Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Hello from Quebec (Magog) - 1

So I am sitting here at the Club Vacances Magog with the wind howling outside at 45+ km per hour and temperatures of about -15 to -20 degrees Celsius, windchill factor not included.We drove up from Toronto last Saturday and it only took us about 6 hours to get to the town of Magog in Quebec's Eastern Townships. This area, l'Estrie, is located about 1 hour southeast of Montreal and very close to. . .

Cape Town – City Center Hotels for Every Budget!

Most of us bring to mind Nelson Mandela or Mel Gibson’s Lethal Weapon 2 when we think of Cape Town, South Africa. But as visitors year round know, the region is an outstanding vacation spot as well as efficient business center, and right in the city center, you’ll have a wide range of choices for accommodation.If you’re looking for a budget hotel, you might like the Cape Town Lodge on Buitengra. . .

Hello from Quebec (Magog) - 2

So I am cheating a little, I am already back in Toronto, writing this little summary of the second half of our trip to Quebec. While we didn’t ski on Wednesday because it was too friggen cold, we did have a beautiful day of sunshine on Thursday, albeit a little on the cool side (about minus 15 Celsius…).Well, it was certainly a perfect day to go skiing on Thursday and we chose to go to Jay Peak. . .

Budget Travel Tips For Your Thanksgiving Road Trip

Your annual road trip to Grandma's with your family is not the time to be wasting money on unnecessary items or services. Road trips the type of vacation where saving money is possible and easy to do. Follow these simple steps and your Thanksgiving road trip will be one of the best and cheapest you have ever taken. One of the biggest areas where money can be saved is on food. Pack snacks and ma. . .

Packing For Adventure Travel

There’s a funny scene in Romancing the Stone when Michael Douglas’ character meets Kathleen Turner’s character and agrees to take her to a phone booth hundreds of miles away. He simply refuses to help her carry her completely impractical luggage and a few scenes later goes even further by chopping the heels off her shoes so she can actually walk in them. This little fiasco encompasses the essen. . .

Hello from Graz

I finally found Internet access here in Graz. Not the easiest thing I have to admit. Had to ask 3 people and finally went to the tourist info who competently directed me to an Internet Cafe.The last few days have been interesting. The first day my sister-in-law and I took a little tour through my home town of Weiz, and in the 8 years that I haven't been here there has been a lot of change. New . . .

Business Trip Or Vacation- Bed And Breakfasts Are A Hidde...

Within the same city, across the country, or on the next continent to the East, you wont ever find two bed and breakfasts alike. They aren't chain enterprises where cookie-cutter-like consistency is a company rule. Rather, they often share the culture of their surrounding area, and reflect the taste and personality of the owner. For the vacationer, they provide a refreshing, home-like setting t. . .

Cheap Travel – How To Save Substantially On Travel, Vacat...

An increasing number of individuals utilize the internet to make travel reservations. Potential travelers often make their arrangements through the company or website offering the lowest prices. Popular sites such as Hotwire offer highly discounted rates on various types of travel packages. However, these types of sites do not disclose certain information such as name of hotel or airline until . . .

Canada

Canada is located in North America and stretches all the way from the Atlantic to the Pacific, being made up of ten Provinces and three Territories. To the North is the Artic ocean; Davis Strait on the North East separates it from Greenland, to the East is the Atlantic Ocean; the South is bordered by the United States of America and the West by the Pacific Ocean and Alaska.A country of outstand. . .

Things To Remember When Renting A Hotel

Some people rarely stay at hotels and other people, like “road warrior business people” stay at hotels frequently. Here are some ideas from the road warriors to help your stay go even more enjoyable to employ a little hotel etiquette into your stay.· Tip. Feel free to tip the bellhop and the housekeeper 5% to 20% for good service, depending on the situation and how frequently they serve you.· L. . .

More Than Spring Break in Cancún

For years vacationers have been drawn to the beautiful scenery that Cancún has to offer. There is, after all, a reason why the Mexican government chose this coastal city to be its tourist flagship. Blue waters, white sands, and plenty of room for development meant that Cancún was the perfect place to draw in visitors.Image and RealityCancún's popularity with American travelers – meaning English. . .

How To Rent An Orlando Vacation Home

Now you wish to try an Orlando vacation villa for your forthcoming trip – what next? If this is your first time trying the luxury of a holiday villa for your vacation the following tips and advice should make the whole process quite straightforward for you. Once you have established how many people will be travelling with you on holiday, you then decide which size of villa will then best suit y. . .

