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Born and raised in CH (Geneva) and now living in Canada (Montreal) for the last 8 yearsDepends on many things… But mostly on personality and the stage of your life you are in.Canada is more fun! A summer in Montreal will probably make you want to stay if you are in your 20s. There is fun everywhere, festivals, bars, restaurants, clubs. That s without talking about the great city of Toronto. Fun there is just the first name. Even second tier cities are fun due to their amount of university students.Culturally, Canada has more museums, operas, Broadway shows, etc. Switzerland is in Europe, so you feel the weight of history whenever you set foot there.I would root for Switzerland sports wise . In Europe we have federations of sports that run official leagues with sometimes more than 10 divisions. In Canada leagues are private so it s sometime more difficult to meet people regularly. Specifically for individual sports.PeopleThis one is a tough one. Swiss people are definitely more difficult to penetrate and group of friends are formed in their youth. This is the reason why many expats stick together.In Canada everyone is welcomed but people live in communities. Everyone will be nice to you but it doesn t mean they will be your friends. I often hear that life is lonely in Canada for new comers.HealthcareI can t speak for the rest of Canada but the Quebec system is a an operational disaster. Could take months to get treated. In the rest of Canada from what I heard, the system runs more smoothly and patients do not need to wait long to get treated. Costs are acceptable. At the end of the day everyone is insured by the government.In Switzerland, insurance is private and you decide on franchises. E.g. You pay 400 CHF per month and the first 2000 CHF are yours to cover. Beyond this you don’t pay. Basically you choose the risk. You can pay a lot per month and have nothing to pay if you visit a doctor or the other way around. I hear people complaining a lot in QC about the system and the critics in Switzerland are conscientious since the insurance “primes” increase year on year. Overall the Swiss system is ranked top 3 in the planet and and Canada in the top 20. You chose.SchoolsThis one probably goes to Switzerland because I see way more social mobility in Switzerland than I see in Canada. The primary reason is that in Canada we have “school taxes” based on property value (same as the UK and the US) meaning that schools in wealthy neighbourhoods have more funding. I cant believe this isn’t a provincial election debate in Quebec which is a social democratic society. Also private schools are well ranked, popular among Canadians.In Switzerland private schools are frequented by wealthy foreigners and are not seen positively among Swiss people since the level is considered lower (specifically Universities. Boarding schools have good levels but are crazy expensive). Most Swiss kids go to public primary school that receive equal funding in their respecting Cantons meaning every class has wealthy and not so wealthy kids. The catch is that there is competition between cantons keeping schools on alert to perform better than their canton neighbours (provinces).Daycare is expensive everywhere unless you are a low income family. In Quebec, families receive more subsidies in order to make daycare relatively inexpensive in comparison with the rest of Canada. A low income family in QC might be paying $8 per day per child. In Switzerland costs are on the roof (private) and families have to juggle with their family members to help them with there weekly routine.University level is on par I would say but university in Canada is way more fun. The complicated part is to get in. In CH, everyone gets in but a few people get out. University in CH is very stressful since you have high chances of being kicked out.Universities are VERY cheap in CH and Quebec and expensive in English Canada.Professional schools are miles in advance in Switzerland. Selection to high school or professional school happen at 14 years old. So, many kids do not go to high school but are incentivise to start apprenticeships in fields that the economy needs. They than have the chance to attend professional universities. Great system that Germany also applies and that could explain the economic success of these two countries. In comparison, Canada has a shortage of workers in many professions.Maternity LeaveAround 12 weeks in CH and one year in Canada that can be taken by both parents. Go Canada go!Work OpportunitiesFunny how Canada is seen as an El Dorado of jobs. If you studied in Canada I would say yes it is but as an immigrant unless you studied IT or you are ready to work in sales… (unregulated professions) it s going to be hard and even more in Quebec where French is required. The reason is called “professional associations” that decide who can work and who can’t - basically it’s tough if you dont have a Canadian degree. If you are accepted to come to Canada, my advice is check your profession laws in Canada and if you can work. If you can, do not decide on a city, keep your eyes open and apply throughout the country before settling in. I also would invite you to read about a non sense thing that happen here: “the Canadian experience” were you experience outside of Canada is many times not taken into account.On the other hand Switzerland is more open mostly due to EU laws and great jobs are everywhere. Some industries are currently taking a hit (finance) but overall the job market is very dynamic. You will have to learn a local language to get a job unless you work in a multinational or a multilateral.Creating a CompanyGood in both places, although in Switzerland you compete with very high tech companies (pharma, fintech, bio tech, etc) which get most of the institutions money. If you have a “simpler” idea in IT per example you have a wide network of wealthy individuals that are ready to invest but you need to be connected. In Canada access to money is growing YoY and successful Canadian startups are popping up everywhere.Access to PropertyIn CH you need 20% cash down in Canada from 5% to 20%. Property access in CH is very hard but if you get there you wont have to pay the principal.. yes you read that right. Banks are quite confident in CH and allow you to only pay for the interest which is on the floor right now.Salary25% higher in CHRent25% higher in CHCost of LivingHigher in CH but people save more than they do in Canada. Easier to travel and invest abroad thanks to a very strong currency.TaxesOn average 12% to 15% (without insurance) in CH and 35 to 40% in CA, obviously depends on income. Neuvoo has a great online income salary calculator tool in which you can compare. Overall despite paying less, CH has better public services than Canada. I believe this is due to the the amount of employees provinces and federal government employ (a lot)Corporate taxes are notoriously lower in CH. CH has a 1% wealth tax which Canada does not have. Canada has around 23% capital gain taxes which CH does not have (yet)RestaurantsCanada is the most underated country in the world food wise. Cuisine here is exquisite. Montreal and Toronto are an absolute treat. But hey it s not cheap specially when you ad tip and taxes. In Switzerland you have less variety but the very good restaurants are amazing and amazingly expensive too.Retirement PlansYou better off in Switzerland.Canada and Switzerland have both deductibles for retirement on their pay slip but in CH a second retirement deductible is taken out of your pay paid evenly by you and the employer(mandatory). You also have an optional third tear equivalent to RSPs in Canada. In both countries you can use the money for your home without receiving a tax penalty.PoliticsMore fun in Canada but I would say the Swiss are more aware of their local politics.In any case I root for Switzerland because of direct democracy where people decide laws and not only the elected parliament as it works in CA. The downside of direct democracy is that new laws take ages to be implemented.CarsLeasing a car in CH is more expensive than in Canada since residual values at the end of your lease are higher in Canada. Gas is cheaper in Canada but distances a longerTravelCH by far. Easy to travel everywhere around Europe for very cheap. Not so easy in Canada where you are more isolated and air fares are expensive.WeatherCH winters are way warmer and summers are hotter in Canada. Vancouver would a different statement.Winters in Eastern Canada and Central Canada never end. If you don’t like winter sports… good luck!Social ValuesCanada wins on this front. Probably wins against any country in the world. Switzerland is a more conservative country.Your HouseMiddle class in Canada can afford living in large houses and have pools. In urban Switzerland, this is mostly reserved to the elite. Swiss people live in apartments.NeighboursNeighbours in CH are a pain in the ass. You can’t make any noise whatsover or they’ll harrass you :) Way more chill in CA.FamiliesCanada has the upper hand on this one. The amount of fun activities for kids are insane! Every week end can be dedicated to a new activity. This is due to pro-family and pro-immigration policies with results in different demographics than CH and Europe in general.Immigration and CitizenshipWay easier to immigrate in Canada (for non-EU countries) and easier to obtain the citizenship. Two or three years with the PR and 7 years of The C permit in CH.IdentityUnless you were born and raised in CH you will never feel Swiss where as in Canada whenever you step foot in the country you will be a new Canadian and will have a strong attachment to Canada and therefore feel Canadian! I love this feeling!HockeyCANADATo whoever reads this, I tried to be as objective as possible but some people might disagree with my statements!

