Kearney Lake, Nova Scotia

This is in my hometown in Halifax. It's Kearney Lake at 07:30. The water is warmer than the air and it creates a beautiful setting.

I drive passed this on the way to work. I feel so lucky :)

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Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia: Stay Off the Black Rocks

  

   Being home to the most well known light house in the country, and fierce waves, Peggy's Cove holds a unique beauty that cannot be compared to any other place in the world. For such a small province, with the population that we have, Peggy's Cove is a well known tourist destination to folks all over the globe. She is a day trip made by thousands every year. You will know that you have arrived when that lighthouse comes into view, sitting atop a large rocky mountain. A village of multi-coloured old homes, gift shops, lobster shacks, and fishing boats are sprawled beautifully along the Peggy's Cove Road. The sights you will find here are truly like that of something you would see in a movie set on the coastal shore about fishermen and their lifestyle. As you drive up the Peggy's Cove Road, be sure to stop for ice cream at the parlour if it's in the summer time. When the cold temperatures set in, during autumn, then you can step into the main gift shop and restaurant called the Sou' Wester'. Here, you can enjoy the best fish and chips and lobster tail around for a decent price. You can even catch and clean your own lobster and they will cook it for you! When you taste the lovely fish and lobster native to Nova Scotia, you will be experiencing the heart of our culture at it's finest. 

   

   As you approach the top of Peggy's Cove road, and enter the parking lot, "Stay off the black rocks" is what you will read on the numerous signs leading up to the larger-than-life boulders; as well as the red and white lighthouse that can be seen for miles, next to which you will undoubtedly begin taking hundreds of photos. At this time, I will share with you some excellent safety tips to keep in mind when you visit this extraordinary destination, whether for a day trip, or a night away.
  The closer you come to the large white rocks that are perfect for climbing, getting photos on, and watching the water, you will see plenty of signs that depict a guy dancing with the waves. Do not be deceived. This guy is not, in fact, dancing with the waves. He is dying. Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic. You will notice that the rocks become darker in colour as you walk nearer to the water. This discolouration is caused by the water making it's way up onto those rocks. The darker the rocks that you are standing on, the more danger you're in. Many times, folks have gotten too close to get that perfect photo, to say they did it, for bragging rights, or what have you. Sometimes, those people were locals to Nova Scotia (And should have known better), and sometimes, they were exploring on vacation. Please do not mistake the unadulterated and seemingly calm beauty of Peggy's Cove for a completely danger-free venture. It can be, but only if you respect how powerful she can be. While it is almost certain you will see gorgeous white waves crashing against the rocks, numerous times, a rogue wave that could not have been predicted came and swept people away. For the most part, it is because they were too close to the water. That perfect photo is not worth putting yourself in danger for. The calmness of the deep blue at Peggy's Cove can be soothing to the soul. She can also be ferocious and unpredictable. While I completely recommend this spot for a day long adventure or even a weekend getaway during the summer, many have lost their lives due to unsafe venturing, for their breathtaking photo-op. If you are going to explore this charming haven, I encourage you to stay on the white rocks, and out of the danger zone.

Peggy's Cove being mildly ferocious

I would like to just say, that we are not nearly as close as we look in that photo. There was a zoom button on the camera. However, this is a very mild example of what Peggy's Cove is capable of.

   While I haven't personally stayed the night in a motel in Peggy's Cove, after doing some research, I would recommend the Clifty Cove Motel for the view. Staying at this motel, you are in an ideal location to enjoy all the benefits and offerings Peggy's Cove has to make your vacation a perfect one. As you may have seen on my Facebook page, I posted some photos of the Swiss Air 111 memorial. It is about half a kilometer from Peggy's Cove and I encourage you to visit. A little further down from the memorial, is a museum. It is actually a house painted to the likes of Peggy's Cove, but it has been turned into a museum. The gentleman that runs this place wrote a fantastic story called "Peggy of the Cove". It comes in a children's book, and a book for adults. Admission is free and there is lots to look at, as well as a small gift shop to pick up a copy of this beautiful story for the young person in your family. The location is hard to miss as the mural on the house is huge, and very well done. 