The Unspoilt Wilderness in Paphos, Cyprus

I have lived in Paphos for a few years now and after the euphoria of living in the sun, going to the beach, seeing the sea every day and watching fabulous coastal sunsets every night, had settled to an acceptable level, I then discovered that Paphos has so much more to offer.Don't get me wrong, all of the above still excite me beyond belief and the ‘Med’ lifestyle is all it is cracked up to be,. . .

Five Amazing Hiking Trails in Arizona

Arizona offers many hiking trails apart from the GrandCanyon. They are difficult, but they reward with unmatchedbeauty. Here are the best five.The Wet Beaver Loop is an extremely difficult trail, but itis an awesome hike in the Wet Beaver Wilderness Area. It isa 22-mile round trip and you will need more than one day tocomplete it, as you will be making a large loop to returnfrom where you began. . .

Hello from Cuba (7) - Fun and Recreation

So, of course, not everything is politics, learning, philosophizing and studying languages. Life also has to include some fun. And Cubans, despite all the hardships, know how to have fun. They love to laugh, to dance, to make music, and they are very sensual people. The women in particular around here are very good-looking (for the most part) and they dress in very tight, sexy clothes. It´s bee. . .

Hello from Cuba (5) - Another Mind-Twisting Experience

I am sitting here at one of the most famous hotels in all of Havana, after I just withdrew Can$250 (200 CUC, Pesos Convertibles) from my Mastercard. No big deal, you say..... Until you realize that the average Cuban makes between US8 and US30, not an hour, not a day, but for a whole month!My professor for instance told me that she makes about US$18 or so a month, so the amount I withdrew is mor. . .

Hello from Cuba (6) - The Student Experience and Politica...

It is such an amazing experience to live the life of a student again, after 15 years in business, 2 business degrees and at almost 40 years of age (okay, soon I´ll be 39.....). No regular Internet access, no cell phones, no business appointments, just interactions during the classes with the professor and my co-students. And after class, of course I try to immerse myself as much as possible in . . .

Five Things You Must See on a Visit to Berlin

Places not to be missed in Berlin!The capital of Germany, Berlin has a rich history. It isstrewn with sites of significant historical events, and agreat deal of architectural grandeur. There are many thingsto do and see in Berlin that include eating, entertainment,drinking and sightseeing. If you are going to Berlin forsightseeing, there are five things you must not miss.Memorial to the Murdere. . .

Making the Choice - Finding Your Perfect Caribbean Vacati...

Close your eyes and imagine a Caribbean vacation. Done? The images you called to mind probably contained pristine white beaches, aquamarine waters, and plenty of palm trees. Fortunately, the Caribbean is full of enough beautiful beaches to satisfy every traveler, but there's much more to the islands than just beaches, something vacationers who would like their trip to be more than just a day at. . .

Hello from Cuba (9) - Havana Neighbourhoods

Yesterday morning I had arranged to meet one of the women from the from the university, a very nice lady in her late 50s, who agreed to show me around the Vedado area and take me through some local markets. Vedado is a beautiful residential neighbourhood with many mansions and villas dating back maybe 80 to 100 years or so. Before the revolution it was the neighbourhood where all the doctors, l. . .

Hello from Cuba (8) - Bicycle Rides, Camellos and Cannon ...

After picking up the bicycle on Thursday, I finally took my first ride on Friday afternoon through the beautiful residential area of Vedado. We had had a tropical downpour in the early afternoon, so the streets were a bit wet and it was about 4 pm or so by the time I got out. Of course, by that time, rush hour traffic had already started and there were thousands of people in the street, waiting. . .

Travel to New-York City, Part II- Financial District, Wal...

Ellis Island and Lady Liberty are reached by ferry from Battery Park: this strip of green fringing the Hudson River was named after the line of cannons once set here to protect the city. You can still visit Castle Clinton. When it was built in 1807 it stood about 109 yards offshore but years of landfill have since connected it to the Financial District, known as Wall Street. The wall in questio. . .

Sporting Breaks – The Relaxing Way!

When many people think of travelling to see a sports event their mental images are often tarnished by traffic jams, long journeys and suspect sandwiches from motorway service stations. In fact if you add into the mix your team of choice getting thumped then your day out can turn into an extremely miserable one! While you will never be able to guarantee the outcome of the event, there are seve. . .

14 Tips for a Stress Free Flight

Traveling can be a stressful event and airplane travel is tops on the list of the stressors that we experience on what is supposed to be an exciting and fun event. A few simple steps can remove most of the stress of air travel.Things to do before travel day:1) Pack your bags. Make sure all your packing is done at least the night before and that you have all your bags in one central location for. . .

Get Your Skates On! The Best Places To Go Ice Skating Thi...

Each Christmas, open-air ice rinks open across the country offering visitors the chance to don their skates and enjoy a spin on the ice in the crisp winter air. The thrill of skating outdoors, in wonderful surroundings on a magnificent real-ice rink is guaranteed to enthral. Short break specialist, Superbreak http://www.superbreak.com can arrange overnight accommodation for those who want to wa. . .

