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If you are travelling in the southern part of France, a stop at the Pont du Gard is definitely a worthwhile diversion. This bridge, which is in fact an aqueduct, is reported to be considered by the Romans one of their finest architectural and technical achievements. It was built not long before Christ was born. Its primary purpose was to transport water utilizing a gradient system. There is no charge to see the Pont du Gard itself but there is a charge for parking if you are travelling by car.

Pont du Gard Details as per John Julius Norwich. The World Atlas of Architecture. p154.

This bridge, over the river Gard, is 275 metres (900 feet) long and 49 metres (160 feet) high. It was part of an aqueduct nearly 50 kilometres (30 miles) long which supplied Nimes with water. On its first level it carries a road and at the top of the third level, a water conduit, which is 1.8 metres (6 feet) high and 1.2 metres (4 feet) wide and has a gradient of 0.4 per cent. The three levels were built in dressed stone without mortar. The projecting blocks supported the scaffolding during construction.”

John Julius Norwich. The World Atlas of Architecture. p154.

If you’ve got a day to spare and you’re staying in the Frankfurt or Cologne area of Germany, a highly recommended trip is a cruise on the Rhine River. The main company running cruises is KD. The website includes schedules and fares for planning purposes.

There are numerous locations along the river where you can start your trip, but the area between Bingen and Koblenz is a very nice part of the river with lots of castles to view.

There are a few different options as to organizing your trip but it is best to take into consideration the following:

1. As the upstream trip takes longer than the downstream trip, one option is to take the train from Koblenz to Bingen and return on the boat.
2. However, the cost for the train one way between Koblenz and Bingen is EUR 10.90 (however if you do take the train you can present a valid train ticket and you’ll receive a 20% discount on the KD boat fare).
3. Keep in mind if you do take the train, the station in Koblenz is across town from the ferry terminal, whereas in Bingen the train station (2nd train stop in Bingen as there are two - ask the conductor for the one closer to the ferry) is right beside the ferry.
4. Another option is to start your trip in Bingen and take the ferry up to St. Goar disembark (or nearby) and catch a return ferry back to Bingen.

Whatever option you choose, the scenery is fantastic with a significant number of castles and picturesque towns along the way. Also of interest is the numerous barges plying their way along the Rhine, as this river not only serves as a tourist attraction but is a working river used to transport various cargos.

World War One Battle Fields

If you have an interest in history, then visiting WW1 battle field sites, memorials, and cemeteries is a very rewarding, moving, and humbling experience. There are many to visit in and around Flanders, Arras France, and the Somme region to name a few. The following are significant to Canadians and those of the British Commonwealth.

1. Ypres (spelled Ieper) - this is a lively town in west Belgium. There is a large British memorial near the centre square. There is also a war museum. Many war cemeteries surround the town. The CWCG website can provide information on these cemeteries and how to find where war dead are buried. Some are off the beaten track. They are free to enter and highly maintained. Don’t forget to sign the guest book located in a small cupboard usually in the front gates.

2. Passendale - located close to Ieper, this area was significant for Canadians as many thousands lost their lives trying to capture the ridge, and area. If you go to the centre square in town, you will see a sign for the Canadian Memorial. The memorial is quite simple, yet the view of the battle fields surrounding can give you a small glimpse at where so many were causalities of this muddy, bloody battle.

3. For Canadians the Vimy Ridge battle site and memorial is perhaps the most celebrated and visited. The Vimy Ridge battle was one of the most highly planned and rehearsed offensive of the First World War. Known as Canada’s coming of age, it was the first time all four Canadian Battalions fought together as one force. Capturing this ridge help to turn the tide during the war against the Germans.

The site is north of Arras France, on a map look for the town of Vimy. There are signs pointing to the memorial. Many say to book ahead for a tour (of the underground passageways). This is the safest way to make sure you get a tour - if you don’t get around to booking, go anyways, the likelihood is you’ll get in as the Canadian government staff make every attempt to accomodate visitors. If you don’t go on a tour, you can still visit the trenches and the memorial site, all are free.

The tours of the underground passageways are fascinating. Even though they are underground and can be a little frightening for claustrophobics, much has been done to make them safe and you feel comfortable. Trenches are still present; some have been reinforced for tourists to climb into. Scarring from artillery fire marks the landscape.

The memorial itself is past the welcome centre. It’s a powerful and fine tribute to those who served our country in the time of battle.

The Lake Como and Lugano regions of Italy and France are some of the finest scenery views you’ll see in Europe. The mixture of water, mountain, and picturesque towns is in perfect combination. There are many towns on these lakes (since the lakes are quite long) and several spots to go swimming and boating.

