walking tour – Mark's Travel Journal

Best places to experience the true spirit of Canada

January 5, 2021March 3, 2021markstraveljournal38 Comments

The Canadian natural and urban landscapes are undeservedly neglected in many travel plans. However, if you are looking for the best places to experience the true spirit of Canada, you have stumbled upon a guide that will list and explain why the home of maple syrup (among other things) should definitely be on your travel horizon.

Essentially, this is a big country that boasts one of the most mesmerizing and impressive landscapes in the world. On the one hand, you can encounter lakes, mountains, and other natural sceneries of indescribable beauty. On the other, Canadian cities are a perfect starting and finishing point on your trip. They offer you a chance to experience incredible architectural gems in a progressive and liberal society. Read on to find out more about the most breathtaking and exciting places in Canada you should visit on your next trip to the Great White North.

Toronto

If you are looking for the perfect city to start your Canadian journey, Toronto is the place for you (and my hometown). It is one of the largest and culturally most important cities in this country. Toronto’s distinguishing landmark is the CN Tower which you must have seen if you have ever received a postcard from Toronto.

When it comes to its tourist potential, Toronto’s transportation system makes movement through the city impeccable, with a network of subways, street cars, and roads. However, if you get bored with Toronto’s bustling urban energy, you can always take the ferry across the harbour to the nearby Toronto Islands.

a Toronto skyline with skyscrapers and CN Tower — The famous CN Tower dominates the Toronto skyline

Banff

If you are looking to visit the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff is a great resort town to start your hiking, biking, or skiing journey from. It is located in the Banff National Park, the first national park established on Canadian soil. As for what it can offer to its visitors, Banff is a town that is brimful of small, local cafes, restaurants, art galleries, shops, and other tourist amenities. You can find the beautiful Mount Norquay towering over this little town and the famous Lake Louise just an hour away from Banff.

Icefields Parkway

Icefield Parkway is a world-famous 144-mile double-lane highway drive between Jasper and Lake Louise. What makes it so epic is that this road offers an incredible overview of the Canadian Rocky Mountains while taking you through orchards, waterfalls, lakes, and other intact natural scenery. This route is fantastic for those who enjoy hiking and camping in breathtakingly beautiful Canadian nature.

a big lake at the foot of mountains in Canada, symbolizing the best places to experience the true spirit of Canada — Canada is home to supreme vistas and natural sceneries.

Vancouver

Vancouver is another big Canadian city that should be on your priority list, especially if you are visiting western Canada. This city is famous for its multiculturalism and green living. Around 50% of its citizens speak languages other than English, making it a truly inspiring and eclectic city. As for what you can do besides the essential sightseeing around the city, Vancouver is a well-known stop for any serious skier given its nearby world-renowned ski resorts such as Whistler Blackcomb. The local city council continuously strive to achieve the best living standard by pioneering and incorporating green design ideas into the city’s infrastructure.

In fact, a rising number of US citizens are moving to Vancouver and other Canadian cities to pursue a cleaner, more humane way of living. If you are considering moving to Canada from NYC, be mindful that you might need to hire an international relocation company to help you get here from NYC, with the necessary vehicles and equipment.

Cape Breton

Cape Breton is a unique part of the province of Nova Scotia located on the east coast of the country. It is one of Canada’s most beloved road trip destinations because of its amazing landscapes that line the famous Cabot Trail – a 186-mile route through the Cape Breton National Park. You will be able to see fantastic nature from Cape Breton’s lookout points, picturesque fishing villages, and one of the most breathtaking scenic routes in the world. A drive through Cape Breton is one to not be missed.

Prince Edward Island

This lovely eastern province and island is famous for its green hills, red cliffs, and amazing seafood everywhere you go. Also, given that most locations in Canada are oriented towards active vacations such as walking or hiking, this island is the perfect getaway where you can relax and enjoy the island scenery. This island is also huge in the golfing world due to its many golf courses available for play. Beside these luxurious, upper-class amenities, the island is also famous for its seal population – as many as four different species of seal inhabit its shores throughout the year.

Niagara Falls

colorful waterfalls and a tree — Niagara Falls are an incredible sight any time of the year and the best place to experience the true spirit of Canada

And, last but certainly not the least, the amazing Niagara Falls. There is hardly a person who has not heard of this collection of waterfalls on the United States and Canada border. The Niagara Falls are indeed a natural wonder that merits at least a day of your attention, especially if you are staying or moving to Toronto in the future.

The waterfalls – Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls – make up an astounding six million cubic feet of water that splash downward every minute. This makes the word wonder in the phrase “natural wonder” a literal description of what experiencing the Niagara Falls is like.

