Belize rests on the Caribbean coast between Mexico and Guatemala: an exotic, English-speaking, adventurer’s paradise, just a couple of hours away from three major United States cities. Almost half the country has been preserved as nature parks and reserves, including tropical forests teeming with wildlife and hiding mysterious Mayan ruins, and 280km of coastline featuring the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.The reef and the country’s numerous offshore cayes, or atolls, have made this one of the world’s most desirable destinations for scuba divers and marine researchers. The Archaeologically Belize is fascinating too, having been the site of mighty Mayan cities from around 1,000 BC until the inexplicable disintegration of that great civilisation around 900 AD. There are believed to be thousands of Mayan ruins in Belize, of which about 600 have been discovered and excavated, many now open to tourists. Like most Caribbean countries Belize was occupied by British and Spanish colonialists over the centuries before gaining independence. Today it is a happy-go-lucky multi-ethnic nation of warm, friendly people, very welcoming of the tourists on whom the country’s economy relies heavily. The main urban city is Belize City, which offers some attractions like a world-class zoo, a new museum, historic buildings and the Maya site of Altun Ha. Basically, though, Belize is a destination for the outdoor enthusiast and adventure traveller. There are plenty of scope for diving, snorkelling, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, kayaking and exploring.
Article Published: April 2nd, 2008
The enchanting city of Barcelona is a visual delight, and has an atmosphere that combines elegance and sophistication withprovincial charm. In exploring its streets you’ll discover medieval romance in its Gothic quarter and the awe-inspiring delights of the fantastic and sometimes outrageous Art Nouveau architecture of Gaudi and his contemporaries. The cable car up Montjuic both offer breathtaking views over this city. Its skyline is perhaps most famous for Antoni Gaudi’s masterwork, the still incomplete church of the Sagrada Familia, as well as the city’s huge Gothic cathedral. The artistic legacy of Barcelona is one of the city’s most appealing offerings, with museums containing extensive collections of the works of Miro and Picasso. Barcelona is also a shopping Mecca, with the city’s flair for style reflected in its numerous boutiques and markets, open late into the afternoons. As the sun sets, and the city’s many bars and restaurants open, the night comes alive. Dinner is served at any time between nine o’clock and midnight, and the festivities around the bars and nightclubs carry on well into the early hours of the morning. Barcelona is the commercial centre of the popular holiday region known as the Costa Brava, the northernmost Mediterranean seafront in Spain, as well as the Costa Dorada to the south. The coast is dotted with popular resort towns, many retaining their age-old charm, which can be easily reached from the city.
Article Published: March 19th, 2008
Early the next morning we boarded Wood Island ferry and travelled to Sydney, Nova Scotia. Our afternoon coffee break was at the Rita MacNeil Tea House, it was a lovely stop. We continued on to Sydney, NS. And as it was thanksgiving Monday we attended the Celtic Colours International Festival where we ate traditional turkey dinner, which was followed by a concert featuring artist from all over the world playing their own brand of celtic music. Once again a highlight. Situated on one of the most picturesque coasts of Cape Breton Island, is Fort Petrie. And the following day we toured the two- story underground fort with it’s two gun emplacements. Later we found ourselves at the Cape Breton Miners’ Museum, – a fascinating stop. Some chose to take an underground tour of the Ocean Deeps Colliery, a coal mine located beneath the Museum A. Retired coal miner was the guide and he entertained us and informed us of the hard life the miners endured. In the afternoon we visited another fabulous destination – the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Park – the crown jewel of the Canadian Park Service and the largest historical reconstruction in Canada. And the next day another fabulous destination – as we travelled the Cabot Trail. It is one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world and the local guide who was with us kept us informed and entertained the whole day. We spent our last night at a beautiful hotel overlooking the Bras D’or Lakes. The stunning scenery is where Alexander Graham Bell, his wife Mabel, fell in love with Baddeck, and in the morning spent time at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site – located in the Village of Baddeck. After lunch we drove back to Halifax Airport for our flight home, but on the way we were a unique coffee stop! We were invited to the home of Anita’s relatives, who live in the country near Halifax, it was a lovely surprise to enjoy the renowned hospitality of Nova Scotia firsthand. We were treated to homemade goodies of all kinds , tea , coffee and punch followed by Uncle George playing the guitar and singing the traditional songs of Nova Scotia, including, ‘Fare Thee Well To Nova Scotia’ . I do believe a tear was shed by more than a few, as our trip was coming to an end, and it was going to be difficult to say goodbye to our new friends and this extrordinary area of Canada. This tour will be offered again in October 2009.
