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 NOT Gain 10 Pounds on Your Next Trip

by Lindsay Shapka in ,

There's nothing better than a new adventure, but staying healthy and not gaining weight while you travel can be a challenge. Trust, me — I, and a huge pasta belly that I brought back from Italy (and thankfully lost), know.

You're thrown out of your comfort zone, knocked out of your regular routine, and are no longer surrounded by familiar food, and your favorite workout spots.

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10 Best Spots to Learn to Scuba Dive

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,

I’ll never forget my first deep-water dive.

We had spent a few days in a classroom, reading the PADI certification book, going nowhere near water. When we were finally able to get into the ocean with our equipment, it was shallow water only, while we got used to breathing through a regulator with a heavy oxygen tank strapped to our backs.

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Planning a Romantic Getaway? Here's What You Need To Know

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,

Even if you are a seasoned traveler or used to traveling with other people, taking a trip with a significant other is an entirely different scenario. Both you, and your person, are sure to have expectations on each other, and on the experiences that you are hoping to have, and that can create a lot of pressure.

Here’s what you need to know to make sure your trip together is memorable for the right reasons (and not because you had a huge fight in the middle of the Roman Forum).

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Must-Have Travel Planner, Journals, and Notebooks For Your Next Trip

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,

I am a sucker for a good notebook, and because I love to handwrite when I travel, I always keep a few blank journals on hand so that I can grab one to throw in my bag.

The key to a good travel journal is to have a paperback notebook (so it is not too heavy), with enough pages to capture all of your experiences, and have room to glue or tape in ticket stubs, postcards, or any other tidbit that reminds you of your trip.

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