One of the most fascinating and unexpected discoveries for me in the heart of London was the King's Cross neighbourhood. It has undergone a remarkable journey, evolving from a bustling railway hub to a neglected industrial area and finally, to a vibrant, cosmopolitan district. Its captivating story showcases the area's resilience and rebirth.

The P'tit Train du Nord, a popular bicycle trail north of Montreal, has been on my bucket list for over five years. As a train enthusiast and avid cross-country cyclist, this trail held a special allure for me, combining my two passions. In July 2024, I finally had the opportunity to fulfill this dream, tackling the most popular section of the trail between Mont-Tremblant and Mont-Ronald alongside my close friends. In this article, I'd like to share the fascinating story of the P'tit Train du Nord, a railway that offers a rich history, stunning scenery, and warm hospitality for those who take it. Let's pedal through time and celebrate the rebirth of this iconic railway, now a vibrant driver of tourism in the Laurentides!

I've driven through Buffalo, NY at least a few dozen times before, in all four seasons and various weather conditions, yet it never appealed to me as a tourist destination. To me, Buffalo was synonymous with a dull, grey skyline visible from Interstate 195, numerous billboards advertising injury lawyers, and state troopers diligently ensuring that drivers crossing from Canada had adjusted their speed from kilometres per hour to miles per hour. My usual thought was, "Let's hurry to the Peace Bridge so I can return to Canada as quickly as possible." However, I realized this wasn't fair to Buffalo and its rich heritage, so I decided to fix this by taking a day trip from Toronto. And to make things more challenging, why not take public transit all the way?

Many Torontonians criticize their subway which I think is totally unfair. As someone who lived in Toronto for seven years and regularly used its subway to commute, my opinion is that the Toronto subway is amazing… if the population of the city remained at 1.2 million residents as it was in the early 1950s. The truth is that the subway has simply not kept up with the population growth and demand for public transit. But this is changing and changing fast. In the article, we will also explore subway art, look into some weird names and old-school traditions, find out the reason subway trains are so well-kept, and discuss what sets the Toronto streetcar network apart from other networks in North America. Let's go!

Georgia. This country should be on every traveller’s bucket list! Sitting at the crossroads of major civilizations like Persia, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire, and serving as a bridge between Europe and Asia, the country is a cultural melting pot that showcases diverse landscapes stretching from the Black Sea coast to the majestic Caucasus Mountains. I had the pleasure of visiting Georgia multiple times between 2008 and 2014, and its appeal always called me to return. Despite both Ukraine and Georgia sharing over 70 years under the same repressive Soviet regime, Georgia struck me as the most exotic place I've ever visited. You will experience rich history, delicious cuisine, beautiful scenery, and very warmhearted people. In this article, I'm excited to share my top nine fascinating encounters in Georgia.  

In the early 20th century, Henry Morrison Flagler, a business partner of John D. Rockefeller, had already made a ton of wealth and recognition through financing the development of Florida's untamed and distant east coast. His new aspiration was to build a railroad between the remote city of Key West and mainland Florida. While many deemed the project outright insane, Flagler defied expectations and turned his vision into reality. The railway stood as a remarkable accomplishment for over 22 years, regarded as the most ambitious engineering marvel of its time. Referred to as "Flagler's Folly," the railroad gained widespread attention and, upon its completion, was often celebrated as the 8th Wonder of the World, a title it held until its unfortunate destruction in 1935 due to the devastating impact of one of the century's deadliest hurricanes. Fancy to hear the full story and see some pictures?

After skipping a year, I want to return to a good tradition that I used to look forward to showing you my favourite pictures of the year followed by short stories for each of them. But instead of pinecones or Christmas toys on a featured picture, I’m going to use the photo I took at the Capital Ukrainian Festival in Ottawa this year. This photo shows a Ukrainian cartoon girl holding flowers in a tote bag. I wanted to use this opportunity that remind everyone that the war in Ukraine is not over and innocent people continue their suffering. Just today, on December 29, 2023, the Russian Federation launched 122 missiles and 36 drones against Ukrainian targets that killed 31 and injured over 150 civilians. Brave Ukrainians continue to defend not only their own freedom from the Russian Federation but also all our collective values and beliefs that the whole democratic world has so desperately fought for. I hope you will enjoy the pictures and Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine)!