Category: Cultural Travel

Photography of cultural events and things from our travels around the world.

Uncovering the Lost Colony of Avalon in Newfoundland

ferryland, newfoundland and labrador

After spending 3 hours hiking coastal trails near Signal Hill in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Bob and I hastily changed out of wet gear and drove south for lunch in Petty Harbour.  From there, it was a short jaunt to Ferryland and the location of the Lost Colony of Avalon. Read more

Traveling Down Memory Lane – On the Streets of Shanghai

I found myself in Shanghai, China, several years ago.  It’s hard to believe that this modern city was once considered a very minor river port to which few people ever traveled.

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Notre Dame Cathedral, The Symbol of Paris

notre dame cathedral, paris, france

Our tour of the French countryside provided respite from our first few days in the bustling urban environment of Paris, but soon enough, it was back to the City of Light before returning to Canada.  I won’t say that we saved the best for last, but our final sightseeing did include a visit to famous Notre Dame Cathedral, an evening spent at Moulin Rouge, and a romantic boat cruise on the Seine River. Read more

We were charmed by Cinque Terre in the Italian Riviera

manarola, cinque terre, italy

After Bob and I left the Leaning Tower of Pisa, we continued west towards the coast of the Ligurian Sea.  Our goal was the region known as Cinque Terre, a narrow coastal strip that comprises 5 villages sandwiched between the sea and the mountains.  It is fondly referred to as the Italian Riviera.

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Traveling down memory lane: A moment in the City God Temple of Shanghai

People conduct ceremonies of worship inside the City God Temple of Shanghai, in China.

Years ago, Bob traveled to Shanghai, China, and during that trip, he took time to visit the City God Temple of Shanghai.  As Bob discovered, the ceremonies of worshiping the City God of Shanghai is a solemn and dignified event.

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Our Walking Tour of Florence, The Birthplace of the Renaissance

florence, italy across river arno

Who wouldn’t want to visit Florence to look upon some of the most famous sculptures in the world:  Michelangelo’s sculpture David, Bartolomeo Ammannati’s Fountain of Neptune, and Donatello’s heraldic lions?  The artistic and architectural heritage of Florence goes far beyond those sculptures and led to this city, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, being called the birthplace of The Renaissance. Read more

The Wondrous Il Duomo di Firenze In Florence

il duomo di firenze, florence cathedral, florence, italy

The day that Bob and I headed out to explore Florence, we were anxious to discover everyone’s fascination with the highly renowned Florence Cathedral, in Italian known as the Il Duomo di Firenze. After arriving in the city, we did not go directly to Piazza del Duomo but instead heightened our anticipation by viewing many other sights in the city.

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The famed Ponte Vecchio medieval stone bridge in city of Florence

ponte vecchio and river arno in florence, italy

Of particular interest to both Bob and me when we visited Florence, Italy, was the famed medieval stone bridge known as Ponte Vecchio. Read more

Stepping Back In Time at the Irish National Heritage Park

a Crannog on a man-made island at Irish National Heritage Park, Ireland

The Irish National Heritage Park near Ferrycarig, County Wexford, Ireland, is an open-air museum that explores the world of Ireland’s cultural history in a beautiful natural setting.  Read more

150 Stories – An Ode to Life in Ontario as Canada Celebrates its Sesquicentennial

an image of the book of 150 Stories to commemorate Canada's sesquicentennail

An initiative by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, to commemorate Canada’s 150th birthday resulted in this marvelous compilation of 150 stories that examine what it means to be Canadian living in Ontario.  Each story is paired with a relevant photograph. Read more