Self-Care For Travel Lovers In Times Of Crisis

15/3/2020

When planes and plans are grounded, it's time for travel lovers to help others - and themselves.

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

Table filled with spider plants and alabaster picture frames Picture

On March 12, 2020, I told friends that it felt like a tiny part of me had died.

After weeks of distressing reports about the spread of COVID-19 - and an equal amount of time whereby I stoutly resolved to keep calm and carry on - the writing was on the wall. There was clearly no way that I would be able to take a long-hoped for trip to Paris in April.

This wasn't just any trip. This was THE trip. I was turning 40 and I was moving to Paris - solo! - for a month, to write and eat and dream. Bookended by a layover in London and a trip to the United States, it was due to be my longest solo adventure since I was 24 years old. Until, of course, it wasn't. I say I made the decision not to go, but in reality the decision was made for me. Within 24 hours of my choice to withdraw, borders were closing, the news cycle went into overdrive, and I hunkered down into my home, happily choosing social distancing for everyone's benefit.

I felt like a tiny part of me had died. And I was filled with shame.

What right did I have to be crying (and let me tell you, there was crying) over missed macarons and museums when people were dying, when people's entire livelihoods were evaporating in front of them? I thought of the people of Italy, an entire nation quarantined, finding solace in community song, joining their voices together from the safe distance of apartment balconies to comfort one another in their grief. What right did I have to feel sad?

But my online community disagreed. Several people reached out to say that it's both normal and expected to feel sorrow for those in need and to also be sad that someone you really wanted did not work out. That it's okay to feel blue when your dream dies, even if it was a dream built on pretty, dainty, cozy things, and you can still have tremendous empathy for those who are also suffering in their own way. Pandemic self-care for travel lovers can acknowledge and incorporate both.

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Death Sets With The Sun In Botswana's Chobe National Park

13/1/2020

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On the banks of the Chobe River, an elephant mourning ritual shows that the cycle of life and death has never been so raw.

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

Elephant on a river bank examines the bones of a dead baby elephantPicture

The bones are loose and barely holding together. The meat and sinew have all but disappeared. What little is left threatens to slip away at any moment, taking what remains of the little elephant and scattering it along the river bank, letting it slip into the water, letting it melt away.

There's a sense the other elephant knows this. Though he uses his trunk to jostle and even toss what is left of the baby's remains, there's a gentle urgency to it. Wake up. Wake up now and you won't be left to fragment. Wake up and you won't be reduced to crumbs.

I am intruding. There is an intimacy here between the living and the dead that's palatable. This is a private moment. While our safari vehicle is a safe distance away - respectable, even - I feel awkward, embarrassed by our proximity, ashamed by how hungrily I suck back the scene. If asked, I would use my interest in nature as a shield. Exactly how often does one see an elephant mourning ritual? Perhaps if I cling to this I'll feel better about the moisture which goes everywhere save for my parched mouth.

The sun is starting to set. In less than an hour the park will be black. I am haunted by this jumbled-up pile of bones and by this adult who won't mosey on. I want to scream at it to move lest it spend all night next to a corpse, easy pickings for predators and ghosts alike. But its grief is a glue.

A distant passage I once read awakens in my mind, like a lazy cat indulging in a luxurious stretch after a very long nap. "Her face was like stone." It takes me more than a year to place it. It's from Bruce Northam's Globetrotter Dogma: 100 Canons For Escaping The Rat Race and Exploring The World and it reads:

"While visiting a hospital in Delhi, India, I observed a mother carrying her dead infant down a long dim hallway, out the front door of the hospital, and into her gruesomely impoverished neighborhood. Her face was like stone."

The beauty of Botswana's Chobe National Park contains an embarrassment of riches. It is a lifetime of journeys away from the grim hospital and tableau of death Northam observed decades earlier. But his words about grief won't leave me. I can hear them in the elephant's gentle grunting breath.

Her face was like stone. Her face was like stone. Her face was like stone.

