“Keep Portland Weird” blares a large downtown sign. According to Adam Waxman, the city whose name was determined by a coin toss between two partners has succeeded in doing so in a good way.

Admission to Grounds. Check. Paddock Pass. Check. Ticket to Pagoda Suite. Check. I have my credentials and I’m ready to roll.

In 1812, gunfire filled the air and cannon balls were lobbed across the Niagara peninsula. Nearly 200 years later, there is an explosion of grapes. Something has happened in Niagara Wine Country: a new wave of homegrown winemakers with new techniques in exciting new directions, offering a whole lot more to discover.

We visit Montreal, Outaouais and Quebec City

Oh Florida, dear Florida, we love you. We are sun-worshipping transients, fugitives from a cold and unforgiving climate. We appreciate that you are user-friendly to us Canadians. We eagerly pay our way and contribute handsomely to your economy every year. In fact, according to StatsCan, 3,099,300 of us spent more than $3.5 billion in Florida last year. And worth every penny, we say. Miami is our Mecca, and it has wondrous enclaves for us to explore. Each one is different, yet they showcase their one commonality: The warm and all-embracing sun.