The GypsyNesters

When  it  comes  to  Ontario,  there  are  the  basic  ‘must-see’  spots  such  as  Niagara  Falls. But there’s SO  much  more  to  do!

Riddled  with  an  abundance  of  stops,  like  Quetico  Provincial  Park,  The  Sleepy  Owl,  the  canyons  of  Thunder  Bay,  and  more,  the  list  can  feel  endless  when  deciding  where  to  go  and  stay  on  your  trip.

Adorned  with  history,  culture,  natural  landscapes,  and  a  vibrant  social  scene,  keep  your  list  open  with  some  of  these top  spots.

Elgin and Winter  Garden  Theatre  –Toronto,  CA

Built  in  1913,  the  Winter  Garden  Theatre showcases  a  cascade  of  flora  (and  real  dried  leaves),  which cloaks  the  ceiling  and  hangs  overhead  in  a  cascade  of  garden-enchantment.

With  the  walls  adorned  by  nature  paintings,  this  site  is  a  work  of  true  brilliance  that  you  cannot  pass  up.

Restored  from  years  of  degradation  and  abandonment,  it  is  the  world’s only  example  of  a  double-decker  Edwardian  theater still  in  operation.  It  is  even  still  running shows, like the Wizard  of  Oz, all  throughout  this winter  season.

It’s  historic  relevance  as  a  once-Vaudeville  theatre has  taken  it  from  being  the  highlight  of  the  town to being abandoned  for  almost  53  years.  Until  its  recent  restoration by  the  Heritage  Trust,  hired  designers  and  volunteers  alike  used the  29-million-dollar budget  to  renovate  and  restore  the  structure  back  to  its  original  standing.

If  a  show  isn’t  in  your  budget,  you  can  still  stop  by  and  check  out  a  tour  on  Mondays or Saturdays,  which are  offered  as a  90-minute  paid  guided  tour, year-round.

Otherwise  the  building  is  open  for  free  during  the  Doors  Open  festival  in  May.

Parliament Hill (The Hill)  –Ottawa,  CA

Not  only  is  the  capitol  building(otherwise  known  as  Parliament  Hill)a stunning  sight,  but  the  entire  city  is  adorned  with  beautiful stone  architecture  and  bridges as  if  from  a  Medieval  vision,  making  it  a  sight  worth  not  only  seeing,  but  experiencing.

Running  throughout  the  city  of  Ottawa, the  Rideau  Canal will  take  you  through  the  most  scenic  and  historic  waterway  in  North  America.

From  most  who  have  experienced  it,  riding  in  one  of  the  eco-friendly  electric  boat  tours  provides  the  most  absolute  ambiance  that  the  waterway  has  to  offer.

But  if  you  happen  to  be  strolling  by  in  May,  you’ll  be  around  to  witness  the  Canadian  Tulip  Festival,  which  also  lines  the  canal.

Royal Ontario  Museum –Toronto,  CA

Not  only  does  the  Michael  Lee-Chin  Crystal  create  an  astounding  view  from  the outside but  the  Royal  Ontario  Museum also  holds  some  amazing  natural  history,  science  and  cultural  exhibits  from  all  over  the  world, including  over  6  million  objects  and  specimens.

The  mix  of  old  and  new  will  have  you  captured  at  first  glance.

With  the  Willner Madge  Gallery,  you  can  visit  specimens  that  explore  the  “Dawn  of  Life”  which  isa  biological  representation  of  Earth’s  magnificent  history. If  you’re  looking  for  something  a  little  more  contemporary,  they  definitely  have  you  covered  for  that  too.

The  Royal  Ontario  Museum  is  truly  the  country’s  leading  cultural  and  social  destination.

Hike the  Bruce  Trail

If  nature  is  on  your  list,  you  must  check  out  the longest  trail  in  Ontario,  the  Bruce  Trail.  Stretching  from  the  Niagara  Region  all  the  way  up  to  Tobermory,  the  264km  of  pure  enjoyment  are  waiting  for  you  to  stop  by  one  of  its  incredible  lookouts.

