Two days in Ticino

March 31, 2016 in Travel

Life is life, no matter where you live. That's something I learned living abroad. If you live in any one place for a period of time, the excitement of the early days changes to a routine of living the everyday. The new becomes familiar. Work is, well, work. And at some point you need a break.

One of our favourite places to run away to while living in Switzerland was the Ticino region in the Alps, near the Italian border. This was especially true when the winter blues were dragging us down. A few hours on the train from snowy and grey Zurich and we would find ourselves in a quiet, charming town where we could relax. And breathe.

Two days to escape, to dream, to lose oneself for a moment before heading back to the real world.

Locarno and Ascona

Take the funicular to the 15th-century Santuario della Madonna del Sasso. Walk around for hours. Eat lunch on an outdoor patio in the company of two older gentlemen at a tiny restaurant high up the mountain. Watch the paragliders fly lazy rings through a brilliant blue sky.

Wander through old ruins and sit in peace in a chapel.

Trip along cobblestone streets.

Join the rest of the town at the waterfront in the evening.

Rise early in the morning and walk along the River Maggia to Ascona. Enjoy a caprese salad in a sun drenched restaurant along the waterfront. Or amazing pizza at Ristorante Seven.

Take the evening boat back to Locarno.

Watch the town lights twinkle across the water in the dark.

Santuario della Madonna del Sasso - Locarno, Switzerland

Lugano and Gandria

Sit in the sunshine at a cafe with a cup of coffee in hand. Don't move for hours.

Marvel in the palette of colours - red, orange, pink, yellow. No, make that crimson, coral, maroon. Peach, apricot, tangerine. Blush, fuschia, rose. Buttercup, turmeric, mustard. And the blues - skies, water, boats. Azure, cobalt, cerulean, indigo.

Walk along the cliff path to Gandria. Enjoy the solitude. The quiet early morning mist.

Ramble through the olive groves, up and down paths created by farmers tending their crops for generations.

Listen to the gentle lap of water on the shore. Watch the rise and fall of boats.

Get lost in the maze of streets.

Take the afternoon boat back to Lugano.

Ottawa and Winterlude 2016 - Part 2

March 07, 2016 in Travel

Life is always so busy. It seems that regardless of our personal life circumstances, there's never enough time to do all that needs to be done. The important matters of life, those that make us happy - our family, friends, hobbies, dreams - tend to take a back seat as we get caught up in the act of living the every day. Work. Chores. Bills.

It's not always easy to find the extraordinary moments that make life wonderful. The opportunities do exist - we just need to grab them as they arise. Sometimes the moments can be found in the every day - especially if we look for them or are open to them when they occur. The first flowers in spring, a beautiful sunset, the sounds of children's laughter, a quiet, peaceful moment.

At other times, we need to actively pursue the moments by understanding the elements of our dreams and chasing them. What makes you happy? Music? Slip on the headphones and listen to a few of your favourite pieces. Family? Find a way to carve out time with a loved one - free from distractions and worries. Gardening? Buy a new plant.

Our recent trip to Ottawa for Winterlude was a mixture of some of my favourite activities - spending time with family, travel and photography. We enjoyed every moment!

Last week's post with more photos can be found here.

Canadian War Museum

At the Canadian War Museum, we learned about the contribution of Canadian women in the war effort during both world wars and how the lives of Canadian women changed as a result. The World War Women exhibit is on display until early April.

The other galleries told the story of Canadians at war from the First Peoples to present day. Canadian soldiers and cadets joined us to view the exhibits, which included a Mercedes limousine used by Hitler at Nazi rallies, paintings, artillery and aircraft, sculptures and so much more.

Listening to news about the war on the radio

A Canadian cadet views The Battle of Courcelette painted by Louis Alexander Weirter, which depicts the ruined French town of Courcelette during the Battle of the Somme — A Canadian cadet views *The Battle of Courcelette* painted by Louis Alexander Weirter, which depicts the ruined French town of Courcelette during the Battle of the Somme

Regeneration Hall - Lest we forget - N'oublions jamais

Chateau Laurier and Rideau Canal

Parliament Hill

Parc Jacques-Cartier and Winterlude

On our final morning, we enjoyed some of the activities of Winterlude, including zip lining and the ice slides. The trip wouldn't be complete without maple syrup lollipops rolled on the snow and poutine.

