International travel is again possible for Canadians this summer.  But, if you don’t want to navigate jammed airports, be separated from your checked luggage, or deal with the glitchy ArriveCAN app on return, armchair travelling may be the less-stressful option for now.

City of freedoms.  Mandy Gardner uses an extended stay in Great Britain as a base for travels further afield.  “Amsterdam’s lanes are narrow, the houses are all stick thin and at least four storeys high, and every dwelling comes complete with a giant hook jutting out of the uppermost tile so that new occupants can hoist their belongings straight up the side of the house without messing around on insanely narrow stairs.”  Travel Special – Amsterdam at Long Last, November 24, 2006.

Giving to receive.  Tanja Ahlin  visits Portugal for a two-week voluntourism adventure.  ” I couldn’t imagine a better way of being so close to the local people, of getting to know their culture and way of living. We were not merely some tourists passing through. We were made a part of their community, although only for a short time… ”  Travel Photo Feature – Portugal Up Close, November 17, 2004.