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!

First thing in the morning is our favourite peaceful moment of the day. Coffee in hand savouring in its aroma and taste. Every morning we start our day with a cup of coffee in silence. It does not matter if we are in the comfort of our home or on vacation. We have tried many ways to brew on vacation and the best way is to have a Bodum handy or an AeroPress with AeroPress Stainless Steel Filter both travel well. To carry our java on the go, we use the HydroFlask Tumbler. Something about coffee just makes us feel good. We enjoy tasting the different beans from around the world. Some of our favourites have included Dominican Republic, and Mexican coffee. So next time you are in the mood for a cup of java, try something new and different. Pick a bean from a different region and try it out, let it be the inspiration for your next trip. Dream, inspire and travel mindfully.

Have you ever taken the time to listen to the different sounds when you are traveling? The sounds of the world around you can be so peaceful and calming. Today take the time to intentionally connect with the sounds you hear and make the most of your time with them. Today I am lucky enough to be listening to the waves of the ocean crashing into the shore as I write this. I hear birds that sing, dogs that bark and some Bob Marley music in the background. Telling me everything is gonna be alright. Take time to unplug and to listen to the wonderment of the world around you. Remember to breathe and to live with intention. Have a joyous day!

Walking on vacation is a great way to see new sights and slow things down. It is essential to have proper footwear for the adventures. But even the best shoes, socks and sandals can fail. We have had our fair share of blisters and bruises.The best protective socks we have found are feetures. We try to pack blister bandages just in case, but if you are like me these toe sleeves may help prevent the blisters. We also always make sure to wear a good hat, apply sunscreen and use lip balm to prevent chapped lips. Water and a snack are also very important on these day walks and to carry it all in we adore our Osprey backpacks they are lightweight, sturdy and durable

Have you ever stopped and thought of all the wonderful people you meet on vacation? Some become friends, some become acquaintances, and some become unforgettable memories. Some people have left a lasting impression that will stay with you for years to come. Through our travels we have met so many wonderful people and we have been blessed with the opportunity to make some of them life-long friends. Today take the time to intentionally connect with the people you meet and make the most of your time with them.

Packing Cube to the Rescue

The packing cube is a must-have item for travelers. It is a small, portable bag that can be used to store your clothes and other items. It is a great way to keep your clothes organized and easy to pack. It saves you time and space in your suitcase, which saves you money We use the Thule Packing Cube (Amazon.com) that is a compact and durable bag that fits in our Thule carry-on suitcases (Amazon.com). This bag has a double zip system that allows you to easily separate your clothes and keep them organized. It is durable and overall quality of product is great!

It is easy to forget to be present while eating. We are often rushing to get to the next meal or snack. But taking time to be present while eating can help us savor the flavors and textures of our food. When we travel, we can feel rushed and sometimes we don’t have time to eat properly. Take your time to enjoy what is front of you and be prepared by having a reusable water bottle and healthy snacks on hand. There is nothing worse then getting “hangry” or dehydrated while traveling.