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At Grownup Travels, we believe in the kind of travel where you bring home stories, not souvenirs. We are up for adventures with rough edges but soft landings, accommodations that are unique or boutique, and the kind of cultural experiences that make your travels truly memorable. Read some of our latest articles below, scroll down to browse a destination that interests you, or visit our photo galleries that are sure to fuel your wanderlust.
Nature and the City: Best Things to do in Saint John, New Brunswick
Why is it that it’s always a country mouse and a city mouse that end up marrying each other? Or worse, travelling together! One is always looking for ways to enjoy nature and the great outdoors, while the other is listing coffee shops and street art on their must-do list. Luckily, Saint John, New Brunswick may be the perfect solution for both people, without having to compromise at all (or involve any lawyers). Not only does this port city offer a vibrant and historic downtown, great restaurants, shopping and more, it also has huge swaths of parkland, beaches and hiking trails right within its city limits, not to mention one of the rarest natural wonders in the world: ‘Reversing Falls’. Here then, are the best things to do in Saint John for both nature lovers and culture vultures.
Where to Find the Most Beautiful Villages in the Cotswolds, UK
Let’s just start off by saying that anything deemed to be ‘the most beautiful’ is clearly subjective, as we all know beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But if you are visiting the Cotswolds in England for the first time, you will definitely want to explore some of the characteristic communities that are part of what is designated as a ‘National Landscape’, (formerly described as an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”) by the government itself. Having done a fair bit of research before visiting this area, Henk and I visited places that we agreed were three of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds, plus a couple of Honourable Mentions, and one specific village that is best avoided (at least in high season).
“Placemaking” and Public Art in Saskatoon
I had never heard the term “placemaking” used to describe street art until I signed up for a downtown mural tour on a recent visit to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. My guide on the tour was Pam Staples, a graphic designer, illustrator and theatre set painter who has worked in the arts and culture development sector for many years both in Saskatoon and elsewhere around the country. Pam introduced me to the concept of placemaking while we were discovering some of the murals and creative installations in the downtown core.
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