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Travel Inspiration

Travel inspires us to open our minds and hearts to other cultures and ways of living. It destroys narrow-mindedness and prejudice and it changes us. When you need some inspiration, read a travel story. It’s almost as good as being there and hopefully it will inspire you to seek out your own adventures. As Henry Miller said: “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”

carricitos beach
Articles, International Travel, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Carricitos Beach near Sayulita, Mexico: Everything You Need to Know

Sayulita, Mexico is a small surf town located near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I’d only ever visited the little town on a day trip during a vacation to Puerto Vallarta, but I instantly fell in love with it. The cute Mexican flags overhanging the main streets, locals and tourists driving around in golf carts, and the vibrant energy of the town made it feel like a hidden gem. Street vendors sold fresh fruit and handmade jewelry, while the scent of tacos and grilled seafood filled the air. Plus, gorgeous beaches were only a short walk away, including the secluded Playa Carricitos. It had the perfect mix of laid-back beach vibes and lively culture, making me wish I had more than just …

Kelsey Olsen
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Articles, Canada, Outdoor Adventure, Places To Stay, Travel Inspiration

Muskoka, Ontario: 48 Hours Exploring Deerhurst Resort and Ontario’s Scenic Trails

On the drive from Toronto Pearson International Airport to the Deerhurst Resort near Muskoka, Ontario, I understood quickly why people affectionately refer to the area as “cottage country”. We must have passed by hundreds of lakes with cottages scattered around the shores. I could definitely see the appeal and it made me all the more excited for my visit to The Deerhurst Resort, located directly on Peninsula Lake. My partner, Garrett, and I were about to spend the next 48 hours in lake country and we couldn’t wait.  There are over 250,000 lakes in Ontario which makes up approximately 20 percent of the world’s freshwater supply. With plans to explore some of Muskoka and travel on some bumpy backroads, we …

Kelsey Olsen
View Muskoka, Ontario: 48 Hours Exploring Deerhurst Resort and Ontario’s Scenic Trails
Manitoba northern lights
Articles, Canada, Experiences, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Manitoba Northern Lights: A Bucket List Adventure

“Does anyone wish to stay out later or should we head back to the hotel?” Mark Dunsmuir, our guide from Frontiers North, asks the group. It’s our last night in Northern Manitoba searching for the aurora borealis, and we are exhausted from an early morning and late night the previous day. It’s 11:15 pm, and all of us are napping in the Tundra Buggy. I’ll admit, I’m ready to head back and sleep in a comfortable bed rather than the Tundra Buggy seats. It’s been an overcast day, and I’m convinced the Manitoba northern lights won’t come out tonight. A couple of people speak up and say they’d like to go outside one last time to do some stargazing. I’m …

Kelsey Olsen
View Manitoba Northern Lights: A Bucket List Adventure
Girl sitting on the edge of the Grand Canyon
Articles, Experiences, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration, USA: State-Arizona

Williams AZ to Grand Canyon: A scenic Adventure via the Grand Canyon Railway

Known as the gateway to the Grand Canyon, Williams, Arizona, is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in experiencing the wonders of the Grand Canyon. Visitors often embark on the iconic Grand Canyon Railway journey from Williams, AZ, to the Grand Canyon, offering a truly unforgettable experience. My partner, Garrett, and I were able to experience this unique opportunity on a recent trip to Arizona and we loved it. If you’re contemplating taking the Grand Canyon Railway form Williams, here’s everything you need to know: There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your …

Kelsey Olsen
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An image of the sign for Johnston Canyon Resort in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Johnston Canyon Resort is a wonderful resort for those looking for a quiet cabin escape in the Canadian Rockies.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Places To Stay, Travel Inspiration

Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows – Cozy Cabins in Banff National Park

Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular destinations in Banff National Park, but did you know you could stay overnight there? My family and I have enjoyed the Johnston Canyon hike many times and I have often glanced at the cute cabins near the trailhead and wondered what it would be like to stay there. I finally decided to find out and booked a two-night stay at Johnston Canyon Lodge and Bungalows. About a 20-minute drive west of Banff, this lovely resort is situated on five acres of forested land near the trailhead of Banff’s most popular hike. Even though the trail is very popular, we found a stay in the cabins to be quite peaceful. Read on for …

Debbie Olsen
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Girl sitting in mist mountain hot springs
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Mist Mountain Hot Springs: Nature’s Serene Oasis

As a lover of natural hot springs and hiking, Mist Mountain Hot Springs has been on my bucket list for quite some time. Located in Kananaskis, Alberta, the hike leads you up a trail that provides gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains before arriving at several warm natural hot springs to soak in and enjoy the spectacular views. If you’re not too tired, you can continue up to the peak of Mist Mountain from here, but we only adventured to the hot springs and it was well worth it.  There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost …

Kelsey Olsen
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Railay Beach in Thailand.
Railay Beach, a climbers paradise.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure, Travel Inspiration

Rock Climbing in Krabi: Conquering New Heights in Nature’s Paradise

As someone who has always been captivated by the beauty of nature and the allure of adventure, trying out rock climbing had been on my bucket list for quite some time. So when I discovered that Krabi, Thailand was not only a stunning vacation destination, but also a prime spot for beginner rock climbers like myself, I knew I had found the perfect opportunity to challenge myself and fulfill a lifelong dream. I’ll admit it wasn’t my first choice when deciding what we should do for the day, my partner Garrett suggested we go rock climbing in Krabi. After taking a few moments to consider, I realized it would be a great way to experience something new in one of …

Kelsey Olsen
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The view from the summit of Porcupine Ridge in Kananaskis.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Photos, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Porcupine Ridge – A Wonderful Hike in Kananaskis

I always feel like the summer flies by in a blink and I am never able to complete as many hikes or camping trips as I would have liked. This year, Garrett and I made it a priority to go hiking whenever we both have a free day or even a few spare hours in the afternoon. It was a surprise when we both realized that we didn’t have plans on a random Sunday in June and we quickly decided to head out to the mountains. Since we made these hiking plans super last minute (that very morning!) We were looking to do a hike near Calgary. I was also wanting to do a hike that I hadn’t done before …

Kelsey Olsen
View Porcupine Ridge – A Wonderful Hike in Kananaskis
An image of two female cyclists on a trestle bridge in Myra Canyon near Kelowna, BC.
The views are amazing when you’re cycling in Myra Canyon.
Articles, British Columbia, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Myra Canyon Trail – An Amazing Adventure

The Myra Canyon Trail is one of the most stunningly beautiful half-day cycling or hiking excursions in Canada. As I cycled across the first wooden trestle bridge, I gazed out at the canyon and I was blown away. It was one of the most amazing views I have ever seen on two wheels. This scenic section of the historic Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) Trail runs through a dramatic canyon and it takes cyclists and hikers through two tunnels and across 18 trestle bridges. This former rail line was built through the canyon between 1912 and 1914 and was used as an active railway line for many years. When it was discontinued as a railway line, local volunteers converted it into …

Debbie Olsen
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