Jeep on Thursday confirmed its Wagoneer S for sale in the U.S. starting this fall. The timing points to the electric midsize SUV arriving as a 2025 model.
The Wagoneer S was first shown in 2022 together with an electric off-roader called the Recon and an electric subcompact crossover called the Avenger. The Avenger was launched in Europe in 2022 as Jeep’s first EV. Jeep says it has no plans to bring that vehicle to the U.S.
The Wagoneer S will be sold in the U.S. first. Later, sales will expand to key global markets, which will make it Jeep’s first globally offered EV.
The Recon will also be sold in the U.S. initially before being expanded to more markets. Jeep hasn’t provided an update on timing for the Recon, though at the 2022 reveal the automaker said the Wrangler alternative would start sales in 2024.
Jeep Wagoneer S
The Wagoneer S is designed to take Wagoneer-style luxury to the rest of the world. It will also offer Jeep’s off-road know-how, but combine this with EV performance. Jeep said owners can expect 600 hp, 0-60 mph acceleration in around 3.5 seconds, and 4xe all-wheel-drive technology.
To boost efficiency, the Wagoneer S is more aerodynamically styled than the typical Jeep. The most telling feature is the swept-back grille that also features LED accents.
Jeep hasn’t provided any technical details, though it will most likely use parent company Stellantis’ STLA Large dedicated EV platform, which is designed for premium midsize and large vehicles.
Jeep’s full-size Wagoneer SUV is expected to be electrified next year with a series plug-in hybrid option, where a smaller battery is charged on the go by a gas engine. Fellow Stellantis brand Ram has introduced just such a setup in its 2025 1500 Ramcharger. A full-size Wagoneer EV with a battery only is slated to arrive in 2027, according to a UAW document published last fall.
The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was designed and engineered to be a “precision tool” for the race track. While the DNA of every modern Corvette evolved from its racing car heritage, the new Z06 has blurred the lines between street car and race car to such an extent that it is hard to decide which environment this car is best suited for.
To further highlight the impressive capabilities of the new Z06, Hennessey Performance posted a video on their YouTube channel showcasing a remarkable lap time around the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, TX. The C8 Z06 achieved an outstanding lap time of 2 minutes and 19.18 seconds, with Hennessey Venom F5 test driver David Donohue behind the wheel.
The vehicle used for this run was John Hennessey’s personal C8 Corvette Z06. It remained entirely in its factory configuration and included the Z07 package, incorporating track-oriented enhancements such as a carbon aero package and lightweight carbon fiber wheels.
What’s even more impressive is the fact that the car was able to set this lap time despite the poor condition of the track during the run which could’ve allowed for a faster time.
When it comes to great cheese, seafood, and amazing meat, one region of France comes to the mind of most French people: The Normandy region.
Yes, about 2 hours drive north of Paris, nestled between the medieval city of Rouen to its south, to the north the Flowered coast with its elegant houses and horse racetracks, and west, the Normandy D-Day Beaches and the Mont St Michel, Normandy, is The Foodie Region of France.
Most people have heard about Camembert cheese, but very, very few, even among fellow Normands, know that it all started with a village called Camembert.
Here’s how to plan the ultimate foodie itinerary for Normandy.
Here is an overview:
Start Your Foodie Itinerary for Normandy by Visiting Camembert, March to October (Morning visit)
Yes, around 1790, according to the local stories, a young bishop, bishop Bonvoust, leaving the furor of the French Revolution, arrived, exhausted and starving, in the small village of Camembert.
There he met a young woman who had just lost her husband by accident. Maybe to an angry bull, who knows?
Anyway, she offered the bishop a safe refuge and step by step, they improved their cheese-making skills. Back then, most women made cheese, cream, and butter at home, and ministers used to have the privilege of aging and refining soft cheese.
Almost a century later, their grandson, Victor Pesnel, upon the arrival of the Emperor of France, Napoleon III, at the nearby town of Vimoutiers, gave the emperor a cheese as a gift from the region. The emperor, delighted by its unique flavor, asked where it came from. The answer came as a burst from Victor Pesnel, Camembert!
There it was. The cheese had its name.
Now, for those who want to know more about the iconic cheese of France, you should definitely visit Camembert. Camembert is a lovely village about a 1-hour drive from Caen or Bayeux. It is a really picturesque place.
There, you can visit the House of Camembert, a museum dedicated to the history of the famous cheese. You will learn about the history and the importance of the Terroir or the place where it is made.
Camembert is now a product of a designated origin or AOP product. The real Camembert has to be made using only Normandy cows, the brown spotted ones with brown around their eyes.
We call these their goggles. Smart cows.
Since 2021, in Camembert, you can also attend the production of the iconic cheese. A small farm was opened in the village, allowing visitors to check the whole production. The factory works only on week mornings. It is a very small factory with just four employees, so they open only in the morning.
For now, their annual production is set at 25,000 cheeses per year. They own all their cattle and process their raw milk on the spot. On Thursdays, they also do a delicious cream. The milk from these cows is so rich that the cream looks and tastes like a vanilla ice cream.
Then you should head to the small shop by the museum, where you will have a nice sample of Camembert cheese to check for yourself the difference between the real stuff, the raw milk version made exclusively with Normandy cows, and the standard version, similar to the President, the one available in all supermarket chains all over the world.
Promise me, you won’t return to a regular Camembert when you’ve tasted the real thing.
Since 2018, Katy and Benoit Villeneuve have taken over this restaurant near Lisieux.
