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…
Category: Off The Beaten Path
A Perfect Day Trip: Montreal to Valleyfield
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…
Why Visit the Twelve Apostles?
I have been to Melbourne several times; it is a wonderful city. It is probably my favourite of all the cities in Australia. I would strongly recommend a day trip to the Twelve Apostles, which is a must for anyone visiting Melbourne, as it combines stunning coastal scenery, fascinating history, and the chance to experience one of Australia’s most famous road trips. Getting to the Twelve Apostles The Twelve Apostles are approximately 275 kilometres (170 miles) southwest of Melbourne, making them a perfect destination for a day trip. The journey takes about 4.5 hours by car along the Great Ocean…
Discovering the Benefits of Solitude While Travelling
There’s a difference between loneliness and solitude. Solitude is a choice that provides freedom and space from the demands and interruptions created by others. Spending time alone is good for you. It doesn’t imply that you’re antisocial, depressed, or mentally ill. There are numerous benefits to spending time alone regularly. Social media has made it more challenging to spend time alone. Even when we’re alone, we need to check in with the rest of the world. Travelling is often romanticized as a social activity filled with shared memories, laughter, and the company of family, friends, or fellow travellers. However, there…
Around Middlebury – Not Your Typical Activities
Today, we visited three off-the-beaten-path locations. The first was an interesting sculpture park that I am sure is unknown by many. It reminded me a little of the Parque De Las Esculturas in Santiago and even a little of a park we visited in La Petite-Gaspése. I was 18 years old when I realized that the type of art that spoke to me was three-dimensional, specifically sculpture. I don’t recall the details, but I was at some fancy place for dinner in Stockholm with my parents, and in the garden, there were these sculptures that I found extremely appealing. I…
Incorporating Third Spaces in Travel
Pointe-à-la-Renommée and Marconi: Untold Stories Off the Beaten Track
We would never have considered this side trip if it had not been for the recommendation of our Gite hosts the day before. We almost missed the turn and wondered if our decision was a good idea as we transited the dirt road. We are so glad we continued on the site. One can walk around the site for free, which is lovely, but the exhibitions are excellently presented. The cost was well worth the $16, and completely bilingual. If you travel around the peninsula on Route 132, consider heading to Pointe-à-la-Renommée. It’s off the beaten track, but the stories…
Day 7 – Disaster Almost Hits Near Needles Overlook
Today we had two choices . . . One, to drive four hours into the Needles National Park or two, à two-hour round trip to see the Needles Overlook. Needless to say, we chose the latter. After viewing the Needles Overlook, we decided to continue on the 15-mile dirt road to see another overlook. Disaster Almost Hits Near Needles Overlook Just before arriving at the second overlook, we were scared that our bad luck would continue. There was a washout in the road we didn’t see, and we hit a pothole hard. There was some scraping and clunking, and we…