Travel Bug

When you think of settling down somewhere you have to consider the employment opportunities available in that place. You can’t possibly make a decent living in a stagnant economy where there are few jobs and hardly any opportunity for progress. The way to assess the potential of the employment scene of a place is to look at the education level of the residents and the overall commitment of the community to education.

When you think of spending your prime years, Canadian city of Edmonton is worth considering. Its safe economic future is ensured because of its commitment to education. This commitment is well reflected by the fact that the city has over 10 universities and colleges. The annual enrollment to these universities and colleges exceeds 140,000 students.

The city of Edmonton has a little over a million people and is considered to be the most diverse metropolitan economy in all of Canada. People considering a move to this chic city will have no problem finding employment as the economy accommodates a wide range of talents, occupations, and interests.

The workforce of Edmonton hovers around 580,000 people so there is an ample tax base to support the education system and ensure future economic and technological growth. The truly amazing thing is that nearly 46 percent of those 580,000 workers have a post-secondary education. With a diverse and well-educated tax base, Edmonton is a great place to live when considering your prospects for finding and keeping a good job. Read the rest of this entry »

Toronto is the capital of the Province of Ontario. It is Canada’s largest city, and with a population of 2.6 million it is the fifth largest in North America. It is also at the center of the Golden Horseshoe, a densely populated region along the western shores of Lake Ontario which is home to roughly eight million people, or one quarter of the population of Canada.

The skyline of the city is stunning and unmistakable. Its best-known landmark, the CN Tower, is the world’s tallest tower and dominates the surrounding skyscrapers. Beyond the skyscrapers is a city center which consists of lush green residential areas and parks, notably along the ravines that cut through the city.

Toronto’s history dates back, long before Europeans came to settle Canada. It was a meeting place for First Nations people (Native Indians). The name “Toronto” is derived from the Huron Indian word for “meeting place”.

Initially claimed by the French in the 18th century, it was not until the American Revolution caused a huge number of United Empire Loyalists (loyal to England) to flee to Toronto that the city became an established settlement. The new town was named “York” and its beginnings can still be seen in the historic garrison of York near the Canadian National Exhibition grounds in downtown Toronto. Its current name was adopted in 1834 when the town was incorporated. Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to the beautiful west coast of British Columbia, Canada. Here in this island paradise, covered by untouched rainforests & surrounded by the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean, you will find an experience of a lifetime. Whether you prefer fishing or viewing whales off the coast, or taking part in an eco-tour in the vast old growth forests, a visit to Vancouver Island will leave you with memories that will last for a long time.

No matter what your age or capability the island has the experience for you. Vancouver Island tourism caters to a vast baby boomer & retiree population of travelers. So do not be scared off by the sounds of wild adventures and adrenaline seeking experiences, there are destinations and experiences you will enjoy as well, with some well known & experienced professional operators to bring you the vacation of your dreams. Vancouver Island Adventures can help you find the adventure specific to your needs.

Vancouver Island is truly a unique destination for all visitors. Every year hundreds of thousands of people travel to the island from all over the world. Off the coast people can view various species of marine life and whales from Grey whales to Orcas (Killer Whales) with one of several whale watching tour operators in the region. The island is also home to some of the best world class scuba diving sites in the world. And no place on earth provides for better salmon fishing than off the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Read the rest of this entry »

Le Refuge Morin-Heights is located in the heart of Quebec’s spectacular Laurentian Mountains, less than an hour’s drive from Montreal. The inn boasts 27 comfortable rooms and offers a wide range of spa services, including exterior saunas and baths. Le Refuge can accommodate corporate meetings of up to 20 people with the possibility of renting out the entire inn for the ultimate in privacy.

Redesigned with a vision

Le Refuge was completely renovated and modernized in 2004. Owner Steve Reid is continuously working to render his vision of the ultimate relaxing experience into a reality. This Laurentian inn features a dinning room, six different types of rooms, spa services, business facilities, and most importantly, tranquility and privacy. Recent renovations were aimed at restoring the inn’s country charm while adding the most modern amenities. Le Refuge continues to add new services and features to improve the overall experience of its guests.

The great outdoors

Morin Heights is Quebec’s cross-country skiing capital, welcoming hundreds of skiers searching for a challenge and an encounter with nature every season. It is home to over one hundred kilometres of well-maintained trails developed not only for cross country skiing, but also for walking and biking. What’s more, during the winter months, Le Refuge offers its guests the rare and exciting opportunity to dogsled. A qualified dogsledder will teach you the basic skills, and then hand over the reins to you. Morin-Heights is the perfect destination to enjoy Quebec’s unique wonders of nature. Read the rest of this entry »

For years Niagara Falls has been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States and Canada. Visitors from abroad and North America cannot seem to shake their desire to visit this dramatic aquatic spectacle. But why exactly? The falls are not particularly convenient to any major U.S. city (apologies to Buffalo), which means visitors to the US will need at least two days to fit in a visit to Niagara. Furthermore besides the actual falls themselves, there is little in the way of cultural or natural points of interest in the area. That is unless you consider a visit to ‘Ripley’s Believe it or Not’ to be a cultural experience. Finally, the climate in the Niagara region is rather daunting for much of the year. The area gets a lot of precipitation throughout the year and winter is definitely rugged in that region.

The short answer to why Niagara Falls has such a following is good PR. People from far and wide have heard of Niagara Falls. I recently asked a friend from Taiwan if she had heard of Niagara Falls before moving to the states. “Of course!”, she replied, “we learned about Niagara Falls in grade school.” She went on to explain that most people who grew up in Asia consider Niagara Falls to be one of the most important sites to see in the U.S. Its reputation is also strong throughout Europe and India. The thought of missing Niagara Falls is akin to missing the Great Wall or the Taj Majal on a visit to China or India respectively.

The real key to Niagara Fall’s enduring lure, however, may be simply that it does not disappoint. The falls themselves have an undeniable dramatic beauty. Furthermore, the ever popular Maid of the Mist boat ride that takes tourists directly into the falls is truly thrilling. Beyond that, the town of Niagara Falls, Ontario has a certain dilapidated charm. As you stroll along Queen Victoria Park facing the falls on the Canadian side, you cannot help but get a sense of what it must have been like to visit in more innocent times; before we were jaded by extreme vacations and adventure tours. To think of someone actually climbing into a barrel and heading over the falls in 1901 (actually done for the first time by a 63 year old school teacher) still captures the imagination. Read the rest of this entry »