Previously, believe it or not, the building was a Camembert small factory, and even before, it was a chocolate factory. The water mill was the engine of the place. It now serves as a wine cooler for the best bottles of the place.
This place is not in or anywhere near a tourist spot yet, along a small road, but it has a serious, steady clientele of French Foodies who know what they are looking for when they come here. Each month, following the season, and the availability of local products, chef, Benoit changes the menu and takes a great pride in showcasing the essence of a beetroot, a spinach, a trout.
Benoit, who previously worked at Le Drakkar in Deauville, got tired of cuisine that had to slice more truffle, lobster, and caviar. Now, with simple yet amazing products, he focuses on subtle flavors for people who want a real gourmet lunch or dinner with no more show-off.
With Katy, he met in Deauville at Le Normandy Hotel, they fell in love with the place and now many locals are in love with this small restaurant. A true small jewel.
Calvados, the liquid gold of Normandy (Apple Brandy)
Normandy is also very famous for its distinctive liquor, the Calvados.
According to the legend, its recipe was invented in 1553 by a gentleman farmer from the Cotentin, the Lord of Gouberville. Yet, apples have been, for centuries, the fruit of the region.
Beuvron en Auge – Apples for Apple Brandy.
Normands have drank cider since the Romans, and William the Conqueror, grieved by sorrow after the death of his wife Mathilda in 1078, might not have said NO to some cider to forget the pain.
There are countless Calvados distilleries in the region. There is even a tourist road called the Road of the Cider, where one can, just like in Burgundy, stop almost every five minutes to try another type of unique spirit.
Calvados is a distilled version of cider. After distillation – in the Pays d’Auge, around Lisieux, Pont L’Evèque, we do a double distillation to get the best of the liquor – it has to age in oak barrels for at least five years to be smooth and pleasant.
It can age much more than five years. The older, the better, and the more pricey.
If I can recommend at least two distilleries in the region not too far from the restaurant, Le Moulin du Fossard, then I would recommend:
La Spiriterie Française at Le Breuil en Auge
In 2020, Mr Dussart bought this distillery and expanded the range of liquors produced as well as he clearly improved the visit of the distillery.
It is also a Renaissance Chateau. The Chateau is now a B&B and can be rented for the week or weekend. Just ask the distillery, and they’ll be happy to explain to you how to rent the Chateau.
Of course, after the distillery tour, you will try most of the Calvados they produce. The bar where you can try these clearly reminds you of a trendy Parisian bar. They also serve delicious cocktails with young Calvados.
Calvados Experience
Another distillery I highly recommend nearby is the Calvados Experience in Pont l’Eveque.
This distillery, also known as Le Pere Magloire belongs to another French liquor group, Spirits of France.
Since 2020 as well, they created an immersive visit which takes you on a journey in the history and landscapes of Normandy region to show you why this product is really the true spirit of the place.
After the tour, a very Manhattan-like bar will allow you to sample all the Calvados they produce and even more.
An Ice-Cream in Honfleur
In the summer, if you still have some time, I would suggest you finish your day itinerary for Normandy with Honfleur.
Honfleur’s small docks of the lovely little port town, untouched since 1500, are now the perfect place for a cafe and an ice cream.
It is just at the corner of the City Hall of Honfleur, by an art gallery. Their ice creams are made with 100% of the milk of this farm, which is used to make these delicious ice creams.
No preservatives, no artificial flavors.
And even more, they propose flavors no one else does any longer, like the delicious old-fashioned Plombiere flavor, made with almond extract, kirsch, and candied fruit.
Ice-cream at Les Glaces de La Ferme du Bois Louvet in Honfleur, Normandy, France.
There is no better way to end this hard day’s work.
Bon voyage!
Normandy Food Tour
Experience the culinary delights of Normandy in just one day on this exciting small-group food tour from Caen.
Explore lesser-known parts of the region while enjoying breathtaking views of Trouville, Deauville and Honfleur. Meet local producers and learn about their craft as you sample famous Normandy delicacies such as Camembert, Pont L’évèque cheese, cider and calvados. Indulge in delicious meals at some of Normandy’s finest restaurants, including Michelin-starred establishments.
Your knowledgeable guide will also provide fascinating insights into the history of Normandy cuisine.
Enjoy convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off in Caen for a hassle-free experience. With a small group size, you’ll receive personalized attention throughout your trip.
Price: from €700 per group (up to 6) Duration: 9 hours Free cancelation up to 24 hours before Mobile ticket Tour in English, Italian, French or Spanish
Camembert – Normandy Specialties Food Tour from Caen.
What’s included:
Tasting several delicious dishes
Comfortable transportation by air-conditioned minibus
Expert guidance by friendly local guides
Private tour to ensure exclusivity
What to Expect on your Normandy Food Tour
Begin your day with your guide’s tour of Lisieux Cathedral before enjoying lunch at a stunning 2-star Michelin restaurant on a picturesque river in the Pays d’Auge, an area known for its world-class racehorses. Afterward, indulge your palate with tastings at a cider and calvados distillery, where you can sample these exceptional liqueurs known for their unique flavors.
Continue to the Pays d’Auge itself to meet skilled cheesemakers who produce the traditional Pont L’évèque cheese and the creamy Douville en Auge cream cheese and gain insight into their time-honored techniques.
Finish your excursion with a visit to Honfleur; an enchanting seaside village whose impressionist charm inspired artists such as Eugène Boudin and Erik Satie. Return to Caen around 6pm after an unforgettable day exploring Norman gastronomy.
