The Canadian Rockies & Lake Louise

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Canada has a lot to offer in the way of travel destinations. From coast to coast there are new places to visit and new horizons to see. If you travel to Canada, one place you really don't want to miss is the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Lake Louise is situated in Banff National Park in the Province of Alberta. It is known as Canada's "Diamond in the Wilderness," and the "Hiking Capital of Canada". You will notice the tremendous diversity of recreational and sightseeing vistas when you visit here. It is home to one of North America's finest downhill ski areas, and has numerous hiking and walking trails. The scenery is spectacular with the lake snuggled in between the mountains, and the region abounds with other fantastic views from glaciers to waterfalls.

The mountains themselves are gorgeous enough to suit any visitor. High, rocky and snow-capped peaks jut into an overwhelming clear blue sky that is a viewer's (and photographer's) delight.

The Village of Lake Louise is on the Trans-Canada Highway 57 kilometers (35 miles) west of Banff, and is easily accessible from Calgary. This quiet, small village offers a range of travel amenities, fabulous dining opportunities and accommodations.

The picture at right is of Banff, Alberta.


If you want to see a truly awe-inspiring sight, Lake Louise will not let you down. One fun activity is canoeing on the lake and being engulfed by the majestic mountains surrounding you. It is an event you won't soon forget!

If you would like a chance to learn a little more about various countries and their unique cuisines, why not try my new Ebook: Tastes and Travels Ebook It offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try).

Pula, Croatia - The Arena

I have been to Pula a number of times (I have family there) and it is amazing to me that the arena there (or the amphitheatre) is not more reknown. It is classic Roman architecture that is really impressive. The Arena in Pual is the ONLY remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers and all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved. You would think the one in Italy would be better preserved, but that's not true. The one is Pula is much better. The Pula amphitheatre is the sixth largest surviving Roman arena, among 200 other Roman amphitheathres that are in the world today. In Croatia it represents the best preserved ancient monument.

Besides looking at it as a unique ancient architectural structure, another tourist attraction about the arena is that the Pula Film Festival is held there annually and has been since 1954. In the beginning it was known as the Festival of Yugoslav Film but it quickly became the most important national film festival in SFR Yugoslavia, and over the years it has gained considerable international recognition.

Although Pula's arena is a sight not to be missed on any tourist agenda (especially during the film festival), Pula is situated right on the Adriatic Sea. The views are beautiful and swimming in the gorgeous clear turquoise sea is really splendid.

If you are planning a trip to Croatia or thereabouts, Pula would be well worth your time to visit.

If you would like a chance to learn a little more about various countries and their unique cuisines, why not try my new Ebook: Tastes and Travels Ebook It offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try).

Let's Talk About Food

If you come from a specific background, you probably already know about the cuisine from that culture. For instance, if you are Italian, you probably are more than familiar with fettucine, Italian Wedding soup, pizza, Tuscan cooking, Sicilian cooking--I could go on and on. The food from the areas mentioned are unique and the dishes of Italy are well-known to you and others.

But--it is great to try foods from other areas of the world and get new taste experiences. Just because you are familiar with one style of cooking doesn't mean that you won't like anything else. There are many dishes the world over that are classics and they are delicious. No matter what background you come from, most of you have probably had these classic dishes and loved them (like spaghetti from Italy or ratatouille from France).

One thing that is great about traveling is that you get to try new cuisines. The food from other cultures is amazing and if you are up to new taste experiences you can get a lot of enjoyment by trying the local foods and dishes.

If you go on a Carribean vacation, for instance, why not try some of the local island dishes to add to your food repertoire. Try the curry goat from Jamaica, or the jerk pork. Sample the conch soup from the Cayman Islands. Taste a little empanadas from Panama or Arroz con Leche (rice pudding) from Cuba. You may be pleasantly surprised at the wonderful tastes these dishes have to offer.

Different cultures offer a chance to taste and sample new cuisines and to learn how to appreciate them. Each region of the world has its own special ingredients and style of cooking, suited to their climate and the availability of the ingredients that surround them. Each are unique and you can learn a lot about the specific country from the way its cooks and the ingredients it uses.

If you would like a chance to learn a little more about various countries and their unique cuisines, why not try me new Ebook: Tastes and Travels Ebook It offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try).

Los Angeles, California - Excitment Galore!

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity of visiting my sister in L.A. My daughter and I spent a fun and exciting week there. You can't believe all the things we saw and did in one glorious week.

