Travel

There is beauty in finding a place you’ve visited. To be able to travel is to invite curiosity. I have travelled throughout Canada, the United States and Europe.  I continue to dream about trips I will take in the future but for now, read about where my travels have taken me.

Take a Cooking Class in New Orleans – #NOLA

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Apron from the New Orleans School of Cooking @DownshiftingPRO Margarita Ibbott
Take a cooking class in New Orleans. Learn how to cook gumbo and maque choux at the New Orleans Cooking School @DownshiftingPRO
Taking a cooking class in New Orleans was the best activity.
I recommend you work it into your New Orleans itinerary

It’s very likely there is one dish or one ingredient or even one cocktail made famous in a city or state. When you are in the United States of America, you will find many regional dishes and takes on local favourites. Just thinking about the countless ways to make barbeque sauce, a lobster roll or a delectable hamburger boggles the mind. By taking a cooking class in New Orleans you learn how to make dishes like gumbo, étoufée, maque choux and so much more.

Savouring regional foods helps you to get to know a destination. The dining experience brings us together, whether it’s in a restaurant or at a cooking class, we love to eat and socialize. Having a chef walk you through a recipe while discussing the historical origins of the meal, make for a happier foodie experience. I learned this lesson the first time I took a cooking class when traveling to Spain.

Take a cooking Class when you travel New Orleans School of Cooking @DownshiftingPRO scaled

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My Words for 2020 – Strength ~ Courage ~ Wisdom

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Intricate Lineart New Year Poster
Margarita Ibbott GirlsGetaway3




Strength ~ Courage ~ Wisdom
My words for 2020

What is your word for 2020? Is it Freedom? Balance? Focus? Travel? What will be the word that will define you in 2020? The words which will guide me into the new decade will be strength, courage & wisdom. In previous years I have chosen not to create a list of New Year’s resolutions but have selected a word to help me define what I hope to see in the year to come.

Previously I have sought better FOCUS or more HAPPINESS. In 2020, I have opted to go with three interconnected words because they will help me focus on what is ultimately the right thing to do. A place that is familiar to me and I hold dear.

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16 Essential things to pack for travelling

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Essential things to pack for travelling @DownshiftingPRO

There are standard packing items and then there are essential things to pack for travelling. Whether e-reader or shot glass everyone has their own version of ‘must-haves’ for travel. What’s yours?

Ultimate Guide to the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

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Jet Ski and Parasailing tours are available in Gulf Shores Orange Beach Alabama DownshiftingPRO
Ultimate Guide to Gulf Shores Alabama
The Ultimate Guide to the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

UPDATE TO THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH: I recently returned to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and wanted to update the activities which were available on your next visit to the area.

Although a well-established family vacation spot, you can also do a lot of fun and challenging things here as a couple or a girl’s getaway. During this visit, we were able to challenge ourselves by ziplining, making fragrant body products as well as created our own jewelry. We also decided to do a bit of shopping which included purchasing bras so we could add them to the collection hanging from the rafters at Flora-Bama. Clearly, you’ll need to read more to see what that is all about!

All new updates will be in BLUE! I know these additions will be helpful in planning your visit to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Alabama.

 

Ultimate Guide to attractions in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama.

When you think of the Gulf of Mexico, you are more likely to think of a stay in Florida, Texas or Mexico but there are hidden gems that are family-friendly and waiting for you to discover.  If you want to go where the sunshine is bright and the seafood is outstanding, there is no better place than the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in Alabama.  Although the shoreline is only 32 miles long, it is some of the softest sand you have ever walked on. I kid you not, it reminds me of icing sugar (it is that fine). This area is very compact but has much to offer. Here is an ultimate guide to the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

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Do Packing Cubes Work? YES, they do!

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Do Packing Cubes Work @DownshiftingPRO
Do Packing Cubes Work @DownshiftingPRO

I am the type of person that unpacks immediately. I arrive in my hotel room and everything is either hung up or put away into drawers. I like to make myself right out home – fast. This was not a viable option on our trip to Spain and Portugal: we were moving often. No time to fully unpack. I quickly realized I needed to find a way to make this packing/unpacking routine more efficient. I cannot tell you how many different packing techniques I have tried. I have watched videos, read blog posts and asked for advice from fellow travellers. This begged the question: do packing cubes work? On this trip, I decided to give it a try.

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What’s Great about Stratford Festival’s Little Shop of Horrors

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Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors at the Stratford Festival 2019

Little Shop of Horrors

Something that occurred to me as I came home after seeing the Stratford Theatre Festival’s production of Little Shop of Horrors is that musicals transcend the qualities of most stage plays. It begs the question: What’s Great about Stratford Festival’s Little Shop of Horrors?

Okay, hear me out.

What's Great about Stratford Festival
Audrey II in the Gift Shop of the Avon Theatre

I like musicals. Musicals are a cool, fun way to tell a story through an unconventional sort of medium. Because of constant singing, there’s an emotional disconnect of sorts. So long as the characters are singing and dancing, you can tell even a grim, morbid tale with glee and joviality.

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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris at Arc de Triomphe – #Travel

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You cannot be in Paris without experiencing L’etoile. You will in the middle of the Arc de Triomphe where 12 streets converge and a huge roundabout take Parisians from one place to another. It is also a solemn place as the home of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris. We went during the busy evening traffic to find a great adventure. It’s best to get advanced tickets and take the elevator to the top. You will find more than a great view in the Arc the Triomphe as a hidden gem is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier museum. 

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