Orvieto Wine, Food, and Family

8/8/2019

In search of the ultimate travel coziness in Italy, we fell in love with Orvieto - oh, and Orvieto wine too!

Media accommodations were provided to us by Hotel Duomo at no charge. All research, writing, and opinions are our own. Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

Is there anything cozier than stumbling into a delightfully snug wine bar with a full roaring fire at the end of a long travel day? Perhaps the only thing better is when said wine bar also doubles as a spectacular restaurant - and is owned by one of the kindest families you've ever met. This very scenario was our introduction to Orvieto wine, food, and family - and it set a new bar for hospitality, not just for all other Italian towns but indeed everywhere we travel.

Here's what made Orvieto such a wonderfully cozy destination for us, including our beloved wine bar and our new favourite hotel, lovingly decorated by local artists.

0 Comments

The Best Things To Do In Concord New Hampshire On A Budget: A $200 Challenge

4/7/2019

0 Comments

We found the best things to do in Concord New Hampshire - all while on a tight budget. But could we save enough to make our $200 travel challenge a success?

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

Best things to do in Concord New Hampshire on a budget Picture

I often start a lot of blog posts by explaining that a certain destination has been on my travel bucket list for a long time, or that I've read a lot about a place and thus jumped at the chance to visit when an opportunity presented itself. But not Concord. The state capital of New Hampshire wasn't on my radar, not one little bit, when we booked our trip. However, travel in general was on my mind in a big way. I had returned from the always inspiring Women in Travel Summit and was highly motivated to see more of the cities around me. I instructed Ryan to find a place within a 6 hour drive that would cost $50 a night and, just like that, I was researching the best things to do in Concord NH, making lists of local cheap eats, and getting excited to discover something new.

The end result was one of the best spontaneous travel decisions we've ever made. Concord NH is just LOVELY! And it was filled with all sorts of me-ish places to explore. From an amazing bookstore to a delicious doughnut stand - I was hooked! But, of course, I wasn't in Concord just to have a great time. I was thinking of all my dear readers as well! I wanted to put Concord to the test with my $200 Challenge. The premise is simple enough. Can two people travel for two days and spend just $200? The $200 Challenge has to include clean, safe accommodations with a hot shower, three proper meals a day, and enough activities to fill two days. With past Challenges including London, Boston, and Washington, DC, how would Concord hold up?

0 Comments

The Best Family Campgrounds Ontario Wide

1/7/2019

0 Comments

These are the best family campgrounds Ontario has to offer - and we've
"tested" A LOT of them!

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

Family campgrounds Ontario by TurnipseedTravel.com

Here, we hiked to the site of where Tom Thompson painted the Jack Pine in Algonquin Provincial Park.

If you close your eyes and imagine a vision of Canada, what do you see? If the first thing that comes to mind is ‘nature’, you’re not alone. Canada is filled with cosmopolitan cities and charming towns but its real claim to fame is the pristine, unspoiled wilderness. Happily, you don’t have to go on a massive expedition to the wilderness to get a taste of the true Canadian spirit. Here are 4 breathtaking family campgrounds Ontario wide, all offering a taste of the true north.

0 Comments

Our Ultimate Rome Pantheon Guide

30/6/2019

0 Comments

Your value-focused Pantheon guide: What to know when visiting the Pantheon for the first time.

We were granted complimentary media accommodations at Hotel Canada. All research, writing, and opinions are our own. Note that some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

Pantheon guide: Visiting the Pantheon for the first time

There are few places in Western Europe as important as Rome's Pantheon. This ancient temple turned Catholic church is unmatched in terms of its significance regarding architectural, political, and religious importance. It's an amazing place to visit and I make a point of stopping by every time I'm in Rome. If your plans will take you into Rome for the first time or the tenth, we have the ultimate Pantheon guide to help you get the most out of your visit and make the most of your money. Here's what you need to know before you go.

