The Adventures of Atticus

1. We love checking-in at the under-stated Shangri-La. Location is well-situated to explore the city and the views from the higher floors are 👌🏻

2. Take your morning coffee (or tea) at Jean-George's Market with a side of Dim Sum

3. Vandusen Botanical Gardens are the perfect place to enjoy a pleasant morning outside. Tour the gardens (see if you can spot the blue public piano - part of a city-wide art project) and then stop by Shaughnessy Restaurant for lunch - or happy hour if the day gets away on you. Try the Granville Island Lager and some small plates.

4. Head to Gastown for more great brews. Brunch at Birds & the Beets is quirky and fun - we adore the blueberry jam on ricotta toast with a latte.

5. You could also pop across the street to L’Abattoire for a memorable meal - once Vancouver's first jail, they're team is now slinging Pacific Northwest fare, craft cocktails & a great local wine list for 3 meals a day.

6. Maybe you're in the mood for Mexican - we wouldn't blame you if you were. But we would send you here, to Tacofino 🌮 - easy Mexican fare for the whole fam. If weather allows - sit on the patio and order a Bomber Parkside Passion Fruit Ale or a Tofino IPA (for mom & dad) and one of every taco on the menu!

7. For a memorable brunch, head to Yaletown. Medina Cafe is a crowd favorite - literally - with line-ups down the block. Arrive early and follow their motto "Life is too short for bad coffee". But also try their waffles!!

8. If the line is too long, just down the street is Small Victory Bread & Coffee, my #1 choice for a good cappuccino and croissandwiches that the kids will gobble up! 

10. For lunch or dinner we love Homer St Cafe & Bar for elevated comfort food. With an ever changing seasonal menu & a daily draft choice. Ask your server for the Fresh Sheet of "Rare Finds" for unique & interesting wine, beer & cocktail features. We also loved the Wishbone Lager by the local Coal Harbour Brewing Co.

My friends at Aeroplan asked me to share a memorable travel experience, so I dug deep through my archives. I have been a loyal member and mile collector since my teens when my family moved to the UK. My travels have punctuated the best moments in my life, I don’t like to play favourites as they each hold an intimate place in my heart. My very first solo backpacking trip to Europe was booked with the miles I painstakingly built up throughout high school and university. After Adam and I met and fell in love we would agonize over our travel plans - saving our miles to do one special trip each year. We crisscrossed the globe together - thanks to Aeroplan!

The Great Ocean Road, Australia

Buenos Aires, Argentina

When we started our little family, this very blog was born after embarking on a traveling paternity leave (something I urge any parent to try!). We managed to book the entire first leg of our South American adventures using our Aeroplan miles!

San Miguel de Allende, first stop on our traveling paternity leave in 2011

Mexico City with baby Atticus

And now it’s the dawn of an all new Aeroplan, more than just a loyalty card, a partner in adventure - helping members reach their travel plans faster. With the internal changes, we are most looking forward to the freedom to book any seat on our favourite airlines - yes!!  This means more options - and let’s be honest, everyone loves options!

A few other exciting things to come from the all new Aeroplan:

An intuitive booking engine that will provide access to extra revamped travel products and a better selection of accommodations, activities and inspiring content directly via the site and app.

Unmatched flexibility and convenience - this means I can be more spontaneous with our travels and booking - just the way I like it!

A more personalized journey - tailored to my interests and habits. Making our quarterly visit to grandma’s place in Massachusetts a more proactive booking experience.

And finally, a completely transformed user experience - a slick mobile site means I can seek inspiration or book on the go. 

Aeroplan has always been known for connecting people with what matters most - and for us, that is chasing adventures together as a family.

Good things are coming, personally, we are already scheming our next big trip this December to Columbia - you better believe we’ll be cashing in our miles!