Lake Como has much to offer - there are boat and hydroplane tours of the lake. If you stay in this general area, hotels are cheaper in Italy than in Switzerland for the most part. La Locanda Del Notaio is a fine hotel situated on a mountain plateau between Lake Lugano and Lake Como, just over into the Italian boarder. This hotel is an excellent choice for those wishing to relax in elegant rooms set in a lovely surrounding.

Coming from Milan, car navigators will tell you to go through Switzerland to get to the hotel. If you do not plan to stay in Switzerland don’t take this route or you will have to play the 40 Swiss Francs car pass which is a required purchase prior to entry. The road to the hotel is quite a steep, beautiful mountain road. If you follow on the same road (the hotel is on) down the mountain you will come to beautiful Lake Como. There is a quaint little town called Argegno you can stop and eat at - pizza on the lake at the Lido Bar-Pizzeria!! Great prices on the pizza which is delicious while the scenery itself is pricless!

Heading north through Switzerland from Lake Lugano to Lake Lucerne is one of the most spectacular drives. But be warned, during the busy tourist summer months, the backup behind the San Gottard tunnel can be quite long and frustrating. A suggestion would be not to go on a weekend. The tunnel is long (17km). The tunnel is metered so only a few cars get through at a time. There are many safety features to make you feel quite comfortable.

The mountain scenery north of the Saint Gottard tunnel is outstanding. If you can, take an exit off the highway, pull over and drink in the magnificent landscape. Once you get to the Lucerne area, the mountains aren’t quite as impressive. You can go up the Pilatus Mountain in the Lucerne area by cog rail or cable car. However, the price is quite steep (64 SF per person) to go to the top - better to save your money and make the trip to the Interlaken region for a more spectacular trip up to Jungfrau or Schilthorn.

Monaco is a fantastic place to visit as there is a tremendous amount of “God made” and “man made” sights to see. Although it is well known for the casino, there are a number of other recommended activities to investigate while you’re there.

1. Aquarium - Oceanographic Museum & Aquarium. This aquarium was founded in 1910 by Prince Albert 1. The building itself is very impressive architecturally. There are a number of floors of interesting exhibits reviewing the history of ocean exploration and displays of the samples collected over many years. The highlight however, is the aquarium which is in the basement which is spectacular. This will appeal to everyone from children to adults and is highly recommended. Not everything in Monaco is geared towards families with children, but this attraction definitely is.

2. Prince’s Palace of Monaco. Surrounding the palace are breathtaking views of the coastline. Tours are available. There are also very beautiful gardens surrounding the palace which are free to walk through and are definitely a worthwhile diversion.

3. Evenings in Monaco. Parking after 7 pm is free, and it’s an enjoyable activity to wander around the area surrounding the casino or the harbour. There are lots of beautiful boats and cars to investigate.

4. Drive a Ferrari on the F1 track. For approximately 85 Euro you can pilot a Ferrari around the F1 track. Judging by the crowds around this area it is a very popular activity for all of the budding race car drivers.

4. Restaurants in Monaco.

a) Restaurant Musee Monaco - highly recommended although the service is a little slow due to a high volume of traffic and insufficient staff. The restaurant is on top of the Oceanographic Museum & Aquarium and provides an excellent view and nice breezes under the umbrellas.

b) Le Nautic - not recommended. The restaurant is located in the main harbour close to the water and the road. The food is less than spectacular (burnt) and while the servers are very friendly the female manager is rude. Unfortunately the restaurant is also located beside the road so there is the constant noise of cars racing past.

c) Le Botticelli - recommended. The restaurant is located right on the F1 track and provides excellent views of the harbour. Staff is friendly and the food is great.

The coastlines around Nantucket are spectacular, more so than the interior.

Siasconset is highly recommended as a quaint historical Nantucket town. The houses/cottages are beautiful and unique. There is a little café here that is quite popular. There is a small convenience store that supplies pre-made lunches. There are benches nearby to have lunch. Many people enjoy wandering the streets seeing what artisan shop or quaint cottage lies around the corner. The beach here is quite nice.

You would be amiss if you spent the whole day touring around the island and did not spend some quality time in the village of Nantucket. Historical homes, tree lined cobblestone streets, designer shopping, museums, and delicious restaurants await you. A person could spend several hours walking around the shops and the homes. Don’t forget to check out the Whaling Museum!

If beach life is your thing there are at least 16 beaches around the island each having their own qualities. Some of these beaches are known for their heavy surf, and caution should be exercised for inexperienced swimmers or families with children. Nantucket has a beach website that is quite helpful.

If golf is your passion, there are a number of courses available on the island.

Nantucket is considered to be one of the hot spots on the Eastern seaboard for the rich and famous. It’s not uncommon to see locals come out for dinner in the village looking like they just stepped out of a Polo Ralph Lauren advertisement. Keep you’re eyes open, you never know what celebrity you might see.

