James murray checks the health of hives he keeps at a farm in east gwillimbury.
England to the Colony of Virginia early in 1622. That honeybees were sent over among the colony’s earliest supplies is indicative of how valued honey was at the time. The 19th century saw a revolution in beekeeping practices when Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth, a minister from Pennsylvania, perfected the movable comb hive in 1852. For thousands of years previously, colonies of honeybees were kept in wooden boxes, straw skeps, pottery vessels and other containers. Honeycombs built in such hives could not be removed and manipulated like the movable combs of today. Langstroth’s hives, which most of us are familiar with today, include a series of wooden frames upon which bees build their
honeycombs within a rectangular hive box. The space between the movable wooden frames allowed bees passage between and around combs. The genius of this design is that it enables the beekeeper to slide any frame out of the hive for inspection or harvesting. The emptied honeycombs can then be returned to the bees intact for refilling. This invention fostered the growth of honey production across North America and gave Langstroth the title “the father of modern beekeeping.” Though beekeeping is niche today, most farmers in years past kept a few colonies of bees in box hives to supply their own needs and to pollinate their crops. Murray’s great-grandfather was among them. “I grew up hearing stories of my great-
grandfather’s beehives from my grandmother and I guess that sparked a bit of interest in me,” Murray explains. “But my passion for bees really started while I was working at a garden centre that had bees. I thought they were really cool and started my own hives when I was 19, having learned a lot from a mentor and from reading all kinds of old texts on the subject.” Today he has 80 hives in all. Some he keeps on his own property and others on local farms. “You can only keep so many hives in an area or they will begin to compete against one another or against native bumblebees, which you don’t want to drive out. I have a good rapport with farmers because they recognize my bees are helping pollinate their crops,” Murray explains. » GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 47
portfolio|Beekeeper James Murray
Sadly, Murray notes that modern farming practices—particularly that of corn and soy— are harmful to bees of all kinds—honeybees and native bumblebees alike, because of the widespread use of pesticides. Pesticides remain active in the soil for years and accumulate with each seasonal spraying, essentially poisoning the pollen and nectar of plants. Tragically, these pesticides cause bees to develop Alzheimerlike symptoms that cause them to forget how to return to their hives. The result is the queen and her young starve to death. Murray is quick to point out that farmers have the right to protect their crops as it represents their livelihood, but says modern farming practices use chemicals as a preventative rather than a cure “Essentially, it would be like you taking antibiotics every morning in case you might get sick, rather than to treat an illness,” he explains. But, as indicated by those allowing Murray to set up hives on their properties, many farmers recognize the value of bees in pollinating their fruits and vegetables. A single apple blossom, for example, needs three bee visits to produce an apple. No bees, no apples, it’s as simple as that. “There’s a common misconception that bees make honey from pollen. They don’t. They eat pollen for protein,” notes Murray. “Instead, bees make honey from nectar, which they feed on over the winter. Because bees produce about four times more honey than they actually need, there is always leftover for the beekeeper to harvest.” Honey is typically harvested in late summer. Frames are lifted from the hive for inspection. On a completely filled frame, the bees would have capped over the honey-filled cells with wax for storage. The wax caps are cut off and the frames put in centrifuge to spin the honey out. The honey then goes in tanks to settle. It’s then bottled and ready to be sold. Beekeeping is kept alive and well in York Region into the 21st century by a handful of local beekeepers, James Murray among them. The uniqueness of the region is tasted in each jar of the golden, sweet honey his hard-working bees produce. 48 | GoodLife • September - October 2015
