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: Amazon.ca | Amazon.com

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 (Amazon.com). 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 (see on Amazon.ca | Amazon.com) 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.

Kindness of Strangers Well my friends, yesterday was the start of a two day travel to home. As I sit in the airport on the second leg of our journey, I reflect on the kindness of strangers. While sitting in the terminal you tend to meet other travellers, many excited to share their experiences and offer new insights on places you may have missed. I am always delighted how travellers are so open to helping others to find gates, to give up a chair to someone who may need it more. Yesterday, like many travellers just about to board I went for a last bathroom run in the airport. I waited in line like I always do. Contemplating how we need more woman engineers they would conclude you need twice as many bathroom stales for woman then men, for multiple reasons. Even better just haves rows of closed in toilets for anyone. Ok rant over! When it is finally my turn I get into the stall and pull on the door noticing that the door gets stuck, the metal flashing on the side of the door lets go trapping me in the washroom. Well luckily the kindness of strangers kicks in. I hear « I think a lady is stuck in the washroom. » I calmly reply « I am. » The lady next to me says « I’ll help ». She tries and says I’m going to get assistance. She actually comes back to declare that help is on its way. Maintenance and the cleaning staff to the rescue. Within minutes, I am freed from the bathroom. I am back with plenty of time to realize there has been a gate change. When a lady gets on the intercom explaining what is happening with the gates, her words resonating with me « Please, don’t be stressed! »

Going home at the end of a holiday can leave some in poor spirits. Not us! We always look forward to the next adventure. We look at travel day, or days as part of the journey and not the end of it. Adventures are found in the journey, not the destination. Being mindful and enjoying all the moments of our lives is what makes us happy. Travel mindfully and enjoy the journey. Have a joyous day!

Listening to music is a great way to connect with the world and to find peace. Every time we travel we like to listen to music that is from the country we are visiting. While is Mexico the sound of mariachis fills our hearts. While walking through Puerto Vallerta we hear the sound of a tuba playing. Music connects us to the people and the culture of the country we are visiting. Music is the heartbeat of the world. Take time as you walk through the streets of a new city to listen to the music of the people. When home often we will play the different cultural music to remind us of the places we have visited. Listen and travel mindfully. Have a joyous day! We use our Bose portable speaker, or our ear buds to stay connected to the music of the World.

When travelling we like to read books, sometimes with the sounds of the waves in the background. Reading is a great way to unwind and take a break from the world. We use Kindle Paperwhite to read books while on vacation. Reading can be a way to escape the world and to connect in a different way. Sometimes we read to learn and sometimes we read to be inspired. Be sure to take time out of your day to read as you can gain new experiences and travel the pages of a book to a new place. Read and travel mindfully. Have a joyous day!