Holiday Magic in Quebec City: A Charming Winter Escape

July 12, 2024

Welcome to my travel blog, where I recount the enchanting experience of spending the holidays in the picturesque city of Quebec! Join me as I take you through the highlights of my stay, filled with festive decorations, historic charm, and winter wonderland adventures.

As my holiday in Quebec City came to a close, I savored a leisurely morning stroll along the Dufferin Boardwalk, soaking in the stunning views of the river and the city skyline. A visit to the Old Port Market allowed me to sample local delicacies and pick up last-minute gifts. In the evening, I attended a festive concert at Palais Montcalm, where the music and holiday spirit filled the air, bidding farewell to Quebec City on a high note.

Quebec City has left an indelible mark on me with its historic charm, winter beauty, and warm hospitality. From exploring cobblestone streets to indulging in seasonal delights and discovering cultural treasures, every moment was a celebration of the holiday season and Quebecois heritage. Whether you're planning your own winter escape or dreaming of a magical holiday getaway, Quebec City promises an unforgettable experience that captivates the heart and soul.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Quebec City's holiday magic. Stay tuned for more travel tales and tips to inspire your next adventure!

Holiday Bliss in Montreal: A Festive Escape

July 10, 2024

Welcome to my travel blog, where I recount my delightful holiday experience in the charming city of Montreal! Join me as I share the highlights of my stay, filled with festive cheer, cultural explorations, and culinary delights.

Stepping into Montreal during the holiday season felt like entering a winter wonderland. The city was adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations, creating a magical atmosphere. I checked into my cozy hotel in Old Montreal, known for its historic charm and cobblestone streets, perfect for evening strolls.

Montreal has truly captured my heart with its festive charm, cultural treasures, and warm hospitality. From exploring historic landmarks to embracing winter activities and savoring delicious cuisine, every moment was filled with joy and discovery. Whether you’re planning your own holiday escape or simply dreaming of a magical winter getaway, Montreal offers an unforgettable experience that celebrates the season and enriches the soul.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Montreal’s holiday delights. Stay tuned for more travel adventures and tips to inspire your next destination!

In this blog post, I aimed to capture the essence of spending holidays in Montreal, emphasizing its festive atmosphere, cultural attractions, and winter activities, while also conveying the personal enjoyment and memorable experiences that the city has to offer during the holiday season.

Solo Journey: Discovering San Francisco's Charm

July 6, 2024

Greetings from San Francisco! Join me as I recount my solo adventure in this iconic city, where every corner holds a story waiting to be explored. From breathtaking views to cultural gems, here’s a glimpse into my memorable trip.

Arriving in San Francisco felt like stepping into a postcard. The bustling streets of Union Square welcomed me with open arms, offering a perfect blend of shopping and people-watching. I treated myself to a delicious seafood dinner at a local restaurant in Fisherman's Wharf, savoring every bite while watching the boats sway gently in the harbor.

San Francisco surprised me with its natural beauty at every turn. A hike through Lands End revealed dramatic coastal cliffs and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The serenity of the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park provided a peaceful sanctuary, where I wandered among exotic plants and blooming flowers, soaking in the tranquility.

As I bid farewell to San Francisco, I reflect on the profound sense of independence and discovery that solo travel has offered. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, each moment has been a testament to the city’s allure and my own spirit of adventure. San Francisco has not only captured my heart but also inspired me to embrace the unknown and cherish the beauty of solo exploration.

Whether you’re embarking on your own solo journey or dreaming of the city by the bay, I hope my blog has ignited a sense of wanderlust and a desire to discover the wonders of San Francisco. Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring!

Sandbanks Provincial Park

November 29, 2020

A random Sunday,

with friends,

wine, Yes!

3004 County Rd. 12 RR#1
Picton
K0K 2T0

A 2-hour drive East from Downtown Toronto, you’ll find this gem in Prince Edward County. A Provincial park in Ontario surrounded by vineyards and small towns. Known as the world’s largest baymouth barrier dune formation. It has three expansive sandy beaches that some say are among the best in Canada; Outlet Beach is perfect for families, with shallow waters and gentle drop off. Its location jutting out into Lake Ontario means that this park is a bird migration hotspot in spring and fall. The walking trails that allow visitors to experience the dune and wetland habitats of the park.

