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Travel News: Intrepid Pivots to Launch New Family Retreats

TORONTO, Ont. – September 16, 2020 – Despite uncertainty in travel due to COVID-19 border closures and regulations, global tour operator Intrepid Travel has seen unprecedented demand for its family tours over the last several months, prompting the company to create new retreat-style tours geared towards the demographic, with safety and quality as top priorities.  Intrepid has found that a quarter of the top 25 itineraries booked by its customers globally over the past three months have been family-themed tours, compared to just 12% during the same period last year, indicating a desire for families to go abroad in 2021 after months spent distancing. Currently, the top family trips booked globally are all based in Africa and Asia, including the South Africa Family Safari with Teenagers and a family tour of Vietnam, while North American families are also interested in adventures in the Middle East, particularly Jordan and Egypt. “After months spent indoors away from friends and…

Travel Tips

The Best Cities in the World for Football Fans to Visit

For many people around the world, football is more than just a sport – it is a grand and enduring passion. Showcasing the very best of skill and sportsmanship, it can also breed a healthy love of one’s home place, as well as an interest in other countries and cultures across the globe. Helping to open our eyes to the beauty of difference and diversity, football teaches us that variety really is the spice of life, and there are many fans who would love to see how it is embraced and enjoyed in other cultures. Here are three of the best places for ardent football aficionados to do that. Milan For followers of top-tier football, Milan is a city whose name should be familiar. Home to two of the best and most famous clubs in the world today, it’s a true mecca for sporting enthusiasts and boasts a series of…

Travel Tips

16 Haunted Places to Celebrate Halloween in Canada and USA

Getting into the holiday spirit doesn’t always mean getting into costume and going trick or treating. This October, embrace the spooky side to some of your favourite places to travel and learn about a ghost story or two. Plan your next vacation about these haunted hotels to celebrate Halloween. The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Banff, Alberta) Don’t fact check this but we’re pretty sure there are a few Fairmont properties in Canada are haunted. A number of them were old railway hotel properties that are over 100 years old. From the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City to the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC, they all have their own haunted history. But, arguably, the MOST haunted of them all is the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, with tales of a murder in a room that no longer is open to the public, as well as a ghost bride, to name a…

Design

How Neuro-Architecture is Reshaping our Mental States

Many people are aware of the established psychological phenomenon that our environment can shape our mental state. What we tend to underestimate, is how this effect isn’t just true on a personal level in our homes, but also on a broader scale with public buildings and even city layouts. Called neuro-architecture, this concept is increasingly becoming embraced as a way to improve public health and our general mood. So, what exactly does neuro-architecture entail, and how does it change the way we see the world? Using examples from the world of casinos, we want to explore just how prevalent neuro-architecture can be, and why it’s becoming increasingly prevalent in the new age. What is Neuro-Architecture? The term neuro-architecture relates to the way that our engineered physical environment influences our cognitive states. It accomplishes this feat by appealing to both our inbuilt natural psychology as animals, as well as our learned…

British Columbia

How to Spend Your Autumn in Vancouver During COVID-19

The whole world of leisure and tourism has been turned upside down by the onset and widespread nature of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Nations and localities have entered a lockdown, sometimes on multiple occasions, and even in places where this is no longer necessary people are wary. Social distancing, masks, and other measures are now in place to try and limit the risk of contagion, and this has helped to make both outdoor and online sites such as the best online casinos in Canada more attractive propositions for spending one’s leisure time. Here are some ways that those in Vancouver can enjoy their Autumn, and defy the pandemic’s shadow. Beautiful Canadian Resort Destinations Canada’s a nation renowned for its huge expanses of natural beauty, many of which are conveniently close to the country’s major cities. Located on Vancouver Island itself is the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, ideal for fans of the…

