Creating Balance in your Life

Hiking in Cinque Terre NP, Italy.

Hiking in Cinque Terre NP, Italy.

Can one create balance in one’s life by travelling? I chose the title of this post after a long period of thought- after all I am not a psychologist- just a relatively happy human being who loves to travel, and thinks that over the years, travel in general has helped to create balance in my life.

When I was a teenager, my travel consisted on myriad family trips to see relatives within Ontario and occasionally Quebec. Also there were a couple of flights to visit friends I met from my summer jobs (never spent at home…..)

When I was a 20 something, I worked hard to support myself.  But my second big tax refund went to my travel fund- my first big trip to England. After that, there were myriad family trips within North America.  That style of travel continued through most of my 30’s- sometimes by car, sometimes by plane, but at least a couple of times a year as a family we headed out on a family trip for a week or two.  In that way, I explored almost all of North America. (For all families- check out this link for travelling as a family!)

The Travel Bug

And so I had the travel bug. As life got faster, it became harder to slow down, and travel becomes one way of slowing down and creating balance in your life.  After all, when you are a half a world away, even though the boss has your email, it somehow becomes easier to deal with issues, and not get mired in the details.  Upon return, hard decisions were easier made, one was rejuvenated personally and professionally, and the travel life in general offered clarity as to what really mattered.

Everyone’s style of travel is different at different stages of their life, but no matter how you do it, travelling ensures that you experience life in an entirely different way than your every day life at home. One can travel a more conventional way of travel via cruises, yearly all-inclusives, or coach tours. Or one can choose to immerse oneself in a country via small group tours, independent travel, or active vacations.

To choose your own style of “getting away from it all”, don’t hesitate to contact me for more information. There is something for everyone, and now is the time to start planning a spring or summer vacation.  In fact, I am already planning to travel in the wonderful autumnal season. You can create balance in your life by travelling!

Posted in Beyond Adventure Travel- All, Europe, General Travel Information, Walking/ Hiking | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alternatives to Resort Vacations

At the beach in Costa Rica

Manual Antonio National Park Beach

Alternatives to Resort Vacations

Are you looking for alternatives to resort vacations this winter?  Just want some ideas? Then you have come to the right place…..but for many of these vacations you need to book sooner than later- last minute bookings are simply not available!

Consider An Independent Vacation To Central or South America

Last year, I booked an an independent trip to Merida Mexico for clients.  They explored the city, went on day trips to the Cenotes and the Mayan Ruins, and then headed to the beach to chill for a few days of downtime.  Easy peasy……..transportation and day tours all arranged ahead of time with accommodations.  Ate at local restaurants, and the money spent stayed in the community…….

This is so easy to do in so many countries-whether Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica. An independent trip is just one of the alternatives to resort vacations.

Consider A Small Group Tour for Your Explorations

Want to head to Costa Rica or Belize, but don’t want to go on your own?  A solo traveller?  Or even a small group of travellers?  Looking for someone to take the lead, and ensure you stay safe while getting a real taste of what the country is about with local guides? Small group tours are the way to go…….12-16 people- a wonderful change and a great alternative to resort vacations.

Consider one of the many offerings with G Adventures, Exodus Travels, Intrepid Travel, or one of the other small group tour operators (just contact me for more ideas).  Most require deposits to hold your spot, with the balance due about 2 months in advance. Flights are extra, but the experience is worth it. You will never again settle for the more traditional way of travel. If your passion is cycling, hiking or history- you are in luck, as most tour operators offer lots of options to indulge your passions.

Exploring Costa Rica

Here is just one example- likely one of the hottest trips offered by G Adventures…… Explore Costa Rica. This trip has a little bit of everything, and is for 2 weeks. Here is just one of the trips offered which explore Costa Rica.

Costa Rica may be small but it offers big adventure. This two-week tour ventures off the beaten path to a lush and wild world. Stop in at a reforestation project, visit a sea turtle conservancy program, opt to zip-line through the jungle canopy, and have a soak in volcanic hot springs. Riding a wave of “pura vida,” experience pure travel joy.

Priced from $2549 plus flights, this is an incredibly popular tour that sells out every year in all of its tour dates. Here is a map of its itinerary…….

Explore Costa Rica with G Adventures (alternatives to resort vacations)

Itinerary for Explore Costa Rica

If this trip appeals, or you are looking for something more active- or not as long, or not as expensive, just let me know…….but contact me soon, or they will be sold out.  Obviously small groups mean they are limited in size. Large resorts and cruise ships do not sell out near as quickly.

The universe likes speed. Don’t delay. Don’t second guess. Don’t doubt. When the opportunity is there, when the impulse is there, when the intuitive nudge from within is there, act. That’s your job. That’s all you have to do.  

~Joe Vitale

Posted in Beyond Adventure Travel- All, Central America/ Caribbean | Tagged , | Leave a comment