CANADA: Still Life in Toronto

Outdoor art is common in Toronto, integrating public art into urban landscapes.

There are statues throughout the city creating still life scenes.

Near the Hockey Hall of Fame is the statue called  “Our Game”. 

For those that don't know, the national sport in Canada is hockey.

Unveiled in 1993, this 17-foot bronze sculpture depicts a group of young hockey players eagerly leaning over the boards, full of energy and excitement. 

They bring to life the joy of the game and the spirit of Canada’s favorite sport.

CANADA: Returning to the Homeland - Starting in Toronto

John and I are both passionate about exploring the world around us.

The last time we'd been on Canadian soil was the beginning of Jan 2023, so after over 2 ½ years we decided it was time to return to the homeland.

Some things don't change - like rush hour traffic in Toronto. But, I saw this sign and it made me smile.

Not all Canadians, but a lot, are really nice, polite and friendly people. 

And some even have a sense of humour.

UK: Pomp and Pageantry in London

One of the places in London I always have to go to is Horse Guards Parade.

It is a historic parade ground where the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony is held.

As the official entrance to St James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace it is guarded by the Household Cavalry.

What makes it extra special is that most people head to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards, which leaves the lesser-known Horse Guards Parade very accessible

So that means you can get really close to all the action without the throngs of annoying tourists and selfie sticks.

UK: London Calling

After we were in Paris for 2 months we figured we'd make a quick stop in London, since we were already in the "neighbourhood" (from a North American perspective.)

London always has a pull for us.

In part because we lived there for 2 years, and, in part because it is such a fantastic city. 

Not to mention, the weather is always so appealing.

I do have my favourite spots, and one of the top spots I always like start with is Trafalgar Square. 

NOTE: The fantastic weather part is said tongue in cheek.

FRANCE: The Accidental Discovery of Champagne

Back in the 1600’s winemakers in the northeastern part of France were trying to make ordinary still wine.

But cold winters got in the way of their quest.

The cold temperatures would pause the fermentation process of the wine, and then, in the spring when it got warmer, the yeast would wake up and fermentation would start again.

The double fermentation had a surprise result - bubbles.

At first, that was not the desired result.

But then, instead of fighting it the locals started perfecting the process of bubbly wine.

 

 

FRANCE: Chateau de Fontainebleau

Château de Fontainebleau was originally a medieval hunting lodge in the 12th century.

But over 800 years it became home to 34 kings, queens and emperors including Louis XIV, Napoleon I, and Napoleon III.

The transformation from a hunting lodge to a regal home began in the 1500's with continuous additions and renovations over the centuries with different rulers.

Unlike Versailles, which became the primary seat of power, Fontainebleau retained its function as a “country retreat” in the countryside away from it all.

It is about 55 kilometers (34 miles) southeast of Paris.  

Bonus: It is much quieter than Versailles without the hordes of tourists.

It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

FRANCE: OTT Extravagance in Paris

Paris has an abundance of displays of opulence and indulgence.

Since it is so hard to decide on a “favourite”, I am going to talk about 3 places in Paris that stand out for me as OTT (Over the Top) in extravagance.

I am going to start with Palais Garnier, also known as the Opéra Garnier.

One way to describe the Palais Garnier is as “eclectic opulence”.

There is a combination of Baroque, Classical, and Renaissance elements. 

The mix can be summed up as Beaux-Arts.

NOTE: If you can view this post on a big screen, in my humble opinion, you should do so. There are lots of beautiful and intricate details that show up much better on a big screen.

FRANCE: The Palace of Versailles

One of our first outings when we got to Paris was to Versailles to see the infamous Palace.

The Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles) is one of the most famous and opulent royal residences in the world.

Located in Versailles, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of Paris, we went by train.

The palace began as a modest hunting lodge for King Louis XIII.

It was later transformed by his son, the legendary Louis XIV, into a symbol of absolute monarchy and the center of French political power in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Versailles hosts millions of visitors each year.

FRANCE: Canadians on Juno Beach

Juno Beach is a beautiful peaceful sandy beach in Normandy on the NW coast of France.

But it wasn’t always this peaceful.

On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Juno Beach is significant in Canadian history.

It is one of the five main landing beaches of the D-Day invasion during World War II.

On June 6, 1944, Juno Beach was assigned to the Canadian forces in the Allied operation known as Operation Overlord.

FRANCE: The River Seine in Paris

We are slowing things down a bit and are in Paris for 2 months. 

We “live” a couple blocks from the Seine River and feel like locals.

The Seine is a major waterway in northern France, flowing 777 kilometers (about 483 miles) from the Burgundy region to the English Channel.

The Seine winds through the heart of Paris dividing the city into the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) and Right Bank (Rive Droite) passing by famous landmarks—like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Musée d'Orsay.

FRANCE: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

Construction of Notre Dame began in 1163 and it took nearly 200 years to complete, finishing around 1345.

It has been the religious center of Paris and the site of major events like royal weddings, coronations and national funerals.

Not too long ago, on April 15, 2019, a devastating fire destroyed the spire and much of the roof. 

Sympathies and donations poured in from around the world.  

Reconstruction began shortly after. 

The ground floor of Notre Dame re-opened recently and they distribute tickets on-line over a rolling 3 day window. 

With perseverance I was able to book us tickets to get inside.

FRANCE: The Louvre

The Louvre is another Parisian icon. 

It is the world’s largest art museum and also a historic monument that attracts millions of visitors each year. 

The Louvre covers over 72,000 square meters (775,000 sq ft for those not metrically inclined) of exhibition space. 

There are over 480,000 works of art. 

The Louvre’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, artifacts and antiquities from prehistory to the 21st century. 

FRANCE: Iconic Symbol of Paris

 

When I think of Paris there are iconic landmarks that come to mind.

Probably the first one that I think of is the Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. 

It was also to show off the design, engineering, scientific, technical, innovative and cultural expertise of France.

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited paid monuments in the world with about 7 million visitors per year.  

   

ITALY: Sicily’s Unique Terroir Creates Unique Wines

Sicily is one of the oldest and most diverse wine regions in the world with a viticultural heritage that dates back over 3,000 years from ancient Greek settlers to modern winemakers

With its sunny Mediterranean climate, varied landscape and rich volcanic soil, Sicily produces a wide range of high-quality red and white wines from indigenous and international grape varieties.

For purely education purposes we tested this at two wineries, one in western Sicily and one in eastern Sicily.

 

ITALY: From Natural Disaster to Stunning Baroque Masterpeices

A massive earthquake, estimated 7.4 to 7.7 on the Richter scale, struck southeastern Sicily in January 1693.

It was one of the most devastating natural disasters in Italian history destroying dozens of towns.

Some —like Noto Antica—were abandoned and rebuilt entirely in new locations

Others, like Ragusa, split in two where the upper part (Superiore) was rebuilt on higher ground, while the old city (Ibla) was gradually reconstructed

The reconstruction period produced a unique and flamboyant Baroque style, now called Sicilian Baroque.

The rebuilt towns are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.