Lift Off At The St-Jean-sur-Richelieu International Balloon Festival

Ever wondered what it would be like to float miles high above the world in a hot air balloon? You can do just that and take your pick from hundreds of balloons at the annual International Balloon Festival in Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, on the outskirts of Montreal. The Canadian balloon festival began in 1984 and quickly attracted balloonists from around the world to compete. For just over a week in August, the skies of Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu are dotted with hot air balloons that launch each day at dusk and dawn. The launch times are chosen in relation to the drop in temperature around those times of day, vital for ballooning, and luckily, they also make for breathtaking photo opportunities. Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu festival visitors line cordoned pathways along the fields ...

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Photograph the Montreal Fireworks Festival

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Retrace Viking Attacks at Lindisfarne

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Discover California's Hidden Gem at El Matador Beach

California is renowned for its laidback sun and surf culture, with tons of tourists flocking to its beaches every year. Santa Monica Pier, Zuma Beach and Venice Beach are some of the best known beaches in California, but what is truly special are some of the small, secluded beaches of California that only the locals seem to know about. One such beach is El Matador Beach. It is rather difficult to find while driving, and not easily accessible, which makes it such a well-kept secret. The address is 32215 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. If you use this in your GPS should have no problem with directions to El Matador Beach. At the entrance of El Matador State Beach is a little dirt parking lot ...

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Dune Bashing in Dubai

In recent years, Dubai has steadily gained a reputation as a hotspot for tourism. But apart from the flashy, state-of-the-art attractions that it offers, an overnight desert safari trip really allows visitors to experience an authentic night of local culture. These trips are usually all-inclusive packages.  The trip starts at an appointed meeting spot, where the group is picked up by a procession of 4WDs. From there, the tour leader heads the pack through a series of whirlwind, rollercoaster climbs and drops among the sand dunes. The thrill is incredible and definitely something you'd be hard-pressed to experience elsewhere. Of course, a professional driver is provided for each 4WD, since it is vital to know precisely how and where to manoeuvre the off road vehicles. ...

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Whale Watching Around the Maritime Coastline of Canada

Given the lifestyle of Canada's eastern coast, the best way to discover the Maritimes is slowly and relaxed. Instead of rushing through on a whirlwind tour, why not try a camping road trip instead? You'll find countless gorgeous photo-worthy and fun spots to discover, most of which aren't even mentioned in a lot of guidebooks. Book off a week or two, rent a car, and plan your route around the coast of New Brunswick or Quebec, along the banks of the St. Lawrence river. This area in particular is a haven for whale watching, as they pass through during their summer feeding season. Nature enthusiasts and photographers will be thrilled to watch everything from seals and dolphins, to belugas, baleens, blue whales and humpbacks, play ...

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Sail with Whales along the Saguenay Fjord

Even for most Canadians, the Saguenay Fjord is one of those little-known hidden gems, proving just how vast and spectacular this corner of the globe can be. Located about a six-hour drive directly north of Montreal, this area can easily be mistaken for the northern regions of Europe. Quaint villages and small towns are enclosed by looming mountains and vast expanses of water. For a fun family-friendly day trip, head directly to the Saguenay Fjord itself, said to be one of the largest in the world. Take the ferry to Saint-Felix-d'Otis - the boat ride itself is breathtaking, so make sure to have a camera on-hand! As soon as you debark, you'll find yourself in Nouvelle France, an open-air museum complete with costumed actors to ...

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Explore the Scottish Highlands on Horseback

When visiting Scotland, it is almost a shame to whiz past such gorgeous rolling hills, countryside and lochs in a car on the highway. What other alternative is there, you might ask? Horses! In a place such as this, nature is simply begging visitors to slow down and take in the impressive scenery at a normal pace. Many places in Scotland offer horse-riding holidays, which includes accommodation as well as the hire of a horse, tack and other equipment. One of the main advantages of travelling by horseback is that visitors have the chance to view a number of gorgeous sights that are rarely accessible by vehicles. The slower pace and sheer freedom when traveling by horse is hard to beat. A horseback riding holiday ...

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Relax Among the Rolling Hills of the Black Forest

The Black Forest region is situated in the south of Germany, bordering Switzerland. From the moment you arrive, the sense of peace and seclusion is astounding. Surrounded by mountains and lush greenery, Black Forest feels miles from civilization. Houses and people are few and far between, and under the warm German summer sun, the lazy drone of insects is broken only by the occasional clanking of cowbells in the distance. Don't be fooled though—there is plenty to explore, from the deep forests, caves and waterfalls, to ancient German castle ruins and the nearby cities of Baden-Baden, Freiburg, and Staufen. Motocross is quite popular among the younger males in the Black Forest hills, and you'll often find them tearing through the forest paths on heavy-duty dirt ...

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Conquer the Matterhorn: An Alpine Icon

For the last few centuries, the Matterhorn has posed a great challenge as well as great risk to climbers, and it has since come to be regarded as an iconic symbol of the Alps. The Matterhorn is one of the tallest peaks of the Alps, soaring at over 14,000 feet high. It lies along the Swiss-Italian border, accessible to visitors from both sides, and is a mountain legend for experienced climbers. Amateurs or non-climbers can also head up via train and cable cars for a breathtaking view. Even at the height of summer, the Matterhorn still boasts a peak blanketed in snow, perfect for skiing or snowboarding. It was first conquered by a team of climbers in the mid 1800s, although several of them died ...

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See the Quirky Side of California at L.A.'s Venice Beach

Of all of California's beaches and celebrity-spotting haunts, Venice Beach is one of the best-known favourites of tourists and locals alike. Named for the canals in the city which were inspired by the famous Italian ones, Venice Beach was mostly frequented by artists, musicians and poets in its early days. Today it is a vibrant, bustling area with a cheerful jumble of visitors from around the world, street-side musicians, buskers, vendors, and artists. While the energy levels are high, attitudes are enjoyably laidback. Celebrities can occasionally be spotted in Venice Beach and the row of their elegant mansions towering over the boardwalk provides a starkly contrasting backdrop. The main strip is called Ocean Front Walk, and is also colloquially referred to as "the boardwalk". The ...

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