World Vacation

The island of Malta is located in the Mediterranean between Sicily and Tunisia. Its advantageous geographical position has given it strategic importance in many historical periods. At various times, it has been ruled by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese, Habsburg Spain, Knights of St John, French and British! These days, it is an independent republic and a member of the eurozone, and much of its revenue comes from tourism. Visitors to Malta can enjoy beautiful beaches, visits to historical sites, and fun nightlife, all without going far on this tiny island!

The city of Innsbruck is located in the Tyrol region in the Austrian Alps, close to Italy and Germany. This historic city is a centre for winter sports, and has hosted the winter Olympics twice. The Inn river runs through the city, and the city’s name literally means bridge (“brucke”) over the Inn.

The French Riviera, otherwise known as the Côte d’Azur (Azure Coast), is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France, also including the sovereign state of Monaco.

There is lots to see and do here, including the gorgeous beaches all along the coast, marinas with massive yachts, cruise boats, and scuba diving, the Picasso museum, the famous Monaco casino, and numerous historic sites and breath-taking scenery.

Is this a place you’d like to visit? If you were on the French Riviera, what would top your list of things to do?

Newfoundland & Labrador joined confederation in 1949, making it Canada’s newest province  (but not its newest territory!) Although the butt of many jokes, Newfoundland is famed for its friendly culture and beautiful landscape. As Canada’s easternmost province, it was one of the first places in Canada to be populated by Europeans, and the archaeological site at L’Anse Aux Meadows is thought to have been a Viking settlement. Another historical location is Signal Hill in St. Johns, where the first transatlantic radio signal was received in 1901.

In the winter, we often dream of heading somewhere hot and sunny. Palm trees and the beach are usually necessary elements to this kind of holiday. Some people take the chance to explore the local culture, while others are more active, and prefer to explore by bicycle or go scuba diving. Some people just like to recline in a beach chair.

What is your dream winter getaway?

Copenhagen is Denmark’s capital city. Known for its environmental friendliness, the city has extensive bicycle infrastructure, and cycling is one of the most common ways for residents to get around. A cleanup of the Copenhagen harbor has resulted in water clean enough for swimming.

Some of Copenhagen’s attractions include the Copenhagen Opera House, the commune neighbourhood of Christiania, and the Tivoli amusement park.

Safari is a Swahili word meaning “long journey”, but in English, it usually refers to a tourist trip to see African wildlife. In parks such as the Serengeti National Park, the resident animals include lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, cheetahs, zebras, impalas, and giraffes, among others.

What animals would you most like to see on safari?

Vancouver is Canada’s third largest city. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky mountains, it is also one of Canada’s most beautiful cities. The city has a temperate and rainier climate than most of Canada.

As host to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Vancouver attracted the attention of the world, and was visited by 2,600 athletes from 86 nations. Although the games got off to a rough start, they were wildly successful, and a source of national pride for Canadians.