It’s time to say so-long to 2016, but as I head into what’s shaping up to be another eventful year in tag-along business travel, it’s worth reviewing this past year’s destinations. As usual, I didn’t plan to go to many of these destinations. One of the things I like about the kind of business travel Steve does is that it’s a bit unpredictable. That means opportunities to visit places I’d never think of on my own.
Belize with Island Expeditions
Our year started with some vacation time in Belize. We went on an adventure tour with Island Expeditions and had a wild time learning to sea kayak and paddle down the Moho River. If you ever want to test the strength of your marriage, learn to paddle while navigating waterfalls and rapids. As you can see in this video, we had some tense moments.
Surprising Columbus, Ohio
I debated whether to tag along with Steve to Columbus. He was going to a weekend conference and we would barely spend any time together. It would basically be a solo trip. I am so glad I went! This under-the-radar city has a lot to offer. JD Power recently ranked it the best in the Midwest for visitor experience, and I know why.
Minneapolis is more than Mall of America
Steve and I attended the travel blogger conference TBEX in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minneapolis is a short 8-hour drive across the border from our hometown Winnipeg, yet I hadn’t been there for several years. We had a terrific experience and were impressed with the way the city has evolved and developed since we were last there. We had a pleasant surprise staying at a hotel near the airport when we discovered a huge nature preserve nearby that was the perfect spot for a morning run.
Swish Boston Weekend Getaway
The one consistent destination Steve travels to for work is Boston, Massachusetts so it’s a city I have tagged along to several times. Fortunately, there is always something new to discover each time we visit. It was late spring when we visited, and the landscape was starting to green up and bloom with colour. We indulged by staying an extra weekend at the upscale Intercontinental Hotel and taking in a hilarious show called Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare where one of the actors drinks beer throughout the performance.
Timeshare Sales in New York City
Steve surprised me by agreeing to a pitch on the phone one day to attend a timeshare sales meeting at the Hilton Hotel in New York City. Of course, there were lots of goodies attached to attending as well as a deep discount on our stay at the Times Square Hilton. Well, what’s not to love about New York? The sales presentation, on the other hand …
Newfoundland and Labrador – Life Imitates Ads
If you’ve ever seen one of the TV ads put out by Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism you’ve probably ached with a desire to visit the bucolic province they depict. Turns out, it’s pretty much just as advertised. We spent a far-too-short few days exploring a fraction of Newfoundland as part of a vacation in Canada’s eastern provinces. Pure magic.
Soaking Up The Ambience in Québec City
There is no other place in North America quite like Québec City. It could easily be a movie set stand-in for Paris, yet it’s distinctly Canadian with a history and culture all its own. Given the Canadian-American dollar difference this summer, it had us wondering why the city wasn’t teeming with U.S. visitors. It offers a unique experience and delivers exceptional value.
Cycling through the Eastern Townships
After our urban adventure in Québec City, we explored the province’s Eastern Townships by taking a self-guided bike tour with Randonnée Tours. Over the six days of the trip, I must have said the word “pretty” hundreds of times. This was our second self-guided tour with Randonnée and it was well organized with excellent accommodations.
Finally, a Tag-Along to Sofia, Bulgaria
Steve used to travel to Sofia regularly in a former job but hadn’t been there for years. For a variety of reasons, I had never tagged along back then. When he was headed there this past fall, I didn’t want to miss out again. After hearing so much about Sofia, it almost felt familiar to me. I enjoyed discovering some noteworthy cultural differences, and could not get enough of Bulgarian food. So satisfying.
Prost! Here’s to Stuttgart!
I had a super fun time on my tag-along trip to Stuttgart, Germany. It started off with the largest glass of beer I’ve ever consumed at Canstatter Volksfest. My only regret was not buying a dirndl to wear to this crazy, jam-packed event. Other highlights included lazing around Schlossplatz on a Saturday afternoon and visiting a museum all about pigs. Yes, pigs! It was too much fun.
On to 2017
It looks like travel plans are likely to include small and bigger towns in the U.S., another European adventure or two and India. Beyond that, who knows? I got a brand new passport a month ago, and it’s got nothing but empty pages.
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Deborah, you lead such an exciting life.I enjoy your travelogue, makes me appreciate my small adventures….and every where I go, I learn something new. Right now I’m doing the American Civil War. Fatal but fascinating. Keep up your adventures.. do it while you’re young. Good Luck in 2017. Elmer
Thanks! Travel will hopefully be a life-long endeavour for us. You’re a great role model for continuing to explore the world near and far. Happy New Year!