Halloween was never something we celebrated in Australia. It was a spooky North American tradition that held little relevance. But being in Canada during Halloween infected our kids – it was the only thing they talked about for weeks beforehand. Being in Edmonton, Alberta in October meant we just had to head to the city’s favourite family-friendly celebration – a unique concoction of Halloween-ness at Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm.
Read more at our travel blog.
Saturday, 31 October 2015
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." - Native American Proverb _ Driving along Two Jack Lake near Banff, Alberta and spotted a mother and baby goat walking along the road. _ So cute! _ #cuteanimals #explorealberta @travelalberta #mybanff @banff_lakelouise
Friday, 30 October 2015
"In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you." - Deepak Chopra _ Vermilion Lakes in Banff, Alberta, Canada. _ I had high expectations before visiting Alberta - but still stood dumbfounded by the stunning natural beauty of this special corner of our world. 🌎😮 _ #explorecanada #beautifuldestinations @travelalberta #explorealberta @banff_lakelouise #mybanff
365 Days Of Accommodation: 2014 - 2015
We’ve stayed at a huge range of accomodation over the last 365 days, including hotels, villas, resorts, hostels, houseboats, cruise ships, and even tents. If you’re looking for a quick reference for accomodation, we’ve included links to our reviews as well as more articles on each country. Enjoy!
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Thursday, 29 October 2015
"No matter what you're going through, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it may seem hard to get to it but you can do it and just keep working towards it and you'll find the positive side of things." - Demi Lovato _ Inside the cave leading to Canada's first National Park - the "Cave and Basin" located in Banff, Alberta. _ I'm pretty sure that's a dancing pixie in this shot. Can you see her? _ Large deposits of sulphur in this hot spring gives off a very recognisable smell - sulphur dioxide. Or as most kids would know it as, "rotten egg gas". Educational and smelly! 😁 _ #mybanff #explorealberta @banff_lakelouise @travelalberta
"The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us." - Ashley Montagu _ At "Surprise Corner" in Banff, Alberta, Canada. _ Sitting on the Bow River all alone on our virtually private beach. Not many people tend to take the steep yet short hike over rough terrain down to the water's edge here. But the effort and sweat makes the view all that more sweet. _ What impressed me even more was that my 5 & 6-year-old managed to expertly traverse the terrain like little mountain goats. They never cease to surprise me. _ #mybanff #explorealberta @banff_lakelouise @travelalberta
Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Calgary Tower - home to the highest 360° observation deck in the world. I'm guessing this is measured by altitude above sea level. But impressive, nonetheless. _ When completed in 1968 it was was the tallest structure of its type in North America, standing at 190.8 metres (626 ft). _ @tourismcalgary #capturecalgary #architecture
Monday, 26 October 2015
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi _ Gaining valuable insight into dinosaurs at one of the best museums in the world dedicated to paleontology - Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada. _ The displays are engaging, quality of exhibits is second to none, and dedication to preserving history is unparalleled. If you are a dino enthusiast then this will be your Disneyland. _ My favourite exhibit - "Black Betty" - a beautifully preserved T-Rex. _ #drumheller #dinosaur #explorealberta
7 Places To Eat In Louisville, Kentucky
From deep fried southern food to BBQ ribs to sinfully delicious burgers, we’ve got you covered in Louisville. There’s no shortage of delicious food in Louisville, the tough question is where to start?