China, The Most Ancient Empire On The Earth

A country with the biggest population on the Earth, a country closed for a several decades; nowadays China is becoming one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Asia. China is one of the oldest states in the world and the only, surviving till today. For visitors China offers variety choices. Whether you are interested in Chinese history, Chinese culture or Chinese scenery, your trip w. . .

Living and Working in Perthshire

Perthshire is situated centrally in Scotland being about one hours drive from both of the major cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. There are good road and rail links, an airport in Edinburgh and an international airport in Glasgow.Perthshire is a beautiful scenic area and has been a popular tourist area in the past especially with people who like the outdoors and activities such as walking and cy. . .

Parador of Hondarribia

The Parador of Hondarribia is near the French border just a short distance from San Sebastian, and within easy visiting distance of Bilbao and the wonderful Guggenheim museum.Parador Hondarribia is a 10th century castle built by the King of Navarre in the early days of the Christian re-conquest. The powerful Caliph, Al-Mansur, was a constant threat to the area in the those times, but King Sanc. . .

Tips for Buying Off-Plan Property Abroad

Anyone with an interest in anything off plan should now be familiar with Spain and the off plan scene. We’ve all got the hang of it and we pretty much know what to expect and what not to expect. It isn’t far, you can fly back and forth, and most people have a least a friend or relative out there that can keep you in touch with your investment. Even if you don’t have a ‘connection’ in Spain, it . . .

In memoriam: Dan Hickman - Explorer of Provence. Life is ...

Less than 2 weeks ago I completed an interview with Dan and Judith, the couple who spent 2 amazing years in Provence, house-swapping their Toronto home for a country house in the south of France, who had just recently returned from another trip back to France.Just 2 days ago I had a chance to include Dan and Judith's beautiful photos into the interview and I re-uploaded the interview with the p. . .

Hello from Toronto - A Culinary Tour of the St. Lawrence ...

Life works in really strange and wonderful ways. At the beginning of this week I talked to my brother in Austria on the phone, and he said he'd been reading this German travel magazine and there was a big write-up about a Toronto-based tour guide who provides culinary tours of the St. Lawrence Market, one of my brother's favourite places that he discovered on his recent trip to Toronto. I asked. . .

Visiting 3 Beauties from the 1930s

Being the architecture buff that I am, I have really been looking forward to checking out Toronto’s free architecture festival: Doors Open. A few years ago I went to Chicago with a few friends for a May long weekend, right at the time when Chicago’s architecture festival was on, and I am really happy that Toronto now has an architecture festival of its own. The architectural period I am most fa. . .

Hilton Head Island: Golf Vacation Paradise

Imagine yourself playing a round of golf with names like Nicklaus, Palmer, and Player. While you may never actually get to play a round with Jack, Arnie, and Gary, you can walk in their footsteps while you play a round or two on one of their championship golf courses on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.You may have heard of a few other golf course architects that have designed a course or two. . .

Crying like a baby: The Motorcycle Diaries...

It has been an emotional evening tonight. In my earlier blog of today I indicated that I just heard news tonight that my friend Neil passed away, something that is going through my head as we speak. Before I heard these news I had actually been watching the movie Motorcycle Diaries which has just been released on DVD. I have been meaning to see this movie for a while now, obviously because it w. . .

Reflections after my brother's visit: Toronto - Viewed th...

From August 27 to September 6 I had four visitors from Europe in town: my brother Ewald, his wife Anneliese and their two friends - my neighbours from my home town in Austria, Luis and Isabella. You may wonder why this is such a big deal that I need to write about it.For me this was a huge deal since it was the first time that my brother came to visit me since I immigrated to Canada in 1986. Be. . .

How To Get The Best Hotel Deal

Should I book through an agent to get a hotel deal?This really depends on where on the world you want to travel, what time of year you want to travel, and how far in advance you can book your hotel reservations. You already checked the popular travel web sites. Try checking the hotels' web sites directly. Sometimes, you can get a better deal by booking directly with a hotel than through a booki. . .

The Alhambra – Grenada

The Alhambra is touted by many as being the best preserved example of a Moorish palace in Europe. Located in the Andalusian city of Grenada the ancient fortress is undoubtedly the city’s most famous site. The name Alhambra translates as “Red Castle” in Arabic and was described by Moorish poets as “a pearl set in emeralds”. The fortress occupies an ideal strategic defensive position flanked by a. . .

