It was my first trip since the pandemic started back in March of 2020.  I couldn't have picked a better spot than the warm, friendly town of Puerto Vallarta. As soon as we arrived, the sun hit our faces and we felt like we were in paradise.  If you want nice beaches, friendly people, fresh food, a variety of activities at an economical price, Puerto Vallarta is the place to go. The resort we stayed at was only occupied at 30%, but things are picking up. You have very few lines to wait in.

Today I'll start my story about our excursion to Mascota and Talpa, small towns in the hills outside of Puerto Vallarta.  For the next few days, enjoy my stories about the trip.

Today we took a trip to Talpa and Mascota. These are beautiful little towns that are nestled in the fertile valleys of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Be prepared for a a windy drive.

As we were driving up the mountain we stopped at the Hacienda San Sebastian Distillery. It was not too early for a sample of their Almond Tequila. Tequila comes in all flavors including chocolate, coffee, and Recces Pieces. While in Mexico, we visited three different distilleries. The dessert tequilas were my favorite.

Mascota is known as the land of deer and snakes. It is located between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. We visited the town square and market where you can enjoy the tasty treats and local products. They have a 100 year old church called Nuestra Senora de Los Dolores. The construction started in 1905 and remains incomplete to this day as a result of the Mexican Revolution. The square right outside the church is beautiful with flowers, gazebo, and benches. We stopped at the Navidad restaurant that I highly recommend. Fresh food with authentic Mexican spices made me think I was in heaven. I had the grilled beefsteak. It came with beans, salad, vegetables, taco chips, salsa, and guacamole for $5. It is a small quaint city, that brings back memories of old Mexico. One town wall was painted with a lovely mural of the history of the area. There is also a volcano 3 miles Northeast of the city.

We also visited a monastery that was never completed. The grounds are beautiful and the history behind the monastery interesting. There was a tunnel built so that people could escape underground, but it lead to a hacienda where the bad guys were waiting for them. They were all executed when they arrived.

​Talpa is world famous for its pilgrimages to the stately church, Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Rosario Talpa, that shelters the beloved Virgen del Rosairo. During the plague of 1660 many people died. After putting their faith in her, have seen miracles. During the plague many people banned together and petitioned the Virgin for relief from the plague and within three days they received what they asked for, no more people died and no more sickness in the land. Families walk for two or three days to reach the church. On the way there are small chapels to pray. Many people make the pilgrimage to ask for help or give thanks to the Virgin for prayers answered. Many people claim that their lives have been completely transformed by prayers to her or just by making the trip to see her.

​The It's also known for its majestic landscapes and kind, welcoming people. The streets are cobblestone and you are sure to get a massage as you drive to the church, which is located in the main square of town. The square is surrounded by many shops with great deals. I thought the best deals were on candy, gum (made into cute baskets and flowers), sandals, and T-shirts. Talpa is known as the Mexican Willie Wonka. They are known for their candy. Queen Elizabeth made a trip to Talpa in 1983 when she was in Mexico. 

I recommend this trip if you want to learn more about the culture of Mexico and if you want to make the pilgrimage to the Basilica in Talpa.   

For more information contact [email protected]

​Someone once said a stay-cation is like a cruise.

I'm not sure I agree, but I think there are similarities and differences

1. Staying at home you have a plethora of food in your fridge. You can make exactly what you want. If you want a midnight buffet, you can have one. Some of you may even have your own personal chef. On a cruise ship you have several options, buffet, sit down dinner, or poolside snack.
2. Entertainment choices at home seem endless. You can choose from a variety of movies and shows at home, especially if you have Netflix, Hulu, or Apple TV. You also have the option to stream new movies. If you want to turn on music, you can dance to what ever you want. If you play and instrument, you can perform your own live music. On a cruise ship you have live entertainment, but it may not be to your liking. You also have access to various movies, bingo, slots, and poolside entertainment
   
3. At home you have several educational experiences from taking a class, foreign language, to learning things on YouTube. There are some educational experiences on a cruise, especially when visiting a new city. You learn about the people, maybe take a cooking class, and sometimes get to try a new language.
   
4. At home you have access to the travel channel. You can go anywhere almost anytime. There are many programs they take you all over the world. When on a cruise, you also get to see many different places.
   
