Jen Rose Smith

1 week ago | cnn.com | Jen Rose Smith

CNN  —  Like maple syrup and lakeside lounging, an annual influx of Canadians tourists has long been a part of life for the border-hugging New York region known as “North Country.” “I don’t ever remember a summer where I wasn’t at the beach, hearing the French language and seeing Quebec license plates,” said Kristy Kennedy, who grew up in the area.

1 month ago | afar.com | Jen Rose Smith

When travelers at Bali’s Desa Potato Head order cups of coffee brewed from the island’s famed beans, the leftover grounds don’t go in the trash—or even the compost. Instead, used grounds are saved for recycling, to then be infused into liqueur at the bar or fermented into sweet-tart kombucha.

1 month ago | cnn.com | Jen Rose Smith

Some American travelers are concerned about their reception in Canada. Here, cyclists ride through the Val-Saint-François area of the Eastern Townships in Quebec. Daphné Caron/Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est CNN  —  The bucolic, vineyard-dotted Eastern Townships region of southern Quebec has a message for Americans: come hug it out.

1 month ago | sevendaysvt.com | Jen Rose Smith

click to enlarge In my experience, the people of Québec don't spend much time ruminating on Vermont, their smaller neighbor to the south. "Oh, yes, I know Vermont," said a kindly older Montréaler with whom I shared a table over the winter at country-music joint the Wheel Club. "In fact, I've actually been there," he said, brightening.

1 month ago | sevendaysvt.com | Jen Rose Smith

click to enlarge As a frequent visitor to Québec, I keep select pleasures on heavy seasonal rotation. My warm-weather favorites include cycling along the Lachine Canal, outdoor shows at Montréal circus collective Le Monastère and visits to Eastern Townships wineries such as family-owned Vignoble Pigeon Hill.