Women are the delight of my life and they will be yours as well after reading the following.In a perfect world, the thirty women on this list would be household names. But for too long history textbooks have focused on great men, to the exclusion of all others.Canada’s History decided to mark the centennial of the first women to win the vote in Canada — in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in 1916 — by celebrating great women from Canada’s past.To create our list we recruited a panel of prominent Canadians — former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson; bestselling author Charlotte Gray; historians Michèle Dagenais (Université de Montreal), Tina Loo (University of British Columbia), and Joan Sangster (Trent University); and author and English professor Aritha van Herk (University of Calgary).Theirs was not an easy task, for how do you define greatness? The list of thirty names the panel came up with is by no means definitive; some of the names are familiar, others are obscure. But what can be said is that each of the great women chosen has in some way made a positive impact on Canada.Doris Anderson (1921–2007)Magazine editor and women’s movement champion. Doris Anderson was a long-time editor of Chatelaine magazine and a newspaper columnist. Through the 1960s, Doris Anderson pushed for the creation of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, which paved the way for huge advances in women’s equality. She was responsible for women getting equality rights included in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. She authored a number of books, including three novels and an autobiography — Rebel Daughter — and sat as the president of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women. Anderson became an officer of the Order of Canada in 1974 and was promoted to Companion in 2002. She was also a recipient of a Persons Case Award and several honorary degrees. Photo: Barbara Woodley; courtesy of Library and Archives Canada/1993-234 NPC.Kenojuak Ashevak (1927–2013)An inspiring Inuit artist. Born in an igloo on the south coast of Baffin Island, Kenojuak Ashevak’s career as an artist began in 1958 when a government administrator recognized her talent. She quickly became a role model for many other Inuit women, who have become almost as recognized. Among her more well-known works is Enchanted Owl, created for Cape Dorset’s 1960 print collection; it was used on a postage stamp in 1970 to mark the centennial of the Northwest Territories and soon became an artistic icon. Ashevak lived most of her life in Cape Dorset, where she had a large extended family of children and grandchildren. Gracious, composed, and thoughtful, she has been an inspiration and mentor for a second- and third-generation Inuit artists. Photo: Ansgar WalkEmily Carr (1871–1945)A West Coast artist who has been described as “Canada’s Van Gogh.” Born in Victoria, Emily Carr began with few advantages. She studied art in San Francisco, London, and Paris while struggling to fund her education. Embracing the new modernist style, she came home in 1911 and applied her new skills to her favourite subjects — West Coast rainforests and the villages and artifacts of indigenous peoples. However, Canadian critics and buyers were not ready for her work and she abandoned painting for fifteen years. It wasn’t until the National Gallery mounted an exhibition of West Coast art in 1927 that she received the attention she deserved. By the time of her death, she enjoyed international renown that has outlasted that of her contemporaries.Mary Shadd Cary (1823–1893)The first black woman newspaper editor in North America. Mary Ann Shadd was a tireless advocate for universal education, black emancipation, and women’s rights. Born in Delaware, Shadd moved to Windsor in Canada West (now Ontario) to teach in 1851. She soon founded the Provincial Freeman, which was dedicated to abolitionism, temperance, and women’s political rights. During the American Civil War, she went back to the United States as a recruiter of African American soldiers for the Union army. After the war, she moved to Washington, D.C., to teach and to study law, becoming, at age sixty, the second black woman in the United States to earn a law degree. In 1994, Shadd Cary was designated a Person of National Historic Significance in Canada.Thérèse Casgrain (1896–1981)Activist, radio host, and political leader. Despite being brought up in wealth and privilege, Thérèse Casgrain felt that life should be fair to everyone. She helped to found the Provincial Franchise Committee for Women’s Suffrage in 1921 and later hosted a prominent radio program, called Fémina, for Radio-Canada. She became the first female leader of a political party in Canada — the left-leaning Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) — in the 1940s. In the early 1960s, she founded the Quebec branch of the Voice of Women to mobilize women against the Cold War nuclear threat. Later, she became the Quebec president of the Consumers Association of Canada. She did much to better the lives of Canadian women. Photo: Archives Nationales du QuébecGa’axstal’as, Jane Constance Cook (1870–1951)Kwakwaka’wakw leader, cultural mediator, and activist. Born on Vancouver Island, Ga’axstal’as, Jane Constance Cook was the daughter of a Kwakwaka'wakw noblewoman and a white fur trader. Raised by a missionary couple, she had strong literacy skills and developed a good understanding of both cultures and legal systems. As the grip of colonialism tightened around West Coast nations, Cook lobbied for First Nations to retain rights of access to land and resources. She testified at the McKenna-McBride Royal Commission of 1914 and was the only woman on the executive of the Allied Indian Tribes of British Columbia in 1922. A fierce advocate for women and children, she was also a midwife and healer and raised sixteen children. Photo: Royal BC Museum, BC ArchivesViola Desmond (1914–1965)Challenged segregation practices in Nova Scotia. Long before the modern civil rights movement in the United States, a black woman from Halifax took a stand for racial equality in a rural Nova Scotia movie theatre. It was 1946, and Viola Desmond, a hairdresser, caused a stir by refusing to move to a section of the theatre unofficially set aside for black patrons. Desmond was dragged out of the theatre and jailed. While officials denied that Desmond’s race was the root of the issue, her case galvanized Nova Scotia’s black population to fight for change. In 1954, segregation was legally ended in Nova Scotia. Photo: Public domainMary Two–Axe Earley (1911–1996)Challenged law discriminating against First Nations women. Mary Two-Axe Earley plunged into activism at age fifty-five, despite considerable opposition from her own community. In the end, she improved the lives of thousands of Aboriginal women and their children. Born on the Kahnawake Mohawk territory, close to Montreal, Two-Axe Earley moved to Brooklyn, married an Irish-American, and had two children. She was later widowed. Because she had lost her Indian status by marrying a non-Aboriginal, she was barred from going back to live on her reserve. For more than two decades, Two-Axe Earley lobbied to have the discriminatory law reversed. In 1985 she was successful. Her efforts benefited about sixteen thousand women and forty-six thousand first-generation descendants. Photo: CP/Toronto StarMarcelle Ferron (1924–2001)Quebec painter and stained glass artist. Marcelle Ferron is the only female artist who signed Les Automatistes’ polemical manifesto, Refus Global, in 1948. Her paintings were hung in all the major Automatiste exhibitions. Her painting technique became progressively forceful with vibrant colours and thick paint. Ferron changed her medium to stained glass after 1964. Her most known stained glass pieces are those in Champ-de-Mars and Vendôme metro stations in Montreal, which were installed in 1968. The Champs-de-Mars window masterpiece is sixty metres long and nine metres high and dapples the station with coloured light. Ferron was also an associate professor at Laval University in Quebec City and became a Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec in 2000. Photo: Copyright Pierre LongtinHannah (Annie) Gale (1876–1970)First alderwoman in the British Empire. When Annie Gale and her husband William immigrated to Calgary from England in 1912 she was appalled by the high costs of housing and food. Determined to change things, she helped to establish a local consumers’ league. A strong advocate for workers and women, she helped to organize the Women’s Ratepayers’ Association and it was this group of women who asked her to run for the city council in 1917. Gale won a seat to become the first woman elected to municipal office in the British Empire. She also broke new ground when, while in office, she occasionally served as acting mayor. Gale’s non-partisan approach inspired other reformers, including Nellie McClung.Anne Hébert (1916–2000)A writer whose work was universally recognized in all francophone countries. Anne Hébert won all the major awards in France and Belgium and the Governor General’s Award for fiction three times in Canada. She wrote poems, stories, novels, and plays that captured the tumult of human emotions against the backdrop of Quebec history. Hébert began writing at an early age and worked at both the National Film Board and Radio-Canada from 1950 to 1954. From there she went on to live in Paris for almost the rest of her life. The sense of a conquered society struggling to erupt and to break all obstacles is the fierce energy behind the three-dozen works she authored. Photo: LaPresse.ca | Actualités et Infos au Québec et dans le mondeAdelaide Hoodless (1857–1910)Educational reformer and founder of the Women’s Institute. Adelaide Hoodless began her public life with the death of her infant son, who had consumed tainted milk. The tragedy inspired her to set about making sure that more women were educated in matters of domestic science, and she began pushing for home economics courses to be taught in Ontario public schools. She was also a powerful force behind the formation of three faculties of household science. Working with Lady Aberdeen, wife of the Governor General, she helped to found the National Council of Women, the Victorian Order of Nurses, and the national YWCA. Photo: WikipediaPauline Johnson (1861–1913)Poet and public speaker. Pauline Johnson (Tekahionwake) is best known for her poetry celebrating her Aboriginal heritage. The daughter of George Johnson, a Mohawk chief, she wrote stories about Aboriginal women and children that were based in an idealistic setting but were more realistic than those written by her contemporaries. Some of her work is included Songs of the Great Dominion (1884) by W.D. Lighthall, the first anthology to include French-Canadian and Aboriginal poetry. Johnson travelled across Canada, the United States, and England to give speeches and poetry readings. Her patriotic poems and short stories made her a popular ambassador for Canada. Photo: Bibliothèque et Archives CanadaMarie Lacoste Gérin-Lajoie (1867–1945)Feminist, social reformer, lecturer, educator, and author. Marie Lacoste was from an early age acutely aware of the inequities faced by women. She was brilliant but had to educate herself through her father’s library because Quebec’s francophone universities were closed to women. In 1908 she helped to establish a girls’ school that would allow young women to pursue higher education. She was a driving force behind the the Fédération nationale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, a francophone women’s organization that championed education, equity under the law, women’s right to vote, and other social causes. Her work paved the way for the rise of the Quebec feminist movement during the Quiet Revolution. Photo: Centre d'archives de MontréalMargaret Laurence (1926–1987)One of the giants of Canadian literature. Born in Neepawa, Manitoba, Margaret Laurence graduated from United College (now the University of Winnipeg) and lived in Africa with her husband for a time. Her early novels were about her experience in Africa but the novel that made her famous — The Stone Angel — was set in a small Manitoba town very much like the one she grew up in. Her work resonated because