by Anne Betts | Apr 10, 2024 | Luggage and Packing
Updated April 10, 2024 Setbacks happen, even to the most seasoned among us. It’s part of the travel experience. Having an emergency preparedness toolkit can go a long way to lessening the impact when adversity strikes. What’s your state of readiness for dealing...
by Anne Betts | Apr 7, 2024 | Travel Gear Hacks
Updated April 7, 2024 What’s the deal with duct tape? Why is it on so many travellers’ packing lists? When I finally packed a small quantity, the many practical uses of duct tape when you travel became clear. The dangling straps on my bags were driving me...
by Anne Betts | Apr 7, 2024 | Other Travel Tips, Travel Stories, Travel Tips
Updated April 7, 2024 Recurring themes in travel groups are the inability to find a travel companion and reluctance to travel alone. Finding a ‘stranger buddy’ online is always a risk, and being paired with another traveller by a tour company doesn’t...
by Anne Betts | Apr 6, 2024 | Luggage and Packing
Updated April 6, 2024 When I was thinking about buying an Osprey Farpoint 40, I wondered if the company’s highly touted warranty was any good. The warranty wasn’t the key reason I chose the Farpoint 40, but it was an important factor. Little did I know at the time...
by Anne Betts | Apr 6, 2024 | Packing Light Travel Gear
Updated April 6, 2024 I confess. There are times at home when I’ve broken open my silk sleep sack because I crave sleeping in my personal cocoon of luxurious, natural silk. I bought it for camping, hiking huts, staying in hostels, and for times when the cleanliness of...
by Anne Betts | Apr 1, 2024 | Travel Hacking, Destinations
Updated April 1, 2024 What are the various ways to use CIBC Aventura points to reduce travel costs? Is the Aventura program worth it? How does it work? What’s an Aventura point worth? Here is my review as it relates to funding travel. What is...
by Anne Betts | Mar 22, 2024 | Travel Gear, home featured, Packing Light Travel Gear
Updated March 22, 2024 Lurking under the surface of some of the world’s most beautiful cities are hordes of pickpockets preying on unsuspecting, unprepared, and distracted visitors. Pickpockets and other street thieves are proficient at what they do. They’re a...
by Anne Betts | Mar 21, 2024 | Travel Hacking
Updated March 21, 2024 What’s the best use of Scene+? Is Scene+ a useful program for travelling the world on miles and points? How does Scene+ work and what are the ways to use Scene+ points to reduce travel costs? How does it measure up against the former Scotia...
by Anne Betts | Mar 21, 2024 | Travel Hacking
Updated March 21, 2024 Is the TD Rewards program worth it? How does the program work? What are the various ways to use TD Rewards points to reduce travel costs? What qualifies as a travel cost? After several years of earning and redeeming TD Rewards points for travel,...
by Anne Betts | Mar 20, 2024 | USA, Cycling Trips
Updated March 20, 2024 Admiring the Golden Gate Bridge from various vantage points is one thing. Walking it is another. But of all the things I enjoyed in San Francisco, biking the Golden Gate Bridge was my hands-down favourite. In a city known for its hills, the...