All in all, we hope this short guide has helped you visualize the best places to experience the true spirit of Canada. Of course, there are many more amazing spots which you can visit, especially if you enjoy spending your holiday in the great outdoors. Don’t forget Quebec, Newfoundland and the other provinces and territories (coming in a future post). Whatever your favorite places are, we are confident you will love every minute spent in this beautiful country. Just make sure you stay safe and healthy during your travel.

7 tips for solo female travelers

November 10, 2020April 22, 2021markstraveljournal7 Comments

If you are a free-spirited individual and you want to travel on your own, you will surely hear cautionary tales about how precarious it is to do so, how you can get lost, bored, hungry, mugged, attacked, etc. Although there is an element of danger involved in traveling alone, especially during these turbulent pandemic times, we believe that the benefits significantly outweigh the risks. For this reason, we have seven tips for solo female travelers which will equip you with the necessary knowledge about what it actually looks like to travel alone as a woman. And, even more importantly, what you really have to take into consideration in terms of accommodation, transportation, money, safety, local culture and the like.

Safety first!

Your personal safety should be at the top of your priority list every time you hit the road. Some women associate safety exclusively with potential muggings, so they make sure they take self-defense lessons before they go on a big journey to unknown regions.

However, it is not only strangers that are potential sources of havoc. Depending on where you are traveling, you need to make sure you have all the necessary supplies. Avid travelers know that it is helpful to research the topographic characteristics of the terrain to decide on the type of clothing and shoes that you may need. You should also know what you absolutely have to have in your backpack – water, knife, lighter, first-aid kit, maps, insect repellent, medication, etc.

Listen to your gut

As any woman who likes to travel alone will tell you, eventually you will develop a keen ‘sixth sense’ for detecting potentially dangerous places and people. We all have it in us; you just need to get on the road to finetune your decision-making. Being too fearful can make the journey tedious and less than enjoyable, whereas having no inhibitions can naturally put you in tricky situations. Since we do not live in an ideal world, solo female traveling may come with challenges, but in most cases, these bumps in the road will make your journey thrilling and unforgettable.

Be informed

Basically, it is essential to know where you are traveling to – weather changes, availability of potable water, food, healthcare, and medication in the given country or region are all important factors to consider. Another factor you have to take into consideration is the cellular coverage in the region. Although your phone and internet may work in the hostel you are staying at, that might not be the case once you leave urban areas.

woman pointing to a place on a map — Carefully planning your journey is more important than seems at first glance.

No woman is an island

Yes, traveling to a completely novel environment alone is a deeply gratifying experience, but it is a mistake to think that you have to be alone all the time. Be on the lookout for travel tours that offer assistance in the form of local guides. These types of offers provide you with the chance to seek help when you need it, but without forcing you into traveling in somebody else’s shoes, so to speak. For example, suppose you want to go on a photo safari. In that case, you have workshops led by wildlife photography experts who can brief you about the best timing and position from which you can take pictures of the savanna nature and wildlife.

If you are looking to spend a longer period of time somewhere, it might be useful to join a traveling group. In this way, you can plan group journeys when you feel like it; you can meet like-minded travelers upon which you will be able to rely during your stay and still retain the sense of choosing your own itinerary for the day.

people jumping in the sunset — Solo female travelers are usually surprised to find that they have met so many amazing people on their journey.

Meeting new people is part and parcel of traveling solo

From expats to locals, from flight attendants to hitch-hikers, be sure to delve deep into the melting pot of different faces and experiences that come your way. The journey to yourself is, for most people, actually the journey towards new friendships.

Talking to people has a practical side for solo women travelers as well. Especially if you do not speak the local language, you might miss out on important information of all sorts. People you meet will surely share their experiences with you, and you will most easily travel the country by knowing where to go and where you can go.

Meeting yourself is also part and parcel of traveling solo

If you are a sociable person, you might easily succumb to the urge to be surrounded by other people. It is understandable, and it may be tempting to form a group to travel together in unfamiliar surroundings. Although this is not necessarily wrong, at times, this approach to traveling might obscure the bigger picture – that you are traveling solo for a reason.

There are many things to learn about yourself that, perhaps, you cannot find out in your hometown. Learning to enjoy nature, silence, and your thought processes will be a life-long lesson that traveling solo will bestow upon you.

a woman standing between a gate made of rock — You might be more capable and adventurous than what you give yourself credit for

For instance, it may happen that you do not have any money left. You may find out that you can sell your photographs or artwork or earn money by doing land work. These kinds of revelations will reveal to you something you may not have known about yourself – that you are resilient, resourceful, and streetwise.

Book a bed in a hostel or private accommodation

Immersing yourself in local culture by staying in a shabby hostel or renting a room from a local will widen your horizons and give you a more accurate picture of the local environment. There is a chance that you will meet someone who speaks the same language as you do – both literally and figuratively.

