N. America

Concerts Announced! Montreal Jazz Fest 2017 | Le Festival de Jazz de Montréal 2017

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The 38th edition of the Montreal Jazz Festival has been officially announced with 10 concerts (with more to come) listed below.  Ticket sales started November 25, 2016 and more info can be found at the festival website.

Buddy Guy | Charlie Musselwhite | Lucky Peterson — Triple bill
A major-league blues evening in Place des Arts, with three giants of the genre… a classic triple bill!
June 30, 7:30 p.m., Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, PdA (Événements spéciaux TD series)

Pink Martini
Somewhere between jazz, chanson, classics and retro, the suave, savvy Pink Martini orchestra never fails to pour out a cocktail of musical exhilaration… Make it a double!
July 8, 8 p.m., Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, PdA (Événements spéciaux TD series)

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Travel Advice

Free WhatsApp Roaming with KnowRoaming

Get 30% off instantly here. Promocode RAITA00.

KnowRoaming, a Toronto-based player in the international mobile roaming market just introduced a game-changer.  By simply signing up and having one of their international SIMs, users get free and unlimited WhatsApp usage.  And that’s not just messaging, but also pictures, videos and calls so long as it’s through the WhatsApp app.

So how does one get on the KnowRoaming network?  Simply order one of their SIM stickers ($29.99USD) or SIM cards ($9.99USD) to get started (HINT: Use promo code RAITA00 for a $9/$3 discount).  The main difference between the two is that the sticker allows you to use your existing SIM at the same time so there’s no need to switch between two SIM cards.  On the other hand, the SIM card option is great if you have an old phone lying around that you want to use exclusively for travel.  Both options require your phone to be unlocked (well worth the cost!).

As for savings, aside from the free WhatsApp usage, unlimited data is available for $7USD/day in most countries.  This option is ideal for business people and bloggers that need regular connection to the internet and since it’s unlimited, it really is worry-free.  For other reasons to go unlimited and forget about wifi, see my other post here.

Finally, if you’re already with KnowRaoming, the unlimited WhatsApp option is already available to you.  No changes needed!

N. America

The New and Upcoming Little Tokyo/Japan Town (J-Town) of Toronto, Canada

Toronto, being world renowned for being highly multicultural and accepting of all cultures, has many famous pockets such as Spadina’s China Town and Little India in the Greenwood area.

See top tours to do in/around Toronto with Viator here.

Japan on the other hand, has never established a neighbourhood for itself until recently.  With the increasing popularity of Japanese brands such as Uniqlo and Muji (both now in/near the Eaton Centre) the Dundas Street and Bay Street area of Toronto is quickly establishing itself as the ‘Little Tokyo’ or ‘Japan Town’ of Toronto.  Click here for Google Streetview of the area.

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Europe

Naturalvolcanic gas (CO2) Treatment, Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic

Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic is known for its history, healing springs and luxurious spa resorts.  These spa resorts not only focus on relaxation, but are proven to treat numerous other diseases and disorders, such as:

  • Locomotive system disorders (from back to joints to osteoporosis)
  • Kidney and urinary tract disorders
  • Respiratory tract illnesses
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Gynecologic illnesses (including infertility therapy)
  • Circulatory disorders
  • Oncological diseases
  • Digestive system illnesses
  • Nervous system diseases

One of the more popular treatments is the Naturalvolcanic gas (CO2) Treatment.  Slightly out of the ordinary, this treatment is said to improve blood circulation, kidney activity and sexual functions, in addition to having an anti-inflammatory effects.  Although the first time can be a little intimidating, it is pain free procedure and does not require much preparation (as the above video shows).  This procedure can be combined with multiple other procedures.  For a full list, see here.

Europe

For Those With Unlimited Wedding Budgets, Moser Glass is Your Go-To for Glassware.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a healthy royalty-like wedding budget, trust your glassware to Moser Glass in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.  World-renowned for its glassware, Moser handcrafts each of its pieces and has been used in celebrations worldwide by celebrities and royalty alike.

Since each piece is handcrafted, not only is each piece unique, it makes for a great takeaway for guests attending the event.  Furthermore, the glassware can be custom made to most shapes and sizes, making it easy to match up with different themes and colours.

To get a true taste of what’s possible, be sure to book a factory tour at their main factory in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.

Travel Tech

Which is Better for Travellers? DJI Mavic vs. GoPro Karma. DJI wins.

If you’re considering getting a drone to capture travel footage and comparing between DJI’s Mavic and GoPro’s Karma, which is better?  Here’s some food for thought.

Both are very similar in that they are both a lot smaller than previous drones on the market and fold nicely into a backpack.  The one thing that makes the design of the DJI Mavic brilliant is the thought they put into the weight.

Why the weight you ask?  Well the DJI Mavic is 1.64lbs/743g, well below the 1kg threshold, which means it does not have to be registered in many countries, such as Ireland and Belgium.  This list grows if you are planning to use the drone for commercial purposes.  In comparison, the GoPro Karma weighs 2.22lbs/1006g, which puts it over the 1kg limit set by many countries/regions.  This makes DJI Mavic more travel friendly in the sense that it requires less paperwork depending on where you plan on flying and filming.

Of course, normal flight restrictions still apply, alongside any insurance requirements.  For an unofficial list of restricted areas, use AirMap or visit UAV Coach.

Travel Advice

Berlin Beaches – Strandbad Wannsee Beach Area

Berlin, although a landlocked city, has a great beach area on the outskirts of the city.  The Strandbad Wannsee area is very family friendly with full washrooms and change rooms.  It also neighbours a marina with plenty of boating options, including sailing.  From central Berlin, it is about 30 minutes by train and another 15 minutes of walking (from the station to the beach area).  Access to the beach area is roughly €5.50 depending on your age and student status.

Travel Tech

KnowRoaming International SIM & Data Plan Review

Get 30% off instantly here. Promo code: RAITA00

I recently teamed up with KnowRoaming to review its international unlimited roaming sim card/data plan throughout Europe (Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic and France). KnowRoaming has various plans, including its unlimited $7.99USD/day data plan. For context, the big cellular providers can cost $5+/MB when you’re overseas.

As anticipated, it worked well. At first, it was nice to be able to check email, tweet, and post like I was at home without the worry of overages or additional costs. But as I started to travel and move about Europe, it dawned on me that it was more than that. It’s not just about being able to check your email all the time, but more about piece-of-mind, safety, and being as efficient as possible while you travel.

That said, I decided to compile a list of not-so-obvious reason why a KnowRoaming international roaming sim is important for all travellers.

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