Visit Peggy's Cove. The lighthouse is a cultural Icon in Canada. It symbolises everything Nova Scotia, and when people from all over the world set their eyes on it, know what place they're looking at. It is beautiful in every way, and will have people envious that they didn't go with you. 
This is one destination that belongs on your bucket list. 

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Glasgow, Scotland: The City of Art and Culture

   

Me at Crookston Castle

Whiskey and haggis. Stone castles and beautiful dialects. Lochness Monsters and over a thousand years of history. All of these things bring the gorgeous country of Scotland to life in your mind's eye.
   In June of 2017, my mom and I embarked on a 10-day journey, across the ocean to the unforgettable land of the Scots. Our first stop was Glasgow, where our plane landed. A busy city and lively atmosphere is what we could expect during the time we spent there. On day one, we arrived in the early morning but check in at the Kelvin West Hotel was at 2:30pm so we had some time to kill. The first place we stopped in to was the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

The Floating Heads at KelvinGrove Museum and Art Gallery

   One of the most majestic and artistic exhibitions you may ever see. Admission is by donation only as most museums, exhibits, and galleries in Scotland are run on donations alone. Inside, you will find a lovely cafe on the first of 3 floors holding countless fascinating exhibits that will offer an astounding appreciation for art in all forms. In the photo above, the floating heads hang from the ceiling with vibrant blue light. In my interpretive opinion, I believe the faces hold the many different expressions and emotions humans experience daily. In Glasgow, it is possible to rent or borrow a bike to get around. There is a bike station just outside of the museum. While my mom and I decided not to do that, I highly recommend it. 
   Keep in mind, we were going on 24 hours with no sleep as we had an overnight flight. So, with burning eyeballs and the oh-so-trendy "same clothes as yesterday" look, we trekked on in exploration until check-in. Mom and I found a great restaurant called "Bread Meats Bread". Their specialty? You guessed it! Sandwiches and burgers. With a jaw-dropping delicious menu and an excellent gluten free selection, they will be the tastiest burgers you ever "meat"! (Pun intended!) Mom being celiac had me worried that she would be limited in what she could eat. Turns out, the Scots have gluten free dishes down to a science and offer a great selection of gluten free options and modifications. There are several locations of Bread Meats Bread around the city so it won't be difficult to find. On our excursion around town, we stopped in to a few thrift shops to have a peak and there are some attractive sales you can find. 

Bread Meats Bread

   When we were finally able to check in to the Kelvin West Hotel, the sight of a cozy bed to collapse onto had never been so pleasing to the eye. And collapse we did...against the great advice we were given to stay awake until nightfall, in order to adjust to the 4 hour time difference sooner rather than later. Waking up 3-4 hours later (at some point wondering what year it was) in the dark, we decided to save our new-found energies for the following day. 
   Our hotel room was on the first floor of the building and it was a great size for a double room. The women who run the hotel are very helpful and informative about the area. The hotel offers a continental breakfast first thing in the morning and a map of the city at the front desk! There definitely is room for improvement at this hotel, but for just a couple of nights until you make your next move, it is perfectly suited. I believe I booked this room for $312 CAD for 3 nights. 

Kelvin West Hotel

On our way to the Kelvin West, we were seeking a spot to stop and look up directions, get a coffee, access WiFi, etc. We came across a lovely little chain cafe called "Nero's". There are many Nero's locations around the city so finding it wouldn't be an issue. 
   The next day, we were off exploring again but this time, with a plan. The subway proved a very effective and fast way to travel around the city. Using the subway makes navigating a big city much easier as you only need to know what subway stop to exit at. The subway runs every 10-15 minutes. We took the subway to Pollok House. 

