome that draws worshippers of many persuasions – be it the art, architecture, or the pantheon of ancient gods.

Italy: Home to countless places of worship Italy is one of the world’s foremost pilgrimage destinations. A few are mentioned here. The Vatican is of course a top pilgrimage site for Roman Catholics, but there’s much in Rome that draws worshippers of many persuasions – be it the art, architecture, or the pantheon of ancient gods. The Basilica of St. Francis in Assissi, Umbria is restored after earthquakes in 1997 toppled part of the walls damaging Giotto’s frescoes of the saint’s life. The town of Assissi is where the saint was born, where he worked, and where he died and his remains are housed in the Basilica. Padre Pio (1887 – 1968) is considered one of the great mystics of modern times. Beatified in 2002 he lived and worked in San Giovanni Rotondo in Puglia, 290 kilometres east of Rome, where his preserved remains are on view in the Padre Pio Shrine. www.italia.it/en

Portugal: Central Portugal’s little town of Fatima is dominated by a huge sanctuary commemorating the six apparitions of Virgin Mary to three peasant children in 1917. Throngs of pilgrims visit each year, and a marked pilgrim path from Lisbon (mostly along the River Tejo) is now complete. www.visitportugal.com

Spain: Perhaps the world’s bestknown pilgrimage, and one with many routes, is The Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago) ending in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. The most popular route is the Camino Frances, tracing across northern Spain from St. Jean Pied de Port in southern France and stretching over 772 kilometres. Other routes begin in southern Spain, Portugal, England and Istanbul. spain.info.ca

United Kingdom: Pilgrim routes allow walkers to stay in local inns along the way, travelling over some of England’s greenest and most pleasant land. The 100-kilometre St. Cuthbert’s Way traces the seventhcentury saint’s steps from Melrose Abbey in the Scottish lowlands to Lindisfarne in northern England. In the south, the 192-kilometre Pilgrims’Way runs from Winchester in the west to the shrine of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. It follows the route made famous in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, and two thirds of the old track can still be seen. www.visitbritain.com a

The 192-kilometre Pilgrims’ Way runs from Winchester to the shrine of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury Cathedral along the route made famous in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

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Snapshots Austin will be a Mecca for speed freaks this fall.

TEXAS Get Your Motor Running Fuel your need for speed this fall on one of Kensington’s VIP tours to the 2013 F1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Kensington’s tours feature behind-the-scenes circuit tours, VIP express passes, F1 celebrity appearances, a kick-off party, centrally located hotels and 24/7 on-the-ground support. “After last year’s return of Formula 1 to the United States attracted over 265,000 fans, the buzz around this year’s event is louder than ever, and tickets, hotels and access

amsterdam

A Gallery For Globetrotters Amsterdam’s iconic De L’Europe hotel is celebrating the reopening of the Rijksmuseum by transforming every room into an art gallery. In a unique collaboration with the Rijksmuseum, the De L’Europe is the only hotel in the city to house replicas of Dutch Masters paintings in all of its rooms and suites, including the appropriately-named ‘Dutch Masters Wing’, an all-suite annex of 23 well appointed, loft-like quarters. A separate entrance is available to the Dutch Masters Wing, which also offers picturesque views of the Amstel River from every second room.

Fully customizable, these high performance packages are ideal for racing aficionados, automobile enthusiasts and corporate groups of any size. www.kensingtontours.com

Banish The Blackberry, Ignore The iPad!

Costa Rica

Tech-weary travellers turn off their gadgets and gizmos and totally tune-out on Jacada Travel’s ‘Wind Down & Wellness Getaway’ in Costa Rica. Designed to reunite travellers with their serenity, this 10-day itinerary offers the perfect balance of activity and relaxation – without any fancy tech gadgets.

produce from the organic gardens. You then move on to a nature reserve overlooking the Manuel Antonio coastline for some water sports and spa treatments, before ending your trip at the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula. Prices start at $5,957.

The journey begins at a private reserve in the hills of Bajos del Toro, where you can enjoy hiking, yoga, spa treatments and fresh www.jacadatravel.com Sit back and relax in Costa Rica.

Amsterdam’s iconic De L’Europe.

After a 10-year closure, the Rijksmuseum reopened in April following a complete renovation. It now hosts 8,000 works in its famous national collection. www.leurope.nl

are selling out fast,” says Karen MacBeath, Kensington’s championship series and corporate incentive specialist.

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Amazing, Awesome,

Inspiring

INDIA Taj Mahal, Agra.

Two First-Timers Share Their Favourite Sights, Sounds & Places By Laurie Carter

Arian Zwegers/Flickr

Veteran travellers Mike and Rosemary Carter know how to seize an opportunity. When offered the chance to join what eventually became a group of 54 Vancouver area people on a 15-day land/ river journey through Cambodia and Vietnam, they jumped on board. But Mike also harboured a long-standing desire to visit India, so the couple figured that, as long as they were in the neighbourhood, this was the time.

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Madhav Pai/Flickr

Jama Masjid, New Delhi.

Travel Concepts in West Vancouver made the arrangements. Agent Cindy Horton set the couple up on the Uniworld tour of Cambodia and Vietnam. Then working through Bestway Tours and Safaris, a Vancouver-based company that specializes in cultural tours of India and the surrounding region, she organized private drivers and guides for their journey through northwest India. While scheduling for the river cruise dictated the timing of their trip, Mike says it also worked out well for India. “The weather was still warm, but pleasant,” and they were able to dodge the monsoon that starts in May. The Carters began their Indian adventure with four nights in the capital city of New Delhi, where they immediately realized how lucky they were to have a local driver. Throughout their stay in India, Mike and Rosemary remained fascinated by the “crazy driving”. The record number of people they

counted on a single bike was six. Rosemary made every effort to document these phenomenal acrobatics, but she only managed to capture a photo of five riders. Rosemary particularly remembers one dad and two kids on a motorbike, with the son feeding the baby a bottle while they negotiated a roundabout. “Don’t have the photo for that one either,” Mike complains. Both he and Rosemary are still wondering just how many people can cram into a single tuktuk and Mike cites driving as “the thing I found so impressive in India. It feels very chaotic and the horns are being sounded all the time, but you see few accidents or road rage. If our drivers could drive like they do, life would be a lot better.” With their driver handling the chaos, the Carters were free to enjoy standard sights. They toured the parliament buildings, Connaught Place, Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutb Minar and the massive

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Elephant Caves, Gharapuri Island.

