Amsterdam Unveiled: A tapestry of Canals, Culture and Charm

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, is a vibrant and multifaceted destination that seamlessly blends rich history, stunning architecture, captivating art, and unique geography. This eclectic city has a story to tell at every turn, making it a must-visit location for travelers seeking a blend of history, culture, and beauty.  My husband and I…

Read More

Exploring the Enchanting Beauty of Wales

Nestled in the western part of the United Kingdom, Wales is a land of rugged coastlines, lush valleys, and historic charm. Steeped in rich history and culture, this small but captivating country offers a diverse range of experiences for every type of traveler.  From exploring medieval castles to trekking through breathtaking landscapes, Wales promises a…

Read More

Exploring the Enchanting Charms of Lisbon, Portugal

Nestled along the banks of the Tagus River, Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is a city that blends centuries-old history with a vibrant modern atmosphere.  With its colorful streets, stunning viewpoints, rich culture, and lovely locals, Lisbon is a destination that captures the hearts of travelers from around the world. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie,…

Read More

Leo’s Top Restaurants for 2023

As you know being a foodie, wherever I go, I try to eat in at least two great restaurants in town.  Here are my top 11 choices of restaurants from the past year.  Each of the restaurants was able to create a great evening and experience for me.  Do keep in mind that I don’t…

Read More

Arles, City of Art and History

Arles is geographically the largest city in France spacing a whopping 758 km.  It is nestled on the Rhone River between Nimes and Aix-en-Provence, just north of the Camargue region of Southern France.  It is also famous for being the home of Vincent Van Gogh during part of his life as he was obsessed with…

Read More

Malta, The Vibrant Island Nation

In December, we had the pleasure of visiting friends who now live in Malta, the smallest country in the European Union.  Malta has a grand population of 515,000 Maltese, with 20% being non-Maltese Nationals.  One you have visited the island nation you can easily see why – the islands are some of the most beautiful places…

Read More

The Leo List of Restaurants for 2021

I was organizing a dinner for a client recently in Montreal, Canada, and I was shocked when I started calling restaurants to see about availability only to find out that so many of them have closed, permanently.  Yes, it’s been and continues to be a very tough times for restaurants.  The pandemic has wreaked havoc…

Read More

La Rochelle, A French Port with a Canadian Connection

I remember hearing about the La Rochelle in history class.  The French port where many began the migration to Canada.  Numerous ships left for the new world both before and after the establishment of Canada, which included my ancestors who originated from La Tessonnière & Saint-Loup Lamairé and left for Canada in 1659. La Rochelle…

Read More

Orchids, The Affordable Luxury Plant

As you all know, I am a flower guy. I love filling my home with plants and flowers and one of my favourites are orchids, a luxury item since ancient times and now (thankfully) readily accessible to many.  There are over 28,000 different kinds of orchids in the world and they can be found on…

Read More

Serendipity, L’art de l’accident

Serendipity is the “occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way”. As in I had a fortunate stroke of serendipity. This mysterious word was first coined in the 18th century by English writer Horace Walpol, in a personal letter to friends. Walpole was inspired by a fairy tale called The…

Read More