by helenmoverland

Winterdance

Winterdance, an Ontario dogsledding tour company, mainly operates in Halliburton Highlands, Canada. This family-run business is dedicated to helping tourists and locals discover the thrill of dogsledding or learning to drive a team of dogs. Nature lovers will also enjoy a dogsledding tour because it will allow them to enjoy the stunning scenery in Halliburton Highlands. If you are looking forward to a more personal experience, you can also consider making a reservation for a public tour. Winterdance will also share their passion for dogsledding as a sport so you will surely appreciate their well trained dogs after an entire day of dogsledding.

Winterdance’s Huskies

  by EveryDamnNameIsInUse

Most of the dogs that Winterdance takes care of are Siberian Huskies. These sled dogs will steal your heart and will help you enjoy a perfect outdoor adventure, a memorable family vacation, or a romantic escape to a winter wonderland. With over 140 pure-bred Siberian Huskies, Winterdance will give you access to the most beautiful dogsled breed. All of their dogs also have wonderful and unique personalities that will surely keep you motivated as you try learning the trade of guiding a team of dogs. The company also has 15 years of experience in the business so you can be sure that they know exactly what they are doing.

Why choose Winterdance?

Winterdance is the only dogsledding tour company in Halliburton Highlands that offers great packages at an affordable price. The dog team you chose will be completely outfitted with all the food and beverage they will need for a half-day, full-day, or even an overnight tour. All of their sleds also have a wooden basket style, with soft cushions for a comfortable ride and warm fleece blankets for extra warmth. Aside from group dogsled tours, the company also offers extra gimmicks for special occasions. After choosing the dogsledding tour you prefer, Winterdance will immediately introduce you to an amazing outdoor adventure that you will never regret.

Do you want to share your dogsledding experience with your family or friends? If you prefer working in a group, Winterdance can provide you with a complete package for various lengths of time. Some packages they provide include outdoor cooked lunches, sleigh rides, overnight camping, and other outdoor activities. Their certified tour guides and instructors can handle as much as 60 people for a same-day package. Children who are below sixteen years old are also welcome but they should always be accompanied by an adult. If you want to request some extras for a special occasion, Winterdance will be more than willing to make the arrangements for you.

Call of the Wild

Winterdance is not the only company that offers dog sled tours in Halliburton Highlands. Call of the Wild is very popular because they offer exciting winter activities such as snowshoeing, snowmobile safaris, cross country skiing, and dog sledding expeditions. All of the trips they organize are held in Ontario’s beautiful areas. Whether you want to explore the Halliburton Highlands or you just want to see the beauty of Killarney and Algonquin Park during winter, Call of the Wild will always have something in store for you. These activities are perfect for viewing the diverse wildlife of Ontario, or just relaxing as you slide down beautiful snow-capped hills.

  by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography

The Algonquin Park, another popular tourist destination in Ontario, is popular for its wide range of canoe routes. It is actually the best place to hear wolves growl in the distance or watch beavers do their thing. During winter, Call of the Wild can reveal another side of Algonquin Park through an exciting dog sledding expedition. Most of the adventure trips they offer are also perfect for anyone who wishes to live life to the fullest and experience the joys of skiing through a winter wonderland. Those who wish to see the beauty of Algonquin Park can also take advantage of the snowmobile safaris that this company offers.

Why choose Call of the Wild?

Call of the Wild is one of the most reliable tour companies that offer dog sledding expeditions in Halliburton Highlands. This family-run business schedules tours individually so you will no longer need to wait in line just to get a chance to ride the dogsled you picked. By scheduling every outdoor adventure individually, Call of the Wild can make sure that everyone in your group is experiencing the joys of having the undivided attention of your tourist guide. If you are looking forward to learning how to handle a team of dogs, you will also appreciate how Call of the Wild helps clients learn at their own pace by treating them according to their skill level.

At first glance, you will probably thing that the sled dogs of Call of the Wild are just the average mutt. However, their sled dogs actually help them lure in more customers. Instead of using Siberian Huskies or Alaskan Malamutes, Call of the Wild chose to take care of the king of the trail the Alaskan Husky. You will also love their dogsledding tours because their Alaskan Huskies are well trained, fit, and motivated to help clients reach their destination. All of their sled dogs are also successful racing dogs so you will surely fall in love with their motivation to pull and run their hardest at all times.

Call of the Wild and Winterdance are only two of the most popular tour companies that offer dogsledding expeditions. While no one knows for sure whether Alaskan Huskies really perform better than Siberian Huskies, the competition between these two companies continues to stiffen. However, both companies have continued receiving positive feedback from clients so both of them will surely give you the best value for your money.

  by cphoffman42

Tasting Nova Scotia

A good traveler knows that one of the best defining aspects of culture is food. This never fails the intrepid palate. Literally, you are sensing, tasting the very culture of a place, the people, and the natural resources available to them, and these are all found in the ingredients. Whether it is a fat red lobster baked in butter, or a grilled salmon in corn and peas.

Noggins Corner Farm

Just like many hidden things, the best kept secrets of Nova Scotia are hiding from view of Halifax. For an authentic taste of rural, you can go to this place called Noggins Corner Farm, an inconspicuous property that bakes the most wonderful pies in the island. On this plot of land, everything is brown and crisp; from roasted meats, baked pies, and braised beefs.

