Simultaneously, in most places around the globe, children are home, teachers are instructing in a whole new way, and the threat of an unseen virus is at the heart of it all. We scroll through the memes measuring this time akin to Groundhog’s Day; some of us feel safe at home, while others feel ‘stuck’ in a cycle with an unknown ending.

Through it all, our students are taking in this new ‘normal’ of sorts.

Like many other city museums around the world, Montréal’s Pointe-à-Callière (the Montréal Archeology and History Complex) is temporarily closed, but not forgotten. Stories like this one share tips and information for future adventures. If you are planning to visit Montréal and love history, I recommend including Pointe-à-Callière, the largest and most visited museum in Montréal, in your future travel plans.

It is a time of year when thoughts turn to Ireland. It is the time of Saint Patrick's Day. The whole of this time of year, from February through May, is known as Patrick season, for that reason. At the time of Saint Patrick in earlier years in this series, I reflected that the story of Ireland, its diaspora, and its people, is one of making it through hardship and change, and finding ways to do that while keeping music in the heart, and sharing that music.

One of our favorite towns, Stratford, Ontario, is also a coffee shop lover’s dream. Why? Well, not only for the many options available, but also for the love and care each coffee shop puts into their brew. There are also 2 (!!!) roasters in the area (yay!).

We tasted them ALL on a recent visit (buzz, buzz), and have put together the complete guide to Stratford Coffee Shops. 

When do you get excited for a trip? The minute you book it, when the calendar page turns to the month of your journey, when you’re packing, when you’re on your way, upon arrival, or from the moment of idea conception? Whenever that travel joy hits, do your eyes brighten, corners of your mouth upturn, shoulders drop, and breathing ebb?

When that first simple joy of travel is upon you...once it hits, it’s hard to let it go.