Vacay Network

Sleek, sparkling Emerald Kaia waited expectantly at the dock in Limassol, the vibrant port on the south coast of Greek-speaking Cyprus. A passerby might have mistaken her for a billionaire’s extravagant private yacht. But no, Kaia, Emerald Cruises’ luxurious superyacht, sat awaiting her maiden voyage. My husband and I were about to fulfill a long-held dream — to sail the islands of the Mediterranean.

When I told my mom I was heading to Grenada, she stopped what she was doing and smiled, a nostalgic gleam lit up her eyes. “Do you remember Miss Mary when you were a kid in the old neighbourhood?” she asked. “She was so nice; stopping by once in a while to share food she made from her home country — she was from Grenada; such a beautiful soul.” I was already fired up to experience such kindness for myself; Mom’s words amplified my exuberance.

I had come to Scotland hoping to learn more about its history, but equally excited to try authentic Scottish food for the first time. Like many visitors, I knew a few famous Scottish dishes by name, but that’s about it. Booking a food tour seemed like the perfect way to experience local cuisine while exploring Merchant City, one of Glasgow’s most vibrant and historic neighbourhoods. And I heard there would be whiskey.

For the first in a series of stories in Vacay.ca and VacayNetwork over the upcoming weeks about America’s 250th anniversary, we might have begun in Philadelphia. A recent visit to Tucson, Arizona revealed to me that American history didn’t begin there. Or in New York. Or Boston. I stood watching the sunset in the Sonoran Desert and realized the United States story that made sense to me began here.

Slow travel is a passion of mine. Spending longer in one place allows for deeper connection with the local culture. But on a recent journey with U Tracks, I experienced another “slow” — the “slow food movement” of Piedmont. This eight-day walking tour was a veritable foodie and oenologist’s paradise. Starting in Alba, with overnights in Vergne, Monforte d’Alba, Cissone, Cravanzana, and finishing in Cortemilia, I passed through the land of truffles, vineyards, and hazelnut forests.

Divertido is the Spanish word for fun – and Isla Mujeres has fun figured out. Pristine beaches, elegant beach clubs, Mayan goddesses, panoramic ocean views, seafood, tacos, a brewery, impromptu street performers, golf carts, margaritas and swing chairs. The island is located where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea, about 13 km. off the Yucatan Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Tucked into the southwestern corner of New Brunswick along Passamaquoddy Bay, Saint Andrews by-the-Sea is a charming coastal town steeped in history and maritime character. Originally settled by the Passamaquoddy First Nations, Saint Andrews was established in 1783 by the Loyalists and flourished as a merchant hub. By the 1930s, the town had become a playground for the wealthy, giving rise to what is considered Canada’s first seaside resort.

Oxtail Pizza? Seriously? The theme of the 11th annual Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) in Kingston was themed “Jamaican Food Reimagined,” which featured top chefs creating modern twists on traditional flavors with all-inclusive food and drinks. Hosted by CB Foods, the celebration strives to bring together some of the most talented chefs from across the nation.

It’s a chilly March afternoon at Finland’s Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort’s Lake Smoke Sauna. After spending 15 minutes in the deeply relaxing warmth of the authentic Finnish smoke sauna, I head to the deck wrapped in a towel, trying to convince myself that I can actually DO the cold plunge — a centuries-old Finnish tradition said to offer physical and spiritual cleansing, quiet reflection, and connection with nature.

I’ll never forget the moment I stepped out of the taxi and first saw the elegant low‑rise sweep of Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, its white walls glowing under the late afternoon sun like an invitation to something more elevated than a beach vacation. It felt less like arriving at a sprawling resort and more like arriving at someone’s private villa. Only this villa had every imaginable luxury and it was all waiting for me. From the moment I walked into the open-air lobby, I felt at home.