Akshardham Temple complex. They visited the Red Fort, built by Shah Jahan, and Birla House, once the residence of Mahatma Gandhi and the site of his assassination by Nathuram Godse. Things got a touch more exciting when they ventured onto a cycle rickshaw for a ride through the narrow lanes and bazaars of Chandni Chowk. Down a side street, both Mike and the guide were horrified when a snake charmer draped his hefty charge around Rosemary’s neck.

Benjamin Vander Steen/Flickr

Tim Moffatt/Flickr

Victoria Terminus, Mumbai

Dylan Walters/Flickr Jeff Hart/Flickr

on elephants, Mike and Rosemary were transported back in time as they rode up the hill to the 17th century Amber Palace and adjoining fort for a look at the world’s largest wheel-mounted canon. But the hands-down highlight of Jaipur wasn’t listed in any of the travel brochures. The Carters where utterly delighted when their guide invited them to attend the marriage of his cousin. “We spent just a few hours there,” says Mike, “as the process goes on for many hours. But we met the bride and saw the India Tourism

Not a bad time to hit the road. On the way to Agra, they stopped in Sikandra to tour the tomb of one of India’s grandest Moghul rulers, Akbar the Great, then settled in the Oberoi Amarvilas hotel overlooking the Taj Mahal. For two days this luxury establishment was home base while they visited the iconic monument to love, as well as the Itmad-Ud-Daulah (often called the Baby Taj). Opulence seemed to be the theme for their tour of Agra. Mike was particularly struck by the showroom where skilled workers were crafting items in marble with inlaid semi-precious stones. “They had on display one very large table approximately six feet wide by 16 feet long, which had been purchased by somebody in Los Angeles for $75,000. It was quite stunning.” After the drive to Jaipur, where the Carters were slated to spend four nights, the couple once more switched conveyances. Mounted

groom arrive on an elephant led by a band.” Now that’s what independent travel is all about. In Udaipur, the Carters experienced further echoes of the Raj, staying for two nights in the Lake Palace Hotel, a former summer palace on an island in the middle of Lake Pichola. They were impressed with other extravagant residences, the City Palace, and Jag Mandir, also sited in Lake Pichola. And Jagdish Temple was a particular highlight for Rosemary who was “fascinated by the amazing temples in each country”.

Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur

Amber Fort, Jaipur.

Jag Mandir, Udaipur.

www.canadiantraveller.net A SUPPLEMENT TO CT MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2013

Another treat awaited her in Jodhpur, where they visited the Ranakpur temples (constructed in 1439) and found more reminders of just how long-established Indian culture really is. From their favourite hotel on the trip, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mike and Rosemary could look out on the Mehrangarh Fort built in 1459 by Rao Jodha. They visited the fort and the Jaswant Thada, a milky white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Mike and Rosemary skipped the drive from Jodhpur to Mumbai, taking a quick flight that left them four days to explore before returning home. Again they checked out the mustsees: India Gate, Prince of Wales Museum and the ultimate horror for agoraphobes – Victoria Terminus, with its five million travellers – per day. For Rosemary, who loved all the colour and characters they encountered, this was a real eye-popper, as was the vast outdoor laundry at Dhobi Ghats. The Carters rounded out their time in Mumbai with a visit to Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandhi spent many years, and a half-day trip to Gharapuri Island to see the Elephant Caves, which were likely built between 450 and 750 to worship the Hindu god Shiva. Months after returning home, Mike and Rosemary are very glad they made their India/Cambodia/Vietnam trip, but admit that the places they visited are now ticked off their bucket list. “Once you have seen the Taj Mahal,” says Mike, “you do not have to rush back to see it again. As far as India is concerned we may visit south of Mumbai, Goa for instance.” Group travel on the cruise suited them well, especially since tour groups were kept to 18 people. “There were enough people to interact and not too many to make it difficult for the guide to handle.” Mike adds that having a guide to themselves for India was expensive, but ideal. While sites in Cambodia/ Vietnam where not that busy and therefore, suitable for larger groups, “India was best done in a small group (themselves and a guide) because of all the people visiting all the sites.” While they would definitely recommend the overall trip to others, they suggest that given a choice between a Nile or Mekong cruise, people should opt for the Nile cruise first – although security concerns might tip the scales in favour of the Mekong. Mike says, “We thought the traders were much better behaved (less aggressive) in these countries compared to Egypt…. We felt completely safe both on the Mekong and in India.” a Jaswant Thada Memoorial, Jodhpur.

Down A Not So Lazy River

Mike and Rosemary launched their 15-day land and river tour of Cambodia and Vietnam with two days in Hanoi. They took in the sights from the back of a pedal rickshaw and visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before flying on to Siem Reap, Cambodia, their base for visits to the Angkor Wat complex. For Mike, this was one of the high points of the entire trip. “I learned what they were doing with stone 1,000 to 1,200 years ago with no cranes or jackhammers.” An elephant ride was pretty cool, too. From Siem Reap, the group travelled by coach to Kampong Cham, Cambodia, where they boarded the River Saigon for their seven-day Mekong River cruise. Along with riverbank sights along the way, stops provided a broad cross-section of glimpses into local life. Highlights included temples, a village school and Buddhist monastery, bustling waterfront markets and the house of Marguerite Duras, whose life story was the inspiration for the film The Lover. The Carters were disappointed not to be able to visit the palace in Phnom Penh because of ceremonies surrounding the death of the king, but the upside was a rare opportunity to witness the colourful funeral procession. A disturbingly powerful part of their time in the capital was a visit to the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Things got significantly more cheerful as they proceeded down the river past hundreds of floating homes and visited a floating fish farm as well as Cu Lao Gieng Island. In Sa Dec, Vietnam, they visited a brick and tile factory and cruised the narrow canals where locals were going about their daily routines. The voyage ended at My Tho with a coach ride to what Mike calls “the modern and efficient city of Ho Chi Minh (Saigon).” Excursions there included the Cu Chi Tunnels (part of the underground tunnel system developed by the Viet Cong), a rubber plantation and a city tour. Mike says the daily routine was very comfortable with a two-hour morning trip that would get them back to the hotel or boat for lunch. They’d have a couple of free hours to relax, then an afternoon outing followed by more time to relax before dinner. Split into groups of 18, they had the same guide every day in each major segment: Cambodia; Hanoi; and Saigon. For the Mekong River cruise, the group sailed aboard Uniworld’s River Saigon, a French colonial-style vessel with just 30 staterooms featuring cabins opening onto an outside walkway and comfortable upper bar/sun deck offering great views of passing sights.

