Planning a Trip: Ireland at Christmas
Ireland in December offers a magical mix of festive cheer, cozy winter vibes, and stunning landscapes. From bustling Christmas markets to warm pubs with live music and hearty meals, it’s the perfect destination to soak up the holiday spirit. My fiance is Irish, and entire family lives in Ireland (theres a few scattered in various parts of Europe too), so we’re headed for our first Christmas together with his family.
What to Do and What to Pack: Valencia, Spain in November
My best friend and I hopped on a quick RyanAir flight last November to go check out Valencia for the weekend. We started off by Googling the warmest cities in November as we both wanted a warmer break from the day to day cold of Canada and the UK. I loved Spain when I went there back in 2014, and I was happy to be back and eating all the tapas and paella we could find. With such a quick trip though, we had a lot to squeeze in and we wanted to still have a rather laid back weekend.
Planning a Trip: Weekend in Ottawa in Winter
Growing up in Canada, and actually being born in Ontario, the fact I had never been to Ottawa was crazy to me. So when my friend’s partner suggested skating on the Rideau Canal, I was in. I’m not the best skater, but I love to be on skates and feel a great sense of freedom in the fresh air. Since I’ve been trying to keep my trips to long weekends, and since it’s the dead of winter, I hopped on a plane on a Thursday morning and headed for Ottawa to meet up with friends.
Planning a Trip: Sauble Beach
2021 and 2022 I spent more time in Eastern Canada than I have since I lived there from Age 1-7. I managed to find cheap flights constantly, and was able to go out and see friends and family for DIY projects, concerts, road trips and surprises. One of the road trips that we took was to Sauble Beach in late September. Although beautiful, it was a little bit colder than we initially anticipated and our adventure included less pool time and more time exploring. I would go back in a heartbeat in a warmer month, but September wasn’t a bad time to explore the town while it was sleepy, and get to know The June Motel.
What to Do: Palm Springs in 2024
This is my third Palm Springs post, and it’s just because I love it so much. I’ve gone there with family, with a partner, myself and soon to be a couples trip, and still find a way to still have the best time. Whether it be hiking, biking, walking around, shopping or golfing, there is something for everyone, no matter what the season. I was there last year with my parents before hip surgery, and it was about 4 years since I was there with people other than family. I can’t wait to get back down there with our friends to show them all the things to love about PS.
What they don’t tell you when you get back from long-term travel.
I wrote a post before I went on my long 6 month trip to Asia on what I had learned about traveling up until then. What I had learned about how people treat you and how you start to feel when you get started on one of these long-term trips. Its like a form of detachment from your home and opening yourself up to the world and all its possibilities. Its rather freeing, and it also can be a bit startling when you return home after selling all your possessions, saying a final goodbye to people (that you never had an intention of seeing again), and hoping you’d end up somewhere else.
Planning a Trip: Palm Springs Part 2
Two years after writing and visiting Palm Springs, I’m headed back! I’ve been there a few times since with work, but it’s never quite the same, and you spend the time lamenting the hot sun rather than soaking in it! Here are more things to do and what to see in PS!
Travel Tips: Booking Accommodation
There are two types of booking in my mind. Booking in advance to secure the best place with the group you have, and rocking up the day of or just before in hopes of getting a good deal and staying flexible. Now, I’ve done both and I understand the merits for each.
Travel Tips: Travel Insurance
This one is a no-brainer. Do not travel without travel and health insurance. You do not want to be halfway around the world, need a doctor and then have to find planes trains and automobiles to get back to the nearest doctor only to find you should get western medicine.
Travel Tips: Money Matters
I wrote a nice long post about how much I saved (or wanted to save) for my 6 month trip to Asia based on where I was going, but there are a few general budgeting tips and recommendations I have no matter where you go.
Laos Guide: Crossing from Thailand
First off, there are a few ways of getting into Lao, but this post is about the crossing from Thailand into Laos via the Mekong River. The two day slow boat was a trip I won’t forget and a fun way to spend the first couple days in a new country. Check out my tips for taking the cruise and what to do.
Laos Guide: Luang Prabang
In my previous post, I wrote about my journey into Laos from Thailand. It was an unforgettable journey, and the people that I met made it all the better. Here is a quick guide on what to do in Laos from my point of view!
Travel Tips: How to Travel Light
I’ve done enough travel with carry on and backpacks to really understand the value of packing light and how to do it well. Do I always take my own advice? Not always, but when I do, I usually follow these.
Halfway done, what I’ve learned.
It both feels like yesterday that I left and I also feel like I’ve been gone for ages. I feel like I’ve already grown so much and my perspective on the world, much like every trip I take, has changed. It’s a beautiful feeling to know that you’ve grown and been able to see so much. Here are 7 things I’ve learned so far.
January Inspirations
Even though I’m traveling right now, I’m still feeling so inspired by the decor around me. I can’t wait to have home again! In the meantime, I put together a few things that are inspiring me this January including a few travel tips and things I want to learn this month.
Travel Tips: Staying Healthy
This is something I can definitely talk and write about. It’s a bit brutal, but the key is preparing yourself, especially if you’re traveling. Here are a few tips on staying healthy while traveling and what to do when you are ill!
What to Do: Hoi An
What started as a three day stop quickly turned into almost two weeks in this amazing place. I fell in love with the beach, the waves, the pedal bike rides and the laid back lifestyle of the Old Town. I fell in love with the people, the walks through town, my morning coffee, and the waterfront lunches. By far, my favourite place in Vietnam, here are a few things that I recommend when you go!
What to Do: Sa Pa
First off, Sa Pa is this city/town, with surrounding towns that make up a northwestern part of Vietnam. Laying very close to the Chinese border, this place takes a bit to get to from Hanoi, but it’s well worth it to escape the city and be immersed in a bit of culture.
What to Do: Ha Long Bay
Now, after arriving at my hostel in Hanoi, I was overwhelmed with the amount of trips that were offered, everyone from your front desk, to tour company, to shack by the side of the road had tours they could book for you, and they promised they had the most exclusive deal. I’m going to start off this post with a few tips on finding the right tour and what you can expect to pay!
What to Do: Hanoi
I don't know about you, but I love hostel travel. I've been spoiled in meeting great people and hanging out with them during my stays and I end up becoming long term friends with a lot of them. I lucked out in Hanoi, staying in the Old Quarter at the Old Quarter View Hostel, right in the heart of the happenings of Hanoi and right where all the food and activity was.
