Immersed and Embraced by Portugal

From the Fado clubs of Lisbon, to the Crayola-bright towers of the Pena Palace at Sintra, Portugal enfolds you in a welcome so warm – bem vinda – you’ll find it hard to leave. It’s not often you meet someone...

Finding Peace and Love on Ibiza & Formentera

Our world has drifted frighteningly far from the flower power vibe of the 60s, but if you’re longing for a return to the hippies, I know where to find them. They’re on the sunny, relaxed Balearic Islands of Ibiza and...

The Return of the Queen: Victoria’s Fairmont Empress Hotel

When a Vancouver developer bought Victoria’s historic Empress hotel in 2014 and announced plans to restore the landmark property, locals held their collective breath. What would become of their beloved hotel that has entertained countless royalty and celebrities and where...

Céad míle fáilte… A hundred thousand welcomes

Dublin, Ireland’s captivating capital city, packs a powerful historic punch while embracing the new and trendy in an eclectic mix of brimming-with-personality attractions. One of the friendliest cities in Europe, it has the advantage of being big enough to be...

Diplomat Hotel: Stockholm's Stylish Address

For a gracious, old-world style hotel with a prestigious address in the heart of Stockholm, look no further than the Diplomat Hotel. The crimson awnings that automatically roll down over the windows in sunshine make it easy to spot from...

Suite Life: Barberstown Castle, Ireland

For the true Irish experience, nothing tops checking into a 13th century castle that today is a four-star country inn - particularly if that castle has a storied past and a resident ghost. Barberstown Castle offers both in one luscious...

Bermuda...a Watery Xanadu

I wouldn't call it panic…rather, intense apprehension. I had only been scuba diving once before and wasn't totally confident about my abilities or, frankly, convinced that anything without gills belonged underwater. But I was in Bermuda, a watery Xanadu situated...

A Look at UNESCO World Heritage Sites - The Hand of Man

THE HAND OF MAN... JORDANPetraOne of the world’s most important archaeological sites, Petra, ancient capital city of the Nabateans, has survived centuries of sand and wind. By night, ride a camel down the Sikh, the narrow pathway between towering red...

A Look at UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Nature's Creations

NATURE’S CREATIONS... ECUADORGalapagos IslandsWhen Charles Darwin traveled to the Galapagos Islands in 1835, he discovered that the convergence of three major oceanic currents had given rise to an incredible mix of marine, reptile, bird and animal life. Distinct ecosystems on...