events|things to do
11
THINGS to DO in your community
1
markham Fair october 1 to 3 markham fairgrounds from midway rides and monster truck madness to the heavy horse show and animal displays to children’s entertainers, live bands and great foods, the markham fair offers fun for the whole family. information: markhamfair.ca
2
sultans of string Concert october 1 nineteen on the park, stouffville Known for dizzying music jams, poly-rhythms and revved up riffs, the sultans of string sound can’t be pinned down—it’s sable island meets the silk road, with detours through the coffeehouses of eastern europe, next an east coast kitchen party, then over to bustling markets of cuba and lebanon. fiery violin dances with kinetic guitar while a funky bass lays down unstoppable grooves. throughout, acoustic strings meet electronic wizardry to create layers and depth of sound. information: nineteenonthepark.com
4
Flato markham theatre Annual gala october 17 canadian fiddle masters natalie macmaster and donnell leahy join forces to bring one of the most entertaining performances of the season, celebrating the 30th anniversary of flato markham theatre. the two musicians will treat patrons to a night of uplifting and joyous celtic and folk music. the event will also include dinner and silent auction. funds raised will support the theatre’s discovery program. information: markham.ca
5
30th Anniversary Celebration october 18 flato markham theatre celebrate the remarkable 30-year history of flato markham theatre at a "doors open" event that includes free tours of the theatre, cake and special presentations from founding partners markham concert band, markham little theatre and unionville high school. information: markham.ca
6
the Best of motus o october 24 nineteen on the park, stouffville motus o dance theatre turns 25! in celebration of this quarter century milestone, the company has selected its most popular nostalgic and classic pieces that have been entertaining audiences across canada for 25 years and have put them all into one show. information: nineteenonthepark.com
sultans of string
3
Albert schultz’s Frankly, sinatra october 14 richmond hill centre for the performing arts for the first time in york region, the acclaimed soulpepper theatre company takes the stage with frankly, sinatra. starring one of canada’s greatest actors, soulpepper artistic director albert schultz, frankly, sinatra is the answer to the question: Who is the greatest and most influential interpretive artist of the 20th century? schultz weaves an evening of words and music that will warm your heart, fill your mind, tickle your funny bone and get you moving in the aisles. information: rhcentre.ca
7
Classic gems october 25 richmond hill centre for the performing arts the symphonic orchestra and its music has been a part of the fabric of life for centuries. richmond hill philharmonic orchestra presents the best of the best symphonic orchestra, comprising selected movements from some of the greatest composers who took orchestral music to new levels in their era. take a journey through time, beginning with britten’s young person’s guide to the orchestra, and visiting selected movements from significant symphonies of haydn, mozart, beethoven, berlioz, brahms, tchaikovsky, dvoák and mahler. information: rhpo.ca
natalie MacMaster
8
soldiers of song november 5 to 7 nineteen on the park, stouffville soldiers of song is a live theatre performance about the world famous dumbells. Juno-nominated musician Jason Wilson and cast resurrect the comedy of a group that entertained soldiers in first World War. information: nineteenonthepark.com
9
Winter habitat Walk november 14 york regional forest, hollidge tract, 16389 hwy. 48, Whitchurch-stouffville learn how animals, insects and birds prepare for winter. build a feeder box or birdhouse to take home. registration required. information: york.ca/forestevents
10
downtown stouffville Farmers market thursdays until october 8 6240 main st. the downtown stouffville farmers› market is a locally grown, producer-focused market. We celebrate the wonderful bounty of freshly produced products from our farmers, businesses and neighbours in ontario. information: townofws.ca
11
main street markham Farmers market saturdays until october 10 markham road and highway 7 specializing in farm fresh products, this charming market features organically grown fruits and vegetables, as well as baked goods, preserves, flowers and more.
