Stratford announces the arrival of spring with a Swan Parade. One of Canada’s most unique events, the annual Swan Parade Celebration, is a weekend of family fun, April 1-2, 2017, culminating with a parade of our iconic feathered friends traveling from their winter quarters to the Avon River on Sunday. They know it’s time to get going when they hear the sounds of the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums who lead the way amid curious on-lookers. 

The Osthoff Resort was built in the late 1800s as a retreat for wealthy travelers. Located on the shores of a glacial lake, the Osthoff quickly became the “it” place to escape the summer heat for city dwellers from Chicago, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. Today, more than 100 years later, the Osthoff still offers a sense of place and respite in the village of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Rebuilt in 1995 by new owners, it quickly became a AAA Four Diamond resort hotel.

Have you booked your 2017 holiday already? Well, whether you have or are just beginning to look at the best deals, it’s worth giving a bit of thought to the ways in which you can plan ahead to make the most of your time abroad. To ensure you enjoy every minute of your holiday (and make every last cent count), here are some top tips to try out…

From the mountain last night. My city, Sortland. Taken from mountain «urtind», just a couple of hours walk on the snow from my house. Wonderful, isn`t it? 

The Via Francigena (fran-CHEE-jee-nah) is a pilgrimage route from the Middle Ages that starts in England and crosses France and Switzerland before entering Italy at the Gran San Bernardo Pass. Less known than the Spanish pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena was revived in the 1990s and is becoming more traversed each year. 

In 2009, after a divorce and a traumatic illness, I undertook a solo pilgrimage on the Via Francigena, inspired by a desire to purge emotional demons and achieve more of a heart-mind-body connection. 

Beach destination – Israel? YES! You can explore much in Israel, including history, religion, incredible food (keep that one in mind – beachgoers get hungry), national parks and monuments, music, culture, language – but the beaches? They are worth visiting. If you’re ready to road trip in a new place, this is it. Find your car rental in Israel, fill up your tank, get some snacks and hit the road!

Florida Culture for the Week of March 5, 2017 By Josh Garrick 

The anticipation of Canada’s delicious iconic maple syrup is palpable as the first sign of spring. To celebrate, Stratford Tourism Alliance presents the Savour Stratford Maple Trail adventure. This self-guided tasting tour offers 22 unique maple tastings for a tasty culinary experience during the months of March and April.