Okay, you’re in a farm, and everything is supposed to be fresh and bountiful. Enjoy fresh produce like milk, and the finest corn, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and the best part is that all of these are organic. You will have an unlimited supply of broccoli, crimini mushrooms, root vegetables, and some of the best organically produced ciders.

  by newminaswilders

Brooklyn Warehouse

Since 2007, the Brooklyn Warehouse Restaurant has reaped numerous awards for its food, ambience, and its collection of local wines. Here, you can try the popular Wasabi Caesar, an explosive punch of cocktail that sets the standard for the rest of your dining experience.

The Beef Cheeks are worth a try; braised in grilled onions and red wine and topped with exotic cheese (they call it That Dutchmans Dragons Breath), the broth is an excellent choice to partner with a couple of bread slices.

Finally, you must try the Lemon Meringue Pie for dessert. It consists of a homemade marshmallow, lemon custard, and a blueberry spray. Combined together, these three ingredients play a ticklish soft and tangy taste in your mouth.

Holidays Nova Scotia

The coast is Nova Scotias most valued resource, and the people preserve this with care. Some of the fishing villages traditions that are still held today are dying fabric by the shore, and well, eating delicious food, which are mainly based in local produce. The activities in Nova Scotia depends on the season. Plan your vacation around the four seasons and make sure you do not miss these trips:

Winter

Outdoor action is the best offer of Nova Scotia fishing villages during the winter. The town celebrates father Christmas Festival, a merriment of presents, drinks, and parties that center on Father Christmas models that are larger than life. You can also experience a little more sophistication when you watch The Nutcracker Ballet in Dartmouth Alderney Landing Theatre. You can visit the Yuletide Gourmet Market for your Christmas treats and nitpicks. Finally, visit the Enchanted Villages, designed and crafted by Nova Scotias very own artists.

Spring

Spring is a perfect time to experience the fishing villages of Nova Scotia. Get on the rising tides as you kayak along the natural rock formations carved out by the sea, witness spectacular geological formations including the Three Sisters. You can actually book a kayak guided tour of the Eastern Shores, where the high tides are highest and the waters are calm and peaceful. You can also catch fish with the local fishermen, and earn your reward when you cook and eat your own fresh catch.

Summer

The summer brings the people to the beach. Thankfully, Nova Scotia has miles and miles of coastline littered with white sandy beaches. Pick any beach! Some of the most popular beaches include Clam Harbour, Melmerby Beach, and the Five Islands Provincial Park Beach.

Fall

Parties come alive in Nova Scotia come fall. Halloween is one of the largest events in the province. Live music, harvest festivals, and leaf tours packages are some of the best fall Holiday ideas for Nova Scotia. This is also the best season to pick wines, which by the way are some of the best in the world.

Idyllic Nova Scotia

  by @andrewghayes

Much of Nova Scotia is populated by fishing villages, which seem to be frozen in time in a landscape that is pristine and untouched by massive industrialization and urbanization. Life is paced at a relaxed rate, and the old natural clockwork of seasons is still prevalent.

Here, it is not uncommon to see houses on prairies, houses overlooking the sea, and stretches of land filled with purple flowering plants and fields of vineyards that roll away into a violet horizon. There are still houses with ivy shawls, there are still classic wells with bucket-laden pulleys, and there are still chickens crossing the road!

Forget about your stress and worries and discover a world tucked away from modern-day realities. Here in Nova Scotia, you have a relaxed life that overflows with good food, good wine, and the gentle sound of the sea licking the shores. Smell the sea breeze as you inhale clean air; pollution does not exist here, that’s a thing of the future.

Overall, Nova Scotia is a province where fishing villages are the pace of life, where abundance is seasonal. If you want to experience and discover the true culture and life in Nova Scotia, there are two things you can do; taste the food, and get out of your way to experience the curious and hidden things about this Maritime Province of Canada. It has the best White Truffles in the world (which are so rare!), and they just splash it about during the White Truffles festival! Enjoy a plateful of this coveted luxury only in Nova Scotia.

  by John G. Walter

Vatican City is the centre of the world’s Catholic faith and for centuries has ruled the billions of devout believers who can be found in every far corner of the planet. It is one of the most visited holy sites in the whole of Italy, with millions of visitors descending on this unique area to wonder and marvel at its sheer splendour and magnificence. The architecture and buildings that make up this devoutly religious independent state are truly spectacular both looking at them from the outside as well as inside their immensely decorated interiors that appear to go on forever.

Everybody who arrives in Rome automatically has to arrange a visit to this amazing location, and it is usually the number one place to tour around on their agenda. To not go to Vatican City and visit the cathedrals as well as the Sistine Chapel and all the splendid museums would be sacrilege to say the least. The immense power of the place is awe inspiring with each and every edifice being molded to perfection both inside and out. The most talented of painters, sculptors and other artisans have all left their signatures on parts of the buildings which are cultural and historical legacies the whole world can enjoy and marvel at.

St Peter’s Basilica

  by jimmyharris

St Peter’s Basilica which is called the Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano in Italian, is one of the largest late Renaissance churches found within Vatican City and although it is not strictly speaking considered as a cathedral, it is nonetheless one of the holiest Catholic sites on earth. The basilica boasts one of the biggest interiors of any church on the entire planet. It is truly an amazing place with its main dome dominating the skyline in a way that can only be seen to be believed.

The sheer size of the interior and the splendid decoration of the doorways, the walls as well as the massively high ceilings and columns, leaves you feeling very small indeed. It is here that St Peter is buried and many successive Popes are laid to rest in this holiest of holy sites. Artists namely Michael Angelo sculpted the amazing statue of the Pieta which is housed within the basilica. To visit this basilica, you really need to take your time as there is just so much to see and take in and this just cannot be done in a rush.