online
Looking for something fun to do? check out events on yorkregion.com
GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 49
Portfolio |Sheri STRanger
50 | GoodLife • September - October 2015
Fine Art Meets Affordable Fashion By Joann MacDonald | Photography By Naomi Hiltz Not everyone can afford to buy a large-scale piece of original art. For those who love art but don’t have the deep pockets to pay for it, York Region artist Sheri STRanger has developed a fun and fashion-forward line of wearable art, including handbags, leggings, watches, hooded jackets and more — each piece features images from her own original artwork. STRanger moved to Stouffville recently from Toronto’s vibrant Parkdale neighbourhood, where she and her filmmaker partner, Richard Vandentillaart, shared a tight live/work space. With room to spread out now, STRanger can more freely explore her work in paint, mixed media and textiles. “I started making art as a kid with my grandmother,” STRanger says. “She was really crafty.” Like many little girls, STRanger designed her own clothing using Fashion Plates, the classic fashion drawing kit. Her fascination with art continued in high school, where she found herself a bit of an outcast in art classes. “My art was a bit dark,” she says. Feeling pressured to get “a real job,” STRanger did just that. “About 30 different ones,” she says with a laugh. “I did everything, including administration, finance, property management and customer service. At the same time, I always did some kind of self-employment as an artist.” She created murals and faux finishes in private houses, studied early childhood education and
taught arts and music to children. When her husband, Daniel Townsley, was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, STRanger gave up work to care for him until his death 16 months later. She wouldn’t re-launch her art career for two more years. “It was really important to me because my husband made huge sacrifices so I could work part-time and keep my arts going,” she says. STRanger found new focus by joining Workman Arts, a company that explores the impact of the arts on the lives of people living with mental illness and addiction. She “fell in love with sewing” while working on the Mad Couture Catwalk, which debuted at the Art Gallery of Ontario in 2012. STRanger’s husband had proposed at the Art Gallery of Ontario, confident that she would show her art there one day. With his vision coming to fruition and the thrill of participating in the show, she had a lightbulb moment. “I said, ‘Why didn’t I think of this before? I’m going to take art and stick it on products. It just sort of happened and caught on and I went with it.’” Her clothing and bags feature new and previous art projects. A “Parkdale News” shoulder bag, for example, depicts images from a performance piece about the gentrification of Parkdale. Other pieces show a project she completed for Mental Health Day, when stills from a large collage became a video aired on TTC subway platforms. STRanger’s wearable
leggings might have digital images taken from a painting or collage or from new digital artwork or photography. She might repeat a small excerpt from an artwork in a pattern and she changes colours to suit trends. The unisex Switch messenger bag has a front panel that snaps on and off so you can change the look of your bag without transferring the contents. It also has a padded insert for your iPad or Kindle. Handbag images are printed on polyester; they’re permanent and won’t fade in sunlight. STRanger uses materials such as leather, polyurethane and polyester. The messenger bag is fully nylon, making it a good vegan option. Styles range from “street style to pretty,” STRanger says. If you don’t see something that suits, the artist makes custom wearable art pieces and commissioned artwork. With a line of cushions and coasters featuring photos of animals (specifically their fur) that she took in India, Nepal and Africa, STRanger also brings art into people’s living rooms in a whole new way. “Art can seem inaccessible to people because paintings can be expensive. I wanted art to be accessible to the masses,” she says. Find Sheri STRanger’s wearable art at The Hearty Artichoke in Stouffville, in her Etsy shop or online at sheristranger.com. Visit STRanger Artiste on Facebook.
GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 51
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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 53
culture|Markham Theatre
THE S OF THE
Flato Markham The
OF THE THE S by Chris
Flato Markham The
54 | GoodLife • September - October 2015
SPIRIT E STAGE
eatre marks 30 years
E STAGE SPIRIT trABer
eatre marks 30 years
GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 55
culture|Markham Theatre
“
Theatre is a concentrate of life as normal. Theatre is a purified version of real life, an extraction, an essence of human behaviour that is stranger and more tragic and more perfect than everything that is ordinary about me and you.” –Eleanor Catton, The Rehearsal
R
evered British actress Maggie Smith once opined, “I like the ephemeral thing about theatre, every performance is like a ghost—it’s there and then it’s gone.” A universal truth, but Flato Markham Theatre audiences, artists and stakeholders all contend that the little-community-playhouse- thatcould always seems to leave each with a special, ethereal post-show spirit. “The theatre is all about community,” general manager Eric Lariviere says of the town-owned facility celebrating its 30th anniversary. “It is what Markham is, diverse and growing. For a place built on a cornfield 30 years ago, it has become positive and important, bold and incredible.” Born during the region’s building boom of the 1980s, the Markham Theatre for Performing Arts opened for local and school-based productions. Not unlike the town, it struggled with growing pains. Isolated and pocket-sized compared to Toronto’s big stages, the theatre worked diligently and creatively to find audiences. In the early days, the venue was often dark— theatre-speak for closed—recalled business and rental manager Scott Hill, who joined the theatre in 1989 as a part-time technician. From the beginning, the intimate 527-seat theatre, with its clear acoustics and sight lines, quaint upper box seats and balcony, had a notable lure. “Through the years, this theatre has always
attracted staff who care about community and the arts,” Hill says. “The same amount of attention is put into a local production for 30 people as would be for a sold-out professional production. “It’s important to all of us that we make it the best show that day.” The theatre’s cachet grew and accelerated. In 1988, The Super Dave Osborne Show began a four-year run, filming the slapstick variety television show at the theatre. Starring Bob Einstein, the series spoofed daredevils of the day with major musical guests performing between Osborne’s disastrous comedic stunts. All of a sudden, it wasn’t uncommon to see the likes of Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Jerry Lee Lewis, Kenny Rogers, Steve Allen, Sonny Bono and the Smothers Brothers in town. The show and its little host theatre was drawing huge stars, validating the burgeoning town’s status as the place in which to live and do business. The show’s producers invited the community to serve as the on-air audience and encouraged people to be extras. Theatre event and promotion assistant Andrea Smitko was eight when her mom took her to a taping. “It was a ‘best of’ show and local kids were asked to sit on Super Dave’s lap and recall their favourite episodes,” she said. “I got to go
Iconic horn-driven American soul, R&B and funk band Tower of Power 56 | GoodLife • September - October 2015
backstage and to the rehearsal hall. It was my introduction to theatre, it was fun and I will always remember that day. It sparked my interest in the arts.” Renamed after Flato Developments acquired naming rights in 2012, the theatre continues to thrive. It is booked with more acts and functions than days in the year, says Lariviere, a veteran impresario who joined the venue in 2009. Part of the management strategy is to anticipate entertainment trends, focus on Canadian talent, bring back popular performers, satisfy the entertainment appetites of York’s diverse cultural communities and provide a stage for education and local productions. “We try to connect with various audiences,” he says, referring to an exceeding eclectic fall playbill featuring world stage acts, jazz, pop, nostalgia, magic, dance, comedy, ballet and family and kid’s programs. Markham Councillor Logan Kanapathi, who began calling York home two years after the theatre opened, concurs. “It’s a fantastic venue,” he said. “Different cultural groups perform there. It’s a hub, a focal point for the South Asian community, not only in Markham, but across the GTA.” Lariviere adds, “One of the attributes of our brand is the opportunity to see major productions normally reserved for a 2,000-seat venue. We’ve
The Irish Rovers
“
To enter a theatre for a performance is to be inducted into a magical space, to be ushered into the sacred arena of the imagination.” –Simon Callow, Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World
