• Travel

    Nine Things You Never Knew About Jacksonville Florida

    A week ago I headed off on a Girl’s Only Vacation. After a much too quick stop in St Petersburg, we drove up to Jax FL – Jacksonville, Florida. None of us had ever been there and we were looking forward to seeing it for the first time. From fine dining, shopping, and theatre to the beauty of Florida’s east coast, Jacksonville promised to be an entertaining place for a short getaway. Nine Things You Never Knew About Jacksonville, Florida How Big is Jacksonville? Jacksonville, Florida is the largest city by population in the state of Florida, AND it’s the…

  • Travel

    A Dingle Dolphin Tour and a Distillery

    A Dingle Dolphin Tour is how I spend my first full day in Ireland. If wanderlusting was a verb it would be exactly this. Waking early to explore a place new to me, with a curious mind and a full heart, ready for adventure. Early that first morning when I still feel a need to pinch myself because I am indeed here, I set out to explore Dingle with a group of about 12 travel bloggers from around the world. The itinerary for the day describes starting in Dingle, boarding a boat for a dolphin tour to find a famous…

  • Travel

    The Magic of Killarney, Ireland

    The flight from Toronto is a blink. So fast I am astonished we are descending into Dublin Airport. An uneventful landing is always good. I am solo. There are three ways to get to Killarney. By train, by bus and if you happen to rent a car you can get there too of course. I ask someone at the ground transportation desk what makes sense and opt for the bus. After finally locating the correct bus and asking at least twice to be sure I am heading in the right direction, I load my luggage and board. There’s a transfer…

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    Seeing Ulysses at The Abbey Theatre Dublin

    Go on, admit it you never finished James Joyce’s self indulgent and best known novel Ulysses. Neither did I. I made it to maybe page 300 before deciding life was way too short to finish reading. So, I was curious when I heard Ulysses was on stage at the Abbey Theatre recently in Dublin. I had the chance to see it when we visited Dublin on a press trip this month. On a rainy last evening in Dublin we had dinner at The Church Cafe and Bar, a repurposed church, where the founder of the Guinness Brewery was once married.…

  • active family travel - Travel

    Family Travel Experts Weigh in on Their Favourite Chicago Attractions

    I don’t think it’s possible to be disappointed when you visit Chicago. One of the largest cities in the US., Chicago is rich in culture, cuisine, music, and shopping too! Whether that’s a romantic weekend adventure or a fun family getaway, there are many Chicago attractions that make it a worthy travel destination for your next trip. While I adore Chicago I know many travel bloggers have been more frequently than I have. And several call Chicago home, so I thought I’d ask the experts to share their thoughts and picks for Chicago attractions you cannot miss! The Insider’s Guide to…

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    Launching an Affordable Retirement Lifestyle at the Beach – #ParkbridgeLife ad

    Ever wonder if an affordable retirement lifestyle is a myth? Might be closer than you think actually. I like to think we know Wasaga Beach and Parkbridge properties pretty well. My family and I stay there every single year. In fact, sometimes twice a year. Lakes of Wasaga Cottage and RV Resort is one of our personal favourites. We stay in one of the heated chalets every February. After a long day of brisk air over on scenic Blue Mountain, their chalets are perfection. A couple of weeks ago my daughters and I, along with my good friend Margarita and her son,…

  • Travel

    The Best Cruise Ship Water Slides in the World

    Where are the Best water slides? That’s a question many adventure loving travelers will want to take into account when booking their cruise. All cruise lines have wonderful ports of call, on board entertainment, amazing food, and more. But cruise ship water slides and cruise waterparks are a HUGE deal for families who cruise. We love cruising. A cruise is great value for many types of travel junkies. For the true water lovers out there, like us, it’s important to know the best water slides at sea, especially if you’re headed on a family cruise. After all, water slides add…

  • active family travel - Travel

    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…

  • active family travel - Travel

    Ziptrek EcoTours – My Favourite Birthday Trip Yet

    This is the birthday trip I will look back on when I am 90 and GRIN from ear to ear. Ziplining down Mont Tremblant with Ziptrek Ecotours was a brilliant adventure I will not soon forget. Ziptrek is a zipline tour with a difference and it is one of the most thrilling courses I have done so far. If you have ever been to Tremblant you know it is spectacular. Quebec is simply one of my favourite destinations and the Laurentians are a Canadian treasure. In fact, if you have not yet been, then what are you waiting for? In…

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    Couples Resort – A Romantic Anniversary Retreat

    Couples Resort is romantic getaway for any couple that needs to relax and reconnect, without the kids in tow. Last week Jim and I dropped our youngest daughter off at camp in Muskoka near Huntsville. I had heard of Couples Resort and we hadn’t yet had time to celebrate our 25th anniversary, so I planned to surprise my husband with two nights away. We headed up past Algonquin Park after dropping Ainsley at camp and Payton at her aunt’s house. The drive from Huntsville was about 90 minutes. I’ve never been through Algonquin Park and loved seeing the Moose Crossing…