Lake Lovely Water, British Columbia: Mountain Flying with Glacier Air
By Peggy Gordon
The pilot circles above the snowy peaks of the Tantalus Range and suddenly Lake Lovely Water comes into view. 
This pristine, alpine lake lies at an altitude of 3,800 feet in the coastal mountains of British Columbia, about 40 miles northwest of the 2010 Olympics city of Vancouver. Lake Lovely Water is a renowned hiking and rock-climbing area which can be reached by float helicopter or by foot. The Alpine Club of Canada has a two-story hut on the lake which sleeps 20 people. Other activities include swimming, fishing, and canoeing.
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Mountains, Music and Menus: Switzerland for Non-Skiers
By John and Sandra Nowlan
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to snap on skis to get the adrenaline flowing in Switzerland.
Even non-skiers like us will discover a country of high adventure, world-class music and cuisine that ranks among the best on the planet.
Skiers and snowboarders were certainly in abundance as we left Lucerne by train for the mountain village of Engleberg. But skiers were outnumbered by tourists seeking the adventure of climbing 10,000 feet above sea level and viewing the magnificent snow-capped Alps of central Switzerland piercing low-lying clouds as far as the eye could see. At the top, five restaurants (including one with outstanding pizza) as well as a glacier cave (a 500-foot tunnel scooped through ice 60 feet below the surface) welcomed us.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to snap on skis to get the adrenaline flowing in Switzerland.
Even non-skiers like us will discover a country of high adventure, world-class music and cuisine that ranks among the best on the planet.Skiers and snowboarders were certainly in abundance as we left Lucerne by train for the mountain village of Engleberg. But skiers were outnumbered by tourists seeking the adventure of climbing 10,000 feet above sea level and viewing the magnificent snow-capped Alps of central Switzerland piercing low-lying clouds as far as the eye could see. At the top, five restaurants (including one with outstanding pizza) as well as a glacier cave (a 500-foot tunnel scooped through ice 60 feet below the surface) welcomed us.
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The Best-Kept Secret of Mindo, Ecuador: The Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest Reserve
By Marianne Graff
As you step carefully down the slick red earth path, the sound of deep booming drums and crashing cymbals grows louder with each turn, drowning out the chorus of frogs, insects, birds and animals singing all around.
Tiny bursts of colour flit across peaceful sunlit spaces between thick mossy trunks, as butterflies as big as your hand and hummingbirds as tiny as your thumb find a flowery meal in the nests of orchids or the trailing blooms in branches overhead.
As you step carefully down the slick red earth path, the sound of deep booming drums and crashing cymbals grows louder with each turn, drowning out the chorus of frogs, insects, birds and animals singing all around.
Tiny bursts of colour flit across peaceful sunlit spaces between thick mossy trunks, as butterflies as big as your hand and hummingbirds as tiny as your thumb find a flowery meal in the nests of orchids or the trailing blooms in branches overhead. ( Read More )