While traveling, how do we find the time to exercise? We pack a yoga mat and bring it wherever we go. Yoga is a great way to stay limber and to keep the mind and body fresh. There are many tutorials online that you can find from beginner to expert.

Another fun way to keep fit on vacation is to walk. Walking can happen in most places like the airport while waiting for a flight, a stroll to find a new trail, or a local attraction. Keep in mind that you should know a bit about where you are and if it is safe for walking.

Being Celebrated

When you get to celebrate another year on this magnificent earth, you go big or you go home. Travel has a way of helping one remember all that one has to be grateful for. Sometimes the new family you meet on your travels have a way of celebrating that touches you, that reminds you why you enjoy your life and the people you keep in your circle. This year a neighbour knowing we are watching our sugar intake brought down a special gift, not a chocolate cake but a beautiful green apple with a candle. That candle holds a wish! Our wish for you all is that you get to uncover the beauty that travel holds. The blessings that surrounds us are insurmountable. Friends that pick up the tab for drinks and join you at your new favourite find (even if it was their second time there in the same day). We are blessed! Cheers to another year for my Mr. Mindful Traveler, may this year exceed his expectations and may each of you be reminded to celebrate every day.

Day Tripping: Off the Beaten Path

A day filled with amazing views, great food and conversation is in order. Day tripping can be the most amazing experience. Driving through mountains to glorious little towns. Down dirt roads that lead to beaches that seem abandoned and others that bustle with locals. Wherever your next day trip adventure leads, may it fill you with joy and gratitude. There are so many places that can remind you of the wonders of this great world we live in. A breathtaking vista, the ongoing mountain ranges, the dense forests filled with flora or the vastness of the ocean, whatever it is that makes your body relax and makes your heart smile, do it! Go on that road trip even if just for a day! What you uncover can be priceless, an inner peace that comes when we aren’t looking for anything in particular! Bring back the Sunday drive and celebrate that you are alive and get to experience the small joys in life.

Open and Closed

Have you ever located a spot on vacation just to find it closed your next time around? This happens more than we care to admit. Just when we found the best place for … there it goes closing its doors, but no worries there are always new places to be found around the next corner. When one door closes another door opens. Be open to the opportunities that await. Do not dwell on that which is gone. It has served its purpose while it lasted but now you are ready for the next chapter. Sometimes it’s even better than the original. Enjoy seeking out the next best restaurant, store or bar. You never know what lies ahead. Just know that the search can be just as fun as the destination. Happy tracking, embrace the unknown! Yours always, Ms. Mindful Traveller

A time to rest

Taking time to rest is essential on vacation. We need to recharge our batteries to be able to enjoy travel. Over scheduling can cause burnout and a lack of enjoyment for everyone. When planning you should always leave room for rest. Sometimes rest can look like a reading day, in a chair at the beach or a park bench other days it may be a movie night or journaling. Whatever the form of rest you choose, will help to ensure you enjoy your vacation. Rest doesn’t need to be long, but it needs to be included in each and everyday. There needs to be time for reflection so you can do more of what you enjoy. No one should get back from vacation needing a vacation. When we reflect, we clearly see what we want to do more of and can avoid the things that cause us stress. So sit down and reflect! What is it that you really want out of your next vacation? How can you get rest maybe it’s a simple choice of transportation, or ordering takeout. Rest comes in many forms maybe it’s time for a nap. 💤

Breaking bread

Sharing a meal among friends new and old have left me with long lasting memories on vacation. Finding just the right restaurant can sometimes be a challenge. Whether it be a five star restaurant or a quaint food truck the company that you share makes all the difference. When meeting new people in a new place, one of my conversation starters is always: What is your favourite go to restaurant on a budget? Have you ever noticed how people are so happy talking about food? Food brings families together. Some meals are with people we have grown with and some are with new friends. What binds us together is the breaking of bread! Next time you’re on vacation share a meal with someone new you’ll never regret it.

