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.

What To Do In Edmonton When It’s Cold Outside

15/1/2025

Looking for fun things to do in winter in Edmonton? Here’s how to make the most of snowy days, chilly nights, and everything in between.

My trip to Edmonton was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Side of a building with green exterior and sign advertising the home of the Green Onion Cake ManPicture

Edmonton knows how to do winter. Whether it’s bundling up for an outdoor skate or tucking into a warm pastry, this is a city that embraces the season with heart and charm. During my chilly stay, I discovered art, comfort food, quirky museums, and unforgettable moments under the stars—both literally and figuratively. Here are some of my favourite ways to enjoy the city when the temperature drops

The 400 Year Old Hospital and the Crazy True Story of Canada's Most Notorious Hotel Thief

11/12/2024

I got more than I bargained for when I checked into Quebec City's most unique accommodations.

My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Antique windows in white frames look out over a courtyardPicture

In the spring of 1639, three young nuns set sail from France, each carrying a hidden key in her habit. Upon landing in the new settlement of Quebec City, they would unseal three sturdy locks on a large wooden trunk that safeguarded all their worldly goods. It also contained something invaluable—a contract to found a monastery hospital, the first in North America outside Mexico.

Little did they realize that one of their future guests* would become Canada’s most notorious** hotel thief, taking three round canisters with them in their luggage after their visit.

*Me. This story is about me.

** The dozen or so people who know this story won’t stop teasing me about it.

At The Nest, I Found My Favourite Place To Perch In Hong Kong

8/12/2024

This tiny coffee shop boasts a historic location and the power of transformative social enterprise.

My trip to Hong Kong was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Courtyard in Hong Kong showing trees and greenery, benches, a wooden cafe table with a green journal and a bright yellow cafe take out cup Picture

“They love a social enterprise in Hong Kong.”

I wasn’t much more than 12 hours into my first trip to Hong Kong and was eagerly sharing a report of my morning’s adventures to a friend who was on their umpteenth visit yet hadn’t heard of where I had been, a teeny-tiny non-profit coffee shop. Given that we were in a luxury hotel lobby, surrounded by sumptuous designer shops, I couldn’t see much evidence of her declaration. Still, I deferred to her superior knowledge of the region. In the coming days, I would soon see she was right, and with every visit I made to The Nest, I observed just how much Hong Kongers and the people who love visiting them appreciate something different that makes a difference.

Experience Christmas Magic at Cumberland’s Vintage Village Of Light

25/11/2024

At Cumberland Heritage Village Museum in Ottawa, you'll be transported back to 1920s-style Christmas at the Vintage Village of Lights event.

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

Colourful holiday lights adorn heritage buildings, fences, and trees on a snowy evening.

Some of the very best holiday experiences are rooted in nostalgia. From decades-old family recipes to nights spent carolling the tunes of yesteryear, something about celebrating the many layers of Christmas past feels incredibly cozy and comforting. Those feelings are in full force at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum.

Every December, the Museum opens its grounds for visitors to enjoy the Vintage Village of Lights. The Museum is covered in Christmas lights, 30,000 of them, in fact! They adorn the fences, the trees, and the beautifully preserved buildings in one incredible, delightful display of holiday cheer. If you're attending this year, here's what you should know before you go.

Tales From The Anti-Adventurist: Vanessa Rides A Chair Lift

17/10/2024

In Mont-Orford, Quebec, my eyes were amazed but my stomach was queasy. This is what it was like riding a chair lift for the very first time!

My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Scenic vista from a mountain top, with stairs and chair lift support system seen.Picture

When I travel, I like to explore twists and turns: A windy road, a crooked bookstore, the cozy nooks in tiny coffee shops. What I don't like, and generally avoid at all costs, are ups and downs. I avoid mountains, caves, ledges, edges, ladders, crevices, tunnels, and trenches. I am not a gal designed for adventure and I'm rather proud of the fact that I've proved that you can travel around the world without the need to parachute, paraglide, or procure a pair of trekking poles.

But every now and then, there's a chink in my armour. I ignore decades of ironclad evidence that I don't have daring bone in my body and I do something rash, something utterly beyond my bravery. And that, precisely, is what I found myself doing at the Mont-Orford Ski Resort in Quebec's Eastern Townships.

This is what happens when an anti-adventurist rides the world's tallest*, steepest*, most terrifying chair lift.

PumpkInferno: Where Art Meets Autumn Magic

11/10/2024

Step into a world of glowing pumpkins, intricate artistry, and community spirit at Upper Canada Village’s enchanting PumpkInferno.

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

Three rows of carved pumpkins sit on hay bales at dusk. Picture

Where can you go to hang out with Vincent van Gogh, Freddie Mercury, a giant octopus, and a few dinosaurs? If you’re me and it’s October, you head to Upper Canada Village, a heritage park in Morrisburg, eastern Ontario. Each autumn, this genteel farmland setting is transformed into an incredible pumpkin-focused experience, the decorative gourds transforming the landscape into every possible tableau, from classic art, rock and roll bands, undersea adventures, and, well, dinos. If you’re looking for an autumn experience that combines creativity, community spirit, and a touch of whimsy, you need to head to Upper Canada Village’s Pumpkinferno. My October wouldn’t be complete without it.

Autumn Bliss: Visit Chazy Orchards in New York for Cinnamon, Cider, and Cozy Vibes

4/10/2024

Perfectly located near Plattsburgh and Montreal, Chazy Orchards invites you to indulge in the best of fall. Savor the flavours of autumn with fresh apples, delicious cider, and mouthwatering treats at this historic orchard.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This experience was part of a sponsored press trip.