One  of  my  personal  favourites  is  the  Overhanging  Point  near  Tobermory.  This  feature  will  take  you  through  fossilized  limestone  and  dolomites  decorated  with  millions  of  ancient  corals.

Along  the  hike,  you  will  be  able  to  experience  the  Grotto,  which  is  a  cave  scooped  out  from  the  cliffs  due  to  powerful  waves  crashing  against  it  over  hundreds  of  thousands  of  years.

At  the  end  of  the  hike,  you  will  be  able  to  experience  the  breathtaking  views  of  Overhanging  Point,  a  spot  that  looks  out  towards  the  bay.

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For the past 50 years, the Italian restaurant scene in America had since then changed. Gone are the days of white and red checkered tablecloths and red sauced menu. Let’s check out this list of the best classic and Michelin-starred Italian restaurants to include in your bucket list.

Lex Restaurant

New York, NY

If you’re in New York, Lex Restaurant is where you’ll find the best Italian food. They serve mouth-watering dishes like homemade pappardelle — slowly cooked veal with sage; grilled shrimp salad with spinach, mandarin orange, goat cheese, and walnuts; or tickle your palate with their chicken Caesar salad. Their food is served on fine china and white tablecloths to make you feel like you’re at home away from home.

Cotogna

San Francisco, CA

This Italian restaurant, owned by chef Michael Tusk and wife Lindsay, has been Jackson Square’s famous casual restaurant since its opening in 2010. Known for their mouth-watering agnolotti dal plin, ravioli with brown butter, focaccia, wood-fired dishes, and cocktails; this casual restaurant has the best plates of pasta outside of North Beach.

Giulia

Cambridge, MA

If your craving Italian food in Boston, Italian restaurant Giulia is your best bet. Chef Micheal Pagliarini’s Italian joint has been New England’s staple for pasta-linked food. Since 2013, Guilia had been serving the best spaghetti con Alici — pasta with pangrattato, chilies, garlic, fennel, and white anchovies cured in-house; and warm dipping sauces made with their special anchovies.

Monteverde

Chicago, IL

This Michelin-starred and James Beard award-winning Italian restaurant have undoubtedly captured the Chicagoans love for pasta. Owned by chef Sarah Grueneberg, this Italian joint features a mirrored kitchen which allows its diners to see the process of how they make their mouth-watering dishes. However, if you don’t mind the process, the restaurant serves their famous handmade agnolotti with preserved plum and chanterelles.

Nostrana

Portland, OR

An epitome of Portland’s Italian dining scene, Nostrana had been serving Italian dishes since 2005. This Italian restaurant sources its ingredients locally to make upscale dining more affordable. Feast on Nostrana’s famous wood-fired oven specialties like pappardelle with goat cheese stuffings or any of their excellent hand-tossed pizzas. Also, their charcuterie menu features their mouth-watering rillettes and hams.

Ristorante Bartolotta

Wauwatosa, WI

This rustic Italian restaurant is situated in a historical establishment in a Milwaukee suburb. Its chef, Juan Urbieta, had cooked for Michelin-starred Italian diners in Italy and Chicago before entering the Milwaukee restaurant scene. Ristorante Bartolotta serves sumptuous handmade dishes like pappardelle with duck ragu, spaghetti with lobsters, and a chef’s menu that only cost $60.

Vetri Cucina

Philadelphia, PA

Vetri Cucina is a restaurant exhibiting the finest Italian luxuries, where you’d be enveloped by the smell of the finest ingredients and wines. Chef Marc Vetri offers custom-tailored and seasonal dishes like prosciutto cotto, tortellini in white truffle, and duck osso buco. Whether it’s a celebration for your birthday or anniversary, this Italian restaurant is the best place to commemorate any occasion.

