ON Travel Guide
6/23/2008 at 3:15 PM
Tags: Summer-Vacations-With-An-Edge, Active Travel, Outdoor Travel, Summer Travel, Canoing (all tags)
In these days of rampant global warming, the edgiest thing may be to head north and shun rising temps: Canoeing in the Quetico, Canada's side of Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area, is often chilly even at the height of summer. Luckily, the wildlife doesn't seem to mind.
You'll paddle alongside loons and moose instead of motorboats, which are banned in most areas of the park. Many of the park's lakes and rivers are not accessible by road, and carry-ins are tightly controlled to keep the backwoods pristine.
Shop around for an outfitter who has experience in getting the right permits to make sure no one bothers you as you live your voyageur dreams.
Related Stories
· Quetico Provincial Park [Ontario Parks]
· Switzerland by Bike. Or Foot. Or Canoe. [Jaunted]
· Summer Vacations with an Edge coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: nothgierc]
by egw
6/03/2008 at 4:00 PM
Tags: Gay Travel, Toronto, Toronto Pride, LGBT (all tags)
Looking to celebrate Pride Month out of town? Look into Pride Toronto, which is so much more than a march: Held June 20 to 29--that's right, over two weekends!--the citywide celebration includes such diverse events as a Mount Olympus-themed gala featuring comedian Sandra Bernhard, a party hosted by Limelight head honcho Peter Gatien and a ceremony to honor the Grand Marshal and co-chair of Jamaica's first LGBT organization.
As in many affairs of state, Canada has so far led the US as a whole in recognizing the rights of its gay and lesbian citizens, from a minister of justice's statement in 1969 that "the state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation" to legalizing same-sex marriage in 2005.
Toronto's first pride event was held in 1970, and the mayor himself will be in attendance this year.
Related Stories:
· Pride Toronto [Official Site]
· LGBT Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo from Pride Toronto 2006: mangomargarita]
by egw
5/22/2008 at 3:30 PM
Tags: Mancations, Active Travel, Biking, Summer Travel (all tags)
You've seen the crazy bike messengers racing through your city ten times faster than cars, effortlessly dodging people, taxis and anything else that gets in their way. Now imagine them all getting together, meeting up with the daredevil messengers from every other city in the world and holding one giant, rules-free race. That's the concept behind the 16th Annual Cycle Messenger World Championships, taking off in Toronto June 13-16.
The three-hour, fast-paced road race replicates the route of an urban bike messenger, while additional events include bike polo (with wheels instead of horses), the bunnyhop (high-jumping with bikes), and skids (bikers race to high speeds, then lock their rear wheels to see how far they can skid). Hundreds of competitors are expected, and if watching isn't your thing, all events are open to anyone crazy enough to try.
The championships will be held on Toronto Island, the urban park near Toronto City Centre Airport, so if you get bored you can wander over to Hanlan's Point Beach to check out the local nudist colony. Oh and if you need to rent a bike, Toronto Island Bicycle Rental has you covered.
Related Stories:
· Cycle Messenger World Championships [Official Site]
· Mancations coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Sailing Nomad]
by BS
5/22/2008 at 11:30 AM
Tags: Summer-Vacations-With-An-Edge, Summer Travel, Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, Waterfalls (all tags)
Yes, you've seen Niagara Falls before, but have you ever ventured over the edge in a barrel? No? Here's a tour that's the next best thing--and probably a lot safer.
Available on either the Canadian or American side of the border, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours offer a ride in the rapids just before you would otherwise plummet to your death below. The 1,500 hp boats go up to 65 mph during the tour, and stop just short of the falls at a rough patch of class six rapids. The less adventurous can choose an enclosed vessel for the 60-minute journey, but for the full experience take one of the "Wet Jets" and get soaked.
The ticket will set you back $56, but they're hiring for the summer season so maybe you can work for some free rides. After you've changed into some dry clothes, go grab a bite to eat at one of the, uh, "wonderful" restaurants on Clifton Hill.
