Solo Travel vs. Travelling with a Partner: What I’ve Learned
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that travel is one of my favorite ways to reset and feel inspired. Over the years, I’ve done trips on my own, trips with friends, and now trips with my husband (ah!) — and each experience has felt completely different.
Solo travel taught me a lot about myself and how I like to spend my time. Traveling with a partner has shown me how fun it can be to share those moments with someone you love. Here’s what I’ve noticed as the biggest differences — and why I think both are worth doing if you can.
Creating a Travel-Inspired Home Decor Theme
Travel inspires us to explore new cultures, landscapes, and experiences, and what better way to keep those memories alive than by bringing elements of your travels into your home? Whether you’ve just returned from a whirlwind European adventure or spent weeks backpacking through Southeast Asia, incorporating travel-inspired decor into your home can help create a space that feels personal and reflective of your global journey.
Before You Go: What to Know Before Traveling Anywhere
There’s always that mix of nerves and excitement before a trip — the “did I forget something?” feeling as you’re zipping up your bag. I’ve had my share of trips where I nailed the prep, and others where I learned the hard way what not to do. Or not packed something as simple as a tshirt, only bottoms. Over time, I’ve figured out a few basics that make traveling a lot smoother.
Here’s what I always think about before heading anywhere — whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a longer international trip.
What to Do and What to Pack: Cascais, Portugal in the Fall
I spent a few days in Cascais a couple October’s ago, and it turned out to be exactly the break I needed. I went mainly for a yoga retreat but made time to explore the town and slow down. Here’s what I loved, what I’d do again, and some tips if you’re planning a trip including what to do, what to pack and a couple of hidden gems.
6 Intentional Weekend Getaways from Calgary
One of the best parts about living in Calgary? Within just a few hours, you can shift from bustling city life to total stillness. Whether you’re craving mountains, meadows, or a cozy café in a small town, Alberta (and nearby B.C.) is packed with soul-nourishing escapes.
Here are six weekend getaway ideas—each offering its own kind of magic.
Planning a Bachelorette: As the Bride in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is the perfect spot for a bachelorette party with its mix of relaxation, adventure, and nightlife. My MOH planned out a weekend of fun for a few of my girlfriends and we had the best time. We ended up spending a few more days in Joshua Tree after the weekend and went on hikes, day-tripped into Palm Springs again, hung out by the pool and had such a good time relaxing. Let’s be honest, the trip was go go go, but we certainly built in a lot of time to connect with nature.
Keeping in mind my bach weekend trip was all planned out by my MOH, here are a few other things that you can do when you’re in PS for your bachelorette if you’re more inclined for outdoors, going for drinks or just relaxing.
Wedding Planning: Packing for a Bachelorette
Palm Springs is the perfect spot for a bachelorette party with its mix of relaxation, adventure, and nightlife. My MOH planned out a weekend of fun for a few of my girlfriends and I am so excited to head for California this weekend. Palm Springs is a dream destination for a bachelorette party, combining relaxation, adventure, and nightlife into one unforgettable getaway. I’ve put together all the fun bride things I’m packing for the trip and the variety of weather we are going to experience down there between LA, Palm Springs and Joshua Tree.
A January Weekend in Paris
Paris in January offers a quieter, more romantic side of the city. With festive decorations lingering post-New Year, cozy cafes, and iconic landmarks glowing in the winter light, it’s the perfect destination for a long weekend escape. We spent a few cosy days after our 10 days in Ireland and here’s how to make the most of your Parisian adventure, including must-visit spots and seasonal highlights.
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.
Decor Inspiration: Italy
It is absolutely no secret that I am obsessed with Italy. I have been there three times, twice in the last 12 months, and am in love with everything, the culture, the design, the food (despite being gluten free). I’ve been hesitant to put together a how-to travel guide for Italy, because I wouldn’t even know where to start and how much I love it would only translate to scattered thoughts, but one thing that I am am to do is talk about Italy as a design and decor inspiration. I have been slowly but surely adding in touches of Italy into my home since I moved in.
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.
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: 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.
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 they don’t tell you when you go long-term traveling
I’ve gone on quite a few trips, and every time I leave things change and I’m never prepared for it. I am terrible with change (i’m working on it), but here are a few things that I’ve noticed no one tells you about when you traveling.
Long Term Travel: Budgeting in SE Asia
Although I love to travel, I've only spent 2-3 weeks here there and everywhere, but I try and go somewhere far off once or twice a year. Budgeting for both is difficult. You have to take into account the cost of traveling often, flights, whether you splurge because you're only somewhere for a few weeks, or need to stretch out your savings over a long period of time, and so many little things.