The entire area of Vatican City is just incredible, this includes the gardens and St Pietro Square as well as the many museums which house some of the greatest art treasures in the world. The gardens date back to medieval times and actually take up more than half of the entire area which covers over 44 hectares in total. The pure splendour of the garden with its trees, orchards and immaculately kept lawns, offer a place of tranquility and solace that is both mystical and peaceful at the same time.

Taking a tour around Vatican City and the wonderful basilicas, means spending more than just a few hours amidst some of the most treasured artworks ever created by the best artists of the day, as it takes a bit of planning because there is just so much to see here. Each beautiful part of the basilica makes you stop and wander at the immenseness of it all.

A few years ago I had the pleasure of visiting this amazing place and I found that the best way of doing it was with an organized tour, as not only did I avoid many of the cues but I also got to see a lot more of what I really wanted to see, which were the works of art by Michael Angelo and Bernini not forgetting the incredible monument to the Stuarts by Canova.

I had at first thought that taking a guided tour may mean being rushed through and past all of the wondrous things that you can see here, but in actual fact this was not the case at all. I felt we were given plenty of time to really appreciate all the superb things we were shown, so all in all, it was a really pleasant experience that I felt was definitely worth paying for. If you are visiting the Vatican City on a tight budget then this is not always possible to organize, so my advice to you is to plan your time well when you are there, or you might find you are overwhelmed by the whole experience, which might spoil it a little and this would be a real shame and worse, you might miss some of the treasures that are on display.

Whether it is the superb artworks or the splendid architecture that really interests you the most, you cannot help but be inspired by the whole experience of visiting this amazing basilica. From the moment you arrive and see the Swiss Guards to the immense square in front of St Peters Basilica, you start to realize the enormity of the whole place and just how important it is to the Catholic world today – just as it was throughout the centuries. The pomp and glory of this basilica may take your breath away and the works of art that are housed in the interior are bound to impress you as no others will ever do. This is because the setting is just so exquisite and so very grand. From the immaculate flooring right up to the fantastical ceilings that depict the holiest events in the bible. Visiting the basilicas of Vatican City made me feel very humble and it was an experience that marked me forever as one the deepest ones I have ever felt to this day.

At the turn of the sixteenth century, beaver fur hats were all the rage in Europe, and the continent’s beaver population was, unfortunately, already on the road to extinction. When the French and English merchants discovered the thriving multitudes of beavers living in Saskatchewan, they felt that they had stumbled on a goldmine. Hundreds of trading posts scattered across the province, as French and English merchants met with Aboriginal families to exchange knives and iron pots for furs.

Fort Carlton Provincial Park

  by Jordon

Visiting these trading posts today provides the opportunity to feel the tensions and intrigue that characterized first experiences of contact between Europeans and First Nations people.

Cumberland House Provincial Park

Standing in front of the stone walls of Cumberland House, the sole architectural remains of one of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s first inland trading posts, you cannot ignore the legacy of history. It was here that Saskatchewan’s very first permanent village emerged. By the second half of the eighteenth century, the Hudson’s Bay Company faced growing competition from fur traders who were penetrating inland western Canada with increasing enthusiasm. Initially independent, these traders eventually formed the North West Company, which competed directly with the Hudson’s Bay Company. In response, in 1774,the Hudson’s Bay Company sent English explorer, Samuel Hearne, on a mission to establish a post on the Saskatchewan River. Accompanied by eight European companions and, with some advice from the locals, Hearne settled on Pine Island Lake. A surge in trade followed the establishment of Cumberland House, as many more trading posts soon sprang up along the river’s1,200 or so kilometers of banks.

Initially, Hudson’s Bay Company depended on York boats to deliver goods, but 1873 saw the very first steamboat chug its way down the Saskatchewan River. Sadly, she did not make it very far, sinking on her maiden voyage. In 1874, a new steamboat, The Northcote, took to the river with greater success. In fact, you can see remnants of The Northcote today when visiting the Cumberland House Provincial Park, and imagine her meandering down the Saskatchewan River, loaded with beaver furs, one hundred and thirty years ago.

The Cumberland House Provincial Park, which was established in 1986, is located in Prince Albert and can be accessed from Highway 123. The site, with its limited facilities, maintains an authentic atmosphere. It is a place where you can really feel the pace slow down and find the time and space to allow your imagination to wander.

Fort Carlton Provincial Park

Further west, in Saskatoon, you can visit Fort Carlton Provincial Park. The Hudson’s Bay Company built Fort Carlton in 1810, thirty-six years after establishing Cumberland House. While Cumberland House contains only original remnants of the trading post that once flourished there, Fort Carlton offers visitors a different kind of experience – a historical reconstruction of life in the nineteenth century.When walking through Fort Carlton, your surroundings actually transport you through time.

Guides will accompany you through a teepee camp, trading stores and a clerk’s house. The stores feature the kinds of goods that were traded and used during the nineteenth century, from the furs of beavers and the skins of buffalos, used and provided by the First Nations people, to the guns carried by the European traders. Your guides will also offer you the chance to participate in activities that imitate how traders behaved and lived. If you really want to deepen your experience, you can even camp for the night. Fort Carlton engages all of the senses and provides visitors with a rare opportunity to really “live” the fur trade era.

The Visitors’ Centre displays detailed information regarding Fort Carlton’s history. Apart from serving as a significant post for the trading of furs and the provisioning of meat, Fort Carlton was the site where the First Nations people and the government began working out the terms of Treaty Six in 1876.As a result of the decline of the buffalo population and the spread of smallpox, the First Nations people faced severe hunger and illness. In negotiating Treaty Six, they agreed to swap large areas of the prairies for small reserves, healthcare and the government’s protection from famine.

