TURNIPSEED TRAVEL
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media

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

13/8/2018

0 Comments

 

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!

Read More
0 Comments

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

3/7/2018

0 Comments

 

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. 

Picture
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!

Read More
0 Comments

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

10/5/2018

20 Comments

 

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). 

Read More
20 Comments

Penguins or No Penguins? What the Cutest Bird Taught Me About Money and Travel

24/3/2018

21 Comments

 

I love to chat about money and travel... but penguins usually aren't included in the conversation! 

Money and Travel: Souvenir pic of penguins. Picture
How cute are these penguins? We posed for a fun souvenir photo at Sea Life in Sydney.
Have you ever traveled to see penguins? And, if so, did they teach you any financial lessons? It's a strange question! You see, a recent conversation about these cute birds unexpectedly shed some light on money and my travel decision making process. Let me explain....

I was chatting with friends about how there are some things I'll happily pay a lot of money for when I travel, yet I get really annoyed at some minor travel expenses. Why was it so easy to assign value to one activity yet be so aggravated with another? That's when a friend piped up and said that in her circle of friends, they summarize this quandary with one quirky phrase: "penguins or no penguins".

She told me about some acquaintances - known for being rather frugal - who had saved up for the trip of a lifetime. They cruised to Antarctica, truly an incredible voyage, and a trip that easily cost thousands of dollars. And while they were there, they had the chance to pay an extra $20 each to leave the cruise ship and board a Zodiac boat that would take them closer to the penguins. But they refused! They must have spent over $10,000 on their trip - but they drew the line at an extra $40 in travel expenses. And thus, the phrase "penguins or no penguins" was born. 

Read More
21 Comments

15 Flights for $500: Inside Our Star Alliance Around the World Rewards Trip

18/1/2018

54 Comments

 

In 2013, we created the most incredible reward trip with Aeroplan, circling the globe with Star Alliance.  And in 2018 we're doing it again!

Aeroplan rewards round the world flights on points. Picture
Sailing the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar.
Aeroplan rewards round the world flights on points.
Hot air balloon ride in Bagan.
Aeroplan rewards round the world flights on points. Picture
Landing back home in Ottawa.
Aeroplan rewards round the world flights on points. Picture
Heading to New York.
Aeroplan rewards round the world flights on points. Picture
In Mandalay.
Aeroplan rewards round the world flights on points. Picture
In Bruges.
TurnipseedTravel debuted nearly six years ago (and does anyone else remember our very first green and grey template?). Nearly 18 months later, that debut became a fully fledged launch when Ryan and I took our readers along for the journey of a lifetime.

We cashed in all our points for what was technically a trip to Australia but instead embarked on an amazing round-the-world trip fueled entirely by Aeroplan.  See, we had learned about all the reward flight loopholes needed to "hack" our travel plans and create a mini round the world trip with Star Alliance partners. With stops in Europe, Asia, North America (and, of course, Australia), we had 9 flight segments on Star Alliance flights (and visited about 15 different locations) and paid about $300 each for taxes and fees. As you can tell from our nostalgic photos, thanks to Aeroplan, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

​Or so we thought.... 

Read More
54 Comments

Coffee, Caring, and ME to WE: A Holiday Gift Giveaway With A Difference

11/12/2017

45 Comments

 

We love coffee - and we love travel gifts that go the distance. One lucky reader will get to win both!

Picture
My jaunty bird mug comes from Dedza Pottery in Malawi. It's been with me since I was 23! Curious about what's in my mug (or the pretty bracelet?) - read on!
Long time blog readers will know two absolute truths about Ryan and myself. The first is that we are obsessed with coffee.  Ryan loves a classic cup of black coffee, whereas I hold out for some combination of espresso and steamy milk, but together we are formidable force, tracking down every cappuccino counter and corner cafe around the world. 

The second is that we are enamored with anything that does double duty or that classifies as a two-for-one. 24 hour layovers on route to our main destination. Free guided tour day at the museum. Taking the brewery tour while half price appetizers are offered. In short, we want great bang for our buck and we want to be caffeinated while we get it. With that in mind, we are thrilled to offer an amazing giveaway to our beloved readers that combines BOTH of our passions!

