Travel Tips

A row of cottage-style shopfronts with green shutters and window boxes faces a long strip of artificial turf dotted with metal benches. One shop, with a purple “Weekend” sign over the door, is open; a couple stands in the doorway talking. Mature trees cast dappled shade across the walkway.
 · 10 min read

Welcome In, Y’all: A Texas Road Trip

On the road between Waco, Frisco, Grapevine and Dallas, one little phrase – “welcome in” – became my window into Texas hospitality, history and that fiercely independent spirit that once made it its own country. What “Welcome In” Says About Texas Linguists tend to describe “welcome in” as a relatively recent twist in English –

A festive sign reading “Grapevine, Texas – The Christmas Capital of Texas” framed by a lit garland, surrounded by oversized candy cane decorations and twinkling lights in the trees.
 · 9 min read

Christmas in Grapevine: 14 Fun Things To Do in the Christmas Capital of Texas

From glittering Main Street lights to wine trains and festive markets, Grapevine, Texas wraps its historic core in holiday magic, with most experiences clustered within just a few miles. Grapevine doesn’t just decorate for the holidays; it transforms. Officially recognized as the Christmas Capital of Texas, the city rolls out more than 1,400 festive events

A vivid outdoor mural covers a concrete wall, featuring five elite athletes from different sports frozen mid-action. A football quarterback, a baseball pitcher, a basketball player in a red “HOUSTON” jersey, an American football running back, and a soccer player in a red and blue kit all burst forward against a background of sharp, colourful geometric shapes. Pebbled ground fills the foreground, emphasizing that this is a large-scale exterior artwork.
 · 4 min read

Three Things to Do in Waco, Texas in One Morning

How to turn a few free hours in Waco into a mini-adventure with the Waco Adventure Pass. You don’t always need a full day to get a feel for a place. In Waco, a free morning, a rental car, and the Waco Adventure Pass were all I needed to slip between wild habitats, sports history,

Detailed shot of an exposed fossil bed showing the partial skeleton of an adult female Columbian mammoth labelled “Mammoth W,” with a rib cage, skull, and tusk fragments visible. To the right, a sign reads “Giant Tortoise,” marking another set of bones embedded in the compacted earth. Bright orange buckets sit nearby for sediment collection.
 · 6 min read

Wait, What? A Mammoth in Waco!?

How a Quiet Texas Creek Revealed a Prehistoric Nursery Herd I went into my trip planning expecting silos and soft drinks, not a nursery full of mammoths; once I discovered it in my research, I knew I had to see it for myself. Yet there I was, just 11 minutes’ drive from my downtown hotel,

A mustard-yellow, Romanesque-style building with arched windows and stone trim stands on a corner across from a crosswalk. A sign above the door reads “Dr Pepper Museum.” To the right, an iron gate leads into a courtyard where people are lined up to enter. The sky is partly cloudy, and a few pedestrians cross the street in front.
 · 8 min read

How Dr Pepper and Magnolia Helped Rewrite Waco’s Story

A fizzy soft drink, a pair of grain silos, and a walkable downtown morning show how Waco, Texas turned history and home design into a destination worth lingering in. Hotel Herringbone I woke up in Waco with two letters on my mind: H H. They’re stitched into my hotel blinds, embossed on the coasters, and tucked

A woman stands outdoors in nature, holding her hands up in front of her face with her thumbs and index fingers forming a rectangle, like a film director framing a shot. She is looking through the space between her hands, focusing on the view.
 · 6 min read

Crossing the Line: Why I Still Travel to the US in a Time of Division

As many Canadians turn away from U.S. travel over politics and polarization, I’m choosing to cross the border with open eyes, an open heart, and a quiet hope for connection. I have lost count of how many times I’ve crossed into the United States. California was my first great love outside of Canada—my early twenties

Dramatic sunset over a densely built coastline and rolling waves, capturing the tension between natural beauty and human presence.
 · 6 min read

Places You Can’t Visit

A sober map of off-limits places scarred by war, extraction, neglect, and our appetite for more—reminding us that nature, not profit, will have the last word. We like to think the world is endlessly open to us. Bucket lists. “Must-see before it’s too late.” Limited-time offers on landscapes and cultures that were never ours to

long haul flight
 · 5 min read

How to Survive and Thrive on a Long-Haul Flight

Long-haul flights can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you’re traveling for business, pleasure, or an extended adventure, the prospect of spending hours confined to an airplane seat can feel overwhelming. With the right preparation and mindset, however, you can transform the journey into a manageable, even enjoyable experience. Here are some practical tips to

Top 10 Countries for American Expats to Live and Thrive
 · 6 min read

Top 10 Countries for American Expats to Live and Thrive

Relocating abroad isn’t just about a change of scenery; it’s about rewriting your life’s narrative. For American expats, the allure of a fresh start in a new country has never been stronger, driven by desires for better work-life balance, lower cost of living, or simply the chance to experience something extraordinary. Whether you’re seeking cultural

Top Places to Eat in Houston
 · 4 min read

Top Places to Eat in Houston

Houston, one of the most diverse cities in the United States, thrives on the flavours of its immigrant communities. The city’s culinary scene is a testament to the cultural fusion that defines it, with global influences evident in every corner. From contemporary Mexican delights to authentic West African fare, my dining experiences in Houston showcased