Liquor barrels in Normandy, France – Private Tour Normandy Specialties Food Tour from Caen.
As far back as I can remember, I have always loved history and telling people about it and showing them the best places to eat, have fun and do things.
I was born in Normandy, near Lisieux, and both my grandparents lived through the German occupation and both were in the French Resistance.
This is where my passion for digging in the past really began.
After school in Lisieux, I studied history and journalism at the Sorbonne in Paris.
I have been a professional guide for three years now and I really love it!
I know and love my region. I have lived here almost all my life and I have so much to show you.
I have lived elsewhere, but I can tell you that “paradise” for me is “here” in the green pastures of Normandy.
I know, we’re all here for the tuner cars from the biggest names in the Japanese automotive aftermarket, but for some reason, being a car nerd means having an unhealthy interest in weird, oversized and undersized automobiles too. Vehicles that sometimes make no sense at all.
If there’s one thing you can count on from Tokyo Auto Salon, it’s the big, small, weird and wonderful. And the 2024 event was no different.
Maybe we’re not all this way inclined, but we know from previous TAS coverage on Speedhunters that there’s plenty of interest in the other sides of this huge event.
Let’s start off with the oversized SUVs and pickups. While mostly designed for off-road use, here in Japan these vehicles typically spend their lives as gargantuan grocery getters, taking up two car spaces and getting stuck under low bridges.
Off-road style isn’t just reserved for the expected makes and models either. AutoVeloce in Shiga normally design and build body kits for supercars, but they’ve really gone off the beaten path with their Cross-V Bentley Bentayga.
If you’re feeling like a bit of a city escape, why not ask Direct Cars to whip you up one of their BR75 Hilux SUV adventure campers. It won a Good Design award last year, which is not at all surprising considering the efficient use of space, which sleeps four.
Next up are the little ones – city cars that have mutated into all kinds of things. There is nothing these kei machines can’t do.
For instance, DAMD will turn your Suzuki Jimny into an awesome Renault Turbo II or Lancia Integrale look-alike.
Or you could ask United Aomori to transform your kei truck into a rolling sauna. Because who wouldn’t want one of those?!
We saw this rotary-converted 1972 Mazda Chantez GF-II from Goda Bankin in Nagano at last year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, but how could we not take another look?! With a TD06-equipped 13B from RE Amemiya up front and fender flares almost as wide as the car itself, classic kei cars don’t come any wilder.
Pro-Staff is a 4×4 specialist from Osaka who builds a lot of custom kei cars and trucks for off-road use – or style at least. Having also modified Porsche Cayennes for extra off-road-ability, their latest project is a lifted Porsche Boxster 986 drop top with bash bars front, side and rear.
Tokyo Auto Salon always has its fair share of the bizarre, and this year there was plenty of head-scratchers and a few builds that could empty your stomach post haste. But we love them all.
Built by students at Shizuoka Professional College Of Automobile Technology Sports (SAT’S for short), the Hoty Roty is a modified HH4 Honda Acty Street kei van body with American hot rod styling, sat over a custom chassis featuring Formula Suzuki Hayabusa underpinnings. The Acty body has been lengthened, widened, chopped and sectioned, while the Formula Suzuki Hayabusa’s GSX1300R engine – which is good for 237hp – sits right behind the driver’s seat to power up the giant rear slicks. This thing is crazy!
Parked alongside the Hoty Roty was another school build, this time from the International Information Technology and Automobile College in Fukushima. There were two inspirations for this V36 Skyline Coupe-based build – Nissan’s iconic Skyline Super Silhouette race car, and Machine RS-1 fromthe1980s Japanese televisionseries Western Police.
Obayashi Factory in Ome are well known for their crazy custom builds, but their Monster Leaf Custom 2230, which features wild, futuristic body work and hydraulic doors and roof is just next level.
This all brings to Nihon Automotive College, otherwise known NATS, an acronym for Nihon Automotive Technology School. Their Tokyo Auto Salon booth never disappoints, and for 2024 there were three real standouts, starting with the NATS Corona-OG. Based on an RT20 Nissan Corona, the car’s student builders looked to American custom culture for inspiration. With lead sled design cues and lowrider-esque hydraulic suspension from Skipper, it’s an amazing build.
Next up is the Phantom Chibi Meri, which NATS students fashioned in Kenmeri Skyline style from a 1983 Suzuki Mighty Boy .
Last but not least is a car you’re sure to have seen somewhere online over the past week – the NATS Jimny J1. It may look like a Hummer H1 that’s been stretched sideways in Photoshop, but in reality it’s a heavily-widened JA11 Suzuki Jimny body – with an extra pair of doors – draped over a Suzuki Escudo (Vitara) frame. One of the students’ main goals was to have the J1 sitting as low as possible on air suspension, and I think we can all agree that they definitely achieved that!
It’s a question we get all the time in varying forms: Is travel insurance really necessary? Kailangan ba talaga ng travel insurance?
And our resounding answer is always the same: YES!
It’s easy to dismiss insurance. When planning a trip, we only picture ourselves having a blast, with everything running smoothly. We don’t really (want to) think about accidents, illnesses or untoward events. Most of the time, we don’t feel it because you don’t need to use it. But that’s exactly the point. Travel insurance is that one thing you wish you won’t have to use, but when something unfortunate happens, you’d be thanking the heavens that you have it. Because, guess what, when traveling, things don’t always go as planned.