it presented a female perspective on contemporary life at a time when women were breaking out of traditional roles. Laurence was also active in promoting world peace through Project Ploughshares and was a recipient of the Order of Canada.Agnes Macphail (1890–1954) And my personal FavouriteFirst woman elected to the House of Commons. Agnes Macphail was born in rural Ontario. While working as a young schoolteacher she became involved with progressive political movements, including the United Farm Women of Ontario. She also began writing a newspaper column. She was elected to the Commons as a member of the Progressive Party of Canada in 1921. Her causes included rural issues, pensions for seniors, workers rights, and pacifism. She also lobbied for penal reform and established the Elizabeth Fry Society of Canada. She later was elected to Ontario’s Legislative Assembly, where she initiated Ontario’s first equal-pay legislation in 1951.Julia Verlyn LaMarsh (1924–1980)Author, lawyer, broadcaster, novelist, and Canadian politician. In 1963, Julia “Judy” LaMarsh became the second female cabinet minister in the House of Commons. She sat in Prime Minister Lester Pearson’s Cabinet as the minister of national health and welfare and minster of amateur sport from 1963 to 1965. During this time the Canada Pension Plan was implemented and the Canadian medicare system was designed. LaMarsh served as secretary of state from 1965 to 1968 where she oversaw the centennial year celebrations, brought in the new Broadcasting Act, introduced many of the core features of today’s broadcasting policy, and established the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada. Photo: Copyright Health and Welfare CanadaNellie McClung (1873–1951)Novelist, reformer, journalist, and suffragist. Nellie McClung was a leader in the fight to enfranchise North American women. Her efforts led to Manitoba becoming the first province to grant women the right to vote in 1916, followed by Alberta and Saskatchewan. After a move from Manitoba to Alberta, she was elected to the Alberta Assembly as a Liberal member for Edmonton in 1921. In the legislature, McClung often worked with Irene Parlby of the governing United Farmers of Alberta party on issues affecting women and children. Both were members of the Famous Five. McClung was also the first female director of the board of the governors of the CBC and was chosen as a delegate to the League of Nations in Geneva in 1938.Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874–1942)An author with an enduring legacy. Lucy Maud Montgomery is most famous for being the creator of “Anne,” the redheaded orphan from Anne of Green Gables. Published in 1908, the book made Prince Edward Island famous around the world. Montgomery had a consummate literary career, publishing twenty novels, more than 530 short stories, 500 poems, and thirty essays. Raised by strict grandparents, she was a lonely, isolated child, with a vivid imagination. Later, she moved to Ontario, where she struggled with her husband’s religious melancholia, and the challenges of being a wife, mother, and manse mistress. She also fought lawsuits with her publisher and with her own ill health. Long after her death, Montgomery’s legacy continues with the enduring popularity of “Anne,” a character so vivid that we can all visualize her immediately.Angelina Napolitano (1882–1932)Brought domestic abuse to national awareness. Little is known of Angelina Napolitano’s tragic life, outside of the fact that she was an Italian immigrant who in 1911 killed her abusive husband with an axe as he slept, was convicted of murder, and was sentenced to hang. Since abuse could not be used as a defence, the case ignited enormous debate and a flood of petitions asking that her life be spared. It brought the “battered woman” defence into the spotlight and highlighted inequities in the law. On July 14, 1911, the federal Cabinet commuted her sentence to life imprisonment. She was granted parole in 1922 and is believed to have died in 1932. Photo: Lina Giornofelice pictured as the lead character, Angelina Napolitano in the 2005 movie, Looking for Angelina.Nahnebahwequay, Catherine Sutton (1824–1865)Christian missionary and spokesperson for Ojibwa people. Nahnebahwequay, also known as Catherine Sutton, took issue with the Indian Department in 1857, which prevented First Nations people from purchasing their own ceded land. She travelled to England to present the case to the colonial secretary and the British Crown. A group of Quakers in New York funded her voyage and provided her with a letter of introduction. She was introduced to Queen Victoria on June 19, 1860. The intervention of the British government allowed her and her husband, William, to buy back their land, but nothing was done for other First Nations families. Upon returning to Canada, she continued to argue for the rights of indigenous people. Photo: Copyright Grey Roots Museum, Owen SoundMadeleine Parent (1918–2012)Union organizer and social activist. Late in life, Madeleine Parent has recognized her indefatigable activism on behalf of workers, women, and minorities. But in her younger years, she was marked as a dangerous woman and a “seditious” traitor. In the 1940s, Parent organized workers in the massive textile factories of Quebec. She was convicted — and later acquitted — of seditious conspiracy. From the 1950s to the 1970s, she led the Canadian Textile and Chemical Union and launched historic struggles over workers' rights. In her late eighties, Parent continued to speak out on a wide range of social justice issues. In the end, her radical, left-wing ideas not only defined who she was but became her lasting legacy to Canadian society.Gabrielle Roy (1909–1983)A francophone writer who gifted to Canada some of the most memorable novels of the twentieth century. Gabrielle Roy chronicled hardship and hope, family and estrangement, and the difficulties of love. Born in St. Boniface, Manitoba, in 1909, Roy was the youngest of eleven children in a family without material wealth but replete with stories. Despite hard times, she saved enough to travel to Europe in 1937. There she began writing. She returned to Canada in 1939 and published her first novel — Bonheur d’occasion — in 1945. The novel won France’s Prix Fémina and it's English translation, The Tin Flute, won Canada’s Governor General’s Award. She would go on to win two more Governor General’s Awards, as well as other literary prizes.Charlotte Small (1785–1857)Explorer David Thompson’s wife and interpreter. Charlotte Small was born at Île-à-la-Crosse, a fur trade post in what is now northern Saskatchewan. She was the daughter of a Cree woman and a white trader with the North West Company. Raised among her mother’s people, her knowledge of both English and Cree made her a valuable companion to Thompson. Married at age thirteen to twenty-nine-year-old Thompson, Small would go on to accompany the explorer as he mapped much of western Canada, covering as much as 20,000 kilometres. Thompson acknowledged that his “lovely wife,” with her knowledge of Cree, “gives me a great advantage.” Their strong and affectionate partnership lasted 58 years and they raised 13 children. Photo: As depicted on the cover of Woman of the Paddle Song written by Elizabeth Clutton-Brock.Eileen Tallman Sufrin (1913–1999)Labour organizer and workers advocate. Eileen Sufrin led the first strike of bank employees in Montreal in 1942. However, her biggest battle and the highlight of her career was her attempt to unionize employees at Eaton’s, Canada’s largest department store at the time. Of the 30,000 Eaton’s workers across Canada, Sufrin and her team were able to organize 9,000 employees between 1948 and 1952. Despite the low number of memberships, she took pride in knowing that during this time Eaton’s increased salaries, pensions and welfare. Sufrin was awarded a Governor General’s Medal in 1979, one of seven Canadian women honoured on the 50th anniversary of the Person’s Case.Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1680)North America’s first First Nations saint. The story of Kateri Tekakwitha is a story of resilience in the face of colonial incursions, and of a woman who tried to revitalize her traditions and values despite her conversion to Catholicism. Born in 1654 near what is now Auriesville, New York, Tekakwitha was orphaned at age four. At age nineteen, she went to the Catholic mission of Kahnawake near Montreal, where she befriended a group of devout women and devoted the rest of her short life to prayer, penitential practices, and caring for the sick and aged. Miracles were attributed to her shortly after her death, and her gravesite soon became a pilgrimage site. Tekakwitha was canonized as a saint on October 21, 2012. Photo: Dorothy M. SpeiserThanadelthur (1697–1717)Peacemaker, guide and interpreter for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Thanadelthur was a member of the Chipewyan (Dene) nation who, as a young woman, was captured by the Cree in 1713 and enslaved. After a year, she escaped and eventually came across the HBC York Factory post, governed by James Knight. Thanadelthur stayed to work for Knight, who needed a translator to help make peace between the Cree and the Chipewyan for trading purposes. Accompanied by an HBC servant and a group of friendly Cree, she went on a year-long mission into Chipewyan territory. She brought the two groups together and — alternately encouraging and scolding them — brought about a peace agreement. The HBC records refer to her as “Slave woman” or “Slave woman Joan.” Photo: This young Chipewyan woman from Cold Lake, Alberta, photographed by Edward Curtis in 1928, was popularized by historian Sylvia Van Kirk as a well-known representation of Thanadelthur.Marie-Madeleine Jarret de Verchères (1678–1747)A legendary heroine who held back an Iroquois raid. Around the age of fourteen, Madeleine, in the absence of her parents, defended the family fort from a group of Iroquois. There are at least five contemporary accounts of what happened. The most plausible, written by her about seven years after the event, suggest she escaped the clutches of an Iroquois warrior by loosening her kerchief, then rushing into the mostly undefended fort and closing the gate. She somehow fooled the Iroquois into thinking there were many soldiers defending the fort and fired a round from a cannon. The noise alerted other forts in the area and apparently scared off the Iroquois warriors.Justice Bertha Wilson (1923–2007)The first woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. Born into a working-class family in Scotland, Bertha Wilson trained in law in Canada. When appointed to the high court in 1982, she already had a track record as a justice with the Ontario Court of Appeal, where she was known for her humane decisions in areas such as human rights and the division of matrimonial property. During her nine years on the Supreme Court, she helped her male colleagues to understand that seemingly neutral law often operated to the disadvantage of women and minorities. She thus helped usher in groundbreaking changes to Canadian law. Photo: Copyright Cochrane PhotographyJane Wisdom (1884–1975)One of Canada’s first professional social workers and the first head of the Bureau of Social Services in Halifax. Jane Wisdom completed her initial training and education in social work in New York because there were no schools of social work in Canada. She returned to Halifax in 1916 to lead the newly established Bureau of Social Services. She moved to Montreal in 1921 to complete her studies and lectured in social work. She continued her work in Montreal for eighteen years before moving back to Nova Scotia. In 1941 she accepted a position as the first welfare officer for Glace Bay, which made her the first municipal welfare officer in Nova Scotia.Photo: Nova Scotia College of Social Workers