Ottawa and Winterlude 2016 - Part 1

March 01, 2016 in Travel

Ottawa in the winter is usually very cold but we had beautiful weather for our trip to Winterlude this year. It was so nice that many activities - like skating on the Rideau Canal - were closed due to the unseasonably warm weather. Despite this, we packed a lot into our three day visit.

Byward Market

A stop at Byward Market is a must - if only for a quick coffee and pastry at Le Moulin de Provence, a bit of shopping or people watching.

National Gallery of Canada and Maman sculpture

The National Gallery was showing works by Monet but we didn't get a chance to visit this time. We did stop at the Maman spider sculpture for a few pictures.

Peacekeeping Monument

Confederation Park and Winterlude

We enjoyed Beavertails at Confederation Park - a must eat at Winterlude. We walked around to view the many ice sculptures - many of which were cracked or had melted because of the warm weather.

Canadian Museum of History

The Viking Exhibition at the Canadian Museum of History is definitely worth checking out - it's on until the middle of April. The kids enjoyed being quizzed by museum staff about the Vikings - there was a lot to see and learn.

Day trip to Collingwood

February 09, 2016 in Life, Travel

Collingwood is a cozy town tucked up along the shores of Georgian Bay. An easy day trip from Toronto, there's plenty to do all year round. In winter there's the skiing of course - Blue Mountain and other resorts attract skiers and snowboarders from near and far. But there are many other activities as well - snow tubing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, caving and much more.

The Sunday of our visit was grey and overcast. We didn't have a plan - well, the plan was to explore. There was to be no skiing this time. Starting out with coffee at the Ashanti Coffee Cafe in Thornbury, we stopped in Craigleith to view the turquoise waters of Georgian Bay and then drove to the top of the Blue Mountains to view the city from above. Later we explored the area around the old grain terminals and Millennium Park and ended the day with dinner nearby.

Verona, Italy - Shakespeare's city of tragic love

January 19, 2016 in Travel

Verona is one of my favourite towns in Italy - its maze of sun-drenched streets is charming, the myriad colours of the buildings captivating and the story of its history can be seen on its walls, its streets, buildings and statues. Three of Shakespeare's plays are set in Verona - the most famous, of course, being Romeo and Juliet.

No wonder, then, that thousands of tourists flock here every year - visiting Juliet's balcony, rubbing her bronze statue in the courtyard for luck in love and leaving love notes in the walls of the entryway.

Beyond Juliet's house, however, there are many other enjoyable activities to do in Verona:

Visit the stunning Arena di Verona - in ancient times the amphitheater was the site of gladiator battles held in front of crowds of 30,000 people. It is currently open for daytime tours and evening musical spectacles, including operas, ballets and other musical performances.
Sit in quiet reflection at one of many sacred buildings, such as the Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore or the Duomo Santa Maria Matricolare.
Wander the stunning gardens at Giardino Giusti.
View ancient weaponry, statues, sculptures and more at the Museo del Castelvecchio - located in a restored palace.
Shop at the outdoor market in Piazza Erbe or window shop at the numerous luxury shops.
Drink coffee or enjoy a good meal at one of the many cafes and restaurants. For the best food and prices, always wander the side streets and look for a place where the locals gather.
Hike the nearby hills to get epic views of the city of Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

I've always found the best way to visit a new city is to first visit the main tourist attractions and then to simply wander and discover the hidden gems. Verona has many treasures - all waiting to be discovered.

Town gate on the Corsa Porta Nuova - Verona, Italy

Markets and crowds in the Piazza Erbe - Verona, Italy

Duoma Santa Maria Matricolare - Verona, Italy

European Christmas markets

December 08, 2015 in Life, Travel

Fresh baked beignets rolled in sugar and filled with hot jam.

Steaming gluhwein and gloggi that warms you to the bones.

Huddling together inside packed cathedrals for caroling by candlelight.