Of course, one of the main attractions for my daughter was Universal Studios. Now that is a fun park! The attractions, the rides, the people, the food--you name it. Everything you could ever ask for in an exciting amusement park. We both recommend it heartily.

We also did the movie studio bit where we watched a T.V. show live from the set. That was a great experience too. Not only do you have the pleasure of seeing your favorite show in action, but you learn what goes on behind the scenes. After you attend one of these events, you look at the shows differently. When watching your show on T.V. you know there is someone in the background making the audience laugh. You get to mingle a bit with the stars and see what they are really like.

Another thing we did was take in the Getty Centre -- you know, the famous art gallery. For me that was a high-light of the trip...and even my daughter, young though she was at the time (14), she still remembers that well. It really is another thing worth seeing if you ever get to travel to L.A.

We did a lot of other sight-seeing... Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood sign, the movie star houses, the clothing manufacturing district (worth going to to get bargains!) and much more. We also visited the Crystal Cathedral (and if you are religious at all, the Mass is worth attending--it is spectacular!)

L.A. is a big, bustling city with lots of attractions and things to do. It is one of those places where you can find something different to do everyday...and has the excitment of the flashy lights and big city to back it up.

Traveling is one part of my life that I thoroughly enjoy. I love seeing how different people live in different places. Even a place like L.A. that is really not that different from my own culture here in Canada provides a unique experience that I will remember forever.

If you want to read about different travel destinations--find articles and travel reviews, as well as articles on ethnic cuisines and recipes--why not get my new Tastes and Travels Ebook

Why Not Take a Cruise?

When you are tired of going simply to one place and lying on the beach in the sun (Heaven forbid!) you can take a different sort of vacation by cruising. Taking a cruise offers many advantages that going to a single spot doesn't. It can be a bit more of a hectic vacation, instead of be a relaxing one, but it can also be a lot of fun.

One of the main advantages of cruising is that you get to see different places. For instance, if you take an Eastern Carribean cruise you can see a few different islands, like the Cayman Islands or Turks & Caicos, or Jamaica, or even see some of Mexico all on the same trip. Then if you find you really like a certain place, that can be the goal for your next week-long vacation.

Cruising offers fine dining and a host of activities aboard ship. There are casinos, pools, nightly floor shows, theatres, night clubs, and so much more. Some cruise ships have rock climbing walls, skating rinks, skeet shooting, golf--you name it.

Many cruises are also theme-oriented. You can take a cruise where the theme is on French cuisine & cooking, and you can take chef training or cooking classes. There are cruise themes on almost anything you can think of--from improving your writing skills, to doll collecting or meeting celebrities, or even fine art based cruises.

There are cruises that are up-scale where you can 'dress' for dinner everynight in black tie and gowns, or casual cruises where anything goes. There are fun ships that include children's programs and cruises that are strictly for adults.

You can probably find a cruise to take you to any part of the world--Caribbean cruises, Mediterran cruises, Alaska cruises, cruises to the Hawaiian Islands, cruises around the coast of Africa, or even trans-Atlantic cruises. You only have to find a destination and the ports-of-call that interest you.

I would highly recommend cruising to anyone. And you don't have to be very concerned with sea-sickness either, as most ships have excellent stabalizers or there is sea-sickness pills which are readily available. Pick your favorite ports of call today and take a cruise for an exciting vacation adventure.

If you would like to read more about cruising and what you can really expect from a cruise, read about it in my new ebook Tastes and Travels Ebook (and get great ethnic recipes as well!)

From Venice to Ottawa

I like to globe-trot so today let's leave Venice and go to Ottawa, Canada. Of course you know that Ottawa (not Toronto) is the capital of Cananda, so there are lots of things to do and see there. You can see the Parliament Buildings (and take a tour) which are set beautifully against the Ottawa River. The old stone castle-like buildings are truly impressive, especially in the spring and summer when the flowers are in bloom. In fact, The East Block of the Parliament Buildings looks much the same now as it did in the time of Confederation. You can also witness the changing of the guard which is another 'neat' sight to behold.

Ottawa has many museums and art galleries to visit like The Canadian War Museum, The National Gallery of Canada, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, The Canada Science and Technology Museum, The Canada Aviation Museum and The Royal Canadian Mint. These are are definitely worth taking a 'gander' through.

It has shopping malls galore (huge ones) and a wonderful downtown shopping centre. There are parks beside the Ottawa river to picnic at, and you can't miss seeing the Rideau canal (especially in winter where it is a skater's dream!). Try it out during Ottawa's 'Winterlude Festival'! The picture at right is taken from a picnic/tourist spot on the Ottawa River.