5. At home you can pick up a book any time. You can read in your back yard. When you're on a cruise, you might read a book. It could be on a beach, by the pool, or in your room.
   
6. Exercising at home is pretty simple: take a walk, put on an exercise video, run on the treadmill, or ride your bike. On a cruise ship you have a gym to go to, but you might have to wait for a machine. There are also a lot of active cruises that incorporate exercise into the itinerary including biking, kayaking, and hiking.
   
7. Shopping around your hometown is nice because you are familiar with the stores and there is usually a lot of them to choose from. On a ship, you might be inundated with specials on travel items such as hats, sun glasses, jewelry, and alcohol. At port, the stores are waiting for you, but you have a lot of competition from all the other cruise ships that docked at your port the same day.
8. Meeting new people may be a challenge at home. However, you can invite your neighbors over. It might have been awhile since you saw them. On a cruise ship, you have an opportunity to meet people from all over the world. You might be assigned to a table with people from a different country or meet some new people on an excursion. The sky is the limit for cruisers.

It doesn't matter how you vacation at home or on a ship. Make sure you are comfortable and enjoy your time. However, during the COVID-19 you might have to choose a stay-cation. During your time at home, take time to dream about where you want to go next. You might even turn on your TV and watch National Geographic or Rick Steves' Travel Show to get some ideas. For ideas on what to do during the Stay At Home period, check out- Silver Linings during COVID-19.

This is the time of year I look back to see what I learned over the year and if I accomplish what I wanted to in 2019. I have three main areas where I learned things: Travel, Family, and Hobbies.

Travel: I traveled to a few places this year including Edisto Island not far from Charleston, Eastern Canada, National Parks near Las Vegas, and Kansas.

1. Edisto Island has great bike paths. It is a beautiful island where the beat is slow. A great place to relax, fly a kite, and fish.
2. Canada has a beautiful French community, Quebec City. Complete with statues, cobblestone streets, funicular, and street murals. If you don't want to fly to Europe, go to Ottawa and Quebec City. You won't be disappointed.
3. Canada has some different foods. One of them is a Beaver Tail. Fried dough in the shape of a beaver tail which is covered with several options. The one I tried is apple slices with cinnamon and sugar- all blended together. Similar to a pie filling. Very tasty. They also had chocolate toppings with bananas or caramel with nuts. I would recommend splitting one because they are so big.
4. Meeting people around the world is great. I've made some great friends from other states. I will be visiting new friends in S. C. when I'm there in January.

Family:

1. 10 grand kids can be a challenge. Especially 2 mos., 2 years, 3 ½ and 7.
2. It is fun walking though the Mall of America and seeing your newborn granddaughter on the front of Oh Baby clothing store. A star was born on 2/26/2019. Let's see how this all turns out.
3. Taking pictures with a lot of kids is challenging. Making the newborn babies head sit straight and getting all the kids to look at the camera at the same time is a challenge.

Hobbies:

1. Rotten Tomatoes is very reliable when it comes to reviews. I've never been disappointed with a movie that gets a good rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
2. It's never to late to learn new things. Recently I went to a painting class and learned how to make a barn look old. Mix bronze paint with your red. It gives a worn look. You are never to old to learn new things.
3. Weight Watchers has some great recipes. Their program has sever 0 point foods, and the program is easier than ever before. I am a life time weight watcher and just went back to the program after putting on some unwanted pounds. The holidays are a great time to go on a diet. You won't gain and you might even lose weight during the holidays.
4. One of the things I really like to do is go to teas. One of them I went to was the Witches Brew in Lake City. A rustic house has been refurbished for teas. Everyone dresses up as a witch and the menu revolves around a Halloween theme. Our drink was called Swamp Water. It was a mix of fruit juices, pomegranate seeds mixed with dry ice. The dry ice made a hazy mist for about 10 minutes. I felt like I was on a journey into a far away land where anything could happen. I haven't tried mixing with dry ice yet, but it is on my to do list. I might try it for my grand kids around the holidays. How about calling it Frosty's misty concoction. Guaranteed for fun.
5. Toastmasters can be challenging including keeping up with the paths and reaching goals. My goal last year was to get my DTM. My last step is to coach a club to get to distinguished. I am still working on it. Sometimes you don't reach your goals. You have to reassess and look at the strategy. It's more difficult being a coach than I anticipated. Just because I make suggestions doesn't mean that people are going to follow them. It has to be a team approach. Just like a family, you need to work together to make sure your club stays in business. Whose job is that? Everyone's. 

