Hello from Ottawa: The Canadian Museum of Contemporary PhotographyMy schedule in Ottawa this past weekend was extremely compressed, but there was one place I wasn’t going to miss: the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography. As a person with no formal background, yet a keen interest in the visual arts and photography, I have been wanting to visit this museum for a long time. And my Internet research revealed that the Museum is featuring a very special exhibition right now: two photographic series by Sunil Gupta, an Indian-born Canadian citizen, exploring issues of identity, culture and the immigrant experience.
Hello from Ottawa: The Canadian War Museum and Its Special Exhibit Weapons of Mass DisseminationAnybody who knows me and my personal family background knows that I absolutely abhor violence and war. War and conflict has existed all throughout human history and it has often baffled me that even in this day and age, in our supposedly advanced civilizations, we still haven’t found more peaceful ways of coexisting.
Hello from Ottawa - Darcy McGee's on Sparks Street: An Irish Pub with a Bit of HistoryWhen travelling to a new place, you might as well combine history with a unique dining experience and good food. So literally steps away from our temporary home at the Lord Elgin Hotel, we found Darcy McGee's, which refers to itself as "Ottawa's Authentic Irish Pub". Darcy McGee's is located at the intersection of Sparks and Elgin Streets, just a stone's throw away from Parliament Hill and all of Ottawa's major sights.
Hello from Ottawa - Confederation Park Celebrates WinterludeConfederation Park is one of the main centres of Ottawa's Winterlude Festival, and what was excellent for us was that we were staying right across the street at the Lord Elgin Hotel. So all we had to do was literally cross the street and we were right in the heart of the action.
Hello from Ottawa - The 26th Annual Bedz Races on Dow's Lake - Charity and Hilarity at the same timeWhen I was making my travel plans to Ottawa I had a look at all the events that are part of Winterlude, Ottawa's Winter Festival, and there was one event that caught my attention right away: the 26th Annual Bed Race at Dows lake.
Hello from Ottawa - Skating on the Rideau Canal - Officially the World's Largest Skating RinkThere is no denying it: Ottawa is known is one of the coldest capitals in the world (only as far as temperatures are concerned though). But does that mean you stay at home during the winter and mope? Absolutely not! Ottawa has turned a potential liability into a key asset and really shows us how to celebrate winter.
Ottawa - A Brisk Morning Walk to Parliament HillOne of the interesting features of Ottawa is its architecture and Ottawa has many heritage sites. Parliament Hill with its historical neo-Gothic buildings was an area I wanted to discover in more detail.
Hello from Ottawa - Ottawa's ByWard Market and the Mardi Gras Experience at Fat TuesdaysAfter our arrival in Ottawa this afternoon and a very brief rest at our hotel, we went out in search of a satisfying dinner. The Lord Elgin Hotel is just about 15 minutes walk away from the Historic ByWard Market area, which is one of Ottawa's main entertainment areas.
Hello from Ottawa - The Lord Elgin Hotel - A Historic Landmark in the Heart of OttawaAs far as travel to Ottawa is concerned, you’d be hard pressed to find a more central lodging location than the Lord Elgin Hotel. It is located right at the Intersection of Elgin and Laurier Streets, just steps away from Parliament Hill, the War Memorial, the Chateau Laurier, the Government Conference Centre and the National Arts Centre. Confederation Park, one of the main locations for Winterlude, is located right across the street.
Hello from Ottawa - First Impressions and an OverviewMy partner in crime Theresa and I went to Ottawa 3 or 4 years ago in the winter to catch Ottawa's famous winter festival "Winterlude". Unfortunately that year the weather was too warm and the weekend was a total wash-out. Even the ice sculptures had melted.
Hello from Ottawa: My Packed Itinerary for My 2-Day Getaway to Canada's CapitalFor a while my friend Theresa and I had been planning to go back to Ottawa and experience "Winterlude", Ottawa's winter festival. About three years ago we went to Ottawa, only to be rained out . Our main activity had fallen through: skating on the Rideau Canal, and even the ice sculptures had melted.
