canada

When the commotion of everyday life gets overwhelming, there is no better escape than the whimsical world of L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. Sometimes, though, daydreaming about the Lake of Shining Waters and the White Way of Delight is just not enough. Luckily, literary escapism can turn into literal escapism with a quick weekend getaway to Anne’s home, Prince Edward Island (PEI).

British Library, London, UK

From The Chronicles of Narnia to Frozen, people have long been fascinated by the harsh beauty of winter and by the wonder of snow castles. Beyond fairy-tale ice kingdoms, the world is full of genuine ice castles that you can visit and even stay in. Here are just a few of the incredible ice structures from around the world that bring storybook imaginings into reality.

We love books because they take us around the world, into the past or future, and beyond the limits of reality. True book lovers don’t mind toting around their current read. Doing so allows them to prop open their current book and read through a few more pages whenever a moment presents itself—whether it be waiting in line at the store, relaxing during a lunch break at work, or stealing a couple minutes away from a boring class lecture. But it’s not just the books that capture your imagination; libraries can play a big part, too. Take a look at these three incredible libraries around the world, and maybe even spend a minute or two daydreaming about plopping down among the shelves and reading the day away. All of these libraries are open to the general public, so, if you get the chance, one day you can make that daydream a reality!

Beloved Disney movies have the ability to transport viewers to beautiful worlds where colors are vibrant, magic is real, and everyone sings on-key. Children pretend that they too are adventurous princesses and quick-witted heroes, living in ornate castles that overlook forests and oceans. However, those childhood imaginings often fade away with age.

Situated at the eastern end of Canada is the sprawling province of Quebec. The second-largest administrative area in the country, this predominantly French-speaking area of more than eight million residents is rich in history, deep in culture, varied in diversity, and plentiful in attractions.

After a short ride on the ferry, I stepped onto the street to face a neo-baroque castle. Turning left, I spotted a large, Victorian mansion half-covered in ivy, and then I started to wonder, “Am I in England?”Victoria, Canada, was named after the famous Queen Victoria of England, and this city on the southwestern tip of Canada stays true to its namesake. Along with its architecture, this tourist destination is starkly reminiscent of England, emitting a foreign and historic energy. With the picture-perfect waterfront, the horse-drawn carriage rides, and the pervading Victorian style, it’s hard to remember that you are less than two hours away from the United States. Victoria is a perfect weekend getaway to escape without spending thousands. Victoria DayIf you’re planning a weekend to Victoria, May Long Weekend is the perfect choice. The Monday before May 24 is Victoria Day, a national Canadian holiday celebrating Queen Victoria’s birthday (actually on the 24th). Victoria boasts the most prominent parade, celebrating its namesake with food, music, and fireworks. For many, Victoria Day is a happily anticipated long weekend and a symbol of the beginning of summer.Darri Guinto, a recent visitor, described Victoria as “quaint and picturesque.” She particularly remembers the numerous flowers that cover the city, adding to its beauty and charm. Guinto said that instead of lampposts, Victoria has hanging baskets of flowers that line the streets.

In 2008, Jodi Ettenberg of Montreal, Canada, made the drastic decision to take a year off of working as a lawyer in New York City to travel the world—an adventure that has yet to end. Five years later, she is still traveling and documenting her stories on her popular travel website (legalnomads.com). Ettenberg’s experiences and writing have allowed her to rethink what happiness means to her and to pursue a career as a travel writer. She has even published a book, The Food Traveler’s Handbook, on how to eat safe, inexpensive, tasty food while traveling. Stowaway caught up with Ettenberg between locations in India and Bangkok.

Finding and paying for gas can consume time and money that could be better spent on hotels, food, and sightseeing. GasBuddy is a free app that helps travelers in the United States and Canada earn rewards and find the cheapest and closest gas stations so you can focus on your destination.

Where can you go for a musical experience that spans everything from rock ’n’ roll to jazz, electronica, pop, blues, heavy metal, and more? Québec City’s Festival D’été (the Festival of Summer). This music extravaganza draws international crowds for 11 days every July; this year it runs July 4–14. During the festival, an impressive assemblage of musical venues dots the town, and Québec City is transformed into the largest outdoor music festival in Canada.

With the earth as their canvas, gardeners use many varieties of plants during the springtime to create magnificent works of art. Even in extreme climates, gardens have been created to beautify the earth and inspire the imagination of all who have a chance to see them. Many locations around the world have large, elaborate gardens that highlight the cultures, values, and beliefs of their creators. From the rock gardens of Japan to the cactus gardens of Arizona, there are many destinations where travelers can appreciate the peaceful beauty of these artistic gardens.

Since 1924, the Winter Olympic Games have preserved a time-honored tradition of inviting world-class athletes to come together in friendly competition. As the world prepares for the Winter 2014 Olympics in Russia, check out these Winter Olympic sites from recent years and take note of the activities that you can still enjoy there.