News and Adventure to Expand your Horizons
By Michele Peterson | Nov/Dec 2018
Western Australia marks anniversary of end of World War I
Through April 2019, celebrated British artist Bruce Munro will illuminate the southwest coast of Australia with his second Field of Light, Avenue of Honour art installation. The installation is a free attraction open to the public featuring 16,000 shining spheres blanketing Mount Clarence and marking the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I. Known for his award-winning Field of Light Uluru exhibition at Ayers Rock Resort (extended to December 2020 due to popular demand), Bruce Munro’s visually stunning new work pays homage to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) troops who departed from Albany for the Great War. Symbolizing the troops’ courage, sacrifice and honour, the light installation also coincides with peak wildflower season and celebrates Albany’s unique biodiversity. westernaustralia.com
Go wildlife spotting in Patagonia
Located in a private reserve within Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia Camp is a luxury “glamping” destination ideal for active travellers looking for outdoor adventure without roughing it. At Patagonia Camp, guests stay in one of 20 luxury yurts, each featuring an ensuite bathroom and private balcony, overlooking the peaks of the Paine mountain range and Grey Lake. The extra hours of daylight in the southern hemisphere offer expanded opportunities for wildlife spotting within the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Torres del Paine National Park. Guests can hike to the base of the tower, visit the Salto Grande, walk the beach of Grey Glacier or kayak alongside icebergs, with sightings of majestic condors, huemul (Andean deer), guanacos (wild llamas) and even pumas along the way. patagoniacamp.com
Florida beyond the beach
Headed south? It’s now even easier to explore beyond the beach in Florida thanks to the release of a new mobile app that connects visitors to the Sunshine State’s agricultural attractions. Launched by VISIT FLORIDA in partnership with the Florida Agritourism Association, the app features farms, ranches and vineyards where the public can sample the state’s agricultural bounty. The free mobile app, available for Android and iOS devices, is an easy-to-use tool for discovering and locating agritourism attractions. It features a comprehensive farm guide, seasonal produce calendar and listings of agricultural events taking place throughout Florida. Users can also create a personalized list of favourite farm attractions and receive notifications regarding events and activities. visitflorida.com
Major art openings in Berlin, Germany
Winter is a prime time to explore art and antiquities in Berlin. With the recent opening of the PalaisPopulaire, the city has added another major cultural attraction to its historic Mitte district. The original 18th century Rococo palace, built by the Hohenzollem royal family, was almost completely destroyed during World War II, but was rebuilt in 1962 and its new gallery space now hosts fascinating art exhibitions, concerts and events focused on sports topics. In 2019, other highly anticipated museum developments in Berlin include the planned opening of the new Chipperfield-designed James-Simon-Galerie on Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Humboldt Forum, located within a replica of the Berlin Palace, showcasing the diversity of world cultures. visitBerlin.com
Celebrate winter at the 2019 Festival du Voyageur
Dancing a jig to lively old-world music, enjoying traditional French Canadian food and admiring sparkling snow sculptures are just a few of the ways to celebrate winter at Western Canada’s largest winter festival. Taking place February 15-24, 2019 in Saint-Boniface, Winnipeg’s French Quarter, the Festival du Voyageur is a kitchen party not to be missed. The stories of Métis and First Nations are brought back to life through historical interpretation offered within the Fort Gibraltar reconstruction as well as through other activities held in the winter wonderland of Voyageur Park. heho.ca
Michele Peterson is a Cobourg-based travel journalist who can be reached via michelepeterson.com