Find Turkish Delight When Visiting Istanbul, TurkeyIstanbul in Turkey offers something for everyone and is a fascinating place with a rich heritage and diversity of cultures.
Diving in and around ZanzibarZanzibar archipelago comes to us from a history of powerful trading links with Arabia and Persia; Zanzibar Island provided the gateway for slavers, gold, ivory, wood, spices, glass, and textiles. Early in the 16th century the Portuguese arrived, at which time the clove plantations were established.
Save Money on Airport Parking and Get a Great Start to Your HolidayHere are two pieces of information that will not only enhance your trip but will also save you money on your airport parking fees.
Europe Vacation - A Trip For EveryoneEuropean Vacation, the very thought conjures up pictures of many wonderful and historic cities and perhaps a fantasy that may not ever come true. A vacation, of course is dependant on how much money you have to spare, because it certainly is a luxury. It isn't quite the same as taking a long weekend at your own local coastal resort.
The Historic City of AmsterdamAmsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and originated around the late 12th century, when it developed as a rather small fishing village on the banks of the river Amstel and the IJ Bay. It is a very popular tourist location and is well-known for its entertainment and cultural features.
Bahamas - Paradise or Just Another BeachLet's take a trip inside the real Bahamas and go beyond the clear water into a place where pirates lived and Christopher Columbus laid his head.
Police Certificate For Canadian VisaWhen you apply for the Canadian Permanent Resident visa, you have to attach a police certificate to your application.
Flying To Faro On The Algarve In PortugalAn article that details the UK and Irish airports that offer direct non stop flights between to Faro on the Algarve in Portugal.
Traveling in MassachusettsWhen visiting Boston, it’s fun to see the colleges in Massachusetts. The state of Massachusetts is an excellent state, offering you plenty to do and plenty to see in your spare time. Home to the well known and well respected Harvard University...
Singapore GuideSingapore is a country on the crossroad of all main international trade routes. Along with Bangkok, Singapore is one of the most important trans-shipment points both for travelers and for goods. It receives more than 45 000 ships a year and hundreds of airplanes every day.
Visiting Odessa, Ukraine? Don't Forget to Visit the 15th Century CastleA day trip from Odessa is the small village of Belgorod Dnestrovsky, one of the oldest cities in Ukraine. Belgorod Dnestrovsky boasts an enormous 15th century castle.
Chaco Canyon - New Mexico's Archeological WonderChaco Canyon, located in northwestern New Mexico, was a cultural center for the ancestral Puebloan people from 850 until 1250 AD. The canyon contains the largest pre-Columbian ruin north of Mexico. These ruins are preserved by Chaco Culture National Historic park, which is a popular destination for the adventurous.
Cancun: Your Gateway to the Mayan RivieraCancun and the Mayan Riviera, a land where the ultimate challenge is to find a beach that outdoes the last. With sunscreen in one hand and a cool cerveza in the other, just relax and let the Caribbean breezes take you where they may!
Land of Our Spiritual RootsWe were traveling on the heels of the recent election in Israel that transferred Palestinian leadership to Hamas. It was also just a few short weeks before Israel would elect a new Prime Minister. You might say (as many did), "Are you crazy? How can you travel to the Middle East at a time like this? All I ever see on the news is fighting and conflict." But we knew better.
Mbeya in South West TanzaniaMbeya is mountainous region with the exception of some lowland areas which are within the Rift Valley. Close to Mbeya town are picturesque valleys surrounded by undulating hills and a range of mountains.
Bars in Tuscany – a Gastronomic ExperienceA small town in Tuscany, ancient red brick and stone, narrow cobbled streets winding around the contours of the hill upon which it is built, a few shops, all closed now, as it is siesta time. The only sign of life comes from the doors of a bar, an appetising aroma of espresso coffee wafting out...
Guide to Cyprus Car HireWhen reserving a Cyprus car hire, it is important to research not only the car rental company, but the driving conditions as well.
African Safari in Shimba HillsAfrican Safaris can be exciting, especially when the big game are sighted but this is the tale of a fun, but not very productive search for game.
Dallas - Southfork RanchSo much to see and so little time, but there is one thing that must be done when visiting Dallas.