All posts by cstravelblogdot

Hey there! welcome to my little corner of the internet. I am a middle aged tourism junkie who lives for the next adventure.

Past Experience

Montreal

Nov 1, 2010 cstravelblogdot Leave a comment

I visited Canada’s second largest city on a chilly October weekend in 2010. Always intended to go back but have yet to return. I will eventually because there is a lot to see and do. Montréal is among Canada’s oldest settlements, and there is a tremendous amount of history, but it is also among the most picturesque of Canadian cities. I was fortunate enough to get some nice views of the fall colours in the city park as well as at the Jardain Botanique. Montréal has a little something to offer everyone including the charm of the old city hall on the waterfront, where you can enjoy some great food.

Favourite moments

taking in the panorama of downtown Montréal from the overlook in the city park
exploring the ancient foundations of Montréal at the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History
exploring the wooden Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
eating a Queen Elizabeth (figuratively speaking) at Coin Delices Du Monde
photographing the fall colours at the beautiful Montreal Botanical Garden
enjoying dinner at Maggie Oakes amid the ambience of Place Jacques-Cartier
perusing the collection at the Montréal Museum of Art
Downing an authentic Reuben sandwich at Dunn’s

Past Experience

San Diego

Apr 1, 2010 cstravelblogdot Leave a comment

San Diego March 2010 and August 2016

Of all the cities on the west coast, San Diego best epitomises the sunny Southern California of my imagination. My first visit was part of a business trip to the annual CSUN conference held every March. I recently returned for a short stay (2016) and found that even 6 yrs later it had lost none of its charm.

Favourite moments

Whale watching on the schooner America
Coronado Beach at sunset
Friday night in the Gaslamp district, besieged by Hari Krishnas and naked cyclists
Taking the panorama of San Diego Bay from the Cabrillo Point.
Strolling among the jets of the massive USS Midway Carrier Museum

San Diego Bay
Hotel Del Coronado
Balboa Park
Balboa Park
Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego
Whale watching on the schooner America
Whale watching on the schooner America
Whale watching on the schooner America
USS Ronald Reagan
Schooner California
San Diego Marine Museum
San Diego Marine Museum
Star of India: San Diego Marine Museum
San Diego Marine Museum
San Diego Marine Museum
Point Loma
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo

Trip Notes

San Diego is blessed with the best year-round weather in the continental United States. It has two seasons: warm summer and cool summer. Oddly enough, May and June are actually the worst months to visit because it is generally overcast, but otherwise its sunny most of the time. There is plenty to do in the San Diego area whether for a sightseeing, adventure or family vacation. For the vision impaired, I found it an easy town to get around in, whether you splurge on the Old Town Trolley, or use public transit. Many areas such as the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Balboa Park, Seaport Village are great for strolling.

Favourite Spots

Hotel Del Coronado: Landmark wooden hotel dating from the 1890’s, famous as a movie location for Some Like it Hot. Even if you don’t stay there, drop by for a drink or ice cream
Gaslamp District: Famously fun nightlife district with numerous restaurants and bars with relaxed charm
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum: Take a walk through US Naval Aviation history on this massive USS Midway. Audio Tour is strongly reccommended
Maritime Museum of San Diego: Awesome collection of vintage ships including the full rigged Star of India, the schooner California
Old Town San Diego: Charming recreation of traditional San Diego life during the colonial period with lots of nice restaurants and shops.

Balboa Park (* Visited)

* San Diego Zoo: World famous, well run, user friendly zoo. A beautiful day out.
* San Diego Air and Space Museum:
* Timkin Museum of Art
* San Diego Model Railroad Museum
* Japanese Friendship Garden
The San Diego Museum of Art
Fleet Science Center
San Diego Natural History Museum

Also recommended

Sea World
Belmont Park
Mission Bay Conservation Area

Nearby

La Jolla
Del Mar
Solana Beach
Legoland
Disneyland

Travel News

New Mexico

Dec 1, 2009 cstravelblogdot Leave a comment

Sante Fe, Los Alamos, Gallup and the other Las Vegas

One region of the US that I would love to get back to some day is New Mexico. My first and only visit came in late 2009 as part of a visit that also included sections of eastern Arizona. New Mexico is unique both visually and culturally, and has a tremendous amount to offer tourists.