Article Published: January 2nd, 2008
Our adventure in the Maritimes began in the city of Halifax as Anita, and a group of excited travellers arrived from Calgary to join the group who had already completed their tour of Newfoundland and were anxiously awaiting the 2nd part of their vacation. The first day we was spent in Halifax on a city tour. We visited the Victorian Public Gardens, the Old Town Clock, the Titanic Grave Sites, the Maritime Museum, and Province House. Following this tour we journeyed to the famous Peggy’s Cove. a photographer’s paradise. Despite its popularity this tiny fishing village has been able keep the same relaxed atmosphere that has made it famous. Peggy’s Cove is certainly one of Canada’s gems. In the afternoon we spent time at Pier 21, where about a million immigrants, refugees, war brides and children began their lives as Canadians. That evening we dined at the Five Fisherman Restaurant – the building once served as a funeral home for some of the Titanic’s doomed passengers. The food was wonderful, and many of us overindulged ourselves at the ‘all you can eat mussel bar’, WOW. The next morning we visited the famous Halifax Citadel. the Citadel is Canada’s most visited National Historic Sites and everyone agreed a most interesting stop on our travels. We had a completely different afternoon – we toured the Alexander KeithNova Scotia Brewery. Actors in period costume took us back in time as we learned about the beer and the brewery. We then visited the Stag’s Head Tavern where we were entertained by
musicians, played games and of course sampled Keith’s fine ale. The next day we left Halifax and continued on to Mahone Bay, one of the most beautiful towns in Eastern Canada, we spent some time browsing and then took a short drive to Lunenburg. On waterfront is the home of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and that afternoon we had a guided tour of the facility. The
Museum commemorates the fishing heritage of the Atlantic coast of Canada, and the guide , who was so informative, fascinated us with her stories.
Article Published: December 19th, 2007
Part Two of the “Newfoundland Experience” Tour from Kaleidoscope Travel & Cruise. The next morning we departed Gander and journeyed to Rocky Harbor. On our way we will take time to visit the Mary March Provincial Museum, which told of the fascinating history and formation of Central Newfoundland. Another wonderful day as we travelled north to Plum Point. We spent time in Gros Morne National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch we continued on to St. Anthony, where we visited the home of Sir Wilfred Grenfell, the first doctor in the area. Another fun filled evening was spent at a ‘Viking Feast’. Once again the entertainment was unique and hilarious. The following day we boarded the ferry for an hour long crossing from Newfoundland to Labrador. In 1977 archaeologists began excavations that were to reveal what was Canada’s first industrial complex history of North America. Archaeology on the land has revealed the shore stations where whales were brought for processing and where their blubber was rendered into marketable oil by Basque Fisherman in the 1600’s. We spent the night in beautiful Labrador, before returning to Newfoundland on the ferry where the adventure continued as we spent time at the earliest known European settlement in the New World, L’Anse aux Meadows. The reconstructions of three Norse buildings are the focal point of this archaeological site. Exhibits highlight the Viking lifestyle, artifacts, and the archaeological discovery of the site. And now we retraced our steps and travelled south to Deer Lake. That afternoon we boarded a plane and flew to Halifax, Nova Scotia where we extended the adventure – the tour was now going to explore Nova Scotia – New Brunswick – PEI and Cape Breton during the next 12 days. Look for the continuing adventure December 19th, as Fun Was Had By All.
Article Published: December 5th, 2007
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Belize rests on the Caribbean coast between Mexico and Guatemala: an exotic, English-speaking, adventurer’s paradise, just a couple of hours away from three major United States cities. Almost half the country has been preserved as nature parks and reserves, including tropical forests teeming with wildlife and hiding mysterious Mayan ruins, and 280km of coastline featuring the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.The reef and the country’s numerous offshore cayes, or atolls, have made this one of the world’s most desirable destinations for scuba divers and marine researchers. The Archaeologically Belize is fascinating too, having been the site of mighty Mayan cities from around 1,000 BC until the inexplicable disintegration of that great civilisation around 900 AD. There are believed to be thousands of Mayan ruins in Belize, of which about 600 have been discovered and excavated, many now open to tourists. Like most Caribbean countries Belize was occupied by British and Spanish colonialists over the centuries before gaining independence. Today it is a happy-go-lucky multi-ethnic nation of warm, friendly people, very welcoming of the tourists on whom the country’s economy relies heavily. The main urban city is Belize City, which offers some attractions like a world-class zoo, a new museum, historic buildings and the Maya site of Altun Ha. Basically, though, Belize is a destination for the outdoor enthusiast and adventure traveller. There are plenty of scope for diving, snorkelling, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, kayaking and exploring. 
