Travel
Magical Castle Hotels in Ireland (That You Can Actually Afford!)
As child I used to dream of being a princess who lived in a castle. As an adult, I’m not so interested in being a princess but my castle dreams have come true thanks to some of the magical castle hotels in Ireland. If you too had princess (or prince!) dreams growing up then I…
The Best Pubs in Dublin – According to Locals!
Ireland is my home away from home and holds a special place in my heart and while Galway, which is where I lived, will always be my number 1 I do have a soft spot for Dublin as well. Yes it’s busier and more expensive but its a really great city to explore and has…
The Best Pubs in Galway: Music, Pints, and Irish Craic
Anyone who’s been to Ireland knows that as amazing as Dublin’s pubs may be, the real craic is in Galway. Sure, I may be biased as Galway was once a place that I called home, but I’m not alone in my thoughts. Even the locals agree that Galway’s craic is top notch, with many of…
The Best of: 3 Days in Vancouver
The first time I visited Vancouver, I spent a little over a week using the city as a base to explore and catch up with some of my friends who had moved out to BC. I had a blast in the west coast city and came back to explore more a couple years later. Having…
The Best of Toronto in 2 Days
Only have 2 days in Toronto? No worries, here’s how to best explore the best of this major Canadian city.
Off the Beaten Track in Banff: Alternative Things to do in Banff in Summer
What is the first thing you think of when you someone says Banff? Chances are its Lake Louise, that’s what most people picture. Having been, I can’t say I blame them. The lake and surrounding scenery is beautiful. But, while I’m glad to have seen it, sharing it with about 20,000 people in a single…
Things to do in Lake Louise in the Summer
If you know anything about Canada, chances are you have heard of or seen photos of Banff, Lake Louise. Lake Louise in the summer is all turquoise waters, towering Rocky Mountains, and the stunning Fairmont Lake Louise Hotel on the shoreline. It’s one of Canada’s best known destinations and a must-see on many traveller’s bucket…
What to Wear in Winter in Canada: A Canada Packing List
Oh, winter in Canada. It’s the stuff of plenty of jokes but it’s my reality. And you know what? I actually love it. Winter in Canada is actually pretty awesome. Sure it long, cold as hell, and I spend what seems like half of my days shovelling but there’s something truly magical about skiing in…
Quebec City in Winter: 15 Fun Things to do in Canada’s Winter Wonderland
Baby, it’s cold outside! But that’s no reason to hide inside. At least not when you are in Quebec City; one of the most charming cities in Canada. Quebec City in the winter is truly a winter wonderland. From the snow-covered streets decorated with fairy lights, to cozy cafes, hotels, and restaurants, not to mention…
The Ultimate List of the Most Magical Christmas Markets in Europe
Whoever sang ‘Where are you Christmas’ should have looked to Europe because if you can’t find the holiday spirit at the Christmas markets in Europe then you, my friend, are a lost cause. Christmas is my absolute favourite time of the year. I basically turn into the female version of Buddy the Elf (minus eating…
What’s in My Bag: My Travel Essentials
Fun fact: I hate packing. Hate it. I take ages to pack for any trip because I usually last 15 minutes before I get bored, frustrated or both. That being said, after over a decade travelling, often for months at a time, I am getting better at it. Well, sort of. I at least have…
Hoi An to Hue: Vietnam’s Hai Van Pass by Easy Rider
The rain looked like it was never going to end. It was falling so hard and fast that we could barely see across the street. It was the kind of day that made you want to curl up inside with a good book, not the kind of day you wanted to spend driving from Hoi…
The Best Castle Hotels in Scotland
Scotland has a ton of charm. From the dark, medieval city of Edinburgh, to the mysterious Loch Ness, and the fairy stories of the stunning Isle of Skye; this small island country is filled with magic. But while the folklore and landscapes are fun to explore, there’s another way to add some magic to your…
How to Spend 2 Days in Edinburgh
Going to Edinburgh was my first real solo backpacking experience. Sure I’d been living in Ireland for a few weeks by then and seen a bit of the country, but I had either been with my parents or close enough to my new home that I didn’t feel that it really counted. I chose Scotland…
The Best of: Amsterdam in 1 Day
Amsterdam is a popular European travel destination and while many come to spend a few days or even a week, it’s also common for visitors to only have one day in Amsterdam. This may be due to a layover, a river cruise, or perhaps just a planned day trip from a nearby city. While I…
Going to a Peep Show in Amsterdam: My Red Light District Experience
What comes to mind when you think of Amsterdam? Is the tulips? Windmills? Cute wooden clogs? Probably not. While these things are associated with Amsterdam, most tourists know it for two other things: marijuana and the Red Light District, or basically, sex. Pretty much anything to do with sex really; sex shops, condom shops, live…
The Best of Riga in 2 Days
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is still considered to be ‘off the beaten track’ for many travellers, especially non-Europeans. When I visited, I was the only North American in my hostel. I surprised a lot of people when I told them I was Canadian which was actually kind of fun. Despite being under the radar, Riga…
The Do’s and Dont’s of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is probably one of the first things you think of when someone mentions Iceland, and it’s easy to understand why. The milky-blue water set in the middle of a volcanic landscape is extraordinary. And the idea of warm soothing heat to help relax and heal your tired body? Well that helps too. Especially…
3 days in Iceland Itinerary: See the Best of Iceland
Ah Iceland. It’s hard to believe that it wasn’t that long ago that very few people considered this country as a tourist destination. Thanks to Game of Thrones and social media, that’s all now changed. But even when I first visited in 2012 people were more confused than interested. Looking back on the Iceland that…
How to Spend 3 Days in Malta
How long should I spend in Malta? It was a question I asked several friends and I got varied answers. Some said a couple of days while others told me they could easily spend a month. I settled for a week thinking that even thought I was visiting in November, it would still be warm…
Day Trip to Gozo: How to Get from Malta to Gozo
Malta is a small country made up of 3 main islands in the Mediterranean. Known for being one of the sunniest destinations in Europe, it’s a popular getaway for a few days or even a couple of weeks. Most people choose to stay on the main island (Malta) for their stay but I have to…
The Best of: 3 Days in Budapest
Known as the Pearl of the Danube and the Paris of Eastern Europe, Budapest is a mecca for all kinds of travellers. Whether it be a couple on a multi-day European river cruise or young backpackers looking for a cheap place to party, the capital of Hungary has a little something for everyone to enjoy…
How to Spend 3 Days in Krakow: A Krakow Itinerary
I fell in love with Krakow the moment I exited the train station and began walking towards Old Town. It was dark outside and seeing the walls and the gate all lit up under the navy blue sky brought an instant smile to my face. As a lover of fairytale towns, I knew I would…
8 Romantic Castle Hotels in the Czech Republic
When it comes to castle hotels, Ireland and Scotland tend to get most of the attention. However, while both of those countries have some great castle hotel options, there are other places in Europe that offer some pretty incredible castle hotel stays as well. Here are some of the most beautiful castle hotels in the Czech Republic.…
The Best of Prague in 3 Days
An old castle on a hill in the distance, a bridge steeped in folklore and legends, historic monuments, great food, and colourful buildings. Prague truly is a fairytale, and often considered to be one of the prettiest cities in Europe. One could easily spend a week exploring the cobblestone streets of the historic capital of…