http://www.thetraveljunkie.ca

Freelance writer Julia Dimon is editor of The Travel Junkie and host of Word Travels, a new reality TV-series to be broadcast on OLN in 2008. Contact her at www.thetraveljunkie.ca.

Where to be seen in Miami

May 19, 2009

Strolling along palm-tree lined Ocean Drive, against a backdrop of pastel-coloured Art Deco buildings, I feel like I’m part of a postcard.

Concerts, festivals and tomato fights

May 13, 2009

Check out this list of cool, quirky festivals taking place around the world this summer.

Budget-friendly destinations

May 05, 2009

These days, many travellers are shying away from spending money on elaborate trips.

Yoga atop the Canadian Rockies

April 29, 2009

There’s nothing quite like doing "tree pose" at 9,000 feet.

A selection of spiritual journeys

April 21, 2009

From the tops of Machu Picchu, to the rose-red rock of Petra’s canyon-like Siq, to the divinely-inspired churches of northern Ethiopia, there are plenty of places on earth that inspire. If you’re looking for a holiday with a spiritual element, here are a few suggestions:

Feats for the fierce and fearless

April 15, 2009

If you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for heart-stopping, jaw-dropping thrills and spills, check out these daring activities offered around the world

Seeking remedies at the Mercado de Sonora

April 07, 2009

Double, double, toil and trouble. Where does one go to see fire burn and caldron bubble? One good bet is the Mercado de Sonora, a sprawling outdoor shopping area in the heart of Mexico City that’s the Walmart of the witch world.

Dancing up a storm

March 31, 2009

Jamaica is a musical country, an auditory mecca of sound and soul. While this jewel of the Caribbean may be world famous for her Bob Marley beats, a trip there proves Jamaican music isn’t confined to reggae alone.

Jungle survival 101

March 24, 2009

Vancouver-born lodge owner Ian Anderson knows how to keep his visitors busy. Caves Branch Jungle Lodge, located in the Western part of Belize, offers multi-day, eco-friendly treks for the adventurous traveller, from caving expeditions tubing underground rivers, to rappelling rainforest canopies, to mountain biking along Mayan ruins.

Selling betel nut with sex

March 17, 2009

Tourists might assume these ladies are sex workers, but, here on the hazy streets of Taoyan, a city an hour outside of Taipei, the girls aren’t selling sex.

Can’t-miss Kiev

March 11, 2009

Dubbed “the mother of Slavic cities,” the Ukrainian capital of Kiev is a growing destination for international tourists.

Cooking up a storm in Turkey

March 04, 2009

Mardin is a charming town in the Turkish region of south­­­eastern Anatolia.

Another view of the Maldives

February 25, 2009

Each year thousands of holiday-seekers travel to the Maldives for sun, fun and relaxation.

A paranormal pilgrimage to the Hoia-Baciu forest

February 18, 2009

Those intrigued by things that go bump in the night can’t help but take notice of Romania’s most folkloric region.

The buzz on a unique tourism draw

February 11, 2009

Some corners of the world entice visitors by establishing self-guided wine-country routes, but Slovenia wants you to take a road trip along a trail of beekeeping sites.

Foraging for dinner on B.C.’s Meares Island

February 04, 2009

There’s more to do in Tofino, B.C., than catch waves, whale watch and chill in the hot springs.

Sampling a most surprising snack, Balut

January 28, 2009

Balut is a nutrient-rich snack, an exotic delicacy and a challenge that could unsettle even the most daring of Fear Factor contestants.

South Korea’s coolest cultural draw

January 21, 2009

In the land of Samsung and kimchee, there’s a cultural phenomenon that’s moved out of the underground and into the sights of national tourism marketers.

The downside of travel advisories

January 14, 2009

Warnings are necessary, but can they make you worry more than you need to?

Touring Chernobyl’s ghostly remnants

January 07, 2009

The site of an infamous power plant may not be a likely place to spend your vacation but every year, curious tourists make their way to Chernobyl for a look at where the world’s worst nuclear disaster took place.

Top destinations to visit in 2009

December 31, 2008

Following the path of certain guidebook giants, I’d like to offer picks for up-and-coming places to visit in 2009:

NYC’s holiday highlights

December 24, 2008

Manhattan is a magical place over the holiday season.

Travel (and get paid to do it)

December 10, 2008

Jet-setting around the world (and getting paid for it), the life of a travel writer is a glamorous one.

Rock and Roll Museum a hit

December 03, 2008

Rock enthusiasts, break out your air guitars and head to NYC.

Sleeping in strange places

November 26, 2008

Next time you’re looking for a hotel, why not rest your weary head somewhere a little unusual?

Digging up history in Harran

November 19, 2008

Eyelashes caked with dust, I make my way through the storm like a lost desert dweller separated from her own archeological dig.

Hidden jungle jewels in Belize

November 12, 2008

Ruins tend to incite the imagination, conjuring up thoughts of ancient civilizations, lost secrets and mystic rituals.

Truly spooky encounters

October 29, 2008

With Halloween a few days away, I’ve gotten to  thinking about the supernatural realm.

Frequent-flier tips

October 22, 2008

Having traveled to some 60 countries, with three around-the-world adventures under my belt, I’ve spent a lot of time flying.

Sunning in a doomed paradise

October 08, 2008

Every year, thousands of tourists come to Maldives looking for fun, sun and a pina colada paradise.