Top 50 Travel Destinations for 2015.Vineyards Barossa Valley, Adelaide – AustraliaBarossa Valley, AustraliaSouth Australia always shines, but the Barossa Valley is beaming. One of Australia’s oldest food and wine regions, the Barossa is criss-cut with more than 150 wineries. Some, like the heritage vines at Penfolds and Henschke, have been fruiting since the late 1800s. But Barossa is not all about history; the region also bursts with new butcheries, bakeries, breweries, cideries, creameries, and cooking schools such as Mark McNamara’s latest Food Luddite Kitchen. Travelers can ramble between standbys like Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop and recently opened accommodations ranging from the Ikara Safari tents in the Flinders Mountains to the gorgeous Japanese villas attached to the Sticky Rice Cooking School in the Adelaide Hills. Be sure to save time for Adelaide, too. The bounty of Barossa will fill your plate; a bourgeoning small bar scene fuels the night; and the Minima Art Hotel has 46 rooms, each transformed by a different South Australian artist. - Serena RennerVienna and Salzburg, AustriaSophisticated Vienna, with its Baroque palaces and matchless art museums, is a city to adore at any time, but 2015 brings a series of exhibitions and celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the building of the Ringstrasse. This most elegant of boulevards surrounds the inner city and was the brainchild of the Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph. Opened on May 1, 1865, it replaced the city’s former fortifications with grand palaces, the Vienna State Opera, the city hall, theaters, museums and art galleries in what was surely the grandest town-planning project of the time. Also happening in 2015, the 450th anniversary of the Spanish Riding School will see spectacular dressage performances in June in the Baroque manège. Salzburg also shares the Austrian spotlight in 2015, with the Sound of Music 50th Anniversary Celebration kicking off on Monday June 22. Events include special screenings of The Sound of Music as well as visits to city locations associated with the film. The festival culminates on Friday June 26 with a concert at the Mozarteum Salzburg, where much-loved tunes from the movie will get an airing. - Sasha HeseltinePineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park, Charleston South CarolinaCharleston, South CarolinaWith its hospitable, well-mannered locals, classic architecture, horse-drawn carriages, and cobblestone streets, Charleston oozes relaxed Southern charm in a way that hasn’t changed for more than a century. Modern day Charleston is a food-centric city, having been voted one of Conde Nast Traveler’s Best American Cities for Foodies. A number of new, world-class eateries have opened recently including Xiao Bao Biscuit which offers “Asian Soul Food” and The Ordinary, a gourmet oyster hall where the shucking takes place inside a vintage bank vault. In 2015, the city will host BB&T Charleston Wine + Food and the Lowcountry Cajun Festival, both featuring a wealth of local dishes. Historians will appreciate the myriad events taking place in 2015 throughout Charleston to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War. Through the end of the year, visitors can experience Civil War art gallery shows, traditional battle reenactments, lectures, educational tours, and a host of other special events. - Mike RichardOkavango Delta, BotswanaThis vast flood plane in the northern part of this landlocked African country is one of the best spots on the continent to do some serious wildlife gawking. Not only because you have a great chance at spotting the Big Five (that would be lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros), but also because the area is fresh off getting the stamp of approval from UNESCO in 2014. One thing that makes the delta unique is that the Okavango River floods every year during the dry season; the result is that plants and animals have synchronized their biological clocks to the seasonal floods. The mass amount of flora that grows because of the floods means grazing herbivores are ample and it also means that carnivores are not far behind them. So, for the visitor, you can predict where and when you might spot, say, a lion or a black rhinoceros. Another reason why you might be more likely to catch site of the Big Five here is that the country just made hunting illegal. That’s right, no big game hunting is happening here anymore. The only thing people are going to be pointing at animals here is a pair of binoculars. - David FarleyMorning in JasperJasper, Alberta, CanadaForget five star luxuries and discover Jasper’s 5-billion-star scenery. Set beneath the rugged Canadian Rocky Mountains, Jasper National Park is an UNESCO world heritage site known for its stunning landscapes. It’s also one of the planet’s largest Dark Sky Preserves, which means its limited light pollution footprint allows for unparalleled stargazing and the annual Dark Sky Festival takes place in October. The incredible wilderness setting makes for abundant wildlife throughout Jasper National Park, too, and elk, Bighorn sheep, Mountain goats, and Black bears are all commonly spotted along the highways; however, to spot an elusive, and sadly at-risk, Caribou you’ll have to hit either the Skyline or Tonquin Valley trails, two multi-day treks that access the remotest corners of parks. Visitors step beyond nature’s edge at the Glacier Skywalk, which is the newest attraction in Jasper National Park. After an interpretive walk along a cliff-side path, step out onto the Glacier Skywalk and discover new vistas from the 918-foot-tall, glass-floored archway. It’s just minutes away from the Columbia Icefield Centre, where it’s possible to board a Glacier Explorer Bus to travel atop the Athabasca Glacier. - Jeff BartlettHobart, TasmaniaWe agree with Lonely Planet; the time to visit Tasmania is nigh. With its wild and rugged scenery and thriving artisan food, drink and art scene, the entire West Virginia–sized island is worth a “squiz,” as they say in Australian. If you have to settle in one place, Hobart is the center of antipodean action here. The Museum of Old and New Art hasn’t stopped shocking people since opening in 2011. It’s now a cultural icon that hosts a full lineup of events including Mona Foma and its winter counterpart, Dark MoFo, which will celebrate its third wacky year in 2015. Hobart is also surrounded by three prominent food and wine regions, becoming increasingly renowned for whiskey and cider; island escapes abound like the new Bruny Island Long Weekend; and uncharted territory is never far off. In 2015, the second stretch of the Three Capes Track will enable hikers to venture 20 miles deeper into Tasman National Park. - Serena RennerInverness, ScotlandInverness, ScotlandScotland hit the headlines in 2014 thanks to its much-publicized bid for independence, but although it’s officially remaining part of the UK, it’s fair to say that Scots have a newfound love for their home country and 2015 is all about celebrating its individuality. Discover Scotland’s impressive natural heritage by hiking through the Highlands, climbing the UK’s tallest mountain or cruising along Loch Ness; tuck into delicious Scottish salmon or traditional haggis in celebration of the 2015 Year of Food and Drink; or attend the biggest event of the contemporary art scene at Glasgow’s Tramway gallery – the prestigious Turner Prize, presented in Scotland for the first-time ever. Fans of Scotland-based hit TV series Outlander will also be in for a treat in 2015 – as the hotly-anticipated second season hits screens, you’ll be able to travel back to 18th-century Scotland on a tour of Outlanderfilming locations. - Zoe SmithTorres del Paine, ChileChile’s most well-known national park in the depths of Patagonia has soaring granite towers, milky azure lakes, wide-open vistas and glaciers from the Southern Patagonia Ice Field. In recent years,Torres del Paine, the 927 sq. mile park has become more accessible due to a new road from Puerto Natales, the closest nearby city. The park is home to herds of the llama-like guanaco, and the rhea, South America’s answer to the ostrich. There are also foxes, kingfishers and seldom-seen huemules (tiny Andean deer) and pumas. Visitors can enjoy the park in a number of ways, traversing subpolar Magellanic forests and Patagonian steppe on a 5 day hike called the W, or the one called “the circuit,” that takes 8-9 days, and circles the Paine massif, part of the mountain chain in the park. Even in just a one-day trip, visitors can see two glacial lakes, Nordenskjold and Pehoé, and get to the large waterfall in the park called, appropriately, Salto Grande. Since Chile dropped the $160 reciprocity fee for US Passport holders in 2014, you can use that cash to finance your trip to the park, and have a large celebratory dinner when you emerge again. -Eileen SmithJiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest AreaJiuzhaigou Valley, ChinaLocated in Sichuan province, the Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve, or Jiuzhaigou Valley, should be on your travel radar for its picturesque beauty of lush forests, impressive waterfalls and glistening lakes. As China endeavors toward cutting its carbon emissions by 2020, however, Jiuzhaigou is also blazing the trail for biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness in China by advocating eco-tourism. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992 and a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997, the area is home to many endangered plant and animal species, including the beloved Giant Panda. Environmentally friendly hotels are dotted throughout, and a ‘green’ tourist bus will drop you off at boardwalks to explore on foot where traffic cannot reach. To delve further into the alpine surroundings (and away from the crowds), Zharu Valley, in particular, is the designated eco-tourism zone within the national park. Visitors are restricted in number with access only via guided treks to the tranquil surroundings and furthermore, into one of the nine Tibetan villages that occupy the region. With China’s carbon reduction efforts in full effect and Jiuzhaigou first in line to support a greener future, the area can confidently look forward to welcoming many more generations of visitors to come. - Emily ChuToronto, Ontario, CanadaThe Canadian metropolis on Lake Ontario is having a moment. A recent building boom – at one time there were more construction cranes in the city than in the rest of North America combined – has resulted in making Toronto much more vibrant and dynamic. New hotels, such as the new flagship location of the Four Seasons, and the 45-floor, 567-guest-room Delta South Core, have freed up some room space for a city that was suddenly lagging in hotel rooms – testament to this city’s popularity. There is also a burgeoning restaurant scene, as acclaimed chef David Chang opened up an outpost of his Momofuku franchise in the Shangri La Hotel and French chef Daniel Boulud fired up the burners on his first north-of-the-border endeavor in the Four Seasons. And if there’s one time of year you might want to touchdown in Toronto, go in mid-July when the Pan Am and Parapan Am games hit the city. Athletes from Buenos Aires to New Brunswick will be competing against one another, filling the city with an international spirit of fun and games. - David FarleyBoulevard in San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto RicoWhile Puerto Rico’s government has fumbled to manage the island’s economy properly, the past few years have been a boom time for travel to America’s Caribbean outpost, thanks to enthusiastic, colorful magazine spreads touting the island’s cuisine (showcased in a growing number of food festivals) and architecture (take, for just one example, the recent renovation and reopening of the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, originally built in 1919). But it’s beyond the attractions featured in glossy pages where you’ll find the most interesting people and places in the island’s capital, San Juan. The once gritty neighborhood of Santurce lures visitors not only for its well-advertised hotspot restaurants, José Enrique and Santaella, but also for food trucks, an annual street art festival, Santurce es Ley, and hole-in-the-wall, locals-know-best spots like Club 77, a mid-size venue for both Puerto Rican rock bands and visiting jams from the mainland. - Julie Schwietert CollazoThe Croatian CoastRemember when the Balkans were inflamed with violent in-fighting? We barely do, either. Twenty years ago this year, the bloody three-year conflict between neighbors Croatia and Serbia ended. It didn’t take long for Croatia, or at least its 1,100 miles of coastline and equal number of islands, to recover. Croatia joined the European Union in 2013 and it’s not looking back. The Dalmatian Coast, as most of the country’s coastline is called, has since become a major tourist draw. And the gem of the Adriatic, the one place any discerning traveler has to see, is Dubrovnik, located in the southwest part of the country. Imagine: white limestone pedestrian streets, and rickety red-tiled houses crammed into a space encircled with 80-foot-high walls right on the Adriatic Sea. There isn’t a check-list of things to do here. It’s all about strolling the streets of Stari Grad, or Old Town, and relaxing by the sea, perhaps with a glass of Croatian rakia, or plum brandy. Factor in some of the most luxurious hotels in the region, restaurants serving just-off-the-boat seafood and you’ve got a memorable spot to enjoy a beautiful blend of culture, history, and azure-colored sea. - David FarleyStreets of Cuenca, EcuadorMainland EcuadorMany people only visit mainland Ecuador as a quick stopover on the way to Galapagos; however it warrants a trip of its own. One of the most biodiverse countries in the world, in Ecuador it’s only a matter of hours travel from the snowcapped Andes to the Amazonian rainforest or a coastline perfect for surfing. Don’t speak Spanish? Not a problem. There are many hotels, hostels and tour operators that accommodate English speakers. And while Ecuador opens travelers with open arms it isn’t overridden with tourists. There is no established tourist trail and it’s still possible to have authentic experiences without feeling like you are being herded from one town to the next in a generic experience. It’s a country of contrasting landscapes, warm smiles and exotic experiences. It’s a country you should visit before the rest of the world discovers its beauty. - Ayngelina BroganOrlando, FloridaThere’s no shortage of theme parks and attractions in Orlando. But Florida travelers are always looking for something more, bigger, and better! In 2014, the city revealed one of the world’s most anticipated attractions – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™ at Universal Studios Orlando. Harry Potter fans can now visit real-life replicas of the Leaky Cauldron™, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, and Ollivanders™ wand shop. Spring 2015 will see the grand opening of I-Drive 360 – a massive, new entertainment complex featuring Madame Tussauds Orlando wax museum and Sea Life Orlando aquarium. At its core, the park will also include an observation wheel modeled after the famous London Eye. Appropriately called The Orlando Eye, this massive ride will take visitors 400 feet above the complex in self-contained, air-conditioned glass cars. It promises the best views in all of Central Florida, reaching as far as Cape Canaveral on a clear day! - Mike RichardDuomo square of MilanMilan, ItalyMilan isn’t an uncommon stop on many Italy itineraries, but it’s usually just an entry or exit point thanks to the city’s major international airport. Dig a little deeper in this northern Italian city, however, and you may find some reasons to stop and stay awhile. Of course there’s the many-spired Duomo (you can climb to the top and walk on the roof), and one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous pieces of art, “The Last Supper” fresco in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie. But some of the reasons to visit Milan are fleeting, only available for a short period of time. In 2015, one of those reasons is Expo 2015 (the latest iteration of the World’s Fair, which is held every five years), to be held in Milan from May through October. The massive event is called “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life,” and sub-themes include such things as food safety, food scarcity, and food as it relates to culture. It will be an opportunity to see how different countries plan to address these issues, while sampling some possibly futuristic foods. Milan Expo 2015 will be in a purpose-built fair grounds in the nearby Rho district, easily accessible via public transportation. - Jessica SpiegelEngland (Outside of London)As one of the world’s most vibrant, cosmopolitan and fashion-forward capital cities, London has always been top of the itinerary for travelers to Europe and there’s plenty going on in the upcoming year all around England. Start with a visit to the legendary Stonehenge, where archeologists have recently uncovered 17 previously unknown monuments around the landmark, then head to Oxford where Lewis Carroll’s former university city will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland with a series of special events, exhibitions, concerts and performances. Back in London, the British Library will be hosting a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition to mark the 800th anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta and the 2015 Rugby World Cup finals will be held at Twickenham Stadium. - Zoe SmithDowntown Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, Minnesota“Dig, if you will, the picture,” was the first line to Minneapolis native Prince’s smash 1984 hit “When Doves Cry.” He wasn’t necessarily talking about his hometown but he could have. After all, dig, if you will, this city of 400,000, which has some recent additions that make it the Midwest’s coolest metropolis: the city’s modern art museum, cutting-edge Walker Arts Center (放っておけないガラス交換・ガラス修理の依頼は早めに), was spiffed up by ultra-hip Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron; the historic Guthrie Theater (Welcome) moved into a new building designed by Jean Nouvel; the Twins have a handsome new baseball stadium downtown (the Vikings state-of-the-art new football stadium will be ready in 2016); and theater is alive and well here (Minneapolis has the third most theater productions in the United States). Hungry yet? The City of Lakes knows how to feed, especially recently: the newly re-opened Travail Kitchen & Amusements, located just north of the city in Robbinsdale, serves up avant-garde cuisine at its best and acclaimed chef Gavin Kaysen, the erstwhile top toque of New York’s Café Boulud, has returned to his hometown to open Merchant. It’s enough to make the non-local purple with envy. - David FarleyFaroe IslandsThere are few places in Europe as remote and uncharted as the Faroe Islands and archipelago’s unique location will be its biggest draw in 2015, as it’s one of only two places in the world to view the Total Solar Eclipse of March 20th from land. Europe won’t see another eclipse until 2026 so it’s worth the journey to witness the natural phenomenon, but there’s also plenty to see and do on the Faroe Islands while you’re there. The 18 small islands, found halfway between Iceland and Norway, are home to the smallest capital city in the world, Torshavn, as well as an expanse of mountains, moorlands and coastal cliffs ideal for hiking, climbing and horse riding. Visit for the eclipse in March and you’ll also have a chance to view the Northern Lights, as well as paying a visit to the famous bird cliffs of Vestmanna, home to around 300 different bird species including Puffins, Guillemots and Gannets. - Zoe SmithVictoria at duskVictoria, British Columbia, CanadaCraft beer? Local wine? Cool restaurants? Long-known for its British heritage – from the manicured Butchart Gardens and to the ritual of afternoon tea – British Columbia’s capital city of Victoria has morphed into a promising destination for lovers of food and drink. This compact seaside city has a growing craft beer scene; schedule your visit around Victoria Beer Week (March 7-15, 2015) for a wealth of sipping events. If wine is more your thing, plan a day of touring and tasting at the wineries surrounding the city. Foodies can graze through the treat-filled Victoria Public Market, then check out contemporary restaurants, from Ulla to Zambri’s, along with down-home favorites like the Jam Café or Pig BBQ. Victoria’s position at the southern tip of Vancouver Island makes it a great base for outdoor adventures, too. Rent a bike and cycle along the shore, head out on a whale-watching cruise, or take in the buskers on the city’s bustling Inner Harbour. And if you plan your day right, you’ll still have time to smell the roses at Butchart Gardens and relax over a cup of tea. - Carolyn HellerDenver, ColoradoMarked by a UFO-like canopy, Denver’s historic Union Station officially reopened in July. The transit hub — designed to feel like “Denver’s living room” — features such restaurants as the Mercantile by celebrated local chef Alex Seidel as well as shops, a bike depot, bars that let