Today is a travel day. We have learned to make this day part of the journey and not just an inconvenience. It will take us 2 days to get home. So we prepare ahead: we pack snacks but plan for a night with room service and a good night’s sleep.

Opting for the later flight on the second day allows us to get a good night’s sleep without fear of missing the flight, or having to be at the airport so early. We try not to stress when there are delays, trying to use the lounges when we can. We give ourselves plenty of time to get through security.

All travel has an end date. Packing can be a burden and can take away from the fun adventure that was had. When traveling I try to pack in packing cubes: Thule Compression Cube Set (Amazon.com). These cubes help to compress my clothes and new treasures so I can get them home in a way that is organized and I am able to separate the dirty from the clean. I also put all tops together and all bottoms together. This helps when unpacking and saves me time.

When I visit unknown places it is so important to know how to get around. What are your options? You can walk, but most travel requires multiple sources of transportation.

How do the locals get around? Some places have metro systems or trains that can get you close to everything. There are buses that also have routes around the cities—sometimes even from one town to the next. Taxis, Ubers or renting a car can also be an option depending on what you are planning to do.

Have you ever been on vacation just to run into people you know? This happens so often to me and always makes me smile. Sometimes it’s people from one area of your life and you see them in a different context. Other times it’s people you know from home and then you randomly cross paths in another country.

Always mind blowing—it really is a small world. I am so grateful that I take the time to look around and that chance occurrences remind me of just how interconnected we all are.

Meeting people on vacation is always a highlight for me. Some friends we have met on vacation have become lifelong friends. We have travelled to several destinations to meet up with one particular couple. Others are acquaintances that may pass by briefly in our travels.

These chance happenings could be someone you meet on the plane, or potentially you strike up a conversation in the pool—all of these people leave their mark. We are so fortunate as a human race to have the opportunities to communicate and to connect.

While traveling, how do we find the time to exercise? We pack a yoga mat and bring it wherever we go. Yoga is a great way to stay limber and to keep the mind and body fresh. There are many tutorials online that you can find from beginner to expert.

Another fun way to keep fit on vacation is to walk. Walking can happen in most places like the airport while waiting for a flight, a stroll to find a new trail, or a local attraction. Keep in mind that you should know a bit about where you are and if it is safe for walking.

Being Celebrated

When you get to celebrate another year on this magnificent earth, you go big or you go home. Travel has a way of helping one remember all that one has to be grateful for. Sometimes the new family you meet on your travels have a way of celebrating that touches you, that reminds you why you enjoy your life and the people you keep in your circle. This year a neighbour knowing we are watching our sugar intake brought down a special gift, not a chocolate cake but a beautiful green apple with a candle. That candle holds a wish! Our wish for you all is that you get to uncover the beauty that travel holds. The blessings that surrounds us are insurmountable. Friends that pick up the tab for drinks and join you at your new favourite find (even if it was their second time there in the same day). We are blessed! Cheers to another year for my Mr. Mindful Traveler, may this year exceed his expectations and may each of you be reminded to celebrate every day.

Day Tripping: Off the Beaten Path

A day filled with amazing views, great food and conversation is in order. Day tripping can be the most amazing experience. Driving through mountains to glorious little towns. Down dirt roads that lead to beaches that seem abandoned and others that bustle with locals. Wherever your next day trip adventure leads, may it fill you with joy and gratitude. There are so many places that can remind you of the wonders of this great world we live in. A breathtaking vista, the ongoing mountain ranges, the dense forests filled with flora or the vastness of the ocean, whatever it is that makes your body relax and makes your heart smile, do it! Go on that road trip even if just for a day! What you uncover can be priceless, an inner peace that comes when we aren’t looking for anything in particular! Bring back the Sunday drive and celebrate that you are alive and get to experience the small joys in life.

Open and Closed

Have you ever located a spot on vacation just to find it closed your next time around? This happens more than we care to admit. Just when we found the best place for … there it goes closing its doors, but no worries there are always new places to be found around the next corner. When one door closes another door opens. Be open to the opportunities that await. Do not dwell on that which is gone. It has served its purpose while it lasted but now you are ready for the next chapter. Sometimes it’s even better than the original. Enjoy seeking out the next best restaurant, store or bar. You never know what lies ahead. Just know that the search can be just as fun as the destination. Happy tracking, embrace the unknown! Yours always, Ms. Mindful Traveller

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.