Discount Barbados Vacation

The words Barbados and discount would not normally appear in the same sentence, however, if you are not incredibly wealthy or just don’t fancy spending several thousand per person on your next vacation, Barbados may still be within reach, and at a discount.Your first consideration will be when to go… high season should obviously be avoided. If you are serious about saving money you will also wa. . .

Gaudi’s Barcelona

The native Catalan architect certainly left his mark on this great city and a visit to Barcelona wouldn’t be complete without taking in some of his greatest works. An architect seemingly without contemporaries, Gaudi’s free-flowing post modern creations were decades ahead of his time. The world has taken note of Gaudi and this is reflected in the fact that the properties mentioned below are all. . .

Cheap Air Fares - The Secrets to Getting Cheap Air Fares

Cheap air fares are easy if you keep these 8 tips in mind. Airlines aim to make as much money as possible. They are not going to put the cheap air fares out front, so you need to know how to find those gold mines yourself.There are basically 8 rules I use on a regular basis when booking flights to be sure I get to my destination the cheapest way. These are tips that every person can easily use,. . .

San Fermin – Pamplona

Known locally as “Sanfermines”, this raucous festival takes place in the Basque town of Pamplona between July 6th-14th in honour of the city’s patron saint, San Fermin. It is the most popular and most famous of all Spanish fiestas and is known throughout the world and visited each year by thousands of foreign tourists. This fame is down to the infamous “Encierro” or the “Running of the Bulls”, . . .

Lake Vouliagmeni And Its Medicinal Waters

The Lake Vouliagmeni is not only famous as a very beautiful spot but also but also as containing medicinal waters. This spot has been visited by people who wish to enjoy its waters for centuries, and is one of the most attractive areas in the Greek region of Peloponnese. Visitors approach in order to enjoy its beautiful shores, practice different water sports, relax in front of unique landscape. . .

Madrid – a Guide To The Key Sites And Monuments

Spain’s capital has enjoyed a serious boom as a city break destination on the last decade. The proliferation of cheap flights has made more and more European cities accessible to weekend travellers. Often overshadowed by the Catalan capital, Barcelona, Madrid is now showing what it has to offer and, more importantly, sharing it with foreign visitors.“Los Austrias” is as good a place as any to s. . .

Travel Gift Ideas – Christmas Presents

Looking for travel gift ideas? Here are a few that make great Christmas presents or just good old travel gifts. Travel Gift IdeasWhether for work or fun, people that travel a lot are easy to buy for. There are simply a ton of gadgets and travel accessories that can satisfy your need for travel gift ideas.1. Dreamsacks – Okay, here’s a nasty little secret about traveling. Hotels don’t always was. . .

The Top 7 Money-Saving Tips When Using an Air Travel Finder

An air travel finder can be the best tool you ever use, and with these top 7 money-saving tips you will get the best deals possible on you air travel:1. Make your reservation as early as possible. At least 14 days in advance, but aim for at least 21 days in advance. After this time, the air tickets can easily more than double in price.2. Be flexible with your travel time. Changing the day or th. . .

Choosing The Right Private Jet Charter Service

As you may have experienced, vacations can be great or vacations may be awful. It all depends of every little choice you make to make a travel come true. One of these choices is deciding which private jet charter service is the best. You have to keep in mind some things when choosing a private jet charter service. There are some good services for private jets out there but that may not be what . . .

Piraeus - The Port Of Ancient Athens

Piraeus, also known as Peiraeus or Pireas, is a city located in the prefecture of Attica, towards the southern side of Athens. This city's main attraction is based on the fact that in ancient Greece, it was used as Athens' main port, and therefore it played a very important role in the city's life.Besides than being the port of ancient Athens, Piraeus has been also named port of modern Athens s. . .

The Acropolis in Athens - a symbol in Greece

The Acropolis in Athens is the most symbolic area in Greece. Although in ancient Greece most major cities used to have their own acropolis, this spot is known as the centre of Athens and contains the most iconic and famous ancient constructions in the entire country. This way, the Acropolis is the most visited destination in not only Athens, but in the entire Greece as well, being a major attra. . .

Pool Safety On Vacation

Let’s face it, most of us are not lucky enough to have a swimming pool in our back garden, so when we go on vacation it’s a rare treat to splash about in the toasty warm waters of an outdoor swimming pool.Outdoor pools are best enjoyed in the sunshine, and to that end, there can be no better place to lie back in the crystal clear waters, staring at the dappled silhouette of a swaying palm tree . . .

A Meeting of Kindred Spirits

I admit it: Yesterday I was playing hooky, away for the whole day from my office, something that always makes me feel guilty. First thing in the morning I had a networking meeting of local female home-office business owners that I was invited to by my strategic consultants. In my jeans and hiking boots I was hopelessly underdressed and I had to run out in the middle of it since I had another me. . .