Jacobs Travel Blog

05/28/2026

Italy Travels 2026: Episode 8.
The post office in Vatican City, established in 1929, has its own stamps and seals. We of course wanted a postcard with Pope Leo’s Vatican stamps and Vatican postal seal on it – so we posted cards also to ourselves from Vatican. The Vatican's post office sends millions of letters every year and its services are considered more reliable than Rome’s which is why many Italians travel there to post their letters and cards. In fact the Vatican City’s postal system was declared to be “one the best postal systems in the world”, by the Universal Postal Union. The Vatican's postal code is 00120.

Talking about Vatican City, you know it has been the world’s smallest independent recognised state since 1929. It’s also home to the smallest and oldest standing army, the Swiss Guards, who have protected the Pope since 1506. In the Vatican City stands the beautiful St Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the western world, with a suitably impressive dome painted by Michelangelo.The Vatican museum has1400 rooms containing art and artefacts from 3,000 years of Roman life. The breathtaking Sistine Chapel is the Pope’s private chapel and venue for papal elections. So its worth the long lines and the crowds – ensure you get a timed entry tickets at least couple of months before your visit

05/16/2026

Italy Travels 2026: episode 7
Lake Como and Northern Italy is not on every traveller’s itinerary. Pity because it is so beautiful and different from your history / art trip sections of Italy just like Cinque Terra. As a Canadian it reminds me of our beautiful lakes and mountains with chic charm of history. Combine it with a short stop in Milan from where it is only an hour away. Switzerland is about 15 km away and if you like trains consider the Bernina express for a day trip to the St Moritz. Must visit includes several villas and towns like Veranna, Bellagio, Mennagio, Lenno etc. A great mother’s day gift from my daughter who joined us here from her base in London.

05/05/2026

Italy Travels 2026: episode 6
If I have to select one favourite region it would be Tuscany. Stayed a week in Florence the key city, consuming its art, history, architecture, wine and food culture. Went through many of the neighbouring towns including Pisa, Siena, san Gimignano, Chianti, Lucca, Monteriggioni, many of Chianti hills and vineyards.

04/29/2026

Italy Travels 2026:
Cinque Terre (five villages) was a photographer’s dream. Riameggiore climb to the castle was steep and lots of steps, but the view was worth it. Lots of hiking and steps to climb, made it with lots of rest stops. Quite tiring doing the villages, but the weather was gorgeous.

04/26/2026

Italy Travels 2026:
here I am here in shoulder season, spring 2026. Early, yet the tourists are flooding in: everything is crowded. The on line reserved fixed time slot entries is a way out. I am more of a traveler than a tourist, but my wife has specific attractions that she has to take in. Fortunately in Rome we found a nice family hotel in Monti (booked 6 months ago) which puts us in walking distance to most sites.

04/22/2026

The art of traveling with spinner carryons has been fine tuned for 3+ weeks. So no checked baggage and easy for the stairs and cobblestones in Italy. We use compression bags for the content and carefully selected travel clothes. The bag also includes my camera equipment. Another thing to pick carefully is credit or travel cards that give you free business class lounge access so you can have your dinner in style. I am covered for Toronto and Milan. There are some classy lounges in many airports - in particular I like the Turkish Airlines and the middle easter airline ones.

04/08/2026

Birding Trip to Panama 2:
Here is a report I prepared for fellow birders on the trip with loads of pictures. Click on the link to check out the pdf document.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1okHjxvRFRsRaawRGMkDm_ZSzzejSiwZn/view?usp=drive_link

03/17/2026

03/12/2026

Panama Birding Trip - 2

After Panama City, we spent few nights at the Summit Rainforest & Golf Resort, tucked within Soberanía National Park near the Canal. The expansive grounds were alive with birds and wildlife, and the property also hosts butterfly, frog, and sloth rehabilitation centres—an unexpected bonus. Our opening days focused on the famed Pipeline Road and the surrounding Gamboa and Canal corridor, all celebrated for their extraordinary birdlife. Meals were simple but delicious local fare—fresh and deeply satisfying after long mornings in the field.

In Panama City, we visited Metropolitan Natural Park, the largest tropical forest park within any Latin American capital. Home to more than 250 species typical of Panama’s Pacific forests, it offers remarkable biodiversity within sight of the skyline. Time along the waterfront added a different dimension as we scanned for shorebirds and urban-adapted species against a backdrop of modern towers and the Pacific horizon.

Each evening ended with the tour company’s species list, as we compared sightings and ticked off new additions—an animated ritual and the perfect way to wind down before dinner.

From there we drove into the hills to El Valle de Antón, settling in for a few days in this charming highland town known for its lush trails and lively downtown, in addition to the large variety of birds and butterflies of the cooler weather.

06/05/2025

Shores of Lake Erie:
We had a fascinating drive through Southwestern Ontario, exploring Norfolk and Elgin counties, primarily along the shores of Lake Erie. Our journey began with stops in several charming towns with European names—Cambridge, Paris, Vienna, and London, among others. A highlight was lunch at Still Water terrace in Paris, beautifully set on the banks of the Grand River. The delightful weather made the experience even more memorable.

Springtime along the Lake Erie shoreline is a spectacular season, especially at the two sandy peninsulas that extend into the lake—Long Point (near Port Dover) and Point Pelee (near Leamington). These areas, protected as provincial parks, are critical stopover points for migrating birds. Long Point, part of a designated UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is recognized as one of the most significant bird and waterfowl migration and staging areas in North America. Its unique geography offers a vital refuge for birds crossing the Great Lakes, allowing them to rest and refuel before continuing their journey northward.

Mid-May marks the peak of bird migration, particularly for Neotropical species such as tanagers, orioles, flycatchers, cuckoos, swallows, sparrows, and over 100 species including many warblers. Adjacent to Long Point Provincial Park, the Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO) provides a unique opportunity for visitors to witness bird banding demonstrations and learn about ongoing research. Several trails wind through the area, offering excellent bird-watching opportunities, and during peak migration weeks, friendly volunteer guides from the observatory are available to assist visitors.

Port Dover is another must-visit destination with its picturesque beach and collection of quirky shops. It does get busy in peak summer, but it’s worth the stop. Some recommended spots include: The "Urban Parisian Patisserie & Boulangerie" – a gem for coffee and brunch; The "Erie Beach Hotel" – a local institution for over 60 years, known for its perch and celery bread; "Coco Cabana" – located diagonally opposite the Erie Beach Hotel, this café serves excellent coffee, hearty breakfasts, fresh fudge, and handmade chocolates; "The Dover Cheese Shop" – always stocked with an impressive array of cheeses and gourmet items.

Continuing west along the lakeshore, make time for a stop in Port Rowan before reaching "Long Point". Don’t miss "The Twin’s Ice Cream Parlour"—definitely worth a visit. Turkey Point offers a quieter beach alternative to bustling Port Dover.

We stayed in "Port Burwell", located west of Long Point. The local beach is Blue Flag certified, featuring excellent facilities and linked to Port Burwell Provincial Park, which has camping and RV sites. The town also hosts a couple of marine museums and an old Canadian Navy submarine, as well as several charming eateries. Farther west, you’ll reach Port Stanley, where you can enjoy the local rail museum and take a ride on the heritage trains.

On a previous trip, we ventured westward into Windsor and Essex County, visiting attractions around Leamington such as Kopegaron Woods, Point Pelee National Park, Hillman Marsh, and Holiday Beach. A boat trip to Pelee Island is a fantastic addition if time allows.