Read More
45 Comments

A Sentimental Visit to St Symphorien

6/11/2017

0 Comments

 

Peace and reflection at St Symphorien Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Tombstone of George Price, Belgium
The headstone of Canadian George Price, the last Commonwealth soldier killed in WWI.
It's difficult to drive down a road in rural Belgium without encountering one of the subtle green signs of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission . Belgium suffered terribly during the First World War, as did the millions of troops from around the world who fought in the water logged trenches. But as I was to learn, visiting a war cemetery is not just an experience of sadness but also one of inspiration. 

Read More
0 Comments

Memories and Maple Syrup in Montebello Quebec

21/10/2017

0 Comments

 

What makes a girls' getaway all the sweeter? Adding in a delicious dose of maple on a trip to Montebello, Quebec.

Marina Chateau Montebello Quebec at sunset
Girls' getaways are the perfect time for rest and relaxation.
Can there ever be too much of a good thing? Not when it comes to maple! This classic Canadian flavor is so much more than a pancake topping. And when I had the opportunity to partner with Ford Canada for a girlfriends' wellness weekend in Montebello, Quebec, I knew that my favorite autumn flavor would only sweeten the experience.

I was excited to indulge in as much of Quebec's signature condiment as possible, and I soon learned that there was more to maple than meets the eye. Traditional pancakes, step aside! Here are my favourite Montebello maple moments. 

Read More
0 Comments

Books and Backpacks: A Review of Sweet Reads Book Box (and a contest too!)

12/10/2017

47 Comments

 

Agatha Christie, elephants, and a chance to WIN your very own amazing literary prize pack!

Picture
In 2003, I discovered a tiny bookstore in Cork, Ireland, called Mainly Murder. Well, when I say "discovered", what I really mean is that I followed the instructions in my Let's Go guidebook - and I was not at all disappointed with their recommendation.

The elderly proprietress really did look like she could be a character in an Agatha Christie plot, just like Let's Go had described. When I presented my insufferably vague query (I wanted something to read while I was backpacking... something "good"), she intuitively directed me towards the perfect author. That's how I discovered Minette Walters, whose novels really were the ideal companion to backpacking - paperback books, easy enough to find around the world, suspenseful but not too scary. 

Mainly Murder has since closed but it will always have a special place in my heart. It launched my passion for discovering bookstores around the world. So when I had the chance to try out a Sweet Reads book box and saw an Agatha Christie quote on their stationary,  I knew it was the very thing for me. 

Read More
47 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>
    Recent Posts
    Posts by Location
    Turnipseed Travel Category Canada
    Turnipseed Travel Category USA
    Turnipseed Travel Category Europe
    Turnipseed Travel Category Africa
    Turnipseed Travel Category Australia
    Turnipseed Travel Category Asia

    Post Categories

    All
    $200 Challenge
    200m Challenge
    Accommodation
    Africa
    Amsterdam
    Anti Adventurist
    Asia
    Australia
    Belgium
    Business Travel
    Camping
    Canada
    Central Counties
    Cozy Travel
    Destinations
    Europe
    Experiences & Activities
    Female Travel
    Food And Drink
    Gear And Packing
    Golf
    Greece
    Guest Posts & Interviews
    Health
    Inspiration
    Making Travel Memories
    Montreal
    Most Popular Posts
    National Parks
    Norfolk County
    Ontario
    Ottawa
    Paris
    Partners
    Pet Travel
    Photo Essay
    Preparation
    Press Trip Portfolio
    Reviews Accommodation
    Reviews Gear Packing
    Round The World
    Saving
    Toronto
    Transportation
    Travel Memories Series
    UK & Ireland
    United States

    Posts by Date

    December 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy

Top 100 Travel Influencer
As named by the Obama White House in 2014.​
White House Study Abroad Logo 2014
Turnipseed Travel Logo 2019
DMCA.com Protection Status
© COPYRIGHT 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media