Honza Soukup/Flickr

Rosemary Carter

Bottom line, Mike and Rosemary recommend this trip.

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Highlights included temples, a village school and Buddhist monastery, bustling waterfront markets and the house of Marguerite Duras, whose life story was the inspiration for the film The Lover.

Photos Rosemary Carter

“

I find the people even more fascinating than the buildings

”

Rosemary Carter

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Snapshots

Horia Varlan/www.creativecommons.org

KOREA

Romania

Follow in the footsteps of Vlad the Impaler in Brasov, Romania.

Something Wicked This Way Comes Put a spring in your step with the new Seoul Walking Tour App.

Scare yourself stupid in Romania this Halloween by following in the footsteps of Vlad the Impaler with Quest Tours and Adventures.

Walk Away With The New Seoul App

The Eastern European specialist is offering a scary selection of Dracula-themed tours this fall, including a fearsome sevenday ‘Halloween in Transylvania’ itinerary. The terror kicks off in Bucharest on October 29 – the Romanian capital that was first mentioned by name by Prince Vlad in a document dating back to 1459 – before going on to explore the spectacularly spooky Carpathian

The Korea Tourism Organization has launched a Seoul Walking Tour App that showcases 16 of the city’s most famous tourist destinations. This is the 11th App released by the KTO, following those devised for the city’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and the historical remains of the Silla and Baekje kingdoms. Available in English, Japanese and Chinese, the App is also equipped with a GPS utility to help visitors find their way around the city. The Seoul Walking Tour Mobile App is available under the name ‘Seoul City Tour’ on the App Store. www.visitkorea.ca

Palm Springs

Nights At The Museums According to the Chesterfield Palm Beach hotel, culture vultures don’t have to travel all the way to London or New York to visit some of the finest museums in the world. Palm Spring’s Norton Museum of Art is internationally recognized for its permanent collection, while the Flagler Museum is a Gilded Age mansion. It was described by the New York Times in 1902 as ‘more wonderful than any palace in Europe; more magnificent than any other private dwelling in the world’.

A haven for culture vultures at the Chesterfield Palm Beach.

Mountains, the island of Snagov Lake, Sinaia Monastery, Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiel. You then return to Bucharest to wrap-up your Transylvanian adventure with a traditional Romanian dinner on the lake shore. Prices start at US $1,774 per person. www.romtour.com

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The Chesterfield Palm Beach is offering a two-night ‘Nights and Museums’ package. The package includes tickets to each museum, as well as a ‘romantic interlude dinner’ at the property’s Leopard Lounge and Restaurant. Prices start at $275 per room per night. www.chesterfieldpb.com

Maine & New Brunswick

Two-Nation Vacation Discover natural wonders, scenic beauty, endless activities, and unique cuisine in Maine and New Brunswick where fresh air rules and outdoor activities abound.

www.Two-Nation-Vacation.com tourismnewbrunswick.ca

Fore

To The

Teeing Up In The Caribbean With Golf Courses & Golf Packages

By Melanie Reffes

“Summer afternoon, summer afternoon,” observed esteemed writer Henry James, “to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” All about lazy summer afternoons, the Caribbean is also a Mecca for golfers who flock to the many courses for a sunny afternoon of play.

Royal St Kitts Golf Club

Even if you can’t tell a 9 iron from a waffle iron or a birdie from a bogey, teeing up with a calm breeze at your back and sinking a putt from 25 feet is what

golfing bragging rights are all about. With fewer crowds, plenty of flights and resort deals galore, summer is the perfect time to tee up in the Caribbean.

In St. Kitts, tourism minister Richard (Ricky) Skerritt knows a good course when he plays one. A member of the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, the Senator is also an avid golfer. “I like competitive activities so my ideal vacation has to have a golf course, the sea and plenty of sunshine. “ www.canadiantraveller.net A SUPPLEMENT TO CT MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2013

Ken Evoy

“Almost every day is perfect for golf in Anguilla,” says Ryan Bowey (left), head golf pro at Cuisinart Golf Club. For those who prefer quality post-golf time, former Montrealer Nori Evoy (right), the creator of www.anguilla-beaches.com says “Chef Massimo at the Clubhouse prepares the best lobster ravioli in a flavourful bisque broth.” Leaders of the Tee World In St. Kitts, tourism minister Richard (Ricky) Skerritt knows a good course when he plays one. A member of the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, the Senator is also an avid golfer who knows the island’s greens like the back of his hand. “I like competitive activities so my ideal vacation has to have a golf course, the sea and plenty of sunshine.” In addition to the Royal St. Kitts managed by the Marriott and the Four Seasons Golf Club across the channel in Nevis, plans are underway for a course at Kittitan Hill and Christophe Harbour. Referring to the 54-hole St. Kitts-Nevis Admiral’s Cup Pro-Am Tournament slated for February 2 to 6, 2014, Skerritt adds “this hallmark tournament continues to help us attract visitors as we ramp up marketing efforts internationally to support all the courses.” For twosomes who tee up, the four-night ‘Couples Golf & Spa’ at the Marriott invites at US $256 per night, per room including two treatments at the Emerald Mist Spa, two rounds of golf and breakfast. www.stkittsmarriott.com, www.royalstkittsgolfclub.com

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Designed by Greg Norman, Cuisinart Golf Club in Anguilla is spectacular with vistas of St. Maarten and the Caribbean Sea at the tee box of the 390-yard starting hole. Sand dunes on the left and a saltwater pond on the right frame the perilous drive on the 16th hole that ends with an elevated green protected by deep bunkers. “We cater to the CuisinArt guest and know they expect a certain level of luxury and service, not only in their accommodations but also in their golf experience,” says Stephane Zaharia, general manager. Packages include the ‘Tee Up & Revive’ which includes five seaside nights, spa treatments, breakfast en suite and three rounds of golf. “Almost every day is perfect for golf in Anguilla,” adds Ryan Bowey, head golf pro. “Anguilla is a flat desert island, our climate is consistently sunny and dry with ever present trade winds.” For those who prefer quality post-golf time, former Montrealer Nori Evoy, the creator of the wildly popular website www.anguilla-beaches.com knows a good thing when she tastes it. “Chef Massimo at the Clubhouse prepares the best lobster ravioli in a flavourful bisque broth,” she says. “Coming from Montreal, good cuisine is always appreciated and Italia never fails to deliver a first-class meal.” www.cuisinartresort.com >>

