World-famous for adventure travel and cultural voyeurism, Nepal is also a fabulous shopping destination. 

It's a cold, damp, rainy day. You're chilled to the bone, and nothing seems to warm you up - not coffee or tea, or cocoa or toasty wool socks. C'est la vie, you think - and then remember that you've got a bit of magic in your closet, and pull out the new Gesar travel blanket/meditation shawl from Sunrise Pashmina. 

It's hygge at its finest.

Do you remember when you were a little kid, and the entire holiday season was magical, with delights around every corner? From the brisk air and corresponding outdoor adventures to treats chosen specifically for you to incredible, once-a-year foods, it’s hard recapture that once you’ve grown past that believe-in-magic stage.

Luckily for us, this experience IS able to be recaptured, and makes you believe in the magic of the holidays again.

How and where, I hear you ask!

The Stratford Christmas Trail captures the spirit of giving and the joy of checking off that list. Throughout November and running until December 20, twenty-seven shops present fabulous stocking stuffers to delight on Christmas morning. You'll discover unique and individual gift ideas when you stroll our festive streets visiting shops draped in fresh cedar rope and tied with big red bows. Stratford Tourism is making it easy to kick off your holiday shopping with The Christmas Trail - just choose six gifts for $30 (+HST).

The weather gods sent us a flawless day to wander San Francisco. Bob and I targeted the historic Ferry Building to enjoy the sun and warm, and indulge a bit of browsing.  It’s a destination easily combined with a trip to Alcatraz, Sausalito, or Fisherman’s Wharf.

The best part of travel photography, for me, is capturing images of culture. There is nothing I love more than being completely immersed in a place with culture so vibrant and new to me. While living in Morocco for three months, I have been photographing the life and culture of the medinas. 

I’ll never forget my first visit to a night market in Taiwan. It was a total affront on all senses. Too many people jostling for space; too many unrecognizable odors drifting through the air; too many animal organs skewered and on display for growling bellies.

When we’re traveling, we often purchase holiday gifts – art, textiles, and creative things we find in markets. But when we’re home, it’s a bit more difficult to come through each year with fantastic gifts that our loved ones will appreciate – and use.

In Asia, grocery stores are hard to find and always overpriced. For this reason, locals rarely frequent them and instead run to open air markets. 

Open air markets are vibrant, fabulous places full of aromatic food, colorful clothing, fruits and vegetables, and anything else you can think of. The goods are cheap, and these markets can be found in every city across Thailand.