In 1885, however,violent clashes between the government and the Metis people led to a fire which burnt down Fort Carlton. Reconstruction and use of the site as an educational facility began in 1967.

Fort Pitt Provincial Park

While initial negotiations started at Fort Carlton, Treaty Six was actually signed on September 7^th, 1876, at another trading post, Fort Pitt, which lies about 400 kilometers to the west. Built by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1826, Fort Pitt provided a kind of “halfway house” between Fort Carlton and Fort Edmonton, which is in modern day Alberta.

As well as providing a trading post for furs, Fort Pitt was also a place where the European merchants traded with the First Nations people for meat, which was essential to maintaining the health and strength of the Hudson Bay Company’s workers.

Furthermore, Fort Pitt is known as the site at which conflict broke out between the government’s North West Mounted Police and Big Bear and the Cree in 1885. Following some violent clashes, Big Bear and William McLean, a Hudson Bay’s Company trader, managed to reach a truce.

When you visit the site today, you can see plaques dedicated to Big Bear and to Treaty Six. You can paddle a canoe on the river that played such a significant role in the fur trade and you can walk amongst the archaeological remains of what was once a busy nineteenth century trading center.

A tour of the old trading posts of Saskatchewan province is, truly, a journey through an era that played a pivotal role in shaping Canada as we know it today. Whether you visit the genuine remnants of nineteenth century buildings and boats and allow your imagination to run free; take a guided tour through a fully reconstructed settlement; or contemplate a site of momentous historical significance, a trip to Saskatchewan will make you feel as though you have travelled through time.

The Ponte Vecchio bridge

  by **Mary**

The Ponte Vecchio bridge is not just a bridge, it is a monument that has to be admired from both close up and afar. The bridge has a world of its own along it, with jewellery shops that are famous the world over, tempting visitors and shoppers alike to browse in them in a setting that is out of this world.

This amazing structure was built in 1345 by Taddeo Gaddi and Neri di Fioravanti. It was built to replace the Roman bridge which has suffered too much damage during the floods on the River Arno. In the evenings, at sunset is probably one of the best times to see the bridge from afar, just downstream in fact, as the lights come on along it as well as in the various shops and establishments that are situated on the bridge it gives a magical impression to the whole area that is exceptionally beautiful. The reflections of the arches in the rivers’ waters take on a mystical appearance that is enchanting to say the least. But then at sunrise, the Ponte Vecchio is a stunning place to see, as the suns’ first rays of the morning, light it up in a magical and mystical way.

Then there is the Ponte Alla Carraia, which dates back to medieval times. It has been rebuilt on several occasions especially after the Second World War when it was damaged by the Germans. It is a simple bridge but the views of it and from it, are amazing. When the weather is calm and the light is good, the reflections of the arches on the river are spectacularly clear. It does not matter which side of the river you happen to be on, the vistas of the city and the line of buildings that run along the river banks in such a stately manner, is an amazing vista. These vantage points offer the amateur photographer some great shots whether the photo is taken early in the morning, midday or on a balmy evening. From the bridge itself either looking upstream or downstream, the views of the river and the buildings are brilliant as everything looks so majestic.

Ponte Alla Carraia

  by fabbio

There is no doubt that Florence is a photographers dream city, especially when it comes to its bridges that so elegantly cross from one side of the city to the other. Nobody visiting the city could possibly miss the photo opportunities they see when the approach them, are on them or as they see them in the distance from the banks of the river. When the sun is in just the right part of the sky, the reflections of the bridges on the water is simply mind blowing. Even the less ornate ones are just delightful and offer some of the best views of the city with its towers and tall buildings dominating the skyline.

The lovely low bridge of Ponte Alla Grazie is one of the bridges in Florence that gives the impression of an optical illusion both in the real and on photograph. This little bridge stood the tests of time and when you remember it was first constructed in 1227 then rebuilt in 1345, you can’t help but be impressed by this fact. It spans the widest part of the river Arno and when it was originally built it had buildings on it including a church hence its name, just as the Ponte Vecchio has today. However, the lovely ancient bridge was totally destroyed during the Second World War by the retreating German army and a new one was constructed to replace it. The modern bridge although a wonderful architectural feat, does not have the same charm as the old one, but the views of it and from it are still a wonder to behold.

Ponte Alla Grazie

  by Greg and Patty

When visiting Florence you cannot help but wander down to the river, the Ponte Vecchio attracts many tourists and lovers of architectural heritage to the area, but the magnificence of the buildings and the sheer size of them as they stretch as far as the eye can see along the rivers banks, makes it a lovely experience to just meander along these banks with camera at the ready. This is when you get the best impressions of the bridges in Florence and the vistas they offer you of the architecturally rich city of Florence.

From the more modern bridges to the ancient one like Ponte Vecchio, the River Arno in Florence is as majestic as the city itself. Even on a stormy day when the clouds hover over this ancient town, there are vistas that are simply out of this world. Capturing them on film is a wonderful way of keeping a memory fresh and alive of a beautiful city that over time has met the modern day with an ease that many cities have done been able to do. This is what makes Florence such a beautiful historic city to visit as it stands as a timeless monument to such a glorious past.