Bermuda Tourism

For a small island, Bermuda is an overachiever when it comes to golf. “With more golf per square mile than anywhere else in the world,we are an appealing choice for golfers,” said Shawn Crockwell, minister tourism. One of the island’s best, Port Royal is a golfer’s delight with 18 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones No Holes Barred For a small island, Bermuda is an overachiever when it comes to golf. “Canada is such an important market for us and, with more golf per square mile than anywhere else in the world, we are an appealing choice for golfers who enjoy our great year-round playing weather and championship-caliber courses,” says Shawn Crockwell, minister tourism. “Our convenient location puts us just a three-hour flight away from Canada’s major eastern cities and offers easy access to some of the world’s best golf.”One of the best, Port Royal is a golfer’s delight with 18 holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. www.portroyalgolf.bm Other crowd pleasers include Turtle Hill at the Fairmont Southampton with 18 par-3 holes, practice green and shoe rentals. www.fairmontgolf.com Practice makes perfect at The Bermuda Golf Academy with a 300-yard driving range and 18-hole putting green. For golf wannabees (or golf widows), the putt-putt course is cleverly designed with waterfalls and fountains. www.bermuda-golfing.com

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In Curacao, Blue Bay has plenty of personality with 18-holes along the Caribbean Sea. Targetting those who play and stay, Renaissance Curacao Resort in the scenic city of Willemstad is tops with the “Golf Getaway” package through December 13 that includes one round at Blue Bay and room rates as low as US $254 per room, per night. Lessons are offered for those wanting to brush up on their skills. www.renaissancecuracao.com Several top-notch courses dot Grand Cayman including the Caribbean’s first signature Jack Nicklaus course, Britannia Golf Club and the ritzy Blue Tip at the Ritz Carlton. “The finishing hole at the Ritz challenges golfers to gently drop onto an island green directly into the warm breezes of the North sound which can be treacherous, but beautiful,” notes Paul Minich, country manager, Canada. www.caymanislands.ky/ >>

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Enter Online At: www.canadiantraveller.net/contests.php Or Fax To: 1-866-562-4405 1. To enter the contest, the entrant must be a resident of Canada who has reached the age of majority in the province in which he/she resides, who is not an employee of, a member of the immediate family of, or domiciled with, an employee of ACT Communications Inc., its agents or distributors, or any of the prize donors. Note: Contest is not valid in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law. Odds of winning are contingent upon the number of entries received. 2. Contest closes May 31, 2013. 3. The draw will be made June 17, 2013 from correct entries received. All fields must be completed. 4. One prize will be awarded consisting of one Gazebo Ceremony Location for up to 25 people, chairs for guests, rose petals for aisle, music, Minister, Minister to Register Official Marriage License with Clark County, 1 bridal bouquet, groom boutonniere, “Married in Vegas” champagne flutes, commemorative champagne & chocolates, professional photographer to capture a minimum of 80 images provided on a CD with copyright release, bridal gown rental and tuxedo rental romantic dinner for (2) a top The

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Cinnamon Hill Tryall Club

Recently renovated, the 72-par course at the chi-chi Tryall Club is the pride of the island with a new driving range, tee boxes and putting green. “Very rarely do you find an 18 hole layout as diverse as that at The Tryall Club,” says Ewan Peebles, director golf.

In Jamaica, Cinnamon Hill thrills and chills with a wind-swept front nine that gives way to a trap-filled back nine. The setting for James Bond’s Live and Let Die film, the course overlooks the home owned by the late Johnny Cash, while putting alongside the waterfall where Elizabeth Barrett Browning penned How do I love thee, let me count the ways is the stuff of bragging rights. Tee for Two In Jamaica, Cinnamon Hill thrills with a wind-swept front nine that gives way to a trap-filled back nine. The setting for James Bond’s Live and Let Die, the course overlooks the home owned by the late Johnny Cash while putting alongside the waterfall where Elizabeth Barrett Browning penned How do I love thee, let me count the ways is memorable. Cinnamonhilljamaica.com Also with a storied past, White Witch was named for Annie Palmer, who owned the 19th-century sugar plantation on which the course is built. www.whitewitchgolf.com “Aside from the magnificent views and year-round access, golfing in Jamaica is addictive,” says Racquel Queensborough, business development manager, Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). “Golfing with a caddy is a high five experience because they know the courses so well and will tell you to hit the ball in a certain direction while you’re thinking there is no way and yes, they are usually right.” With accolades galore, the course at Half Moon is a classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. design sculpted from foothills of the western coastline. The classy course also welcomes spectators to on-property tournaments like the Jamaica Open Golf Championship and the Red Stripe Pro-Am. halfmoon.rockresorts.com

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Recently renovated, the course at the chi-chi Tryall Club is the pride of the island with a new driving range, tee boxes and putting green. “Very rarely do you find an 18 hole layout as diverse as that at The Tryall Club,” says Ewan Peebles, director golf. “The course will take your breath away as you encounter protected mangroves, plantation relics, hilltop views and the Caribbean Sea.” www.tryallclub.com Made for golf enthusiasts, Dominican Republic is home to three Pete Dye courses at Casa de Campo in La Romana. Totaling 90 spectacular holes, courses include the tricky Teeth of the Dog, The Links and the Dye Fore with holes 12 and 15 revered as two of the greatest par three in the world. “We’re very proud to have the most highly ranked golf course in the Caribbean, which combines all the great elements of Pete Dye’s brilliant design with our perfect tropical weather and seaside location,” says Peter Bonell, marketing officer. A new app designed by Golf Digest, Golf World Magazine and Casa de Campo gives users a Teeth of the Dog tour that stops at each hole, tee boxes, fairways, golf cart roads, landscapes and the nearby Caribbean Sea. The app also includes information about tee times, which connect directly with the resort’s reservations desk. www.casadecampo.com.do/ >>