Ice skating and carousels, Ferris wheels and light shows.

Beautiful store windows and outdoor stalls overflowing with wonderful homemade gifts.

Happy crowds. Delicious aromas. Falling snow.

These are a few of my favourite things.

Lest We Forget

November 11, 2015 in Travel

In 2008, ninety years after the end of World War I, a few of us decided to visit Ypres (Ieper). Across Europe, many towns and cities were commemorating the end of the Great War and we wanted to visit one of the places that was of great significance to Canadians. Standing directly in the path of Germany's march across Europe, Ypres and the surrounding fields, hills and valleys were subjected to heavy fighting and bombardment throughout the war. By its end, the town was in ruins.

Many Canadians gave their lives fighting in this region and their sacrifice is remembered and honoured by the Belgians and other European Allies. Memorials, churches, statues and cemeteries were surrounded and covered with remembrance crosses and poppies.

Ruins of Ypres (City of Vancouver Archives) — Ruins of Ypres *(City of Vancouver Archives)*

The train from Brussels left early in the morning and two hours later we arrived in Ypres to somber gray skies - suitable for the occasion. As we wandered through town, the streets were bustling with people and signs of Christmas were beginning to appear.

After visiting the Cloth Hall, Flanders Fields Museum and St. Martin's Cathedral, we made our way to the Menin Gate.

The Menin Gate is a war memorial to the 54,395 missing Allied soldiers who died fighting in nearby battles but whose bodies were never found. The names of the missing are inscribed on the walls of the memorial. Flowers and wreaths, poppies and crosses filled the vast space.

We met up with a local tour company for the afternoon. Our mixed group of Canadians and Europeans spent the afternoon touring cemeteries, memorial sites, trenches and a museum.

Our first stop was Essex Farm - where 15-year old V.J. Strudwick was laid to rest - and the John McCrae memorial site - where the doctor worked in a dressing station and wrote his famous poem. The young Canadian boy in our group read In Flanders Fields. The rest of us listened, remembering school Remembrance Day ceremonies of our youth.

The Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing is the largest commonwealth cemetery in the world. Many Canadian soldiers are buried here, including Victoria Cross recipient Private James Peter Robertson.

The St. Julien memorial marks the area where poison gas was used for the first time by the Germans in 1915 against 18,000 Canadians. Two thousand men died and were buried nearby beneath the gaze of the Brooding Soldier.

The nearby German cemetery, Langemark, is different from the many Allied cemeteries. The graves lie flat with groupings of three crosses scattered across the grounds.

The fields surrounding Ypres appear peaceful and fertile - it's difficult to imagine that war ever touched this place. Looking at old photos, however, a very different picture is revealed. Heavy rains turned the earth to mud - often drowning men and horses that fell off the walkways.

Australian soldiers on duckboard track over mud and water (Australia War Memorial) — Australian soldiers on duckboard track over mud and water *(Australia War Memorial)*

Even today, the serene landscape hides a unseen menace - buried shells, bullets, grenades and mines that find their way to the surface. Some are dug up by farmers tilling their fields, others are discovered by work crews conducting road repairs and some pushed to the surface by growing trees.

Such dangerous and potentially deadly weapons, some of which contain poisonous chemicals, can explode at any time. They can be seen placed by the roadside to be picked up by an army unit that specializes in their removal and detonation.

One of the most devastating battles fought during the war occurred near the village of Passchendaele, where more than 4,000 Canadians died and almost 12,000 were wounded. It was at Passchendaele that Canada established itself as a strong and independent fighting force.

At the Yorkshire trench, we walked through the narrow passageways, clean and dry now but filled with mud and horror during wartime.

Shell craters at Hill 62 reveal the destruction caused by a single explosion and the Sanctuary Wood Museum displayed odds and ends of war memorabilia, including a British Army Cook's wagon and some fascinating 3D photographs.

After returning to town, we found our way back to the Menin Gate to watch the remembrance ceremony that are held every evening. Beneath the soaring arches, buglers played the Last Post in remembrance of the fallen. There was a moment of silence. A final Reveille.

Let us never forget!