BC Living Article: 10 Reasons to Visit Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls is a magical natural wonder that inspires awe and appreciation. Its enormity is breathtaking and its power is humbling. If visiting Brazil or Argentina, making time to visit this incredible sight is an absolute must. I had the opportunity to tour both the Brazilian and Argentinian national parks, experiencing different but equally rewarding vantages from either side and I wrote a piece about it for BC Living. Not that any convincing is necessary, but just in case, here are the top 10 reasons to visit Iguazu Falls.

BC Living Article: Paraty: Southern Brazil’s Old World Paradise

One of the most beautiful places I visited while travelling through South America last summer was the quaint colonial town of Paraty along Brazil’s Green Coast. Located an easy four hours by bus south from Rid De Janeiro, it was a last minuet addition to our itinerary and I am so happy we decided to fit it in. Oversized cobblestones, colourful storefronts, and delicious dining options  delight visitors in the Old Town centre, while secluded beaches and jungle adventure trails wait to be explored outside of the city limits. Whether looking for an adventurous or relaxing vacation retreat, Paraty offers the amenities and activities to match the desires of every kind of traveller. However your chose to enjoy yourself, posting up on a patio in the town square, a zesty caipirinha in hand, listening to the live music that often entertains diners, is a great way to wind down your day. The potent liquor used to make Brazil’s national cocktail is also traditionally produced in Paraty where some cachaça distilleries still exist – a bottle of cachaça makes for a fun and fitting souvenir.

Anyone travelling to Rio for the World Cup this year should consider taking a quick trip down to this little town for all the history, art, culture, food, music, and natural beauty it has to offer. Learn more about this stunning vacation destination by reading my latest post for BC Living. 

BC Living Article: Costeno Beach: Colombia’s Best Kept Surf Secret

My travels around South American last Spring/Summer brought me to Colombia. A beautiful country I absolutely fell in love with for the food, music, people and gorgeous landscape. One of the last spots on our tour of the country was a small, secluded surf camp a sweaty 40-minuet bus ride away from the coastal city of Santa Marta. The camp, Costeno Beach Surf Camp and Ecolodge, was an amazing word-of-mouth discovery that absolutely took my breath away. The grounds, which consist of a handful of beautiful thatched bamboo huts strewn throughout a coconut grove, are located just steps from the ocean and are tucked away within the dense jungle of Colombia’s north-east coast. The camp is run by two brothers from Toronto, Canada and has become a cherished local hideaway and a rapidly growing backpacker destination. I was so taken with the camp and their commitment to responsible Eco-tourism that I wrote a piece about them for BC Living. To learn more and start planning your Colombian surf getaway check out my article here.

BC Living Article: BC’s Best Winter Getaways

Winter is here! And for me British Colombia really epitomizes winter excellence. With its frosted mountain peaks, alpine lakes, natural hot springs and snow blanketed interior there are a myriad of activities to busy yourself with during this season. Last year I wrote an article for bcliving.ca listing activities that range from the relaxing to the adventurous that let you take advantage of all there is to do this time of year on Canada’s beautiful west coast. Get some ideas here

BC Living Article: Best Places to Eat in California’s Napa Valley

It is one of the worlds most natural partnerships – fine wine and good food. They are the most harmonious of pairs, as each works to enhance the other’s flavour. It comes as no surprise then that California’s Napa Valley has become known for not only their world class wines but their culinary culture as well. Over the years the valley has drawn chefs from around the world, who’s restaurants have earned critical acclaim and a few michelin stars for the amity created between menu and wine. 

This past summer my family, along with our longtime family friends, whiled away a beautiful ten days sampling all the cuisine this region has become famous for. Lunch, dinner and dessert all became welcome excuses to explore Napa’s diverse restaurant scene and savour a bottle or two (as is custom in the valley). Overall this delectable experience will not soon be forgotten, but there were a few places in particular that are worth not just remembering but also recommending. Here is the article I wrote for BC Living listing my top picks for Napa Valley fare.

Family reunion!

BC Living Article: 7 Essential Destinations in Peru

My South American travels this past summer 2013 led me to Peru where my friends and I journeyed throughout the country, traversing across its varied landscape, sampling its fresh cuisine and visiting its cultural sights. After about three and a half whirlwind weeks we had seen all corners of the country – besides its lush Amazonian basin – and here is an article I wrote about the seven top places, chosen for their food, landscape, adventure and history, that I would recommend visiting!