Exploring New York: The best things to see and do in Finger Lakes region

| Christie

Finger Lakes region takes its name from eleven long and narrow lakes spread like fingers across the region, and it’s located within four to five-hour drive from metropolitan cities, such as Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh. Over thousands of years receding glaciers carved this landscape, giving place to an idyllic home to generations of people. No wonder why, as sparkling lakes, breathtaking waterfalls and rolling pastoral hills dominate the landscape, making Finger Lakes Region a hidden gem.

European settlers found one of the most powerful Native Americans Nations in this area, who believed that Finger Lakes were the fingerprints of the Great Spirit. It is said that the Great Spirit reached down and, in touching the earth, transformed this land into sacred ground. But the geological term finger lake refers to a long, narrow body of water occupying a glacially over deepened valley, and the most notable ones are Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. Within about 9,000 square miles, there are miles of lakeshores, countless waterfalls, and vineyards; from biking, hiking, boating, fishing, to visiting museums, or quaint towns and villages, there is an activity for everyone, you name it.

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Hitting the road again: Letchworth state park

| Christie

Letchworth state park, renowned as the Grand Canyon of the East, is a 14,350-acre park in New York state, following for about 27 km the course of Genesee River. With three major waterfalls, lush forests, and a deep gorge, the park is one of the most scenically areas in the eastern U.S. The Genesee River is the essence of the park, and can be observed either roaring through the gorge on sudden drops, between cliffs as high as 600 feet in some places, or in a calm course along its winding way.

Letchworth state park
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Happy Earth Day!

| Christie

“We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” – Chief Seattle

As the days become longer, and the skies sunnier, we see and hear the birds more often, building nests and calling for a mating partner. It’s the spring time, again, with small flowers emerging through the last layers of snow, with birds singing happily around. The spring that brings everything alive, and never fails to bring us joy! Except maybe for some late snow falls, known under different names, such as “Onion snow”, “Robin snow”, or “Lambing snow”. Nevertheless, the spring is here😊

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Exploring Florida: The best things to see and do in Fort Myers

| Christie

A gateway to the Southwest Florida region, Fort Myers is a major tourist destination on the banks of Caloosahatchee River. Established as a Seminole War Post in 1841, Fort Myers was known originally as Fort Harvie. Being transformed from a farming and cattle community in the late 1860’s into a commercial one, Fort Myers gained by the mid 1880’s a national notoriety for local recreational fishing.

From a small community, Fort Myers (nicknamed the City of Palms) has changed its look over time, new brick buildings replacing the original wooden ones. Today, the landscape of Southwest Florida has changed dramatically from what it used to be; however, the historic neighbourhoods and landmarks continue to bring some colour to the city.

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Vlad the Impaler and The golden goblet story

| Christie

Sighișoara, Vlad the Impaler (Dracula)’s hometown

Sighișoara is not only famous for its old historic center, but also for being Vlad the Impaler’s place of birth. Built in the 12th century by Saxon settlers, the old city still wears the medieval savor, reason the citadel was designated in 1999 a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sighișoara Clock Tower - the main entry point to the citadel, with a height of 64 m
Sighișoara Clock Tower – the main entry point to the citadel, with a height of 64 m
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