We’re planning a huge, crazy, quick round-the-world trip in November and I've previously talked about how I will be incorporating some slow travel in the middle of our very fast paced trip. It might sound a bit counter-intuitive, but I'm actually going to plan for some relaxation days. Yep. Planned relaxation. I really know how to live it up!

One of the things I'm hoping to do is spend some time in spas. Like many people, I feel pretty confident about tracking down deals in my own city, but paying for spa services while you travel can easily use up a lot of money in a short amount of time, so I found it necessary to look into ways I can both save money and get the best possible experience.

I've heard so many people pose the question "What are the three things you can't live without when you travel?" And inevitably, the answers are always almost the same: passport, smart phone, money. Sometimes clean clothing or a good guidebook makes the list. I've been thinking about my own past travels lately and I've been remembering that there was once a time, not that long ago, when you didn't need all that much money, there were no such thing as smart phones, and you didn't even need a passport for certain trips. Here are the three things that have really been with me since the beginning - they come along every trip.

A visit to Hawaii is often described as a trip of a lifetime. The beautiful beaches, the lush scenery – Hawaii really is paradise. 

But for a truly unique experience, take some time to explore the working coffee farms. There’s nowhere else on earth that can compare with the intimate visits offered in Hawaii and they offer more than just a chance to learn about history and agriculture. It’s a way to really connect to the people of Hawaii and immerse yourself in the labor of love that is the lifeblood of their farms. 

Even if you aren't a coffee drinker, you’ll still enjoy a visit!

In honour of St. Patrick’s Day, I decided to write a little about Ireland - in green, of course!. I've been there 4 time, including a week where I visited Limerick, the Aran Islands, Galway, and Dublin, a summer as part of my graduate studies research. I lived in a Dublin hostel for a month and then traveled around the entire country and finished in Northern Ireland. While Ireland is a dream location for many travelers, for me it had many pros and cons (just like any destination, I suppose). Here's what I loved about Ireland - and what I wasn't so keen on.

In a previous post, I talked about how much I loved free attractions - not only for their delicious pricing, but also for the value their dedicated staff adds to the visit. For the follow up, I’m going to take a look at paid attractions and give some helpful ideas on how you can gain the best possible value for your admission price.