There are few things in this world that truly scare me. Commitment. And, as I learned in California, mountain biking. When Jenn and I arrived in North Lake Tahoe, we immediately headed to Squaw Mountain. The cozy ski resort exuded all the village vibes of Whistler back in British Columbia. I wanted to listen to the buskers in the square, sip a beer on a sunny patio or cheer on the runners that raced down the snow-less slopes, but we had other plans.

During our ten-day trip through Ireland, my mom and I stayed in many excellent hotels. While all of the accommodation we sampled fit our needs, one stood out: The River Lee in Cork. I heard about The River Lee through a press release hyping its redesign. But what really drew me in was the apparent modern flair, which contrasts more antiquated options in Cork.

As any female backpacker knows, solo travel is both difficult and rewarding. Last summer, I travelled to India for my friend’s traditional seven-day wedding. I spent the subsequent three weeks traveling the country — by myself. Well, of course you can. Before trekking off to India, countless travel bloggers told me: “Yes!

If there’s one thing hostellers are known for, it’s being thrifty. If there’s one thing Vancouver is known for, it’s well, the opposite. Luckily, cost-effective activities and adventures abound, even in Canada’s notoriously expensive seaside city, Vancouver. From outdoor entertainment to indoor stargazing, these 19 totally free activities will bring you closer to British Columbia’s nature, culture and lifestyle than a costly tour ever could.

Tofino, British Columbia, is a small community on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Foreigners roll in to work for the summer season; photographers drive the winding roads in search of storms; surfers sleep in their converted vans next to the gnarly waves. Despite an onslaught of tourism, Tofino has managed to preserve its laid-back, natural island vibes.

Cuba has long been adored by Canadian travellers as a sun destination with perfect white-sand beaches, lime and blueberry coloured water, warm hospitality and really good rum. So when Hurricane Irma barreled through the island and left a pile of rubbish in its wake, many of us cringed to see such a gorgeous getaway chewed up and spit out.

Kelowna is well-known for its lush, cascading vineyards, large, sandy beaches and proximity to Big White Ski Resort. Full of plump summer fruit, colourful autumn leaves and cozy winter activities, the Okanagan practically oozes romance. While the assortment of wineries, classy eateries and hip bars are great for dates, there is an array of exciting and original activities that go beyond the regular wine tasting, traditional dinner and casual cocktails in Kelowna.

Ireland was my 37th country—ish. I’m not exactly sure how many countries I’ve been to (it depends how you count! Do you include the Vatican? Are Scotland and England separate?) , but I’ve always tried to keep the number above my age. With my 27th birthday approaching and my Master’s graduation to celebrate, my mom and I chose Ireland for the location of our next epic mother-daughter roadtrip.

On August 6th, 1945, elementary school children were pulled out of classes in Hiroshima, Japan, for military work, to clear the streets for firebreaks, in case of an attack. At 8:15a.m., the American aircraft Enola Gay dropped the world’s first atomic bomb, Little Boy. A brilliant flash of light echoed over the hypocenter, followed by a sinister mushroom cloud.

Kamloops is a city of approximately 85,000 locals who are so welcoming it has been called “The friendliest in B.C.”. However, the people aren’t the only warm thing in Kamloops—this region is treated to over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, making it an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts. Kamloops is where the North and South Thompson Rivers meet.

The atmosphere in the Rex is electric. A mosaic of light bounces off the surrounding walls. Trance music and percussion mix with the yoga teacher’s voice. She reminds us to breathe and listen to our bodies. A mix of men and women take a forward fold, flow through vinyasa and settle into downward dog.

Travel north of Vancouver for about two hours along the epic Sea to Sky Highway and you’ll hit Whistler. Famous for its ski slopes that hosted the 2010 Olympics and its summer mountain biking scene, Whistler has more to offer than you could ever imagine. Forested illumination walks, fine dining, overnight hikes featuring sapphire-blue lakes and a jungle gym on the side of the mountain captivated my adventurous curiosity.