Nicoya Peninsula

About a month ago, the Canadian government announced that fully vaccinated travelers will no longer need a negative COVID test to enter Canada. I couldn't wait longer and decided to checked out the Nicoya Peninsula during the Easter holiday period. There are few countries not too far from Canada that don't require a COVID test at the moment. Costa Rica was chosen because of the high vaccination rate in the country (85%).

Apr 15, 2022
Liberia - Montezuma

Prince Rupert - Jasper

It has been two years since the COVID-19 pandemic began and traveling abroad is still very challenging for working people (though technically possible). The scenic train from Prince Rupert to Jasper seemed to be a reasonable option to celebrate this holiday season.

Dec 28, 2021
Prince Rupert

Southern Vancouver Island

It's been raining for more than one month and finally the last weekend of October became surprisingly sunny. I decided to have a road trip around Southern Vancouver Island.

Oct 30, 2021
Cowichan Valley - West Coast Highway

Calgary - Drumheller

Since July, many Canadian provinces are open to domestic travel. Being fully vaccinated, I was eager to make some movements and quickly locked the Calgary Stampede as the "the thing" to check out, adding Drumheller to make a perfect weekend holiday.

Jul 10, 2021
Calgary

Sechelt Peninsula

Although I've been to Sunshine Coast many times, I only checked out the major towns accessible by public transit. The less populated areas on the Sechelt Peninsula of Sunshine Coast, including the impressive Skookumchuck Narrows, are not reachable by public transport. I decided to rent a car to check out this natural wonder and some other interesting hiking trails this hot weekend.

Jun 27, 2021
Skookumchuck Narrows - Pender Hill - Smuggler Cove

Gulf Islands

BC is entering phase 3 of "reopening" that allows "careful" travel within the province. By following COVID-19 rules strictly (e.g. wearing a mask when social distancing of 2 meters cannot be obtained), my first "trip" during the pandemic turned to be successful.

Jul 4, 2020
Gulf Islands

Valladolid - Tulum - Cancún

Although Cancún (and the Yucatan Peninsula) is a very touristy destination, it's still on my bucket-list mainly because of the cenotes in the area. Since air tickets are super expensive during the holiday season, Cancún (and the region) became a relatively affordable place to go for a short break this Christmas.

Dec 26, 2019
Valladolid

Azores - Cape Verde - São Tomé

There are two island nations in West Africa - Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe. Both were Portuguese colonies and got independence in 1975. It's better to combine the two countries in one trip. Luckily, Angola Airlines (TAAG) provides direct flights between Sal Island in Cape Verde and São Tomé Island twice weekly. While searching for flights from Canada to Cape Verde, I found the cheapest fare to be Azores Airlines via Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island of the Azores, a Portuguese autonomous region. This route is also the shortest. The fact that the Azores is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean alone is so attractive and I bought the ticket shortly.

Oct 10, 2019
São Miguel

Vancouver Island - Sunshine Coast

A Vancouver Island - Sunshine Coast loop has always been a fascinating route to me. And doing it purely using public transportation makes it even more amazing.

Jun 14, 2019
Vancouver - Nanaimo

Yosemite

Though it's possible to make a day trip to Yosemite from San Francisco by public transportation or on a day tour (expensive), it's a very, very long day. I decided to base myself in Stockton and make my life easier. YARTS runs buses from Merced into Yosemite Valley year-round, but there is an advantage of buying an Amtrak train + bus combined ticket - it's cheaper than separate tickets, and even when YARTS has free ride days occasionally (then doesn't take reservations), an Amtrak ticket will guarantee you a seat.

Apr 21, 2019
Yosemite Valley