All posts by Christina

Cover story for Key Notes on Travel: Animal Allies – How the travel industry can support changing attitudes towards wildlife tourism

Playing and posing with dolphins was once considered the highlight of a family vacation to Mexico or Hawaii. An elephant ride was a must in Thailand. But as the conditions captive animals live in have become more widely understood, these and other tourism products involving wild animals have become socially unacceptable, and in some cases illegal.

Last June, Canada passed legislation banning the captivity of whales and dolphins. Air Canada and Transat followed this move by committing to stop selling and promoting captive dolphin entertainment. Air Canada will implement the change by August 2020, while Transat is phasing these activities out over the next two years…

Read the rest in the latest issue of Key Notes on Travel or on the Canadian Traveller web site.

For Ensemble Travel: Fabulous Family Meals in Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Photo by travel writer Christina NewberryA short ferry ride from the hustle and bustle of Cancun, you’ll find lovely Isla Mujeres. At just over four miles long and only 2,100 feet wide, this friendly little island is a perfect family destination where you’ll drive a golf cart instead of a rental car, and the kids can play on the beach while you feast on fresh-caught fish.

Whether you visit Isla Mujeres on a daytrip from Cancun or settle in for an extended holiday, these top family dining picks will give you a real taste of the island at any meal…

Read the rest on the Odyssea website, part of the syndication network for  Ensemble Travel.

For Vidyard: Video Thumbnail Guide: How to Inspire Clicks

You've put a ton of effort into planning, filming, and editing your video, and you're confident it's great content that viewers will love. But what if they never get a chance to see it?

Your video thumbnail is the gateway to your content. Like a movie poster, it should convey everything a potential viewer needs to know to compel them to watch.

Sure, your video platform will generate an automatic thumbnail for you. But would you go to see a movie if the poster was just a random (and possibly blurry) frame from the film?

Read the rest on the Vidyard blog

For Ensemble Travel: Can’t-Miss Dining Experiences in the Dutch Capital

Amsterdam travel story by writer Christina Newberry

When you think of Dutch food, do you picture a raw herring or a big wedge of Gouda cheese? You should absolutely try these classics on your visit to Amsterdam, but don’t miss the chance to dive deeper into the city’s food culture with these can’t-miss local dining experiences…

Read the rest on the Odyssea website, part of the syndication network for  Ensemble Travel.

For Key Notes on Travel: Overtourism – Where Do We Go From Here?

You've seen it in the news. Tourists outnumbering locals in Venice. Anti-tourist protests and graffiti in Barcelona. As overtourism becomes an increasing concern for governments, travellers and residents of high-tourism areas, the travel industry must be part of the solution…

Read the rest in the latest issue of Key Notes on Travel or on the Canadian Traveller web site

For Inside Rotterdam: Getaway – Hamburg

It's early Sunday morning in Germany's largest port city. At the weekly fish market, early risers stroll among produce stalls while fishmongers call out bargain prices in singsong tones. But inside the historic fish auction hall, it's still Saturday night. The beer is flowing and a live band plays, soothing the clubbers who have wandered down from the gritty Reeperbahn, the nightclub strip where the Beatles played their first shows.

This is Hamburg, the "Gateway to the World,” where the maritime independent spirit has created a culture all its own…

Read the rest in the latest issue of Inside Rotterdam

For Unearth Women: The Ugandan Vet Saving Gorillas and Empowering Local Communities

 

At the Gorilla Conservation Café in Entebbe, Uganda, I order a latte while I wait for Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. It's not just any coffee in my cup, and as the name of the locale implies, this is not just any coffee shop. Bothe the café and the coffee are part of Kalema-Zikusoka's collection of social enterprises that support her non-profit organization, Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH)…

Read the rest in Unearth Women

For Ensemble Travel: Amazing Outdoor Adventures in the Pearl of Africa

It's easy to see why Winston Churchill called Uganda the "Pearl of Africa.” Straddling the equator, this stunning country's diverse landscapes and incredible wildlife experiences will take your breath away. Here are just a few of the unforgettable outdoor activities to explore in this East African gem.

Trek for gorillas or chimpanzees

Uganda is one of only two countries in the world where you can trek to see the endangered mountain gorilla in the wild. At Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a guide hacks his way through the trees with a machete, guiding you to your assigned gorilla family…

Read the rest on the Odyssea website, part of the syndication network for  Ensemble Travel.

For Ensemble Travel: 10 Unique Experiences that Redefine Exotic Escapes

When we think of exotic escapes, we tend to think of fragrant spices and tropical air. But the truth is, you can find something exotic in every corner of the world, no matter the temperature. Here are 10 exotic experiences you may have never considered.

Fish For A Living Dinosaur In Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia

B.C.’s Fraser River is home to more than 40,000 sturgeon – the largest freshwater fish in North America, with a history dating back 200 million years…

Read the rest on the Odyssea website, part of the syndication network for  Ensemble Travel.