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Sara Cooke's Blog (32)

St. Petersburg, Russia: How to Make a "Grown-Up City" Fun for Kids

Our guide Elina was born and raised in downtown St. Petersburg, and is an Art History scholar, making her the perfect person to offer both a local's insight and academic's expertise. She's also a parent and has joined us today to offer advice on how to enjoy all of St. Petersburg's cultural…

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Added by Sara Cooke on April 7, 2013 at 3:34pm — 3 Comments

Spring Festivals in Southern Europe

Has spring sprung yet where you live? Or perhaps you're in the Southern hemisphere, and summertime is easing its way into warm fall days. This "shoulder season" time tends to provide perfect traveling conditions in many parts of the world, when you can avoid the summertime crowds and heat, and the weather is just right for doing plenty of walking.…

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Added by Sara Cooke on March 26, 2013 at 8:28am — No Comments

Celebrating Chinese New Year in Vancouver This Weekend

Gung Hei Fat Choi! This weekend marks the start of Chinese New Year celebrations. The New Year in China, (also called “Lunar New Year”) does not occur on the same calendar day each year – at least not in the traditional Western sense. The first day of the New Year coincides with…

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Added by Sara Cooke on February 8, 2013 at 3:19pm — 3 Comments

Five New Year’s Eve Destinations on Five Continents

Today is New Year’s Eve, and once again, everyone is asking what everyone else’s plans are. My New Year’s Day plans are exciting: I’m headed to Whistler for a few days of skiing some of the world’s best in-bounds terrain. But New Year’s…

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Added by Sara Cooke on December 28, 2012 at 11:23am — 1 Comment

Christmas Markets in Munich

There’s snow on the ground in many parts of British Columbia, and thoughts are turning to Christmas. Where better to get into the Christmas spirit than in the traditional Christmas markets in Germany? Today we’re joined by Bavarian guide Simone, who regularly delights travelers with her fun and insightful tours of Munich. In November and December, Simone offers a special…

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Added by Sara Cooke on December 24, 2012 at 9:18am — No Comments

Christmas in a Foreign Country

At any time of year other than late December, if someone asks me where I wish I could be, I can reel off a list of places I’d love to travel. But come Christmas time, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than home. In my 33 years, I’ve spent just one Christmas…

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Added by Sara Cooke on December 24, 2011 at 4:01am — 1 Comment

Making the Most of a Visit to Vancouver Island: Tips from a Local

No visit to Canada’s West Coast is complete without taking a BC Ferry (or seaplane) across the Georgia Straight to Vancouver Island. The Island epitomizes the spectacular Pacific Northwest, with its scenic mountain and ocean vistas, abundance of wildlife and diverse aboriginal cultures. Today our friendly and knowledgeable Port Alberni guide Sandy…

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Added by Sara Cooke on July 15, 2011 at 2:51pm — No Comments

A Modern Traveler's Dilemma: Stay Connected or Go Off the Grid?

The popularity of social networking sites and the proliferation of wireless hotspots around the world have created the perfect storm of communications technology: it really is possible to stay connected no matter where your travels take you.…

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Added by Sara Cooke on July 9, 2011 at 11:45am — No Comments

Is It Safe to Travel to Greece?

In the face of protests over the looming austerity bill that has been deemed "harsh" and "ineffective" by Greek citizens, many travelers are asking themselves whether it is safe to travel to Greece. And while some are deciding the answer is “no”, even more are going ahead with their travel plans. Indeed, Thomas Cook reported last week that summer bookings for Greece are 13% higher than a year ago.…

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Added by Sara Cooke on June 29, 2011 at 9:30am — 4 Comments

Vancouver Riots: Citizens Condemn the Thoughtless Actions of a Violent Few

As many people around the world have by now heard, Vancouver did not win the Stanley Cup last night. But the loss of the Cup has been all but eclipsed by our city's loss of dignity at the hands of a dangerous and deliberate few.

(click to…

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Added by Sara Cooke on June 16, 2011 at 2:13pm — No Comments

Vancouver During the Stanley Cup: Go Canucks Go!

Have you ever been in a city on the verge of winning something really big? I've found myself in this position several times now. The first was almost 20 years ago, when the Toronto Blue Jays won baseball's World Series. The second was last winter, when Canada beat the U.S. in the Gold Medal round of Olympic Hockey. And the third is happening right now, as the Vancouver Canucks vie to win hockey's Stanley Cup Finals.…

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Added by Sara Cooke on June 13, 2011 at 10:04am — No Comments

Charleston, South Carolina Crowned No. 4 Best City in the World for Travelers



Did you know that Charleston, South Carolina was voted #2 Best City in the U.S. to Visit by Travel and Leisure Magazine? Not only that, it ranked #4 in the World! Our Charleston guide,…