Bad things can happen when traveling. We know travelers who met a severe accident in Taiwan, who lost their baggage in Europe, and who were terribly inconvenienced by flight delays. We don’t even need to look far. One of our close friends was rushed to the hospital after his appendix suddenly burst with no warning in Thailand. And we, ourselves, have been robbed while on the road.
So yes, without question, we always recommend getting a travel insurance. But how do you find one that is easy to get and easy on the pocket?
Thankfully, getting a budget-friendly insurance is now more convenient than ever before. PGA SOMPO, a joint venture of the two of the most trusted insurance companies in the Philippines and Japan, brings you TravelJOY Plus. And it’s collaborating with The Poor Traveler to make travel insurance more affordable and more accessible to the readers of this blog.
By visiting the and using the code WORTHIT, you can get a special affordable rate on your TravelJOY Plus insurance.
Whether you’re traveling in or out of Asia or you’re applying for a Schengen visa, you can use this code to score a special rate on TravelJOY Plus products.
If you need more help, here’s our step-by-step process on how you could easily purchase an affordable policy online.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
1. Visit the TravelJOY Plus website.
You can find it .
You’ll be greeted by a short form asking for the following information:
Trip type (single or annual multi-trip): If you need a policy for just one trip, choose SINGLE. (If you’re traveling a lot, consider the ANNUAL MULTI-TRIP option, which covers the trips you make for the entire year.)
Package: Choose INDIVIDUAL.
Destinations: Enter ALL the countries or territories that you intend to visit. The system will choose the appropriate plan for you, depending on the countries you select. For example, if you enter a country within the Schengen Zone, the system will automatically detect that you need a plan that meets the Schengen visa requirement and is accredited in that country.
Depart Date: the date you’re leaving your usual residence for the trip.
Return Date: the date you’ll arrive at your usual residence after the trip.
Number of Travelers: You can choose up to five. If you’re a bigger group, you may book another batch.
Promo/Product Code: Enter WORTHIT to avail of a special rate.
Once the form is filled out, click GET QUOTE.
2. Pick the plan that suits your budget and requirements.
On the next page, you’ll be presented with your options. In most cases, you’ll have three options: BUDGET, STANDARD, and SUPREME. Check out the corresponding benefits in the column under each plan.
Notice the special rate when using our code WORTHIT
Note that the system automatically filters out the plans that don’t apply to the countries you entered in the previous page. For example, if you enter any Schengen country — say, France or Italy — it will show you only one plan, SUPREME, because it’s the one that is acceptable to the Schengen embassies. It’s pretty smart and savvy!
Note: The price varies depending on the destination countries and the duration of your trip.
Once you’ve made up your mind, click in SELECT (if the plan you choose isn’t highlighted yet) or BUY NOW.
3. Enter your personal information.
The next page will show you a form. Input your personal details correctly.
You’ll find two (3) main sections here: the Applicant, the Insured Person(s), and the Beneficiary.
Under the Applicant Details part, type in your information. If you’re a group, only one needs to fill it out. Below it are the fields for the insured persons, which can be up to 5 heads. If you, the applicant, is part of the party to be insured, you may just tick the “Copy Applicant details to Insured Persons” button to automatically duplicate your answers and avoid typing them all over again.
Here are some of the details needed:
full name
birth date
contact number
email address
nationality
ID type and number
Towards the bottom, you’ll find a short form about your beneficiary. Enter their details. This is optional, though. If you leave it blank, it will automatically consider “Succession of Law”.
Agree to the Terms and Conditions as well as the Privacy Policy, and click CONTINUE.
4. Pay for your policy.
You will be redirected to the PesoPay Payment Service. Don’t freak out if the look and feel of the page changes. PesoPay which is the official payment partner of PGA SOMPO.
It will list down the available payment options, which are:
GCash
GrabPay
Visa or MasterCard credit card or debit card
BDO (over the counter)
RCBC (over the counter)
Bayad Center
EC Pay
Click on the logo of your chosen payment method.
If via card, you’ll be required to enter your credit card or debit card details.
If via GCash, you’ll be required to log in to your GCash account.
Once payment is complete, the screen will display a Transaction Result. Save or take a screenshot of it before moving on.
Then click CONTINUE. It will take you back to the PGA SOMPO website with a summary of your purchase.
5. Save your Confirmation of Cover.
Check your email, where you’ll receive a copy of the Confirmation of Cover (COC).
It looks like this:
Keep a copy of it or print it out as needed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is travel insurance required when traveling abroad?
That depends on your destination country or territory. Some countries do require a travel insurance in their visa application process. The best example of that is the Schengen visa, used to enter these 27 European states:
Austria Belgium Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland
Some countries and territories may also require travel insurance upon entry, so best to double check with the respective embassy to be sure.
For many others, insurance is not required. But even so, we urge you to get one and be protected. Just because it’s not required in your destination doesn’t mean you should dismiss it. Bad things can happen when traveling, and you’ll never know when you’d actually need it. Best to be prepared. With travel insurance, you can enjoy your trips worry-free!
What is PGA SOMPO TravelJOY Plus? What are its benefits?
TravelJOY Plus is the travel insurance offered by PGA SOMPO, a joint venture of Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, the top non-life insurance company in the Philippines, and Sompo Holdings, a leading non-life insurance company in Japan. Both are known for providing high-quality service.
Together, they put together TravelJoy, which can give travelers like you relief and compensation for untoward incidents like personal accidents, medical emergencies, flight or baggage delays, trip cancellation, evacuation, loss of money, and more! COVID-19 coverage is also included!
