Europe Dominates List of World’s Best Cities for Seniors/Grandparents; Top Canadian Driving Trips + Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

Here’s an interesting list; a look at the top cities in the world for seniors/grandparents.

The folks at All Clear Travel, a company based in the UK, looked at a variety of factors, including crime/safety, walkability, weather and the number of accessible hotels. Europe took every spot in the top 10, with the Netherlands sweeping the 2-4 positions.

North America fared relatively well, with seven spots in the top 30. The best in NA was Sacramento, an underrated city that’s relatively easy to navigate and has pretty good weather most of the year. Also cracking the top 30 was Boston, as well as three cities in Florida.

Vancouver was the only Canadian city in top 30, finishing 19th, while Australia had three spots in the top 20. (The weather certainly would aid Australia vis a vis Canada.)

Munich, Germany. Ian Kelsall/Unsplash Photo

Here’s the full list from All Clear Travel:

1. Valencia
2. The Hague
3. Amsterdam
4. Rotterdam
5. Copenhagen
6. Porto
7. Munich
8. Helsinki
9. Geneva
10. Lisbon
11. Sacramento
12. Taipei
13. Vienna
14. Perth
15. Washington D.C.
16. Madrid
17. Sydney
18. Buenos Aires
19. Vancouver
20. Adelaide
21. Tallinn
22. Boston
23. Orlando
24. Jacksonville
25. Tampa
26. Tokyo
27. Singapore
28. Hamburg
29. Stockholm
30. Atlanta

TWELVE BEST CANADIAN ROAD TRIPS – AND SOME ADDED SUGGESTIONS

The Icefields Parkway in Alberta. Stuart Davies/Unsplash Photo

MSN recently highlighted a dozen great Canadian road trips, which is perfect for a time like this, when Canadians are increasingly focused on domestic travel.

Some of them are understandably obvious, such as the Icefields Parkway in the number one spot. I’m from California and love the Highway One/Big Sur drive, but there isn’t a driving trip in the world I’ve seen that remotely compares with the Icefields Parkway and its majestic, ancient, snow-capped mountains.

Here’s the full list from MSN, with a few thoughts of my own. And, for good measure, a couple of added suggestions from yours truly.

1. Icefields Parkway, Alberta
2. Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia (A majestic road that rises and falls through dramatic highlands, with fabulous coastal views and cool villages to explore)
3. Sea-to-Sky Highway, British Columbia (A super-dramatic road linking Vancouver and Whistler)
4. Viking Trail, Newfoundland and Labrador (I haven’t done this one, but it’s on my list)
5. Gaspesie Peninsula, Quebec (Ditto)
6. Dempster Highway, Yukon (Same)
7. Lake Superior Shoreline, Ontario (A long but wonderful journey past rugged lake scenery and lonely beaches. Just wish they had more rest stops with views)
8. Cowboy Trail, Alberta (A terrific drive through rolling hills south of Calgary)
9. Prince Edward Island (Agree; the entire island is a treasure)
10. The Okanagan Valley, British Columbia (Solid choice, with dramatic lake, mountain and winery views)
11. Fundy Coastal Drive, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (Another excellent choice, with dramatic tides and pretty towns to explore)
12. Manitoba Lakes and Prairie (Haven’t had the pleasure)

A few other suggestions from a travel writer who’s been to all ten provinces and Yukon.

An electric bike tour in the Okanagan wine region in British Columbia. JIM BYERS PHOTO

• The Alaska Highway west of Whitehorse is super quiet, and offers remarkable, rugged scenery
• The Circle Drive Tour on Vancouver Island takes you past lovely beaches and bountiful farm lands
• Banff to Yoho National Park: This drive between Alberta and British Columbia offers up spectacular scenery. Yoho National Park is sensational, and much less crowded than Banff. Don’t miss the view of Takakkaw Falls at Yoho NP and the natural bridge, as well as a canoe ride on nearby Emerald Lake.
• It’s not super dramatic, but a trip along the north shore of Lake Erie in southern Ontario reveals charming towns such as Kingsville, Port Dover and Port Stanley. You’ll also enjoy fine beaches in places like Port Dover and Erieau, and very good wineries and craft breweries.
• A trip along the coast of New Brunswick north of Shediac reveals fine beaches and proud Acadian communities.
• Saskatchewan is filled with surprises, including the fun town of Regina Beach and also Little Manitou Lake, a saltwater later in the middle of the Canadian prairies. Don’t miss a visit to the lovely city of Saskatoon, which has terrific food, fun neighbourhoods to explore, and the world-class Remai Modern museum.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY!

The Guinness Storehouse Beer Experience in Dublin, Ireland on our 2010 trip.

I’m definitely wearing the green today to celebrate Saint Paddy’s Day, and will be whipping up a batch of Irish Stew for dinner, complete with a generous pour of Guinness.

I was only in Ireland once, and that was back in 2010. But my wife and I fell in love with the country and its people, and we very much hope to go back again. We loved Dublin, but my personal highlights were Galway, Donegal and Northern Ireland. We’d like to explore some of the south part of the island on our next visit.