CHECKING-IN AT THE HAZLETON HOTEL, TORONTO

My grandfather used to have this theory that the further away a restaurant was from your present location, the better it would be. Growing up we used to traipse all over Cape Cod in search of the best lobster and chowder that side of Massachusetts. Recently, it occurred to me that this theory had been so ingrained in me, I had also applied it to other areas of my life. Travel being one. The further afield or more far flung the location, the more desirous I was of visiting. I have always suffered from a severe case of wanderlust.

While Grandpa Paul’s theory was sound, it turns out it may have been short-sighted. Because sometimes the best restaurants are a walk from your front door, and the best holidays are a five minute drive from your home.

Case in point, a recent staycation at the elegant Hazleton Hotel was the perfect backdrop for a celebration of Spring (and Easter to boot!). The rooms are large and comfortable - my favourite feature is the floor to ceiling green marble spa bathrooms. We got two adjoining rooms which was a treat as it felt like we had lots of space to spread out. The boys enjoyed the swimming pool, and the epic Sunday brunch. But above all, we all benefited from the incredible service. The behind-the-scenes-magic. You see, the service here is supreme. Small, humble gestures, thoughtful details. A welcome craft perfectly age-appropriate for the boys, a room upgrade, Easter baskets and stuffed bunnies in anticipation of the big guys arrival the following day. The mark of a good hotelier (IMHO) is their ability to  make you feel so well taken care of that you loath to leave! Coddled, cocooned and always like the best version of yourself. Well we were certainly reluctant to check-out after our amazing stay, living our best life of luxury for 24 hours! But we soldiered on, now we dream of future stays….

I urge you to plan a local adventure or staycation when you’re itching for a big trip. This was just the ticket for our little troop! 

Thanks to a hot tip from our friends at Kiwi Collection, the world’s largest curated collection of luxury hotels, we spent an amazing stay at the cool, contemporary Live Aqua Mexico City. Located in a mui bonita neighbourhood on the edge of the city (Bosques de las Lomas), this property lives up to it’s name as an “Urban Resort” offering amazing on-site dining (we were particularly thrilled to find Nobu, one of only two in all of Mexico!) and a feeling of tranquility in a massive city known to be anything but. The rooms are large and airy with cloud-like beds covered in luxurious linens. The boys were particularly delighted with the pillow menu (and of course the pillow-fight that ensued).

An easy uber ride to downtown and the Condesa and Roma neighbourhoods where we spend most of our time in CDMX. But be sure to take advantage of the close proximity (10 minute drive) to Kidzania in Santa Fe - part amusement park (minus the rides), part miniature city run by children - your children that is - among others. Kids can role play a multitude of real-life jobs from pilot to chef to firefighter and so many more. To put it quite simply, it is my boy’s idea of heaven on earth. You can easily spend an ENTIRE day here - and we usually do!!

I can tell you that those cloud-like beds sure are welcoming after a long shift at Kidzania. Hot tip: Room service followed by a soak in the huge tub then off to bed for the whole family!

 Almost two years ago I went for a coffee and a workout with my girlfriend Kalynn Crump. She described to me in detail an idea she had to start a charity that applied the uber model to event florals. According to her, the charity would swoop in (pre arranged of course) after a large corporate event or wedding and save and re-purpose the beautiful florals that would have otherwise gone to waste - literally! Her idea was that the charity would re-use and re-appropriate the flowers to give them new life, gifting them to people who might not receive such gifts under normal circumstances. Fast forward to current day. So pleased to feature Kalynn as a woman of Daring Pursuits. I am forever inspired by Kalynn and others like her who plant the seed of an idea and painstakingly water it daily in order to watch it grow into a successful endeavor like ReBloom. 

Here are some photos from a recent afternoon we spent with Kalynn and the ReBloom team. Making some sweet bouquets that we delivered the following day to an old age home in our community.  

It is truly a four seasons destination - and as cliche as it sounds, it’s true - there is something for everyone.