Pollok House

   This grand establishment has existed since 1931, and it is full of artwork, old furniture, and a library that is an antique as they come, and is meant to hold 7,000 books. The Maxwell family spent their days in the glorious garden park and made big business decisions in the smoking room of the Pollok House. Downstairs, you will find a lovely little cafe that sells sweets, coffee, pastries, and more. My Mom and I certainly enjoyed the likes of that. 

My Mother and I enjoying a latte at Pollok House

   Make sure your camera is fully charged and there is plenty of room to get lots of photos. You won't regret it! As for admission, this one is not by donation only. For a single adult, it is 6.50 in pounds, and for a family, it is 16.50 in pounds. Mom and I did not take a scheduled tour but I definitely recommend it as you will be filled with knowledge about the Maxwell family and their business dealings, as well as conflict they may have faced.
   Next, we went back to the Kelvin West to get cleaned up and get ready for our evening outing. This outing consisted of going to the Citizen's Theatre for live theatre. This venture is one that every person should experience first hand. I believe the tickets for the play we saw were $25 CAD each. Flawless acting and a beautiful story is how to best describe what we saw. A writer with syphilis who's short stories became darker as the play went on. It was heart wrenching and funny, and dark. I recommend throwing caution to the wind with this one. If you are planning on seeing a play, see something edgy and with substance. While waiting for the play to begin, they offer different types of beverages and snacks. I enjoyed both a latte and nice glass of wine during the intermission. 
   After the play, we were looking for somewhere to have drinks and relax, but a place that also served food. We came across this place called "beGIN". I'll give you 3 guesses as to what they served most. While it had been quite some time since either one of us had consumed the "pine-tasting" beverage, it was no holds barred on this night! We ordered some drinks but food was no where to be found, unless you enjoy peanuts and trail-mix. When we reached the bottom of our glasses, we ordered more, and more. We drank to the point of being totally social and wanting to meet some of the wonderful people that live in this place. We went over and popped a squat next to 2 wonderful ladies that we struck up conversation with. Multiple drinks, and 2 new friends later, I believe we were ready to head on back to the hotel. "BeGIN" had such a high-spirited atmosphere and great music to dance to. A really great place if you are looking to let your proverbial hair down and enjoy a night out. Afterwards, we went and got what looked like a poutine but without the gravy. Let's just say that I understand why Scotland is not known for their poutines. 

At beGin

   Princes Square Shopping Centre is where we would land next. What a place to be! With cobblestone roads and bars, restaurants, and loads of little shops to do your souvenir shopping. There is a subway station right in the centre so getting there is easy peasy! You will end up right at Buchanan Street which lies in the busy shopping district of downtown, Glasgow. There are lots of souvenir shops and clothing stores. Here, I picked up a silver whiskey flask with the Scotland coat of arms on it. It was 15 pounds. Shopping here is not at all expensive and the taxes are included in the posted price so there are no surprises at the sales counter.
   

Buchanan Street (Shopping District in Glasgow)

On our last full day in Glasgow, Scotland, we went to visit the abandoned ruins of Crookston Castle. Crookston Castle was built in the 15th century, but found itself under siege in the 16th century, followed by abandonment. The castle is accessible during the hours of 9-5, and there is no admission. You can climb all the way to the top of the castle using the steep ladders leading up. The castle is about 3 miles south east of paisley and you can spot the castle from about a mile away, up in the hills. These stunning and fascinating ruins are just a glimpse into the history of Scotland during the 15th and 16th centuries. There is a plaque with historical information on it, as you walk through the gate and toward the castle. 

