Claudia Laroye

Surrounded on three sides by water, Richmond, British Columbia, is a city defined by nature and agricultural heritage. It’s also known for its Asian influences, and is home to many cultural institutions and hundreds of Asian eateries and shops clustered in the Golden Village district. Here are some of the best things to do in Richmond and what makes B.C.’s fourth largest city ideal for a quick day trip or weekend getaway.

The sirens were growing louder as we toured the Parks Canada Visitors Centre in downtown Churchill, Manitoba. I was admiring the 12-foot tall polar bear exhibit when my curiosity got the better of me. I went to the door to peer outside and there she was, a large 29-year-old polar bear rambling right past us, onto the train tracks and into the tall grassy flats nearby.
We piled into our van to follow the pursuit at a distance, which now included a helicopter tasked with darting the bear for sa...

The cosmopolitan city of Montréal, Québec, is one of the most vibrant cities in Canada. It has a flourishing arts and culture scene, 375+ years plus of history, festivals galore, and amazing food – from chewy bagels to silky poutine and ethnic cuisine of all tastes and flavours. Like New York, Montréal is a city of neighbourhoods that crowd up against each other, each with unique characteristics, ethnic histories and atmosphere. We’re helping to narrow down the choices by highlighting some of...

“Happy wife, happy life!” said Suleiman, our Bedouin hiking guide.
I stopped hiking. “Where did you learn that phrase?” I asked. I had been under the impression he was single. He looked barely 25 years old.
He turned to wink at me, but didn’t share the source of this ancient wisdom.
While I happen to believe in the truth of that phrase, I hadn’t expected to hear it expressed by my young Bedouin guide, hiking up a mountain hillside adjacent to the Feynan Ecolodge Jordan. But as always when one...

Solo women’s travel is exploding. And no more so than in the 50+ age group—and in the adventure travel segment. Claudia Laroye explores this upward trend and speaks to women travelers who are embracing every minute of it.

It’s difficult to move quickly in Paraty. The streets in the 17th-century Brazilian colonial town are paved in uneven cobblestones that were laid out in a deliberate fashion. Designed by the Portuguese to sit below sea level, they allow the ocean tide to come and go, cleaning the streets on a regular basis. Laid by slaves at haphazard angles and grades, they aided in the escape from slavery, as owners would struggle to find footing in pursuit, or a level surface to fire weapons.
Paraty, proun...

It’s no secret. British Columbia has some of the most well-designed, best-located provincial (state) campgrounds anywhere in North America. We’ve camped all over this great land, and south of the 49th too, and those of us living and camping in BC know how lucky we are to have this all at our doorstep.
The firewood may no longer be free, and you’ll have to reserve a spot in high summer to enjoy the great outdoors, but camping remains the cheapest and most fun family holiday you can have (witho...

There are few places around the world that embrace winter with such incredible joie de vivre spirit as in Quebec, Canada. One of its most famous sons, singer-songwriter Gilles Vigneault even wrote a song about how his country is winter. “Mon pays, ce n’est pas un pays, c’est l’hiver.” Growing up next to la belle province in Ontario, I learned this song in school as well, though we couldn’t truly own it in the same way as Quebeckers do.
Quebec’s relationship with winter is truly special. Its c...

A review of Fiji's luxurious family-friendly Castaway Island.

How British Columbia’s truffle industry is burgeoning both below and above ground — with a little help from some four-legged friends
Jun 29, 2022
1,252 words
6 minutes
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For generations, hunting, and the deep connection to the land it creates, has been a mainstay of Inuit culture. As the coastline changes rapidly—reshaping the marine landscape and jeopardizing the hunt—Inuit youth are charting ways to pr...

I’ve had an adventurous spirit for as long as I can remember.
My first solo trip was at 19 years old, when I boarded a plane for Honolulu, Hawaii, to celebrate the end of high school. I booked a stay at the YWCA and spent my days exploring the beaches and haunts of spring breaks past: International Village, Duke’s Lane, the Waikiki strip.
It was a memorable adventure because I was free. Free to wander, lie on the beach, check out the shops at the Ala Moana Center and watch Dallas with the lad...

Switzerland is a land of stunning natural beauty and epic landscapes. This is a seriously beautiful, gush-worthy country. Even after 25+ visits to the land of Heidi, I never, ever get tired of Alpine mountain views, strolling the arcades in Bern, or eating the incredible array of Swiss food products. I mean, this is the land of chocolate and cheese y’all!
Switzerland has many unique and delicious Swiss foods that every visitor should try to enjoy during their visit. Switzerland food culture i...

It’s always rooftop season at the I|O Godfrey Hotel’s massive rooftop space. The retractable roof keeps the atmosphere cozy no matter the weather, and the Winter Wonderland theme is high festive, featuring fire pits, s’mores kits and domed igloos. The igloos come in different sizes, fitting up to six or ten people in their heated little enclosures, located in the outdoor portico. I|O Godfrey also offers a full dining menu and seasonal cocktail menu with drinks like a spiced Godfrey toddy and ...