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Travel

Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort, Wellness Inclusive

Tainoti. That is the official greeting here at Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort, in the Dominican Republic. In the traditional Taino language, “tainoti” means “I greet you with love because you are family.” The history and culture of the Taino – the island’s indigenous people – is woven into the fabric of this adults-only, all-inclusive resort. For instance, each day a local expert visits the resort to share his or her passion or expertise about the local culture with interested guests. As the Editor of Travel to Wellness and the President of the Wellness Tourism Association, I visited recently to learn more about this WTA member, and to experience their new Wellness Inclusive concept. Built on five spaces of wellness: social spaces (activities), silent spaces, sensory spaces, culinary spaces and personal spaces, along with a significant respect for nature and exploring the local culture, the program launched in January of

Anne Dimon February 9, 2023

Featured

Have motorcycle, will travel

I might not have planned to go to Birmingham, but then again, I didn’t really plan not to go. I ride a large sport touring motorcycle and pull a pop-up tent trailer. It is minimalist mobile glamping. Being alone out on the road, at campgrounds and even gas stops, I meet so many people who are curious about my set-up. At this age, I realized how lucky I am. How many of us can say they spent 106 days on the road last year, and 81 nights sleeping in a tent? As long as I am healthy, I want to travel. If I coped with three and a half months on the road last summer, there is no reason why I can’t enjoy being out on the road for six months or longer. I just have to follow my nose and the weather. I’ve always considered myself a planner. Not

Jim Gow January 20, 2023

Travel

Getting Started With Kayaking Over 50

The origins of the kayak go back over 4,000 years ago and were invented by the Inuit, Yup’ik and Aleut peoples in the arctic regions of what is today Canada. They were often constructed from stitched seal and other animal skins built on either wood or whalebone skeletons. And what an incredible invention they are! Today kayaks are made from a wide range of materials and various designs for both flatwater and open water uses. Ideal for a quick paddle or multi-day trips. The longest recorded trip, according to Guinness world records for a solo journey was by Polish adventurer Marcin Gieniezcko at 3,462.9 miles. The unofficial record is by German Freya Hoffmesiter who circumnavigated Australia alone at a distance of 8,570 miles. Wow! Kayaking at any age is fun and a great way to work out the upper body, build core strength for better balance and get closer to

Alex Hurst January 18, 2023

Travel

Top 5 Canoe Adventures in Canada 2022

The brilliant mind of Pierre Burton once said, “a true Canadian knows how to have sex in a canoe.” The reality might be a bit different, but the sentiment is there! The canoe was invented by the original indigenous peoples of Canada, most often made with birch bark, wood and pitch. It is a marvel of engineering, showcasing the ingenuity of First Nations. It is so versatile that it was adopted by Western European explorers and settlers as it is able to carry its own weight in freight, can be easily portaged and serve as a shelter or windbreak. Today, the canoe is an icon of Canada and while we may not need it to discover new trade routes, it is a great way to explore and access much of Canada’s great wilderness in all our lands and provinces. Canoeing offer us a chance to leisurely explore, stopping at scenic

Simone Waters July 21, 2022

Travel

The Last Tourist: sustaining travel for a healthy planet

The Last Tourist documentary recommends ways travelers can have a positive impact as the world reopens to international travel

Alex Hurst April 8, 2022

Travel

Top 5 reasons why travelling is good for your health

Going away on a trip and getting away from your daily routine can be a great way to escape stress and anxiety, especially as travel is opening up. Whether it is getting away for the weekend or taking a week or even several months off, it is probably one of the best medicines. Even if you’re uncomfortable with taking a major international trip, you can still travel within your region or province. Here are the top five reasons why traveling is beneficial for your health: 1. It has healing properties When you travel, you get to visit sites that contain modes of healing. For example, the natural hot springs of Turkey or Costa Rica. Getting immersed in these mineral-rich waters is great for your skin, relieves pain and stress and increases longevity. 2. It boosts creativity Anyone who suffers from stress, anxiety or a mental health issue knows it may

Alex Hurst April 1, 2022

Travel

2021 Top 10 Wellness Travel Locations

When it comes to the modern-day concept of “wellness travel,” there are a whole lot of different ideas out there about what it entails. But, according to the Wellness Tourism Association the definition is quite simple. Wellness travel is any type of travel that allows the traveller to maintain, enhance or kick-start a healthy lifestyle, and support or increase one’s sense of wellbeing. So whether you are looking to maintain, enhance or kick-start a healthy lifestyle in 2021, here are 10 wellness travel options to have on your list. Travel Considerations: You’ll want to first check on where you can travel and what restrictions may be in place, especially going outside of Canada and what you might have to do on return. Double check what kind of vaccination documentation you’ll need as well. Without two doses, some countries may not let you in. Top 10 Wellness Travel Locations 2021 1.

Jessica Clerke July 5, 2021

Travel

Quebec spiritual retreats

Does your soul need a break from your busy life! Try a spiritual retreat au Québec. What if, say, you want to get away from it all and you don’t happen to have your own cottage? And what if wanting to get away from it all includes getting closer to your inner self? What if you wanted to do this in one of the oldest cultures in North America, indigenous people aside? Let’s says, Quebec? Given the deep, historical roots of doctrine-oriented religious practice in Québec, it is surprising that present-day Québec is so genuinely interested in non-traditional forms of spiritual quests through a true diversity of offerings. Or perhaps it is because of its long religious history that so many diverse and distinct spiritual centres are operating in the province, and have been for many a year. Shivanada Ashram Camp, Val-Morin The Shivananda Ashram in Val-Morin, in the Laurentian

Bruce Sach February 19, 2021

Travel

Mood Boost: Your old travel pics

With the winter blahs upon us and with the pandemic putting the kybosh on pretty much any travel this year, things can seem glum. One way to boost your mood a little bit and feel more relaxed is to look at past pictures from your travel adventures. Leading UK behavioral psychologist Jo Hemmings says: “Taking the time to look back on our treasured memories can be truly beneficial for our wellbeing as it can help to evoke feelings of positivity and happiness.” He did some research into looking at old pictures and while for some, it can evoke feelings of sadness, for most, they bring back good memories. Especially when we look at them with the person we went on holiday with or had some great adventure. Research has shown that the place in the home with the most pictures immediately triggers a happier sense of wellbeing and is often

Alex Hurst February 3, 2021