We love the elegant and comfortable cottages at the Lake Placid Lodge for a splurge. A Relais & Chateau property, it has a refinement and elegance synonymous with the region. The grand dining room is elegant while still managing to remain intimate. Breakfast here was a crowd pleaser! We also enjoyed roaming the property, relaxing in the lean-to with a view of Lake Placid, boating, fishing and relaxing by the fireplace in our adorable cottage.

This would be a great place to gather with extended family, or for a weekend getaway to recharge and reconnect with nature. The property is conveniently situated so you can easily pop into the town of Lake Placid for a meal or stroll. The region has so many fun things to do as a family - be sure to check out our Adirondacks guide once live later next month.

Day tripping is a perfect way to capture that anticipation of travel. It feeds our sense of wanderlust without a big time commitment. Here are some of the things I’m planning (or dreaming of) for the upcoming month. Adventuring in our Cadillac XT5:

Mini Roadtrips:

The McMichael Gallery - A public fine art gallery that focuses on Canadian art and the Indigenous art of Canada (both historical and contemporary)

A Soak in the Scandinave Spa Pools 

A visit to the adorable Coffee Public in Port Hope

The New Farm in Creemore

See a Christmas Carol at the Shaw Festival

A visit to the County to check out Parlour Studio

The Marine Museum & some ship watching in Port Colborne

The James Street North monthly art Crawl in Hamilton

Pick a pesticide-free Christmas tree at Laura’s Christmas Trees farm

Lunch or an overnight at the historic Walper Hotel in Kitchener/Waterloo

And some local Toronto city safaris: - The Distillery Christmas Market - Evergreen Brickworks for the Evergreen Winter Village🌲 - Allan Gardens - for a tropical escape without leaving the city - Kensington Market - we love to visit for their pedestrian Sundays and to pick up ingredients for a Sunday roast - St Lawrence Market is always fun on a bustling Saturday with all the sites, sounds and smells! The comfort and safety of the Cadillac XT5 make it the perfect family mobile - but what really set it apart for us was the design and technology innovation. This vehicle truly has an eye for the future. We love the WiFi hotpot for use on road trips to keep the boys occupied with a (rare for them) movie on the iPad. And the Bose Studio Surround Sound means we can rock out to all of our music and feel like we’re actually at the concert. The boys have been loving our road trip singalongs!

If you happen to be in the market for a new ride, I would love to connect you with Cadillac Canada so they can set you up with a white-glove driving experience for a weekend. I know you will love this car as much as we do! #partner

It’s a bit like having your cake and eating it too. Becoming a member of Exclusive Resorts carries with it many incredible benefits - as they say, membership does indeed have it’s privileges. In this case, it is access to their well curated collection of 400 plus villas, homes and residences around the globe. Truly, it’s enough to make you want to give it all up for a life on the road. Since this isn’t realistic for all of us, the club offers the perfect way to sprinkle travel into your life year after year, place to place, country to country.

With so many incredible destination options, I’ve done the hard work for you by rounding up my favourite locations and villas to visit for any winter vacations you might be currently planning or on the horizon. Here are my top selections from the Exclusive portfolio. Thank me later!

M A R R A K E C H || Morocco 

Mighty Marrakech is a perfect place to visit in February or March. With it’s temperate climate, visitors will be beyond pleased with the hot and sunny days, unlimited adventures and activities abound. The Dar Lain Villa will entice you with it’s peachy pastel perfection. Lounge by the palm covered pool or wander into the souks to meet a mystical medicine man or to shop for rugs and souvenirs. Post up at your villa where your chef will prepare intoxicating tagines. Bring the whole family, this is a sprawling 4 bedroom home.

