The Tube: London, England’s Underdround

It happens somewhere between a storied London street and a subterranean society that intimidation sets in. I’m studying an intricate map of colour-coded lines, linking and crossing each other like a game of Snakes and Ladders. Choosing dogged pursuit over walking away with my tail between my legs, I duck into a service station to join bobbing tourists on a nexus of travel and history.

England’s London Underground, widely referred to as the Tube, is the oldest of its kind and the busiest in Europe after Moscow and Paris. Much like the octopus of the New York City Subway, the sophistication of the Tube services hundreds of stations across England’s Greater London Area, albeit in a cleaner fashion. Its world-class transit network is the second largest in the world, and like an old, lumbering friend, screeches to a halt for underground visits with Big Ben and St. Paul. Read more

The Law of the Land

“I didn’t know if I was going to live – I was almost killed. I was beaten to a pulp. On my face, on my shoulders, I had nothing but scars. I was afraid that I was dying because I was bleeding inside,” says Torontonian Trisha Smith.

Every year, thousands of Canadians travel outside our borders in the hopes of some much-needed rest and relaxation. For the most part, stories about these foreign adventures are filled with sunny skies, blissful scenery and cultural enlightenment. Yet there are rare tales so terrible they resemble a Hollywood drama – stories of detainment, abuse and blatant disregard for personal rights. These horrific circumstances often result from a simple lack of knowledge about local laws and customs. The idea of the law of the land is a very real and powerful concept that still holds true today. Understanding your rights and responsibilities when traveling to Read more

Mandranova Estate, Sicily, Italy

An island in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea makes an ideal vacation destination. With rich history and breathtaking scenery, Sicily is a must-see region of Italy.

Mandranova brings you all the beauty of an island with true Italian hospitality. A comfortable atmosphere, authentic cuisine, first-rate amenities and beautiful surroundings epitomize the Mandranova experience.

To appreciate Italy and all it has to offer, a Mandranova tour package is available. Starting off at the Mandranova hotel, this tour is six days, five nights. From Day 1 to Day 6, there is endless sightseeing in various Italian cities and towns, visits to museums, cooking courses, wine tasting, and leisure activities. Enjoy the architecture, history and overall beauty of Palermo, Agrigento, Caltagirone Read more

Israel — The Land of Milk and Honey

In middle school English class, we are taught that one of the three hallmarks of irony is the difference between appearance and reality. By watching the evening news, casual observers would see Israel only for its ongoing clash with the Palestinians. A closer look reveals all that Israel has to offer.

As the 12-hour flight from Toronto to Tel Aviv nears its end, I have a leg-stretching chit-chat with one of the flight attendants in the centre galley. After asking me where I’m from, he tells me how much he loves flying to Israel, because he takes pride in being able to bring tourists to such a special place. As the Airbus A330 barrels down the runway at Ben Gurion International Airport, the reality of Israel hits me and instantly, I understand that this is a different kind of destination. “It’s our pleasure to welcome you to the land of milk and honey,” an eclectic group of flight attendants excitedly Read more

Vancouver, True Patriot Love

An event so powerful that it brings countries together, building bridges and setting aside differences, the Olympics is a symbol of unity. Encouraging both international competition and cooperation, the Games are a way for diverse athletes to demonstrate great strength and magnitude, the way they did in ancient Greece.

Canada is glowing with pride as it gears up to host Vancouver 2010 – an event to go down in history. Buzzing with anticipation and overflowing with international guests, there’s no better time to visit this attraction-laden city. If you’re lucky enough to have tickets to the Olympic or Paralympic Games, there’s no doubt that you are in for a show-stopping display of athletic prowess. If not, there is still much to see.   Read more

Albania: Scarecrows and Teddy Bears

As the bus hobbled across the Macedonia-Albania border, it dawned on me at the time that I only knew two things about Albania. The first is that it is involved in the Kosovo dispute, but I don’t know the details. Someone else can sort that out. The second is that, around the start of the 20th century, international cricketer and world long jump record holder, C.B. Fry, was, somewhat bizarrely, offered the throne of Albania. Initial signs, from the time we head across the border and into the Albanian countryside, are that the impression I gleaned from Fry might have some basis. The people look a bit peculiar, such as the guy on the bus who looks like Mel Gibson circa Lethal Weapon with massive mullet and all, crossed with Sylvester Stallone at the end of a Rocky movie once he’s had his face punched 200 times. Read more

Viva Portugal

As I gaze out of my tour bus window I am met with majestic meadows, mammoth mountaintops and an affectionate orange sun that insists on spreading its warm rays across the lush landscape. It is the third day of my first trip to Portugal and I’ve already lost count of the astonishing sights I’ve seen. When I was invited by Julie Brito of Victours International to join her and a small group on a week-long tour of one of Europe’s most distinguished countries, I had little idea just how privileged I was.

We are traveling up a meandering mountain road decorated by fresh foliage perfectly fit for photo-ops. Olive trees and grape vines lead the way to our next destination – Quinta da Pacheca Estate and Hotel, a famous family run company that’s recognized for its historic port wine and, most recently, for its elaborate hotel renovations. Read more

Lounging at LaPlaya, Nestle up to Naples

Imagine yourself sprawled by the oceanside, sipping on an icy margarita while the warm sun beats down on your skin. Miles away from your troubles, the only sound you hear is the spellbinding waves that crash against a pristine shore. The best part? You’re much closer to home than you’d think.

Nestled in the heart of Naples, Florida, rests the gorgeous LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort. With an inspired landscape and inviting suites, this hidden gem gives its guests the secluded, far-off feel of an island oasis with all the comforts and amenities of a familiar five-star resort.

Reflecting the contemporary lifestyle and easygoing attitude of South Florida, the ambiance of LaPlaya makes guests feel instantly at home. An updated twist to Florida’s classic Read more

To Zanzibar the Hard Way

There is nothing to worry about. I know many people in Kipumbwe,’ says Mr. Iddy, looking at us the way you look at a child who is worried about their first night away from home, ‘I will come with you. Everything will be fine, yes?’

After a month in Pangani spent teaching English and slowing down to the rural pace of life, my wife Jane and I feel ready for a change of scene. Pangani is a lazy fishing town on the Tanzanian coast, with a beautiful beach that welcomes the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. On a clear day you can catch a glimpse of Zanzibar, perched on the horizon. Most tourists fly there from the mainland or take the big fast ferry from Dar es Salaam but those options are too expensive for us. Mr. Iddy, our Pangani expert on everything, recommends the sailing boat from Kipumbwe, a remote village further down the coast. Read more

An Artistic Adventure Through Greece with Marina Khajetoorian

The heated days of a Grecian getaway climb and fall with ancestral beauty; burning with secrets from eras past, etched in age with epic verse, dumbfounding with archaeological mystery. Having jet and boated across the grandeur of Greece, interior designer Marina Khajetoorian is now one with Greek art, allowing her to fuse her illustrious firm, MK Interior Designs, with enhanced artistic design plans for your home.

From its rocky inclines, ships speck ocean vistas as Doric columns dot villages scarcely trodden by tourists’ feet. Sculptures and sketches, pottery and frameworks flourish and flabbergast with romantic influences, inspired by revolutionary apotheosis and the Bronze Age born on the island of Crete. Read more

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