Mountain music & moonshine in North Carolina

Mountain music has a home in Raleigh, North Carolina these days, hosting the International Bluegrass Music Association's annual World of Bluegrass for the first of three years.    Join Janie Robinson for a kick-up-your-heels good time in Raleigh and explores the popular sunny state's traditional roots where mountain music and moonshine still flow in the legendary Appalachian Mountains in her Toronto Sun travel story.

Déesse de la mer

Cruise and Travel Lifestyles, Canada’s premier cruise and travel publication has just launched a new French language travel magazine, Croisière, Voyage et Art de Vivre, for cruise and travel lovers in La Belle Province.  Janie Robinson's Transat Holidays voyage on the Costa Serena in the wonderful Western Mediterranean is featured in the inaugural edition launched in late October.  The French language story isn't online yet, but here it is in English.  Find out more about Air Transat and Transat Holidays Costa Serena Cruises. 

Steve Martin surprises at Raleigh Bluegrass Festival

Comedian and musician Steve Martin isn't a stranger to North Carolina or the banjo, but when he joined The Kruger Brothers on-stage at the World of Bluegrass Festival in Raleigh, the surprised audience was on their feet!  Innovative banjoist Jens Kruger has just been named the 2013 recipient of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music, and Martin said he was humbled to share the stage with an amazing musician like Kruger. Raleigh's been celebrating their rich mountain music and culture all this week, hosting THE annual gathering of the bluegrass music industry.  From mountain music and moonshine to mouth-watering BBQ and southern hospitality, watch for Janie Robinson's Toronto Sun travel story.  

Georgian Bay Islands National Park

Discover the iconic Canadian landscape of Georgian Bay Islands National Park, located in the world’s largest freshwater archipelago - the 30,000 Islands.   I love the cozy cabins you can rent on secluded Christian Beach!

Sunset at Killbear Provincial Park

Ontario's provincial parks are stunning and here's one of my favourite photos from our amazing trip to Killbear Provincial Park on Georgian Bay this summer.   Fall is the perfect time to visit many of our Ontario Parks, dressed in their autumn-coloured best.

EdgeWalk at the CN Tower & Transat Discoveries

Join Janie Robinson looking for adventure! The folks at Transat Discoveries launch their adventurous 2013-2014 brochure with an adventure of a lifetime right here at home... EdgeWalk at the CN Tower.  

Takin' care of business at Mariposa Folk Festival

Randy Bachman and The Sadies among the Canadian music stars Takin' Care of Business at the Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia July 5 to 7, 2013.  Janie Robinson suggests the following link to find Canadian folk festivals you can enjoy from coast-to-coast this summer.  http://www.emmajulien.com/folkfests