For Investment Opportunities visit www.modularproperties.ca

Sandals Resorts

Enticing with a trio of meticulous courses and GPS-equipped golf carts, Sandy Lane in Barbados is golfing nirvana. With five lakes and a Tom Fazio design, The Country Club is a 72 par, 7,060-yard course with postcard-perfect views of the Caribbean Sea. Also Fazio-designed, The Green Monkey is an ultraexclusive par 72, 7,343-yard course carved from an old limestone quarry and the Old Nine meanders through the Sandy Lane estate with 3,345 yards, par 36 and snug fairways. www.sandylane.com One Stop Shopping An all-inclusive stay at a Sandals Resort offers not only food, cocktails and watersports, but also green fees at some of the finest courses in the Caribbean. “Canadian golfers have a lot to get teed up about when they play on a Sandals course,” says Tony Ebanks, golf business development manager. “Every course offers PGA-certified instruction including complimentary golf clinics plus private instruction alongside a PGA pro. With green fees included at most courses; golf at Sandals is an excellent value.” In Jamaica, guests of Sandals Grande Riviera play at the 18-hole Jamaica Golf and Country Club with sweeping views of the sea and mountains. Particularly vexing is the unassuming 13th hole that packs a wallop with its perilously shallow green fronted by a steep slope and hidden bunker. In St. Lucia, white cedars and almond trees frame the narrow fairways at

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Casa de Campo

An all-inclusive stay at a Sandals Resort offers not only food, cocktails and watersports, but also green fees at some of the finest courses in the Caribbean. At Sandals Emerald Reef Golf Club in Grand Exuma, Bahamas, the Greg Norman-designed course lures with an ocean-side backdrop and challenging fairways.

Made for golf enthusiasts, The DR is home to three Pete Dye courses at Casa de Campo including the famed Teeth of the Dog. “We’re very proud to have the most highly ranked golf course in the Caribbean,” says Peter Bonell, marketing officer at Casa de Campo. the Golf Club at Sandals La Toc. Offering a weekly golf clinic, the nine-hole course also pleases with a practice range with chipping and putting greens. At Sandals Emerald Reef Golf Club in Grand Exuma, Bahamas, the Greg Norman-designed course lures with an ocean-side backdrop and challenging fairways. www.sandals.com a

Meliá Cuba

Children are always welcomed Extensive stretches of white-sand beaches kissed by the exotic turquoise-blue ocean, ideal for playing all day long. Areas designed for the enjoyment of kids under the care of our highly qualified staff. Informal ambience. An oasis of swimming pools and varied recreation activities for all ages. Free stay or generous discounts for children. Imagination and magic so that kids can have a good time …and their parents too.

PA R A D I S U S I M E L I Á I T RY P I S O L H OT E L S

M E L I AC U B A . C O M

VARADERO I Paradisus Varadero I Meliá Península Varadero I Meliá Marina Varadero I Sol Palmeras I Sol Sirenas Coral I CAYOS Meliá Cayo Santa María I Meliá Las Dunas I Meliá Cayo Guillermo I Sol Cayo Santa María I Sol Cayo Guillermo I Sol Cayo Coco I Sol Pelícano I Tryp Cayo Coco HOLGUÍN Sol Río de Luna y Mares

Snapshots

Escape Middle Seat Misery Thanks to TripIt, there’s now a clever new way to avoid being stuck in the dreaded airplane middle seat. The mobile trip organizer service now features ‘Seat Tracker’, a smart little gizmo that will alert you when a better seat is available on your flight. “We’ve all had those traumatic, squeezed-in, no-recline middleseat experiences while flying,” said Edith Harbaugh, director of product management for TripIt. “Seat Tracker is all about giving travellers the power of knowledge. We’ll alert you when a better seat becomes available, meaning you can snag it before anyone else on your flight.” To track seats, you must be a member of TripIt Pro, which costs $49 a year. www.tripit.com/seattracker

security

What’s In Your Wallet? Wurkin Stiffs Wallets has come up with a wallet that keeps the consumer safe from identity thieves. Credit cards now have radio frequency identification chips that constantly transmit personal information digitally, which makes it easy for identity thieves to read them with inexpensive, wireless scanners. Wurkin Stiffs Wallets block those radio signals with a thin alloy matrix that is fused between embossed Italian leather, keeping the information on your cards secure. Prices start at $95. http://wurkinstiffs.com

Stylish and secure: travellers can foil identity thieves with a Wurkin Stiffs Wallet. 34

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apps Avoid the dreaded middle seat with Seat Tracker.

Gadget wear

Cool Retro Sleeves Dismiss dull grey and banish boring black: keep your precious smartphone, tablet or e-reader snug and stylish in a radically retro sleeve from ArtBird. ArtBird’s collection is not only unspeakably hip, it also features thick neoprene padding and a cozy cotton flannel lining to stop your screen from getting scratched on long journeys. So add a little kitsch colour to your life and turn heads in the airport with a stylish ArtBird sleeve. Cool iPad Mini, Kindle and Kindle Fire sleeves start at $24.95; iPad 2-4 sleeves and smartphone snap-ons start at $29.95. www.artbird.com

Turn heads in the airport with an ArtBird sleeve.

So someone tried to describe to you how Miami’s so different, so exciting and so not your commute. Know this. No tweet, snapshot or posting will ever be enough. You so have to visit to get it. MiamiandBeaches.com © Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau – The Official Destination Marketing Organization for Greater Miami and the Beaches.

NHDTTD/Christopher D Whiton

Road

By Bryen Dunn

Summer is the time of year when Canadians pack up the vehicle and go road tripping. Ideally situated North of the United States, and the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest undefended border, a drive South is an obvious choice when making travel plans. Canadian Traveller has compiled a list of top scenic drives to bordering states that are highly recommended for your next adventure.

SUMMER 2013 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A SUPPLEMENT TO CT MAGAZINE Www.canadiantraveller.net

Tripping CROSS-BORDER

GETAWAYS

ACROSS THE USA

The freedom of the open road: Springtime view of Profile Lake in Franconia Notch, New Hampshire.

The Idaho Club

Picture perfect: Montana’s Glacier National Park.

the Nez Perce National Historic Center and the Dworshak Reservoir at Orofino.