0 Comments

Where To Stay In Zurich: Our Favourite Hotels In Zurich Old Town

24/6/2019

0 Comments

Wondering where to stay in Zurich? These are our favourite hotels in Zurich Old Town and there's something for everyone.

My trip to Zurich was part of a hosted media visit. All research, writing, and opinions are my own.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link we are paid a small commission.

Where to stay in Zurich - lounging in bed

Lounging around in bed when you could be out exploring Zurich's streets and lane ways? Say it ain't so! Never fear - I walked A LOT while I was in Zurich. This restful moment was just a brief interlude of downtime. I just couldn't resist trying out my super cozy bed for just a few moments! And I was so lucky that I was staying in the heart of the old town so I could easily pop back home for a rest. As a sleep enthusiast, I know that there are a lot of options on where to stay in Zurich and for my money, the best choice is one of the hotels in Zurich Old Town. Here are my favourite places to stay, some great alternative options with different styles and price points, and a few things that I love about Zurich's old town.

0 Comments

Exploring Véloroute des Bleuets - Quebec's "Blueberry Bike Route"

12/6/2019

0 Comments

The Véloroute des Bleuets is my favourite of all cycling Quebec adventures - even in the off season!

My trip to Lac Saint Jean was part of a hosted media visit. All research, writing, and opinions are my own.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link we are paid a small commission.

Cycling Quebec véloroute des bleuets Vanessa crossing a bridge

With sunny blue skies and a bracing wind, I bravely mounted my bike to go searching for blueberries in the Quebec countryside. But if you're looking at my jacket and scarf in the photo above and thinking it looks far too cold for blueberry season, you'd be partially right. You see, I wasn't in search of blueberries to eat! I was searching for Quebec's famous blueberry bike route, known as the "véloroute des bleuets".

Made up of over 20 different short to medium length rides through the blueberry-producing countryside, the véloroute des bleuets circles around Lac St Jean, not far from the northern Quebec city of Saguenay. The route includes towns such as Alma (my personal favourite), Saint-Felicien, Roberval, and Sainte-Monique, as well as Pointe-Taillon National Park, and includes terrain suitable for all riders.

0 Comments

Searching Out Showers: Lessons from Botswana Safari Camping

5/6/2019

2 Comments

While in Botswana, safari camping was at the top of our travel list. But it wasn't without challenges, like how to stay clean.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link we are paid a small commission.

Botswana safari camping: How to keep clean

This picture of me, taken after one day of Botswana safari camping, says it all. I'm wide-eyed and smiling but you can see the worry in my eyes. You can also see plenty of sweaty hair and a cooling, wet handkerchief draped around my neck. And that was my northern Botswana and Chobe safari experience in a nutshell: awe-inspiring, monumental, a bit overwhelming, and really, REALLY sweaty.

In so many ways, I was ill-prepared for the rigors of Botswana wilderness safaris. I had done exhaustive research. I had been camping dozens of times. Heck, I had even lived in southeast Africa before. But the heat, sand, dirt, and sweat hit me like a ton of bricks. It wasn't that I was unhygienic, per se. I was just out of my element in so many ways and feeling cruddy sure didn't help.

Ryan, I suspect, was absolutely in his element. But I was at the outer limits of my comfort zone. And, trust me, life does NOT begin there, no matter what the philosophers say! This is the blog post about keeping clean on camping safaris I wish I could have read before my trip.

2 Comments

Luxury for Less: 5 Posh Things To Do in Portland Maine for $20 or Less

8/5/2019

2 Comments

Looking for affordable things to do in Portland, Maine? My list focuses on posh treats that are all under $20!

Some links within this blog post are affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase . I was in Portland for the Women in Travel Summit and some of these experiences were the result of tours which were included in my conference registration fees.

Portland Maine Lobster Roll from High Roller

The ultimate Portland, Maine, treat - a buttery lobster roll. I loved them!

