Category Archives: Events

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Speaking on Saturday, March 1, 2025, we have :

1st: Anthony Britton: A summer 2024 road trip to the Aegean, via the Carpathians and the Black Sea.

In June 2024, Anthony and Julia set off on a long round road trip to Eastern Europe. They explored their Polish roots, visited World Heritage sites in Romania, discovered what King Charles likes about the Carpathians and trailed the Black Sea coast to the Aegean. They met families who remember the Cold War and those whose livelihoods are threatened by climate change.


2nd: Simon Johnson – Cycling a Camino Route by Accident

Exploring the Longest Spanish Pilgrimage Route

Join Simon Johnson as he shares his captivating journey of cycling a thousand kilometers solo along the Camino de Santiago’s southern route—from Seville to Santiago de Compostela. With no prior experience in long-distance cycling or any detailed planning, Simon embarked on this unexpected adventure, filled with challenges, surprises, and moments of self-discovery.

In this talk, Simon will recount his mishaps, lessons learned, and the unique joys of cycling through Spain’s diverse landscapes, historic towns, and spiritual pathways. Discover how the combination of the Camino’s rich cultural heritage and the spontaneity of unplanned travel turned his journey into a deeply rewarding experience. Whether you’re a cyclist, a Camino enthusiast, or simply curious about adventure travel, this talk will inspire you to embrace the unexpected and take on your own journey—on two wheels or otherwise.


Date & Time: Saturday 1st March 2025

Doors open at 14:15 in London and on Zoom with the talks starting around 14:45 (London see Event Time Announcer for local times), please arrive before 14:45 and switch your phone to “do not disturb” or silent.

We would ask that anyone with respiratory symptoms participate via Zoom.

Admission costs:

  • £7 for members. (Members can access a ticket code below or from the members area.)
  • £10 for non-members. (save £3 if you join at this meeting)
  • a recording to watch later will be available to members and non-member ticket holders.

Please sign up for meeting updates to get notifications for future meetings.


For in person Tickets at the hall:

For Zoom online tickets:

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Speaking on Saturday, February 1, 2025, we have :

1st: Elizabeth Mioduchowski – Travelling in Russia

Elizabeth will discuss travelling in Russia, a land of vast landscapes, rich history, and dynamic cultural and political significance. This talk will explore the multifaceted identity of the world’s largest country, examining its history and contemporary challenges.

Elizabeth travelled in Russia before the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Russia due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

2nd: Sarah Cook – Cycling Journey in Chile

Sarah has kindly offered to give a talk she gave to her local cycling club a few months ago about her Cycling Journey in Chile.

The talk by Olivia McGregor on Guiana has had to be postponed.


Date & Time: Saturday 1st February 2025

Doors open at 14:15 in London and on Zoom with the talks starting around 14:45 (London see Event Time Announcer for local times), please arrive before 14:45 and switch your phone to “do not disturb” or silent.

We would ask that anyone with respiratory symptoms participate via Zoom.

Admission costs:

  • £7 for members. (Members can access a ticket code below or from the members area.)
  • £10 for non-members. (save £3 if you join at this meeting)
  • a recording to watch later will be available to members and non-member ticket holders.

Please sign up for meeting updates to get notifications for future meetings.


For in person Tickets at the hall:

For Zoom online tickets:

Toronto GTs meeting – Friday, November 15, 2024

Join us on Friday, November 15th, 2024 at 8 p.m.
OLD YORK TOWER, 85 THE ESPLANADE, (SE corner of Church St.)

A WALK ON THE CAMINO PORTUGUESE presented by Deanna Groetzinger, Cathy Paul, Sue Vanderkwaak, Gloria Tuck

Join us at OLD YORK TOWER, 85 THE ESPLANADE, in downtown Toronto.

We are always looking for volunteer presenters.