How much is TravelJOY Plus?
One great thing about TravelJOY Plus is its competitive pricing. It is one of the most value-for-money travel insurance products out there. Not only that, aside from its Standard and Supreme plans, it also has a BUDGET OPTION, perfect for shoestring travelers.
You can avail of a plan for as low as PHP 469 for Asia or PHP 475 for Japan, Middle East, and many other countries (for 1-4 days). The Schengen-accredited Supreme plan costs PHP 717 (1-4 days), and this also applies not just to the countries within the Schengen Zone but also the UK, Ireland, Turkey, and European Russia.
Here’s the full price list. But just in case there are cost movements in the future, best to visit to get a more updated quote.
Please take note of the following:
ASIA – excluding Japan, the Philippines, and the Middle Eastern Countries.
WORLDWIDE – including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East (excluding the Philippines)
SCHENGEN – Schengen countries + UK, Ireland, Turkey, European Russia (St. Petersburg and Moscow), and the Euro Zone countries.
No need to worry much about it. If you visit , the system will automatically offer you the right plan based on the countries you enter.
Is there a GROUP or FAMILY option?
There used to be a FAMILY option, but it’s currently unavailable. In the meantime, you may choose INDIVIDUAL and select the number of pax that applies to you.
Why choose TravelJOY Plus?
Aside from its competitive prices, PGA SOMPO is part of the Sompo Group which is present in over 30 countries around the world. These Sompo offices worldwide can provide necessary assistance and support should the time come that you need it.
How to contact PGA SOMPO in case something happens?
The TravelJOY Plus Hotline is +632 8866 7388. It’s open 24/7.
Disclosure: This article is made possible through collaboration with PGA SOMPO.
An Amish man in a tiny Tennessee town decided to stop and help out a driver stranded in tricky winter conditions. The driver’s white SUV somehow ended up stuck in a ditch. The passerby helped out in the best way he could, tying his pair of horses to the SUV’s tow hitch. The driver might have been spinning the wheels in reverse and a couple of people pushing from the front, but we know the horses did the majority of the heavy lifting.
VIDEO | Amish man, horses help pull SUV out of snow in Ethridge, Tennessee
The entire recovery effort was recorded by local resident Sandra Sam Newton, according to the Detroit Free Press. Her commentary alone is worth watching the video for. She and another person will on the horses from their vehicle. When the SUV gets tugged back onto the road, Newton adds joyfully, “We got ‘er done.”
We’re Driving the 2024 Kia EV9, What Do You Want to Know?
It’s difficult not to be impressed by those horses putting in that kind of work. While most of the country might have abandoned the horse and buggy a century ago, the method of transport can still prove to be just as capable as our cars and trucks in a few situations. In fact, there’s an added benefit to horses when it comes to navigating tricky situations like this one.
The horse and buggy might be an antiquated piece of technology, but it can still throw a few curveballs. A few years ago, A Maryland man went on the ride of his life when his horse got spooked as he was tying it up to the buggy. The horse ran out onto the road and pulled the buggy along with it. The carriage swung out on the pavement, practically drifting and throwing sparks from the wheel. It was a real spectacle for a vehicle without a motor.
Victoria is one incredible city to visit when exploring Vancouver Island in British Columbia. There are heaps of the best things to do in Victoria, filled with exciting places all across the city.
We totally loved our trip to Victoria and Vancouver Island. It’s such a beautiful part of British Columbia and one of our favourite places in Canada.
Best of all, Victoria can be visited as part of a day trip (when visiting on a cruise) or as a standalone city, easily reached by flight or ferry.
So, to help you get the most out of your time visiting, take a look at our top places in Victoria to visit. You’re going to have a great time!
1.) Butchart Gardens
Perched in Brentwood Bay, Butchart Gardens is one of the most popular gardens in all of Canada to visit. Dating back to the early 1900s, visiting Butchart Gardens is one of the best things to do in Victoria during any season.
Once here, make sure to visit the Ross Fountain, the Bog Gardens and the Rose Garden. Finally, if you’re hankering for a bite to eat, reserve a table at The Dining Room that’s so incredible. Their High Tea is so good.
If you want to visit from Vancouver, make sure to book this tour and transfer that will take you from Vancouver City via ferry for a Gulf Islands cruise and Butchart Gardens. It makes things so easy.
The area around Vancouver Island is one of the best regions on the West Coast to spot whales. We saw so many humpbacks whilst on this whale-watching tour from Victoria. It was incredible.
Now, this tour takes around three hours and is so much fun. Now, we always book these zodiac boat tours. The reason is, that they are more agile and fast to react to sightings when you’re out on the open ocean. Larger boats, take time to turn and are much slower – which can mean you miss the sightings if they’re not close by.
We have something of a soft spot for castles, even if Craigdarroch Castle is something of a folly.
Known for its gorgeous Victorian architecture, the castle has artefacts and architecture dating back to the 19th Century. Best of all, Craigdarroch Castle is easy to visit.
Once here, you’ll be able to explore four floors of the castle that was built by Robert Dunsmuir. Visits take around 30-45 minutes and it’s well worth popping in.
Afterwards, you can visit the nearby Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. It’s one of the best things to do in Victoria if you’re interested in local and regional art from this area of British Columbia.
4.) Victoria Legislative Assembly (Parliament Building)
There are heaps of places to visit in VictLegislative Assemblyoria, but none quite so well known as the Victoria Parliament Building.
