At Last, Australia!

Are you ready to get your wild on again: hug a koala? Hand feed a wallaby? Cradle a wombat? Glide through rivers in a low-slung boat to watch crocodiles eat? Or swim with sea life at the Great Barrier Reef? A visit to Queensland may be just what you need to reinvigorate the spirit of travel. Australia has reopened at last and helping you figure out where and when to visit is my pleasure.

Once you’re in Oz, consider a stop in the state of Tasmania, this gorgeously green and rugged island is just off the country’s south shore. You can fly into the capital of Hobart, or the more adventurous can book a berth on the overnight ferry, the Spirit of Tasmania. Tasmania is a great place to rent a car and drive around -- it’s dense forests and wildlife make it a great substitute for New Zealand.

Did I mention the luxury accommodation scene is strong, too? From top-notch lodges near the shimmering shores of Wineglass Bay in Tasmania to the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Mountains near Sydney – there are many incredible places to stay.

Planning your visit is a priority. A trip to enormous, awesome Australia will be one of the best of your life. Let me help you figure out when and where you’ll want to visit. 

Satisfy that Thirst for Travel! 

Half of the fun of exploring is sampling the local food and drink that you just can’t get in your own neck of the woods – even if you’ve only crossed state or provincial lines. Why not base your next trip in a city renowned for the quality of its quaff? Here’s a few ideas to get you thinking and drinking:

West Coast

San Diego County is home to 120 microbreweries – start your craft beer crawl along the Hops Highway between Oceanside through Escondido to get you started. Prefer Seattle? Just north of the downtown, a walking tour through the Ballard neighborhood and its brewpubs will keep you busy all day.

Serious suds heads should land in Portland to discover its many makers of sours, IPAs and saisons. Or try one of British Columbia’s many ale trails, but let’s start in downtown Victoria, on Vancouver Island. This is the heart of Canada’s West Coast craft beer scene and Brewery Bay has a walkable ring of brewpubs and breweries that surround the Upper Harbor.

East Coast

Vermont is known as the birthplace of the New England IPA, so come and indulge in fresh air and fine beer; Boston has long been a hot spot for incredible beer – no matter what neighbourhood you’re in there’s a good brewpub waiting for you. Drive into Quebec and discover Montreal’s hip craft brews, some of the country’s top brasseur’s stock a city full of artisanal brew pubs.

Hurray for Hollywood!

Movies may be one of the best ways to kickstart your wanderlust, here’s are some of our favourites:

To Catch a Thief (1955) Oh, la, la! Once you take your eyes of Grace Kelly’s stunning wardrobe, the ocean views, rocky cliffs, and corniche roads of the French Riviera will remind you why it’s time to book your flight. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a Cary Grant lookalike amongst the jet set in Monaco or strolling the flower market in Nice. 

Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) Watch Diane Lane play a divorcee who recovers from heartbreak in Italy by impulsively buying a fixer-upper in Tuscany. A rom-com that makes you remember why la dolce vita is what makes this country so special.

The Bucket List (2007) A feel-good film where Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman play unlikely travel buddies on a deadline to see as much of the world as they can -- everywhere from the Taj Mahal to Africa to Egypt, with a whole lot of globetrotting in between. 

The Jungle Cruise (2021) Sure the plot is based on a Disney theme-park ride, but this rollicking adventure makes us long for the thrill of discovery. As Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt’s characters sail up the Amazon river, we can’t stop thinking about the wonder and wildlife of Galapagos.

Getting Comfortable with Travel

As restrictions ease around the world, travellers are spreading their wings again. If it’s your first trip out – you’ll be surprised by what you find in airports and hotels – but one thing hasn’t changed: the thrill of exploring new destinations or revisiting familiar haunts. What has changed is how important it is to plan ahead. More so now than ever. Long-term strategizing is what I do best – and I'm busier than ever helping clients find their happy places around the world.

Book a time to speak with me and ask for my advice and recent experiences in the field. You’ll be happy you made the effort and thrilled when you step out and live your best life again, whether it’s seeing old friends in favourite destinations or returning to the cities of the world that inspired you to travel in the first place.