B I N T A N || Indonesia

Bintan, Indonesia - skip the crowds in Bali & Lombok in favour of this easily accessible (yet remote) paradise. Sound too good to be true? Bintan is an island in the Riau archipelago of Indonesia. Only a short catamaran ride from Singapore 🇸🇬 but a world away from life back home. Visit for the pristine mangrove forests, the historical heritage sites and temples, secluded beaches and tropical rainforests. The Sanctuary Pool Villa is ideal for a small family or multi-generational trip with two couples and a baby [ 2 bedrooms | 2 bath ]

P U G L I A || Italy

The winter can be a great time to escape the maddening crowds of this region more typically frequented in the summer, while offering the laid-back benefits of a quiet off-season seashore town. The fish is fresher, the food better and there are no line-ups to see the historical sights, dine at the best restaurants or visit the local art museums. Check-in to Casa Vento and be sure to invite a few other families along - you’ll have 6 bedrooms after all - one with bunkbeds for all the kiddos! With 500 miles of lovely coastline and a mild Mediterranean climate, Puglia still maintains an old-world charm. 

J A C K S O N  H O L E || Wyoming 

This spectacular setting, located just 90 minutes from Yellowstone’s grandeur, is bound to ignite your inner adventurer. With alpine living at it’s best, you can hit the slopes, visit the sulphurous hot springs, hike through Yellowstone Park or simply hole up, drink hot cocoa and watch movies in the expansive great room. The Teton Village residence can accommodate a crowd - [ 4 bedrooms | 4.5 bath ] with an adorable double bunk house for the kiddos.

M A U I || Hawaii

Chase waterfalls, surf epic waves, eat Poke from food trucks parked on the side of the road, explore small hippie towns or drive the jaw-droppingly scenic road to Hana. All from your beautiful base at the Kapalua Bay Residences. From the comfort of your lanai, you can watch for humpback whales in Kapalua Bay. The gourmet cooks amongst you will enjoy preparing meals in the chef-grade kitchen. After a siesta, simply wander down to the beach which is part of a stunning reef. Grab a snorkel and mask, you won't believe the colourful creatures right beneath the sea!!

We checked into a Kid & Coe property that was beyond our greatest expectations. Every aesthetic detail was considered. We made many a meal in the small but well-stocked chef’s kitchen, ate alfresco daily, lounged by the pool, visited beaches galore and ate more clams in butter and garlic than I thought was humanly possible. I’m absolutely not complaining! The Sangria was divine, the weather was perfect for frolicking in the sand and the vibe was one of humble elegance. 

The Villa was complete with all the comforts of home (if home is a sprawling thatched roof compound boasting 4 bedrooms, an inviting infinity pool, outdoor dining for 15, the softest linens and more). But the best part was it’s proximity to so many incredible different beaches. We enjoyed exploring the various beach clubs, local restaurants and boutiques. If the boys were slightly older we would have partaken in the surf lessons - maybe next year!!

The well-maintained country roads are a joy to drive and we enjoyed making daily pilgrimages to discover various restaurants serving the freshest fish & arroz dishes in each of the surrounding towns.

The beaches are a little bit wild and a whole lotta gorgeous. We can’t wait to return to this little piece of paradise.

Lazy days should be spent biking to the beach, sampling ice cream from the local dairies (Goose Rocks has heaping scoops of inventive flavours), eating Lobster rolls and lemonade at one of the many competing shacks (The Clam Shack is known by locals as the best), leaving time for sitting on a cottage porch enjoying a book or roasting marshmallows around a campfire before retiring to bed. For a truly relaxing retreat, we loved checking-in to the charming and discreet Hidden Pond, a collection of cute cottages, a 10 minute bike ride to the beach. Their in-house restaurant, Earth, is a must for anyone visiting Kennebunk (a destination in and of itself) offering a delectable menu of wood-fired favourites - try their handmade pastas and fried chicken.

Some photos of a recent visit below.