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Sunday, 25 October 2015
"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell." - Buddha _ Conquered the Hoodoos near Drumheller, Alberta. The prize? Best seat in the house for sunset. _ @travelalberta #explorealberta
Saturday, 24 October 2015
Hoodoo! _ Just south of Drumheller, Alberta we discovered the Hoodoo Trail. These are sandstone stacks which have eroded to form this distinctive shape over many years. These are also known as "fairy chimneys" and if you've seen our photos from Cappadocia, Turkey then this will look strangely familiar. _ Made it here just in time for sunset. After soaking up the view for half an hour we heard a distant coyote howl at the bright moon. Spectacular! _ #explorealberta @travelalberta #hoodoo
Friday, 23 October 2015
Twisted. _ Inside World Waterpark, located within the expansive West Edmonton Mall... Yes, inside a shopping mall. _ It's all completely indoors so you can visit all year round. Apart from oodles of slides, our kids favourite feature was free unlimited soda & water from one of those fancy Coke Freestyle dispensing machines. _ If you're in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, add this to your plans. #explorealberta @travelalberta #exploreedmonton @exploreedmonton
Thursday, 22 October 2015
Arrrgh, thar she blows! _ A full-sized pirate ship, the Santa Maria, sitting on the world's largest indoor Lake inside one of the largest malls in the world... _ West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. _ This place is huge! It has an indoor theme park with triple loop roller-coaster, indoor waterpark, live sealion show, mini aquarium, mini golf, full-size ice rink, and more. We spent all day here and still didn't have time to try everything. You've gotta see it to believe it. _ #exploreedmonton @exploreedmonton #explorealberta @travelalberta
Pumpkin festival in Prairie Gardens outside Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. This event has been running for 17 years on a cute farm which grows around 300,000 - 400,000 pounds of pumpkins per year. There's nothing quite like it in Alberta. Our kids had a ball with dozens of activities from making a scarecrow to navigating a corn maze. Highly recommended.
7 Things To Do In Louisville, Kentucky With Kids
Our list of favourite things to do in Louisville have nothing to do with Kentucky Fried Chicken… well, except the last one. There’s so much to do in the home of fried chicken and Muhammad Ali, from river cruises to zip lining to shadow boxing. Young and the young at heart will be sure to have a ball in Kentucky’s capital.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
What Country Matches Your Personality?
With 65+ countries under my belt I’ve often been asked what my favourite country is and we’ve long established we don’t have one. We have favourite experiences. But if somebody asked me where they should go on vacation, I’d assess their personality and their preferences, rather than choose my favourites.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Wednesday, 21 October 2015
"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now." - Martin Luther King, Jr. _ Boats on Talbot Lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta. _ Spotted this exquisite scene driving from Jasper to Edmonton and had to pull over on the side of the road and soak it up. Loving Alberta! _ #explorealberta @travelalberta @tourismjasper #myjasper
Why Haven’t You Visited Fort Wayne?
Fort Wayne turned out to be much bigger, friendly and yummier than we could have expected. Check out our recommendations on where to eat and what to do.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
"Everything in the universe has a purpose. Indeed, the invisible intelligence that flows through everything in a purposeful fashion is also flowing through you." - Wayne Dyer _ A moment of quiet contemplation at Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park, Alberta. If you haven't been to Jasper National Park yet, hopefully I've provided a little inspiration. _ #waterfall #myjasper #explorealberta @travelalberta @tourismjasper
5 Things To Do In Juneau (In Just 6 Hours)
With only 6 hours in port in Alaska’s capital city during our 7-night cruise with Holland America, we squeezed in 5 amazing kid-friendly activities from protecting for gold to meeting an eagle… plus more!
