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Silk, Spice & Secrets

A Journey Along the Silk Road

For over two millennia, a fabled network of routes stitched together great civilisations—carrying not only silk and spices, but also ideas and secrets. Now, after a long silence, these once-forbidden cities shimmer with blue-tiled mosques and bustling bazaars. Join us as we trace this seductive path, a tale of empires, explorers, and encounters that shaped our world.

- FEE: Free for Members
- SCHEDULE: 2 Tuesdays, November 18 to 25 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM
- LOCATION: This is an online event
- PRESENTER: A seasoned speaker and passionate historian, Alan Freeland specializes in the fabled Silk Roads. His expertise is both academic and personal, having followed these ancient paths from China to the mountains of Georgia. He shares his richly-researched insights through bespoke tours of the V&A and the British Museum.

The Splendour of France

Paris, Versailles and the Loire Chateaux

Delve into the rich artistic and architectural heritage of Paris, Versailles, and the Loire River Valley. We will highlight the royal splendour of Louis XIV’s Versailles and explore the evolving styles of the French Renaissance through fairytale châteaux such as Chambord and Chenonceau. Each session places these stunning sites in their historical and cultural contexts, offering a richly illustrated look at some of Europe's most captivating monuments.

- FEE: Free for Members
- SCHEDULE:
Part I: 4 Mondays, September 15 to October 6 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM
Part II: 4 Mondays, November 3 to November 24 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM
- LOCATION: This is an online event
- PRESENTER: Susan Moffatt holds degrees from The University of Winnipeg and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. An art historian with extensive teaching experience, she has lectured on a wide range of topics from Impressionism to Canadian Art. Her expertise extends to heritage buildings, and she has a long-standing association with Winnipeg's Dalnavert Museum, where she has been a member of the Board since its inception.

China Through My Eyes

Tales from the Other Side of the Tour Bus

Join accomplished educational tour guide Barry Lane on a humorous travelogue through China. After leading hundreds of tours himself, Barry spent fifteen days as a participant on an "organized" tour—and discovered that quite a bit could go wrong! Alongside a glimpse of iconic sights from the Great Wall to the Shanghai skyline, he recounts the now-hilarious misadventures and lessons learned along the way.

- FEE: Free for Members
- SCHEDULE: Monday, October 20 from 2:00 to 3:30 PM
- LOCATION: This is an online event
- PRESENTER: Barry Lane, a Regina native, studied history at the Royal Military College of Canada and served as a UN Captain in Egypt. Fluent in English, French, Russian, and Italian, he has lived in Québec City since 1976. Co-founder of Mendel Tours, Barry specialized in academic travel and has lectured widely on Canadian railways, the St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes, and the Caribbean. In 1991, he won the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry prize for his children's book Ce jour-là en Nouvelle-France. Now retired, Barry authored Canadian Pacific and the Golden Age of Travel and continues to lecture on cruises and trains.

Travel With a Purpose

Friendship Force International

What if travel could build lifelong friendships across cultures? Join us for an engaging presentation from Friendship Force International, a unique organization that promotes global goodwill through cultural exchange and home-hosted travel. Learn how participants don't just visit a country—they stay in local homes and build meaningful relationships that transcend borders. Discover how you can take part and support a mission of peace through friendship.