I recently had a discussion with a family member that had me thinking of what I allow myself to take on vacation. Luggage has to be lightweight and I realized that I pick items that double duty. From a foldable Osprey backpack that helps for day trips and grocery purchasing even triples as a pickleball bag on occasion, to a scarf that is multipurpose blanket on plane can be worn over the shoulders for entering places that need to cover my head. I pack with purpose. What do I absolutely need and what can do more then one job.

Getting the chance to acquaint yourself with the local markets is a great way to see the place your visiting. There is always so much life at the market, vendors selling their goods, families getting stocked up for the week. It’s a great way to try new things. Many food markets around the World let you taste before you buy. The flavours you get to enjoy can be endless.

Markets can vary, some cater to more of the locals, these ones are my favourite. I love watching people going about their day, doing what they have done repeatedly for many years, bartering when appropriate. Finding the best produce and freshest fish!

Exotic cuisine can sometimes be fun to simulate at home. While planning a trip I sometimes will look up a few recipes from the region we are to visit and make them. This adds to the excitement of travel.

Sitting down to good food and discussing our upcoming trip is always a mindful experience. We play music from the region to add to the evening and try to also have a local drink prepared.

Trying new food while travelling is a must. What is their local delicacy? It’s always worth a try. Some of the best foods I have ever experienced have come from trying the local cuisine.

Tacos and churros in Mexico, sardines and pastel de nata in Portugal and croissants and macaron in France just to name a few. Those are the well known favourites in these countries but when I need help figuring out what to eat, I often ask the waiter what their favourite meal on the menu. I often order that if it fits my dietary needs.

I have recently found a new product that I love. Protein powder can taste chalky, but not this one: Good Protein: All-in-One Shakes (CA | COM)

I love all of the flavours and truly enjoy my protein shakes daily.

One of my favourites lately is the chai latte. For a special treat I use lactose free milk, (if you are vegan you can use almond milk) with a banana, a scoop of chai latte protein powder and ice then blend, make it as thick or thin as you like by reducing the amount of liquid. Could be the consistency of ice cream or a milkshake.

When you travel do you push your boundaries? Do you try new foods, maybe hike a mountain or sing in a karaoke bar? It can be exhilarating to push ourselves beyond the limits we have set. I am afraid of heights, however I often push past this fear to see new spectacular sights, and I highly recommend you do the same. Some of my favourite travelling moments are when I push past my fears. I’ve climbed mountains, I’ve zipped lined and I have learned that I can do so much more than I ever thought possible. I’ve climbed the stairs of monuments until my legs shook but it has always been worth it. You can take small steps but always push yourself forward. Seize the day!

There is something about live music that touches the soul. Maybe it’s the vibrations, maybe it’s the passion in the eyes of the musician. Whatever it is, I am always in search for a bit of live music on our travels. Sometimes it comes in the form of a piano in the lobby of a hotel, other times a busker in a park. Each time I come across musicians it fills me with an energy that wasn’t there before. Have you ever chanced upon a concert that you were able to enjoy for free? Leaving a small tip with someone who shares their gift is customary, but not always needed. People playing music for other people is an act of service a true work of the heart! If you enjoy their music 🎶 you should compensate them for their gift to you if you are able to. Some of my favourite memories include a chance happening of music playing for people to come together in joyful listening.

Take time today to celebrate mothers. Ones that are alive, and those who have passed. Today I am lucky enough to have my mom and my daughter close by in distance. We will have some time all together today and I am so grateful. I cherish these moments. Traveling can bring distance between families, so when you get the chance celebrate together. Whether you are close or whether you are far, take a moment to rejoice that we all are here because of a mother that held us before we could hold ourselves up! Happy Mother’s Day to all.

This morning an extra early wake up call. Taking the open road for the cottage. Today is opening day, and we need to be there extra early for Internet delivery. We were told that delivery time would be between eight and five today, so packed up from the night before, off we go.

We arrive early and got started by unpacking, then I got all the furniture set up outside, Mr. Mindful Traveller meanwhile got the water started. This requires crawling under the cottage, just to find out that there was a pipe burst over the winter. A mud pit under the cottage has developed, creating an unexpected slip and slide.

When you are away on vacation or even home, take a class. You can learn a new skill or hone in on an old skill. There are so many great classes. This year I did a few craft classes while away, pottery and macrame. It is a great way to learn local cuisine, language or even dance. Get involved, meet new people it is always enjoyable to learn something new, you might just like it!

Credit cards get all the glory in travel hacking circles. But here is a truth from someone who has traveled across six countries: your debit card is your emergency egress route. When a merchant terminal rejects Amex, when your bank flags a legitimate purchase as fraud, when you need cash in a country where card acceptance is spotty — your debit card becomes the difference between a solved problem and a stranded afternoon.

Waking up early is the best part of the day! I get up, I prepare a coffee and watch the sun rise to begin another amazing day filled with promise. I sit in quiet listening to the birds chirp and contemplate what lies ahead. Will today be filled with activity or will I chose a calm day? I get to decide and in the still of the morning the possibilities are endless. Mornings are my favourite part of the day, they belong to me. In those moments I am there in contemplation, imagining, dreaming of what can be. It’s the best time to be mindful, my body in top form after a restful nights sleep. I am ready for the day ahead, just like the sun rising and getting brighter, I too feel more awake. Let’s do this!

I can not say I enjoy running, however the euphoria I feel after a run is magical. Keeping fit allows me to go places comfortably without worry. Fitness is something I hold deep to my heart, without it there would be no travel. Today I challenged myself to a run. I haven’t ran a 5 km in a few years but thought , let’s see if I still have it. It was raining so I got on the treadmill and got started. I tried not to push too hard too fast. I put the tunes on and I ran, I wanted to stop before the 5 minute mark but knew I could do it so kept going, after 10 minutes I found a good rhythm and my body adjusted. My earbuds let me know I had a pretty good pace for a first run, so at 20 minutes I upped the pace and again at 25 and then at 28 for a pretty fast last km. Finishing with 31 minutes, I feel great! 👍🏽 Go do something that scares you take that first step! It just might lead to a love of something new. It may come in handy for those close connections at the airport. 😜

When booking your flights we usually book well ahead of the departure date. We choose the cheapest flight but opt for comfort fare. Comfort fare allows for extra leg room and luggage. Often flight times will change and then you get to chose another option if you like. Having flexibility in time is a luxury, however if you can make it work better for you it can really make your trip more enjoyable. Who doesn’t like saving money and choices.

Getting ready to open the cottage is an exciting time. I love spending time so close to the beach. Always a task to divide up food and spices to bring from home to cottage. I really like cooking and it is important that I have a bit of everything so that we can enjoy our cottage meals. There is always cleaning to do and a good workout taking out all the outdoor furniture. In the end it is all worth it, for all those cottage life days. Let the cottage season begin!