Europe

Unique Ideas of How to Balance Relaxation with Entertainment in Croatia

Whatever you’re seeking from your European adventure, Croatia has it all. Its idyllic nature has seen the Southeast European country become a go-to destination among many contemporary travellers. Fundamentally, there are many reasons why holidaymakers are opting for Croatia aside from its warm weather and Game of Thrones connection. So, let’s consider how you can best balance entertainment with relaxation when in Croatia. Consider Attending a Sports Event Although sports may not be for everyone, spectating one of the local events in Croatia is a fascinating way to both be entertained and relaxed. Football, in particular, is a significant part of the country’s culture, with its roots in the sport stemming back to before the formation of Croatia, according to the Los Angeles Times. At present, the country boasts one of the finest national teams in international football with a whole host of world-class stars, including Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic,…

Travel

As the Grand Egyptian Museum Plans for Opening Day, Will the People Come?

It has been feted as one of the most significant museum openings in decades not just for Egypt, but for the entire world. Sometime in 2021, the Grand Egyptian Pyramid, the world’s largest archaeological museum and one of the most expensive ever built, will open its doors to the public in Giza, just a stone’s throw away from the Great Pyramids. The museum, of which travellers can learn more about via the government’s official webpage at http://gem.gov.eg/, is part of a concerted effort by Egyptian authorities to raise the international tourist profile of the country after years of troubles and declining revenues. It has so far cost more than $1 billion to build, and the work is far from over. As one of the most significant cultural and economic investments made by the government in decades, it is understandable that some might anxiously be awaiting the (long-delayed) opening day, praying…

Design

A Family-Friendly Summer Reading List

One of my favourite parts of the summer, when I was younger, was the summer reading challenge at our local library. The thrill of getting a sticker upon returning a book was the motivation I needed to keep the pages turning all summer long. By now, your children have probably read every book, watched every show and played with every toy in the house. But, if you’re looking to refresh your library a little, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite books for every reading level to enjoy this summer. Infants & Toddlers You Matter By  Christian Robinson; Illustrated by Christian Robinson They All Saw a Cat meets The Important Book in this sensitive and an impactful picture book about seeing the world from different points of view by Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honoree Christian Robinson. If I Couldn’t be Anne By  Kallie George; Illustrated by  Genevieve Godbout In…

Travel Tips

Where to Travel for an Action-Packed Getaway

Within contemporary society, there are many locations across the globe that pride themselves on delivering an action-packed experience to travelers. From South Europe to South Asia, there are many possibilities. Because of that, let’s take a look at some of the best locations for an adrenaline-fueled getaway. The Azores, Portugal Across the globe, many destinations ensure that thrill-seeking travelers experience the most immersive action-packed activities. For those seeking a European adventure, the Azores, one of two autonomous regions of Portugal, has a whole host of different possibilities to ensure a non-stop break. Although the Portuguese-speaking region is known for its agriculture, it also boasts a plethora of fun-filled activities, including canyoning, rock climbing, whale watching, and cliff diving. “The Azores” (CC BY 2.0) by Abspires40 Sao Miguel, the most populous island in the Azores, has established itself as a leading location for cliff diving in recent years following the 2019 Red Bull Cliff Diving…

Travel News

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Home for a Good Cause

In celebration of Mother’s Day, the Windsor Arms Hotel and Cerise Fine Catering will be donating to Nellie’s Women’s Shelter in Toronto on May 10th, 2020.  For hundreds of moms in the city, Mother’s Day will be spent with their children in the safety of women’s shelters. The Windsor Arms Hotel wants to make sure these mothers are celebrated by providing a memorable afternoon tea experience for all the mothers at Nellie’s Women Shelter. Moms will enjoy an assortment of fresh scones, savory sandwiches, and decadent desserts prepared fresh by the Windsor Arms Hotel and Cerise Fine Catering. “For many women and children living in shelters, the lack of holiday celebrations in their homes re-enforces their sense of loss. It is because of that that we try hard to create positive memories for women and their children during holidays and on Mother’s Day”, said Jyoti Singh, Executive Director of Nellie’s…