Destination Archives - Page 2 of 34

November 28, 2016 by Jeremy

Top 8 things to do on a trip to Niagara Falls this Christmas

There are many things to do on a trip to Niagara Falls this Christmas

Photo by CC user Paolostefano1412 on Wikimedia Commons

If you’re planning on spending your winter break in the Niagara Falls region this year, here are just a few of the many events and activities waiting for you…

Take a Hornblower Cruise

No trip to Niagara would be complete without a catamaran cruise to all three waterfalls. No matter what time of year you go, this is always a thrilling experience, sailing up to the spray of the American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls.

Stay in a room with a view

If you stay in one of the best Niagara Falls hotels, you’ll be guaranteed to awaken every morning to the sight of the Horseshoe Falls from your bedroom. Imagine eating your breakfast as you look out onto this iconic natural phenomenon.

Go to the Winter Festival of Lights

From 19th November to 31st January next year, over one million people will be visiting the 8km of stunning landscape decked out in festive illuminations. From the Niagara Parks to Dufferin Islands and beyond, expect everything from Noah’s Ark to the world’s largest illuminated Canadian-American flag.

Try FlyBoarding

If you’re in the mood to try out a new water sport, you’ll find nothing more adventurous than FlyBoarding. You’ll be propelled up to 40ft in the air, as your very own “jetpack” uses traditional water-skiing technology with some added propulsion to send you skyward. Before you know it, you’ll be performing tricks just like the experts.

Visit Santa’s Grotto

If your little ones want to visit Santa, your best bet is to head for the Christmas Gift Show, on 3^rd and 4^th December at the Scotiabank Convention Centre. With over 100 stalls for you to explore, this festive-themed market will have tonnes of presents, sweet treats and demonstrations, with your very own Grotto for the kids to deliver their lists in person.

Walk through the botanical gardens

If you head towards the Niagara Parkway, there are a multitude of beautiful sights to greet you, the first of which is the famous floral clock. Right now, you’ll be able to see it with all 16,000 carpet bedding plants in their autumn/winter glory. Then, the 99 acres of perfectly manicured Botanical Gardens await you.

Take a zipline down the Falls

If you’re in the mood for something a little more adventurous, why not view the stunning scenery from above? WildPlay’s MistRider Zipline to the Falls is a brand new attraction for daredevils, and they’re located over Niagara Gorge and Niagara River, where you’ll sail past the American and Bridal Veil Falls before finishing at the Horseshoe Falls.

Enjoy festive fayre at McFarland House

For a touch of tradition during the Yuletide season, McFarland House will be decked out in Victorian splendour while you tour its hallways. This is a unique experience to see a restored period property, with a cup of mulled cider in one hand and a freshly-baked Christmas cookie in the other.

Where are you going for your Christmas getaway?

November 13, 2016 by Jeremy

Fun places to travel on a private jet in America

Photo by CC user mmordfin on Flickr

Have you come into some money recently and want to check out an awesome bucket list item? Have you thought about chartering your own private jet?

Whether you’ll be shouldering the cost yourself, or getting several friends to pitch in for the experience of a lifetime, there is no better feeling than boarding, traveling to, and arriving in an amazing destination in your own private plane.

If you are thinking about doing this, here are some great places you can go in America.

1) Chicago

When a craving for deep dish pizza, soulful jazz and blues music, or iconic sports teams hits, organizing a jet charter to Chicago will satisfy all of these needs handily.

In addition to the above mentioned attractions, the Windy City also has one of America’s most iconic skylines, including the Willis Tower, which was once the tallest building in the country.

Be sure to also stroll the Magnificent Mile, as it is home to one of the greatest concentrations of luxury shops in the United States.

2) Miami

If chasing warm weather at this time of year sounds like a much better idea to you, then a jet charter to Miami is what you should be shooting for.

Located just north of the Tropic of Cancer, this cosmopolitan city is home to people from all over Latin America and the world.

This gives this town a flavor that will call you back more than the fantastic beaches found up and down its coast.

Throughout South Beach, you’ll also find a world-class nightlife scene that will prove to be the perfect way to end a day spent soaking up all that Florida sunshine.