Apple picking in Chazy New York: Ryan wears and blue sweater and holds Clover, a large white dog, as she smells an apple. Picture

Apple picking in Chazy New York: Ryan wears and blue sweater and holds Clover, a large white dog, as she smells an apple and smiles. Picture

Looking for a sweet spot to visit this autumn, one filled with cinnamon, cider, and cozy vibes? You have to visit to Chazy Orchards in Chazy, New York. Located just minutes from the city of Plattsburgh and a short drive from Montreal, this is more than just a tasty culinary destination. Chazy Orchards is part of American food history, the world's largest McIntosh apple orchard, and an amazing dog-friendly site that is Clover-approved. Just look how cute she is sniffing the apples!

Sociable! Exploring Port-Royal National Historic Site and Discovering The Order of Good Cheer

26/9/2024

Journey through history: Food, friendship, and resilience at Port-Royal National Historic Site.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This experience was part of a sponsored press trip.

Wooden gates and entrance of Port-Royal Picture

Picture this: Saint Croix Island, the first French settlement in Canada, where in 1604, 79 brave souls faced a winter beyond description. Water, food, and shelter were all but nonexistent. 35 men perished from the cold, disease, and lack of provisions (including scurvy-preventing vitamin-rich foods). If the French wanted to establish a presence in North America, something had to change, and quickly.

It did. Thanks to the generosity of the local Mi’kmaq people, the French learned about a more hospitable site nearby on the mainland, a site that was likely very close to the current Port-Royal National Historic Site. Conditions improved, but life for a French soldier in the early 1600s was anything but luxurious. Scurvy persisted, and morale was poor. But what to do?

Turns out, soldiers living about 400 years ago are just like you and me. They work best with full bellies and a little good cheer. As such, in 1606 Samuel de Champlain founded The Order of Good Cheer, the first dinner club in Canada (and probably all of North America). These dinners were spirited affairs, complete with gourmet food and visiting dignitaries. Here's what it's like to walk in their footsteps.

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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.

What To Do In Edmonton When It’s Cold Outside

Looking for fun things to do in winter in Edmonton? Here’s how to make the most of snowy days, chilly nights, and everything in between.

My trip to Edmonton was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

The 400 Year Old Hospital and the Crazy True Story of Canada's Most Notorious Hotel Thief

I got more than I bargained for when I checked into Quebec City's most unique accommodations.

My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

At The Nest, I Found My Favourite Place To Perch In Hong Kong

This tiny coffee shop boasts a historic location and the power of transformative social enterprise.

My trip to Hong Kong was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Experience Christmas Magic at Cumberland’s Vintage Village Of Light

At Cumberland Heritage Village Museum in Ottawa, you'll be transported back to 1920s-style Christmas at the Vintage Village of Lights event.

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

Tales From The Anti-Adventurist: Vanessa Rides A Chair Lift

In Mont-Orford, Quebec, my eyes were amazed but my stomach was queasy. This is what it was like riding a chair lift for the very first time!

My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

PumpkInferno: Where Art Meets Autumn Magic

Step into a world of glowing pumpkins, intricate artistry, and community spirit at Upper Canada Village’s enchanting PumpkInferno.

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

Autumn Bliss: Visit Chazy Orchards in New York for Cinnamon, Cider, and Cozy Vibes

Sociable! Exploring Port-Royal National Historic Site and Discovering The Order of Good Cheer

Journey through history: Food, friendship, and resilience at Port-Royal National Historic Site.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This experience was part of a sponsored press trip.

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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.

​Looking for fun things to do in winter in Edmonton? Here’s how to make the most of snowy days, chilly nights, and everything in between.My trip to Edmonton was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

I got more than I bargained for when I checked into Quebec City's most unique accommodations.​My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

This tiny coffee shop boasts a historic location and the power of transformative social enterprise.My trip to Hong Kong was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

At Cumberland Heritage Village Museum in Ottawa, you'll be transported back to 1920s-style Christmas at the Vintage Village of Lights event.​This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

In Mont-Orford, Quebec, my eyes were amazed but my stomach was queasy. This is what it was like riding a chair lift for the very first time!My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Step into a world of glowing pumpkins, intricate artistry, and community spirit at Upper Canada Village’s enchanting PumpkInferno.​This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Journey through history: Food, friendship, and resilience at Port-Royal National Historic Site.This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This experience was part of a sponsored press trip.

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.

Looking for fun things to do in winter in Edmonton? Here’s how to make the most of snowy days, chilly nights, and everything in between.

My trip to Edmonton was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

I got more than I bargained for when I checked into Quebec City's most unique accommodations.

My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

This tiny coffee shop boasts a historic location and the power of transformative social enterprise.

My trip to Hong Kong was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

At Cumberland Heritage Village Museum in Ottawa, you'll be transported back to 1920s-style Christmas at the Vintage Village of Lights event.

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

In Mont-Orford, Quebec, my eyes were amazed but my stomach was queasy. This is what it was like riding a chair lift for the very first time!

My trip to Quebec was part of a press trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Step into a world of glowing pumpkins, intricate artistry, and community spirit at Upper Canada Village’s enchanting PumpkInferno.

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

Journey through history: Food, friendship, and resilience at Port-Royal National Historic Site.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This experience was part of a sponsored press trip.