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The Coziest Bookstores Around The World

2/12/2019

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These snug bookstores are well worth travelling to! Discover more than 30 of the world's cutest, coziest bookstores.

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

Interior of the Midtown Scholar in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with large bookshelves and a sunken cafe areaPicture

Outside Shakespeare and Company in Paris.

Is there anything that rivals a bookstore when it comes to that perfect combination of smooth paper, fragrant coffee, and superb people watching? I think not! Bookstores are such a snug, warm, homey way to settle into a new destination and learn what the locals are reading, drinking, and talking about. They're the perfect spot for when you want a quiet moment, yet also ideal when you want noise, hustle, and bustle. There's no other word for it: Bookstores are cozy.

Some of my best cozy travel memories are set in bookstores, like the rainy day I visited the now-closed Mainly Murder in Cork, Ireland, to get some recommendations for an on-the-road mystery. Or my frequent visits to the Maneno Bookshop in Lilongwe, Malawi, where I gorged on every available Jeffery Deaver thriller to help pass the time during quiet nights on the road. I'm not alone in my love of these cushy, intimate, cheerful spots either. Several of my travel blogging friends feel the exact same way about bookstores and they have kindly shared some of their personal recommendations for the best bookstores around the world.

So go turn on the kettle and get ready to settle in with a hot drink. Here are more than 30 cozy bookstores from around the world to inspire your next travel adventure.

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21 Cozy Microadventures For Ottawa Travellers

25/8/2019

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We have 21 suggestions for Ottawa travellers to discover the city's cozy side, one microadventure at a time.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

Cozy microadventures for Ottawa travellers by TurnipseedTravel.comPicture

I am not adventurous. Nope, not one bit. Sure, I talk a good game and occasionally do things which other people might consider a bit daunting, like walking across Victoria Falls Bridge or kayaking in the Saguenay Fjord, but I think we all know the truth. Deep down, I'll always be the girl who caused a commotion in the Athens Meat Market and braced for an attack from non-existent wild pigs in Hawaii. I'm scared of adventure and (...I like to think...) adventure is a bit scared of me. However, a conversation with a friend has completely re-framed things for me. I've been introduced to the world of microadventures!

The phrase microadventure has been popularized by Alastair Humphreys in his book Microadventures: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes. The book describes a microadventure as something "close to home, cheap, simple, short and 100% guaranteed to refresh your life. A microadventure takes the spirit of a big adventure and squeezes it into a day or even a few hours."

Hang on a second. That sounds like what I do. That sounds like what I do ALL. THE. TIME. I like things that are cheap, simple, short, and refreshing (aka COZY things!). Could it be that I've been an adventurer - and a trendy adventurer at that! - all along? Since the spirit of Humphrey's microadventures focus on this close to home, here are my favourite microadventures to recommend to Ottawa travellers.

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Tingling With Anticipation: Why Tinggly Experience Boxes Are The Perfect Gift For Travelers

2/12/2018

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It's time to make memories, not mountains of clutter

This article has been sponsored by a proud supporter of TurnipseedTravel and we thank them for their support.

Did I ever tell you about the first time Ryan and I saw a Cirque du Soleil performance? We were in the 4th row to see “KÀ” in Las Vegas and the entire experience was nothing short of spectacular from beginning to end. We were so enthralled with the performance that we easily forgot that it WAS a performance. During the middle of one particularly daring trapeze act, I was so exhilarated and terrified that I squealed aloud, convinced that the artist was going to fall!

Our fantastically great tickets were all thanks to a generous Christmas treat of gift certificates to a ticket booking office. Hey, this was a while ago - ticket offices used to be a big thing! The gift not only allowed us to boldly pick an activity we normally would have dismissed due to its higher price point - we could also enjoy it in style, with terrific seats. And it meshed perfectly with our philosophy to celebrate holidays and special occasions with gifts that create memories, not clutter.