Designed in 1897 by Frances M. Rattenbury, it’s one of the city’s most renowned buildings and easy to visit if you’re already strolling through the inner harbour.
Once here, you can head inside on a self-guided tour when the Legislative Assembly building is open. Best of all, you can download this free guided tour guide from the Legislative Assembly themselves. It’s published in a variety of languages, so makes it nice and easy for international visitors.
Whenever we travel to Canada or West Coast cities in wider North America, we try our best to visit the Chinatown neighbourhoods. They’re always incredible and the food choices are great if you’re looking for authentic Asian dishes.
Not only that, Victoria’s Chinatown is the oldest in all of Canada; starting back in the 1800s.
Oh, and don’t forget to visit Fan Tan Alley for a little stroll through. It’s the narrowest street in all of North America and used to house illicit gambling and factories a few centuries ago. Nowadays, it’s filled with little shops and Chinese restaurants.
Pop by Dumpling Drop for their delicious homemade dumplings and spot the Gate of Harmonious Interest that’s at the start of Fisgard Street. Oh, and don’t forget to pop into Wah Lai Yuen Bakery for some of their delicious treats, too. It’s one of the best things to do in Victoria, especially when you’re hungry.
Built back in the 1900s, visiting the Hatley Park National Historic Site is easily one of the best things to do in Victoria whilst exploring the area around Colwood Waterfront.
Now, not only are the gardens and house itself so beautiful to visit, but you’ll also get to see the filming locations for X-Men and Deadpool, too.
You might even spot peacocks in the grounds.
7.) Beacon Hill Park
A gorgeous shoreline park, Beacon Hill Park is a stunner of a place with the greatest views from the Flagpole viewpoint.
Once here, take a walk along the Stone Bridge and follow the Beacon Hill loop to head for the views.
Afterwards, stroll further to the coastal parts of Beacon Hill Park and spot the tallest Totem Pole in the entire world. You’ll get to see the carved Kwakwaka’wakw structure and figures that make it so special.
For an unfussy bite, stop at a local institution, Beacon Drive-In. They make some of the best hot dogs in British Columbia. Oh, and don’t forget their ‘screaming hot burger’; it’s so good.
Located right next to the Fairmont Empress Harbour, take a stroll along the Inner Harbour that’s so lovely and vibrant to visit.
In lots of ways, it’ll actually be the place you should begin on the trip, especially if you’re arriving by cruise. Throughout the year, the Inner Harbour hosts festivals and other fun activities happen – which means there’s always something going on.
Hungry? Make sure that you stop at Ithaka Greek Restaurant. It is a terrific restaurant with the best seafood that’s freshly caught on the day.
9.) Baynes Beach, Victoria
On the eastern shores of Victoria, visiting Baynes Beach is one of the best things to do in Victoria when strolling the shoreline.
You can get some stunning views from Easternmost Point, and you might even spot whales on the shores, too.
Now, one thing to know is that there’s not a huge amount of facilities or restaurants around this bit of shoreline. So, make sure to head across after food.
Even if you are not a hiker, you have to stroll some of the hiking trails around Victoria. They are so special.
Known as one of the most scenic cities in British Columbia, make sure to join the trails that range from easy trails, like the Dallas Road Waterfront Trail to the Galloping Goose Regional Trail that’s a little tougher. Each trail offers different scenic views across Vancouver Island and the shoreline itself.
If hiking isn’t your thing, head over to Fort Rodd Hill that’s a historic naval base. If you’re interested in military history, head around the grounds and explore the armoury that was used from 1895 to 1956. Just be sure to take some comfy walking shoes.
Without giving too much away, we can say that Anthony de Haas is one of our favourite interview subjects. Not only is he a charismatic personality and, consequently, always a great interview, he is also disarmingly honest about his work and A. Lange & Söhne in general. This is not to say that other spokespeople such as Wilhelm Schmid and Tino Bobe are less forthcoming, but de Haas just has a certain vibe. Or it might be all down to de Haas being Dutch.
Now, de Haas is hardly a stranger to us, and to you, being one of only three people who speak on the record for A. Lange & Söhne (all of whom have obliged us with face- time in the last five years or so). As such, you could be forgiven for thinking we would have little to discuss with de Haas. Nothing could be further from the truth though because this watchmaking legend is a popular and much sought-after interview subject. The reason – there are many but this one works as an indicative illustration – is that de Haas gives great quotes and is a hurricane of information. Getting swept away by a deluge of information is a real possibility every time one engages de Haas.
On the occasion of this latest meeting, WOW Thailand editor Ruckdee Chotjinda is with us because we are visiting the A. Lange & Söhne manufacture in Glashütte. The conversation happened in a nondescript conference room with journalists from our region; also present are representatives from Robb Report Malaysia and QP Thailand. For the most part, the questions and answers presented here are from Ruckdee and this writer, although interjections did occur but have been excluded for the sake of brevity. The second question, on double-assembly, came from the Robb Report journalist.
On that note, de Haas’ first answer is presented largely unedited, just so you can see how garrulous he can be, even when confronted with the simplest of questions (mine, as it happens, which is unusual for me). Both the question and the answer have been edited for clarity, language, an even length, but are otherwise unaltered. In case you are wondering, de Haas’ answer unfolded over 10 mins, which took up all of my time for the interview, but he graciously carried on for well over the time the group was originally assigned. We honestly have enough material for quite a personal piece on de Haas, but unfortunately, neither time nor space is on our side. No doubt we will get the chance again!
