On the path of Chaucer's pilgrims, wending a way through English history
People are still tramping the same general path from points around London, eastward toward the spired vision that is Canterbury Cathedral and sometimes beyond, along the Pilgrims' Way.
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Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Cision Canada
ICE Launches North America First Multi-Currency Travel Cash Vending Machine at Toronto Pearson Airport (Gate E77, Terminal 1)
TORONTO, July 31, 2025 /CNW/ - ICE Exchange Corporation Canada is proud to unveil a groundbreaking innovation in travel convenience: the country's first Travel Cash vending machine capable of dispensing 24 international currencies, now operational at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Terminal 1 (post-security, near Gate E77). Available 24/7, the self-serve kiosk offers pre-loaded currency bundles in the most commonly used denominations, allowing travelers a no lineups and no hassle way to purchase foreign cash."We've spent months listening to travelers' feedback, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive," says Lisa Powell, Senior ICE Representative. "Clients call the machine fast, intuitive, and incredibly convenient. It has even become a point of interest near Gate E77." Whether heading to Europe, Asia, South America, or the Caribbean, travelers can now leave Toronto with local currency in hand and assure to have a stress-free travel. Key Features: Fixed foreign currency bundles from $100 to $900 CAD equivalents Denominations tailored to destination (e.g., EUR 5s, 10s, 20s; USD $1s to $50s) Real-time exchange rates included on detailed e-receipts Multilingual interface (English and French) Secure payment options: Visa, Mastercard, debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay 24/7 customer support and remote monitoring for added peace of mind The ATM has already drawn attention from curious travelers and industry partners alike. "This machine reflects ICE's ongoing commitment to innovation and traveler convenience," adds Shamir Desai, President of ICE Currency. "It's not just a machine, it's a new chapter in the evolution of airport services." As a leading foreign exchange provider in North American airports, ICE continues to redefine how travelers access cash across borders. Travelers can also order currency online for pick-up at any major Canadian airport through. ICE's convenient Click & Collect service offering the best available rates.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Female tour guides in Afghanistan lead women-only groups as some travelers return
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — They wandered through the museum, listening attentively as their guide explained the antiquities in display cabinets. It could have been any tour group, anywhere in the world. But there was something unusual about this one. The group of foreigners visiting the National Museum of Afghanistan was made up only of women. Its guide was a woman, too — one of the first Afghan female tour guides in a country whose Taliban rulers impose the severest restrictions on girls and women anywhere in the world. Somaya Moniry, 24, hadn't known that tour guides existed, as a profession or even as a concept. But while browsing the internet for help on improving her English language skills, she stumbled upon Couchsurfing, an app where travelers connect with locals and stay in their homes. After hosting a traveler, 'I became very passionate about it and it was very interesting for me,' Moniry said. 'It was very unique. I have never heard about it before, so I said: 'Why not (do) this?'' Looking for the positive As she showed that first visitor around her hometown in western Afghanistan, she saw a new side to her country. 'Most of the things that we have heard (about Afghanistan) was just … negativity. The focus of the people, focus of the media, focus of headlines, all of them were just the negativity. And definitely we get influenced by that,' Moniry said. But for her, Afghanistan is far more nuanced. While there are undoubtedly problems in a place recovering from decades of war and chaos, there is also another side to the complex, stunning country. Her love for her homeland runs deep, and she is eager to share it. She hopes to gradually change people's perceptions. 'Whenever … I saw all of that natures, all those beauty, all those positivity, it changed my view totally,' Moniry said in her enthusiastic English. 'And definitely this can be also for other people.' One of those visitors is Australian Suzanne Sandral. She originally wanted to see Afghanistan in the 1960s but the pressures of having a family kept her away. Now at 82, she was part of Moniry's women-only tour group in Kabul. Afghanistan surprised her. 'It's not what I expected at all. I expected to feel rather fearful. I expected to be given a lot of … accusatory looks. Not at all,' she said during a pause in sightseeing. 'Wherever you go in the streets, if you smile at someone and give them a little nod or say hello, you get a terrific response. So it's very different.' Jackie Birov, a 35-year-old independent traveler from Chicago who was not part of the tour group, called the Afghan people 'unbelievably hospitable.' However, 'I'm very aware that I have a lot more freedom than local women,' she said. A fledgling industry Four decades of war have kept tourists away from Afghanistan. But while the Taliban's takeover of power in August 2021 sent thousands of Afghans fleeing and shocked the world, the end of its insurgency against the previous U.S.