With so many beautiful sights to see whether from the ancient Ponte Vecchio or the modern bridges that have had to replace the old ones, Florence is a city that has to be discovered and then explored with a camera always at the ready to catch that perfect shot of a vista that can be seen nowhere else in the modern fast moving world. Florence is a magical, mystical city that is full of ancient history. Today like the bridge of Ponte Vecchio on the River Arnor, Florence stands as a monument to these times long past, it is a grand city which is a photographers dream because there is just so much to photograph when you visit this gorgeous Italian city.

  by huntingdesigns

Rome is superbly situated with so much to see and do in the surrounding areas. Tuscany and Umbria not being that far away, makes Rome the perfect base for trips to these neighboring regions which have so much to offer visitors hungry to tour around the ancient monuments and ruins that abound in the areas. There is an endless list of places to visit when in Rome so having an insight into a few of the day trips that are available is great as it means you can plan your stay here really well. It means you get to see as much as you can, but without overdoing it so the experiences are pleasantly memorable ones.

One of the day trips which I went on was to Orvieto. This delightful hill town is in Umbria. It has existed since the Etruscan times, so really very interesting for anyone who loves history as I do. The museums and monuments found here are out of this world. The most impressive structure in Orvieto has to be the cathedral which has a mosaic façade and it is one of the best examples of medieval architecture you will ever come across in Italy. It takes around an hour to drive to this lovely hillside town, but when you arrive you won’t be disappointed as there are some great restaurants as well as shops to eat at and browse around in the town.

Orvieto Cathedral

  by HerryLawford

Etruscan history abounds in the regions around Rome and none more so that in Tarquinia where there are tombs from the period as well as a museum that is definitely worth a visit. The centre of the town is pure medieval and the cathedral boasts frescoes that date back to 1508. Again this little treasure of a town is about an hour outside of Rome and if you don’t want to drive there is a train service from the capital to Tarquinia that runs pretty regularly.

View on Tarquinia

  by Stefano Chiarelli

Of course if you are looking for a day out which offers you a spectacularly refreshing vista, a trip to Tivoli has to be on the agenda. The Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa are simply breathtakingly beautiful with gardens and fountains built in the Renaissance period. Hadrian’s Villa is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and when you see it, you really understand the magnificence of that period of Italian history. You can either drive to Tivoli or there is both a train service and a bus service from Rome.

Tivoli Gardens

  by paulafunnell

For lovers of Italian wine, then a day trip to Frascati is a must. The town is situated in the hills around 13 kilometres outside of the city. This makes a great day out to an area that is built up on a volcanic complex of hills, so the landscapes and scenery are out of this world. If you are visiting Rome during the hot summer months, you will find a trip to the hills of Frascati refreshingly welcoming.

Town of Frascati

  by Frank Hamm

Visiting Rome and not organizing a day at the beach would be sacrilege. Ostia Lido is a great destination for a day out of the hot city and although it is not the trendiest of beaches in the region, it offers you some really very nice private beach areas to just sit and enjoy the sun, sea and Italian way of relaxing. Ostia Lido is famous for its dark coloured sand and because it is only about thirty minutes from the capital is definitely worth considering for a nice quiet, relaxing day out of the city on a gorgeous private beach.

Ostia Lido Beach

  by LostBob Photos

If you are a food lover, then why not try a day out at one of the Italian cookery schools like the one at Fontana del Papa. This is a great idea for anyone who wants a break from the city in an environment that is pure Italian. The great thing about this idea is that you can stay overnight if you want to and the owners are very happy to pick you up at the station when you arrive. You get to learn how to cook some amazing Italian food in a family run affair that is both welcoming and charming. And the countryside is just spectacular in the area.

A day trip to the gorgeous town of Florence, which is another place that just has to be visited if you possibly can, is something you really need to think about. The fast trains from Rome only take around an hour and a half to arrive in Florence, so it is definitely worth considering. The centre of the town is just pure Italian splendour and with so much to see and do here, from the many historical sites to the fantastic restaurants, cafés and shops, it is a day trip that will be more than just a bit memorable.

Of course closer to the capital there is Vatican City with the incredible Sistine Chapel and all of the museums. Then there are the Catacombs of San Calliso where you will find the largest and most probably the most impressive of them in the whole of the area. One thing to bear in mind that Sundays are the best days to organise a trip here as the roads around the Appian Way are closed to traffic, making the experience that much more pleasant.

Rome, the grand Metropolis of Italy is a fantastic city to visit and because it is well situated amidst the gorgeous neighbouring regions, there is an abundance of day trips that can be organised so that you get to see and do as much as you possibly can when you are visiting the capital. Planning a few trips out of the city is like going on an adventure that will let you see more of the country in the nicest possible way.

  by AroundTuscany

The gorgeous town of Siena, the capital of the province is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has to be one of the most visited cities in all of Italy. There is an abundance of places to explore during a stay here, from museums as well as the magnificent art galleries along with restaurants that serve traditional and extraordinarily fine Tuscan cuisine and all of this in a superb medieval setting that takes you back in time.

Il Palio Horse Race

  by Dean Ayres

Famous for its twice yearly horse race, Il Palio, Siena is quite unique. It is another one of the lovely fortified hill towns that are found in Tuscany. It was first settled long ago in c.900-400 BC and the first inhabitants were a tribe known as the Saina. This Etruscan people were way ahead of their time and reclaimed much of the previously un-farmable land with their innovative methods of irrigation. Everywhere the Etruscans settled became fertile land and their hill towns were incredibly well fortified against all marauders.

Through the centuries Siena has been settled by the Romans and even a Gaulish tribe. Being far from the main roads, the town did not prosper during the Roman time as trade was limited. As such Christianity did not reach Siena until much later when the Lombards invaded the town and its surrounding areas. It was then that Siena started to really thrive.

Walking through the town is like walking back through all the centuries with the ancient meeting the modern world in a harmonious way that it is utterly charming. Exploring the town is a delight and discovering the marvels it reveals around each corner is breathtaking.

