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5 Epic Places to Drive to in Canada!
Canada is perfect for a road trip destination as the world’s second-biggest country – with all kinds of terrains- the snow and the mountains and with the vastest coastline in the world. Within this relatively uninhabited country, you can go off the beaten path, which is what road trips are all about. Below are the easiest, and most scenic, road trips from west to east that you need to ride in the Great White North.
While there are several options for Canada self-drive tours, these itineraries below are the best road trips in Canada and a perfect way for you to look at the different options for Canada self-drive tours. Some of them are as follows:
1. Montreal to peninsula Gaspe
A lengthy drive (about nine hours) brings road-trippers from Montreal to Quebec City, down the St. Lawrence River, and on to the Gaspé Peninsula. Highlights in the peninsula include the popular pierced rock in Percé, boat/fishing trips to Bonaventure Island, etc. The road trip is a natural combination of urban and rural exploration.
2. Day ride through the Valley of Okanagan
Though this road trip may not be a typical one – going from point A to point B – the Okanagan Valley is a gastronomic hot spot. Loop around Okanagan Lake in a clockwise direction from Vernon to Penticton, and then into Kelowna.
The area is renowned for its restaurants from farm to table and award-winning wineries. RauDZ Regional Table is the best restaurant in Kelowna (or so it says on their website), while Davison Orchards is a perfect location for children. Summerhill Pyramid Winery and Mission Hill Winery are also leading wineries in the region.
3. Dempster Highway
Being Canada’s only all-weather path through the Arctic Circle, Travel Yukon names the Dempster Highway – one of the world’s rare travel roads from Dawson to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. It is incredibly remote, but the scenery is unrivalled, with only one lodging alternative along the way in Eagle Plains.
Cross the Arctic Circle to join Tombstone Falls, then ride two Northwest Territories river ferries. Mark your arrival at the Great Northern Arts Festival in Inuvik, held annually in the middle of July.
4. Trans-Canada highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is Canada’s most spectacular road trip you can enjoy. It spreads across all 10 provinces across the country. Starting in Victoria, it ends in Newfoundland and Labrador, in St. John’s.
Vancouver and its many attractions, Lake Louise and Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, the Alberta Badlands, the capital of Ottawa, Quebec City, Fundy National Park, and Gros Morne National Park are some of the (many) highlights that await road-trippers.
5. Prince Edward Island Coastal Drives
Tourism PEI divides the province into three distinct and scenic drives: North Coast Coastal Drive, Central Coastal Drive and East Coastal Drive Points. The North Coast is characterised by its Mi’kmaq history and special visits, including a potato museum and a college devoted to the Highland arts.
The Central Coastal Drive protects two separate areas: the Red Sands Shore and the Green Gables Bay. Points East Coastal Road includes beaches, walks, and lighthouses.
The above are just some of the great places to drive through Canada- the great white North. One can either take their own car (if living nearby) or rent a car for the road trip. There are plenty of rental car providers – online too, in case you decide to fly to Canada and then enjoy the beautiful sceneries on the go.
You can decide which car you want, which plan you wish to choose (as per the duration of your stay and requirement) and your budget. Hiring a self-drive car is much more economically sound, especially for tourist and travellers, it maintains your privacy and allows you to let you drive any time anywhere without any hassle.
July 24, 2020
The Top 8 Things You Must Do in Mexico City
For any intrepid world-traveller, a trip to Mexico’s capital city is not to be missed. Brimming with sites of historical interest, museums and amazing architecture, visiting the city is recommended to anyone who loves learning about new world cultures and exploring colourful streets in the sun.
Before You Go..
Prior to setting off on your travels, make sure you’ve got these travel essentials out of the way first:
- Shots and vaccinations you need for visiting Mexico (consult your doctor to check which immunizations you need)
- Set your phone to roaming (to prevent sky-high charges appearing on your bill from using your phone abroad)
- Figure out how you’ll store your money (either bring cash; use a travel money card; or open a Mexican bank account for transferring money if you plan to stay for a month or more. Apps like Pangea Money Transfer allow you to send funds from home with just a quick click – check out their service online)
- Plan your travel itinerary! Below we’ve included all the must-see sights in Mexico City.
Pyramid of the Sun
Believed to have been constructed around 200CE, Mexico City’s Pyramid of the Sun could be one of the oldest and largest historic sites in Mesoamerica. It is the third-largest pyramid in the world, and is surrounded by smaller Aztec structures.