Please contact
Svatka Hermanek hermaneks@yahoo.ca or
Bruce Weber bruceaweber@hotmail.com
EVERYONE WELCOME – ESPECIALLY VISITING TRAVELERS

Toronto GTs’ picnic – Sunday, August 25, 2024

TORONTO GTs’ annual PICNIC & Potlach/Potluck

Sunday, August 25, 2024, any time after 1:30 p.m. at Bruce Weber’s, 3 Oneida Ave. Algonquin Island.

The ferry to “Ward’s Island” leaves at 10:30, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30

Get your tickets online and leave early (you can deposit your ‘stuff’ at Bruce’s house, take a walk around the island, or go to the beach).

Just as last year, we invite you to prepare a short presentation (20 pictures – 20 seconds each – see the attached info about Pecha Kucha format) and bring it on a memory stick.

Any questions? – contact Svatka hermaneks@yahoo.ca

We are always looking for volunteer presenters.

Please contact
Svatka Hermanek hermaneks@yahoo.ca or
Bruce Weber bruceaweber@hotmail.com
EVERYONE WELCOME – ESPECIALLY VISITING TRAVELERS

Toronto GTs meeting – Friday, September 20, 2024

Greetings fellow travellers,

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances we have to cancel our September meeting and presentation.

We are always looking for volunteer presenters.

Please contact
Svatka Hermanek hermaneks@yahoo.ca or
Bruce Weber bruceaweber@hotmail.com
EVERYONE WELCOME – ESPECIALLY VISITING TRAVELERS

Toronto GTs meeting – Friday, May 24, 2024

Join us on Friday, May 24th, 2024 at 8 p.m.
OLD YORK TOWER, 85 THE ESPLANADE, (SE corner of Church St.)

Tentative topics and speakers are not yet scheduled.

Join us at OLD YORK TOWER, 85 THE ESPLANADE, in downtown Toronto.

This presentation is partially from our Toronto ‘backyard’, or should I say Ward’s Island (?) featuring no other than our ‘film star’ Bruce Weber, and partially from around the world. It will be an interesting start and inspiration for summer and fall travels.

At the meeting we will also inform you about the date of our annual picnic (most likely at Bruce’s place at Ward’s Island).

Please contact
Svatka Hermanek hermaneks@yahoo.ca or
Bruce Weber bruceaweber@hotmail.com
EVERYONE WELCOME – ESPECIALLY VISITING TRAVELERS

Toronto GTs meeting – Friday, March 15, 2024

Join us on Friday, March 15th, 2024 at 8 p.m.
OLD YORK TOWER, 85 THE ESPLANADE, (SE corner of Church St.)

2023 BALKAN JOURNEY continues to Albania
presented by Gloria Tuck & Svatka Hermanek

Join us at OLD YORK TOWER, 85 THE ESPLANADE, in downtown Toronto.

We are always looking for volunteer presenters.

Please contact
Svatka Hermanek hermaneks@yahoo.ca or
Bruce Weber bruceaweber@hotmail.com
EVERYONE WELCOME – ESPECIALLY VISITING TRAVELERS

Toronto GTs meeting – Friday, January 19, 2024

Join us on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 8 p.m.
OLD YORK TOWER, 85 THE ESPLANADE, (SE corner of Church St.)

2023 BALKANJOURNEYS
(food, fun, mountains, sea, Friendship Force conference and friends)

presented by Bruce & Marilyn Weber, Gloria Tuck & Svatka Hermanek

Join us at OLD YORK TOWER, 85 THE ESPLANADE, in downtown Toronto;.)

We are always looking for volunteer presenters.

Please contact
Svatka Hermanek hermaneks@yahoo.ca or
Bruce Weber bruceaweber@hotmail.com
EVERYONE WELCOME – ESPECIALLY VISITING TRAVELERS

Chester Globetrotters Meeting – 20th January 2024

Speaking in January we have:

  • Daniel Rowland — Overland by Motorbike Armenia and back

Six months overland by motorbike through 29 Countries through the Balkans and Turkey to explore both Georgia and Armenia and returning via Greece, Italy and the Alps.

  • Christine Darwen Sri Lanka: Scenic and Wildlife Tour of the South

A tour of southern Sri Lanka