Of course the main sights like the cathedral which dates back to the 12^th century, is a structure that just makes a person feel so very small when standing and looking up at the fairy tale like towers that point to the heavens. The cathedral is the greatest example of pure Italian Romanesque-Gothic architecture that one could ever hope to see. It has a marvelous history and with many of the finest artists, stone masons and sculptures of the day having added their works of art to the interior. Walking around inside of the cathedral surrounded by works of art that are out of this world makes it a mystical experience that is almost tangible.

Cathedral Of Santa Maria

  by Diego’s sideburns

With so much architectural heritage in Siena, it would be hard not to be impressed by each and every one of the medieval buildings which has survived the tests of time. The Piazza del Campo, which is the town square, is where the famous Il Palio horse race takes place twice yearly, but it is also here that you will find the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia. As with all things in Siena, there are treasures within treasures and the Palazzo Pubblico houses another incredible museum with frescos by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Pietro Lorenzetti. It is like finding a secret drawer in an antique desk that has yet another piece of gold hidden it in and when you do discover it, you realise what a wonder it is to behold.

Piazza Salimbeni

  by lorenzo cuppini verducci

Lit up in the evenings the Piazza Salimbeni has to be one of the most beautiful sights in Siena. This incredibly statuesque building is the headquarters of Monte dei Paschi di Siena which is the one of the oldest banks in the region. It continues to be part of the Sienese economy and is a major player that has been in existence for centuries.

There are some wonderful festivals that take place in Siena and the most famous one has to be the Il Palio di Siena. This traditional horse race attracts an audience from all over the land as well as spectators from all corners of the globe. Anyone wanting to witness this race which takes place firstly in July and then in August, should try to reserve seats as the event is incredibly popular and as such a very crowded affair.

For lovers of Italian wine, Siena is close to the wine growing region of Chianti, so a trip out to the surrounding area is a must in order to discover even more treasures that the region has to offer its eager visitors.

Siena is a town which is incredibly proud of its heritage and with so much to offer, a short or long stay here is an experience a traveller could never forget. Walking through the center of the town, which is pedestrian only, you can only stop and wonder at all the gorgeous things that you come across. That is when you can really take a break and treat yourself to the amazing ‘gelatos’ that you find here.

Discovering a fine restaurant in Siena is easy and the traditional Tuscan cuisine that they serve will get you coming back for more. All washed down with a superb bottle of Chianti from the region, has to be a travellers idea of heaven in a setting that could not be more idyllic.

The summer months do tend to get very crowded, so hotel reservations should be organized well in advance. I was very fortunate a few years ago to be invited to Siena by a couple of friends who have a house there. I went in the springtime and I found that the town was delightfully quiet. But the best part about my trip was that the landscape was just bursting into flower and the scents in the air were amazing. I fell in love with this medieval town, just like so many other travellers have done over the decades, and look forward to revisiting Siena one day in the not too distant future to enjoy once again the uniqueness of the town and all that is has to offer.

Nobody could deny that the Italians excel when it comes to their cuisine. Every region of the country has its own traditional specialties, and in Tuscany these are incredibly good. However, the dish that is universally known and prepared to perfection throughout Italy is, of course the pizza. There are rules in place that are adhered to without fail when it comes to how the pizza bases are prepared. Their thickness and size of the pizza is the key to whether or not one has been prepared the way it ought to be, and then of course there is the choice of toppings and throughout Italy, you are really spoilt for choice.

  by Chewbacka

When in Pisa you have to know where to go to get the best pizza and it stands to reason that the locals are the people who know which Pizzeria serves the dish to die for. With so many visitors descending on the town to see the leaning tower as well as all the other marvelous sights that abound throughout the city, there is an amazing choice of restaurants, pizzerias and other eateries, so it could seem a bit daunting when you first arrive there.

But for a fast food delight when in Italy, it has to be a pizza. If like me you love the extra thin base on your pizza, the wonderful La Cereria prepares theirs just like this. The toppings however are extremely copious with a selection of them that could take you a while to choose from, but this is all part of the fun of eating a pizza.

If you are looking for somewhere to grab a bite in a really nice location, then try the Il Vecchio Dado. Their pizzas are great although a little bit on the expensive side, but with an ice cream parlour just down the road, it is the ideal place to enjoy a really well prepared pizza and then treat yourself to one of the best ‘gelatos’ from the Bottega del Gelato after your meal.

Visiting Pisa on a budget means finding really affordable places to eat at and in this case you have to go to Bagni Di Nerone where the pizza is, not only very good but very well priced too. The pizzeria is extremely popular with students just for this reason, so it is a great place to try out for the food, the ambiance and the price. Another really good place to get a pizza, have a beer and a dessert for a very reasonable price is La Spigolatrice and again this is a very popular place to eat so the ambiance is always good here too.

Right in the heart of Pisa, there is a lovely pizzeria which is great value for money. L’Antico Vicoletto serves up incredibly good pizzas in a really friendly atmosphere which means the restaurant is usually busy, but this does depend on the time of year you are visiting the city. It’s a pizzeria that both locals and tourists enjoy eating at.

For anyone who likes their pizzas on the large size, then Le Scuderie is probably where you might just meet your match because here you buy your pizza by the metre. All the pizzas are cooked in a wood oven with bases that are nice and thick. The owner however, is not the friendliest person you might ever come across in Pisa, but his pizzas more than make up for this.