The region rose to popularity thanks to William H. H. Murray's publication 'Camp-Life in the Adirondacks' in 1869 which unleashed a flood of tourists to the area, it is also the namesake for the Adirondack Chair (later adapted by Canadians as a Muskoka Chair). The region is home to the largest concentration of Great Camps built in the craftsman style during the later half of the 19th century. These lodges, compounds and home-away-from-home cabins used local timber & rustic materials with no shortage of creature comforts (think movie theatres, massive porches and sometimes even bowling alley's). And were built as country retreats for some of the most prominent families throughout the American Industrial revolution. Skiing, skating, sledding, or après-ing are de-rigour in the winter months while swimming, paddling, hiking or hanging in nature are on the summer itinerary - this is one of our families favourite escapes!

When visiting the Adirondacks, your Lodging is of great importance (for reasons of comfort and convenience) - on a recent visit we checked-into the Whiteface Lodge, a majestic Great-Camp inspired luxury wilderness retreat that has the civilized comforts covered! Built in a rustic-style with all the splendour you might expect from a property of this caliber - plus lots of extras! Your kids will love the indoor cinema with daily screenings, fresh popcorn and games rooms (so very-gilded-age), Camp Kanu (for children three and above), the skating rink in winter and the 4 seasons heated pool - after-hours marshmallow roasting included! If you plan your visit during the summer months, we would definitely suggest you spend some time on peaceful Lake Placid where the Lodge maintains a private Canoe Club, offering non-motorized watercraft to all their guests in addition to elegant waterside dining. Tennis and biking are a respectable way to pass a sunny afternoon - then be sure to cool off with a scoop at the on-site Ice Cream Parlour. A little photo diary above and below of our time in the mountains.

It is always our go-to destination for fun, quirky or unique gifts and home items. It also happens to be my choice destination for shopping basics for myself and my boys (yes all three of them - littles and big). Their in-house labels are always the perfect cut, colour & style.

On a cold day in March, the lovely Louisa Nicolaou came by for a quick breakfast to capture our crew showing some Drake Love. Here are a few shots from that morning. And thanks to everyone who joined us for the in-store event later that month.

Now a Relais & Chateaux property, it is the perfect escape for a family - large of small!

Activities galore - if fly fishing, hiking, spa’ing, skating, skeet shooting & chilling are your thing. In the summer you can swim, paddle, play tennis - the list goes on. The food is french cuisine at it’s finest - very rich and decadent, but we always try to work it off with some of the above action.

The service is truly what sets Glendorn apart - from the personalized welcome upon arrival, in-room housemade chocolate chip cookies in a (seemingly) bottomless cookie jar, the charming and knowleadgeable Lodge activity director helping to customize your daily itinerary, these elements are just the tip of the iceberg.

Below are some photos from our recent escape - befittingly over the Family Day long weekend.

well in our case we headed for a luxury lodge in Pennsylvania - the foothills of the Appalachian mountains - to be precise. The Lodge at Glendon is nestled into the Allegheny forest, now a Relais & Chateaux, at one time the great camp of the Dorn family, oil tycoons from Pittsburgh who struck it rich creating an eco fracking process (is that a thing??) using water instead of chemicals.

Today this beautiful Inn welcomes guests who appreciate the small touches, the incredible history of the region and property, the elegant surroundings, services, meals, cocktails, refined sports and relaxation.

Part of the fun for us was getting there. Bradford, Pennsylvania is a 3.5 hour drive from Toronto (if no border traffic or potty-training children). In our case it took 5 hours but only because we stopped for lunch in Ellicotville and pulled over for many emergency bathroom breaks.

A smooth drive on a sunny day with warmer-than-average temps had us speeding along the highway with the moonroof open, sunlight streaming in and the Bose surround sound classic rock keeping spirits high. 

