Travel guides for couples; romantic escapes, city breaks + worldwide adventures

Harriet Franklin: Born in Bath UK

I have really travelled all my life. My family emigrated to Canada from England when I was 6 yrs old. I suppose that’s where I got the travel bug. I am a working parent, so I am restricted on how much time I actually take off. We make the most of it including weekends away in this beautiful Country of Canada.

⁠Like most people every penny is saved to getaway and recharge.

⁠As I said, I think the travel bug has been with me all my life. I have had the chance to get away and experience some incredible places. As my relatives mainly live in England, whenever the chance allows, I try to travel back. But, at the same time look forward to exploring new destinations.

I have travelled to the following destinations:

• Washington, USA
• Huatulco, Mexico
• Cozumel, Mexico
• London, England
• West Country, England
• PEI Canada
• BC Interior, Canada
• Paris, France
• Canary Islands

Of all the places I’ve travelled, Huatulco, Mexico, is still my favourite. We stayed, (My son, my boyfriend Matt, and his family) at the all-inclusive Dreams Resort, which was a great place to relax, but what really made this trip special was everything we got to do outside the resort. We went zip-lining, rode ATVs through the jungle and my son Owen and Matt even headed out onto the ocean for a fishing trip. There was always something fun to do, and we loved having the chance to get out and explore rather than spending the entire holiday sitting by the pool.

We also really enjoyed visiting the centre of town, wandering around the shops and getting a feel for the local community. The people were incredibly friendly, and we always felt welcome wherever we went. Another big plus was how affordable everything was. We could enjoy different activities, explore the area and have a fantastic time without spending a fortune. Looking back, it wasn’t just one particular experience that made Huatulco our favourite destination. It was the combination of great people, fun adventures, beautiful surroundings and excellent value. It was simply one of those holidays where everything came together, and we’d love to go back someday.

I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every vacation and places visited over the years. I had the chance of new experiences and I feel very fortunate to have seen so much already.

• Bahamas
• Turks and cacaos
• New York
• Greece
• Scotland
• Ireland

• Wipes for washing face
• Charger for my phone with correct adapter
• Candy

Stranded in Calgary – The Christmas We Never Expected!

One of our worst travel experiences happened when we were returning home from England after visiting family. Matt and his son Ethan, my son Owen, and I were flying back to Vancouver, with a connecting flight through Calgary. It was the week before Christmas, and the weather across Canada was looking pretty grim. Unfortunately, as soon as we landed in Calgary, we heard the dreaded announcement: our flight to Vancouver had been cancelled. Little did we know that this would be the beginning of a very long and frustrating week! We were given some vouchers and a hotel room, but the accommodation was honestly one of the worst hotels we’d ever seen. Thankfully, Matt managed to arrange an upgrade, which made things a little more bearable. Over the following days, we kept checking with the airport, looking into alternative flights and trying just about anything we could think of to get ourselves home. But nothing worked. We were stuck.

Of course, we understood that nobody could control the weather, and safety had to come first. What made the situation particularly frustrating, however, was the lack of clear communication from WestJet. We never really knew when we might get home, and each passing day brought more disappointment. Then Christmas arrived. There we were, stranded in Calgary, just a two-hour flight away from Vancouver, while our families were celebrating Christmas without us. It was heartbreaking, especially for the boys, knowing we were so close to home but couldn’t get there. After a week of uncertainty, hotel stays and endless attempts to find a way out, we finally made it back. We’ve had plenty of wonderful travel experiences over the years, but this was certainly one Christmas we’ll never forget and not for the reasons we’d hoped!

Prince Edward Island, Canada. Beautiful beaches and quaint little small towns.

Our most recent trip took us to Prince Edward Island (PEI), one of the most beautiful parts of Atlantic Canada. The purposeof the trip was for my son Owen and myself to visit my mum, who recently moved there. We flew into Moncton, New Brunswick, rented a car and made our way towards PEI. One of the first highlights was crossing the famous Confederation Bridge, which stretches nearly 13 kilometres across the Northumberland Strait. It’s quite an impressive drive, and a fantastic way to arrive on the island!

We spent time exploring Charlottetown, the provincial capital, where we enjoyed the Moon Festival, wandered through local markets and shops, and, of course, couldn’t resist stopping for some delicious ice cream at the famous COWS Creamery. It’s one of those places where you can happily spend hours just walking around, taking in the atmosphere and discovering something new around every corner.

One of the things we loved most about PEI was simply driving around the island. There are so many lovely little towns, beautiful old churches, scenic coastal roads and beaches that it’s worth taking your time rather than rushing from one attraction to the next. Richard’s Point Beach and Cavendish Beach were two of our favourite stops, each offering beautiful coastal scenery and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the fresh sea air. The beaches were definitely a highlight, but it was the island’s relaxed pace and charming communities that really made the trip special.

PEI is a truly beautiful part of Canada, and we’re so glad we had the chance to experience it.