Portland, Maine, is the kind of budget-friendly small city that frugal travelers such as myself are thrilled to explore. With a gorgeous ocean front location, compact streets which are easy to explore, and plenty of low cost attractions, you get great bang for your buck here. And if you want to feel a bit spoiled, you don't have to break the bank. I've got five sumptuous, luxurious, feel-like-a-millionaire things to do in Portland, Maine, that all ring in under $20. In fact, some are even FREE! Get ready to indulge!

2 Comments

Fun Things To Do in Kingston: Events With Makers and Creators

22/4/2019

0 Comments

Kingston events don't get much more memorable than a meet up with the city's best makers and creators.

Our Kingston, Ontario, Canada travel experience was sponsored by Tourism Kingston and we thank them for their support. Some links within this blog post are affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase .

Kingston Events: Meeting with makers and creators

Nick Allinson isn’t just a woodworker. I suspect he may just be a bit of a room worker as well. Within a minute of meeting him, he was drilling me not on the other makers and creators I was interviewing later that day in Kingston, Ontario, but rather what I’d be eating and where. I had barely mentioned a popular breakfast place that was on my list when he interrupted. "No! Not that one! You need to go here" before insisting I write down the name of what he says is the city’s finest breakfast joint (Northside Espresso) and telling me the story of the owners (Katie and Jess), who are from Australia.

In the same breath, Nick insisted we also visit Stone City Ales, arguing that they’re the finest brewery in the city and utterly unlike some suspected imposter brewers (say it ain’t so!) After a few minutes, he was waxing poetic about the city’s best florist, LSP Designs, and heaping praise upon his fellow makers and creators, who he credits for launching an amazingly innovative program to bring travelers and makers together at the most unlikely of venues - hotels. Yes, hotels!

0 Comments

<<Previous

Forward>>

Orvieto Wine, Food, and Family

The Best Things To Do In Concord New Hampshire On A Budget: A $200 Challenge

We found the best things to do in Concord New Hampshire - all while on a tight budget. But could we save enough to make our $200 travel challenge a success?

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

The Best Family Campgrounds Ontario Wide

These are the best family campgrounds Ontario has to offer - and we've
"tested" A LOT of them!

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

Our Ultimate Rome Pantheon Guide

Where To Stay In Zurich: Our Favourite Hotels In Zurich Old Town

Exploring Véloroute des Bleuets - Quebec's "Blueberry Bike Route"

Searching Out Showers: Lessons from Botswana Safari Camping

While in Botswana, safari camping was at the top of our travel list. But it wasn't without challenges, like how to stay clean.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link we are paid a small commission.

Luxury for Less: 5 Posh Things To Do in Portland Maine for $20 or Less

Looking for affordable things to do in Portland, Maine? My list focuses on posh treats that are all under $20!

Some links within this blog post are affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase . I was in Portland for the Women in Travel Summit and some of these experiences were the result of tours which were included in my conference registration fees.

Fun Things To Do in Kingston: Events With Makers and Creators

Post Categories

Posts by Date

Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy

We found the best things to do in Concord New Hampshire - all while on a tight budget. But could we save enough to make our $200 travel challenge a success?Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

These are the best family campgrounds Ontario has to offer - and we've ​"tested" A LOT of them! ​Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase.

While in Botswana, safari camping was at the top of our travel list. But it wasn't without challenges, like how to stay clean.This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link we are paid a small commission.

Looking for affordable things to do in Portland, Maine? My list focuses on posh treats that are all under $20!

​Some links within this blog post are affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase . I was in Portland for the Women in Travel Summit and some of these experiences were the result of tours which were included in my conference registration fees.

Post Categories

Posts by Date

Subscribe to our mailing list

We found the best things to do in Concord New Hampshire - all while on a tight budget. But could we save enough to make our $200 travel challenge a success?

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

These are the best family campgrounds Ontario has to offer - and we've
"tested" A LOT of them!

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

While in Botswana, safari camping was at the top of our travel list. But it wasn't without challenges, like how to stay clean.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through said link we are paid a small commission.

Some links within this blog post are affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase . I was in Portland for the Women in Travel Summit and some of these experiences were the result of tours which were included in my conference registration fees.