Congratulations again on the Odysseus Chronograph, which Tino Bobe showed us at Watches and Wonders Geneva this year. Everyone wants to know why you made this as a limited edition, and only a limited edition, which is a first for A. Lange & Söhne…
Yeah, now we thought it’s a very, very, very complicated chronograph (so) frankly, we said, you know what, let’s start with a limited edition in (steel), and then we’ll see. Let us first deliver these hundred pieces, then we’ll see. Making the world mad with (a claim that) “it’s available everywhere…” when we know that we struggle a little bit (with production)…we have long waiting lists for the steel Odysseus, the standard one. And we have titanium and white gold (versions of the standard time-only Odysseus); we were really overwhelmed by the success…by the demand for the Odysseus.
When we launched the watch in October, 2019 it was very polarizing and that was good. But by December already we had to have a production meeting because, you know, we don’t make dials, we’re not dial makers; the bracelets, we don’t make (this) in house. So, we had to order extra pieces (of everything that we required suppliers for) and we did. Then we all went into (COVID-19) lockdown and all those things got delayed and we never were able to catch up with the backlog…
On the watchmaking (movement) side, in-house, we had another problem, and maybe it is also because we were caught off-guard (about the demand for the Odysseus): the watchmakers who work on the calibre (L155.1) are the same ones who work on the Lange 1 (calibre L121.1). It is the same level of qualification needed to make either, so now we have a problem because is the Odysseus more important than the Lange 1? No! So, poor Tino and his team (have to manage this)…you can’t say to a watchmaker this week you make Odysseus and the week after you work on the Lange 1. It doesn’t work like that; for a watchmaker, it is annoying [de Haas himself is a trained watchmaker – Ed] but we are actually about to do (something like this).
On the other hand, there is also planning – I have planning and development (under me) and you could (suggest) that I postpone development but that messes up my whole programme. We have (for example, another complication planned for the Odysseus) and this takes between two to three years. If I postpone this, then something else gets delayed, and it all starts to eat into the life cycle of the collections (so there are a lot of wheels turning and there is a lot at stake).
At the moment (returning to the matter of the Odysseus Chronograph), we have two watchmakers in training to make the calibre L156.1 [this is the Odysseus Chronograph calibre – Ed]. I say they are in training but they are not absolute beginners – they were previously working on the Triple Split. But the Odysseus Chronograph is so different to all the chronographs we have made before. I mean, yes there is a vertical clutch here but, as a watchmaker, when I hear ‘vertical clutch’ I think of something made industrially. We wanted to make something completely different, and that is the challenge we gave ourselves. (The two new guys) are excited to be working on the Odysseus Chronograph and if they start in November, maybe the first pieces will be delivered by (early 2024).
Do not also underestimate complexity. For something like the zero-reset (function of the Langematik Perpetual and 1815 Tourbillon)…I get questions about why we do not have a zero-reset across the collections because it is so genius… We could do it, in the regular Lange 1 for example, but then the price of the watch would explode…it would be EU10,000 more expensive (or more) because the zero-reset is almost like a chronograph mechanism itself. You have more parts, and so you need more space.
So (back to the Odysseus Chronograph), because it is so different and so challenging for us, we make a lot of laboratory tests for it. We test the start-stop chronograph action 50,000 times, and then another 50,000 times after letting the chronograph run 10 minutes (all of which is done by a machine, there is no person who is sitting there to start and stop and restart the chronograph). We are German here, and we would like a little German quality control! This is why we said just 100 pieces, although – on the first day of Watches and Wonders Geneva – our sales guys asked why we do not make 250 pieces. We know that there are maybe 500 people we could sell the Odysseus Chronograph to [and probably much more than this – Ed] but (again, because of the complexity of doing something so challenging for the first time) we said let us first make and deliver these 100 pieces. How fast – relatively – we can even make these watches is something we don’t know. We do not know if we could make one watch in one year, or two years… Selling the watches is one thing, making them is another thing.
Developing (something like the Odysseus Chronograph), that is what you [meaning journalists and collectors – Ed] will never see because we are making something completely new. Maybe, these two watchmakers who will work on the Odysseus Chronograph will say “Oh, this is easy; I can do one a month,” but we just don’t know before we start. We need a reliable plan that tells us how much time we need to actually deliver. Look (bottom line), we are not playing games here…it is not like we have 50 ready already, but we’re waiting a little bit because it is interesting…
Sorry, this is a very long answer to a relatively short question, but I’m bad at short answers.
Tell us more about double-assembly, which is a signature at A. Lange & Söhne.
You know, second assembly is, in the world of complications, a very common thing. I used to work at Audemars Piguet in Switzerland [close to 20 years ago now because de Haas celebrates his 20th anniversary at A. Lange & Sohne in 2024 – Ed]. We did the same thing. In the process of the first assembly, you might get oil all over the movement, and you don’t want to sell something in that state. So you take it apart and clean it; that is what we do here too. The special thing we have at A. Lange & Sohne is German silver and this material is a bit sensitive. If you touch it, it will oxidise – but of course no watchmaker will ever touch any component with (bare) fingers. Never, whether here or Patek Philippe or Seiko [component manufacturing is another matter though, no matter where you go, and contact with bare skin might happen – Ed].