Nantucket is one of the prettiest spots in America. If you’re looking for picturesque cedar shake houses then Nantucket is the place to see them (more so than Cape Cod). The homes on Nantucket have a rich hertige that dates back to the 1800’s when it was considered the whaling capital of the world. Even though the island is not large, if you want to see the sights it will it will require more than just walking. As it is expensive to take a car across on the ferry, there are some more reasonably priced transportation options:

1) Biking is a favourite activity for many. If you an avid biker, the island certainly provides lots of opportunities to enjoy your sport. There are bike rentals available if you don’t wish to bring yours over on the ferry.

2) Scooter Rental: Just beyond the platform when you get off the ferry you’ll notice a couple bike and moped rental shops. Mopeds are fun, straightforward to drive and relatively inexpensive. You need to have a drivers license and pass a small driving test around the block in order to rent one. If you rent a two person moped, it is likely the person sitting on the back will be uncomfortable by the end of the day so you might want to consider renting more than one! Also, take care to avoid driving on the cobblestone streets in the village, as the rough surface is hard on the body.

3) There is public transit (bus), which appears to be very popular and effective, albeit somewhat less adventurous. Buses will take you to the popular villages and beaches. However, if you really want to go and explore the island, this may not be your best option.

4) Jeep rental is another option for those with a bent towards four wheel drive. It combines the freedom to explore with the comfort of a 4/5 passenger vehicle.

Toronto is Canada’s most populous city, and is home to the Toronto Blue Jays (MLB), Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) and the Toronto Raptors (NBA).

It is a very diverse city with many cultures which is reflected in the wide variety of entertainment and food that are available to be enjoyed.

Some of the top sites to see in Toronto include:

1. CN Tower - At 1815 feet and with it’s glass floor (both on the main viewing level and on one of the elevators) the CN Tower is one of the premiere tourist attractions in the city. If you are already planning on going out for dinner in the city and want to visit the tower, consider combining the two with a visit to the 360 restaurant. The restaurant provides a great way to see the entire city and lake front while enjoying some excellent cuisine.

2. Rogers Centre - While most Torontonians still prefer to call it the Skydome, the home of the Toronto Blue Jays is now officially known as the Rogers Centre. With Blue Jay ticket prices starting at a very reasonable level, this is a great way to see a ball game. For fans from out of town it is also a cheaper way to see the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox or any other of the top ranked MLB teams. Again, if you’re considering also going out for dinner in the city a great way to combine the two is to combine your game with dinner at one of the restaurants located in the Centre. Some of the options include Sightlines as well as Windows.

3. Casa Loma - This castle was built in 1917 by Sir Henry Pellat. It has a rather interesting and unfortunate history as far Sir Henry is concerned, but for the visitor it is quite fascinating both from a design and historic standpoint. There are also some military items from Sir Henry’s collection. This is a great place to go to on a rainy day as the majority of the tour is inside.

4. Little Italy - Canada is home to one of the largest Italian populations outside of Italy. If you love all things Italian heading down to College Street West is highly recommended. In downtown Toronto the east/ west dividing line is Yonge Street. Highly recommended is Bitondo’s as they make the best panzerotti around - the decor is a throw back to the 70’s but you won’t notice with your taste buds on overload.

These are just a few of the great things to do in Toronto - a city not to be missed.

Monaco is not to be missed on a trip to Europe. Located in the south of France, and part of the French Riviera, Monaco is fascinating historically and for it’s physical setting. It’s a great chance to see how the other half (actually top 1%) of the world lives. While you may have thought you knew what wealth looked like, your previous image will not likely match up to that of Monaco. High end automobiles and luxury yachts on steroids are the norm. If you’re fortunate you may even catch a glimpse of royalty, namely Prince Albert II being wisked out of the palace in a minivan complete with security detail. Other spots in the French Riviera to see include Nice, Antibes, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez.

Since Nantucket is an island there are only two options to get there unless you are an olympic swimmer or own your own row boat.

By air there are at least two options:

1) Nantucket Airlines. This airline services Hyannis to Nantucket in 12 minutes.
2) Cape Air. This airline services Boston, Hyannis and Provincetown to Nantucket.

By ferry there are at least three options:

1) Freedom Cruise Line
2) Hy-Line Cruises - Traditional and Hi Speed Ferry service.
3) Steamship Authority - Traditional and Fast Ferry

Recommendations:

If you are only visiting for the day it is best to take one of the fast ferry services or flights. For the extra money (Fast Ferry) you will gain close to one hour (for each direction) which if you are making the effort to go to the island, is worthwhile. Obviously this also applies to the airlines. When using a ferry make sure you book in advance and leave yourself lots of time to park as the lots fill up quickly during the busy season.