I  just told you what I learned this year. Think about what you learned. Remember, you're never to old to learn. My Toastmaster club has a 92 year old in the club. He is one of the most informed, wise, and joyous people in the club.

I hope you've learned new things this year.  It keeps your mind younger. It's my birthday today and I'm thinking about what I plan on learning next year.  Don't hesitate to travel to new places, read books, cook new recipes or try a new activity.  You'll become a more interesting person and your brain will love you for it.

​Judy Peterson, Travel Consultant, Peterson Travel Pros

​Saint Joseph's Oratory
Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont Royal is Canada’s largest church. The basilica, dedicated to Saint Joseph, is best known for its link to the legendary “Brother Andre”, one of the most popular Quebecois of the 20th century who reportedly performed miraculous healings on the sick or injured. Save valuable time and money by getting Saint Joseph's Oratory tickets in advance.

Mary Queen of the World Cathedral
Known in English as Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, this ornate church is situated in downtown Montreal and is the seat of the city’s Roman Catholic archdiocese. It was only in 1955 that the church was rededicated as Mary, Queen of the World by Pope Pius XII.
Designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2000, the 333 ft long, 252 ft high minor basilica is the third largest church in Quebec and boasts a number of notable features. The inside of the cathedral is just as fascinating, with the aisles and arches containing paintings depicting early Montreal history. ​

​2.  There are 66 museums and 72 galleries
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Musee d’Art Contemporain de Montreal (MACM) is Canada’s premier museum dedicated solely to contemporary art. The museum’s permanent collection comprises nearly 7,600 works by local and international artists.
One of the best ways to see Museum of Contemporary Art is on foot or bike. Take the The Belgo gallery hop in downtown Montreal, an enjoyable time is guaranteed.

​3.  It was the site of the Olympics, leaving beautiful buildings  
Montreal Tower Observatory
Visit the tallest inclined tower in the world with an admission ticket to the Montreal Tower Observatory, located at Olympic Park. From the top of the tower, which is leaning at an astonishing 45-degree angle, see the entire Montreal region and up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the St. Lawrence River valley. Ride to the Montreal Tower Observatory at Olympic Park Hop aboard a glass-encased funicular up the world’s tallest inclined tower. Capture breathtaking views of Montreal, the Laurentian Mountains, and the St. Lawrence Read more about Montreal Tower Observatory Admission Ticket 2019 - https://www.viator.com/tours/Montreal/Montreal-Tower-Observatory-Admission-plus-Optional-Ticket-to-the-Biodome/d625-2936TOWER?mcid=56757River Valley.

​Montreal Biodome
The Montreal Biodome (Biodome de Montreal) takes you on a fascinating walk through four unique ecosystems found on the Americas. 
Each of the four exhibits take up one portion of the Biodome, and visitors are able to see not just flora, but also a variety of animals which are native to the regions represented. A total of 4,500 animals from 250 species call the Montreal Biodome home. For example, you can see the lynx in the Laurentian Forest, various fish species in the Saint Lawrence River and macaws in the Tropical Forest. 
Biosphere Museum
The museum has dedicated months on end each time to different aspects of the environment, including the climate, H20 variations, and responsible consumption.

​4.It has a world renowned Botanical Garden
Montreal’s Jardin de Montreal, or Botanical Garden, is a 75 hectares (about 200 acreas) oasis in the middle of the bustling city and has a reputation as one of the most important and established gardens in the world.  They are one of four nature attractions under the city of Montreal’s Space for Life (Espace Pour la Vie) umbrella, the others being the Biodome, the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium and the Insectarium.
The Botanical Gardens comprise outdoor gardens (covered with snow for four months of the year), and a multi-complex of greenhouses which feature plants from all over the world. Take your time to meander through the many themed gardens which make up the Montreal Botanical Gardens, including the Japanese Garden. 
Impressive totem poles display native artwork.  The Chinese Garden offers winding paths, an artificial mountain and houses a unique collection of penjing and bonsai. The Alpine Garden, poisonous plants garden and the flowery brook are all popular among visitors.
The huge 1.4 meter (1.6 yards) lion statue (Lion de la Feuillee) located at the entrance to the rose garden, makes a great photo-op for visitors.

