There is beauty in finding a place you’ve visited. To be able to travel is to invite curiosity. I have travelled throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. I continue to dream about trips I will take in the future but for now, read about where my travels have taken me.
If you are a soccer (football) fan, does it get any better than a visit to FC Barcelona Camp Nou? A few years back I spent the day in one of the most iconic soccer stadiums in the world. If you are a futbol/football/soccer fan you know all about legendary FC Barcelona. Home of Messi and his Golden Boots and two time Golden Ball awards for the best player in the World Cup. This football club is legendary and has won… a lot. I have to admit a visit to Camp Nou was great but the highlight for me was seeing the UEFA Champions League Cup.
Things to Organize After You Travel What a weekend! We were on a couple’s getaway and we had a fantastic weekend. Great food, pretty sights and a lot of laughing. It was time to get … Read more
You walk into a bar. As you order your drink, you notice that propped on the counter to your right is a hoof. That hoof is attached to a rather large piece of ham. You watch as the bartender carefully shaves thin slices of ruby-red meat and places them side-by-side on a plate. You order your round of drinks and ask for a plate of Jamón Ibérico and Pan con Tomate. You’re in heaven now, and the place you’ve landed in is the Iberian Peninsula. This is your guide to Jamon Iberico or jamon serrano. This is Spanish ham and it is the best!
If you know anything about food from Spain, you know that they are obsessed with one thing: dry-cured ham. There is no bar, no restaurant, or no self-respecting home that does not have a shoulder (paleta) or ham (Jamón) to offer guests. In North America, we often think of cured ham as Proscuitto but in Spain, it is called Jamón Iberico and it is spectacular.
As with a fine wine or a delectable cheese, in order to cure the perfect morsel, you need time. Plenty of time. Cured meat and ham are not unique to Spain, you will find some versions of cured ham throughout Europe. Italian cuisine has the glorious prosciutto, France its jambon de Bayonne and Portugal has presunto ibérico.
I have often wondered about the expression “the devil is in the details”. Instead, I have always said, “God is in the details” because, at the end of the day, you want trip plans to … Read more
What will surprise you the most is how you access this beautiful state park in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. You don’t drive down a winding country road or veer off a highway in the middle of nowhere. It’s located in the middle of town, across the street from the County Sherriff’s office! This is not the only thing that will surprise you about this waterfalls in the Finger Lakes region of New York State.
Waterfalls you need to see in the Finger Lakes
Cavern Cascades in Watkins Glen State Park
You arrive at a brand new Welcome centre and then you will begin climbing 832 steps to see 19 waterfalls. Your journey will take you through a 500 foot elevation via stairs, through stone tunnels, behind at least two waterfalls while crossing both stone and suspension bridges.
Consider this a moderate hike, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Take frequent breaks as you gawk at the natural beauty of Watkins Glens State Park. Take your camera too as there are plenty of pictures to capture.
It was not one of my finest moments but it was likely one of the most honest moments I’ve ever had. We were a group of travel bloggers and freelance writers perusing the menu of one of the finest restaurant in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. I spotted what I had been searching for all week: fresh oysters. I’d learned to appreciate raw oysters at a young age (and to shun cooked oysters). Something about the oyster liquor alone or with a kiss of lemon juice, has become for me, a sublime experience. The temptation to have a full dozen of these beauties was more than I could handle. “Will you be sharing those?” someone asked as they eyed the huge platter of iced oysters. “No,” I said calmly but assertively. There was an audible lull in the conversation. “No, really, I wasn’t planning to.” I wanted every one of these beauties all to myself. One doesn’t come to the coast without savouring exceptional seafood and this region, located on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, did not disappoint. This is the ultimate guide to good eats in Alabama’s Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Update: I have recently returned to the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and was able to savoury new dishes and visit newly opened restaurants. All the updated reviews will be highlighted in BLUE. Enjoy more Good Eats in the Gulf Shores!
“You really like fire. You’re kind of addicted to it.” Cat Burn’s mother said to her, “so you’re either going to jail for it or you could learn to play with it.” And that’s exactly what we were doing as we created a cobalt blue pumpkin in The Studio. Glassblowing (making seasonal pumpkins, snowmen or Easter eggs) or creating beads through flamework are only a few of the things to see and do at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York. Located in the Finger Lakes region it is approximately 4 hours from Toronto and 4.5 hours from New York City. Both educational and entertaining, it is the perfect weekend getaway for families, couples or art lovers.
Endeavor – Tagliapietra, Lino (Italian, b. 1934), Artist
Opened in 1951, this museum complex incorporates numerous galleries, an indoor and outdoor amphitheatre, an outdoor kiln, and lastly, a large studio and teaching facility. Home to the largest collection of glass, it holds over 50,000 objects covering a span of 3,500 years of glass history. The Museum has grown into a collecting, exhibiting, teaching, and research facility located just steps away from the global headquarters of Corning Inc. If you can dream it, it has been made into glass.
This world-class museum has pieces from ancient Egypt to current day. With over 460,000 visitors a year, an average visit lasts 4.5 hours long, with 20-25% of visitors attending the Studio for glass blowing classes to create beautiful items. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you will get through this museum in a few hours. With an admission pass good for two days, plan accordingly and be sure and take advantage to play with a little bit of fire to create a beautiful keepsake then take it home the next day!
Window with Hudson River Landscape – Corning Museum of Glass – @DownshiftingPRO
There are a variety of galleries to visit from the Crystal City Gallery – to learn about cut glass – to my personal favourite – the Contemporary + Design gallery. Set against crisp white walls, there is no better way to see these glass pieces!
This museum is the perfect intergenerational travel destination. With workshops for children, along with seasonal activities and glass making/breaking demonstrations.
Would you drive 11 hours to go to a winter carnival? We did! Last year, we spent a few days in the beautiful city of Quebec to celebrate the best winter carnival in the world. Full of music, outdoor activities, night parades and a giant outdoor slide, you must make a trip to Quebec City at least once in your life. The last time I was here for Carnaval I was in University and it was much, much colder with more of a never-ending party. It was also very different, the current rendition is all about a great family experience and making it memorable for all. Get ready for this year’s REFRESHING! Carnival as this year’s edition will run February 8 –17, 2019. There is much to see and no reason to stay home. Be sure and take in these great events.
