| Jul 29, 2011 |
| Top 5 Festivals in Barcelona for Photographers |
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| Have you ever been to Barcelona? Spain’s busiest port and most cosmopolitan city is filled with daring art and architecture, simply begging to be photographed. One of our local guides, Laurie, designs tours specifically for photo enthusiasts wanting to learn how to improve their camera skills while being taken to the most photogenic sites in Barcelona. Today Laurie is here to share his city’s top five festivals that any aspiring photographer must witness. |
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It is said that there is a local fiesta somewhere in Spain every single day of the year. Barcelona is an ideal location to combine a visit of the city itself and see how the locals celebrate their identity. Does a better place exist for photography enthusiasts who want to capture the atmosphere? I think not!
1 - LA MERCE FESTIVAL (3rd week of September) Barcelona's Fiesta Mayor turns our city into a huge open air stage, combining tradition with the most innovative street performances that Barcelona is renowned for. There really is so much to capture through your lens.
2 - FIESTA MAYOR DE GRACIA (2nd-3rd week of August) is generally regarded as the most important local festival in all of the districts of Barcelona. Each street competes with the next to transform into a work of art. At night the centre turns into one big party. Not to be missed!
3 - SITGES CARNIVAL (2nd-3rd week of February) is still the hottest party in town! You will find more than 300,000 partygoers dancing on the streets across town, making the busy months of July & August look positively dead! Prepare to be amazed at this awesome spectacle.
4 - THE NIGHT OF SAN JOAN (23rd to 24th of June). The biggest night of the year is undoubtedly San Joan, where firecrackers, rockets & fireworks explode all over the city. Set up your tripod to capture an awesome fireworks display.
5- ATTACK OF THE PIRATES (2nd week of July). This is a less-known, but great fiesta in a small town 20km north of Barcelona, called Premia de Mar. The whole town transforms into one big sword, flour and water fight! Capture everyone through the chaos as the locals defend their town from the pirates!
Thanks, Laurie, for sharing this info! Sounds like these would be exciting festivals for anyone to attend – with camera in hand or not. If you’re thinking of heading to Barcelona sometime soon, consider starting a conversation with Laurie. You can find him here: Laurie's Guide Page. |
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| Jul 27, 2011 |
| Five Must-Do Day Trips from Toronto |
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| While Toronto isn’t the capital of Canada, it’s our country’s largest, busiest and (of course this is debateable!) most exciting city. The impact of multi-culturalism on Toronto’s many neighbourhoods can’t be over-stated. From Chinatown to Little Italy, Greektown to Portugal Village, Toronto is truly a city influenced by world cultures. The city’s diversity of arts, history and culture means there’s always something to do – whether it’s attending a street festival, exploring the ever-evolving culinary scene, or attending a performance. |
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But even with the endless urban treats on offer, after a while (and especially in the summer!) many Torontonians find themselves looking for escapes from the city. Toronto is an excellent base for exploring some of Southern Ontario’s most interesting attractions. Today our Toronto-based guide, Adeodata, shares some of her favourite Toronto Day Trips with us.
• Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara Falls is, of course, a world famous natural attraction. But have you been to the charming and historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake? Located in between Toronto and the Falls, this is the heart of Ontario’s wine country, and has been voted Canada’s prettiest town.
• Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. Located near Midland in the beautiful Southern Georgian Bay area, this world-renowned reconstruction illustrates the earliest interaction of the French and Wendat nations. A great family activity, a visit here will expose you to 17th century Canadian pioneer life.
• Village of St. Jacobs. Experience Canada’s largest year-round farmer’s market in the Mennonite village of St. Jacob’s where you can find everything from home-baked bread to local produce and high quality crafts. This historic market town is a favourite rural destination for Torontonians.
• One hour from downtown Toronto lies the McMichael Gallery, the perfect gallery for an introduction to Canada's art, its peoples, their cultures and their history. The gallery’s permanent collection consists of almost 6,000 artworks by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, their contemporaries, and First Nations, Inuit and other artists who have made a contribution to Canada's artistic heritage.
• For a day that the kids will love, try an expedition to African Lion Safari. Many Toronto adults have fond memories of children’s birthday parties and family trips to this well-established safari park in Southern Ontario. You stay in your car while the animals (including elephants, giraffes, monkeys, lions and more) roam free around you.
