Sometimes we get caught up in the moment of go-go-go, but sitting still here at home, at my computer, after having been home for about a month from 6 months of back-to-back travel, I can’t help but reflect on these past 6 months of travel. From the Tropics, to new European cities, to almost an entire summer living out of a suitcase, I wanted to share my thoughts on it all, in one central post and share the ups, the downs, and mostly, the gratitude I have for this incredible year so far.
I believe that seeing the world has truly made me a better person…
In partnership with my friends at Aeroplan and in celebration of their 35TH ANNIVERSARY, I’m sharing quick impressions of each of my destinations that I’ve traveled to this year and my quick tips for each of them.
If you’ve never heard of Aeroplan (girrrrrl, get on that!), it’s a completely free loyalty program where you can earn miles on your purchases to use towards travel. Did I mention IT’S FREE?! I love nothing more than signing onto the Aeroplan app every once in a mile to see just how many Aeroplan Miles I’ve racked up. It’s truly a freeing feeling looking at my Aeroplan Mile balance knowing that I can redeem my miles at any time, jump on a new flight, and be in a new paradise. They’re also constantly improving their program too, to give their members more flexibility and ease, and to inspire more travel. That is certainly a mission I can get behind.
And they’re not joking when they say that they’re committed to inspiring more travel. To celebrate 35 YEARS of loyalty, Aeroplan is doing a HUGE giveaway to make that trip of your dreams come to life:
Aeroplan 35th anniversary
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
WHEN: August 22 – September 25
WHAT: 10 lucky grand prizes of 3.5 MILLION Aeroplan Miles to make your bucket list trip a reality AND 35 prizes of 100 THOUSAND Aeroplan Miles
HOW TO WIN: All you need to do for a chance to win a grand prize is to be a member, register on the contest landing page and start earning and/or redeeming your miles. For a chance to win a secondary prize share your picture-perfect trip, tag the people you would go with and use the hashtag #withAeroplan.
Sign Up To Aeroplan here (You’re welcome.)
And register on the contest landing page here.
How amazing is that?! I’ve been collecting my Aeroplan Miles across my purchases and travel bookings (using their Aeroplan Booking Tool) for about a year now, and I’m certainly crossing my fingers haha
And to get you inspired to plan that dream bucket list trip (that you might just win for being an active Aeroplan Member during the contest period), I’ve rounded up my favourite trips this year with a few tips and how each destination has changed me below:
– Jamaica is one of those perfect mixes of a destination. It’s the perfect place to relax on a resort (which are, by the way, incredible in terms of service, quality, cleanliness, and service), but is also an incredible spot for adventures
– Favourite Moments: cliff jumping at Rick’s Café, Martha Brae River Rafting, 7 Mile Beach, Black River Crocodile Tour, YS Falls
– Mexico is ALL of the things. It’s the perfect Bachelorette destination (I’m planning a Bachelorette there next year), it’s the ideal wellness retreat destination, it has some of the most incredible beaches, and it’s also a great entry into traveling if you’re easing into it. Since Mexico has been renowned for tourism for years now, you can rest assured that everything you need is accessible to you
– Favourite Moments: exploring the wellness village-like mood of Tulum, day trips to Cozumel, strolls in Playa Del Carmen, visiting the multitude of cenotes
– I always say that Japan is the most unique country in Asia. It’s the perfect juxtaposition between traditional and futuristic. Between eating all of the ramen and exploring its quirky spots (like Maid Cafés), your bucket list moment needs to be catching the cherry blossoms blooming. It’s a small window and no one knows exactly when it’ll be (although it’s often sometime between March and April), but if you can be there, it’ll be a trip of a lifetime
– Favourite Moments: cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo Tower, Sensoji Temple, Reissue Café, Odaiba, Harakuku Shops, Gotokuji Cat Temple
– The Netherlands is probably the most underrated European country in the world. It is so much more than the stereotypical sex and marijuana tourism of Amsterdam that you hear about. If you can, rent a bike for the week (about $10/day) and explore every nook and corner of this beautiful city. It’s small so you can feel like a local within a week. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch the tulip season (around April). It truly is a sight for sore eyes.
– Favourite Moments: tulip farms in Hillegom, Keukenhof, Amsterdam Canals, Dancing Lady Houses, National Monument at sunrise, Blond Amsterdam Café, Rikjmuseum, Museum Voorlinden, The Hague
– There truly is nothing like the Portugese coastline. It’s no wonder that it’s become the Instagram-must-visit destination in these past few years. The tourism has definitely increased significantly in the last few years, but it is still beautiful in all of its glory. If you can, rent a car and do the entire coastline from The Algarve, to Lisbon, all the way up to Porto. It will be a soul-awakening experience.
– Favourite Moments: Lagos at low-tide, Palacio de Estoi, Albufeira, Pink Street in Lisbon, Faro, Benagil Caves, Castles of Sintra, Ponta de Piedade, Mosteiro da Batalha, Tower of Belem, Pasteis de Belem, Douro Valley, Azulejos in Porto
– I spent the end of my summer travel stint in Calabria, in the South of Italy, and when they say that Italy changes you… it really does. The small beach-town vibes of the Calabrian destinations in Italy will truly have you believing that you’re living in the Eat. Pray. Love. movie. I stayed in Tropea for most of my time there and between the blue waters, the view of Stromboli’s volcano, and tartufo… your soul will truly be filled with joy.
– Favourite Moments: Tartufo in Pizzo, beaches of Tropea, swimming in the Tyrrhenian Sea, visiting Stromboli, Sicily, Scilla, Sunsets along the coast, Blanca Beach
Wherever your dream destination is, I hope you make plans to visit it. I hope that you dream about it nightly. I hope you obsess over making it a reality. Because I believe that seeing the world is truly that important. And while I know the realities of life get in the way, there are ways to make it a reality. Whether it’s being smart about collecting Aeroplan Miles on your purchases, winning their 35th anniversary giveaway (rooting for you Inspired Fam!), or putting it into your daily affirmations… make it happen. Your happy soul will thank you later!
What’s been your favourite travel destination? What dream bucket list destination would you book if you won?
***This post was made in generous partnership with Aeroplan. All thoughts, opinions, and recommendations are exclusively my own.