Crookston Castle

The next day, we were on our way to Inverness, Scotland via rental car; but that folks, is another article! Just a piece of hilarious advice, REMEMBER TO STAY ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING!!! Do not drive your loved ones into oncoming traffic. :) I hope you take what I've written here and store it away when visiting Glasgow. A beautiful city full of art, culture, and lovely people awaits you. <3

AnneMarie - Global Travel Writer

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Why Zell Am See, Austria Should Be Your Next Destination

   Where do I even begin? There is so much to love about this place. It is surreal and dream-like. Zell Am See possesses the atmosphere of a fantasy novel that keeps you turning the page. Was I really in a place that brought out this much passion in me for travelling? Yes. Yes I was, and I still can't believe it's true. This locale came to be the inspiration for putting my travels in writing.

   When attempting to describe Zell Am See, words will never come close to seeing it. I could start by describing the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding Austrian Alps. Or with the walking trails along the water. Or the food, specifically the pizza. Or the accessible public transportation that proves perfect for any day trip in or outside of town.

   Perhaps one thing at a time will make all the reasons you should visit less overwhelming, but that is not at all my intention. My intention is to have you completely overwhelmed with the desire to experience a treasure hidden away in the mountains of Austria, that you may not have otherwise known even existed. 
   

   How we ended up in Zell Am See was a happy accident and it is one place I will always be, in one way or another. 

   Mark and I took the train from Munich, Germany to Zell Am See, Austria. About 4 hours of our lives were spent coasting through the countryside, getting to see mountains, unique and beautifully built homes and villages in the hills, and luscious green clearings in the valleys. The homes you will see are large and look like something you might only see on the backs of promotional travel magazines, taken with an expensive camera. Not even those expensive cameras could do it justice though.

   When we got off the train, we were starving. Before catching the bus to Kaprun (a quaint village right outside of downtown Zell Am See), we stopped in at a Turkish restaurant called "Flame" right across the street of this seemingly whimsical little town. Mark and I had lattes and Marguerita Pizza. After experiencing pizza in Austria, I don't know how to go about enjoying food again quite the same way, in the best way possible. The crust is perfectly soft and crunchy. The herbs that are blended with the variety of cheeses are absolutely divine. I believe the pizza was 11 Euros. That converts to about $16.36 CAD, or $12.77 USD depending on the exchange rate. Austria is tantamount to Canada in terms of cost of living. It is more expensive than Germany, but it is not outrageous. 
   When getting public transportation to your destination, the driver needs to know what area you are going to so they can charge you the appropriate fare. As the busses go a lot further, they charge you based on your destination zone. From Zell Am See Bahnhauf (Vorplatz) to Kaprun, it was about 2.10 per person in Euros. The journey was about 12 minutes to where we got off the bus. We stayed at a small hotel called "Haus Am See". It had a small kitchen so we cooked our own meals with food bought at the local market, and lots of closet space. We booked the space for $175 CAD for the span of 3 nights. You can find the property at a great deal on Booking.com. 
   All of Austria was quite spectacular. If English is your first language, then you're in luck because most of Europe speaks English as a second language. However, I encourage you to learn some basic phrases in German, such as "Please", "Thank you", "Do you speak English?", etc. Oh by the way, German is the mother language in Austria, in case you didn't pick up on that just now. 
   Another hotel option that I would describe as lavish and notably upscale is the Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel is right in the heart of downtown Zell Am See. For such a "Grand Hotel" (Pun intended), it is very well priced and inexpensive for the type of overnight establishment it is. It is priced at an average of 300$ per night for dates in September and October, which is when we went. Nonetheless, many of you will probably like to go during the summer. During the months of July and August, you can expect the average room rate at the Grand Hotel to be around $300-500 CAD per night. Throughout the summer, prices are a tad more expensive. I am biased as we were there in the fall, and the beauty of the changing seasons in the mountains is enough to sway anyone to visit in the fall. Please keep in mind, that the Grand Hotel looks like a palace made for royalty. And breakfast is included!
   The two of us walked the trail alongside Lake Zell, which is pictured above the article. From there (aside from pretty much anywhere in Zell Am See), you get a superb view of the snow-capped Alps. From where we were staying, it was a 40 minute walk along that trail to get to the main bus and train station. It is completely worth the walk, rather than grabbing the bus back to the station. You will see so many ducks and swan in the area. They are approachable (within reason), but please do not feed them as it leads to illness in the animals. 
   Speaking of walking beautiful trails, we actually embarked on a day trip about an hour and a half away from town, to go hiking. You heard me correctly...hiking in the Austrian Alps. There are many many trails to hike and explore the mountains. Rivers and bridges, glacier water, tiny villages way up high in the hills, and man-made wooden walkways to hike the side of the mountain. As for things to be wary of when hiking in this area if it's unfamiliar, there's not really any red-flag dangers under 2000 feet. Bears, I read, are extinct in most of Europe. However, I do recommend doing a little research on the exact area you will be hiking. If you decide to hop on a bus to take a day trip outside of town, the views become even more spectacular. The caps of snow become clearer. The gushing green glacier rivers are even more breathtaking. 
   