Before you visit: check what facilities/activities are available and pack what you need (e.g. water, snacks hand sanitizer).
When you visit: Continue to follow public health advice including physical distancing by keeping at least two metres from others, wearing a face covering where required and when physical distancing may be challenging or not possible, washing hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Hope everyone is doing well. We will all get through this, STAY SAFE.

See you next summer :)

Vietnam Trip Series Part III

September 7, 2020

A place with so much history.

Ninh Binh is stunning and diverse; it is also extremely traveler friendly. However, Ninh Binh remains far less popular than its sister to the northeast, Ha Long Bay.

During our Southeast Asia tour, we chose this country as our last stop because of these following photos and reasons why we loved it here and why we want to go back for more! I will definitely go back for more… coffee and coffee and Jana Mae’s terrible noise! :)

When is the best time to visit Ninh Binh or Vietnam in general?

Ninh Binh is located in Northern Vietnam where there are four distinct seasons. Summer is very hot and winter, by contrast, can get very cold. Ninh Binh’s delta location means the landscape is very flat. The area often experiences flooding and sometimes even landslides during the rainy season (approximately May to September), so it might be wise to plan a trip outside those times to be on the safe side. But for us we need to pray for a better weather since while we are in Myanmar few weeks before our trip here in Vietnam, I have seen friends visiting the province and saw their IG Stories that its weather permitting going up to the look out and the weather was changing every minute, considering that our visit is June! in the middle of their wet season. But we prayed all the gods from the temples in Bali, pagodas in Bagan, and Temples in Thailand. IT GAVE US MOSTLY SUNNY DAYS AHEAD OF US!

So here are the reasons why I feel in love with this place!!

Scenic Views

Ninh Binh is also known as the Ha Long Bay on land for an obvious reason – it looks like Ha Long Bay but on land instead of water. There are hundreds of limestone monoliths topped by dense greenery that emerge from the ground, scattered around the city with rivers flowing through them and caves formed in them. While the mountains are in the west and northwest, the east and south have coastal parts. Ninh Binh really does have everything.

Convenient Location

Ninh Binh is only 95 kilometers away from Hanoi (about a 2-3-hour journey) and makes for a good first stop for those making their journey slowly from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in the south. You can even get here quite conveniently from Ha Long Bay. Catching overnight buses from Ninh Binh to other cities is pretty easy too – ask your hotel reception and they will help you out.

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A chance to ride the Reunification Express

While the train option between cities far away from one another is sometimes slow, uncomfortable, with problems and delays, this is not the case for Ninh Binh. Since Ninh Binh is only three hours away from Hanoi, you should definitely opt to visit there on the Reunification Express. Time to tick that off your bucket list!

Vietnam 5 from Jarylle Paloma on Vimeo.

Day trip possible

If you get to Ninh Binh early in the morning, you can easily cover a few attractions such as Tam Coc, Trang An and the pagodas scattered around them. You can even make time to visit the beautiful Gothic Phat Diem Cathedral which is about a 40-minute drive away from the center. Although it is best to spend more than a day here, many of us can be strapped for time, and if that’s the case for you, Ninh Binh makes for a perfect day trip option from Hanoi or Ha Long Bay.

Trang An

Is a complex of mountains and caves to which you can only get to by water. There are eight caves to explore on boat. On the way you will see many beautiful religious structures, surrounded by green nature, giving the area a rather serene outlook. Go early in the morning around 7 a.m. to fully enjoy your experience.

Rowing those caves

There are so many caves formed naturally or artificially inside the limestone mountains. In Trang An, you can ask your boat peddler to take you through eight caves. Make sure you duck your head as you make your way through some of the caves. Some walls aren’t high enough and some rock formations are quite pointy. The peddler will warn you when you have to duck. What’s also interesting is that the peddlers have learnt to peddle with their feet to avoid getting injured.

Hang Mua Peak

This is the best place to get an elevated view of the area. After a steep climb of around 400 steps, you will surely be rewarded on top with opportunities to take magnificent Instagram viral-worthy shots. Make sure to take a bottle of water – the climb up isn’t easy. You will also bump into goats.

Staycation