I could go on and on about the fun stuff to see and do in Ottawa, but alas this is only a short blog. If you would like to read a bit more about Ottawa, you can find out more in my new ebook Tastes and Travels Ebook (and get great ethnic recipes as well!)

Come back and visit this blog soon and see where we will go next!

A Trip to Venice

Yesterday I talked to you a little about Havana, Cuba. Today we are travelling across the ocean to another remarkable city -- Venice, Italy. I have visited Venice three times and have left each time in awe. There is no place on earth like it, and it has to be on your top ten list of places to visit before you die.

Travelling the waterways of Venice is a truly unique experience. The ancient architecture is with you even step of the way (or every paddle of the gondola). The stonework that surrounds you and the bridges that cross the canals are awe-inspiring.

On my first trip to Venice I can still recall travelling under the "Bridge of Sighs". That was an enclosed stone bridge over a canal that lead from the courtrooms to the prison in Venice. Although it was a totally enclosed stone structure, there was a small window in the centre. Here it was that convicted prisoners got there last look at freedom, and they 'sighed' (hence the name).

I know Venice is reputed to be dirty and commercial and all that stuff, but you can look past all of that with all the other things the city has to offer. There are fantastic little restaurants and coffee houses, glass blowing factories, museums and art galleries--tons of places to see and things to do--and all of this in totally unique surroundings. And don't forget to take a tour with a guide to learn about the history of the place.

Nowhere on earth will you see the way a water-centred city lives. As you ride by on your gondola you see how the people have water-garages for their household boats (instead of cars). You see how the water waves lap up against the ancient buildings that serve as homes for the people. You see the children running across the bridges in their play or on their way to school.

I can't say enough about Venice. I loved it and you will too. It really is a must-see destination. Put it on your agenda for one of your top places to visit.

You can read more about Venice in my new ebook Tastes and Travels Ebook. And you can read about the Italian cuisine as well...and get some great Italian recipes!

Notes on Travel to Cuba - Havana City

I love Cuba! Although travelling anywhere is experiencing something different, there is no doubt that visiting Cuba is unique. When you step into the City of Havana, you take a step back in time. From the vintage cars on the street to the beautiful architecture, there is no place like it. Of course, the city is run-down for the most part, but you can see the effort everywhere where they are trying to preserve and restore some of the unique buildings. The streets are clean, with not litter anywhere. It is a totally fantastic experience to view a bustling city that is like a page out of the past.

You can sit in a bar where Ernest Hemingway slept and drank (and even wrote his novel "For Who the Bell Tolls") and cherish your frosty Cuba Libra (a rum and coke drink with lime in it) and watch other tourists ride the ancient grill-work elevator. You can ride in one of the horse-drawn carriages to view the city in comfort. You can walk the cobblestone alleys and see the little shops and visit museums, book stores, perfume factories, cigar factories, art galleries...and much more.

There are a thousand things to see and do--great restaurants and bistros (Cuban food is not as bad as it is reputed to be), eat in their own little Chinatown, or get a taste of coconut water from a freshly cut coconut at the art market.

This is just a short blog, but visiting Havana City in Cuba is certainly worth seeing. I'll discuss the magnificient beaches and resorts another time, but they are worth knowing about too.

If you want to know a bit more about Cuba and Cuban cooking, you might want to read my new ebook "Tastes and Travels". It has a great reveiw about Cuba, as well as an article on Cuban cooking...and recipes! You can get it here: Tastes and Travels Ebook

Welcome to the NEW Tastes and Travels Blog!!

Well, this is the first post in my Tastes and Travels blog. Welcome!!!

What is this blog about? Well, I love to travel and I love to cook...and eat, so I am combining my loves and sharing them with you.

Travelling has to be one of the most rewarding things to do on this earth. Seeing different places, finding out how others live, taking in the beauty of the world--I can't think of a better thing to do!

Unless of course its eating. And another great part about travelling is that you get to sample different cuisines, different ways of cooking, ways of combining ingredients that you never thought of before, experience the tastes of new ingredients, new fruits, vegetables, spices -- oh, its so EXCITING!!!

I guess you get the idea that I am excited about my new blog. Future posts will get into the nitty-gritty of my travel experiences and even of places I WANT to travel to. I'll also provide recipes I have tried and created from the various places I have visited.

By the way, the picture shown was taken on a visit to Jamaica. It is of Blue Hole on the north coast -- not your typical shot of Jamaica, is it?

Come back and visit and we'll share this taste and travel experience together!!

If you want to get ahead of me, try reading my new ebook Tastes and Travels Ebook