I never pack an umbrella when I travel but without fail, it always seems I need one. While a compact size is most certainly more practical, I say go big! if you’ve got the room. That’s just because I love this design from Sir Paul Smith’s collection. The noted menswear fashion designer from across the [...]

Daydreaming about travel is one of my greatest distractions. I often find myself thinking about far-flung places when I should be focused on more immediate tasks. Tonight I’m dreaming of the fishing village of Manarola in northern Italy, along the Italian Riviera. Visiting this tiny corner of the world is a dream of mine. I [...]

Tel Aviv is a city just like so many world-class cities across the globe, something I’d not really realized or even expected, truth be told. The city is in its infancy, particularly compared to neighbouring cities like Jerusalem; Tel Aviv celebrates its centennial in 2009 and the city is alive with a festive flair, with [...]

How incredible is this kitchen? It’s in the Ilana Goor Museum in Old Jaffa, just outside Tel Aviv. The museum features an extensive collection of Ilana’s own works, (unique sculptures, furniture and other art pieces) and her personal collection of art from around the world. The pieces are a bit eccentric – not quite my [...]

What a great day! Walking the streets of Tel Aviv, there are visual delights at every turn. The city is in bloom and everywhere you’ll find a kaleidoscope of colour, flowers in shades that seem brighter and more beautiful than any I’ve ever seen. Bougainvillea can be found creeping along walls and fences all over [...]

Yesterday I crouched down to about half my height to enter through the Door of Humility at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and I have never been more humbled in my life. The door was created this way to force everyone who entered to bow down in humility and reverence. This church marks [...]

I spent the entire day sick in bed. Ugh! Not how I imagined spending my time in Jerusalem. But I suppose these things happen. In fact, I’m surprised they don’t happen more often. Traveling has got to be one of the easiest ways to pick up a bug or virus. So, I missed a day [...]

I awoke and had to rub my eyes again and again. Was that Jerusalem outside my window? Unbelievable. The day began full of promise and anticipation. Having visited some of the holiest sites in the world the previous day, my appetite for more ancient history had been whetted. On today’s agenda: Masada and a visit [...]

Upon landing in Tel Aviv, which I wrote about yesterday, I met with my guide Amir and we made our way to Jerusalem. It was a 35-minute drive. After a quick breakfast (hot chocolate and yes, another bagel), we commenced a walking tour of Jerusalem. Before I share with you the highlights, I must tell [...]

Over the last few days, I’ve been entertaining you with blog posts about travel must-haves, products I love and other tidbits of travel talk. But today, we’re actually traveling, not just talking about it! Yesterday, I boarded an El Al flight to Tel Aviv. The 10-hour and 44-minute flight from Toronto to Tel Aviv was [...]