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Category: Stories

Visiting Rarotonga on The Cook Islands

Posted on by Roberta Hill

One of our most memorable and favourite trips we ever took stemmed from a gimmick. I was looking for something special to do for New Year’s Eve back in 2018 when I stumbled across this fantastic idea. We were living in Wellington at the time, so why not take a flight up to Auckland to celebrate New Year’s and then, the next day, pick up a direct flight to the Cook Islands to celebrate a second New Year’s Eve? It turns out the Cook Islands are slightly over the international deadline. So that’s what we did. We don’t only celebrate…

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Selecting the Right Carry-On

Should You Move to Somewhere Else in the World?

Posted on by Roberta Hill

Lately, I’ve noticed a surge in articles and blog posts asking, “Should I move to…?” Everyone, especially from the U.S., seems to be contemplating a big move. I’m also surprised by the number of Facebook Groups dedicated to nomadic travellers. It gives the impression that this lifestyle is becoming the norm. However, packing up your life, selling belongings, and travelling the world are rare. Ah, the timeless fantasy: getting rid of everything, breaking up with your dentist, and relocating elsewhere. You’re not exactly sure where “somewhere else” is, but it has fewer meetings, better cheese, and everyone seems to have…

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Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia: A Visit That Lingers

Posted on by Roberta Hill

This coming weekend, we are off for a week to Nova Scotia. It is one of my favourite places, and we will visit Peggy’s Cove. Last time, we were fortunate to visit during the shoulder fall season, and this time, it will be similar but in the spring. I mention this because it is lobster season. And the best, and I do mean best, Lobster Rolls are at Tom’s Lobster Shack at Peggy’s Cove. There’s a kind of magic to Peggy’s Cove that sneaks up on you. It’s not the flashy, fireworks kind of magic, but something quieter, like the…

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I never understood the point of bunkers in Switzerland

Posted on by Roberta Hill

I read an article recently entitled “Why Does Switzerland Have So Many Bunkers?” Having lived in Geneva from 2005 to 2010, I never really understood the point of bunkers. Switzerland’s bunker system seems almost mythical until you see it for yourself. The city felt safe, completely insulated from the rest of the world. Everything ran on time, the streets were clean, and the biggest worry was whether the hedges were trimmed correctly.. The idea of heading underground to await a disaster felt distant, almost unnecessary. The bunkers, those heavy doors in apartment basements, were just part of the scenery, like…

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salaberry de valleyfield

A Perfect Day Trip: Montreal to Valleyfield

Posted on by Roberta Hill

If you’re looking for an easy, breezy day trip from Montreal, consider Valleyfield – a hidden gem just an hour’s drive away. This quaint town is known for its charming waterfront, laid-back vibes, and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you’re into cycling, birdwatching, or want a scenic escape, Valleyfield has something to offer. Let’s plan your perfect day! Morning: Set Off from Montreal Start your day bright and early. Grab a coffee and a croissant from your favourite local café in Montreal and hit the road by 8:30 a.m. The drive to Valleyfield is about 60 kilometres, which takes roughly…

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Travelling on Tired Feet: The Art of Wandering Gracefully

Posted on by Roberta Hill

There’s a certain romance to the idea of wandering the world on foot, but let’s not kid ourselves—age has a way of making its presence known, and nowhere is that more evident than in our feet. I used to think nothing of traipsing across a city from sunrise to last call, but these days, my arches demand attention. My heels file complaints. My toes, once carefree, now require tender loving care. If you’re like me—old enough to remember when “comfortable shoes” meant something your mother wore, and now wise enough to know she was right all along—you’ll know that travel…

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Aging Gracefully: Travel Tips and Life Lessons for Seniors

Posted on by Roberta Hill

I’ve been wrestling with this mental block about aging and travelling. The truth is, I don’t think I’m the type to grow old gracefully. I want to fight it—kicking, screaming, and clinging to every last adventure. But lately, I’ve noticed this quiet shift in the people around me, especially those who’ve hit their 80s. It’s like the world starts to shrink for them. Travel becomes harder and more complicated; sometimes, it stops altogether. For my parents, it was a mixture of two things. First is the need to stay close to home in a medical emergency. Second, the sheer physical…

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Travel in a Time of Tariff Tension: The Price of Politics

Posted on by Roberta Hill

The current political climate in the U.S. has undeniably shifted how many Canadians, including me, think about travel. While this isn’t meant to be a political statement, the rhetoric surrounding Canada as the so-called “51st state” has left a sour taste for many. It’s not just about words—it’s about the underlying tone that has prompted a quiet but growing movement to step back, reconsider, and, in some cases, boycott U.S. products and travel altogether. Visiting the U.S. has been a regular part of our lives for years. Living in Montreal, the proximity to the border makes it easy to head…

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Castles of Wales

A Long Ago Trip to Wales

Posted on by Roberta Hill

I’ve been thinking about my oldest friend this week. Joan and I first met at summer camp when we were  11 years old, but it wasn’t until we were both camp counsellors at age 16 that we became good friends. We’ve never lived in the same city, except for one brief year during grad school. Instead, our friendship has been a patchwork of meetups in random places, stretches of silence, and the occasional emails. These days, it’s mostly a birthday card and an annual email, which is probably why she’s been on my mind lately. We both have our birthdays…

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I’ll never become a minimalist

Posted on by Roberta Hill

Well, I’ve written some blog articles on how to move towards minimalism as a traveller, and while I admire the principles behind it, I doubt it’s for me. As I grow older, I am aware of the clutter around me and how downsizing and eliminating things makes more sense for everybody, particularly those who will have to deal with my state after I’m gone. But let’s face it. It’s easier said than done. After returning from living overseas for 15 years, it took us 4 1/2 years to downsize from three lockers 10 x 15‘. I can’t believe how much…

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