Idaho

Enter the U.S. via Highway 95 at Porthill and travel down the Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway, part of the International Selkirk Loop, designated North America’s only International Scenic Byway. The Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is a must for wildlife enthusiasts, great hiking can be found around Myrtle Creek Falls and the Selkirk Mountains. Start the next day with a visit to Silverwood Theme Park, the largest in the northwest, before continuing on to Coeur d’Alene, where you can try your luck on the world’s only floating green at the Coeur d’Alene Resort golf course. From there the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway leads to the White Pine Scenic Byway, passing through a wildlife refuge, and the historic towns of Potlatch and St. Maries, where rafting, fishing or relaxing inner tube floats are offered on the St. Joe River. Further on past Lewiston is the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway, where you can find

Top 5 Sights • Silverwood Theme Park • Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge • Nez Perce National Historical Park • Dworshak State Park • Coeur d’Alene Resort and Golf Course insider info • Where To Stay: Dover Bay Cottages in Sandpoint, Huckleberry Tent & Breakfast in Clark Fork, Red Lion Hotel in Lewiston, Best Western Plus Lodge at Rivers Edge in Orofino, or the River Dance Lodge near Kooskia. •B est Breakfast: Badger’s Den in Bonners Ferry. •B est Lunch: Papa Byrd’s Bistro in Bonners Ferry, Hudson’s Hamburgers, or in Coeur d’Alene. • Best Diner/Dive: Chic and Chop in Bonners Ferry, Woodlot Tavern & Café in Ahsaka near Orofino, or the Wolf Lodge Steak House in Coeur d’Alene. More information: www.visitidaho.org.

RIVER CRUISING

Spectacular Reasons to Make TORONTO

Lake Ontario

Rochester ERIE CANAL

NIAGARA FALLS

Lake Erie

FINGER LAKES REGION

GEORGE EASTMAN HOUSE

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PLAY at THE STRONG

Base of ★ theYour Visit! FINGER LAKES

CORNING

ERIE CANAL FESTIVALS

hoosing a base for your vacation or getaway is really important. By staying in the Rochester area, you have “must-see” family attractions, nationally famous sites and some wonderful surprises for grown-ups – all within a few minutes! Plus, you’ll be all set to enjoy great day trips to the Finger Lakes region, Niagara Falls and the historic Erie Canal.

WORLD-CLASS DANCE

Check out www.visitrochester.com for great events, festivals and super value offers! GENESEE COUNTRY VILLAGE & MUSEUM

. com 38

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® NYSDED, used w/permission.

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Bob Webster

Watch the sun sink into Lake Pend Oreille in Northern Idaho

Montana

One of the most beautiful road trips in Montana is around and through Glacier National Park – the second biggest reason why people visit Montana after Yellowstone National Park. Glacier National Park is the centre of one of the largest and most intact ecosystems in North America. Not only is the park noted for its spectacular drives, but options for red bus tours, boat tours, horseback riding, canoeing and over 1,120 kilometres of hiking trails make this a must. With wildflowers, alpine vistas and waterfalls along the way, this will be an experience that you won’t forget. Don’t forget to look up into the big sky, especially on a clear night when the whole galaxy is on display. There are some incredible historic lodges that surround the borders of the park, which make for unique stays while exploring Glacier. Top 5 Sights: • Going to the Sun Road • Logan Pass • Avalanche Gorge • St. Mary Lake • Many Glacier Valley insider info • Where To Stay: Many Glacier Hotel or the Lake McDonald Lodge. • Best Breakfast: Johnsons of St Mary. • Best Lunch: Two Sisters Café. • Best Diner/Dive: Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant. More information: www.visitmt.com.

The most popular excursions are the Lewis and Clark Scenic Drives, especially around the Williston area, which is rich in riverboat, fur trade and military history. Start at the Lewis and Clark State Park on Highway 1804, and make your way toward Fort Buford, a military post that was established in 1866. Of special note are Little Missouri National Grasslands, Old Grassy Butte Post Office, and the authentic Old West town of Medora. Other stops include the Enchanted Highway in Gladstone with its iconic metal sculptures, and the extraordinary Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in the Washburn area. End your travels with a visit to the International Peace Garden, where more than 150,000 annuals planted each year symbolize the peace between Canada and the United States. Top 5 Sights • Pioneer Museum and Heritage Park, Watford City • Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The Mississippi River from overlook at Great Bluffs State Park, Minnesota.

• Old Grassy Butte Post Office • Dakota Dinosaur Museum, Dickinson • Riverboat Cruise, Washburn insider info •W here To Stay: Riverdale High Lodge. •B est Breakfast: Fried’s Family Restaurant, Mandan. •B est Lunch: Six Shooters Bar & Grill, Watford City. •B est Diner/Dive: Big Boy, Bismarck. More information: www.ndtourism.com.

Minnesota

An ideal drive via the Pembina Highway is the Great River Road itinerary, which can be accomplished partially in a weekend or in its entirety over a full week. The route follows the path of the Mississippi River from its starting point in Itasca State Park. Drive to the Victorian river town of Red Wing, then continue South along the Mississippi, enjoying the breathtaking views of sandstone cliffs, and passing through Lake City, Kellogg, Wabasha, Winona and LaCrescent. The mighty river flows Southeast to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis Saint Paul, then further South through the state’s Bluff Country, before continuing on to the Gulf of Mexico. Saint Paul is the historic state capital, while Minneapolis is more contemporary. Great

For group tours, contact Judy Wood at jwood@visitTucson.org

Richard Taylor/www.creativecommons.org

North Dakota

Dramatic falls at Pinkham Notch, North Dakota.

shopping can be found, and there’s no sales tax on clothing or shoes in the state. Top 5 Sights • Itasca State Park and Douglas Lodge • Minnesota State Fair • Hill Annex Mine • Paul Bunyan’s Playhouse, Bemidji • Judy Garland’s Birthplace and Museum, Grand Rapids insider info • Where To Stay: AmericInns and Country Inn & Suites, throughout the state. • Best Breakfast: Hell’s Kitchen, Key’s Café or Manny’s Steakhouse in Minneapolis. • Best Lunch: Tavern on Grand in Saint Paul or Zarbaz Pizza (various locations). • Best Diner/Dive: Anywhere in Dorset or Mickey’s Diner and Dairyette in Saint Paul. Try a ‘Juicy Lucy’, a cheese-embedded hamburger patty, found at Matt’s and the Five 8’s Club (both in Minneapolis), The Nook across the river in Saint Paul, or the Blue Door (locations in both cities). More information: www.exploreminnesota.com.

