Travel Tales: Trekking Up Mount Etna, An Active Volcano In Italy

by Lindsay Shapka in ,


Located on the east coast of Sicily, Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanos in the world (!), and is two times the size of the infamous Mount Vesuvius (the volcano near Pompeii). 

Deciding to risk it for the sake of adventure, my friends and I left the safety of our hotel room in Catania early one morning and, after a sleepy bus ride, found ourselves at the base of this iconic force-of-nature. 

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Your Guide To Trekking The Epic West Coast Trail On Vancouver Island

by Lindsay Shapka in , , , ,


The West Coast Trail will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I embarked on this epic 75 km trek with a group of fellow trekkers that included my dad, my best friend and her dad, and three of our dads' friends. We had no idea, standing at the trail head in Port Renfrew on our first day, the adventures that would befall us, the amount of mud that would be caked on our clothing, how much our hip bones would hurt every morning, and how absolutely unforgettable every moment would be.

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How to Plan a Staycation

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,


Vacations are looking a little different in 2020, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic grounding flights, closing borders, and shutting down festivals, shops, and tourist sites around the world.

But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still have an amazing staycation right where you live! The key is to think about your staycation like you would your vacation — an escape from the everyday where you are going to explore, have adventures, and experience something new.

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Your Guide To Trekking The Sulphur Skyline Trail In Jasper, Alberta

by Lindsay Shapka in , , , ,


There are a lot of stunning hiking trails in Jasper National Park, but when it comes to day hikes, the Sulphur Skyline Trail offers the biggest bang for your time and effort.

Yes, waterfalls are beautiful, glaciers are awe-inspiring, and fragrant flower-filled mountain meadows are delightful, but nothing beats a 360-degree view that seems to stretch out forever and makes you feel like you are on top of the world.

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