Staying at The Godfrey Hotel in Chicago
As soon as I walked into the minimalist, freshly scented lobby of The Godfrey Hotel in Chicago I knew I wasn’t cool enough to stay there. They let me check in anyway. They’re nice like that.
North America
My home continent. I have been to most Canadian provinces and over a dozen states.
Staying at Hotel Felix in Chicago, IL
While I was in Chicago attending the first ever Women in Travel Summit (WITS) I had the opportunity to stay at the Hotel Felix and, after looking at their website, I had high hopes. The property looked stylish without being fussy. The beds looked fluffy and comfortable. Best of all the hotel is environmentally conscious. In fact, they’re the first green hotel in Chicago to have a Silver LEED Certification.
Sunday Snap: Yoga at the Bean
Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, is one of my favourite spots in Chicago so of course I had to get a photo taken there doing tree pose. I have a small collection of photos of me doing yoga poses around the world and I try to add to it each time I go on a trip. Last time I was in Chicago it was half lotus in the glass box at SkyDeck, 1300’+ over the city. Do you have any photos traditions when you travel?
The Next Adventure: Chicago Bound
It’s been awhile since my last adventure when I went horseback riding in the Rockies, hiked through Johnston Canyon, and got lost in a corn maze in Lethbridge. Today I’m off to Chicago: the land of deep dish pizza, beautiful architecture and an alien spacecraft cool works of public art.
Postcards from the Saint John City Market
I try to get home to New Brunswick once or twice a year to visit my dad, best friend and family friends. I’ve been away for ten years now and one thing I always look forward to checking out on a trip home is the Saint John City Market. I plot out in advance what I’m going to eat. I set aside a little money for a piece of art or jewellery. It’s one of my favourite things in Saint John.
Las Vegas for Non-Gamblers and Non-Shoppers
Is it possible to have fun in Sin City if you aren’t one for gambling, shopping, clubbing or pool lounging? I say yes as long as you know what to expect. Las Vegas is delightfully fake so don’t go here looking for culture but if you want to ride a roller coaster, eat great food, see a top rate show all while pretending you’re in Paris, Venice or even Luxor this is the spot.
Horseback Riding the Rockies
As cliché as it might be there’s just something about Alberta that makes me want to play cowgirl. Jeans, hat, boots, big belt buckle…I want the whole deal. So of course I had to seek out a place to go on a trail ride. The experience certainly didn’t disappoint.
Staying at The Juniper Hotel in Banff, Alberta
When most people think of Banff, Alberta they think luxury resort town. Sure there are some high end properties in town but there are also excellent affordable offerings too. I was only in Banff for one night this fall and stayed at the Juniper Hotel. It’s actually just outside the main town centre which means that, unlike hotels in town, you get a great view of Banff and a more panoramic view of the mountains.
2013: An Instagram Flashback
There’s nothing like a little nostalgia of the year gone by. I’ve always loved looking back at old photos and reliving the memories. It’s almost like you get to experience them all over again. I know I’ve already told you my top travel moments of 2013 but since I’m such a sucker for visuals I want to share some with you some photos that may not have made it to this site or Facebook.
Staying at International Hotel Suites in Calgary
Located in the heart of downtown, the International Hotel Suites Calgary makes for a great stay when you’re in town on business or just need room to spread out. At first glance it looks like a fairly generic mid-range hotel but I was intrigued by their Orchid and Esquire floors and wanted to check it out.
Top Travel Moments of 2013
This year felt like it was full of travel but when I got down to details I hadn’t visited a single new country. All the same I had lots of great new experiences. Just proves that it’s not all about ticking off countries on a list. This year seemed to be about basking in nature and also facing some fears.
36 Hours in Los Angeles
Ever wonder how much extra would it cost to turn that 4 hour stopover at LAX into a day or two? I did and that’s how I ended up spending 36 hours in Los Angeles. You might not think that’s enough time to really do anything in a new city but it turns out I can be quite an efficient travel machine when I want to be. So what did I do with my time?
Staying at Hotel Arts in Calgary
The Hotel Arts in Calgary is where the cool kids come to stay. I love places that have character. If they’re a little quirky even better. Hotel Arts fits that bill. Where else can you have breakfast next to a life-sized horse lamp?
Sunday Snap: Canoes at Lake Louise
Red canoes on the teal waters of Lake Louise, Alberta is one of those iconic Canadian scenes that makes me want to put on a Cowichan sweater and a toque. Maybe drink some Tim’s coffee while watching moose cross the road.
A Weekend of Affordable Luxury, Art and Design in Calgary, AB
As soon as I stepped into the lobby of the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary, Alberta I felt out of my element. The soaring ceilings, giant chandeliers, and marble floors let me know that I was in for a night of luxury. The Palliser isn’t trying to be hip and trendy, but instead has a timeless class and luxury about it. Normally this would be the type of hotel that I would aspire to stay at while I schlepped my stuff to a rental or budget inn, but Fairmont teamed up with PARK (Promoting Artists | Redefining Kulture) to offer some packages that made a weekend of luxury realistically affordable.
An Amazing Maze of Maize
I’m surrounded by 9 acres of corn that reaches well over my head and blocks my view. I’ve reached a dead end and can no longer see the tower that was acting as my landmark. I’ve made enough turns this way and that so I no longer even know which direction I’m facing. Crap. I should’ve left a trail of breadcrumbs so I could at least find my way out of the maze like a modern day Gretel in knee-high boots and Ray-Bans.
Sunday Snap: Peace Bridge in Calgary, AB
Peace Bridge is a pedestrian walkway over the Bow River in Calgary, Alberta that also has a dedicated center lane for cyclists. From afar it looks like a futuristic time warp tube (heightened at night when the inside is lit up), although with the criss-cross design, many people say that it reminds them of a Chinese finger trap.
The Next Adventure: Alberta Bound
As you’re reading this I’m probably 30,000 feet in the air off on my next adventure. I’m staying domestic this time and am headed to the land of beef, mountains and cowboys. Can you believe I’ve never been to Alberta before? Me neither. So I’m Alberta bound today.
Retro Suites Hotel – Chatham, ON
As soon as I walked in the door and saw the eclectic lobby I knew I was going to like the place. Between the purple leather sofa, the old-timey milk vending machine, and the giant toy soldiers I was in my element. The decor in the Retro Suites Hotel in Chatham, Ontario is quirky, ever-changing, and oozes personal style. The hotel is owned by Rob Myers, classic car restorer. He and his wife, artist Cathy Van Raay-Myers, are always bringing in new finds, sometimes to the chagrin of hotel staff who have to find homes for the pieces.
Beaches Accordion Festival
When I read about the Beaches Accordion Festival taking place on Newfoundland’s Eastport peninsula I saw that Saturday afternoon’s festivities would be taking place on various stages in the town of Salvage. I had visions of a few small structures being erected in a field, portapotties, maybe a small beer tent. In reality, eight fishing stages were somewhat cleared out and each hosted local accordion players and accompanists playing acoustically. No extra lights. No PA. Much more like a shed party than a concert.
Staying at Noah’s on the Point in Glovertown, Newfoundland
After almost three hours on the road I turned off the highway toward Glovertown, NL making turns down progressively smaller roads until I reached Noah’s on the Point, my home for the next two nights. I’m not quite sure how to classify it as none of the usual titles: hotel, motel, or inn seem to fit. Rooms are grouped into three clusters, each room/suite with its own external door, parking space, cheery yellow deck chairs and bbq. There are a couple picnic tables and two communal fire pits where you can watch the sun set over Alexander Bay and roast marshmallows. I felt like I had stumbled onto a little cottage community.
