lost and left behind

Having stayed in several hotels since I was young, I’m not a stranger to a home away from home during my holidays. And having traveled with several different people, I’ve come to learn that everyone has their own way of living life on the road whether it’s unpacking everything as soon as you arrive or spending your stay living out of your luggage. No matter how you choose to live or relax while away, it’s probably not uncommon to forget a shirt stashed deep in a drawer or a shampoo bottle still in the shower, right? But would you forget a shark in your bathtub, your pet cockatoo or €20,000 in cash? These are only three of the top ten strangest items found left behind by the members of Great Hotels of the World. I can’t say I’ve ever had any of those items with me on a vacation but you can bet I wouldn’t be leaving them behind.
{via} Leaving something behind is just not an option when I go away. If you’re anything like me, you can’t help but check, double check and triple check every corner, drawer, nook and cranny to make sure that every item you came with has made it’s way back into your suitcase. Even when I don’t use a drawer or open a closet during my stay, I won’t feel right about leaving if I haven’t taken a few peaks inside just to make sure my pants didn’t miraculously grow feet and walk their way into the closet. It doesn’t make sense but it’s what I do. While I may be a compulsive closet checker, I get a sense of satisfaction knowing that I haven’t left a sock sitting under the bed or a towel drying on the balcony. And even if I always get the feeling that I’m forgetting something, I can at least be satisfied knowing that I made a valiant effort to repack all my possessions…especially that pesky shark or my pair of false teeth!

Have you ever left anything in a hotel room? Do you live out of your luggage or unpack everything?

where in the world

Vacations, no matter how long or how incredible, always seem to be too short. Coming back home and back to reality is always a bittersweet moment. As much as I am happy to be back in my own bed with the comforts of home cooked meals and my familiar routine, I can’t help but wish I was still soaking up the sun on the Spanish coast.
Spain was amazing! The early morning walks to the beach, feeling the soft sand between my toes as I lay taking in the Mediterranean and the late nights sipping sangria as the sun set over the sea. It doesn’t get much better! I was taken aback with all that Barcelona had to offer. La Rambla was busy and bustling and the perfect place for people-watching. The Sagrada Familia took our breath away with its inspiring detail and demanding presence over the city.
Spain was certainly just what I needed. The weather was perfect, we relaxed in the sun and there were certainly enough sights to fill our days making the recipe just right for some time away (and I did manage to pack pretty light!...thanks for all your tips!).
The problem with, or rather, the appeal of travelling, depending on how you look at it, is that after spending a short time in an amazing place with beautiful beaches and spectacular sights, all I want to do is see more of the world. You’d think I would just be grateful for my getaway - and believe me, I really am – but when you get a taste of all the world has to offer, it’s hard to stop with one visit to the Spanish seaside. Considering there are so many sights in Spain that I didn’t have time to take in, it’s exciting to think of all the other cities, countries and continents that I’ve yet to be able to visit. The world is so full of breathtaking views and interesting architecture, there are cities full of stories from so long ago, the landscape is so varied from one town to the next. My list of places to visit is constantly growing and I can’t imagine that it will ever stop. Talking to other travelers during my holiday has filled my head with dreams of my next vacation…hearing about cruising the Greek Islands or pub hopping through the Scottish countryside makes me wish my next vacation was weeks away instead of too many months. I am so inspired by the amazing holiday that I was so lucky to indulge in that I am so looking forward to the next one. The travel bug gets me every time!

