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Bianca

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From a laid-back, budget-friendly, beach getaway with the kids, to a luxury, adults-only, tropical trip to a hidden gem frequented by celebrities, the Hawaiian islands offer options for every type of traveller. So how do you choose which Hawaiian island to visit for your next sun-seeking sojourn? In the past year, I’ve had the chance to visit four of the most frequented Hawaiian islands: Oahu, Maui, Lanai, and Kauai, and while I’ve discovered that each island has its own unique character, one thing remains consistent across them all: the unparalleled people that call each island home, exuding the aloha (love)…

My eyes are wide open, yet I can’t see a thing. I push through the panic as I hurriedly rotate the knob that’s affixed to the side of my helmet. A glow beams from my forehead, casting light just above my sight line. Below my feet, a gentle trickle of water flows along a stream that has found its way through a carved rock formation on which I stand, tiptoed. “Are you coming mom?” a voice echoes in the distance. I tilt my head down to shine light on my path, take a deep inhale, and scurry along the rigid…

On a recent visit to the small Texas town of Amarillo, I attended the World Championship Ranch Rodeo – a global gathering of the nation’s best working ranch cowboys, and as I strolled through the sea of competitors and their families, something stood out for me when it came to the children that the ranchers had in tow: none of the kids had phones in their hands. Instead of sitting in solitude, hunched over devices with their eyes glued to screens, I saw clusters of children huddled together on the floor, playing with horse figurines and toy trucks. I watched…

As I tilted my face towards the beaming sun, and crossed my fingers behind my head, I took a deep inhale and closed my eyes. I had the pool all to myself (well, almost – a few people napped quietly on the outskirts of the infinity pool, just beyond the horizon. I knew they were there, yet I felt as though this little piece of paradise was all mine). This was my last day in Los Cabos, Mexico, and all I wanted to do was soak up every last moment of sunshine, and reflect on the past few days that…

With fantastic food photos dominating your Instagram feed, it can be tempting to snap and share every dish you eat, but you’ll quickly discover that without the proper tips and tools, it can be challenging to get that great shot with nothing more than an iPhone in your hand. Restaurants are usually dimly-lit, leaving your snaps looking grainy, blurred, and off-colour. The truth is, most of those foodie photogs who have beautifully-curated feeds of their food, are usually using high-quality professional cameras, and time-consuming photo editing tools to tweak their photos before they post. As a food and travel writer,…

It seems absurd to some. We adopt them, and call them our babies. We let them sleep in our beds, and some even dress them up in sweaters or raincoats to protect them from cold weather chills. Non pet owners scoff, “they’re just dogs, they don’t compare to humans.” But the truth is, for those of us who have shared our lives with canine kids, they become just as much a part of the family as our own children. Related: 5 Things To Consider Before You Get A Family Pet My husband and I added a Dalmatian to our family…

Looking to treat your tiny traveler to a unique and unforgettable vacation? If you want to win this year’s award for best parent, book a stay at one of the world’s coolest hotel rooms for kids, located in incredible destinations such as the Dominican Republic, New York and London. From a pineapple under the sea to a room filled with witchcraft and wizardry, five hotels around the world have created special spaces to entertain and delight kids (and your inner child). 1) The Pineapple in Punta Cana The Pineapple at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana – Inspired by the…

When I hear the word “mindfulness”, I think of the scene in Eat, Pray, Love where Julia Roberts’ character attempts to meditate for the first time. She folds her legs, pinches her thumbs and forefingers together, closes her eyes, and says to herself, “Ok, simply empty your mind. You’re going to sit here for an hour of your life without moving.” Then after only a minute, she says, “Oh my god why is this so hard, kill me!” and flops over onto her face in frustration. “Mindfulness” has definitely become a buzzword – often used and frequently misunderstood. In fact,…