Lagoon dreams: Venice, Burano & Torcello

Lagoon dreams: Venice, Burano & Torcello

I’ve dreamed of the lagoon since returning from Venice, dreamt of jade water shivering as it crosses sandbars, spangled with sun diamonds. Though we rented a car for several days to explore, we left it at the hotel that Sunday morning and took Bus 19 (about a 15-minute ride, 1.30 Euro) from our hotel in Campalto […]

The delight of Miami’s Art Deco architecture

The delight of Miami’s Art Deco architecture

Surrounded by curving white lines, steel balustrades and porthole-shaped windows, I could easily imagine I’m aboard an ocean liner steaming out to sea.  After all, I’m in Miami, the world’s largest cruise port.  Instead, I’m on the roof-top Spire Bar of The Hotel of South Beach surrounded by the best in Tropical Art Deco. With […]

Exploring culture, food, and Route 66 fun in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Exploring culture, food, and Route 66 fun in Albuquerque, New Mexico

The drum is a heartbeat, faster than mine. Apache Crown dancers pace the circle, bodies painted, pine boughs bobbing at their hips, bells the size of tangerines adding an edgy jangle. With cotton sacking disguising their human features, feathers dangling from where their eyes should be, the dancers are eerie, otherworldly. My heartrate rises to […]

Sicily’s seductive beaches and strange symbol

Sicily’s seductive beaches and strange symbol

More than 2,000 years ago, Greek sailors sailing the Mediterranean around Sicily gazed upon its golden shores and likened them to the alluring legs of a woman. They called the island Trinakria, or three pointed, identifying it with the Thrinacia mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey. I love to wander Sicily’s beaches in the off season when […]

08.12.2011 · Filled under: Europe, Italy, Legendary Landscapes, Myths & Legends · Tags: , , ,
Why I’m toasting Russia’s Last Grand Duchess today

Why I’m toasting Russia’s Last Grand Duchess today

In Toronto’s North York cemetery, not far from the grave of hockey and coffee legend Tim Horton, “The Last Grand Duchess of Russia” lies beneath an Eastern Orthodox cross as white as a Russian winter. In this city of immigrant tales, the story of Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Olga of Russia is one of […]

14.06.2011 · Filled under: Art, Canada, Spirituality · Tags: , ,
Tut Tut

Tut Tut

A double Tut treat Saturday: first a private walkthrough of the Tut show at the AGO courtesy of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, then a trek through the dusk to hear rockstar Egyptologist and Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities Dr. Zahi Hawass speak at the U of T on the Mysteries of Tutankhamun […]

08.03.2010 · Filled under: Architecture · Tags: ,
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