I’ve never been someone who wants to go on the same trips year after year; I know some people have a favourite place to spend their Christmases or summers, but I always want the novelty of a place I’ve never been before. Whenever I go somewhere new, I often feel the need to suck the marrow out of every experience. My rationale is: this might … Continue reading Revisiting Places: A Waste, or Chance for a New Perspective?
I’ve been really lucky this year, to travel as much as I have. I use the word “lucky”, because I want to acknowledge that travelling comes from an enormous place of privilege; I have enough money to go where I like, enough time to research the best rates and travel deals, and loved ones to travel with. One of those privileges is the fact that … Continue reading What is Travel Burnout (And How Can I Stop It)?
I’ve travelled solo, with romantic partners, with besties, and in groups; good and bad trips, domestic and international. And what I’ve found is that what happens on a trip—the things I do, see, and enjoy—vary greatly based on who you have with you. You can’t always choose who comes, but you can always choose who you ask! Continue reading Me, or We? Deciding to Take a Trip Solo, Partnered, or With a Group
Last Autumn, I was taking the ferry from the tiny island of Lokrum to Dubrovnik, as part of a Croatian holiday. As the water was lapping against the boat and the wind blew through my hair, my boyfriend sitting at my feet as we watched the waves our ferry made—I remember feeling really present, and happy, in that moment. Then, my phone pinged. It was … Continue reading How To Stay Off Your Phone While Travelling
After I’ve settled at the airport—been through security, checked in to my flight, and laid eyes on my gate—I typically wander through the airport. Favourite shops of mine are always those filled with snacks, discount designer items, and books. Lately I’ve been noticing that the airports book shops aren’t populated only with beach reads and SuDoKu books; there are always racks and racks of self-improvement … Continue reading Why Am I Always Tempted To Buy Self-Help Books at Airports?
I’m lucky enough to live in London, and this week, I have friends travelling from Canada to visit. Although I’ve lived in the city for over a decade, my partner is only on his third year here—when he first moved, we spent time exploring different boroughs, finding things we’d like to do. We found cinemas, cafes, and parks that became regular creature comforts for us. … Continue reading Wander Where You Are – How To Be A Tourist Where You Live
I consider myself really lucky, in that I grew up with multiple languages around me. Growing up in Ottawa, Canada (the capital, which prides itself on being bilingual) we had French as part of our core curriculum, starting at age 6. I also grew up in a family with a Peruvian-born Dad, and so I heard a lot of Spanish growing up from that side … Continue reading Speaking Foreign Languages Abroad: Why Effort Matters Most
There’s a heatwave in the UK, and it. Is. SWELTERING. I can’t stress enough how much the heat in the UK at 33 degrees is unbearable—and how it seems like no one outside the city believes me when I say this. Truthfully, it’s not just the heat; it’s a perfect storm of humidity (the air is hot and damp), the houses were designed to keep … Continue reading Surviving a Heat Wave If You’re Travelling to the UK
As anti-tourism protests take place in Euopean capital cities, I’m asking myself: What can I do to stand in solidarity with people who are saying, your vacation is impacting my livelihood negatively? The immediate answer is, of course… Continue reading Housing, Tourism, and Protesting in European Capitals
We’ve all done it—tried bringing a piece of a trip back home, only to find that it doesn’t really have a place in your life. In order to stop this practice of buy > take home > don’t use > throw away, I’ve gotten a lot pickier with the things I bring home…
Continue reading How to Choose Souvenirs You Won’t Regret
No Small Wander 