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
5 Smart Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Next Vacation
Everyone wants to know how to save money on vacation, right? Or maybe it’s not money you are trying to save, you just want to get the best bargain. Here are 5 smart ways to get the most out of your next vacation
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Monday, 19 October 2015
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius _ Tangle Falls in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. _ These Falls were situated right on the side of the road near Athabasca Glacier. How convenient! I can see why this region of Alberta is known as one of the most scenic drives in the world. #myjasper #explorealberta @travelalberta @tourismjasper #motherofallroadtrips #waterfall
Sunday, 18 October 2015
"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life." - Muhammad Ali _ The only thing separating a 900 feet free-fall to the valley below is a few inches of glass. _ This skywalk of courage comes with a view of Athabasca Glacier and the longest unbroken mountain Ridge in North America. _ Do you dare? _ #courageous @tourismjasper @travelalberta #myjasper #explorealberta
Skagway Helicopter Tour: Meade Glacier In 31 Photos
Having visited over 65+ countries in the last 3 years I’ve seen my fair share of landscapes. But nothing has quite compared to Alaska. And Meade Glacier near Skagway is definitely a destination that needs to be seen to be believed. Enjoy these 31 inspiring photos.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Saturday, 17 October 2015
"Everybody wants to reach the peak, but there is no growth on the top of a mountain. It is in the valley that we slog through the lush grass and rich soil, learning and becoming what enables us to summit life’s next peak." - Andy Andrews _ Athabasca River in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. _ Driving along Icefields Parkway, south of Jasper, Alberta and this spectacular view was our content companion. I could watch that scenery all day. _ #motherofallroadtrips #myjasper #explorealberta @travelalberta @tourismjasper
"Impossible is nothing" - Nike _ On top of Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park. _ This frozen river is 900 feet deep and is receding fast. In the last 170 years 60% of its volume has been lost and experts believe in 70 years it will be completely gone. _ This is the first glacier experience for my kids and I'm so grateful they've had a chance to see it up close. Many of the world's great glaciers will disappear within their lifetime. _ Make the most of every opportunity. #glacier #myjasper #explorealberta @travelalberta @tourismjasper
"He who postpones the hour of living is like the rustic who waits for the river to run out before he crosses." - Horace _ Sunwapta Falls in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. _ Spent the day exploring the Columbia Icefield and surrounding area near Jasper today. One of the most beautiful drives in the world and lined with stunning rivers and waterfalls just like this one. _ #myjasper #explorealberta @travelalberta @tourismjasper #motherofallroadtrips
Thursday, 15 October 2015
Dining On Holland America Lines: The Real Story
Food quality and variety can vary between cruise lines. So how does Holland America Line compare? We tried out 6 dining options aboard the Noordam during our 7-night cruise from Vancouver to Alaska.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
The Big Question: Can You Take Kids On A Holland America Cruise?
This was a common question to the announcement of our 7-night cruise to Alaska with Holland America Line. Being our 5th cruise, we’ve got a pretty good idea of what makes a great cruise for kids. So how did Holland America rate? Find out our experience.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Tuesday, 13 October 2015
"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." - Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) _ Reflecting on these words by one of the USA's founding fathers while watching the beautiful sunset over False Creek in Vancouver. _ The Burrard Bridge pictured is an Art Deco style, steel truss bridge that was constructed in 1930-1932. The sunset, however, needed no construction and is timeless. _ #sunset_pics #quotestoliveby #Vancouver
Phase 3 #motherofallroadtrips: Pacific Northwest, USA
Follow us on phase 3 of our epic road journey which covers the Pacific Northwest, USA. This is a nature-lover’s paradise: Redwoods, Crater Lake, Olympic National Park and more. It has to be seen to be believed.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Sunday, 11 October 2015
How To Get To Victoria From Vancouver: Seaplane vs Ferry
There are several ways to reach Victoria from Vancouver, Canada. For many of us the cheapest option is the first choice. But we tried both the luxury and budget options. Which would you choose?