Related Stories:
· Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours [Official Site]
· Summer Vacations with an Edge coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: wjklos]
by kjb
5/14/2008 at 10:00 AM
Tags: Starbucks Alternatives, Coffee Shops, Coffee, Free WiFi (all tags)
Ella's Uncle is a coffee shop on the west side of Toronto, serving up fine homemade pastries along with some of the best beverages in town. Not only does the place offer the usual fair trade and organic numbers, but it also has caffeinated concoctions such as the Red Mocha: the usual chocolate, espresso and steamed milk are blended with cayenne pepper to give your taste buds a little kick.
Also special is the OvalLatte. The marriage of latte and Ovaltine will provide you with your vitamins, chocolate and caffeine fix all in one.
Take your warm treat over a few blocks to Trinity Bellwoods Park, where you can enjoy watching the dogs and their owners roam about the leash free zone known as the "dog bowl." Take out that scone you got from Ella's, one of the best in the city, and enjoy it with a beautiful view of downtown and the CN tower.
Related Stories:
· Ella's Uncle [Official Site]
· Starbucks Alternatives coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: BlogTO]
by kjb
12/26/2007 at 2:31 PM
Tags: YYZ, Drugs, Drug Culture, Customs (all tags)
Don't try to out-smuggle these guys...
Airport police busted two travelers in as many days when they tried to smuggle cocaine through Toronto Pearson International. The two 21-year-olds both used the same technique to conceal the drugs: Gluing baggies inside the bindings and covers of Bibles.
A border security agent had this helpful explanation:
This is not something we see on a regular basis. Bibles are what people read for spiritual support and not for smuggling drugs.
The two ran afoul of the authorities by stashing too much coke in each Bible. One book had four kilos (9 pounds) of drugs inside, tipping off customs agents who expected the book to weigh much less.
We have one more note for any potential smugglers out there: Toronto airport police are now tooling around terminals on three-wheeled motor scooters, so your quick getaway will probably be foiled promptly. When it comes to drugs, you might have better luck in Spain.
Related Stories:
· Cocaine Found in Bibles [Toronto Sun]
· Pearson Airport's Motor scooters on Patrol [Official Site]
· Drugs coverage [Jaunted]
by pbb
10/26/2007 at 3:15 PM
Tags: Celeb Travel, Paris Hilton, Yogen Fruz (all tags)
Hope you bought travel insurance, Paris. The Hilton heiress won't be off to Rwanda as planned because the organization that sponsored the junket is "restructuring". We're not sure what that means, but for now Paris won't be flying to Central Africa.
Instead of fretting about her trip plans, Paris indulged in a little Yogen Fruz in Toronto. It's sort of Canada's answer to Pinkberry, and though there are locations in 20 countries, they don't have any stores in Rwanda. (We checked.) If you're ready to jump on the bandwagon, Paris enjoyed a raspberry mango no-fat with fruity pebbles on top.
Related Stories:
· Paris Hilton's Trip to Africa Is Postponed [People]
· Protect Africa From Paris! [Jaunted]
· Paris Hilton coverage [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: pressroom]
by pbb
9/26/2007 at 9:05 AM
Tags: Celeb Travel, Movie Set Travel (all tags)
Don't pack your bags yet: Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana are not actually crossing through space and time in the above picture. But Eric will be on the silver screen, sometime in 2008, when "The Time Traveler's Wife" hits theaters. It's currently filming in Toronto, though the story takes place in Chicago.
In the film, directed by Robert Schwentke ("Flightplan"), Henry (Bana) is a man with "Chrono-Displacement" disorder, which causes him to involuntarily travel through time. Because of his condition, his wife (McAdams) first meets him when she is six; when they start dating, he hasn't yet begun to self-displace, but she has known his future self for 14 years.
Why not shoot in Chicago? Must've been too busy standing in for Gotham.
Related Stories:
· Movie Set Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· W Lakeshore Guests Witness Batman Filming [HotelChatter]
[Photo: Oh No They Didn't]
by egw
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