INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS
Every spring, cherry trees all across Japan explode into soft shades of pink, making it one of the most beautiful (and popular) times to visit. The landscapes become irresistible for both travelers and locals alike. It seems like everyone is out enjoying walks in the park, picnicking under the blooming trees and happily capturing nature’s...
Jasper National Park is a great place to visit year round, but it can be especially fun in the winter. Active travellers and outdoor adventurers will find plenty of activities to enjoy during a winter trip to Jasper. Things to Do in Jasper in Winter- Our Favourite Winter Activities in Jasper National Park We’ve made...
Sunsets in Key West are a much anticipated, highly celebrated, beloved event. For us, there was no better place to enjoy the changing colours of the evening sky than aboard a sailboat. Sunsets are inherently relaxing, but add in the gentle rocking of a sailboat and you’ll soon feel calmness take over. I’m not usually...
Dry Tortugas National Park was the place I was most looking forward to visiting during our trip to the Florida Keys. I first discovered it in a photograph. It was an aerial picture, giving a bird’s eye view of the six-sided historic Fort Jefferson, so large that it nearly filled the entire island. I was...
It was our quest for new adventures in Lake Louise that led us try horseback riding for the first time, going all the way up to the historic Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House nestled high in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Neither one of us had been on a horse before. I had always been...
The Larch Valley hike near Lake Louise has been something Mike and I have been talking about doing for years, so this fall we finally decided to make it happen. Wow, had we been missing out all this time! The Lake Louise area is a special place any time of year, but it shines just...
One of the fondest memories of our trip to Miyajima Island was hiking Mount Misen. Seeing as Mike and I both love nature, history and experiencing the culture of a destination, Mount Misen was the perfect place for us to combine our interests into an active afternoon of exquisite views and spiritual sites. About Mount...
On our way home from our Alaska cruise, we decided to take the scenic route back to Edmonton. Well, it was more of a scenic detour since it wasn’t even close to the normal route we usually take home from Vancouver! Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a stickler for efficiency, and...
It was a beautiful day in May. Warm, sunny, a clear blue sky above and fresh mountain air to awaken the senses. It was the perfect weather for a casual hike in Jasper. I decided I wanted to see somewhere in Jasper I haven’t been before, so Mike suggested we do the Valley of the...
Whenever I’m in the mood to see cute wildlife, Mike and I make a trip to Jasper National Park. Well, not every time because then we’d never be home! Jasper is, by far, the best place in the Canadian Rocky Mountains to see wildlife. In one weekend alone we saw nine bears, three moose, and...
When we were in Canmore for the Uncorked Food and Drink Festival, we needed to find a way to work off all the delicious calories we were consuming. Lucky for us, in Canmore there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, or simply taking a leisurely, scenic stroll. We opted for easy hikes and walks...
I bow my head down as I walk into a brisk wind, the two strong blades of a helicopter loudly turning above my head. “I can’t believe this is really happening,” I think as I climb up into the bright-red Bell Long Ranger. I quickly fasten my seatbelt and then fumble with the headset, big...
It’s no secret that we love travelling by train! We’ve made many train trips over the years, but our journey on the Alaska Railroad was the most scenic train trip we’ve been on so far. Our ride on the McKinley Explorer was part of our Alaska cruise. We chose an itinerary that had a land...
Denali National Park is one of Alaska’s most special places. Home to an impressive amount of large mammals and a beautiful landscape of high alpine tundra, the park’s shining star is North America’s tallest peak- Denali. To protect the wildlife and vast wilderness, vehicle access is limited on the park’s only road. Visitors must rely...
Long, cold, and dreary. Those are all words that we Albertans tend to use when describing our winters. I can agree with the long and, most of the time, cold, but dreary not so much. Visiting Jasper in the winter will have you rethinking the way you describe Alberta’s longest season. Jasper’s gorgeous scenery, draped...
Peering over the edge of a snow covered bridge, I have to catch my breath when I think about how far down the canyon below is. Fifty-one meters- the same height as Niagara Falls. There’s no water rushing through curves of Maligne Canyon today. Its floor is frozen, the limestone walls partially concealed by a...
When people see pictures of Jasper, or hear about the fantastic opportunities for outdoor adventure, they don’t need much convincing to pay a visit. Jasper’s natural beauty sells itself! Once our Canadian winter settles in though, it’s quite tempting to stay home and hibernate on the couch! In case you needed a little convincing, we’re...
When I signed us up to go on a snowshoeing excursion in Jasper National Park, both Mike and I didn’t know what to expect. In all honesty, we were kind of skeptical whether we would like snowshoeing at all. “It seems kind of silly to strap on big shoes just to walk around in the...
The scenery during our Alaska cruise was spectacular the entire way through, but nothing was quite as dramatic as sailing into Glacier Bay. Glistening in the mist, the smooth, turquoise, water below us was mesmerizing. The bay was calm, quiet, yet I was bursting with anticipation for what was to come. Small icebergs floated past,...
When you arrive in Skagway on an Alaska cruise, one of your shore excursion options is to ride the train along the old White Pass and Yukon railway route. While it sounded like a fun experience, we wanted to explore the same area on our own. So instead of taking the train, we decided to rent a car and spend...
We are Rhonda and Mike, a Canadian couple who make it a priority to travel every chance we get!
We describe our travel style as "laid back luxe" and enjoy a mix of outdoor adventures and historic sites.
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