3) New York City

When it comes to exciting places in America, none can trump the attractions that can be found in the Big Apple.

Also referred to as The Crossroads of the World, New York City has given the world countless dishes, some of its most daring skyscrapers, and it has served as the USA’s welcome mat during the early days of immigration to this country.

Be sure to check out Midtown’s many world class restaurants, which give priceless views of this city’s brilliantly-lit up buildings at night. The prices may be high, but the chefs here deliver value that exceeds what you’ll pay for the dishes you’ll order here.

4) Los Angeles

What could be more baller than flying into Los Angeles, the home of Hollywood glitz and glamor, on a private jet?

With all the trappings of this center of showbiz, plus surfing beaches where legions of well-toned locals turn out on a nice day to show off their bodies, there will be plenty to do during the course of your stay.

November 13, 2016 by Jeremy

Preparing your home for your first winter in Ontario

Photo by CC user JamesDeMers on Pixabay

Whether you just moved to Ontario, Canada from a warmer climate or you are a new homeowner that has never had to cope with winter before, it is vital to be aware of what you need to do to get your house ready for the colder months of the year.

This post will run down a few issues that you should address before the first snow flies.

1) Check the weatherstripping around your current windows

Of all the points of ingress for cold air, poorly sealed windows are among the worst offenders. Even the tiniest cracks will provide a continuous channel through which frosty drafts can flow into the warm interior of your home.

This forces your heating system to work harder, wearing it out faster and driving your energy bills skyward.

There are many Newmarket windows that have weatherstripping that has worn off over time. Many of these homes here were built in the 1970’s or earlier, making them more likely to have deficient weatherproofing.

By checking them for spots where old weatherstripping has eroded off the exterior of the window, you’ll be able to seal any leaks you find, saving you money over the short and long term.

2) If need be, get new insulated windows

Like Newmarket, many Markham windows are compromised by weatherproofing issues. However, some of these may need more than just a fresh layer of weatherstripping, as they may have old windows with a single pane of glass or internal insulation that had broken down many years before.

In this case, ordering a new window that has double or triple panes (with the space between each sheet being filled with gas) will help keep the heat in your home and the cold outside where it belongs.

3) Clean debris out of your gutter

After addressing your window issues, get up on a ladder and check out your gutters. In all likelihood, they will be filled with leaves, twigs, and other organic matter.

Left uncleaned, clogged gutters will trap water that will then freeze, leading to ice dams that can channel water into your home instead of away from it.

In order to prevent this costly episode, set aside a couple of hours one weekend afternoon and just get it done – the headache you’ll get from a massive repair bill will be much worse than getting some exercise on one of your days off.

4) Inspect and perform maintenance on your heating system

Of all the winter preparations one can do, this is the most important. If you don’t have a properly functioning furnace, you’re going to be miserable once that first Arctic cold front of the season drops down from Hudson Bay.

Get a professional to clean it, turn it on and check for problems. Also, ensure that all your ducts are properly sealed to ensure maximum efficiency; when you’re warm and toasty inside when it’s -20 outside, you’ll be thanking us!

November 11, 2016 by Jeremy

Taking off on a great Canadian adventure: our top picks

Begin your great Canadian adventure in Vancouver

Photo by CC user Socceronly on Wikimedia Commons

Looking to plan a trip to Canada? In this post, we’ll profile several destinations that should feature on your travel itinerary while you are touring around up in the Great White North.

1) Vancouver

If you are entering the country from the west, make sure that you make Vancouver your first stop. While it is one of this nation’s youngest cities, it has come a long way in a short time, has it arguably has the greatest collection of cutting edge skyscrapers of any major center in Canada.

This density, along with the region’s mountainous terrain and ocean frontage has created the perfect intersection of urban amenities and natural attractions.

From the North Shore Mountains to Stanley Park, there are plenty of spots to get in touch with this region’s West Coast rainforest once you’ve had your fill of world-class restaurants and shopping as well.

Even if you don’t begin your journey here, make sure you make plenty of room in your itinerary for a visit of a few days before heading home.

