Jennifer Merrick

Once is enough for some destinations even if they have their own merits and charms. Other places call us back and the urge to return is strong. Golden, BC falls squarely in the latter category. We first visited six years ago and became enamored with this small mountain town with a big heart and even bigger mountain scenery.
Situated in the Valley of a Thousand Peaks, which separates the Rockies to the east...

In the heart of Banff National Park, the Sunshine Gondola whisked us up almost three miles on a 20-minute ride through surreal mountain scenery. Not only was it a ride to remember just for the views alone, but it was also the method of transportation we needed to use to reach our accommodation at Sunshine Mountain Lodge.

Sitting at 7,200 feet, the 84-room resort is the only high-alpine accommodation in Banff and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Up here, as far as the eye can see are the Rocky Mountain peaks, including Mount Assiniboine, Canada’s Matterhorn.

Published September 7th, 2024
Photography by Jennifer Merrick unless otherwise noted.
I’ve never been a football fan. Honestly, I don’t even understand the rules, and the only time I watch the Super Bowl is during the half-time show. And yet at the end of my visit to Green Bay, a small city located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the state of Wisconsin, I found myself at the Packers Pro Shop, scooping up merch, including a green and gold tee that I’m wearing now. I would have bought a chees...

Published August 25th, 2024
Photography by Jennifer Merrick unless otherwise noted.
“Men tend to overestimate their biking ability, but women do the opposite,” said Phil, our REI mountain biking guide, as we were driving to Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
I assured him that I was truly a beginner and was apprehensive about attempting a sport that had such an extreme reputation. Though I did notice my travel companion not mentioning her experience on two wheels, which not only included...

Did you know Ontario has a quarter of a million lakes? Jennifer Merrick dives into why this freshwater wonderland is such an extraordinary experience for families.
Kayaking, 1000 Islands, Ontario © Jennifer Merrick
If I asked you to close your eyes and imagine an island, I bet that you’d picture a palm-treed tropical locale with white sandy beaches. Though you might conjure up a forest-clad coastal island. But either way, it would probably be surrounded by salt water seas and oceans.
But did ...

Imagine yourself applauding a production at Stratford Festival, then strolling along the meandering Avon River. A tranquil scene unfolds as paddleboaters feed majestic swans and picknickers enjoy scrumptious nosh. A block away, shoppers pop into specialty stores and cafes while admiring Victorian-style architecture, particularly the monumental Stratford City Hall that presides over the small town. This may sound like you’re across the pond at Shakespeare’s birthplace, but you’re in fact only ...

“It looks like a movie set,” was my first thought when I took in the view from the terrace of our casita at the Four Seasons, Scottsdale, Arizona.
We had arrived close to midnight the night before, so we could only see the shadowy outlines of the two 30-feet saguaro cacti with their arms stretched out to the stars. When I threw open the doors the next morning, the saguaros and desert landscape greete...

A sprawling metropolis is the very definition of the City of Angels. Spread over 33,954 square miles, the Greater Los Angeles area has over 200 neighbourhoods, municipalities and even cities within its boundaries. Like a patchwork quilt, each section has its own design and distinctive character. West Hollywood is sequins and gemstones. Venice Beach is bohemian fringed. And Torrance is an unpretentious bright patch of sun, surf, brews and fun.
This under-the-rad...

Thinking about a family road trip this summer? Jennifer Merrick shares her best road trip memories and favorite routes to take with kids from Alberta to Nova Scotia.
Summer road trips round Canada have been a family tradition since we dipped our six-month-old’s toes in the Atlantic Ocean and hiked coastal trails in Newfoundland with him in a backpack. We serendipitously discovered that the vibration of bumpy gravel roads lulled him to sleep and led to off-the-beaten-track picnic spots. We wer...

Up for discussion on our podcast this week is retirement havens. It came to mind from our travel expert Onanta Forbes who has returned from her adventures in Central America and while she was there she discovered a number of expats in the areas of Panama and Colombia so she'll join us to talk about some of those retirement havens. Plus, travel writer Jennifer Merrick will also join us to share her experience at the Wienhotel Freylich Zahn in Germany. And, Ken Stewart f...

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The Food Edition: Where to eat and drink now. From Michelin stars to cheap eats, cocktail clubs and secret speakeasies, far-flung tables and close-to-home locals, it’s all here in our annual Bold Taste spectacular.

When its favorite rapper christened Toronto, ‘The Six’ (6ix) in 2014, he didn’t just give his hometown a catchy nickname, he sparked a sense of pride. Jennifer Merrick discovers six of the city’s best bets for summer with your crew.
The numeric moniker refers to both the original area code (416) and the amalgamation of six municipalities in 1998. But despite Toronto’s mega size (the fourth largest metropolis after Mexico City, New York City and Los Angeles in North America), it feels smaller ...

The High Sierra: Divine Road Tripping in Tuolumne County, California
Article and photography by Jennifer Merrick
“The Sierra should be called the Range of Light—the most divinely beautiful of all the mountain chains I have ever seen,” wrote renowned naturalist, John Muir, in 1868. These mountains, which span 400 kilometers along the eastern edge of California, captured Muir’s heart,and he championed the region, leading to the creation of Yosemite National Park.
As a lover of road trips and mo...

Best vacation decision ever? Taking our kids skiing when they were young. We all took lessons. The kids excelled, and over the years, progressively improved and tackled more challenging runs. I floundered, and even now 15 years later, I only cautiously navigate the easiest of slopes. But I absolutely love it.
Challenging yourself at any level is thrilling and the exhilaration is amplified by the mountain scenery. It turns out snow is beautiful when you’re not shovelling it, especially when yo...