The Sweetest Travel Surprise: My Introduction to Apitourism

12/6/2025

Beekeeping is creating sweet new travel adventures. From rooftop hives to Slovenian bee cabins, these are bee-friendly travel experiences you’ll actually want to try.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Bumblebee sits on top of a bright yellow flowerPicture

I’ll never forget the first time I stumbled upon beekeeping during my travels. It was 2013, at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. I was there on a press tour to learn more about one of the city’s most iconic moments—John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Bed-in For Peace” in 1969. But while the peace movement was in the past, the hotel was hosting a different kind of quiet revolution in the present—one that was happening on the roof.

Twenty-two floors up, surrounded by the hum of traffic far below, I found something completely unexpected: a rooftop garden bursting with heirloom tomatoes, fragrant herbs—and bees! The hotel had installed hives and was producing its own honey, which they used in everything from cocktails to pastries. As I later learned, this wasn’t a one-off project. In fact, many Fairmont Hotels across Canada and beyond have embraced beekeeping. And I had just gotten my first taste of apitourism.

How To Get Around Rome

15/5/2024

Getting around Rome is easy if you have our detailed guide to the city's trains, taxis, and more.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Getting around Rome scene from a farmers market with a booth selling assorted green and lemons with leaves attached and people stand in the background.Picture

It's worth the effort to get around Rome so you can see great sites like this big market. Photo by Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash

Rome is a dream travel destination. Its most essential sights - Vatican City, the Colosseum, the Pantheon - are legendary attractions in their own right, some of the most significant historic spots in the world. As such, a trip to Rome isn’t just a nice vacation. It’s a travel essential! And you’re going to want to soak in every moment of it. To fully enjoy the whole city, you’ll need a primer on how to get around Rome - safely and economically.

One Day In Rome: What To See, Do, Buy, and Eat

3/1/2024

Rome wasn't built in a day. But with some savvy planning, you can see the city's most important sites in 24 hours. Here's what you can do with one day in Rome.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Square slices of eggplant pizza and potato pizza on a white plate.Picture

With one day in Rome, you have to make time for pizza.

Rome is known as the Eternal City and, once you visit, you’re going to wish you had an eternity to explore its beautiful, romantic, historic streets. But even if you’re short on time you can pack in a lot of sightseeing in just one day.

To be clear, this isn't an ideal situation. Rome in 24 hours isn't easy. You won’t be alone in your efforts to squeeze the absolute most from your short time there. The city and its most popular tourist attractions are busy, crowded places. Thus, no matter where you go or which itinerary you follow, it pays to plan ahead. Purchasing “skip the line” tickets or a guided tour package where possible is a savvy investment to minimize the time you spend waiting around.

Of course, you could just spend the whole day doing nothing but visiting gelato shops - frankly, Ryan and I have had glorious days that involve doing little more than that- so don’t be afraid to follow your heart and your stomach! But if you do want to explore as much as you eat, here's how to spend one day in Rome.

This Cozy London Cafe Is Serving Up Second Chances

13/12/2023

At Neal Street Espresso, community and coffee go hand in hand.

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Close up of a cream and brown Pay It Forward Coffee card that has a handwritten message saying 'have a nice day' and a doodle of a coffee mug.Picture

'Pay It Forward' coffee is just one of the community-focused features at Neal Street Espresso.

In the heart of London's colourful Neal's Yard neighbourhood, one cute and cozy cafe is serving up delicious coffee but there's something else on the menu: Second chances.

Neal Street Espresso (34 Neal Street) looks in many ways like a typical hip London coffee shop. Indeed, it is one. There is a robust menu of flat whites, mochas, and chai tea. You can grab your beverage with oat, almond, or soy milk and add a plump pastry or toasty hot sandwich on the side. The baristas are briskly efficient, foaming milk and taking orders without skipping a beat. In every way, they're just like any other cafe staff but there's a much deeper story here. Neal Street Espresso supports community members who have been part of the penal system and that starts with their staff.

Discovering London's Literary Wonderland: 11 Charming Bookstores to Explore

30/11/2023

If you're a reader like me, London is the perfect city. Step inside London's literary wonderland and discover 11 bookstores you'll want to visit again and again.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Several grey shelves showing about 15 different and diverse books with staff recommendation cards under each.Picture

The diverse and creative staff picks at the London Review of Books shop.

London is a reader’s dream – and a shopper’s dream as well. However, how many bookstores are in London is a bit of a mystery. While one map claims there are 112 independent bookshops in this British capital, my personal experience says there are endless hidden gems when you add in the quaint second hand stores. Put the non-independent stores, regional chains, global powerhouses, and the kiosks dotting train stations and museums on the list and I suspect the number of book-selling venues easily surpasses a thousand. That’s great news if you’re a reader like me!

These are eleven shops that are especially meaningful to me and the spots that I recommend to people again and again.