become a cultural destination. Artists love to come here.” The Irish Rovers have toured for more than five decades and have played the theatre often, next on Nov. 5. “Our first impression first driving to it, was that we were lost in some suburban neighbourhood and there couldn’t possibly be a theatre here,” band leader George Millar recalls. “The Markham Theatre is as good as any small theatre on the North American circuit and has become one of our favourites stops. We’ve discovered over the years that good theatre management and staff are the difference between an enjoyable evening and a not so enjoyable evening, for both the performers and audience. Happily, we’ve always been treated royally at the Markham.” The Nylons, a hugely popular Toronto-based a cappella group, know the theatre well. “The most memorable shows were in December 1990 when we recorded our live album “4 on the Floor” there,” co-founder Claude Morrison said. “It was our final project before the loss of our beloved founder and colleague, Marc Connors. “Each and every return to Markham is like coming home, the welcome from staff and audiences alike has been so warm and generous.” Iconic horn-driven American soul, R&B and funk band, Tower of Power, always includes the
theatre on their Canadian tours. “We’ve played all over the world since 1968 in theatres, stadiums and outdoor venues and clubs and Markham is always a highlight for us,” says band founder, saxophonist and vocalist Emilio Castillo from his Scottsdale, AZ home. “It’s a classy venue. It sounds good. There’s no nosebleed section. They’re used to working with name artists. They fill us and they know how to treat us.” Preparing for autumn tours through Japan and Europe, Castillo is looking forward to returning to Markham. “It’s on our radar, yes, absolutely certain,” he enthused. Thornhill entertainment executive Renata Richardson and her family look forward to receiving the theatre’s program. “We pore over it, deciding on what we want to see,” said the longtime patron. “They have something for everyone. “It’s great having a world class theatre with top rate shows close to home. It’s grand yet intimate, ideally located, easy to get to and every seat is a good one. We always exit feeling like we’ve experienced something extraordinary.” The Benson family and the theatre arrived in Markham at the same time, matriarch Iris said. “We took out a family subscription and the kids still talk about seeing the Christmas shows and Mr. Dressup and the puppets with Ernie
Coombs,” she said. As her three sons and daughter grew, the theatre “became a big part of our lives,” said the Markham Edward Jones staffer. Youngest son Todd performed there with the Markville High School Band. Middle boy Adrian studied musical theatre at the same school, often performing at the Markham Theatre. While studying theatre production at Sheridan College, he co-oped at the theatre. For daughter Holly, 21, the theatre was a second home during her 14 years as a member of AB Dance. Holly was barely three when she was introduced to the limelight. “Our showcase event at the theatre was the highlight of the year,” the Wilfrid Laurier University communications student said. “The theatre was a dream come true. It made you feel as though you were in show business, a star. AB Dance competed on many different stages, but the Markham Theatre was unique, the feeling is inexplicable, one I’ll happily carry the rest of my life.” The magic that is live theatre has spawned countless tales of resident specters and apparitions. Perhaps Markham’s beloved theatre is too young to have its own, believes Lariviere. “I’m not sure that we have a phantom of the Flato Markham Theatre,” he said. “But, if we can be as bold in spirit as those who created it, we’ll be doing a good job.”
A cappella group The Nylons: Claude Morrison, Tyrone Gabriel, Garth Mosbaugh and Gavin Hope.
GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 57
travel|Seville
Bar at nightfall
58 | GoodLife • September - October 2015
S
e l l i v e S e l b i t s i s e r r i d n a c i t a Charism STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY by Cathy Hillard
Seville in the heat of an Andalucían summer and only the tourists are out walking the streets by day. But at night, it is a different story. As the sun goes down, hearts beat a little faster and the city comes to life with a sense of romance and excitement. Seville is a destination on many people’s bucket lists and for good reason. With its enchanting narrow streets, vibrant culture and fascinating history, it breathes an intensity that is both steeped in the past and very much alive in the present. History and architecture Due to its location on the Guadalquivir River, Seville has been drawing people to it for more than 3,000 years. Originally settled by the Romans, the Moors set up home here in the 8th century when they conquered parts of Spain, and much of their influence can still be seen around the city. After the reconquista in the 13th century, the city became the favourite place of the Spanish monarchy and as wealth poured into the Spanish Empire in the ensuing centuries, Seville became the beneficiary. Many of the lavish architectural gems in the city date back to this “golden age.” When Christopher Columbus set sail from Seville to discover the New World in 1492, he set in motion the trade that would fuel the wealth of the Spanish Empire. Everywhere you go in Seville you are reminded of its link to Columbus. Much controversy surrounds his actual birthplace and colourful stories of lost coffins