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Saturday, 10 October 2015
Friday, 9 October 2015
Phase 2 #motherofallroadtrips: Midwest USA
Follow us on phase 2 of our epic road journey which covers Midwest USA. It was only about 3 weeks long, but the number of things we fit in still makes my head spin. This is certainly not fly-over country.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Thursday, 8 October 2015
"Pain reaches the heart with electrical speed, but truth moves to the heart as slowly as a glacier." - Barbara Kingsolver _ Glacier Bay, Alaska. _ The speed at which these glaciers are retreating is astonishing. If you haven't been here yet, do yourself a favour and visit in 2016. They will be gone forever within your lifetime. _ #ourplanetdaily #alaska #glacierbay
World’s Freakiest Beach + 5 More Reasons To Visit Olympic National Park, Washington
This beach gave me the heebies jeebies. A spooky tree graveyard littered the shoreline. Eerie wafting clouds emanated out of the ocean, like ghosts searching for new hosts. The thick, salty air was still. Everything around me was a symbolic marriage of death and beauty. This backdrop to the world-famous Twilight novel series was scarier in real life than any book or movie.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
Phase 1 #motherofallroadtrips: Eastern Canada
Follow us on phase 1 of our epic road journey which covers Eastern Canada. If you’re thinking of road tripping Eastern Canada, this is the post you want to read.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Breaking off... _ "Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding." - Khalil Gibran _ Watching shards of a massive glacier break off and fall into the icy sea in Glacier Bay, Alaska. _ The incandescent blue showing underneath is pure glacial ice that hasn't seen the light of day in hundreds of years. #magic_shots #glacierbay #alaska
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
Monday, 5 October 2015
Whale Watching Vancouver: The Guaranteed Way To See Whales
Find out everything you need to know before going on a whale watching tour in Vancouver, Canada. Everything to make your day out meeting wild Orcas truly memorable.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
"Great things are done when men and mountains meet; This is not done by jostling in the street." - William Blake _ Secret lake nestled on top of a mountain near Skagway, Alaska. _ This is the last photo from our tour to the Meade Glacier on our 7-day Alaska cruise. Keep an eye on our travel blog travelwithbender.com for a full write up this week on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. _ #alaska #natgeotravelpic
"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." - Martin Luther King, Jr. _ Rising above a mountain and greeted with with sun breaking through the clouds, over Skagway, Alaska. _ Add this scenic helicopter trip to your bucket list. We'll have more details about it this week on our blog, travelwithbender.com 😉 _ #alaska #naturegram #landscape_captures @halcruises
Sunday, 4 October 2015
Rivers of gold. _ Flying over the alluvial plain of Katzehin River that is fed by snowmelt from nearby Meade Glacier. _ When the sun hits the glistening water, it looks alive. But when glacier ice breaks off and falls into the river, the results can be explosive. Glacier ice (also known as "whisky ice" ) is 8-times stronger than regular ice. Its sudden expansion from touching relatively warm water creates a reaction akin to a bomb. The magic of #Alaska.
Slinks Shoes Review: The Answer To My Shoe Prayers
The bane of my nomadic travel existence has been the inability to carry more shoes. Could these clever interchangeable sandals be the saviour of my travel wardrobe?
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Pure neon blue. _ This snowmelt on the Meade Glacier in Alaska was so pure, I reached down and drank from it straight off the ground. _ In the US, most water has 250-300 parts per million of impurities. This blue glacier water is only 5 parts! 60 times more pure than the bottled water in the supermarket. Incredible. _ The colour is so deep and pure and illuminated, any photograph just doesn't do it justice. _ #pure #alaska #halcruise
Saturday, 3 October 2015
Friday, 2 October 2015
Thursday, 1 October 2015
Living The Dream: Things are going to work out way better than you can even imagine
Amy quiet her job to take a nine month solo trip around the world. When it ended she didn’t want to so she set herself up as a freelance editor to continue Living The Dream.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
You Have Never Heard Of This Secret Castle In The United States
Have you ever been to an archery tournament? Neither had we until... Spokane.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
"The most dangerous thing in the world is to try to leap a chasm in two jumps." _ Walking along the Meade Glacier in Skagway, Alaska and came across many moulin... Channels carved in the ice from melting snowmelt. This chasm plunges over 100 feet into a deep blue void. _ The glacier is up to 800 feet thick, and it takes 100 feet of snowfall to create 1 foot of glacier ice. However it's melting faster than growing and this 2000-year-old glacier may be completely gone within a few decades. _ #glacier #alaska @halcruises #hollandamerica
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