London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury)

Nestled in Bloomsbury, the London Review Bookshop, an extension of the literary periodical, is a cozy haven with a penchant for classic and new fiction. Without a doubt, it is not only my favourite bookstore in London but it is now my favourite in all the world (don’t worry, Paris’ Shakespeare and Co is a close second). It feels like every single book in the shop has been carefully selected and I always discover something entirely new to me which I had never considered before but suddenly have to have. The shop also operates an absolutely delightful cake shop which offers hot drinks, homemade desserts, treats like coconut yogurt with rhubarb compote and granola, and savory fare including a soup and a stew of the day and a sandwich or two.

Did I mention I love this bookshop? I love it.

How To Get Tickets for “Last Supper” in Milan

25/10/2023

Want tickets for "Last Supper" in Milan? I don't blame you! Here's how to see Da Vinci's masterpiece no matter when you're travelling.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Tickets for Last Supper in Milan: Image of the artwork Picture

Trust me, you're gonna want to get tickets for Last Supper in Milan. Photos do not do this masterpiece justice. Photo from Wikipedia under Creative Commons licensing.

If you’ve ever battled through the crowds at Paris’ Louvre, you’ve no doubt felt a mix of irritation and disappointment when you finally came face to face with the gallery’s proverbial crown jewel, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The most famous portrait in the world is smaller than you might expect and the crowds are annoying and aggressive. Maybe “Mona” is mysteriously smiling but countless visitors leave with a frown! As such, you might be wondering if it’s worth researching how to get tickets for Last Supper in Milan. I’m here to say that the answer is a resounding YES!

Visitors who make the pilgrimage to Milan to see The Last Supper, Da Vinci’s masterpiece thankfully have the exact opposite experience that those in the Louvre. Guaranteed viewing times with a maximum of 30 guests keep things organised, calm, and quiet. You enjoy an uninterrupted, unhurried 15 minutes with the artwork in a selfie-free environment. The experience is peaceful, even serene.

There’s just one small catch. You have to get tickets.

How To Kidnap A Cat and Fight Bed Bugs In Italy

28/9/2023

What happens when you combine a hotel cat and cheap wine? Bed bugs, that's what. Here's what happened to me.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Close up picture of Vanessa's arm covered with pink welts

UGH! Bed bug bites are the WORST.

Venice in August is not the best time or place to get a great meal.

During this traditional month of Italian family vacations, many a restaurant shuts down for a week – or more. Despite my advanced planning, I still ended up at a tourist trap during our 2016 trip. The dour staff refused to serve free tap water. Only pricey bottled water was available, chafing against my frugal principles. Given the dire circumstances, I opted for a more economical choice: a bottle of cheap rosé. And thus my bed bug saga began.

Skipping merrily home to my clean but threadbare hotel, I encountered the property’s resident cat, Pierre, on the steps. I should pause and say I assumed it was the property’s cat, based on his cat-like claim of the courtyard space, but, as Ryan points out, it really could have belonged to anyone – or no one at all. But with the demon liquor in my veins, I considered it prudent to scoop Pierre up and bring him to my room in a brazen hope of enjoying a genuine cat nap with him.

Intoxicated with the love of a temporary pet (and bargain-basement wine) I didn’t perform my customary bed bug sheet check...

Where NOT To Find Squirrels In Paris

1/12/2022

How hard could it be to find a tree-loving rodent in a city filled with parks?

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A plush grey squirrel is part of a window display with white china with gold dots.

Oh sure, they're easy enough to find if you go to a store selling fancy tea sets....

The gardens of Paris' Rodin Museum are a fine setting for many a good thing. You can enjoy a tranquil oasis in the middle of the city. Great works of art are resplendent in a natural setting. Rodin's masterpiece, The Thinker, awaits your admiring gaze. What you can't do, however, is see a squirrel.

I wish I could tell you that "squirrel" is code for a kind of art or maybe even a pastry, but no. I'm talking about your everyday prosaic squirrel. Red, grey, black, flying, I was open to them all but in Paris, they eluded me.

I don't normally look for vermin when I travel and, if I did, I don't know if squirrels would top my agenda. As a dog owner, squirrels have long been on Oliver's list of enemies (along with the mop, highway rumble strips, and the doorbell). As such, while I have no personal animosity with squirrels, familial loyalty dictates that I hate them. But my hand was forced when I shared the story of seeing sheep grazing on public lands not far from my Paris apartment.

My tale of discovering the Eco-Mouton came in the middle of an online networking event with colleagues. My reference to actual animals somehow had its wagon hitched to a separate reference about animal-like energy (aka "feeling squirrel-y") and a comment was made that I should be on the lookout for squirrels as well as sheep. Challenge accepted! I'd find an adorable squirrel, take a quick snapshot as it delicately nibbled away on a gourmet nut like the true discerning Parisian it was, and gain the accolades of my friends. There was just one problem....

