travel Archives • Page 8 of 11 • The Bliss Movement

Banff, Alberta: Spray River Horseback Tour

"This is Brew," is your only introduction to the animal being handed to you and you quickly begin to become acquainted to the gelding you're about to spend an hour with and trust to take you safely through the muddy trails. One foot snugly in the stirrup, it's a familiar feeling to swing your other leg up and over until you're seated up on the horse's back. Last weekend I took a day trip to Banff with a friend and the highlight of the whole thing was easily the horseback riding. Banff Adventures offer a number of different rides, from one hour up to an entire s[...]

Tips, Planning and Packing, Travel

9 Ways To Make A Long Flight More Enjoyable

"When you get into an airplane by yourself and take off, you find yourself in this lovely, three-dimensional world where you can go in any direction. There is no feeling any more exciting than that," - Gene Roddenberry The harsh reality of travel (for some) is that it can quite literally take days to arrive at your destination, even by plane. For those on a budget, this is even more of a reality in which you end up having to take a plane, bus, and donkey just to get from one city to another in order to save a couple dollars. Even without all of the transportat[...]

Alberta, Canada

The Devonian Gardens Of Devon, Alberta

This might sound like a repeat post, like you've read the name Devonian Gardens somewhere around here before. And you did, right here. But there are two Devonian Gardens in Alberta, apparently. One nestled on the top floor of a shopping mall (which is a great escape from the winter blues) and one that is located just outside of Devon, AB that greatly exceeds the size of the one I've previously talked about. The Devonian Botanical Gardens have been around since 1959 and cover a whopping 240 acres. Whether you prefer flowers or plants, a space that is polished and m[...]

Asia, Thailand

How To Spend 24 Hours in Chiang Mai

So you’ve found yourself in Chiang Mai, a large city in Northern Thailand. Maybe you were told by friends how great it is or maybe it’s just a random stopover before moving on. Whatever your reason for being here, you might be wondering how best to spend your day. If you’re looking for cheap accommodation filled with young, lively folks like yourself, Little Bird Guesthouse and MD House might be two possibilities. Both located within walking distance from each other in the Old City, these two hostels are right where the action is happening but tucked away[...]

Solo Travel, Travel

Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Traveling Alone.

I recently wrote a post about having the courage to acknowledge and pursue a desire for an "unconventional" life, such as one of travel. That got me thinking about one of the biggest reasons people have that stop them from their travel journey: "I don't want to go alone." I can't count the number of times someone has told me how much they would love to go somewhere, if only they had someone to go with. For so many reasons on why people believe they shouldn't travel solo, I am here to tell you why you should. To travel solo is to let go of everything that you hav[...]

Personal Development, Self-Care, Tips, Planning and Packing, Travel

Are You Breathing Just a Little and Calling it a Life?

“Listen—are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?” –Mary Oliver If you live in any of the Western countries you will know all too well the typical route that a life is supposed to take. Graduate, go to college, get a job, get married, buy a house, start a family… not necessarily in that order. But what happens when the idea of all of these things that equal a “successful” life fills you with dread and makes you want to run in the opposite direction? What happens when a university degree is not going to give you what you always wanted? W[...]

Italy

Sorgeto Hot Springs, Ischia

As mentioned in a previous post, Ischia was where I first had the opportunity to soak myself in a volcanic hot spring. Earlier that evening, seven of us had crammed ourselves into a tiny mini van that managed to squeeze itself at a ridiculously fast pace in and out of the narrow alleys. After a huge Italian meal with new friends, we all made our way to Sorgeto Bay at the suggestion of our hostel staff. To reach the beach itself, you need to walk down about 200 steep, stone steps. If you are coming with somebody who cannot make the trek up or down these steps, you[...]

Alberta, Canada

Calgary’s Indoor Tropical Garden At The Core

Nestled up on the fourth floor of Calgary's downtown shopping centre, The Core, is an indoor oasis filled with palm-trees, flowers, ponds and fountains. After spending our morning having brunch at The Coup, mom and I made our way to the mall, Starbucks in hand, and ventured on up to the fourth floor. Before we knew it we had crossed over from bustling shopping centre into a garden filled with the sounds of flowing water and the color green all around. It may have been in my mind, but instantly I even felt warmer, like it was summertime at last! These Devonian[...]

Alberta, Canada

Brunch At The Coup and Meet, Calgary

As is typical for the middle of winter, this last week in Calgary has been bitterly cold with temperatures dropping below -30 C. A summer girl through and through, winter time makes me want to hibernate in my cozy home with the tea flowing, heat up, and a devilishly handsome cat to snuggle with beneath my pile of blankets. With my mom in town for a much needed mother-daughter visit this simply couldn't happen and in our best efforts to make the most of our weekend together, we braved the cold. Only so long as to get from one building to the next, of course. After[...]

Alberta, Canada

Edmonton’s Harry Potter Exhibition

"There was a lot more to magic, as Harry quickly found out, than waving your wand and saying a few funny words." -- J.K. Rowling I read each of the books at least five times, growing up with The Boy Who Lived and all of his magical friends. I waited eagerly outside of a packed theater on opening night of the movies. I participated in a Harry Potter book club in the fifth grade, proudly dressing up as Hermione Granger. I cried when Sirius, Dobby, Aragog, Dumbledore, Severus, and Fred died. *spoiler alert: if you want to attend the exhibit yourself, read this afte[...]

Tips, Planning and Packing, Travel

6 Ways To Enhance Your Airport Experience

I love airports. I mean I really, truly, love them. My longest time in an airport was ten hours but I'm certain I could spend an entire day in one and never get bored of it. Airports are a beautiful place, they're filled with some of my favorite things. Some people are departing on an exciting adventure and I am always curious as to where they're heading and why. Others are returning from a place just as mysterious with a look of mixed feelings -- happy to be home and in the presence of their loved ones, yet sad that their time away is over. Emotions run high no m[...]

Europe, France

Exploring The Notre Dame In Paris

When, after long gropings up the dark perpendicular stair-case which pierces the thick walls of the steeple towers, one emerged at last unexpectedly on to one of the two high platforms inundated with light and air, it was in truth a marvellous picture spread out before you on every side; - Victor Hugo Once upon a time, I stepped into the life of Esmeralda and danced around the towers of the Notre Dame, shaking my tambourine. Just kidding. Nobody can shake a tambourine like Esmeralda, but I did get to wander around the towers of the Notre Dame on a crisp Pari[...]