-backed government also marked a sharp drop in violence. Attacks still occasionally occur, mainly by an Islamic State affiliate, and Western countries advise against all travel to Afghanistan. Still, the improved security is increasingly attracting foreign visitors drawn by the dramatic scenery, millennia of history and a deeply ingrained culture of hospitality. Tourism is a fledgling industry, with annual visitors in the low thousands. Most are independent adventure travelers. But guided package tours are increasing from countries as diverse as China, Greece, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Afghanistan's Taliban government is keen to welcome them. Isolated on the international stage — officially recognized only by Russia, which did so in July — the government sees how potentially lucrative tourism could be. Tourist visas, typically single-entry ones valid for stays of up to 30 days, have become relatively simple to obtain from the few embassies that issue them. Regular flights connect Kabul with major transit hubs such as Dubai and Istanbul. A question of ethics For some, the idea of visiting Afghanistan as a tourist is morally abhorrent, particularly given the government's treatment of women. Girls are banned from education above primary school level, and women live under myriad restrictions. The government dictates what they can wear in public, where they can go and who they can go with. They cannot walk in parks or eat in restaurants. Beauty salons are banned. A very limited number of professions, such as teaching and carpet weaving, are open to them. And the rules can change quickly. But those involved in tourism point to the positive effects that visiting Afghanistan can have. 'I truly believe in ethical tourism,' said Zoe Stephens, 31, a British tour leader at Koryo Tours, a company specializing in unusual destinations. 'I believe that you can divide politics and people, and that is the main thing for me. … A country is not a sum of its politics. It's a sum of so much more, it's a sum of its culture, its history, its food, and especially in Afghanistan, its people.' Glimpses into the women's world Of the three recent tours Stephens led in Afghanistan, two were women-only. Working with local female guides, including Moniry, they combine key attractions with visits to women's centers and cooking and embroidery classes from local women — worlds that are closed to male travelers. 'We always try and do something a little bit different that really makes our tours unique, as well as something that kind of gives back to the community,' Stephens said. 'So I felt that working with the female tour guides does both of those things really well.' The groups are small — one had eight women, the other three — but the company is looking to build a network of female guides across Afghanistan. 'What we try and do with this tour, especially the women's tour, is conquer those ethical concerns,' Stephens said. 'The idea is to learn about the lives of Afghan women in context.'
Calgary Herald
29-07-2025
- Calgary Herald
Japanese students immerse in Calgary life through MLI Homestay program
Seventeen students from Osaka, Japan, are getting a taste of Canadian life — and plenty of poutine — during a two-week trip to Calgary this summer. Article content The group of teens from Osaka Meisei High School are in Calgary until Aug. 7, taking part in a two-week cultural exchange organized by MLI Homestay, a national organization that connects international students with host families across Canada. Article content Article content Article content During their stay, students are taking in the city and exploring local attractions as they attend English classes at Calgary French & International School. Article content Article content MLI Homestay, which has offices in Toronto and Vancouver, has been placing international students in Canadian homes for more than 25 years. Its programs run in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and B.C., and range from short-term study tours to full-year high school placements. Article content The organization says these visits bring more than just new experiences for students — they also create global connections at the community level. 'This is an academic program, so they learn a lot of English, but we do that through a lot of song and dance and walks around the community to interact with community members,' said Keri Tkachuk, program coordinator with MLI Homestay. Article content Tkachuk said the students spend their mornings in English lessons and afternoons exploring Calgary and surrounding areas. Article content Article content 'They generally love it. They love being with their host families, and after school, they spend time doing different activities that their host families have planned for them.' Article content On Tuesday, a group of six students volunteered their time to help clean up at Prince's Island Park. Article content Tkachuk said Calgary is a strong destination for exchange programs because it's multicultural, welcoming and close to natural attractions. 'And there's lots of opportunities and things to do and see in Calgary as well,' she said. Article content 'I want to see a lot of mountains,' said Kotaro Senga, who enjoyed visiting the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller last week.