2) Canadian Rockies

Western Canada has more than this nation’s share of mountain ranges, but if you only have time to enjoy one of them, focus your attention on the Canadian Rockies.

From the cute mountain town of Jasper to the timeless beauty of Lake Louise to the less-trafficked confines of Waterton Lakes, there is more to this region than Banff.

We don’t mean to slag its most popular destination though, as its gondola, accessible alpine hiking trails, and its proximity to two popular ski resorts makes spending time there a foregone conclusion for any visitor to the Canadian Rockies.

3) Niagara Falls

Out east, there is no natural sight that has captured the imagination of foreign visitors quite like Niagara Falls. Standing out brilliantly to the less-imposing American Falls, the Horseshoe Falls sit on the Canadian side of the border.

Louder, fuller and more photogenic, travelers can take the Maid of the Mist cruise right up to the edge of the gorge, or they walk in behind the flume (protect your electronics, as its gets wet in both spots).

With tons of restaurants, casinos, and other diversions, there are plenty of other things to do to round out your day at the Falls afterward.

4) Montreal

The largest French-speaking city in the world outside of France, Montreal has a cultural pedigree that is tough to find elsewhere in North America.

Its Old Town will make you feel like you’ve been transported to Europe, and Guy Laliberte’s Cirque du Soleil plays shows under a big tent on the waterfront all summer.

At night, St. Catherine’s Street and Rue Peel are the places to be, as both these spots have plenty of bars, pubs, and clubs to appeal to those of all interests.

November 10, 2016 by Jeremy

Exciting attractions at Walt Disney World that you can’t afford to miss

Space Mountain is one of the most Exciting attractions at Walt Disney World

Photo by CC user WillMcC on Wikimedia Commons

Heading out on holiday to Walt Disney World? While it is a dream destination for families everywhere, thrill seekers needn’t feel left out either, as there are plenty of rides that will feed their hunger for living on the edge.

So, if you are about to go on a once in a lifetime trip to Walt Disney World, here are some exciting attractions that you can’t afford to miss when you are down there…

1) Magic Kingdom – Space Mountain

Of the multiple parks that make up Walt Disney World, the Magic Kingdom is unquestionably the most popular, as it contains dozens of iconic experiences within its borders.

If you are looking for exciting though, no ride will trigger your adrenal glands quite like Space Mountain. Located in Tomorrowland, this thrilling roller coaster is contained within a futuristic dome that simulates what flying outer space would be like.

Complete with trippy lights and crazy sound effects, the speed of this ride is only enhanced by their presence, making this attraction one of the most popular at Walt Disney World.

2) EPCOT – World Showcase

Wonder how people live on the other side of the world? Find out without blowing thousands of dollars on plane tickets by visiting the pavilions of 11 countries at World Showcase.

Experience each of these nations through rides, immersive IMAX movies, and living history actors. Eat their food at themed restaurants, and buy their handicrafts that are representative of their culture in shops on site.

Each pavilion is distinct from the others, as its architecture and design does their part of the world justice.

3) Disney Hollywood Studios – The Great Movie Ride

If you can’t get enough of the movies, take things to the next level by immersing yourself within them. At Disney Hollywood Studios, you can do just that by buying a ticket for The Great Movie Ride.

Situated within a replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, this ride takes you within scenes from various film genres as you pass through a 1930’s era sound stage.

From Sigourney Weaver killing aliens to Chicago mobsters facing off against each other, you’ll never have such an in-your-face cinematic experience quite like this in your life.

4) Blizzard Beach – Summit Plummet

The blistering Florida sun can punish visitors to Walt Disney World from mid-spring to mid-fall, which will make you long for the blissful waters of your hotel pool halfway through the day.

Combine the pursuit of fun at Walt Disney World with cooling off by spending a day at Blizzard Beach. Adrenaline addicts will want to tick Summit Plummet off their list, as this extremely steep slide was the fastest one in the world when it opened in the 1990’s, so don’t chicken out.

Get it done and you can brag about it to your friends back home (you can even buy a shirt saying that you survived it).