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I Amsterdam City Card
I received an I Amsterdam city card in order to facilitate travel in Amsterdam. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. When we booked a last minute adventure to Amsterdam recently saving money was high priority. Europe and saving money? Absolutely. It’s doable if you know how and where to save. Your biggest expenses are the flights, accommodations and meals when you travel, so AirBNB covers off at least two of those items. But what about transportation and attractions? I booked an affordable AirBNB in Alkmaar just outside of Amsterdam and got a fantastic deal on off season flights. But activities and transportation can add up, so…
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Three Days of Play in Rochester New York
“Play is the highest form of research,” – Albert Einstein It had been years since I last set foot in Rochester New York. There was a time Rochester was a destination Canadians visited for the weekend, when they wanted to shop and save money. Shopping bags loaded with clothing, shoes, and the occasional bottle of rum or whiskey, we’d return satisfied and armed with Christmas presents for everyone, but not before that final stop at the Duty Free store. This is how I remember Rochester, New York. We were guests of Visit Rochester while in the city which means we received accommodations, meals and entrance to all attractions in exchange…
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Epic Museum Dublin – A Fully Digital Multi-Sensory Experience
There are museums that move you and spark imagination. And there are others that are simply awe inspiring and powerful. Occasionally there are some that are simply in need of an overhaul. New museums at this point in time when technology, digital, social and virtual reality are exploding need to reach forward at the same time as they harken back to capture history. Epic Museum Dublin, currently the world’s only fully digital museum, bridges past and present and bursts forth in a dynamic multi-sensory experience that is entirely unique and inspiring. In Dublin’s Docklands Epic Museum Dublin is without a doubt one of the most memorable, impressive museum experiences I…
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Just Try to Be Bored in Philadelphia’s Historic Waterfront District
It’s impossible to be bored in Philadelphia’s Historic Waterfront District. That’s the verdict from my youngest daughter after we returned home from a four day visit to Philadelphia. History lessons, outdoor spaces, public art, good food, and learning experiences are around every corner and we were both amazed at how family friendly Philly’s museums and attractions are. This is a city meant to be explored. This summer Ainsley and I headed to Philadelphia for a mother daughter trip. We spent our first day exploring Philadelphia’s Historic Waterfront District and it was a treat. After checking in at the Wyndham Historic District hotel, we immediately went for a walk down…
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All the Best Things to Do in Saguenay Lac Saint Jean
Saguenay Lac Saint Jean was a complete mystery to me when we arrived there after touring Quebec Maritime and Quebec City this spring. I didn’t really know what to expect and I had never been before. Sometimes those adventures are the best. Having no preconceived notion of what to expect allowed me to let my imagination run wild. I’d say the sky is the limit when you take that kind of trip but it’s only half true in Saguenay Lac Saint Jean. The sky, the lake, the mountains and fjord are really the only limits. Boasting some stunning natural vistas, a spectacular lake, which many say looks more like an…
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Chihuly Collection in St. Pete – Experience the Magic
Until recently I knew nothing about Dale Chihuly or the Chihuly collection. Now I can’t imagine how I almost missed experiencing this stunning blown glass artwork. The Dale Chihuly Collection will forever bring up memories of light and colour, movement and possibility for me. I’ve heard of Chihuly’s work from friends who have seen his traveling exhibits at galleries around the world. I’d never had the chance to see it in person, though, until I went down to St. Pete last October. While my girlfriends and I were on our getaway, we went to see the Chihuly collection on permanent display in downtown St. Pete, and it was a breathtaking…
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My Seven Favourite Dublin Experiences
I had so many amazing Dublin experiences recently when visiting the city in the Fall. Dublin is a creative, amazing city that recently earned National Geographic’s Best of the World distinction and it’s easy to see why. If you have not been yet I strongly suggest finding a way to visit. It’s more than worth the time and energy to get there. Stop and savour the Dublin food scene. So many Irish Showstoppers that are memorable and truly well done. Stroll the city by foot, and take a tour while you are there too. Consider this Game of Thrones and Giant’s Causeway Tour! Also this private tour of Ring of…
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The Drama of Dublin Will Wow You – A Travel Guide –
My first trip to Ireland exceeded my expectations in every single way. While I started my trip in Killarney, I spent the last four and a half days of my trip to Ireland discovering Dublin. The city quickly won me over with its brilliant food, museums, architecture and people. Dublin is nothing if not creative and dramatic and you can’t help but fall for this vibrant and fun city. Day One Our First Meal in Dublin The day we arrived in Dublin by tour bus we headed directly to Queen of Tarts in Cow’s Lane. Queen of Tarts is cute and quirky and has a royal theme mixed with an…
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St. Petersburg Clearwater Delivers Magic #liveamplified #ad
St. Petersburg Clearwater is one of those places that has something for everyone. Maybe a tourist destination doesn’t want to hear words like dependable or safe. But for me St. Petersburg Clearwater is dependable and safe and a wonderful vacation choice every time. That matters when spending valuable vacation dollars and time. St. Petersburg Clearwater delivers the magic you want, when you need an escape. You know what I mean, right? You head away on a vacation and a piece of you hopes you made the right choice. Prayers go up to the weather gods and goddesses and you dream about the trip for weeks, maybe longer. Then departure day…
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Gatineau and Outaouais Region Celebrate Canada 150
This year Gatineau in the Outaouais Region of Quebec has some remarkable reasons to visit. MosaiCanada 150 and the brand new Canadian History Hall exhibit in the Museum of Canadian History were the most powerfully charged of all the experiences I had this summer travel season. If you are Canadian, you need to see this. It’s hard not to be moved seeing Canada’s history on display. MosaiCanada 150 and the new exhibit together are powerful narratives about Canada’s story. Gatineau Becomes a Riot of Colour Summer is short in Canada and this year it vanished quickly, with the strange cool and rainy weather we had in much of southern Ontario.…