Furthermore, you will always have someone to ask for help or advice, even if you are not that into the idea of making friends. It is usually challenging to get through to hotel staff in such a way. Also, hostels are generally well prepared for solo female travelers, and they probably already have the answer to any of your questions.

Top hiking destinations in California

August 19, 2020February 3, 2021markstraveljournal20 Comments

Over the past decade, top hiking destinations have emerged around the world. Apart from being an incredible Instagram-worthy sightseeing activity, hiking is also really healthy. It’s essentially walking, and although somewhat trendy, it’s a great way to stay fit. It’s also a great way to spend some quality, phone-free time with your friends and family. Something that’s great about hiking along beautiful coasts and nature is that, once you’ve reached your goal, the fun doesn’t stop. You can organize everything from sporting activities to picnics, all while enjoying a spectacular view. Here are some mesmerizing hiking destinations in California.

What to bring with you

Before embarking on this journey, you need to be aware of what it entails. It’s more than just picking the most attractive spot, so your safest bet would actually be to explore different sources and recommendations and see what would be the best fit for you. Nevertheless, whichever location you choose, you will need some essentials.

Hiking or traveling gear
Be it a quality set of headphones or good sportswear, you need to think of this step. Being comfortable while hiking gives you huge motivation. Make sure that you’re not carrying anything too heavy or that the weight is at least well distributed.
Water and snacks
The most important thing for you to bring to one of these California hiking destinations is something to hydrate properly. No matter how easy the hike you’re going on might be, you still want to be prepared. Something else that might be a good idea is bringing some healthy snacks like nuts or fruit.
Be physically prepared
Going hiking, although not the most demanding thing in the world, still requires some preparation. Being in shape will help you enjoy the activity much more and actually get to enjoy the other aspects of it.
SPF
Depending on how much sun exposure you’ll get, seriously consider not only applying sunscreen with a high SPF but also taking it with you. Some of these hiking spots can get pretty sunny and you don’t want your skin to suffer.

A bottle of sunscreen — You need to both apply sunscreen beforehand and take some with you just in case

Top hiking destinations in California

Hiking is a great way to stay fit while traveling, as it’s a perfect combination of exercise and sightseeing. Especially in popular destinations such as California, people have been discovering some great hiking spots and making the most out of them while still enjoying the nature. Here are some of the best hiking spots in California that you must visit.

Yosemite Falls

The Yosemite Falls hiking trail is about three miles long, which makes it seem quite easily bearable. However, it’s quite a steep way to the top. This is why many remain in the lower part of the falls. Nonetheless, you should really try and make your way to the top. It’s certainly worth the sore muscles you might have the day after. The whole hike lasts usually for around six hours so it’s really important to bring everything you might need.

Mount Shasta

A typical attempt to climb Mount Shasta takes about two days on average. It’s truly one of the most amazing hiking destinations in California. However, something to keep in mind before heading off on this adventure is that there’ll be plenty of challenges along the way. This means that you really need to be well prepared and in top shape, but also that you’ll need to take more serious equipment with you.

McWay Waterfall

One of the easier, yet most beautiful hiking places in California is certainly McWay Waterfall. The road is perfectly paved for you here. There’s really little effort that goes into making this hike. It’s quite short and it doesn’t demand any sort of preparation. If you want to spend a day enjoying yourself with some fine food while looking at the most gorgeous views in California, this is the spot.

James Irvine Trail

A hike through the woods has never looked more tempting and magical. This hiking destination in California looks like it came straight out of a fairytale. When it comes to the difficulty of the hike, it’s pretty moderate. It’s the perfect point where physical activity and lively conversation can co-exist. What makes the experience special is that you can also enjoy bird watching while taking breaks on your way to the finish line.

A person standing on the top of a cliff looking at a distance. — After exploring the best hiking trails in California, you might want to expand your horizons.

Don’t limit yourself

Apart from the incredible hiking places in California and many more that haven’t made their debut, there are plenty of other hiking places that are a must-visit. Don’t limit yourself to one place or one country. Every place is special and has something else to offer. Be sure to make the most of any experience that’s offered to you.

A haven for all nature-lovers

If nature is your, well, second nature, it’s really difficult to go back to your normal routine once you’ve experienced all the beauty that some of these hiking places in California have to offer. If you want tomove near one of these locations, you need to dedicate some time to get to know the good and the bad. Only then can you decide where and if you want to make this your permanent spot.

Don’t overdo it

If you’re a first-time hiker, it might be best to stick to the less demanding trails. This way, you’ll be inspired to go hiking again. If you get misled by all the wonders some of the more difficult hiking destinations have to offer, you might end up getting too overwhelmed. Just take it easy and enjoy every step of the way.