​5.  Their bus, train, and subway system can get you most anywhere
 There are a lot of neighborhoods including:

• Downtown
• Chinatown
• Quartier des Spectacles- Cultural Headquarters
• Grand Prix
• Old Montreal: 
  The oldest area of Montreal was once walled and still boasts delightful cobbled stones from the  17th – 19th centuries and the Old Montreal Port on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River. The area is considered a major tourist attraction and includes many of Montreal’s most visited institutions, including the Bonsecours Market, the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Montreal City Hall, the Chateau Ramezay, the Notre-Dame Basilica. The Old Port provides recreational space where visitors walk along the shore of the river, as well as a number of museums and attractions.
• Little Italy
• Plateau Mount Royal
• St. Laurent Blvd
• Mile End
• Homa Area
• Parc Jean Drapeau- 2 Islands off Montreal with La Ronde Amusement Park
• The Village- Very LGBT Friendly

​7.  Shopping Galore

• 48% of jobs in the garment industry are in Montreal
• Antiques
• Designer Boutiques
• Eaton Center- Off Saint Catherine St.  - very large mall
• Underground shopping- right off Eaton Center

8.  Sports

• National Hockey League
• Major League Baseball
• Montreal Canadians have won the most Stanley cups in the National Hockey League (24)
• Major League Canadian Soccer
• Major League Sporting Events including Canadian Grand Prix, Rogers Cup, Go Bike Festival, Marathon Oasis, and Grand Prix Cyclists
• Golf
• Biking- 296 kilometers of bike lanes.
• 19 Parks

9.  Pomp and Circumstance

• The British rule Canada and their influence can be seen all over
• French influence in dressing, speaking, and food
• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police C Squad Band and Drum Corp performs for public during festivals, parades, and ceremonial functions

​10.  Fun For the Kids

• LaRonde Six Flags Park
• Science Center with an IMAX
• Zip Lining
• Indoor Skating Rink at Atrium 1000 as well as outdoor rinks
• Eating poutine:  French fries and cheese curds covered with gravy
• Parachute Montreal
• Fly-board Extreme- hybrid between a wake board and a kite surf.
• Jet Boating
• Bungee Jumping
• Trapezium
• Clip and Climb:  An indoor obstacle course
• The Riverfront: Cycle, walk or roller-blade, with Segway rentals also available.
• Beaches:  Sandy shores along the riverfront
• River Surfing

Niagara Falls can be viewed from the US or Canada. It is one of those places you really don't want to miss. While you are there, you might as well see Toronto and Ottawa.

Here are some of my favorite things to do around Niagara Falls.

• Get up and close with the Falls at Table Rock Welcoming Centre, and along the Niagara Parkway.
• Experience an unprecedented view of Niagara Falls aboard a Cruiser.
• Natural Wonders, Journey Behind the Falls, and unforgettable natural experiences at Niagara Parks.
• The Niagara Fallsview Casino is a world-class resort where luxury and excitement meet. Catch a show or try your luck in the massive gaming area.
• Explore Clifton Hill, the world famous 'Street of Fun' by the Falls with wax museums, arcades, themed restaurants, haunted houses and more.
• Year round family fun at Fallsview Indoor Waterpark or Waves Indoor Waterpark
• Visit Niagara Falls on the Lake.  It is a quaint town with little shops and restaurants.  Lots of nice flowers.
• Visit Inniskillin or Wayne Gretzky's Winery.  They give you a tour and tell you how they harvest their Ice grapes.  They don't harvest until it is very cold and harvest them by hand.  The ice wine is very sweet.

2.  The Rideau Canal, Ontario's only UNESCO World Heritage site, welcomes you to     experience the world's largest skating rink in the winter and an amazing recreational waterway in the spring     and summer.  We took a bike tour on the Rideau Canal and it was one of the highlights of my trip. We stopped at several monumental vistas as well as Rideau Falls.     