I’ve since realized that it’s easy to say you want to give experiences, not objects. But so often people are stumped about what exactly ‘giving an experience’ means. Let’s face it - sometimes “experience” doesn’t exactly mean something that the recipient REALLY wants. Coupons for car washes and back rubs, anyone? And can anything really replicate the feeling of opening a beautifully wrapped gift, tingling with anticipation about what could be inside?

You know what? Tinggly can. Nobody knows the art of gorgeous travel experience gifts better. Here are three reasons why I love Tinggly.

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Tales From The Anti-Adventurist: Vanessa Rides A Mountain Coaster

21/9/2018

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In Ellicottville, New York, one of the most popular ski destinations in the United States, I faced my own mountain challenge.

Participation in the press trip that brought me to Ellicottville was part of the Travel Bloggers Exchange (TBEX) conference. This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link, we'll be paid a small commission and we thank you for your support.

Getting ready to ride the Ellicottville Mountain Coaster Picture

Deep, DEEP down - I knew I could do it. You can all see the confidence brimming just below the surface here, right?

If you love watching CSI marathons as much as I do, you'll no doubt have picked up on a particular habit of shift supervisor Gil Grissom. When the introverted, cerebral, bookish Grissom needs to unwind, he heads to one of Las Vegas' spectacular roller coasters and lets the breakneck speeds and thrilling loops clear his head.

Like Grissom, I too love bees and books (dead bodies, not so much...) Could I possibly love roller coasters as well?

The answer is a resounding NO! If you follow my Facebook page, you'll know that roller coasters are one of the many "nope" activities for me. Bungee jumping, hang gliding, mountain climbing, roller coasters - they're all "nopes". They terrify me!

But what about a mountain coaster?

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Next Stop, Poutine! Your In-Depth Quebec City Food Tour Guide

13/8/2018

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Where can you find poutine AND fine wine? On a Quebec City food tour, of course! We're reviewing two of the most popular options - as well as giving you the inside scoop on our favourite Quebec City bed and breakfast.

Complimentary participation in these Quebec City food tours was offered to attendees of the Women in Travel Summit. This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link, we'll be paid a small commission and we thank you for your support.

Enjoying poutine on a Quebec City food tour Picture

When you think of Quebecois food, does your mind wander to old fashioned fare with a heavy emphasis on maple syrup and local delicacies? Or maybe you're craving less wholesome treats like a heaping plate of poutine? Perhaps your tastes are a bit more refined, with a eye towards wine and French joie de vivre? If you're like me and want a little bit of everything, your best bet is a Quebec City food tour so that no category is left out. Happily, when I was in Quebec City for the Women in Travel Summit, I participated in not one but two fantastic foodie experiences. Read on to hear about each tour, including what I loved, what I felt could have been improved, and my favourite stop on each. Plus there's a bonus review of my favourite Quebec City bed and breakfast which I know you'll like as much as I do!

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Passion For Points: Inside Our Round-The-World Aeroplan Extravaganza.

3/7/2018

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I'm so excited to be telling CTV Ottawa Morning Live viewers (and all of you!) about our amazing upcoming Aeroplan round the world points trip.

I'm so proud and excited to have presented travel information (and hopefully a little inspiration too!) with my friends at CTV Ottawa Morning Live. I've had the pleasure to visit them before to talk social media in my role as the owner of Sculpt Social - on my last segment, we chatted about the best designed apps for organization.

This visit however was extra special as I got to talk about the first love of my life - TRAVEL! Specifically, crafty travel that allows regular folks (like you and me) to maximize their frequent flyer miles. In case you didn't get to see the entire segment - or if you loved it so much you want a recap - this mini post is for you!

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The Most Adventurous Things To Do in Saguenay: Kayaking the Saguenay Fjord

10/5/2018

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Saguenay is the best place to go kayaking in Quebec - even if there are a few misadventures along the way.

My trip to Saguenay was part of a media visit organized by the Saguenay Lac Saint Jean tourism board. Some links within this blog post are affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase through said link.

