Shifting times, indeed.

In the midst of large-picture changes and day to day life events, music can be a way to reflect and to learn, or a method for speaking out in protest.

In these changing times, music can also work to inspire, to connect, to remind of hope.

Australia is more than golden beaches, city streets, and outback horizons. It also has some of the globe's most famous wine regions. From rolling vineyards tucked in coastal valleys to heritage estates among bushland, each pour is a story of place, climate, and craftsmanship. A trip to these destinations can offer a wine tasting tour, as well as a chance to engage with the country's culture and meet the keen winemakers who keep those traditions alive.

Years ago, when watching the Food Network, I quickly found my favourites: the quirky chef, the one who helped us navigate meals in a short span of time, and Ina, who was always a welcome visitor. Whether it was the relevance of the show's location to my world, her empathetic joyful demeanor, or the deliciousness coming out of her kitchen, I don’t know, but I’ve always been a fan of Ina.

Traveling on a group tour can transform a vacation experience. With travel companions built-in, logistics handled, and expert guides leading the way, group travel offers convenience, camaraderie, and cultural immersion. But with so many group tour companies out there, how do you choose the right one?

Expanding your small business to the Caribbean unlocks access to vibrant markets, tax benefits, and consistent customer demand driven by tourism and growing local economies. You can explore new revenue streams, enjoy lifestyle benefits, and tap into global markets. 

This region offers a strategic location, a skilled workforce, and business-friendly policies, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs looking to grow.
Beyond financial gains, the Caribbean provides many additional opportunities, some of which we will look at below.

Today’s high schools—constrained by low expectations for working-class kids, limitations on teachers’ autonomy, and more segregation than 50 years ago—find it challenging to create an environment that cultivates engagement, learning and a sense of belonging. They can learn something from the successes of the past.

Through times which continue to shift, there are songs and tunes which suggest connection, which remind of courage and of kindness and trust, even through dark times.

A hand reaching out, a touch on the shoulder, a reminder of connection: there are many ways music can bring these things.

On a trip to Costa Rica, we visited a coffee plantation and my husband’s face lit up like a child on his first trip to Disney. Experiencing the journey from plant to cup firsthand was a tiny step in his love affair with coffee, the process it goes through, and the joy he gets out of chasing his perfect brew. The tour guide at that space dropped some knowledge that over a decade later is still spoken in our home, reminding us that while the world may rank coffees, “the actual best kind is your favourite kind.” 

Being able to travel the world is a great privilege and an opportunity that remains inaccessible to a significant proportion of the world’s population. Many people’s attempts to travel are curtailed by financial, social, political, and sometimes even physical barriers: having the ability to move across the globe with little resistance ought never to be taken for granted.