Mosca’s

Westwego, LA

Mosca’s is a family-owned restaurant since 1946 and has served generations of New Orleanians. This restaurant offers Creole-Italian dishes like spaghetti bordelaise, shrimp Mosca and oyster Mosca. If you’re not familiar with the restaurant’s dishes, their creations are made with a lot of garlic, olive oil, and mind-boggling secret ingredients.

La Ciccia

San Francisco, CA

This Sardinian restaurant is located on the outskirts of Noe Valley; the neighborhood loves La Ciccia for their creations like pezza de angioni sa saba and pani guttiau; then chase that sumptuous food with Sardinian wine and understand why this restaurant is loved by many.

Overall

Over the years many italian restaurants have come and gone, however there are some that have stood the test of time. Are you ready to visit any of these above?

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If  a  trip  to  the  Arabian  Desert  and  the  great  city  of  Dubai  is  in  the  near  future  for  you  and  your  family, then  you’re  in  for  a  treat.  If  you  haven’t  already  filled your  days  with  desert  sun-loving,  action-packed fun  for  you  and  your  kids,  then  here  are  some  of  the  best  examples  of  things  to  do  during  your  stay.

Deep-Sea  Fishing

Hanging  out  in  the  Mediterranean  is  a  great  place  to  start.  With  the  city  resting  on  the  edge  of  the  Persian  Gulf,  what  better  way  to  experience  what’s  above  and  below  the  water  than  by  deep-sea fishing?

With  the  desert  sun  shining  on  the  water,  you  and  your  family  can  experience  these  waters  from  a  local  perspective  and  catch  all  sorts  of  fish  such  as  Grouper,  Snapper,  Barracuda,  or  Kingfish.

Sandboarding in the Dubai Desert

One  of  the  most  exciting  places  to  be  in  the  Arabian  desert  isthe  giant  sand  dunes.  But  what  is  even  more  exciting  is  sliding  down  them  like  you’re  snowboarding,  except  its  bright  red  sand  andits  warm.

Sandboarding in  Dubai  is  a  huge  kick  because  the  dunes  reach  up  to  1000  feet  in  elevation  as  well  as  being  a  year-round  activity.  This  makes your  traveling  plans  work  no  matter  the  season. However,  the best  time  is  said  to  be  between  October  and  April.

If  you’re  looking  for  the  biggest  and  the  best,  you’ll  have  to  travel  approximately  40  minutes  from  the  city  and  up  to  the  Big  Red,  the  biggest  dune  in  the  Arabian  Desert.These  dunes  have  a  rich  iron-red  color  that  shines  like  fire,  illuminating  the  scenery  in  front  of  you.

Camel  Riding

You  can  set  off  on  your  own  adventure  with  a  camel  ride  across  the  dunes,  too.  There truly  is  no  more  realistic  way  to  experience  desert  beauty  than  by  trekking  across  the  dunes  on  camelback.

With  this  truly  desert  experience,  you  will  get  to  see  what  it  was  like  for  Persians  to  cross  the  sea  of  sand  as  their  way  of  life  had  them,  guided  by  their  instinct  and  the  position  of  the  stars.

As  you  are  riding,  you  will  get  a  fantastic  view  of  various  wildlife  like  the  Arabian  Oryx  or Tahr.  You  may  even  get  the  chance  to  be  shaded  by  the  date  palms and  acacia,  desert  flora  that  serves as  an  oasis  from  the  sun.

For  winter  rides,  they  usually  take  off  in  the  morning,  while  summer  during  the  evening.  As  such,  some  tours  may  even  take  you  out  at  night to  see  the  vast  cosmos  open  up  before  you  and  maybe  even  a  full  moon!

4×4  Safari  Drive

For  a  more  action-packed  ride,  the  4×4  Safari  Drives  will  satisfy  your  thirst  for  adventure.

If  you  choose  the  self-drive  ride,  the  tour  guide  will  show  you  the  way  to  some  of  the  best  dunes.  With  this  option,  you  will  be  able  to  ride  around  at  your  disposal,  experiencing  the  greatest  adrenaline  rush  the  desert  has  to  offer.