Things to do in Saguenay: Kayaking the Saguenay Fjord Picture

If this isn't the face of confidence and athleticism, I don't know what is!

Brimming with confidence and cutting a dashing, athletic figure, I nimbly slid into the stern of my sea kayak, ready to embrace the elements and be one with nature.

Wait a minute.... that's not me! I've never been nimble at anything I do, let alone anything to do with boats! But when I had the opportunity to kayak the Saguenay, Quebec, Fjord - and specifically be in the Saguenay St Lawrence Marine Park, adjacent to Fjord National Park- I WAS truly ready to be one with nature. The chance to navigate a fjord here in Canada was a rare travel experience I couldn't miss.

As for the confidence.... well... let's just say that I was about as confident as I was nimble. But it didn't take me long to hit my stride, with only a few minor mishaps. And it was all worth it to be better acquainted with an absolutely incredible corner of the world. Here's why I think sea kayaking is among the best things to do in Saguenay (even if there were a few awkward wetsuit moments along the way).

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Self-Care For Travel Lovers In Times Of Crisis

When planes and plans are grounded, it's time for travel lovers to help others - and themselves.

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

Death Sets With The Sun In Botswana's Chobe National Park

On the banks of the Chobe River, an elephant mourning ritual shows that the cycle of life and death has never been so raw.

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

The Coziest Bookstores Around The World

These snug bookstores are well worth travelling to! Discover more than 30 of the world's cutest, coziest bookstores.

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

21 Cozy Microadventures For Ottawa Travellers

We have 21 suggestions for Ottawa travellers to discover the city's cozy side, one microadventure at a time.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

Tingling With Anticipation: Why Tinggly Experience Boxes Are The Perfect Gift For Travelers

It's time to make memories, not mountains of clutter

This article has been sponsored by a proud supporter of TurnipseedTravel and we thank them for their support.

Tales From The Anti-Adventurist: Vanessa Rides A Mountain Coaster

In Ellicottville, New York, one of the most popular ski destinations in the United States, I faced my own mountain challenge.

Participation in the press trip that brought me to Ellicottville was part of the Travel Bloggers Exchange (TBEX) conference. This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link, we'll be paid a small commission and we thank you for your support.

Next Stop, Poutine! Your In-Depth Quebec City Food Tour Guide

Passion For Points: Inside Our Round-The-World Aeroplan Extravaganza.

I'm so excited to be telling CTV Ottawa Morning Live viewers (and all of you!) about our amazing upcoming Aeroplan round the world points trip.

The Most Adventurous Things To Do in Saguenay: Kayaking the Saguenay Fjord

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When planes and plans are grounded, it's time for travel lovers to help others - and themselves. ​Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

On the banks of the Chobe River, an elephant mourning ritual shows that the cycle of life and death has never been so raw. ​​Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

These snug bookstores are well worth travelling to! Discover more than 30 of the world's cutest, coziest bookstores.Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

We have 21 suggestions for Ottawa travellers to discover the city's cozy side, one microadventure at a time. ​Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

It's time to make memories, not mountains of clutter

This article has been sponsored by a proud supporter of TurnipseedTravel and we thank them for their support.

In Ellicottville, New York, one of the most popular ski destinations in the United States, I faced my own mountain challenge.

Participation in the press trip that brought me to Ellicottville was part of the Travel Bloggers Exchange (TBEX) conference. This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link, we'll be paid a small commission and we thank you for your support.

I'm so excited to be telling CTV Ottawa Morning Live viewers (and all of you!) about our amazing upcoming Aeroplan round the world points trip.

Post Categories

Posts by Date

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When planes and plans are grounded, it's time for travel lovers to help others - and themselves.

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

On the banks of the Chobe River, an elephant mourning ritual shows that the cycle of life and death has never been so raw.

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

These snug bookstores are well worth travelling to! Discover more than 30 of the world's cutest, coziest bookstores.

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

We have 21 suggestions for Ottawa travellers to discover the city's cozy side, one microadventure at a time.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.