patrons take drinks out into said “living room” and the railway-themed Crawford Hotel. Citywide, more than 90 new restaurants, breweries and distilleries opened in the second half of 2014 alone, including Leopold Bros new four-acre distillery modeled after a German brewhouse and Nickel, the newest dining concept to hit Hotel Teatro. If that’s not enough, downtown has a new bike path; an art hotel is in the works; the light rail tracks are inching closer to the airport; and, in case you were sleeping, Denver has become the epicenter of legal pot in America, giving new meaning to Denver’s moniker, the Mile High City. - Serena RennerHong KongHong KongRegarded as the gateway between East and West, Hong Kong is one of the most dynamic cities in the world. It offers local culture, world-class cuisine, and a variety of historical sites and natural landscapes worth exploring. Getting to Hong Kong will be even easier – and cheaper – from some destinations within Asia. Hong Kong’s low-cost carrier, HK Express, is slated to increase flights, including additional service on the newly launched Tokyo (Narita) – HKG route. Hong Kong’s culinary scene continues to be a trendsetter, with bars like Quinary earning a spot on Drinks International World’s 50 Best Bars, and the number of three Michelin-starred restaurants rising from four to five in 2014. This year, take in the views of Hong Kong from a new location. In December, Hong Kong welcomed the Hong Kong Observation Wheel. Located near the Star Ferry pier on Hong Kong Island, this Ferris wheel offers some pretty spectacular views on the 20-minute ride. If you’re a Disney fan, 2015 is the year to visit Hong Kong Disneyland – September 12th marks the park’s 10th anniversary. Hong Kong Disneyland is scheduled to debut a new Disney Princess attraction maze and/or meet-and-greet area in conjunction with the 10th anniversary celebration. - Erin DeSantiagoKerala, IndiaCelebrated for its beautiful landscapes and year-round pleasant weather, heavenly Kerala is worlds apart from the hustle and intensity common to more heavily touristy parts of India. This southern state is characterized by lush expanses of jungle, gorgeous stretches of cliff-lined shores, and a large network of peaceful lagoons that connect many of Kerala’s most charming towns. It’s also India’s prime spot for traditional Ayurvedic massages and health treatments, and Kerala’s variety of activities—which range from backwater cruises to traditional Kathakali dance performances to elephant festivals—make it an ideal destination for travelers of all ages. It’s also an ideal spot for solo female travelers, and has the country’s highest female literacy rate. Best of all, India recently introduced tourist visas on arrival for citizens of over 40 countries, making it easier than ever to plan a visit. - Margot BiggPullen Park, Raleigh, North CarolinaRaleigh, North CarolinaCNN ranked Raleigh, North Carolina as the #3 fastest growing city in the country. With that expansion, the city’s craft beer and urban biking cultures have grown exponentially. As the undisputed home of bluegrass music, it’s now the ideal destination for a unique brewery, biking, and bluegrass combo tour. Raleigh’s growth has also spawned a thriving gourmet food scene. The city is now home to, not only Carolina’s best BBQ, but dozens of world-class eateries, including one of the country’s only true Laotian-owned restaurants. A number of unusual, family-friendly, food-related festivals – including the Krispy Kreme Challenge, Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo, and the bizarre BugFest – will return in 2015. It’s also among the few cities in America that offers free admission to all downtown museums. The best part is that it’s still well under the mainstream travel radar, meaning thinner tourist crowds and extremely affordable hotel and attraction prices. - Mike RichardDublin, IrelandThe Celtic Tiger—Ireland’s roaring economy that diminished to a meow in 2008—may long be over but the Irish capital seems to have done the best with what it has. And by that, we mean, they’re looking intrinsically inward. The Guinness is still flowing. The poets are still penning beauty on the page. And the Gaelic folk songs are still pouring out of pubs. But there’s a lot of freshness happening. The new Marker Hotel, for example, located in the up-and-coming Docklands neighborhood (also home to the Bord Gáis Energy Theater, designed by Daniel Libeskind), has brought some fresh elegance to the hotel scene. Chapter One, the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the country, is still firing on all burners. But now the rest of the dining landscape has taken a decidedly Gaelic turn with restaurants doing their best to out-Irish each other. And that’s not a bad thing. Restaurants like M. Mulligan Grocer and the Hot Stove are churning out Emerald Isle-inspired fare with a twist: black pudding croquettes, toffee-glazed pork belly or Irish Sea salmon to go with your Guinness, anyone? - David FarleyColorful gondolas in VeniceVenice, ItalyItaly’s famous canal city is also famous for its flooding. We’ve been told for decades that Venice is sinking, and that someday it will be entirely underwater, but a massive engineering project nearing completion may change that dire prediction. The MOSE Project began in 2003 with construction in the three inlets from the Adriatic Sea to the Venetian Lagoon, and is slated to be complete in 2016. The ingenious design is installed mostly on the sea floor, with huge panels that can be raised when the water level goes up, blocking the sea from flooding the lagoon. MOSE is an Italian acronym that is also intended to call to mind the story of Moses parting the Red Sea. There have been successful test runs of the MOSE panels, and – barring further delays – it should be up and running officially in 2016. A visit to Venice in 2015, then, is your last chance to see it under construction. The best place to see the construction is the Lido di Venezia, but in the future the design is such that you won’t see the panels the vast majority of the time. You may see the panel tops during winter flooding periods, but then – assuming everything is functioning as it should be – you can just give thanks that your feet are dry in Venice. - Jessica SpiegelLake Tahoe, CaliforniaPop Quiz: what area is home to the largest concentration of ski resorts in North America? If you saidLake Tahoe, congratulations, smarty-pants. Tahoe has more chairlifts and combined miles of terrain parks than Colorado has in the entire state, but that’s just a fact–not bragging. As for the snow with which to enjoy this winter playground, El Nino will take care of that as he’s predicted to return this year, bringing plenty of rain, which translates to snow in the mountain regions. In addition to what skiers and riders are predicting to be a huge snow year, it’s also a year of updates and renovations at the resorts. Experience the new snowcat tours at Homewood Resort; explore the newly designated Pacific Crest Bowls at Alpine Meadows; take advantage of the first Google Glass app for skiers at Squaw Valley and celebrate Sugar Bowl’s 75th Anniversary while enjoying the $20 million in improvements at the resort. 2015 is the year to shred the pow in Lake Tahoe. - Katie CoakleyThe metropolis of OsakaOsaka, JapanJapanese cuisine has finally been getting the attention it deserves. UNESCO has recently added Japanese cuisine to its cultural heritage list for things in the world that are precious enough they need protecting. And Michelin, that veritable, star-stamping restaurant guidebook, has bestowed enough stars on Japan to make it a culinary universe. In total, the country has 28 three-starred restaurants – that’s the most in the world (one more than France, in fact). And nowhere is Japanese cuisine more renowned than in the eating-focused city of Osaka. The recent Michelin guide granted the eastern Japanese metropolis a star to a whopping 76 restaurants – the most one-starred eateries in the guidebook. The city invented the type of restaurant called kappo – a diminutive spot with stools and a long counter bar with the chef cooking before everyone – which the culinary world has since adopted, from Atera in New York City to Water Library Thonglor in Bangkok. At Nakamura, one of those many one-starred restaurants, the kappo chef might serve up a seafood curry with saffron rice or shiso-leaf-wrapped grilled beef tongue. Or sit down at Kigawa, the seminal kappo spot, where many well-regarded chefs have trained. Here you might eat a delicately cooked piece of pork loin paired with oysters. Whatever it is, you’re eating a taste of Japan, one of the finest cuisines in the world. - David FarleyVilnius, LithuaniaAll set to join the Eurozone come January 1, 2015, Lithuania is the last of the Baltic siblings to do so, completing its journey from Soviet satellite to full member of the EU. Topping the 2015 lists of places to travel*, with a swathe of other awards (cleanest air, most cost-effective destination, in the top ten of ethical tourist destinations) and despite a reputation as the weekend ghetto for messy Euro-stag parties, its capital city of Vilnius is actually one of dazzling Baroque beauty, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and overflowing with stylish, cosmopolitan street life. Having shrugged off Communism, contemporary Vilnius curls around Europe’s biggest and most untouched medieval center. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town is crammed with a mélange of ornate Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance façades, pink fairytale churches and winding cobbled streets, all watched over from above by the Higher Castle. Combine all this history with compelling museums acknowledging Lithuania’s mournful past, an edgy nightlife thanks to its student population, and a high-end designer shopping district and you’ve got 2015’s perfect European weekend destination. - Sasha HeseltineNatural swimming pool of Isalo National Park, MadagascarMadagascarSurfers have been heading to places like Hawaii and Australia for decades, lured by famously great waves (not to mention fabulous scenery). But serious surfers are always looking for the next big surf destinations – and, in 2015, one of those places is Madagascar. The island nation off the eastern coast of the African continent has a whopping 3,000 miles of coastline, and the beaches are well-known to visitors, but Madagascar was only added to the International Surfing Association’s membership in 2014. Surfing in Madagascar is featured in a new documentary about the sport, “Ghost Wave.” Local surfers say the waves are on par with Indonesia, and – perhaps most intriguingly – uncrowded. As you might expect for an emerging tourist destination, some of the best places to go surfing in Madagascar are a little tough to reach without a local guide. The good news is that the surfing is great year-round. - Jessica SpiegelDubai2015 is the year of luxury hotels for Dubai. Many prestigious brands are opening opulent properties in the area – including Versace and Paramount Studios. Hoteliers opening new luxury properties include Langham’s first resort in the Middle East and Starwood, slated to open a St. Regis, flagship W, and a new Westin complex next year. Marina 101, a residential and commercial building, will become the tallest hotel in the world and the second tallest building in Dubai, behind Burj Khalifa. The first 33 floors will be home to a 5-star Hard Rock Hotel while floors 34 to 100 will be residential and hotel apartments. The 101st floor will feature a club lounge, restaurant, and Hard Rock merchandise store. Dubai’s airport continues to climb the ranks as one of the best airports in the world, especially for those with long layovers. New flights are being added regularly, and if you’re looking at a trip that includes a layover in Dubai, check out Emirates’ interesting stopover packages. Emirates is offering a special 48-hour stopover package that includes a complimentary visa, hotel, transfers, and more. - Erin DeSantiagoHistoric buildings in the French Quarter in New OrleansNew Orleans, Louisiana2015 will mark the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s devastating visit to the Gulf Coast. While the aftereffects can still be seen in many places, the city of New Orleans has risen from debris and continues to prove that good can come from destruction. Over the past 10 years, New Orleans has experienced a boom in building, both repairing the areas that were flooded after the levees burst as well as new construction that illustrates New Orleans’s draw as a metropolitan destination with a rich history and an eye to the future. Filmmakers, writers, actors and musicians continue to flock to the Big Easy, adding to the already artsy vibe that emanates from the picturesque squares. Big name festivals like Jazz Fest and iconic favorites like Mardi Gras continue to draw the crowds, but New Orleans continues to grow and evolve. If you haven’t visited New Orleans post-Katrina, use 2015 to celebrate the soul of the city. - Katie CoakleyMalaysiaAfter the momentum of Visit Malaysia Year in 2014, the southeast Asian country has been building up to what is set to be an exciting year for visitors. This year’s MyFest will see Malaysia celebrate its diverse cultural and religious communities and traditions with various festivals taking place across the nation – and will be encouraging its visitors to join in. Many of Malaysia’s religious festivals center on some of the country’s top places of interest, making 2015 the ideal time to visit popular attractions such as the Batu Caves – the most popular Hindu shrine outside India and the focus of the Thaipusam festival at the start of February. The celebrations will continue throughout the year, with more than 200 cultural festivals plus performance art and music events taking place around the country. Of the many things that will entice visitors to Malaysia in 2015, the more practical benefit of it remaining a low-cost option will undoubtedly be one of them. With this on its side, plus the country’s year-long celebrations, festivals, and events, 2015 looks set to truly be the year to visit Malaysia. - Kirsty StuartCabo Pulmo Bay, Baja CaliforniaBaja California, MexicoAfter suffering through a tough year of natural disasters, Baja California, Mexico is definitely ready for and in need of tourism. With an emerging culinary and wine scene, and new resorts popping up all over the region, 2015 is the year to go before everyone discovers Baja’s charms. The region suffered a lot of damage from Hurricane Odile in October, but resorts have reopened and the international airport is gearing up for increased flights in 2015, with carriers like Alaska, Delta, and Spirit adding new routes. Two brand new golf courses combined with a planned JW Marriott opening should keep Los Cabos busy in 2015. In December, SeaPort Airlines started direct flights from San Diego International Airport to San Felipe, a small city on the northern Baja Peninsula. Flights are also available from Burbank Airport (via San Diego) to San Felipe as well. A massive landslide closed the Tijuana-Ensenada toll road in late 2013, a major artery for tourists visiting the region. Good news for travelers wanting to drive to Baja again – the road just reopened in mid-December. - Erin DeSantiagoTromso, NorwayNorway’s majestic fjords, snowy peaks and fairytale castle famously inspired Disney’s megahitFrozen and with a new animation short, Frozen Fever, due next Spring and a Frozen musical hitting Broadway in the not-so-distant future, what better time to discover the real-life Arendelle? As the self-proclaimed ‘capital of the arctic’, Tromso makes a good place to start – a frozen wonderland with herds of free-roaming reindeer and one of the best places in the world to view the dazzling Northern Lights. Make the most of the snow with a husky sled or snowmobile excursion, take a magical reindeer sleigh ride to Lapland to visit the ancient Sami tribes or cruise around the glistening fjords, where you can spot orcas and humpback whales gliding through the icy waters. - Zoe SmithKayaking in Sitka Harbor, AlaskaAlaskaEver since 1875, when the first passenger pleasure cruise visited the Inside Passage, cruise ships have been the preferred means of travel around the mist-shrouded coastlines of Juneau. Recently, however, an increase in the number of Juneau-bound airlines has made the area more accessible, and after fishing the waters of Alaska’s capital or hiking its forested trails, independent travelers can use the ferries to travel on their own schedule. Strangely enough, RV rentals are increasing in popularity in these small island communities, since you can easily put an RV on the ferry and have budget accommodation at night. The growing ease of transport aside, Alaska remains one of our perennial favorites for its scenery, wildlife, and culture. When visiting Southeastern Alaska in summer, watch grizzly bears hunt for spawning salmon near Wrangell or Admiralty Island, and learn about totem poles and Tlingit culture in Ketchikan or Sitka. Just remember to pack a jacket when you visit—as the cool weather is a welcome escape from the sweltering summer heat. - Kyle EllisonLima, PeruTourists flock to Peru to walk the Incan trail – a journey that ends at the ancient ruins of Machu Pichu. Or they head to Cusco, an ambient town known for its potent elevation sickness. Both locations have filled a lot of bucket lists. But there’s another trail in Peru that is worth walking: the food trail. Peruvian cuisine has come a long way and some global food and restaurant observers think restaurants in Lima have hit a zenith with serving local but creatively executed fare. Chef Gaston Acurio, for example, is an international star, exporting his La Mar Ceviceria all over the planet; his flagship spot, Astrid Y Gaston, is renowned, serving up dishes like pan-seared scallops topped with agave and crispy garlic and sea urchin accompanied by algae from the Andes and hearts of palm from the Amazon. Likewise, La Central, where Virgilio Martinez pays culinary respect to the food of this country, has put a twist on Puruvian cuisine; the restaurant reached number 15 in San Pellegrino’s list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants (Astrid Y Gaston, by the way, wasn’t far behind at 18). All this means that Peruvian cuisine is finally getting global recognition. And also that you get on a flight this year to Lima before every table in town is booked. - David FarleySunset on the Willamette River, Portland, OregonPortland, OregonThe Pacific Northwest is peaking in popularity. With nine new hotels as well as the Central Loop street car coming online in 2015, Portland will do doubt turn heads this year. The Central Loop will traverse the Tilikum Crossing, the city’s first bridge built since 1973. Constructed for modern Portland, only public transit, pedestrians and cyclists can cross the Crossing; the Bridge Pedal in September offers the first chance for bikes to test it out. In other cycling news, the first 30 miles of the Columbia River Gorge bike trail opens in 2015 with the remainder slated for 2016. Several Portland neighborhoods such as Northwest 23rd are witnessing a resurgence; a growing urban wine scene is rivaling that of beer and spirits; and new coffee tours are sharing Portland’s third-wave buzz with caffeine connoisseurs from around the world. - Serena RennerTransylvania, RomaniaBe sure to pack the garlic when heading for Transylvania; Romania’s wild frontier is tucked into the heart of the country touching the Carpathian Mountains. Bram Stoker’s 1897 vampire novel Dracula may be fiction but his writing was based on the superstitions of centuries in Transylvania thanks to the bloody exploits of 15th-century warlord Vlad the Impaler, who murdered 80,000 of his subjects on long spikes. The new movie Dracula Untold, released in 2014, goes part way to telling Vlad’s real backstory. These days, thanks to an influx of cash after Romania joined the European Union in 2014, Transylvania is capitalizing on Vlad’s reputation and the region’s tourist industry is burgeoning. Get there ahead of the crowds as vampire tourism is drawing in travelers to the little-known but gorgeous Baroque towns of Bra?ov, Sibiu and Sighi?oara. As well as offering sophisticated city life, mysterious castles – Vlad’s former home of Bran Castle is yours to buy for $47 million – Saxon villages, and spa resorts fed by thermal springs, Transylvania is a paradise for open-air lovers, with ski-ing in the Bucegi Mountains, cycling and hiking trails, climbing in Piatra Craiului National Park and potholing in the Bihor hills. - Sasha HeseltineSpanish Square in Seville, SpainSeville, SpainTravelers have long been drawn to Spain’s Seville. The southern city captivates with its tangle of tiny streets and alleys that are lined by buildings adorned with ornate rot-iron balconies. From old-fashioned bullfighting to soulful flamenco, Seville exudes zesty and traditional Spanish culture. But these days, it rises as a top destination to visit for a new reason: it is a set for the highly anticipated fifth season of Game of Thrones. Filming has already wrapped at Seville’s Alcázar, a Moorish palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once a royal residence, the Alcázar’s gardens, reflecting ponds, and tiled courtyards will serve as Game of Thrones’ Kingdom of Dorne. Filming not only takes place in the city of Seville but also in other locations within the Andalucia region, including the bullring in the village of Osuna. Indeed, whether you wish to discover a quintessential slice of Spain or to immerse yourself in the fictional world of Dorne, Seville is an especially intriguing place to set your sights on for 2015. - Erin RidleyAtlanta, GeorgiaSince hosting the Centennial Olympics in 1996, Atlanta has continued to grow as a world-class city and the hub of the contemporary South. While the arts and culture scene continues to thrive, there has been a need for outdoor recreation, social spaces and a cohesive community feel. Enter theAtlanta BeltLine, a multi-decade urban planning project