Where do you dream of travelling to? Any suggestions for my next trip?

my bags are packed

As the last long weekend of the summer begins, I am sad to see my favourite season slipping away. However, I couldn’t be more excited because it is finally time for my much needed and highly anticpated holiday! (Is it weird that I’m little sad to be missing out on a long weekend?!) My husband and I are about to take off on our delayed honeymoon and head to the home of the World Cup winners - we are off to Spain for some sand, sun, shopping and stumbling through speaking Spanish. However, taking a trip means it’s time to pack my bags and that is one task to do with travelling that I actually dread.
I am the worst over-packer. I tend to pack whatever I think I could possibly-might once-if I’m in the right mood wear. A weekend away turns into 6 outfits, 4 pairs of shoes and way more clean underwear than I could ever go through. Even when I was growing up and would spend the summers at my dad’s house, my mom would always have to remind me that my dad did indeed own a washing machine and that she was sure he’d be happy to let me use it while I was there. I seemed to have a hard time believing her. On the other hand, I’ve never seen a boy pack more than he might need. A couple pairs of shorts, two or three t-shirts and a simple rotation between the few seem to be more than enough for a week away. But what if you’re not in the mood for the outfit you had planned on wearing? Or what if an unexpected hike in the woods or fancy dinner out is suddenly on the agenda? There are too many variables for me to worry about that I get stressed thinking that I might not have the right outfit for the daily outing…so why not pack it all and then I won’t have to worry about it while I’m away? And if there’s space in my suitcase, don't even get me started! My theory tends to be that I might as well fill it…but that’s a whole other story!

What kind of packer are you? Got any tips for an over-packer like myself?

driving along in my automobile

Summertime to me means road trip time. There is really nothing like packing up the car, making sure you’ve got some good treats and great music and preparing for the long road ahead. Depending on the company, I personally think road trips are a fantastic way to vacation. Getting to your destination becomes half the fun! And I don’t think I’m alone…Marta has posted some of her most helpful tips for how to road trip in style. My personal fave? Bringing socks to cuddle up in after kicking off the flip flops! I thought I was the only one!


I’ve always dreamed of just getting in a car and driving, not having a plan, not having a destination and just making decisions on the fly about where to go. It would be so freeing to not worry about getting through traffic or getting somewhere ‘on-time’. I always picture my road-trip-to-wherever-life-takes-me beginning on a hot summer day in an old red convertible, with my hair blowing in the wind and the perfect tunes blaring on the radio. I want to drive without a worry, close my eyes, put my finger on a map and just find a way to get there. I want to come to a T in the road and have to choose right or left, not knowing what lies behind either turn.

Road trips offer a different perspective for exploring. They allow you to show off your ability to recognize license plates or to count blue cars as the speed by. I think what I like best about road trips is spending quality time with my fellow adventurers. While there may be several downsides (raunchy reststops and a little road rage!) I really feel they are suited to summertime travel.

Do you love to road trip? What are your tips for a successful road trip?

travelling in style

Whether you’re a soccer fan or not, it’s hard to ignore the huge sporting event taking place right now in South Africa. The World Cup is underway and observing the emergence of national pride among my friends and coworkers always makes me smile. I love it. I was a superfan at the 2010 Olympics, cheering wildly for Canada, so I completely understand the pride and passion that emerges when cheering for your national team. I can’t say I’m too into soccer but as this tournament goes on, I’m confident that I will soon care who comes out on top.



But what really caught my attention recently is not who is winning the games or what penalties shouldn’t have been called. Instead, it is Louis Vuitton who has sparked my interest. Louis Vuitton and the World Cup? How do they relate, you may ask? Well, this year, FIFA came to Louis Vuitton requesting the luxury hand bag and luggage maker create a trophy case for the Cup. I can’t say LV would come to mind first if I was thinking about a case for a soccer trophy but nonetheless they have created a leather-bound carrying case with all the trademark LV styling. Supermodel Naomi Campbell was on hand to help reveal the new partnership of football and fashion and although I’m no expert, luxury luggage and frenzied football fans don’t seem like an obvious couple. I do, however, find it a clever combination. For someone who isn’t waking up at 4am to cheer on my chosen country, I’m suddenly a little more interested in the coveted World Cup. And a little jealous too… custom Louis Vuitton luggage? A trip to South Africa? I’ll take either!

Via Reuters