TRAVEL AND WANDER

Today I've survived a major snowstorm that has dumped two feet of snow and brought icy road conditions, high winds, and frigid Arctic temperatures. I was able to walk two hundred yards to a local Mexican cafe to get a burrito and now all I can think of is that trip I took to Cancun, Mexico long ago. Cancun, a Mexican city on the Yucatan Peninsula that borders the Caribbean Sea has impressive turquoise colored beaches, and a numerous amount of resorts and nightlife. At this current moment in mid January it is 79F/26C in Cancun, a perfect temperature for boating, sunbathing, swimming, and walking along the beach. With its swaying palm trees, vibrant coral reefs, and unique archeological sites, Cancun is an ideal place to relax and have a sunny vacation. Top Things To Do In Cancun: 1. Sit on the beach with a refreshing beverage or find a hammock to swing on when you're not swimming in the beautiful turquoise water. 2. Spend time at Nichupte Lagoon, a paradise representing a vast a

                                                            Iceland is an expensive country but there are ways to enjoy it on a budget, such as staying in hostels and shopping for food at supermarkets like Bonus. Whatever your budget, you'll find Iceland to be full of natural wonders. The Icelandic people are friendly and welcoming to tourists. If you like traveling, add Iceland to your bucket list. ICELAN D , the land of ice and fire is a top tourist country destination and for good reason. ICELAND is currently the #1 safest country in the world. In Iceland you'll find plenty of pure air & water, and scenery that will take your breath away. From black beaches to glaciers & geysers, to beautiful healing lagoons and thermal pools, Northern lights, fjords, mountains, and a cosmopolitan city....these are just some of the things awaiting you in spectacular ICELAND, an island in the North Atlantic with a population of 375,881. Having spent a week in Iceland I have come up w

This town in the province of Ontario was once named the prettiest in Canada by Queen Elizabeth II. What town is it? It's GODERICH! A port town, lovely Goderich sits on bluffs overlooking the majestic shores of a Great Lake known as Lake Huron. Goderich is an ideal place to spend the summer months. Whether you prefer surfing, swimming, kayaking, or paddle boarding, you'll find the conditions the perfect fit for water sports. The sandy beaches allow for lounging and suntanning. Not to be missed is the lighthouse. You'll have to climb some steep steps but it's worth it for the magnificent views.  Goderich, Ontario, Canada happens to have the largest underground salt mine in the world. The Goderich Salt Mine, Compass Minerals salt mine is as deep as the CN Tower in Toronto.  The salt mine is 1,800 feet under Lake Huron. Over on 91 Hamilton Street the staff at Goderich Tourist Information Centre will happily provide all the information you need to make your stay in Goderich

Landing in Roma, Italia on the 10th of September 2022 was the cultural immersion I needed before heading to Italy's Tuscan region to study Italian at  Il Sasso Language Scho ol in Montepulciano. The long transatlantic flight along with jet lag, a delayed train ride from the airport to the city, and walking to my hotel with luggage in the heat made me almost faint from exhaustion. I was delighted when I finally made it to my hotel called "Astoria Garden." It was a cozy and peaceful inside and I was so happy that my room was ready. I had to pay the city of Rome tax and it took me five minutes to find some Euros in my handbag  Once I was officially checked in, I walked up a flight of steps to my room and immediately took a long hot shower. Afterward I opened my doors, stepped onto the balcony and looked at the architecture and lush gardens before me. A cup of cappuccino in the garden beckoned me but I was too anxious to begin exploring the "Eternal City"even thoug

Europe is now in its warm season with everything in full bloom and long daylight hours for sightseeing. Filled with elegance, history, beauty, and cultural stimulation, Europe is a continent that ages like fine wine. A summer in Europe is a dream come true and Budapest, Hungary in the summer is a must stop destination.With its Old World Charm, Budapest is an architectural treasure. Bicycling or walking around this city provides one with an abundance of satisfaction. From healing thermal bath waters to a boat ride on the Danube to an evening of opera to eating legendary Hungarian strudel that satisfy your palate, Budapest is a world class destination that's divided in two by the Danube River. Buda is on the west and Pest on the east. Buda has a classier feel to it. It's a calmer side of the city for those seeking a more peaceful environment but it has important attractions; Parliament Building, Opera House, and Hero's Square which has Budapest Zoo, Szechenyi Baths, and the V

It's awe-inspiring, its captivating, it's visited by 6 million people a year, it's photographed from many angles, and it's one of the wonders of the world. What travel destination is this? Wanna guess?  It's the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, U.S.A. If you have the opportunity to see this incredible canyon please put it on your bucket list. You won't be disappointed. On Saturday, April 30, 2022, I made my dream come true when I got off the Amtrak train in Flagstaff, Arizona at 4:20 am in the morning. I was heading back to the Midwest after visiting my friend for several days in Desert Hot Springs, near Palm Springs, California and the Amtrak train was going right through Flagstaff. I had booked a motel near the train station days earlier as well as a shuttle to and from the Grand Canyon because things book up fast, especially during late spring and summer, and of course weekends. If Flagstaff is your destination to the Grand Canyon there's a shuttle