We were treated to live Reggae tunes by the incredible Syd Perry and while the little ones danced and terrorized the shop, adults stole a few moments of time to enjoy steaming mugs of Sorry Coffee Co. java and pastries. The perfect way to kick off a Fall weekend in the city.

a group of women - friends (old & new) and fellow entrepreneurs for a little bruncheon (i just made that up). Hosted by the imitable Alison of The MonarchMag and Saeco, the afternoon was carefully crafted to allow these mamas some pause in our day to actually enjoy our coffee as it is meant to be served - hot! We sipped foamy cappuccinos and chatted about the everyday juggle of motherhood, relationships, business, friendships - at. But we also talked about people and things that inspire us, ideas, shared insights and passions, our business visions, places we’ve been and places we hope to visit one day. Here  are a few photos from the event.

We even had the opportunity to practice meditation lead by Christine Russell, fellow mama, entrepreneur and co-founder of 889 Yonge.

I’ve been trying to incorporate one particular meditation into my daily life and I’m happy to report a positive shift in my perspective and temperament  - I think all the guests in attendance will agree. Repeat to yourself this beatiful mantra next time all goes to shit:

Peace. Begins. With . Me (while simultaneously tapping your thumb to each of your fingers).

I am also trying to take time out of each morning to sit down and enjoy a warm coffee - just because!

Here are some photos from our gorgeous morning.

We could never have imagined how welcoming Nicaragüenses (and their country) are to families. Almost all the restaurants we dined at in Granada had an inviting kids corner. There were many fellow families, both local and foreign and our boys made fast friends multiple times a day. We would exchange knowing glances with their parents, as if to acknowledge a mutual respect for discovering the beauty and bounty of Nicaragua for families, but also in solidarity for how tired we all felt after attempting to keep up with our children in the heat!

While in Granada, be sure to check-in to Los Patios, a true boutique hotel, this design-conscious gem provides guests with the perfect oasis from the colourful, hot and dusty streets. The plunge pool is just the right temperature to refresh, the rooms are spacious and comfortably minimalist and the multiple hammocks, lounge chairs, couches welcome the weary traveler to repose. Family-friendly surroundings meant we met several other parents with young children during our stay. Be sure to request the large quarters looking onto the pool from above with a gorgeous little patio and massive bathroom (cots available).

Be sure to add Ometepe to the itinerary, a beautiful island surrounded by a fresh water lake and home to not one but two volcanoes. A UNESCO world heritage site, with beautiful beaches, archeological treasures, ancient myths and legends, hidden waterfalls and an enigmatic lagoon.

Spend a refreshing afternoon splashing and swimming in the crater of the Apoyo Volcano. We made black sand body masks, ate fresh seafood and beat the intense heat by floating in her turquoise waters. At 200 meters deep this Laguna is the lowest point in Central America.

Also just a short drive from Granada is the Masaya Artisan Market. Full of colourful crafts and every manner of jewelry, hand-made straw things, textiles, woven goods, wooden toys and hammocks - truly something for every family member, little and big! The perfect place to do all your souvenir shopping - visit in the morning if possible, before the heat of the day.

Another easy field trip from Granada are the Isletas. Located just outside the city centre in lake Nicaragua, 365 islands dot the shore. A Nicaraguan cottage country, many of the wealthy locals and international guests keep their weekend and holiday hideaways here. The formation of islands is a result of a massive Volcano Masaya eruption 1000's of years ago. Fascinating for parents and kids alike, and a relaxing way to spend a morning on the water. Charter a shaded boat around the lake (request an English guide) and stop for lunch at one of the island cafes. Don't miss monkey island so your kids can say hello and feed the little rascals.

After a few days as tourists we were ready for some laid back beach time. Only a couple hours by car to San Juan del Sur, but a world away from home. This hot and humid hippie beach town is youthful and fun with a thriving nightlife and lots of hipster restaurants, boutiques and bars. We opted to spend our first four nights in a more remote location about 25 mins outside of town. Tucked in the hills above a trifecta of epic beaches is Hulakai. Part surf retreat, part boutique backpackers lodge, part contemporary b&b, hard to characterize but easy to enjoy...read more about it in another post here.