visitTucson.org www.canadiantraveller.net A SUPPLEMENT TO CT MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2013

Wild beauty at Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Michigan

Cross the International Bridge from Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, to Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, and travel along the Lake Superior shoreline on Curley Lewis Memorial Highway. This leads to Seney National Wildlife Refuge and up to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Then head south to Escanaba and back East along the Northern Lake Michigan coastline, which goes all the way into St. Ignace, where the ferry crosses to Mackinac Island. Complete this journey by following the I-75 back up to Sault Ste Marie. A second option would be to cross into Detroit from Windsor, spend a day or two exploring Detroit, then head south on I-75 to Monroe, across the M-50 to Tecumseh, before heading back North on US-12 to Ann Arbor. Top 5 Sights • Soo Locks • Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum • Seney National Wildlife Refuge • Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore • Fayette State Historic Park, Kitch-iti-kipi, and The Big Spring insider info • Where To Stay: Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste Marie, Crews Quarters at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Hampton Inn or Landmark Inn in Marquette, Historic House of Ludington

in Escanaba, or the Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island. • Best Breakfast: Sweetwater Café, Marquette. • Best Lunch: Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub or Mackinac Grille and Waterfront Pub in St Ignace. • Best Diner/Dive: Antlers Restaurant in Sault Ste Marie, Wilcox Fish House in Brimley, or The Vierling & Marquette Harbor Brewery. More information: www.michigan.org.

Ohio

State Route 2 is by far one of the most interesting drives in Ohio. Start in Toledo, visit Fort Meigs in Perrysburg, and continue east towards Sandusky to visit Crane Creek and the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, both of which are great for bird enthusiasts. It’s also where thrill seekers can get their fix at the Kalahari Resort riding the Zip Coaster at America’s largest indoor water park, or by riding one of 17 roller coasters at Cedar Point Amusement Park – including the new GateKeeper – which holds the record for the longest drop of any winged coaster. Visit Ohio’s oldest winery at Heineman’s Winery, and the Crystal Cave, the world’s largest recorded geode, which is located directly below the winery. Then on to Lake Erie Islands and Kelleys Island, which are dreams for outdoor enthusiasts.

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Yeomans Stock/www.creativecommons.org

Glistening formations in Ohio’s Crystal Cave.

Further travels pass through Huron, Vermilion, the wine region, Amish Country, and finally, Cleveland. Top 5 Sights • Heineman’s Winery and Crystal Cave • Kalahari Resort, Sandusky • Lake Erie Islands • Kelleys Island State Park • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland insider info • Where To Stay: The Hotel at UTMC, Best Western Premier Grand Plaza Hotel in Toledo, Kalahari Resort & Waterpark or The Simpson-Flint House in Sandusky, Sawmill Creek Resort or Captain Montagues B&B in Huron, Maumee Bay State Park Lodge in Maumee, or the Island House Hotel in Port Clinton. • Best Breakfast: Glass City Cafe in Toledo, Berardi’s Family Kitchen in Sandusky, or Big Al’s Diner in Cleveland. •B est Lunch: Tony Packo’s Café in Toledo, Manny’s Sports Tavern in Sandusky, or Noodlecat in Cleveland. •B est Diner/Dive: Schmucker’s Restaurant in Toledo, East Side Café in Sandusky, or AMP150 in Cleveland. More information: www.discoverohio.com.

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Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau

www.iloveny.com

Get lost in the 2.4 million hectares of Adirondack Park, New York.

In Pennsylvania Elk Country, visitors can see the largest herds of free-roaming elk this side of the Mississippi.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s a land of vast wilderness, tall trees and flowing fields of foliage, which can be explored via iconic Route 6, starting in Erie. Stop by the Erie Art Museum and Warner Theatre before heading to the 1,300-hectare Presque Isle State Park sandy peninsula. Next stop is the National Historic District of Bradford where the Zippo and Case Museum and the Penn Brad Oil Museum can be found. Following the Allegheny River, the Smethport Mansion District provides a great display of English Gothic architecture, and it’s also part of the PA Wilds Artisan Trail. Stop by Kinzua Bridge State Park, home of the Kinzua Viaduct and Kinzua Skywalk, which extends some 190 meters into the Kinzua Gorge. The Elk Scenic Drive runs through Benezette, home to one of the largest herds of free-roaming elk along the Mississippi. Top 5 Sites • Presque Isle • Kinzua Skywalk • Allegheny National Forest • Elk Country Visitors Center • Benzette Winery insider info • Where To Stay: Mansion District Inn in Smethport, Crestmont Inn in Eagles Mere, or the Benezette Hotel in Benezette.

•B est Breakfast: Derrick City Diner in Bradford. •B est Lunch: Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield. •B est Diner/Dive: Route 6 Diner in Smethport or the Twigs Café in Tunkhannock. More information: www.visitpa.com.

New York

A vacation in New York State is truly an unforgettable experience, with more than 20 state and national scenic byways to explore. The High Peaks Byway is great for exploring the outdoors of the Adirondacks Region and Lake Placid. The Adirondack High Peaks are 46 mountain peaks towering over 1,200 metres high, and Lake Placid has hosted two Winter Olympic Games. The Adirondack Trail runs from Fonda, just below the southern border of the Adirondack Park, to Malone, which lies a few miles south of Canada. Blue Mountain Lake is home to various artisan gift stores and the nationallyacclaimed Adirondack Museum, while the Adirondacks Lakes Center for the Arts offers a colourful array of concerts, theatre productions, films, gallery exhibits and workshops.

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Alternatively, check out the state’s new ‘Path Through History’ routes, which help visitors discover, understand and experience New York’s amazing past. Created to showcase the state’s unparalleled network of museums and historic sites, route themes include: Civil rights, the revolutionary war, presidential history, the war of 1812, women’s rights, canals and transportation, sports history, immigration, natural history, Native American history, colonial history, arts and culture and innovation and commerce. You can build your own Path Through History itinerary at http://paththroughhistory.ny.gov.

Top 5 Sights • Mount Marcy • Olympic Bobsled Run & Olympic Ski Jumping Complex • High Falls Gorge • Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway • Main Street Lake Placid insider info • Where To Stay: Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, Dartbrook Lodge in Keene, Alpine Country Inn & Suites in Wilmington, or the Roostercomb Inn in Keene Valley. • Best Breakfast: Saranac Sourdough in Lake Placid. • Best Lunch: Big Mountain Deli or the Creperie in Lake Placid. • Best Diner/Dive: Noonmark Diner in Keene. More information: www.iloveny.com.