 6.  Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum     Built in secrecy at the height of the Cold War, this four-storey     underground bunker, meant to house Canada’s government in the     event of a nuclear war, is now a National Historic Site and Canada’s Cold War Museum.  A lot of thought was put into this museum. The walls are gray cement to help you envision the cold, hard war.

​7.  The National War Memorial.  There are two guards on duty from 9 to 5 daily.  Be there on the hour to see the changing of the guards along with a bagpiper.

8. The Ottawa Sign- Near Byward Market

9. Drive around the city and see the embassies including US and  Saudi Arabia,
10. Walk or Bike the city and see sculptures.

• Hockey Player
• Queen Elizabeth Monument
• John By, Engineered Rideau Canals
  

​ FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Ottawa has perfected the festival. In the fall specifically, Fall Rhapsody is a must. Throughout the rest of the year there is  no shortage of options, which include the Canadian Tulip Festival, Canada Day celebrations, the Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light and Winterlude. For the music lover don't miss RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest, TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest and the CityFolk Festival.

I just returned from a trip to Eastern Canada. Quebec City was my favorite city. It is a very beautiful and historic city where settlers from France, Britain, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany landed. It reminds me of a small European town. It is the only walled city in North America and acclaimed as the most French city outside of France. 90% of the people speak French. The population is about 705,000 people.


1. New Quebec: Parliament Hill
Although much of Quebec City is modern, with hotels, office blocks, government buildings and soaring high-rises, it is the old, walled city - divided into the Upper and Lower Towns – that has put it on the tourist list. We stayed in New Quebec, next to Parliament Hill. It is similar to the a state's capital building. There was a fountain outside the building that was colored at night. You can take a guided tour of the building.

2.Chateau Frontenac
3.Monument to Samuel de Champlain
4. Notre Dame Church

​Old Quebec has narrow winding streets, stone buildings and castle-like hotels overlooking the St. Lawrence River. It is a wonderful place for a romantic get-a-way. The Chateau Frontenac, built in 1892 is the high point of Upper Town. The hotel has hosted Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip and many other French Dignitaries. In front of the hotel is a monument to Samuel de Champlain, who established the city in 1608. When we were there, a lady was singing opera. One of the other sites you should see is the Church of Notre-Dame, It's doesn't look like much on the outside but it is beautiful on the inside.

5. Lower Town: Petit Champlain
6. La Fresque des Quebecios
There is a funicular near Chateau Frontenac that takes you down to Lower Town. You don't want to miss this fabulous shopping and eating area. One of the most famous streets is the Petit Champlain, The area is one of the oldest villages in North America and known for trading in the 17th century. Keep walking and you'll see the port and the huge cruise ships. Go a little farther to see the La Fresque des Quebecios. It is a wonderful mural that gives a little history of Quebec.

7. Battlefield Park
One of the other places that you need to visit is Battlefield Park. One of the names is Plains of Abraham. It has trees, picnic tables, and a large museum. The heart of the Defense system was the Citadel, a sprawling star-shaped for it, at the southeast corner. There are 25 buildings including the office's officers mess, two military museums and the Governor General's residence. It is still a base for soldiers. There is also a sunken garden and it commemorates soldiers who were killed on the plains of Abraham. In the middle there is a statue of Joan of Arc. There is still Changing of the Guard every morning at the Citadel.

Also in Battlefields Park is the Musee Du Quebec, which consists of three buildings that have a collection of 17,000 painting sculptors Prince photographs.

8. Carnival
Visiting Quebec City was one of my favorite things to do in October. The leaves were gorgeous. In winter, they also have a large Carnival to celebrate of Mardi Gras.


9. St. Anne De Beaupre Basiclica
10. Montmorency Falls

​The surrounding areas also add to your adventure. Don't miss the Basilica of Saint Anne. The actual name is the St. Anne De Beaupre Basilica. It was built in 1923 and stands on the original wooden Chapel dedicated to St Anne in early 1658. It is believed that St. Anne, mother of Mary, saved the lives of shipwrecked sailors in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The church attracts almost two million pilgrims a year who come here for healing and to pay homage to St. Anne. On the way to the Basilica we saw two waterfalls, The Wedding Veil Waterfall and Montmorency Falls. They are both beautiful. If you have time, visit the historic borough of Ile D'Orleans, just over the bridge from Quebec City. It has small winding streets and lovely houses.