The pace is not a race

When traveling, we are always seeking out new adventures however it is important not to overbook. Over scheduling can cause anxiety and stress and vacation should be about relaxation, enjoying new experiences and slowing down. Taking the time that’s needed to truly enjoy the moment a lovely sunset, a stroll on the beach or a walk through a new neighborhood. We all want to make the most out of our time, but you will be surprised at how the slower moments will be the moments that are remembered forever. When you slow down, you come across the unexpected the child dancing on the sidewalk, the local sports scene, and the families gathered together for picnics. The good life is being held all around us. If we take the time to look.

June 2025 marked the beginning of a lifelong dream: our first trip to Greece. After months of mindful moments in Mexico, crossing into Europe brought a different kind of presence — one born not from familiarity, but from productive discomfort. What follows is the mindful moment from this month.

All Greek To Me

June 1, 2025

Travelling to Greece has been a lifelong dream. It is the first time travelling that we haven’t been able to read or understand the language. What a humbling experience it is to look at symbols that we can’t interpret. The history in Greece is so complex, that we can barely comprehend the enormity of time it covers. It is so incredible to be part of this amazing World!🌎

Travelling to Greece has been a lifelong dream. It is the first time travelling that we haven’t been able to read or understand the language. What a humbling experience it is to look at symbols that we can’t interpret. The history in Greece is so complex, that we can barely comprehend the enormity of time it covers. It is so incredible to be part of this amazing World!🌎

Being in a place where you can’t read the signs or understand the conversations around you forces you to be more present. You rely on other senses - gestures, smiles, the tone of voice. There’s a certain beauty in this limitation. It strips away the comfort of familiarity and opens you to a different kind of awareness.

Portable Charger

Portable Charger

For a complete packing checklist including a portable charger and other electronics, see our Essential Travel Packing Guide.

This pocket-sized power bank (smaller than a passport!) solves 3 key travel problems:

1. Bulk Reduction - At 2.4oz and 0.3" thick, fits in:

   • Jeans coin pocket
   • Wallet sleeve
   • Smallest backpack compartments

2. Universal Compatibility
   Charges simultaneously via:

   • USB-C (MacBooks)
   • Lightning (AirPods)
   • Micro USB (older cameras)

3. Airport Safe
   Clear capacity label (24.9Wh) meets global airline regulations.

Toe Sleeves

I recently discovered a new travel essential that has become a game-changer for me: toe sleeves. These small, reusable toe sleeves are perfect for protecting your feet from blisters and other discomforts while on the go.

For a complete packing checklist including toe sleeves and other blister prevention items, see our Essential Travel Packing Guide.

In our last trip to Puerto Vallarta, we were getting blisters on our picky toes from all the walking we were doing. We found a pair of toe sleeves that we could use to prevent blisters and keep our feet comfortable. We used them for the entire trip and they worked great.

The Perfect Small Day Bag: Stay Dry, Travel Light

When exploring a new city or heading out for a day trip, finding the right bag can make all the difference. I recently discovered a compact, waterproof bag, the Osprey unisex-adult Ultralight Dry Pack 20 that’s become my go-to for urban adventures and spontaneous outings.

For a complete packing checklist including a small day bag and other essentials, see our Essential Travel Packing Guide.

Every day on the road holds a lesson if you pause long enough to notice it. This March, we spent our days in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a place that rewards slowness. What follows are the daily mindful moments from the month — the sunrises, the conversations, the small rituals, and the unexpected kindnesses that made this month unforgettable.

Sunset

March 6, 2025

Here is a beautiful moment of a sunset in Puerto Vallarta, México.

Finding Peace in the Now

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily tasks and future plans. We often find ourselves rushing from one thing to the next, our minds racing with thoughts of what has been and what is yet to come. But what about the present moment? The here and now?

Mindfulness is the practice of bringing our attention to the present moment without judgment. It’s about noticing our thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise, without getting carried away by them. It’s about savoring the simple things, like the warmth of the sun on our skin or the taste of a delicious meal.

Unpacking after vacation

We are big believers in unpacking everything the moment we get home. Whatever time we arrive we unpack. We have it down to a science it takes us about 30 minutes start to finish, including putting the luggage away. While on vacation we carry a laundry bag to place the dirty laundry in so as not to contaminate other items that are clean. Also we bring laundry sheets that we can wash our clothes if we need to. The packing cubes keep our clean clothes divided bottoms and tops so easy to put away. Making every moment a mindful moment.