So, you did not see our CNC machines because it is all the same stuff as they have in Switzerland, and you have probably seen more manufacturers than me. But there is one machine we have that no one else has, and if I were to give the (A. Lange & Söhne) tour that would be the only machine I would show. It is a washing machine for the German silver parts. We developed this with the technical university here in Dresden. So when, for example, you make a base plate or a gear train bridge, the machine does first one side and then the other. In between, the parts all go into the specially made washing machine. That, to me, is really interesting (and different here at A. Lange & Söhne).
Double-assembly (where we do a first assembly of every calibre and then take them all apart and do everything again) has been standard at A. Lange & Söhne since the start. It is just how we work. Now, we tried to do just single assembly, with the Saxonia, once and it was a disaster. You think we would save time but we didn’t; we wasted time!
On that note, A. Lange & Sohne does not do everything in-house, so how do you decide what things you will do?
We do not make dials and cases (as mentioned earlier), but there are exceptions. We do make our own enamel dials, which was a huge project for us and we even got support from Vacheron Constantin when we encountered issues. You know, in Glashütte, there are maybe eight or nine watchmaking brands, and zero dialmakers. This means a dialmaker won’t have enough business here to survive. Can you now imagine the kind of investment it takes to start and run a dialmaker? It is not something we want to touch, generally.
Similarly, we make some complicated cases ourselves, but the rest we leave to the great casemakers that we have in (Richemont) over in Switzerland. You may have heard that we do not make our own screws, and it’s true. We know how to make them, and we do make these parts for prototypes. We send the specifications to specialists who have 40 times the number of machines that we have (or can have). It makes sense for such a specialist to produce these components.
On the other hand, you know we make hair springs, and this we want to do. Sure we have the capacity to produce for others, and we do, but I prefer to experiment with that capacity. You know the remontoir system we use in the Zeitwerk? There is a second hairspring there, and you must know we never would have found this solution… even had the idea of a remontoir system in the Zeitwerk, if we didn’t have hairspring manufacturing capacity.
This article first appeared on WOW’s Legacy 2024 issue.
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For years, many people were baffled when they opened up the Guinness Book of Records and discovered that the world’s fastest accelerating car was none other than a Ford – and a curiously small, almost goofy looking one which looked like nothing made on American soil.
That’s because the RS200 was a homologation special produced by Ford of Great Britain. It was specifically designed as Ford’s first four wheel drive contender for the radical Group B class rally racing, but a minimum number of road-certified examples had to be made to meet homologation requirements.
Since the best in the business came out to help Ford, including chief engineer John Wheeler and Tony Southgate, the RS200 Evolution represented the absolute pinnacle of modern racing development. While over 200 standard RS200s were made, only 24 Evolution models were produced to stay ahead of the competition. These included a special BTD-E 2.1 liter engine equipped with a massive turbo to the effect of 580 bhp.
However, the resulting four wheel drive monster was ‘the fastest accelerating car in the world’, and as driven by Stig Blomqvist, a RS200 Evo achieved the 0-62mph (100kph) Guinness world record time of 3.07 seconds, a figure that stood for twelve years!
When you want to be able to pack your bags, catch a flight and set off to a new and exciting destination, you want to be able to do it all your way. Gone are the days where we’ll accept having to wrestle a giant suitcase, map book, and printouts of hotel bookings everywhere we go. Today, you’re going to master the travel hacks that set you free with nothing but your phone in the palm of your hand.
First things first, did you know there’s even an app to hack the stressful and seemingly never-ending world of packing? PackPoint Travel Packing List allows you to walk out your door with true peace of mind, knowing that you have everything you need, and nothing more. Simply answer a few quick questions about the nature, destination, and duration of your trip and a full packing list will pop up before you know it. Ideal when you want to get your trip off to the perfect start by sidestepping the stress of packing.
Translations On the Go
Next up, you can save all that weight in your suitcase on phrasebooks simply by downloading Google Translate. It’s capable of translating audio in real-time and allows you to navigate any foreign land you find yourself in. Perfect when you want to be able to order the local cuisine, ask for directions, and maybe even make some new friends along the way. One quick download is all it takes.
For those of you who rightly want to make sure money worries and the stress of being able to make payments is never an issue, Apple Pay and Google Pay are your best bets. Which one you choose is dictated by your phone’s OS and the technology is built into all the latest few generations of handset. Making use of these clever features allows you to make quick payments anywhere that takes contactless, store your loyalty cards when checking in hotels, and even keep track of your frequent flyer miles.
Of course, these payment options can be used virtually anywhere, also when you are not travelling. From paying with your Apple Watch at a local store to depositing funds into a casino with Google Pay, your options are virtually limitless, regardless of whether you use Apple or Android devices.
Also, we have the trusty PayPal app that allows you to have safe and secure access to all of your bank accounts, debit cards and credit cards from a single app. It’s perfect for managing your finances while you’re on the move, transferring funds into your travel account, and making sure your boss has sent your pay slip while you’re away. It’s secure, versatile, and works on any smartphone. Exactly what you want to hear when it’s time to enjoy the trip of a lifetime without worry in the world.
Want to make sure you have a trip you’ll never forget by getting off the beaten path? Roadtrippers is the app you’ll need because it’s the best in the world at taking you on exciting detours and introducing you to the scenic routes everyone else has missed. Type in your start and end points, give it a fraction of a second to do its thing, and then take in all the sights and sounds it will connect you with on your far more exciting new route. Ideal when you want to get away from it all and make memories that will never fade.
Now that you know what you need to download, it’s over to you to get yourself a strong WiFi signal and put your smartphone to work. Once everything is uploaded, it’s all systems go for the adventure of a lifetime.
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