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Vermont’s stunning Scenic Route 100 Byway now encompasses small towns like Jamaica.

Vermont

The Scenic Route 100 Byway chases the Green Mountains from the Canadian border to Massachusetts. The 221-kilometre Vermont section is known as one of the most scenic drives in New England, as it has an abundance of historic, cultural, scenic, natural, and recreational activities to discover. In April, the Vermont Transportation Board formally approved the Scenic Route 100 Byway expansion, so it now encompasses some 20 towns. It is now Vermont’s second largest Byway, crisscrossing along the spine of the Green Mountains from the Mad River Byway to the Massachusetts’s border. Top 5 Sights • Thundering Brook Falls • Killington Peak Gondola • President Calvin Coolidge’s Homestead • Long Trail Hike • Vermont Country Store in Weston

Reflect upon the glorious colours of New Hampshire.

insider info • Where To Stay: Amee Farm in Pittsfield, Red Clover Inn or Killington Grand in Killington, and the Equinox Resort or the Reluctant Panther in Manchester. • Best Breakfast: Rochester Café & Country Store in Rochester, Johnny Boy’s Pancake House in Killington, or Maple Sugar and Vermont Spice in Mendon. •B est Lunch: Long Trail Brewery in Bridgewater. •B est Diner/Dive: The Perfect Wife in Manchester or the Downtown Grocery in Ludlow. More information: www.vermontvacation.com.

New Hampshire

Begin your tour by driving along Moose Alley to try out a whitewater river adventure in Milan. Work your way south through Pinkham Notch into the White Mountain National Forest, and then wake up the next morning to sample the tax-free shopping in North Conway. Drive to Meredith to explore the lakefront resort town, and then spend two days along

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the seacoast, allowing for a full day to explore the hip and historic downtown of Portsmouth and another full day to catch some rays on Hampton Beach. On your way home, stop in Hanover, home of Dartmouth College. Top 5 Sites • Le Rendez Vous Bakery, Colebrook • North Woods Rafting, Milan • Mount Washington Cruises, Lake Winnipesaukee • Prescott Park Performances, Portsmouth • The Fells Historic Estate, Newbury insider info • Where To Stay: Residence Inn in North Conway, Hanover Inn in Hanover, or the Ashworth by the Sea in Hampton. • Best Breakfast: Kellerhaus in Laconia or Popovers in Portsmouth. • Best Lunch: At Bear Tree’s or Murphy Steakhouse in Pittsburg or Hattie Evans Dining Car on the Conway Scenic Railroad. • Best Diner/Dive: 104 Diner in New Hampton, Gilley’s PM Lunch in Portsmouth, or the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester. More information: www.visitnh.gov.

escape for a little while It's a place where Jersey Shore meets local couture. Over 90 hip-class eateries will tempt every taste bud and our antique shops, theaters, boutiques, hotels, salons and galleries bring a bustling vibe to our sidewalks. Spend your next vacation in what Smithsonian Magazine named the 3rd best small town in America, only five short miles from the Jersey Shore. Head on over for an hour, the day, or overnight in Red Bank.

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TheMollyPitcher.com While visiting in Red Bank stay at one of the two most charming full service boutique hotels located on the Navesink River. Walking distance to Red Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s downtown area, Molly Pitcher Inn and The Oyster Point Hotel are fabulous destinations for groups, social events, business or leisure travelers. Enjoy fine or casual dining in either of our two restaurants and let us spoil you with our outstanding quality and award winning service. PAID FOR BY JERSEY SHORE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU, RED BANK RIVERCENTER, MOLLY PITCHER INN & THE OYSTER POINT HOTEL

The Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau is sponsored in part by a grant from the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism.

Maine Office of Tourism

Moxie Falls is a scenic waterfall just a few miles from Maine’s famous whitewater rafting river, the Kennebec.

Maine

Maine has a rich cultural and historic heritage clearly demonstrated throughout the Kennebec Chaudière Heritage Corridor, which stretches 368 kilometres from Popham Beach to Quebec City along Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway. Two river valleys help form this corridor, the Kennebec and Chaudière. The stretch of land along the rivers offers visitors an unparalleled cultural experience from the undisturbed wilderness in Jackman, to the coastal Merrymeeting Bay. The more adventurous should try whitewater rafting at Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort in The Forks. Top 5 Sights • Maine Maritime Museum, Bath • Kennebec Chaudière Hallowell Turnout • Maine State Museum, Augusta • South Solon Meeting House, South Solon • Moxie Falls, The Forks insider info • Where To Stay: The Inn at Bath in Bath or Northern Outdoors at The Forks. • Best Breakfast: Mae’s Café & Bakery, Bath. • Best Lunch: Kennebec River Brewery & Pub. • Best Diner/Dive: A1 Diner in Gardiner.

Virginia

Enter Virginia via the I-81 and head to Front Royal, where you can enter Shenandoah National Park. Here the Skyline Drive weaves south for 168 kilometres across the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Breathtaking scenery awaits around every turn, and the park boasts a variety of native wildlife, such as white-tail deer and black bears. Stop at the visitor center at Big Meadow Wayside, milepost 51, for an overview of all the activities the park offers. Near Waynesboro the Skyline Drive joins the Blue Ridge Parkway, which continues south with more outstanding scenic vistas. The Parkway crosses The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. Follow the Crooked Road to explore the history of old-time and country music and meet talented local musicians.

More information: www.visitmaine.com. 46

There’s no rush at Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway.

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Top 5 Sights • Luray Caverns • Monticello • The Cascades Golf Course at the Homestead • Center in the Square, Roanoke • Heartwood insider info •W here To Stay: Skyland Resort in the Shenandoah National Park, Mimsyln Inn in Luray, Doughat State Park in Millboro, Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, or the Hotel Floyd in Floyd. •B est Breakfast: Gospel Brunch at Heartwood in Abingdon or the Lexington Restaurant in Lexington. •B est Lunch: Burger Bar in Bristol, Big Meadows Lodge in the Shenandoah National Park, or the Galax Smokehouse in Galax. •B est Diner/Dive: Cuz’s Uptown Barbecue in Pounding Mill or the Greenwood Family Restaurant in Troutville. More information: www.virginia.org. a

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