Tips for the Oversea Traveler

Over the last couple of months of my travel planning and research I have discovered some very handy sites that I thought I would share.

Canadianaffair.com This an excellent site for flights to the UK and Ireland from Canada

Skyscanner.net It's basically the Flight Center of budget airlines in Europe. As romantic as the train is, in Europe flying tends to be the cheapest way around!

Volunteercard.com Volunteering overseas? (This includes WWOOFing.) Go here for amazing, dirt cheap Travel insurance.

Women-on-the-road.com This is a great site for any woman making solo travel plans. It's full of advise on how to stay safe, what to pack and loads of inspiration and encouragement!

Tips for Backpack shopping

I was completely at a loss when I first started looking into backpacks for my trip. There are so many to choose! First off, don't cheap out. I'm not saying get the most expensive bag on the market, but a well made pack means a comfortable pack. I bought a Gregory Jade 50 on sale (ah the perks of buying off season!). It's specifically made for women and comes in sizes XS-L. And when they say it wears like a dream, they're not lying!

While you're travelling, your pack is your life. Make sure you get one that is right for your body and that it is fitted properly. Your back and body will thank you. Also, don't go too big. I recommend making sure it is small enough to take as a carry on. As I said, your pack is your life and you're going to want to with as much as possible. Also most budget airlines charge you for checked baggage, so you'll be saving yourself some money there as well.

As for packing.... I'll let you know how that goes!

London Calling

For anyone doubting my plans for Europe (Because lets face it. I've been talking about going over to Europe since I was 17) My flight has been booked. I fly into London on February 29th. Stay for a night or two then hop on a plane, train or some type of automobile and head on over to Italy (still working out the farms). Then in May with a tambourine in hand it's Hello Transylvania to work my butt off doing just about everything farm related. After that it's picking strawberries and making jam in Ireland and then who knows what in Cornwall. Sweet mother of pearl! So this is actually, really, truly happening? For real?! For real! AH! I have honestly never been so excited and never been so sure about the direction I'm taking in my life. Just me, a big ol' backpack and the open roads of Europe. And a whole lot of farms. In just two months I will be walking on concrete and soil that I have never walked before and under skies I've never seen. You have no idea how happy this makes me. Oh the thrill of discovery! Every corner I turn will be a new adventure. Don't you wish you were doing this too? So do it then! Life is too short for sitting around in the waiting room.

‎"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine

With Timely Endings Come New Beginings

December is finally with us once again and my days here are now numbered. Twenty to be exact! I gave almost three years of my life to this city and with no regrets I am ready to uproot and say goodbye. With timely endings come new beginnings. May there always be change, may there always be growth. This is a world of endless experiences and possibilities. There will always be another story waiting to be found and told. I'm ready universe. More now then I will ever be. With trust, I leap into the unknown. Blessed be those with willing and open hearts and free and fearless minds.