Commenter SD remarked on the post I wrote about Eat Pray Love: “If for no other reason, I will see the movie for the locations and because escaping geographically is something I definitely view as therapeutic. Just have to remember ‘…you have to take yourself with you’. (Alain de Botton)”
I’ve definitely found that to be true at certain points in my life. And it doesn’t always have to be far-flung destinations that inspire: I remember one time my husband and I were driving up to Ottawa on Highway 416 when there was the most incredible double rainbow. We had Queen on and it was such a road trip moment, full of light and colour and motion and possibility. We ended up having one of the best conversations we’d had in a long time.
What have been some of your travel moments?
I recently entertained a pre-teen and teen nephew over a long weekend, and I learned a valuable lesson: Follow their bliss. (At least, if you’re an indulgent aunt.) I had thought of a wide variety of cultural and festive activities, including going to see tall ships and a trip to a science museum, but what really appealed to them was a Grand Tour of Toronto’s Skate Parks.
However, as a parent I think I would have insisted on the tall ships. And possibly lived to regret it. Dr. Wolf’s advice for family vacations over at the Globe and Mail today seems to back up my brief experience, although it’s generating some negative comments on the site. My favourite one is from a reader who sulked through a European vacation at 15, but who remembers it fondly now at 48.
How do you resolve vacation issues with your tweens or teens (or spouses, for that matter)? Do you plan together, plan separate vacations, or just muddle through?
If you’re like me and just a little bit tired of winter, snow, and snow, here’s a link for you: The world’s weirdest hotels. What is it with the converted prisons? I’m not sure I’m fascinated enough with life on the dark side to spend a night locked in a cell. And the upside down room is just scary.
So on second thought - pass the shovel, and warm up the hot chocolate.
Toronto-Montreal return? $2
Starting today, Coach Canada is making traveling by bus between Toronto and Montreal into an irresistible proposition. One-way fares, until March 8, 2009, will cost a loonie.
With an economic downturn in full swing, everyone seems to be bending over backwards to lure travelers. Canada Coach is obviously no exception.
You can book up to 14 days in advance, either online at www.coachcanada.com or head to the Toronto bus terminal to pick up tickets. Travel time is six hours, 40 minutes with a 20-minute stop in Kingston.
There are 10,000 seats available with $1 fares on every departure. There are fewer $1 seats during busier weekend periods with more available Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Talk about a busman’s holiday!
– K. Jill Rigby is More’s Contributing Travel Editor; stay tuned for more web-exclusives in the new year!
Anyone else remember the scene in 1990’s Total Recall when Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character was scanned in some futuristic hallway-like security corridor, showing his skeleton and then the gun he was carrying, with sirens going off all over?
Well the future is now, as CBC reports that the Kelowna, B.C. airport is going to test a security system that produces a body image - from under your clothes. Is this going a little far, or is it a good idea?
Update: And in another futuristic security moment, teens are using Google Earth to find backyard swimming pools, and Facebook to organize a gatecrashing party. Next killer web application: U R Grounded.
