In the off season free style travelling is a possibility. Take a drive and stop wherever you want. Enjoy the view, pack a cooler and explore. Figure out your accommodations on the fly. It can be freeing to just uncover new places without a fixed time line. If you like a place stay, if not just continue on to the next spot. Remember to check in from time to time with family and friends to ensure your safety. Stop at an information booth or look up the areas tourism site on-line, and figure out what you want to visit then go. Maybe you are into beach towns, maybe museums are your thing or is it shopping that fills you with joy. Whatever you choose to do, do it with mindful intention and enjoy!

May was a month of reflection, preparation, and appreciating the beauty around us. From slowing down to smell the roses to planning for future adventures, each mindful moment offered an opportunity to pause and find meaning in our daily travels through life.

This month we explored themes of sustainability, economic impact, hidden gems, and the importance of being present. We also shared practical tips on saving for travel, managing allergies while enjoying spring blooms, and the joy of collecting meaningful mementos from our adventures.

When you travel do you like to bring back a souvenir or two to remind you of your trip? Many people have different collectables that they are in search of. Finding that perfect memento to commemorate your adventure can be so much fun. I love pottery and I tend to search out small additions to add to my collection by walking through local markets. Traditionally I see people on the hunt for paintings, Christmas ornaments, or even key chains and fridge magnets. Whatever you like to recall your vacation memories is always a good idea in my opinion. Just be sure to enjoy the process of the hunt and not to let the hunt take over as the main event. Shopping can be enjoyable but can also be a burden. Don’t stress to find the perfect memento. Keep in mind you don’t want your recollection to be that of: I searched the place over wasting all my time looking for that special piece. Coming back from vacation and reflecting for me is when I get to recall the interactions I had with a local artists who’s hands made the bowl that I brought back, or the history of the type of clay that was used. I so enjoy the story that goes with my pieces. I remember the artists as fondly as the art. To me the memento holds so much more then the object, it’s about human interaction and the experience of where I was and who I was with.

The first time I checked my Amex Aeroplan Reserve statement after a two-week trip to Greece, I did a double-take. The lounge access was flawless. The companion voucher was generous. But the foreign transaction fees? They had quietly eaten nearly four percent of every euro I spent. As a travel credit card hobbyist who had spent months researching the best points strategies, I felt foolish for ignoring the most predictable leak in my travel budget.

Spring has sprung flowers are blooming and the scents are incredibly intoxicating… that is if you don’t suffer from allergies. If you do you should stock up on allergy medication before leaving on vacation. You also should always carry Benadryl just in case. I try to always have some on my person. Different places around the World can trigger an allergy attack. If you are sensitive like me, having eye drops and allergy meds are my saviour. Some of my favourites are: Claritin Allergy Medicine, 24-Hour Non-Drowsy Relief 10 mg, 50 Tablets (US link) and Visine Antihistamine Advance Allergy Eye Drops, 15 ml (US link). I don’t need allergy medication all the time, but when I do I have it. So enjoy spring, go for a walk and stop to smell the roses 🥀.

Have you ever just walked around a foreign city, maybe foraging for something to eat, or stepping into a little shop off an alleyway? These moments leave us wanting more. They are not planned, not on the itinerary they are the hidden gems of travel. Sometimes you get to share in on someone else’s experiences and they are moments that never disappoint. Driving to a near by town and exploring a new coffee shop or a local market, what joy! Keep your eyes open and you may just spot a hidden gem that becomes a favourite spot.

Pay yourself first, if you want to travel you need to plan for it. We decide where we want to go, how much it will cost, add 20% then start saving. Once we get a goal in mind, we find ways to make it happen. Sometimes it’s taking on a new job, sometimes it’s selling things we no longer need, but we always find a way to travel. Traveling is important to us and if it’s important to you, you also should find a way to cut expenses and make it happen for you. It’s great for your mental health to look forward to new adventures big and small. It is more expensive to live, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make time for a trip, even if it not overnight! Not every trip needs to be grand.

There is something about water that just calms me. I feel truly at peace when I am near the water. The ocean awakens all your senses. Seeing the amazing water views. Hearing the waves. Smelling the salty air. Strolling through the water, walking from sandbar to sandbar. I also enjoy the food that comes from the ocean, fresh fish and seafood yummy! Take time when you are near the ocean to soak it all in! You will not regret it.

I love reflecting on past travel experiences. Each experience brings with it a fond memory of a certain place at a certain time in history. Reflecting on these past experiences helps to guide my future travel. What did I enjoy, what caused me grief? This helps to narrow in on doing more of what I love and less of what I don’t.

Reflecting also is a way to reminisce about the past, to relive some of these experiences that have enriched our lives. Looking at pictures spark such joy. We can’t always be on vacation but we can remember, we can reflect and this can be the next best thing.

When we travel it is a good idea to understand our economic impact on the places we are visiting. What are the norms when it comes to things like tipping and how does the money we spend impact the economic sustainability of the region? Economic growth does not always mean progress. Money has become its own ecosystem with a cause and effect. Money can help people to survive but in a global economy what happens when tourism leads to prices going up and locals being forced to the fringes of these places we love to visit or in some cases call home.