Travel

When it comes to travel fantasies during COVID, the #1 thing folks are craving is a beach. Initially, I wasn’t all that surprised, but I did feel a bit hopeless, living in a landlocked province and all. Then we did some digging. Not all beaches have sandy shores (just look at New Brunswick), and Calgary actually does have a fair number of options. Here’s a look at the best beaches in Calgary and those within an hour and a half drive of the city.

Stay-cations are on the rise and who doesn’t love a mountain getaway? Campsites get booked out fast, but if you’re willing to pay a little more, there are several hotels in the Kananaskis region that fit the bill. I found one with summer rates from $120! From luxury resorts to hostels to everything in between, here’s a look at K-country accommodation options.

One of the best trips I took in 2019 was to a town (small city actually) you’ve probably never heard of: Franklin, Tennessee. Situated just outside of Nashville, Franklin is where tons of celebrities live. It’s chic and discreet and has everything going for it – except big city swagger. When travel eventually returns to normal, post COVID-19, I will most definitely head back. If you’re looking for a destination with incredible food, shopping and entertainment, you’ll want to check out Franklin, too. When the time is right.

To be clear, I’m not urging anyone to travel right now. I do think it’s allowable to think about travel and use this time to research future trips. Many of us had our spring break plans derailed, and so long as it’s safe to do so, I’ll definitely get out of dodge this time next year. I tapped our Montreal correspondent (I so love that I have one!) for all the fabulous things you’d want to do in that fine city. Hope you enjoy.

If you’re housebound (as we currently are), I bet you’re itching to get back to the mountains. Hiking season will eventually return to Canada, and when it does, you may want to try out some new trails. Here’s a look at some of the best Kananaskis hikes within easy striking distance of Calgary.

Finally it’s spring! Technically it’s not, but it is March and I’m itching to see some green. At this time of year, I long to get back to Vancouver Island. Victoria is one of my favourite Canadian cities and it’s such a tonic for the senses. Here’s a look at my favourite activities to do there at this time of year.

Do you ever get exhausted by social media? I do. A lot. What’s particularly annoying is when you finally snag that perfect shot, only to have very few eyes upon it. The trick is tagging correctly in order to get your posts seen by the right (and most number of) people. Here’s a look at the best travel hashtags to include in your social media posts.

It doesn’t feel like camping season yet, but in a way it is. That’s because many online reservation systems for campsites in Alberta open up for the summer season, like now. Here’s a look at some of the biggest and best campsites to consider in the Kananaskis region, plus info on their amenities and how to book your site.

Everyone has their happy place and if I were to pick just one in Canada, it very well might be Sidney, B.C. This charming town lies just outside of Victoria, and holds a very dear place in my heart. Here’s a look at all the fun things you can do in Sidney, plus where to find affordable accommodation and the freshest seafood in town.