Frida Kahlo Museum
Mexico City is full of museums, but a visit to the museum dedicated to the seminal Mexican artist is highly recommended. Find it in the Colonia del Carmen neighbourhood, Coyoacán, and look for the vivid cobalt-blue building – you can’t miss it! The building was originally the Kahlo family home; but has been dedicated to the artist’s incredible life and works since 1958.
Chapultepec
The “Bosque de Chapultepec” (translated to “Chapultepec Forest”) is one of the largest city parks in the whole of the Western Hemisphere, encompassing a gigantic 1,695 acres. For this reason, it’s known as “Mexico City’s lungs” – the forest is hailed for supplying the congested city with fresh air.
Besides relaxing in the park’s open green spaces, the area also features Chapultepec castle, with flower gardens, fountains, and hilltop views providing a stunning panorama of the city; and a popular zoo for entertaining the family.
Palacio de Bellas Artes
The opulent “Palace of Fine Arts” is the cultural hub of the city. Not only is the palatial building’s neoclassical architecture spectacular to look at and tour around, but it also hosts the city’s major theatre, dance, music, art and opera events. Book a ticket for a show at the Palacio de Bellas Artes and view traditional Mexican art forms in authentic splendour.
Six Flags México
When vacationing with family, a visit to Six Flags will be a big hit with kids and adults alike. Stationed on the outskirts of the city, it’s the most popular theme park in all of Latin America, with 2.5 million annual visitors. Inside you’ll find roller coasters, water rides, carousels, laser tag, and attractions dedicated to all your favourite superheroes. For a fun-filled family day out, plan an excursion to Six Flags México.
Arena México
Experience Mexican wrestling at Arena México, located in the Colonia Doctores neighbourhood. The popular play-fighting sport of professional wrestling – or lucha libre – is appropriate for all the family. See the colourful costumes and get your photo taken with the stars after the show!
Plaza de las Tres Culturas
These ancient ruins are influenced by traditional Spanish, Mexican and Aztec cultures, and make up the remains of Tlatelolco, an old Aztec city. The site consists of gardens, ancient stone buildings and places of worship. It is also a site where bloody battles between the Spanish and Aztecs took place and is said to embody a tragic era of Mexico’s history.
House of Tiles
The Casa de los Azulejos, or “House of Tiles” is a beautiful tall building constructed of colourful tiles. It looks especially majestic lit up at night, and visitors can find it in the old-town Centro Histórico area of the city. Now, it houses a popular restaurant with quaint courtyard and several shops – but many people visit just to take a picture outside!
March 25, 2018
Packing List for Travelling with Children
Image by: www.flickr.com/photos/sydneytreasuresphotography/8641270197
Travelling with kids can bring such pleasure and joy to all, but it can also be a source of worry and nervous energy. Packing especially can lead to pre-trip tension; whilst you don’t want to overpack, you want to know that you have all the essential items to keep your kids happy, safe, comfortable, and content whilst on vacation.
Although it is often pretty easy to find things that you may have forgotten in your destination once you arrive, knowing that you’re ahead of the game will not only save you stress when you arrive, but it will also save you from having to fork out needlessly to replace items that you already have, albeit at home.
Here’s what to pack when travelling with kids:
Clothes
Of course, you’ll want appropriate clothes for your children, with enough spare sets in case of accidents. Kids spill things, tramp through muddy puddles, fall over, and generally get their clothes dirty a lot more than adults! The clothes that you pack will be based on the climate of your holiday destination and the activities that you intend doing.
Don’t forget underwear, socks, and spares! Plus, clothes for sleeping and a spare set of PJs or nightdress.
Even if you’re heading to a sunny and warm destination, pack at least one long pair of pants and a sweater for your children. Temperatures can dip at night, and it’s better to be prepared. And, if you’re visiting a cold destination, pack clothes that can be layered, rather than just heavy, thick, and bulky items. Don’t forget the extremities when heading to cold places – gloves, hats, scarves, and thick socks really can make a lot of difference.
A great tip is to also throw in a small emergency stash of hand-washing powder or liquid. You can quickly wash through any items that have been dirtied, preventing the worry of kids running out of clothes when on vacation, and also, removing the bulk of dirt and stains at the time it happens can save you hassle when you return home with cartloads of washing to do.
Sunglasses
Image by: www.flickr.com/photos/67372428@N06/8989854746
Even if you’re visiting a colder destination, the sun can at times be quite powerful. The sun can be especially dazzling on skiing trips – it’s not only the beaches where you’ll be thankful you remembered the sunnies! Your kids will be a lot more comfortable, making your trip smoother.
Footwear
As with clothes, the footwear will depend on the destination, climate, and activities. Pack at least two pairs of suitable footwear per child, allowing for wet shoes, breakages, and blisters. A pair of jelly shoes or flip flops for the beach are recommended – who wants sand in their trainers?!