If you’re hoping to get out of Toronto and experience some of the wonderful Southern Ontario daytrips on offer, be sure to chat with Adeodata. You can contact her here: Adeodata’s Guide Profile Page. |
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| Jul 25, 2011 |
| Why Armenia should be on your travel list! |
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| Have you ever considered a trip to Armenia? Today’s guest blogger, Gevorg, an experienced local guide operating out of Yerevan, is here to tell you why we should all think about making Armenia our next travel destination – and what we should do once we get there. |
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Armenia is a land of contrasts, offering something for everyone. It’s little known and a bit off the beaten track, but this adds to its beauty and allure. Although an ancient nation, this gem of the Caucasus is unspoiled and waiting to be discovered!
Yerevan the capital city is a cosmopolitan city, brimming with life. Streets are lined with trendy cafés and restaurants, there are many theatre performances, traditional dance and music and many outdoor public events to enjoy, especially throughout the summer months. It is also brimming with history: nestled at the skirts of the biblical Mt Ararat (where legend tells us Noah’s Ark landed), it is the first Christian Nation (since 301AD); it used to be part of the ancient Silk Road; boasts several UNESCO listed sights and an amazing landscape. The landscape ripples and changes from rugged mountains to serene lakes and green forests.
Armenians have a unique culture, language and alphabet. This said, English and Russian are widely spoken, especially in Yerevan. The people are welcoming and hospitable; you’ll often find yourself being invited in for coffee or a meal especially in the countryside. It is also an incredibly safe country to travel in.
Compared to European countries, Armenia is an affordable destination, making it more value for money for the traveler. Due to its natural beauty it is popular with cyclists, backpackers, hikers and nature lovers. Winter attracts skiers as it offers modern facilities at reasonable prices.
The cuisine is also unique and there is a vast range of restaurants offering traditional dishes. There are also specialty fruit wines and vodkas as well as the country’s renowned brandy to sample. The fruit and vegetables are organic and delicious, so much so that Armenia has become very well known for the sweetness of its apricots and pomegranates.
Has Gevorg made you curious to learn more about Armenia and the opportunities for exploring the area with a local? Feel free to start a conversation with him! You’ll find him, and his local guiding partners, here: Gevorg’s Guide Page. |
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| Jul 22, 2011 |
| Just in time for the weekend: Whistler Locals' Summer Secrets |
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| Being a Whistler local is a special thing, something many Canadians aspire to, but few achieve! Our local guide Laurie is fortunate to have spent nearly 40 years living in this stunning mountain community, where some of the world’s best hiking, biking, skiing and dining is merely steps away. Today she shares with us a few of the things you should do if you ever find yourself in her hometown on a summer’s day. (The forecast for this weekend is a perfect sunny and 24 degrees!) |
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First time Whistler visitors can be overwhelmed by the layout of the Whistler Village and the myriad of activities and choices that are offered for them to enjoy.
One of the best ways to enjoy Whistler Village is to pull out a map and head for the closest coffee shop for a quick cuppa while you have a chance to get your bearings and determine the types of activities on offer while you are enjoying your morning java.
Whistler Village itself offers a wide variety of locations for dining, shopping and enjoying our local arts scene. In addition, cultural facilities, such as the Whistler Museum, Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, Whistler Olympic Celebration Plaza and Whistler Library offer unique opportunities for visitors to interact with local residents.
The opening of the Whistler Olympic Celebration Plaza on the July 1 weekend was seen as a major turning point in the Village entertainment scene as a new state of the art outdoor theatre venue in addition to display areas, large open spaces and the Olympic Rings will be on display permanently, along with numerous public art pieces. This plaza will become the anchor for the Village; with large outdoor entertainment spaces that will be programmed regularly you will not want to miss viewing this special place.
Signposts lead visitors to the easy walking trails to Lost Lake, one of our many local parks, connected by the famous Valley Trail. This trail is easily accessible for wheelchair-users or easy walking and takes visitors to one of the area’s lovely spots that Whistler locals have enjoyed for many years. Lost Lake features a beautiful beach and swimming area with a lighted walking trail completely surrounding the lake, making for a nice afternoon or evening stroll. The beach features a barbecue area and washroom facilities along with a local summer concession providing food services.
One of our newest additions to Whistler is the famous Peak to Peak Gondola which provides an exhilarating experience as you travel between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. The views are unparalleled and the thrill of seeing our Whistler Valley and our many bears from a safe distance is win-win!
If you are hungry, there is truly something for everyone in Whistler: with over 90 restaurants you won’t run out of options. In addition, the Whistler Farmers Market runs on Sundays and Wednesdays and features our locally grown produce from the Pemberton Valley.
If you’d like to learn more about the history or Whistler, or perhaps start a conversation about the town’s culinary scene, you can contact Laurie here: Laurie’s Guide Page. |
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