The Georgia O’Keefe Museum
Santa Fe Plaza
La Fonda Hotel Santa Fe NM
The Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe NM
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi Santa Fe NM

Los Alamos was kind of a disappointment in that we discovered the famous laboratories are not open the public. The Bradbury museum does provide a lot of historical info about the Manhattan Project as well as current scientific research underway. The drive out to it is beautiful.

For me, Bandelier National Monument, a ruin of a Pueblo cliff dwelling settlement was one of the highlights of this holiday.

Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument

Past Experience

Paris

Jul 1, 2008 cstravelblogdot Leave a comment

Paris: June 2008

Seine River Sunset — Cruising down the Seine River: Not exactly a picture-perfect sunset, but a nice evening anyways

I had the good fortune to visit Paris in June 2008 with my nephew Michael. It was a busy visit including the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Notre Dame, Arc de Triumph, D’Orsay Museum, Napolean’s Tomb, French War Museum, and Saint Chapelle, Rodin Museum among other places.

Notre Dame de Paris — Notre Dame: As much an icon of Paris as the Effiel Tower. There is always lots of tourists camped out in front.

Arch of Triumph — Arc de Triomphe. Begun as a monument to Napoleon’s Grand Armee, it was not completed until 1831. You can take an elevator up to a small museum that covers the history of the arch and its sculpture

Effiel Tower — Eiffel Tower: Paris’s famous tower is a challenging climb. I only made it up to the second level. Le Pant, Le Pant!!!

Past Experience

Italy

Nov 1, 2007 cstravelblogdot Leave a comment

Italy October 2007

My first extended holiday came in October 2007 when I joined the Best of Italy tour offered by GAP Adventures (now called G adventures). Best of Italy is a good example of a tour that bridges escorted and self directed experiences. The tour leader is responsible for managing transportation and getting you to your hotel, and in some cases arranging for meals. They provide a brief orientation upon arrival at every new destination, but otherwise you are on your own as to how you want to spend your time. This particular holiday began in Rome where I spent a few days before picking up the GAP Adventures tour.

Favourite moments

Small Theatre in Pompeii — A view of the small theatre in the ruins of Pompeii, taken while on an afternoon tour.

Reflecting Pool in Hadrian's Villa — Gazing at the Reflecting Pool at Hadrian’s Villa near Tivoli: The Emperor Hadrian built this reflecting pool as a memorial to his companion Antonus, who was likely murdered by his wife Vibia Sabina, or so the story goes.

Sunset over Florence from Piazza Michelangelo: Its a bit of a hike to the top of Piazza Michelangelo, but well worth it for views like this one.

A view from the top of Rome's Spanish Steps shopping district — Chilling out amidst the hustle and bustle of Rome’s Spanish Steps shopping district.

Panorama of the Lake Como coastline in the Italian Alps — Panorama of Lake Como: This view of the Lake Como coastline was taken during a short cruise that stopped at several towns along the way.

Taking in an opera performance in Lucca

Riding a gondola through the canals of Venice

Wine Tasting in Asti

This particular holiday occupies a special place for me, since it was my first solo adventure, and my first extended holiday. It was not a particularly happy period in my life since at that moment, my sister in law was terminally ill with cancer. This hung over the planning of this holiday to the point where I considered cancelling it. In the end, I did go, and was glad of it.

If there is one place I would like to return to someday, its Rome. Although I had a few days there, I could have spent a couple weeks or more.

Past Experience

Arizona 2006

Nov 22, 2006 cstravelblogdot Leave a comment

My first visit to Arizona came in November 2006, and actually began in Las Vegas where I landed and met with my friends Jeff and Nikki. In addition to having a fun time in Las Vegas, we enjoyed a memorable evening horseback ride through the hills around Phoenix Arizona, my first time on a horse in many years. Once established in Phoenix, our trip included a loop up through Jerome, Prescott, Sedona and eventually the Grand Canyon. The second part of the trip focused on South Eastern Arizona and included stops in Tucson, Bisbee and Tombstone Arizona. Hard to believe that we covered this much ground in just a few days.

Favourite moments