There are no squirrels in Paris.

Personal Paris: My Best Advice After 20 Years Of Travel

21/11/2022

So you want to go to Paris.... May I suggest some travel advice, recommendations, hints, tips, and unbreakable rules from someone with a life-long love affair with the City of Lights?

This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.

Tray of purple flower bulbs with green tops, sitting in a tray on a rustic table.

Gorgeous purple and green bulbs at the flower market, which I only discovered on my very last day in Paris. You can find it at 37 Place Louis Lépine on Ile de la Cite.

I've spent one month and half a lifetime in the City of Lights.

The part about one month is very true. From mid-October to mid-November, 2022, I lived in Paris. I found a wee apartment with sloped walls and wooden beams and made the city my home.

The reference to half a lifetime is a bit of hyperbole but, in its own way, equally true. I first visited the French capital in 2001 and I've made at least half a dozen visits in the years since. I'm never not wanting to be there.

I believe you could live in Paris your entire life and not discover all of its secrets. As such, I am far from an expert. On the other hand, I know Paris better than just about any travel destination and I've learned quite a lot in 20+ years of adventures. And that brings me here, in an effort to wrap up my very best Paris travel advice, suggestions, recommendations, tips, and tricks. For everyone who has said that they absolutely have to get my advice before planning their own big trip - here it is. This post is for you. I'll accept macarons in lieu of thanks.

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The Sweetest Travel Surprise: My Introduction to Apitourism

Beekeeping is creating sweet new travel adventures. From rooftop hives to Slovenian bee cabins, these are bee-friendly travel experiences you’ll actually want to try.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

How To Get Around Rome

Getting around Rome is easy if you have our detailed guide to the city's trains, taxis, and more.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

One Day In Rome: What To See, Do, Buy, and Eat

Rome wasn't built in a day. But with some savvy planning, you can see the city's most important sites in 24 hours. Here's what you can do with one day in Rome.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

This Cozy London Cafe Is Serving Up Second Chances

At Neal Street Espresso, community and coffee go hand in hand.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Discovering London's Literary Wonderland: 11 Charming Bookstores to Explore

If you're a reader like me, London is the perfect city. Step inside London's literary wonderland and discover 11 bookstores you'll want to visit again and again.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury)

How To Get Tickets for “Last Supper” in Milan

Want tickets for "Last Supper" in Milan? I don't blame you! Here's how to see Da Vinci's masterpiece no matter when you're travelling.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

How To Kidnap A Cat and Fight Bed Bugs In Italy

What happens when you combine a hotel cat and cheap wine? Bed bugs, that's what. Here's what happened to me.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Where NOT To Find Squirrels In Paris

How hard could it be to find a tree-loving rodent in a city filled with parks?

This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.

Personal Paris: My Best Advice After 20 Years Of Travel

So you want to go to Paris.... May I suggest some travel advice, recommendations, hints, tips, and unbreakable rules from someone with a life-long love affair with the City of Lights?

This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.

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Beekeeping is creating sweet new travel adventures. From rooftop hives to Slovenian bee cabins, these are bee-friendly travel experiences you’ll actually want to try. ​This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Getting around Rome is easy if you have our detailed guide to the city's trains, taxis, and more.​​This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Rome wasn't built in a day. But with some savvy planning, you can see the city's most important sites in 24 hours. Here's what you can do with one day in Rome.​This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

At Neal Street Espresso, community and coffee go hand in hand. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission. ​

If you're a reader like me, London is the perfect city. Step inside London's literary wonderland and discover 11 bookstores you'll want to visit again and again.This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission. ​

London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury) ​

Want tickets for "Last Supper" in Milan? I don't blame you! Here's how to see Da Vinci's masterpiece no matter when you're travelling.​This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

What happens when you combine a hotel cat and cheap wine? Bed bugs, that's what. Here's what happened to me.This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

How hard could it be to find a tree-loving rodent in a city filled with parks? ​​This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.

Post Categories

Posts by Date

Beekeeping is creating sweet new travel adventures. From rooftop hives to Slovenian bee cabins, these are bee-friendly travel experiences you’ll actually want to try.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Getting around Rome is easy if you have our detailed guide to the city's trains, taxis, and more.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Rome wasn't built in a day. But with some savvy planning, you can see the city's most important sites in 24 hours. Here's what you can do with one day in Rome.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

At Neal Street Espresso, community and coffee go hand in hand.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

If you're a reader like me, London is the perfect city. Step inside London's literary wonderland and discover 11 bookstores you'll want to visit again and again.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury)

Want tickets for "Last Supper" in Milan? I don't blame you! Here's how to see Da Vinci's masterpiece no matter when you're travelling.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

What happens when you combine a hotel cat and cheap wine? Bed bugs, that's what. Here's what happened to me.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

How hard could it be to find a tree-loving rodent in a city filled with parks?

This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.