and repatriated remains mean that no one is absolutely sure that the tomb in Seville’s 15th century Cathedral really contains his body, but the city nevertheless trades on its association with Columbus and celebrates him as its own. Food and culture Seville claims to have invented tapas and, as a result, every district is teeming with tapas bars. Although tempting to settle in one place and soak up the atmosphere, it’s best to experience things the way the locals do, moving from bar to bar, tasting and drinking a little at each. The Andalucíans like their meat, so vegetarians beware, but do be adventurous; your taste buds will thank you. Flamenco also has its roots in Seville and, like bullfighting, is very much part of the tradition and culture. Shows are offered in every district, but the most authentic flamenco is spontaneous and is most likely to be found in late-night watering holes. Places to go Royal Alcázar: The oldest royal palace still in use today, the majestic Alcázar personifies Seville’s many-layered history. Every civilization that has touched Spain has used it as its court. During Moorish rule, it housed a harem of 800 women and, exploring the palace today, it’s possible to imagine those women languidly passing the time within the confines of the beautiful courtyards and terraces. » GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 59
travel|Seville Cathedral and the Giralda: Seville’s cathedral is the largest Gothic church in the world and the adjacent minaret tower, the Giralda, is one of only three remaining Almohad minarets in the world. Dominating the city’s skyline, it is worth the climb to the top to gaze over the jumble of rooftops and the horse-drawn carriages and cafes below. Barrio Santa Cruz district: The area around the cathedral is a delight of cobbled alleyways, pretty painted houses and tapas bars. Many homes have private shady patios that serve as living rooms in the hotter months and residents don’t seem to mind passers-by taking a peek at them through the iron grilles that face the street. Macarena district: Once a no-go area, this district to the north east of the city is now home to artists, trendy clothes stores and avant-garde eateries. Triana district: Across the river is the centre for azulejo (glazed tile) production, for which the region is famous. Although scruffier and less touristy than Barrio Santa Cruz, pottery souvenir hunters can pick up a better bargain here. Plaza de España: Built in 1929, the Plaza de España and its adjoining María Luisa Park are among the most impressive public spaces in Spain. Evidence of the region’s azulejo tile work is everywhere, especially in the scenes and maps of the provinces all along the front of the building.
Plaza de España
Plaza de España
Giralda
60 | GoodLife • September - October 2015
Royal Alcazar
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travel|River Cruise
Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest
CafĂŠ Hawelka, Vienna
Spanish Riding School, Vienna
Set sail in lu A journey along the historic 62 | GoodLife • September - October 2015
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY by Bart Card
B
Vineyards in Melk, Austria
luxury Danube
y now, it is a well-known fact that I love all things ships and sailing. I grew up, in Bermuda, spending my spare time on sail boats and ships. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed a change in the commercial cruise industry: an increase in the popularity of luxury river cruising. Popular among seniors and families alike, this emerging market offers a slower pace and a smaller ship than the large sea-faring cruise ships. In April, after a long Ontario winter, I had the opportunity to sail on the maiden voyage of Scenic Cruises’ newest luxury river ship, the Scenic Jasper. My voyage on the Jasper would begin in Budapest, visit historic river towns along the Danube and end in Vienna, where the Jasper would be christened. I flew from Toronto to Budapest and spent the first day exploring this fantastic city that I hadn’t been to in over 30 years. The capital of Hungary, Budapest is one of the European Union’s largest cities, home to more than 1.7 million people. Often cited as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, it has an abundance of World Heritage sites, including the river I would be sailing on. Since I was in Budapest for such a short period of time, I decided to do an in-depth tour and hired a local rickshaw driver. Ben took me to the local market, where I spent time exploring the food stalls and marvelling over their beautiful and creative ways of displaying food. He also took me to parts of Budapest not commonly seen by tourists. We explored small alleyways, historical buildings and churches—providing me with perfect opportunities to capture the city on camera. After a great day in Budapest, I arrived at the Jasper and was offered a warm welcome from captain and crew. Founded in 1986, Scenic Cruises has become a leading provider of travel experiences around the world. Owner and chairman Glen Moroney began operating coach tours in his native Australia. Unlike other companies, Scenic owns rather than leases its ships. Because of this, the company has complete control over the design and works with the best European shipbuilders. »
GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 63
