Jefie's VirtualTourist Home Page

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That's me at Castle Hidalgo in Santiago de Chile

Hello, Bonjour, Hola!!

My name is Isa and I'm a Canadian/Quebecoise with a passion for literature, history, languages (I speak English and French and I'm doing my very best to learn Spanish), and traveling of course! I live in beautiful Quebec City, Canada, where I work as a bilingual editor for government publications. I enjoy traveling on my own or with friends and family, but my absolute best travel buddy is none other than my husband Sylvain - he's basically the only one who can keep up with me!

I've always loved traveling, but since I joined VT, this passion has turned into an obsession! Here's what this obsession has resulted in so far:

In 2005, I spent a week in Texas (San Antonio, Austin and Galveston) to visit my dear VT friend Lisa, a week in Regina, SK for work, a week in England (Guildford, Bath, Winchester, Chawton and London) with my friend Sylvia to visit all the Jane Austen related sites we could find, a long weekend in Boston and Salem with my high school friends Alain and Benjamin, and a week in Prince Edward Island with my sister, niece and nephew. In 2006, I spent an amazing week in sunny Havana, Cuba with Sylvain, I went back to Texas (San Antonio, Austin and Fredericksburg), I spent a week camping in Halifax, NS, a long weekend in Fredericton, NB with my friend Annie-Claude, and a fabulous week on the Riviera Maya, Mexico, with Sylvain.

The year 2007 started with an amazing trip to Paris, followed by a trip to Vancouver and Victoria to visit my friend Catherine, two trips to Maine, USA (Old Orchard Beach and Portland), a long weekend in New York City, and two more trips to Vancouver to cap off the year. In 2008, a life-long dream of mine came true when I got to spend 3 weeks in Spain (I visited Madrid, Toledo, Alcala de Henares and Segovia). I then went back to Boston for a week (with daytrips to Cambridge, Concord and Franconia, NH), I spent a week in Saint John, NB, a week in Santiago de Chile with my nephew Kevin, a week in Chicago, and a long weekend in Las Vegas.

My mindset for 2009 is the same as ever, meaning that I've got quite a few projects in mind, and while some will hopefully get done, some will inevitably get postponed. I plan on seeing most of the world anyways so it doesn't really matter in which order I do it. Just go with the flow and keep your mind open to new adventures!

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Can't wait to put my feet up and enjoy the sun!

San Juan, Puerto Rico (February 2010)

Finally!! After spending 6 weeks at home with no trips in sight, I was starting to get a little bit nervous so we've finally decided what to do with our few days off in February: we're off to Puerto Rico! It wasn't really my first idea, but since we didn't have much time and wanted to go some place warm, San Juan seemed like a good choice. After stopping by some travel pages on VT, I also discovered that there was much to see and do in Puerto Rico that seemed right up my alley: history, nature, good food, and more :o) The next couple months are gonna be loooong!

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Riding the Powell Street cable car

San Francisco, USA (September 2009)

I just got back from spending 5 fantastic days in San Francisco! It was my first time traveling to California and I must admit that I had heard such great things about the City by the Bay, I was almost afraid it wouldn't live up to my expectations - but in the end, it even surpassed them!! Every street corner looked like a postcard, and I loved the laidback atmosphere of the City. Of course in only 5 days we didn't have time to see and do everything San Francisco has to offer (which means we'll have to go back!), but we did manage to squeeze in an evening tour of Alcatraz, a show at The Fillmore, and a Napa Valley wine tour, among other things. More details available on my San Francisco travel page!

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With Rafiki, the latest addition to our family ;o)

Orlando, Florida (July 2009)

This year we took our annual family holiday to a whole new level by spending a week at Walt Disney World! My sister, niece, nephew and I had a wonderful time visiting Orlando's four major theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Much has changed since my sister and I went there as kids but the magic of Disney has definitely remained, and to be able to share it with Kevin and Alexandra truly was like a dream come true. And I'll also make sure to share some of it with my fellow VTers on my Orlando travel page!!

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Enjoying a pint in an old Irish pub

Dublin, Ireland (April 2009)

After years and years of dreaming to go to Ireland, I finally made it to Dublin! Sylvain and I spent a fantastic week in "Baile Átha Cliath", exploring both sides of the River Liffey, spending a copious amount of time drinking beer to the sound of Irish music, and getting acquainted with the rich, complex history and culture of Ireland. There sure was enough to see and do in the city to keep us busy for a week, and yet I come back feeling as though I've only scratched the surface of the great mystery that is Ireland - I guess that leaves me with no other option: I'll have to go back!

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Rum punch at sunset with my amazing mom-in-law

Caye Caulker, Belize (February 2009)

Three years ago, my in-laws discovered a little piece of paradise on earth in Caye Caulker, Belize, and this year we finally got to escape from the cold Canadian winter to see what it was all about! Sylvain and I spent 10 amazing days with them in and around the sunny island of Caye Caulker for a trip that was filled with adventures (we went swimming, fishing, snorkelling and hiking through Mayan ruins), and also with plenty of rum punch (!) and quiet, relaxing time. Definitely a place to put on your travel wishlist if it isn't already there!

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Sylvain at the Cirque du Soleil's "KÀ"

Las Vegas, USA (December 2008)

I'm back from Sin City with no scandalous stories to tell other than having bought a ridiculously expensive but really cool pair of shoes!! Sylvain and I spent 3 days in Las Vegas and most of that time was spent walking up and down the Strip, stopping by all the big hotels and casinos to check out the completely over the top architecture. Before I left for Vegas, I wasn't too sure whether I would like it or not, but for the most part I have to say that I did enjoy its vibrant and very unique atmosphere... only in Vegas, as they say!!