Ian McDonald Photography

06/06/2026

Save money in Banff

04/14/2026

Lanterna di Messina (also known as the Lanterna del Montorsoli).
​It is a historic lighthouse located on the San Ranieri peninsula, the sickle-shaped strip of land that forms the natural harbor of Messina, Sicily.
​Key Details:
​Architecture: The structure consists of a sturdy, square stone base that was originally part of a 16th-century fortification, topped by a distinctive octagonal tower with black and white horizontal stripes.
​History: It was designed in 1554 by the sculptor and architect Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, a collaborator of Michelangelo. It served a dual purpose: a lighthouse to guide ships through the treacherous Strait of Messina and a defensive watchtower.

04/14/2026

Chiesa di Santa Maria di Porto Salvo (Church of Saint Mary of Port Salvo).
​It is a prominent landmark located along the coastline in the Paradiso district of Messina, Sicily. Its position right on the water makes it a very recognizable sight for those traveling through the Strait of Messina.
​Key Features:
​Architecture: The church is easily identified by its large, verdigris-colored (greenish) copper central dome and its bright white facade. It features a circular design with an elegant portico consisting of several arches.
​Dedication: As the name "Porto Salvo" suggests, it is dedicated to the protectress of sailors and mariners, a common theme for churches built so close to busy Mediterranean shipping lanes.
​History: The current structure is a 20th-century reconstruction. Like much of Messina, the original religious sites in this area were heavily damaged or destroyed during the devastating earthquake of 1908. Messina

03/07/2026

New Podcast Episode

03/07/2026

03/06/2026

Mary Gallagher, The Ghost of Griffintown is available now on your favourite podcast player, search "A Tour Guides Guide". I got a little creative with this one, let me know what you think.

03/06/2026

Mary Gallagher, The Ghost of Griffintown is available now on your favourite podcast player, search "A Tour Guides Guide". I got a little creative with this one, let me know what you think.

02/22/2026

Whistler, BC

02/21/2026

Vancouver Art Gallery