Travel

Hawaii is a hugely popular tourist destination for people from all over the globe, but it’s especially popular during the winter season. Its tropical climate, friendly and welcoming locals, delicious food, luxurious hotels, and amazing landscape welcome travelers who want to get away from the cold temperatures, snow, and ice of the harsh winter. So if you’ve been thinking about taking a beach vacation to get away from it all and bask in the sunshine for at least a little while, continue reading to learn a few reasons why Hawaii is the ideal place to go.

The Weather Is Absolutely Perfect

Are you in search of a tropical destination in the middle of the winter? Then look no further than Hawaii, which boasts perfect temperatures and weather conditions during this time of the year. Even in January and February, areas like Honolulu and Waikiki have average daytime temperatures around 80°F. This means that you can pack your bustier bikini top and get ready for some relaxing time on the sandy beaches that are found throughout this unique state. Just be aware that the nights can get cooler, so pack accordingly. Keep in mind, too, that the islands do tend to get more rainfall during the winter, but these are usually short showers that won’t get in the way of your plans.

It’s a Surfer’s Paradise

Another reason why Hawaii is such a popular destination for winter travelers, especially surfers, is because the biggest waves occur on the island’s beaches during these months of the year. In fact, waves in the winter can be as tall as 20 feet high or more, so you’ll definitely have a blast as you navigate the massive waves if you’re an experienced surfer. And if you don’t surf, you can watch the talented surfers while sitting on the sand instead.

More Than Just Beaches

In addition to the magnificent beaches that Hawaii has to offer, there are a host of other fun and unforgettable outdoor activities that you can enjoy during your winter trip. This essentially translates to never having to worry about becoming bored. So when you’ve gotten your fill of beach time and pool time, you can head into the rainforest for an exhilarating hike, you can check out volcanoes, you can go for a boat ride, or you can even make your way to some of the most beautiful waterfalls on the planet. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and you aren’t afraid of getting a little active during your winter vacation, Hawaii will give you more options that you can include in your itinerary.

Continue Reading

London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with grand museums, spectacular architecture and a lot of history. Like most major cities however, there are unspoken rules between the locals on what is acceptable behaviour and what can land you on top of the most hated tourist list.

Here’s a list of what you should not do while visiting this fine city.

1.   Ride the Tube at Rush Hour

London is a major business hub and people who work in and around London take the tube to get to work quickly. It’s overcrowded as it is with Londoners jockeying for seats and space, so tourists shouldn’t ride the tube at rush hour to avoid the murderous stares of locals who just want to get to work. This goes double for tourists who travel in a large group and people carrying luggage. Rush hour is from 6am to 10am and 4pm to 6pm. If you must, take the tube in between those times. Try walking or riding the London bus instead. The sights and sounds of London are better seen above ground anyway.

2.   Stand on the left side of an escalator

In London, the left side of an escalator is reserved for people who can’t wait for the lumbering staircase to reach its destination. If you find yourself riding an escalator, don’t stand and clog the left side unless you want someone to politely put you in your place. If you’re carrying any luggage, keep it on your right side because someone in a hurry might trip over it.

Continue Reading

While I haven’t officially announced it on the blog, I am currently on a whirlwind 5 month trip in Europe, working and exploring the sights and sounds of the countries that fascinate me (and don’t have snow)!

Why?

Well, because I can.

I got bitten by a radioactive travel bug and now I can’t stop seeing the world.

The rush of packing my bags and heading off to some faraway spot on the globe is intoxicating. I love getting to know the locals, learning new cultures, experimenting with food and going where no other tourist has gone before.

For me, It’s all about the journey and exploration more than anything else. It’s a feeling that can’t be replicated, especially not in the bitter deep freeze of Canada.

So with my Eurail pass in hand, I’m heading to explore as many countries as I can before coming back to enjoy the summer.

If you’re planning your first ever sojourn abroad, here’s a great idea: go to Spain.

Why Spain is One of The Must-See Countries in Europe for 2015

Located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, Spain has long been a favorite of tourists from other parts of Europe and North America who want to escape the bitter cold and dreary weather of the north and enjoy a sunny, Mediterranean lifestyle.

Spain is only one of three countries to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, and that’s what makes this country an awesome: an uber long coastline!

Continue Reading

Let’s talk about Jamaica, shall we? It is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and has the culture to boot. I’m ashamed to say that for someone who loves warm weather,  this year was the first time that I had the pleasure of visiting the country.  And let’s just say that there is a lot more to the country than Bob Marley- although he is pretty fantastic.

The Caribbean is the only part of the world that I suggest all-inclusive trips for.  Not only are you pretty much taken care of the entire time that you’re there, but it allows you to relax, and enjoy the little piece of paradise without having to worry about pesky things like money. Also, when considering the cost of food, flight, and hotel, and accommodations, you really can’t beat the all inclusive prices.

That said, if you find yourself in Jamaica, like I did, and want to explore the world outside your resort, and get to know the country a bit better without spending money I would suggest the following activities.

Volunteer:

This is organized and run by the Rockhouse Hotel Negril, and  was by far the most rewarding part of my trip to Jamaica. The Rockhouse Foundation has made it really easy for you to get involved in the community. I had the pleasure of reading to a class at a school. Not only did it totally remind of my days as a Sunday School teacher, but it allowed me to get acquainted with the education system and standards. Don’t worry if teaching isn’t your thing, there are tons of activities that you can partake in.

Continue Reading

I am a traveller by nature. I crave the thrill of the unknown and am planning to take a 5 month sabbatical to wander through South America to discover things that I haven’t even thought of yet. Travelling, however, is not a cheap hobby. In fact, it is most likely my most expensive indulgence. Most people travel and don’t pay attention to the cheap options that are in front of them when they are abroad, and end up spending twice as much as they really need to .

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for experiencing and indulging when I travel (hello, macaroons, and gelato!), but I also think that having a food budget allows you to take in more activities.  For example, I rather spend my mom on a football match than an overpriced lunch.

Continue Reading

San Francisco welcomes nearly 17 million travelers every year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. The City by the Bay has some beautiful neighborhoods, but which one is right for your vacation?

1. Fisherman’s Wharf is Fishy Fun

Most visitors to San Francisco have Fisherman’s Wharf on their itinerary, but you needn’t make a special effort to visit if you base yourself in this buzzing neighbourhood.

Choose a room with kitchen facilities, like the penthouse suite in The Wharf Inn, and buy a fresh catch to cook in your room, or let the pros at the local seafood restaurants work their magic. Charter boats take tourists from the wharf to local attractions including Alcatraz, Angel Island, and other points of interest around San Francisco Bay. Meet local marine life at Aquarium of the Bay or look for sea lions and gulls near the pier.

Continue Reading