Basic First Aid Kit
Whilst you will hope that your kids don’t fall sick or get injured whilst on vacation, a basic first aid kit takes up relatively little space in your luggage but can add so much to your peace of mind. It also means that you don’t have the hassle of running out to find things if you need them; you’re already prepared. Kids’ painkillers and cough syrup, tweezers, insect-bite relief cream, antihistamines, antiseptic, plasters, and small bandages plus safety pins are amongst the essential items. Motion sickness tablets are also highly recommended. If your children have any regular medications, be sure to take plenty to last throughout your trip, plus spares for emergencies. For example, having a second reserve inhaler will be invaluable if one is lost. Take along copies of any prescriptions too to make replacing items easier too if needed.
Favourite Teddy
Image by: www.flickr.com/photos/tim-eckert/5493027238
Kids can sometimes find falling asleep in new places difficult, but having their best bedtime buddy tucked up in bed with them can help them to feel more secure and at ease.
Books
Nobody is saying to pack a library, but having a few books to keep kids entertained is a top idea. Settle them with a bedtime story, let older kids read to the younger kids, and give books to children to read or flick through looking at the pictures on long bus rides or plane journeys. You could even consider packing a children’s travel guide to make their holidays more meaningful and interesting.
Toys and Games
A few small items to keep children amused and entertained in the hotel room, whilst waiting for meals in restaurants, and when on transport can really save you a lot of headaches. There are many travel games on the market, perfect for fun family vacations.
Pack your toiletries, your sense of fun, and have a fab family vacation!
October 27, 2016
Awesome Kite Surfing Destinations around the World
Calling all thrill-seekers and fans of adventurous sports! Are you addicted to the rush of kite surfing? If so, don’t miss some of the best kite surfing destinations around the world!
It takes more than a gust of wind to produce the perfect kite surfing conditions. Of course, you do need wind, but that’s just a part of it … other factors to consider include the sea conditions, what the weather’s like (do you really want to be on the waves in the rain?!), availability of equipment and other amenities, community spirit, and the overall vibe.
Ditch the wetsuit and head to the coast with your kite surfing kit at some of these epic destinations:
Maui, Hawaii, USA
A delectable tropical paradise, famed for its dazzling beaches, volcanic landscapes, and interesting culture, Hawaii is also an amazing destination for kite surfing fans. With year-round trade winds, you can hit the waves here at any time. Winter, however, offers some truly giant waves, and the strongest winds are in the spring and summer months. With warm weather all throughout the year and plenty of activities to keep you entertained on dry land too, it’s no wonder than many kite surfing enthusiasts dream of Maui!
Boracay, Philippines
Boracay’s White Beach attracts a plethora of tourists, all keen to enjoy the legendary soft pale sands and the party vibe that the area is so well-known for. On the other side of the island, you’ll find some great kite surfing sports too. The winds help to create the perfect conditions, and the chilled out vibe encourages many to come here, meet like-minded people, and harness the power of the wind and the waves.
Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Each year, Cabarete in the Dominican Republic plays host to the biggest kite surfing competition across the globe. Held in the third week of June, it attracts enthusiasts from all four corners of the world. At other times of the year, Cabarete caters to a range of kite surfers, from beginners to pros. The sheltered bays are ideal for novices who are starting to find their sea legs, and the large rolling waves provide plenty of excitement for advanced kits surfers. And when you’re not on the water? Enjoy the sandy beaches, the delicious cuisine, the local culture, and the nightlife!
Red Sea, Egypt
There are various places along the coast of Egypt’s Red Sea that offer good kite surfing opportunities. Steady thermal winds and pleasantly warm waters help to make this a sought-after spot. Some of the most popular locations include Soma Bay, Nabq Bay, El Gouna, and Ras Sudr. Grab your shorts and have fun in the sun! When you’re not kite surfing you can relax those tired muscles on the beautiful beaches, or perhaps enjoy a different perspective of the ocean with some top-class snorkeling and diving.
Mui Ne, Vietnam
Tropical sandy beaches that are fringed by leafy palm trees that provide plenty of shade, Mui Ne is a lovely little slice of paradise. The enormous sand dunes boast varied colours of sand, with kilometres of striking red, yellow and white. Sand boarding and dune bashing are popular here. But, you’re interested in kite surfing, right?! Don’t worry – Mui Ne is a top destination for kite boarders, attracting fans of the sport from far and wide.
Pack your gear and your sense of adventure, and head off to one of these terrific kite boarding destinations for the ride of your life!
May 12, 2016