Miracle  Garden

If  you’re  looking  to  experience  something  casual, beautiful,  and  with  the  same  if  not  more  magical  appeal  than  Disney  World,  then  you  definitely  have  to  check  out  the  Dubai  Miracle  Garden.

Each  year  from November  to  May, the  72,000  square  meter  garden  is  packed  with  fully-bloomed  flower  sculptures  made  of  over  150  million  flowers,  letting  you  walk  through  a  modern-day  Garden  of  Eden.

In  its  7^th season,  it  has  become  the  world’s  largest  natural  flower  garden.  With  walkways  such  as  the  Butterfly  or  Hearts  Passages,  you  will  be  able  to  walk  within  the  beautifully  framed  tunnels  with  more  flowers  over  your  head  than  you  can  imagine.

They  also  have  other  attractions  such  as  Trampoline  Park,  which  is  a  great  way  for  kids  to  get  out  all  their  energy,  as  well  as  an  amphitheater  for  special  shows  and  events.

Added  Extras

For  a  few  more  fun  things  to  add  to  your  list,  you  can  also  check  out  Kite  Beach,  Wild  Wadi  Waterpark,  or  even  the  Dubai  Aquarium.  All  of  these are  sure  to  keep  your family  smiling  and  enjoying  the  great  city  of  Dubai.

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Colorado is a state filled with so many sights to see and places to be. While most people associate the state with mountains, hiking, and skiing, it’s a great place to create special memories with the kids, too.

For an unforgettable experience, you can book a cabin in Estes Park – there’s plenty of outdoor sightseeing and adventure for the whole family in the Rockies! There is an endless array of child-friendly activities throughout the state that will help you create those special memories that you’ll forever cherish. Take a look at the top 10 places in Colorado to visit with the kids and plan your itinerary today!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Located in Colorado Springs, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is filled with over 750 animals from 150 different species . It is not a huge zoo, but one of the most intriguing that you could ever visit. It is the only mountain zoo in the U.S. and certainly offers a great time for all ages of children and adults. Enjoy up close encounters with giraffes, bears, tigers, lions, and more!

Sangre de Cristo Art Center

Located in Pueblo, the Sangre de Cristo Art Center is located inside of an artfully decorated building that turns heads. Once inside, there is much for kids to enjoy, including various pieces of artwork, hands-on learning activity and fun, waterfalls, dressup, and more. Kids can enjoy the entire day here and never grow bored!

Dinosaur Resource Center

Visitors take a step back in prehistoric time when they visit the Dinosaur Resource Center, a top children’s activity in the  state. Here, dinosaurs rule the land and massive exhibits come to life. It is a must visit spot for any dinosaur fan! There is much ado for anyone that appreciates a dinosaur at this Woodland Park, Colorado hotspot.

Denver Puppet Theater

The Denver Puppet Theater has been a beloved attraction in the city for more than 20 years because kids adore the show in its entirety. Plan a visit to the puppet theater to experience the magic firsthand. Kids not only enjoy a great puppet show, but also have the opportunity to make their own puppet at no extra charge!

Pearl Street Mall

The Pearl Street Mall is one of the best kid-friendly attractions in Boulder. If you visit for a bit of snow-fun, make it to this downtown attraction with the little ones. Street performers and kid-friendly scents make kids smile and the stores that cater to them are just as nice!

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is located adjacent to the Denver Zoo so families can get a two-for-one attraction. This awesome museum features Egyptian mummies, a planetarium, anIMAX theater and numerous hands-on science activities for children. It is a great time for all!

Garden of the Gods

Another Colorado Springs spectacle, Garden of the Gods is home of the ‘Kissing Camels’ rock formation, as well as many other brilliant works of art sprawled across the park’s 1,364-foot of space. Red rock formations are especially nice to see. Hike, bike, or drive your car through the park and experience a fun-filled day of nature with kids 4-up.

Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is another Colorado adventure for the family. Here you’ll discover many science-related activities to pass the time. These activities all combine education into them so the fun is with merit! Fort Collins is located about 60 miles from Denver and 30 miles from Colorado Springs.

Did You Know?

Denver is ranked by Forbes as one of the Top 10 U.S. locations to start a business. When you take a trip with the kids to the state, why not learn more about the great business opportunities that exist? There’s so much to do for the kids, it’s a family-friendly, beautiful place, and business is good! Business loans are available to help alleviate some of the initial start-up financial stress. There’s no doubt you’ll love life in Colorado.

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Travelers have now become smarter and more practical. Most of you would love to maximize the money spent on that holiday on the beautiful island of Mauritius – and even find ways to stretch that budget further so you can enjoy more. One of the travel expenses that can pile up quickly when traveling is the transportation costs. Travel experts note that renting a car during your holiday can ultimately give you significant savings! Hence, car rentals have become more and more popular today. If you’re still planning your trip look up the Transferiste Car Rental website to help you get a start on that perfect holiday in Mauritius!

Here are some of the things to NEVER do when renting a car while on your Mauritian holiday:

Never Forget To Compare Prices And Ask The Locals

It’s easy to get tempted and immediately book the first car rental option you may find on the Internet. But don’t get too excited! Research on more options, compare prices and see if you can even try to haggle for the best price. When you’ve finally reached Mauritius, don’t forget to ask the locals about the usual cost of transportation and car rentals. Doing this will make sure that you’re not paying an overpriced tourist rate. Do remember to factor in the local gas prices as well, as this should add up to your daily transportation costs.

Never Forget To Study The Roads – and Basic Transportation Law

Some roads in Mauritius (depending on where exactly you’re going) may be narrower than others, so if you’ve rented a big van to fit your entire family, then this might cause you some trouble. If you do plan on renting a car, please do your research first. Make sure that you’re aware of the road conditions before making a final booking as to the type of car that you’re going to use.

It’s also best that you have basic knowledge regarding the transportation laws in Mauritius. Be aware of their driving practices and the norms, and even travel signs. Mauritius follows a left-hand drive policy, and you’re supposed to give way to the right.

 Don’t Get Into An Accident

You’re on holiday, and you want to enjoy. Mauritius offers you countless opportunities to make your stay an extremely memorable one. But – don’t get drunk! Mauritius has a strict drunk driving law. Limit your alcohol intake to only 50mg in your bloodstream. Getting caught or worse, having an accident are situations you don’t want to get yourself in when you’re supposed to be relaxing and enjoying.

Never Forget Your Insurance Policy

If you initially didn’t think of obtaining a travel insurance policy, then you probably should. Choosing to travel by rental car increases your accident risk as you’re wholly responsible for yourself – and each other’s safety – compared with the more comfortable options of taking public transportation instead. It’s better to be prepared, just in case something untoward might happen.

Never Return Your Rental Car Dirty

A dirty car is almost inevitable for families traveling with children. But – this is no excuse for you to leave the car dirty when you return it. Even if you’re a paying customer, it’s a common practice of respect and courtesy always to return borrowed cars in the state that you received it. Take time to clean the car before you surrender it upon your departure from Mauritius. If there are any stains or dirt that may be hard to clean, please be honest to the car owner about it.

Never Experiment

Now isn’t the time for you to try and practice driving a manual transmission rental car when all you’ve been used to driving is an automatic car. You don’t want to get yourself into any trouble.

Never Forget Your Map!

Bringing a map is as self-explainable as it can get. You’re not a local. You’ll get lost. You need that map when you want to drive by car in Mauritius.

If you plan to stay for more than a week, then car rentals are the best transportation option for you. Do remember all these tips (or write them down, if you must!!) to help make sure that your holiday in Mauritius will be as calm and stress-free as the peaceful and serene white beaches. Most importantly: DON’T FORGET YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE. Be sure to know what to expect. Mauritius is a foreign country to you, and there are many differences that you have to be aware of – and to adjust.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.