Those who know me know I’m an absolute foodie and I love discovering new spots in my province in between my international wanderings. That’s how I got around to Montebello, a place that had often been recommended to me time after time that I had not yet set foot in.

Well-renowned because of its imposing Château Montebello, the city, or town I should say, is bustling and its popularity isn't slowing down! More and more local producers are opening shop to complement those who have been around for ages, for the great pleasure of my taste buds.

I do my best to embrace winter. I've recruited my blogging friends to help me write about all the amazing things you do when you travel in the heart of winter. I've eaten Beavertails on the Rideau Canal - the world's longest skating rink. And I've traveled to amazing winter destinations around the world. But I'm also a proud Canadian - and that means dreaming of a warm escape is in my DNA! And for most Canadians, there's no winter avoidance destination quite as affordable as Florida. 

Whether you're heading to Orlando, Miami, Tampa, or further afield, Canadians can find cheap flights to Florida, plenty of value priced (and delicious!) food, great road trip opportunities, and bargain basement priced attractions. There's just one catch - none of it is in a theme park.  My friends have always given glowing reports about Disney, except for one thing: the price. Even basic theme park passes can make your budget soar. So with all due respect to Cinderella and Snow White, this girl's recommending four Florida vacations that are completely cartoon free.

I think I look pretty cute here, chasing pigeons outside Athens' Archaeological Museum. It's all thanks to my jaunty outfit - a beaded, embroidered tunic top and wrinkle resistant, slim fit trousers. It was the perfect outfit for traveling in Greece's warm autumn weather. I was comfortable and everything fit well. So why did I throw it away at the end of the day? No, I wasn't traveling with specialty disposable clothing for travel and, no, I didn't have a disastrous spill. Well, at least not this day! So what's going on?

Welcome to the world of throw away packing. Your carry on kit is about to get a lot lighter!

All January, I've been trying to celebrate the spirit and excitement of winter travel, whether it's next door to me in the Ontario Highlands or gathering the frosty tales of travel bloggers around the world.  Luckily for me, there is a world renowned winter venue just a few hours away in Lake Placid, New York. 

The area is famous for its natural beauty and winter sports - but I'm the anti-adventurist! The idea of skating or downhill skiing is a bit too much for me to handle. Remember, I'm the girl who thought riding a bike in Montreal was crazy and who caused a scene in the Athens meat market -I need to enjoy winter at my own pace! So if you're a little bit on the cautious side like I am, here's how you can make the most of your winter break in Lake Placid.

A little bit European, a little bit Mediterranean, a little bit Balkan - Thessaloniki has always been a hub of politics, history, religion, commerce, and transportation for the region. As Greece's second largest city and northern hub, Thessaloniki has been a critical port for centuries, even millennia. And as Greece slowly reestablishes its international rail routes,  it now seems that all trains, ships, and even boats and planes lead into Thessaloniki. 

But in spite of all the international travelers that pass through its train station (and airport, bus station, or port), few are making the most of their layover and taking the time to explore the city. Few travelers take the time to leave the station and explore the city -and it's time that changed. 

If I told you I stayed at the dreamiest hotel imaginable, what comes to mind? Frills and lace? Lots of pink bows and frou-frou design? The Dream Hotel in Mons is a travel lover's dream come true, but there's not a bow or frill in sight! Instead you get an incredibly unique property, an ultra chic design, and the perfect base for exploring the city of Mons. This character-full hotel is the ideal compliment to the European Capital of Culture!

Housed in a centuries old former convent and chapel, the exterior facade melts into the city-scape. Inside, however, things are nothing but modern and chic. There's such a great marriage of the old and new and I especially loved the funky detail like the cool main floor bar, the bright red murals, and the funky black printed carpets and walls in the hallways. 

It's hard to imagine travel or vacation without instantly picturing a beautiful beach somewhere - and I must confess to being a fan of warm weather myself. But there are amazing travel experiences all around the world and all around the calendar. Cold weather is no reason not to enjoy travel to the fullest. Even deep winter experiences, where the snow goes up to the roof and the thermostat plunges down to -20 (or even -40!) can be incredibly enriching and surprisingly comfortable experiences - provided you know what you're getting into!

I asked nine experienced travel writers to share their best tips and happiest memories from their frostiest travel experiences and I know their advice will warm your heart - and maybe even your toes! 

Welcome to the latest installment of the "Save, Splurge, Steal" interview series. Getting great value when I travel is always such a fun challenge for me and I love to learn how other people get the best possible experience for their available time and money. I'm asking pro travelers to share their expertise and I hope you enjoy their responses as much as I do!

Robert Reid is National Geographic Traveler's Digital Nomad. He's been in travel publishing for over 15 years, his writings appearing in the New York Times, Lonely Planet and ESPN. He's appeared on TV shows like CNN's Headline News and NBC's Today Show to talk travel trends, and he was once featured in the fricking Fiddlehead Focus of Aroostook County, Maine. He creates the "76-Second Travel Show" and buys vinyl from his home in Portland, Oregon.

1) How do you save money in order to travel?

Oh, I'm totally crap at saving money. I have no money saved. And I'm sort of old. Just yesterday I happened by a record store and ended up spending $19 on two records I've long had CDs for, and don't need. But the Beach Boys "Friends"? Seriously? You never see an old copy of that. I need to live, right? So, of course I bought it.

I'm lucky in that I incorporated my work life with travel life, so travel is already "built in." I so rarely just take trips for trips' sake anymore. Back before I did that, I made sure I took at least one trip a year. I'd try to save a little from each paycheck, but usually failed. So I just racked up serious credit-card debt. I banked several trips off the cards, and it took me years to pay for them. I don't regret it at all.

I am absolutely obsessed with tiny places and spaces with plenty of hidden nooks and crannies. Folding camping gear, hidden drawers in RVs, nifty gadgets for organizing luggage - these are just a few of my favourite things! So it only made sense that I visited Amsterdam's Houseboat Museum at Prinsengracht 296K. Visiting a houseboat is like the Disneyworld of organization and I couldn't wait to check out how every square foot of space is used to the max. 

There was just one problem. Exactly how would my notorious seasickness fare on a houseboat?