Andy Austen

From Victoria’s historic harbour and deep Indigenous heritage to forest‑lined highways, panoramic skywalks and wildlife‑rich bays, Vancouver Island is where nature and culture meet in the most captivating way. Join Product Manager Andy Austen as he uncovers the highlights, hidden corners and sensory moments that shaped his journey – a first‑hand look at one of Canada’s most enchanting coastal landscapes.

Renowned for its gorgeous architecture, iconic azulejo tiles, fabulous gastronomic scene and, of course, Port wine production, Porto is one of Europe’s most compelling city break destinations. Here, Wexas Travel’s Andy Austen reports back from his recent trip to Portugal’s delightful second city, paired with a journey into the nearby Douro Valley – a region of verdant hills, picturesque villages and terraced vineyards that produce some of the finest wines in the world.

The shining silver carriages of The Canadian sit on its platform in Toronto’s Union Station. The train has been plying the route between Canada’s east and west for over 60 years, operating twice a week in both directions between Toronto and Vancouver, and now it was awaiting my arrival for the first branch of its journey from Toronto to Winnipeg on the Prairies of Manitoba. An overview of train travel in Canada The Canadian For such a vast country, Canada’s rail network is fairly basic.