If you don’t mind a bit of stroll, then a walk outside the city walls to a pizzeria called Funiculi is well worth the effort. It is situated close to the Roman baths, so that’s two reasons why it’s a good excuse to go and eat there. This is a very popular place, full of locals who dig in to plates of delicious antipasto and some of the best pizzas in Pisa.

The Pizzeria Il Montino has a great reputation for serving some of the best pizza in town as well as the best focaccio and ceccina. The restaurant itself is very small so you may have to wait to get a table, but the wait will certainly be worth it!

JACS bistro is a restaurant come pizzeria that serves great Italian food and superb pizzas as well as sandwiches. This is another very popular restaurant where the food is out of this world and the atmosphere very Italian.

If you are in Pisa with the family, then Osteria Pizzeria Il Fantasma dell’Opera is a great child friendly place to eat at. This is a truly good value for money place to eat and it is incredibly popular, which is always a good sign that the restaurant is a good one.

Another very child friendly pizza place is the Pizzeria Tavola Calda La Tana where not only are kids made really welcome, but the pizzas are great and really inexpensive. If you don’t want to sit down to eat at the restaurant, they have a take-out service which is really handy if you want to keep on the move.

Of course with a name like Pizzamania, you would expect this restaurant to be excellent and it is. Italians love it and the pizzas are more than just good, everything about them is superb. On top of this they are excellent value for money – all this in a friendly atmosphere that makes dining out, eating your favorite Italian dish a real delight.

It is always nice to get some idea of the best places to eat at when you are visiting a new town or city, but it can also be a great adventure finding a place off the beaten track that serves amazing dishes including of course pizzas. I always believe that if there are loads of locals eating at the place then the chances are that the food is going to be the best around and I am yet to be proven wrong. The Italians simply love their food and expect the best all the time, so as a rule of thumb, you just can’t go wrong if you choose a pizzeria that the Italians themselves love, a place where they can relax and enjoy their wonderful food as only the Italians can do.

You can kick start your adventure by visiting

Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area

  by Kingstonist.com

The 394 hectare site will take your breath away because of its natural beauty and the many activities you can do within the area. Educate yourself about natures wonders as you explore the marsh fields, forests, and the natural habitat of animals. You can do many outdoor activities within the recreation facility. You can go biking, hiking, or guided tours once you are inside the conservation area.

This conservation area is located near Highway 401 and Division Street in Kingston. Little Cataraqui Creek is accessible for both residents and visitors who are looking for an outdoor adventure. Here are the fees that you will pay once you enter the conservation area:

• $5.50 for adults
• $3.00 for children twelve years old and below
• $14.00 maximum fee for vehicles ($5.00 per vehicle during July and August)
• You can avail of the annual pass for $80.00 that gives you access to the Little Cataraqui Creek and Gould Lake Conservation Lands for a one year period.

Educate yourself about the conservation area during the weekends. Little Cataraqui Creek is home to the headquarters of the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority. Environmental programs are offered by the Conservation Authority during spring, fall, and winter. You can learn a lot about the history and the beauty of the conservation area in Little Cataraqui Creek.

Seasonal Activities in Little Cataraqui Creek

Winter is the time to travel to Little Cataraqui Creek because of the many winter sports you can enjoy. You can go skiing, skating, snowshoeing and other winter activities of your choosing. You can rent the equipment you need at the outdoor recreation center, you can also take up skiing lessons.

During the months of March and April you can take part in Maple Madness. This celebration brings in hundreds of visitors a year. Maple Madness the conservation area operates a demonstration of a sugar bush. You can marvel at the beauty of nature and the natural process of sugaring sap to syrup. You will also be bombarded with live music. The kiddies will enjoy the puppet show that Maple Madness has to offer. You can also avail of guided tours to enrich your experience in the conservation area.

The summer months are always busy in Little Cataraqui Creek because of the summer day camps for children six years old and above. During the day camps, the kids will learn and appreciate the beauty of nature and the excitement that the outdoors brings. Get a chance to learn more about nature and the wonders that it contains. You can also rent kayaks and canoes for $7.00 an hour to make your stay memorable.

There are plenty of fun things to do during your stay in Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area.

Parrots Bay Conservation Area

This beautiful conservation area is 117 hectares of wetlands, waterfront views, and woods. Bask in the majestic beauty of nature as you visit the newest conservation area of the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority. Parrots Bay is a good place to start your adventure to the outdoors.

Enjoyable Activities in Parrots Bay

Hiking and cross country skiing are the activities that you can enjoy in Parrots Bay. There is more than 5 km of trails that pierce through wetlands, woodlands, and fields. This is the ideal place for the adventurous and the thrill seekers. You can wonder at the sceneries that Parrots Bay will bombard you with. Your hiking experience will never be the same once you cross the trails and woodlands of this conservation area.

The flora and fauna of Parrots Bay are sights to behold. You can appreciate nature in its entire splendor as you go on a guided tour or explore the wonders for yourself. The woodlands, wetlands, and shoreline will take your breath away because of the many opportunities to watch wildlife and beautiful sceneries.

You can also go on a picnic with your friends and family because of the picnic tables that are set-up at the Loyalist Parkway entrance. The beautiful scenery that nature has to offer will help you digest your food better. You can also take pictures and immortalize your stay in Parrots Bay.

Fishing is allowed in this conservation area. You can test your fishing skills as you try to catch the biggest fish that you can. Take your prize home with you and enjoy the immense beauty of the lake.

Lemoine Point Conservation Area

  by NapaneeGal

Lemoine Point is a 136 hectare conservation area filled with forests, fields, marshes, and a magnificent waterfront. It is surrounded by Lake Ontario and Collins Bay. Be amazed by the beauty of nature and enjoy fun filled outdoor activities.