travel|River Cruise
Melk Abbey, Budapest
Market, Budapest
Cesky Krumlov, Prague
64 | GoodLife • September - October 2015
In addition to unique designs, Scenic also offers a truly all-inclusive experience. Passengers have no need for their credit cards while on board, unless they want a massage, haircut or to buy a souvenir. The ship I was sailing on was no exception to the Scenic standard. The Jasper is a third generation Scenic ship and offers an array of amenities including some of the largest suites on Europe’s rivers, a front panoramic deck that can be enclosed with all-weather glass, an expanded fine-dining restaurant and an upgraded fitness centre and massage/hair salon. In addition, Scenic offers six unique dining options, tailor-made GPS-guided tours for every guest and electric-assist bicycles. I have to admit that one of my favourite features, one I am always critiquing, was the coffee. Being somewhat of a coffee buff, I tend to judge most of my experiences by the coffee served. Coffee aboard the Jasper was excellent and made more pleasurable by the fact that it was delivered by the butler who served my cabin—wonderful to wake up to every morning. Every cabin on the ship has butler service. The first evening, the cruise director gave a port talk, outlining all of the activities planned for the coming days. After the talk, I enjoyed an evening of Hungarian folk music and dance before heading to my cabin for the night. After a full day of sailing, our first stop was in Dürnstein and then on to Melk. Upon arrival in port, Scenic offers multiple options for day trips and even provides its own luxury coaches
Café Hawelka, Vienna
for those in need of transportation. In Melk, the options included a bike tour from Dürnstein to Melk with stops at several local villages, or lunch and a Wachau wine-tasting with a visit to the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which was built between 1702 and 1736 and sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the town. The next day, we docked in Linz. After a quiet breakfast, I joined a group spending the day exploring the 13th century town of Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. Located on the Vltava River, Cesky Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was, at one time, a very important trade town. Modern day Cesky Krumlov is a small city in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic and is home to a castle of the same name. The castle is unusually large for such a small city and boasts a large Rococo garden and an impressive bridge overlooking the rock on which the castle has been built. The city, itself, hosts a number of festivals and events each year, including the very popular Five-Petalled Rose Festival and the International Music Festival Cesky Krumlov. After an amazing day, I enjoyed the phenomenal food and entertainment at the ship’s gala dinner. The following day, we arrived in Vienna, where we would spend the final days of our voyage. The first day I decided to spend time quietly walking around and exploring this beautiful city. I stopped at the Café Hawelka for a hot chocolate and one of the best pastries I have ever had and just enjoyed the sights and sounds of Vienna. »
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Scenic truly offers a phenomenal cruise experience from the moment you step on the ship to the moment you depart.�
Bridge across the Danube
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travel|River Cruise
Market, Budapest
Liberty Statue, Gellért Hill, Budapest
After dinner on the ship, the guests headed out for an evening concert in the historic Arsenal, a former military complex built in the 1800s and still in use today for testing and research. The music provided a perfect ending to my quiet day. The following day there were three tours offered: the first to Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava; the second to the former home of Austria’s imperial family, Schonbrunn Palace; and the third to the Spanish Riding School to see the breathtaking Lipizzan horses. Being an avid horse lover, I picked the third option. First named in 1572, the Spanish Riding School is a traditional school for Lipizzan horses and centre for classical dressage as well as a famous tourist attraction. In 2008, the school made history by allowing the first woman to train as a rider. Our seats for the show were incredible and the horses were magnificent. I highly recommend a visit for anyone lucky enough to visit Vienna. My final afternoon aboard the Jasper was spent at the christening of the ship. It was a very special occasion for the Jasper and I was thankful to have been a part of this celebration. A ceremonial bottle of champagne was broken over the bow in order to bring good fortune to the ship’s voyages and guests were served champagne and cake. Overall, my luxury river cruise on the Scenic Jasper was a relaxing and enjoyable experience. There is no doubt that the luxury river cruise industry is quickly gaining in popularity and, with more than 1,300 team members worldwide, Scenic truly offers a phenomenal cruise experience from the moment you step on the ship to the moment you depart. For more information, visit scenic.ca.
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