​Whether you come by plane, train, auto, or cruise ship, you will have a marvelous time in Quebec City.
The fall is a great time to visit because of the colors of the trees, but it is a nice get a way any time of the year. You will have a great time with family or on a romantic retreat. I suggest you add Ottawa and Niagara Falls to your trip.

Last spring I took a trip with 5 of my grandchildren to Edisto Island, South Carolina. It is not as well known as Tybee Island off of Savannah, but it is a jewel.

We couldn't have had a better time. My grand-kids range in age from 7 to 14. There were plenty of things to do for everyone. We got into Wyndam Ocean Ridge Resort around 6 PM. The first thing we did was check out our three bedroom unit. It was spacious with a screened in sun porch and backyard that faced a pond with several egrets. We weren't far from the main pool and mini golf. We knew we'd have to buy groceries, but we passed a grocery store on the way in, so things were looking good. My daughter had gotten there a day earlier with the kids so we were stocked for the day.

We had dinner and then went to the ocean which was about a mile away. There were lots of people on the beach waiting for the sunset. It was a picture to behold. We didn't see the resident dolphins, but we relaxed to the waves crashing on the shore.

The next day we went to the beach again. We scouted for shells and sand dollars. There weren't too many but we found a few. Just enough to add to my collection of shells from around the world. The people watching was great. Some pf them bogie boarding, flying kites, fishing, and swimming.
We brought a picnic lunch of sandwiches, fruit and chips. It was perfect as we relaxed under our canopy.

​Later for dinner we had a sausage and rice jambalaya dish. Our meals were easy to prepare for a large group. Also easy so that kids could help with the prep. They all had their jobs, whether it be making sandwiches, helping with dinner, or clean up. Hey, this vacation was for everybody. It goes much faster when everyone helps.

After dinner we went to the beach again to see the sunset. This time the dolphins were there. It was a magnificent view. They gave us a show for about 30 minutes.

We had to see Botany Bay Preserve Plantation on this trip. It is just a few minute drive from the main area on Edisto Island. You must plan your trip during low tide. It is the only way you'll be able to see all the driftwood and shells as you walk along the beach. Erosion on Botany Bay has left a boneyard of dead trees along the sand, creating a unique coastline that you'll really appreciate. It is a 4600 acre preserve that includes almost three miles of undeveloped beachfront. We spent a couple of hours there. I think it was one of the highlights of the trip. Note that there are no public facilities or restrooms on the plantation. Even though the beach was filled with downed  trees that had been there for many years, it was breathtaking. There is something about walking on the beach as a family. You find more treasures and learn from each other. One of the things we found was a horseshoe crab. All things are left on the beach for other to enjoy.

​​When we got back, we went swimming and one of the 3 pools on campus. The resort is large with several units and a golf course. You can just sit on your deck and enjoy the scenery. Some days we just enjoyed nature while playing cards or doing art projects.

We had so much fun having family dinners, playing miniature golf, swimming, and biking. Everything was in close proximity and was relaxing. No driving to Disney World, trying to beat the rush or standing in long lines. This is a great trip for a large family as there is plenty to do for everyone. Even teenagers enjoy walking on the beach, playing Frisbee or soaking up the sun. It is economical as you can make all your meals and swimming and mini golf are included in the price.

​If you like more activity, you can take drives to Charleston, Savannah, or Beaufort. There are plenty of things to do there including shopping and plantation touring.

On the last night we went to the Waterfront Restaurant. The seafood was delicious. It was a great way to finish our truly fabulous vacations. We made lots of memories, memories that will last a lifetime. When we got home we were relaxed. It wasn't like going to a rushed vacation where you needed a few days to relax before going back to work.  Don't tell too many people about this place.  It was much busier than when we had been there seven years ago.  We want to keep this quiet island just like it is.

If you need help planning a trip, contact us on our website, https://www.PetersonTravelPros.com