that makes Atlanta a must-visit destination in 2015. Similar to the High Line in New York, but on a larger scale, the Atlanta BeltLine will ultimately create a network of parks, multi-use trails and transit that will connect 45 neighborhoods through a 22-mile trail around the city. Constructed along a historic railroad corridor, the completion of the Atlanta BeltLine is 25-year project with a target completion date of 2031. However, four trail segments are open and four new or renovated parks are now open for public enjoyment, making Atlanta one of our top picks for 2015. - Katie CoakleyTemples of Bagan, Burma, MyanmarBagan, MyanmarWhether you call it Burma or Myanmar, you’ve no doubt heard about the rush of intrepid travelers headed for the Southeast Asian nation in the last few years. Since the end of the country’s military dictatorship in 2011, tourist numbers have been increasing dramatically – but there are still far fewer tourists in Burma than in nearly any other part of Southeast Asia. If small crowds alone are not enough on their own to make you want to investigate the cost of airfare, then take a look at the spectacular landscape of the ancient city of Bagan. It’s the primary tourist destination in the country at the moment, with good reason – it dates from the 2nd century, and the Bagan Plains are dotted with so many temples and stupas it’s been compared to the Angkor Wat complex in Cambodia. The visa process for Burma seems to change frequently, but so far it’s become easier with every change. The tourist industry in Bagan and elsewhere in the country is growing, too, so there are few excuses left to leave Burma off your list. - Jessica SpiegelDowntown Los Angeles, CaliforniaDowntown Los Angeles once thrived with grand movie palaces and ornate Broadway theaters. Then, residents left for the suburbs and the area was left chipping and peeling for decades. But in the last few years, theaters have come back to life and Art Deco landmarks have been transformed into inviting eateries, bars and design shops. The ultra-hip Ace Hotel — opened in the former Texaco offices adjacent to the Spanish gothic United Artists Theater that Ace restored — and Scandinavia-transplant Acne Studios are two indicators of the neighborhood’s new cool. The revived Grand Central Market is another not-to-miss attraction, and the highly anticipated Broad Museum is set to finally share foot traffic with the curvaceous Walt Disney Concert Hall in late 2015. - Serena RennerRotterdam, The NetherlandsRotterdam, NetherlandsRotterdam is Amsterdam’s cooler little sister, or perhaps the lovechild of Amsterdam and Berlin. After being flattened by bombs in WWII, the city reinvented itself. Where once the quintessential tall houses stood, surreal avant-garde architecture and modern art installations popped up. Walking around the city, your eyes are drawn by neon lights, pretty canals, striking statues, seas of bike bikes, quirky shop windows, cozy cafes, smoky bars and street art. There are more than 30 museums dotted around the city, many of which are situated in the museumpark. One of the most famous is the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum, a contemporary art museum filled with masterpieces by Picasso, Renoir, Monet, Magritte, Mondrian and Dali. Over in Delfshaven, which managed to escape the bombs, you can visit old shipyards, warehouses and windmills, or simply relax at one of the many bars and cafes that lace the waterways and canals. On 29 July 2015 it will be exactly 125 years since Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) died. The Van Gogh Europe Foundation, a collaboration of around 30 organizations is seizing this opportunity to honor the Dutch artist under the theme ‘125 years of inspiration’. The full program hasn’t been released, but I should imagine something would be taking place in Rotterdam — even if it’s independent to the VGEF’s celebration. - Emma KnockNew ZealandThe Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies continue to put New Zealand on our radar, and with the release of The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies, moviegoers will get another dose of New Zealand’s natural beauty. In addition to the drool-inducing scenery, however, a recent rise in Tolkien-themed tours means visitors can spend an entire vacation exploring Middle Earth. Enjoy a morning stroll through the Shire while exploring the set of Hobbiton, and journey to some of the removed hill stations that were the dramatic setting for fight scenes. Or, if sports are more of your passion than movies, New Zealand will be hosting the Cricket World Cup this upcoming February and March. Cricket fans from across the globe will descend on Christchurch and Auckland, with additional matches in Wellington and Napier, as well as Hamilton and Nelson. Add in the wine and adventure tourism, and New Zealand remains one of our favorite destinations into 2015. - Kyle EllisonWelcome to Fabulous Las VegasLas Vegas, NevadaEven the most seasoned Las Vegas found it hard to keep up with all the city’s changes in 2014. Several smaller, hip hotels joined the Strip scene alongside but drastically different from the established mega-resorts. Highlights include Delano, a gaming-free boutique hotel at Mandalay Bay; SLS Las Vegas, which opened in Sahara’s former footprint; and The Cromwell, the first standalone boutique property on the Strip. Celebrity chefs are still opening restaurants at a blistering pace, including many in these new properties. Downtown Las Vegas has gone through an incredible renaissance over the past couple years, and visitors can’t miss a stop at the Downtown Container Park, featuring local retail shops in repurposed shipping containers, and Fremont Street Experience, a classic favorite with a brand new zip line running the length of its spine. Open-air pedestrian spaces are increasing in popularity right now, and this past year The LINQ and the Monte Carlo promenade both opened with al fresco dining, free entertainment and retail stores that open to the sidewalk. Several new attractions have also opened in Las Vegas in recent months, including the VooDoo Zip Line, which is strung nearly 500 feet above the ground between the two towers of Rio and the High Roller, the world’s highest observation wheel. - JoAnna HaugenAkureyri, IcelandIn recent years, Iceland has exploded in popularity. This tiny island of 300,000 people now receives nearly one million visitors each year, and most come between June and August, when the days stretch long past midnight. The streets of Reykjavik feel downright crowded and it can be hard to escape the lines of tourists and tour buses at every beautiful waterfall, glacier, and volcano. To see more of rugged, remote Iceland, head north to the second-largest city, Akureyri. Home to a university and situated against gorgeous backdrop of fjords, it makes a great base for exploring the wonders of the island’s northern side, including the small whaling town of Husavik, the thundering power of Dettifoss waterfall, the majesty of the Asbyrgi canyon, and the geological moonscape of Lake Myvatn (which offers a much less crowded version of the south’s Blue Lagoon). For Game of Thrones fans, there’s even more reason to go – nearby is where many of the scenes from the beloved show were shot. - Katie HammelCivil War cannonThe South’s Civil War Sites2015 marks the Sesquicentennial of the ending of the American Civil War, which remains one of the most defining—and bloodiest—events in the history of the United States. Though war began on April 12, 1861 and the last battle was fought on May 13, 1865, the repercussions of this conflict echo even today. The Sesquicentennial is not a celebration—it’s a commemoration to honor the 620,000 American soldiers, sailors and mariners who lost their lives during the conflict. Throughout 2015, destinations in the south are hosting events and special programming that commemorate the ending of the Civil War. In Charleston, SC, the first shot of the war was fired at Fort Sumter and the city is hosting events and exhibits throughout the year. The Tri-State Civil War Association, which encompasses Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, is conducting reenactments and educational programs throughout the year. For historians and travelers alike, the South is a not-to-miss destination in 2015. - Katie CoakelySnowdownia, WalesAll-too-often overlooked by visitors to the UK, make this the year that you venture off-the-beaten-track and discover the many highlights of Wales. There’s the ruggedly beautiful Snowdonia National Park, where you can hike through the wilderness or ride the railway to the 1,085m summit of Snowdon mountain; more than 150 impressively preserved castles, dating back as early as the 13th century; and miles of windswept coastline, where you can try wind-surfing, kite-surfing and coasteering. Wales has plenty of other unique claims to fame too, like the World Bog Snorkelling Championships, held annually in Powys; the world’s largest underground trampoline which just opened in a cave in Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales; and the Cardiff TV studios where Dr Who is filmed, the cult TV series that celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. - Zoe SmithSunrise at Mesa ArchUtahUtah has a lot to offer and there’s no better time to visit than in 2015. With five national parks in close proximity (you can call them the Mighty 5®), Utah is known as America’s National Park capital. The parks are home to geological formations that are unique to this area, from red rock spires and sandstone monoliths to natural arches and bridges. Hike in the deep canyons, climb the sheer cliffs or mountain bike on some of the most gnarly trails in the country—whatever your adventure flavor, you can find it in Utah. While summer is swell, winter is going to be epic. Ski resort giant Vail Resorts recently announced that it will pump more than $50 million into Park City Mountain Resort for the 2015-16 ski season. With a new gondola connecting Park City and Canyons Resorts, the new Park City Mountain Resort will grow to 7300 skiable acres and will become the largest single ski area in the U.S. Other planned improvements include upgrading some lifts, adding or renovating restaurants and improving snowmaking. If you haven’t skied Utah before, 2015 is your year. - Katie CoakleyKoh Yao Noi, ThailandKoh Yao Noi is a tranquil and largely unknown haven situated in the middle of Phang Nga Bay. Nestled between the ever-crowded Phuket and bustling Krabi, it is often referred to as Thailand’s last untouched island. Lusciously green and mountainous in the middle with stunning palm-fringed beaches along the coast, it is a true island paradise, mostly untouched by tourism – but that won’t last long. days are spent sunning on the pristine beaches, visiting local villages, rubber tree plantations, and coconut farms, or taking a cooking class held at a local’s home. The best way to see the island is slowly, on bike or scooter. Just don’t expect too much action – for that it’s an easy skip to Krabi or Phuket.