   Zell Am See was such a wonderful addition to our trip. Venturing off to foreign lands can be stressful, exhilarating, tiring, and loads of fun. However, it is important to take a day or two and simply relax and soak it all in. Zell Am See, Austria was exactly what we needed to accomplish that. We took the time we needed in this stunning place to breathe, think, collect our thoughts (and plenty of photos while we were at it), and rest. Take in the views and the warmth of the people here. And while you're taking hundreds of photos, enjoying the pizza, and planning tomorrow's hike into the glacial wilderness, don't forget to breathe and enjoy. 

AnneMarie - Global Travel Writer 

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Bridgewater, NS - The Not So Hidden Gem of Nova Scotia

   About an hour and fifteen minutes away from the city of Halifax, lies the small town of Bridgewater. Emphasis on the small. As in public transit being a brand new advancement, a single main drag to speak of, and the Cinaplex Theatre being the most popular hang out spot for the younger generations. But regardless, it offers the best atmosphere for those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. With the cozy streets, and the ginormous old multi-generational Victorian homes, as well as the much needed Tim Horton's on the corner of High Street and Victoria rd, Bridgewater is completely serendipitous.
   Spending time in this tranquil and quiet town will mean mosying into lots of old antique stores and tiny clothing boutiques, and admiring the LaHave River from a bench in the park. It is a wonderful spot to open a book and have a picnic with the kids, or get some time to yourself to ponder about life, the universe, and relax.
   If you continue passed the park down the 331 for about 17 minutes by car, you will reach the LaHave Bakery. Here, they do lunch and breakfast, and sell lots of baked goods, fresh and wrapped. I can attest to the goodness of their lattes. A cup of heaven if you will. The LaHave Bakery has been in business since 1973, and before that it was an outpost for fishermen.
   Talking to the locals, I learned a lot about the area, some of the perks of living there, and things they wished would change; such as the lack of public transport from LaHave to Bridgewater and big banks moving to the city. Bridgewater and LaHave make for a great day trip or weekend getaway.
   There are two ways there. "The old road" and the highway 103.  The old road (Saint Margarets Bay) is absolutely beautiful during autumn. All the autumn colours in the trees and the sun glimmering off the ocean surface is truly a gift sent by mother nature. It is also slower going in the winter time than the highway but black ice is an issue due to it being right beside the water. The highway 103 is about 20 minutes faster and I would consider it to be the safer route in the winter time. 

   As for accommodations, you usually have 2 options. You can go through AirBNB or book an actual hotel. On airbnb, you will spend an average of 100$ per night give or take. For the luxury of a chain hotel, the average is about 125 per night if youre booking on a sale website. If you choose to travel around bridgwater via car, gas is usually about 1 full cent more than what you'll find in the city of Halifax. 

  All in all, I recommend this little town for the tranquil atmosphere and quiet environment it offers for a day trip or a weekend getaway.

Annemarie - global travel writer

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