Fun Filled Activities in Lemoine Point

Hiking and skiing are the two activities that you can enjoy during your stay. The 11 km trails will take you through beautiful sceneries filled with woodlands, wetlands, and fields. There are scenic lookout points and benches where you can rest and appreciate the beauty of nature. Picnic tables, washrooms, and barbecues are scattered in different areas of Lemoine Point. Your friends and family can enjoy a picnic and an intimate view of nature. But before you can go on a picnic you must acquire a permit. The woodlands are home to beautiful wildflowers and different kinds of wildlife. You can appreciate nature when you trek through forests and different trails.

You can hop on your bike and go through allowed service roads and trails. Swimming is another outdoor activity that you can enjoy during your stay in Lemoine Point. The stone beach is found in the northern part of Lemoine Point.

These three conservation areas are just a few of the places you can visit. There are other conservation areas where you can release your outdoorsy self. Unleash your adventurous side by exploring the great outdoors.

Truer words have never been spoken. There is no better way of seeing the sights and attractions of a new place than by walking around to see these yourself, instead of taking a car or a bus and being shuttled from destination to destination. This article takes a look at some of the most popular walking tours in Toronto.

  by Sanjay Parekh

What’s so great about Toronto’s walking tours?

Toronto is a melting pot of cultures, where East meets West to create a perfect blend of cultures that is uniquely Toronto’s own. Walking tours will allow you to get an up close and personal look at the best of what the city can offer, from the delicious food to the architecture and other attractions that Toronto can offer.

Sights to see in Toronto’s walking tours

Toronto has so much to offer to the visitors of the city, which is why travel agencies and the city itself have organized different kinds of walking tours to appeal to the different interests of tourists. These walking tours include:

• Haunted tours. If you want to add a creepy touch to your vacation, you can join one of the walking tours that take visitors to the most haunted attractions of Toronto. Places to visit include the most haunted building in the University of Toronto, the clock tower of Old City Hall (which comes complete with gargoyles!) and the vaudeville theatre (where the creepiness is more than just an act!) Be sure to bring your digital cameras with you when you visit these sites, especially since you may just end up capturing more than just the beautiful architecture of these places. These walking tours are definitely not for the faint of heart.
• Food tours. A cultural experience isn’t complete without good food, which is why Toronto also offers a wide variety of food tours to satisfy your appetite for both cuisine and culture. Some of the food that you can try out include those from Asia (including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisine), Europe (French and English bakeries and cafes shouldnt be missed!), and Latin America.
• Waterfront tours. The Toronto waterfront is the city’s gateway to the rest of the world, and it has recently been developed to offer more sights and attractions to tourists. Some of the attractions you can see there include parks, promenades, and boardwalks. Local events are also held in that area, so there’s a good chance that you will also be able to catch festivals, boat and bike races, and other such activities if you go there.

On a related note, some travel companies also offer walking tours of Toronto’s waterways. Most of the attractions in these tours are related to the urban development of the city.

• Historical tours. If you’re a history buff, be sure to join one of the walking tours that take a look at the places that have played significant roles in the culture and history of Toronto. These tours also include a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum.
• Literary tours. Bookworms should definitely not miss the literary walking tours of Toronto. Some attractions include the sites visited by Charles Dickens during his stay there, the home of Lucy Maud Montgomery (L.M. Montgomery), the author of Anne of Green Gables.
• Films and TV tours. If films and TV shows are more your thing, don’t worry, because there are also walking tours designed for you. There are walking tours that have been designed to bring you to the sites where television shows and movies, such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, have been filmed in the city.
• Chinatown. A walking tour of Chinatown can easily take up one whole day, given the numerous attractions of the area. Some sites to see there include Dragon City Mall, which features the best of Asian fashion and technology, as well as the numerous restaurants and historical sites in the area.
• Downtown tour. There are also walking tours that have been designed for those who want to check out the city, which includes trips to the local malls.

What about budget?

If you’re worried about budget, don’t be, because there are some organizations that offer free walking tours to tourists who want to experience more than just typical tourist fare. For example, Royal Ontario Museum volunteers offer free walking tours from May to October to visitors who want to explore the art, architecture, and history of the city.

Alternatively, you can also design your own walking tour if you don’t want to join one of the professionally-organized groups. One way you can do so is to follow the Discovery Walk routes, which are markers made by the city for those who want to check out the attractions of Toronto on foot. The route will take visitors through eleven neighborhoods in Toronto. You can also download a map or a guide online that you can follow so you can check out the best of what the city has to offer. Some sites that you shouldn’t miss include:

• The entertainment district. The entertainment district, which starts at the corner of King and John, features the theaters, restaurants, and other similar establishments for those who want to check out the classy attractions of Toronto.
• St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Even non-Presbyterians will definitely not want to miss seeing this church, with its beautiful Scottish Romanesque Revival architecture.
• St. James Cathedral. St James Cathedral is the first Anglican church in Toronto. It has the highest steeple in the country.
• Dominion Centre. The Dominion Centre is comprised of five skyscrapers, with the Toronto Dominion Tower, the first International Style skyscraper that was designed in the city, at its center.
• National Club Building. This Neo-Georgian building holds a special place in the hearts of Canadian patriots, as this serves as a monument to the Canada First movement, which prevented the country’s merging with the United States.

These are only some of the walking tours options you can choose from when you visit Toronto. When you visit the city, be sure to do your research beforehand so you can plan out what routes to take or what tours to join so you can best experience the richness of the culture and history of Toronto.

Other tours in Toronto