This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and with a new film slated for release in 2027, there’s renewed momentum around Middle-earth, along with new reasons for fans to make the journey to the real-life landscapes behind the films. I’m a big fan of the movies and books and visited the Hobbiton movie set in Matamata when I visited New Zealand in 2016. It was truly fantastic to wander past the hobbit homes and see where parts of the movie were made. I also checked out a few other Read more
Canadian Football League
My latest “Canada Shorts” item is centred on Regina, a city I visited a few years ago and quite enjoyed. One of the things I liked most in Regina was the Farmer’s Market, where there stands selling lemon kombucha and locally made chutneys. There was also a Pride display on a day in mid-June and a stand selling gluten-free ginger snaps. The best thing I sampled were the cakes (some with fresh ginger, pear and lime) from a stand called “The Cake Witch.” Crave Kitchen and Wine Bar served up a perfect plate of duck confit when I was in Read more
This story originally appeared this week in The Dallas News travel section. REGINA – The third quarter of the football game has just finished and the crowd at Mosaic Field rises in unison to sing. “And it’s ho-hey, hi-hey, Farmers bar your doors, When you see the Jolly Roger on Regina’s mighty shores.” Grown men in deep green Saskatchewan Roughrider jerseys and long, brilliant green wigs dance and sway as the tune bounces along. Men and women with carved watermelons on their head belt out the lyrics. I can’t see them in the stands, but I’m pretty sure the father Read more
Things are looking up in Winnipeg, with NHL hockey back in town and new hotels springing up around downtown. With the Canadian dollar still down, this year is a great time to visit the city and explore Manitoba while you’re at it. I also read just today (April 7) that Porter Airlines is planning flights from southern Ontario to Winnipeg to test demand; a very positive step for the city. THIS STORY ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN Postmedia and Sun Media newspapers and websites on March 30… MUSEUMS The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is the only national museum of Canada that’s Read more
This coming year promises lots of great activities from coast to coast. Here are a few things to keep in mind. ALBERTA The new Glacier Skywalk on the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper will open to the public next spring. The design was honoured with a 1st prize award at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona. Highlighted vistas and interpretive stations will lead guests to the grand finale of the Glacier Skywalk experience: a glass floored walkway 280 metres (918 feet) over the breathtaking Sunwapta Valley, complete with cascading waterfalls and active wildlife below. BRITISH COLUMBIA Vancouver will host Read more
