All by HEATHER KIRK

New, Old Flame: A Journey to the Zippo Museum

The Zippo/Case Museum, located in the quaint town of Bradford, Pennsylvania, is a world-class hidden gem. It offers more than just a historic roadside attraction; it boasts an ultimate gift shop and a quick way to ignite a down-home charm. Detour to where flame meets fame, craftsmanship meets culture, and history continues to spark fresh memories and mementos of American road trip fun.

Antler On: Saskatooning in Saskatchewan

Tooling along the Saskatoon River, an Aboriginal ‘tween two-wheels by. His bicycle’s handlebars replaced by real antlers.  Instantly adorable, he looks back with a smile and zig zags to flaunt a little pride. Compelling a follow, his route leads to Riversdale where an unlit neon sign for the Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant is reflecting twilight.

Board the V2V Empress and Prepare to be Amused in Victoria, BC

Creativity in colourful cocktails are served by men in kilts at legendary bars. Steamy cups of pick-me-ups in earthy cafes taste best when nestled in mews and courtyards where magnolia trees bloom and street musicians strum. Horse drawn carriages are trotting the neighbourhoods by the monumental Parliament Buildings, museums, totems and galleries as the gulls wail and yachtsmen ready to sail.

This August in Hong Kong, gamers get together to cheer more than one hundred contenders for e-sports glory. Three tournaments players from all over the world who will compete for hundreds of thousands of dollars, the highest prize pool in Hong Kong’s e-sports history. Whether travelling with teens or e-sport lovers, there is more in store beyond the tournaments. An Experience Zone showcases e-sports products from game displays and VR experiences to mobile game trials and more. For more information and tickets see

Honda is bringing back the stick shift as part of a 2018 campaign aiming to steer the next generation toward manual transmission driving. We went to California's San Gabriel mountains see 16 of its latest manual transmission cars. This private event included lessons for drivers new to manual transmission driving how easy and fun it can be.

Welcome to a pork lover's fairytale. With its woodland wonders, historic castle, tempting meals, deep sleeps and even the crowning of a sparkly-eyed prince, the historic Rocky Mountain town of Banff brought a dreamy adventure to life when it welcomed Cochon555.

This important heritage-breed pig culinary competition to raise awareness and funds for farmers and charities came to Canada for the first time this Spring and was an instant best-seller. Every available ticket sold.

New Spa and Hotel in Los Cabos

Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos is a new adults-only, all-inclusive hotel with 374 guest rooms and suites that range from 760 to 1,400, sq. ft. Each room features an ocean view.  Distinction beyond its dining, spa, and recreational essentials expect personal butler service, nightly aromatherapy menus, a pillow menu, CHI blow dryers and flatirons and BVLGARI personal grooming products, Apple TV and Lavazza coffee makers.

British Virgin Islands Art Reef Makes Waves

Sir Richard Branson, the Maverick1000 group of entrepreneurs and Unite BVI, together with Secret Samurai Productions, Commercial Dive Services, Beneath the Waves, the Association of Reef Keepers and Owen Buggy, have joined forces to create a unique dive site in the British Virgin lslands, called the Maverick BVI Art Reef.

Oku Japan announces a new culinary adventure!

Oku Japan, the tour company specializing in rural Japan and walking adventures, is expanding its portfolio with the exciting launch of its new unique culinary adventure “Japan's Culinary Heritage.” With this new adventure, Oku Japan wants to show travellers the importance of Japanese food culture and how culinary traditions reflect the Japanese way of life. In Japan, food is the best way to engage with local lifestyles and to gain an in-depth experience of regional culture, the daily life of Japanese communities, and individual inhabitants.

Cinco de Mayo with Fiesta Old Town

Love to celebrate Cinco de Mayo but can’t afford to go to Mexico? Take a trip to the largest Fiesta in the United States-- Fiesta Old Town, San Diego!

From May 5-7, the historic Old Town will transform itself into a bustling community complete with traditional style paintings, live music, and of course, delicious treats-- all in support of the Historic Old Town Community Foundation.

Lace up.  There's a new three-hour walking tour of Paris about the evolution of fashion the 18th century on. Context Travel has Paris covered from haute couture to ready-to-wear and you can learn along.  There's a shopping culture that dates back to the French Revolution, through Baron Haussmann’s revitalization of the city, to the present-day Champs-Elysées fashion houses.  Gain insights into influential designers as you walk from Palais Royal through grands magasins near the Place de l’Opéra, the Place Vendôme and streets that housed former ateliers of Worth and Chanel with a learned docent like Damien Delille.