Nova Travels

10/09/2023

It’s always so damn good being back in Whistler! We finally got to do the Cheakamus Lake hike, the access road was closed for years. It’s a real beauty. Either 8km or 16km, depending on how far you go. My old legs were burning after 16km. I’m out of hiking shape!

16/06/2023

South African road-trip: stop #1… We loved our little tree house lodge so much! It’s inside , only 90-minutes from Joberg.

We loved seeing animals from our deck and heard jackals and other creatures at night.

We also enjoyed our private boma (firepit) with fires every evening 🔥

06/01/2023

What a week in San Francisco! We rang in the new year in SF and spent the week with some of our best buds.

Highlights include speakeasy where we rang in the new year. You have to barter for entry with goods 💰

Loved wandering the coastal trail through seacliff towards the golden gate on a sunny New Year’s Day

for brunch in SF was next level

Visited the , which is the 5th busiest US museum and has a great collection

Wine tasted in at &

Mark visited a fave beer bar of his , which is fairly infamous

And lots of quality time with .fairhurst 🏡

Love SF, miss you already

20/12/2022

Amazing 2 weeks in our old home in Whistler. Snowboarding, hikes, eats, drinks and friends 🏂❄️🥂🦞⛄️

09/08/2022

Finally made it to the Aussie mountains! We got lucky with decent weather (no rain) & some blue skies.

I can’t believe how expensive it is to snowboard here, at $200 for a day pass and $500 for a basic motel in Jindabyne. Outrageous!

Still felt great to hit the slopes in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time in over a decade 🤘🏻

22/06/2022

Nusa Lembongan is something special. It’s a tiny island off Bali, grouped with Penida and Cenigan.

It’s the island paradise I’ve been looking.

*Ocean views & beach bars for days

*Incredible food and cocktails

*Day trip to Penida Island - hiking to KlingKling beach (T-Rex hike)

*Snorkeling with manta rays

*Swimming in crystal clear waters

For $50 USD you can get a great little beach hut and for $80USD a night you can get something really nice! The 5 star hotels are only $200USD a night

Cocktails & meals range between $5 & $8USD

Can’t wait to go back!

17/05/2022

What a week it’s been! We drove 9-hrs from Sydney to Melbourne to pick up our cats who finally arrived from Canada.

I am PUMPED to be reunited with Miso & Ginger, who are doing great after their long flight & 10-day quarantine.

We took the time to visit with friends in Melbourne, went to an AFL game, some breweries, and spent a day in the Yarra Valley - wine tasting.

We also visited Torquay, aka Bells Beach made infamous by Point Break. It’s also the gateway to the Great Ocean Road…

What a trip!

22/11/2021

Cape May all day. I fell in love with America’s oldest seaside town when I visited last October. ⁠
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Check out Cape May, NJ, for:⁠
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*Wineries ⁠
*Bars & restaurants ⁠
*Incredible architecture ⁠
*Retro beachside charm ⁠
*Gorgeous sunsets ⁠
*Beaches & coastline ⁠
*Birds & wetlands

14/11/2021

Let’s talk about animal tourism & sanctuaries. I understand the allure better than anyone to get up close to a tiger or elephant.⁠
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What many people don’t know is that if you’re able to pay money to take photos with an animal; it’s not a sanctuary, it’s a business.⁠
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The most upsetting are the walk with lions experiences. Cubs are stolen from the wild, raised in captivity for photos with tourists and then sold to canned hunting operations when they’re older, to be shot by humans in captivity. It’s BIG money and therefore big business. If you want more info, Blood Lions is an incredible documentary. ⁠
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It’s not a fun topic but it’s important, as there are still many people who don’t know about the dark side of animal tourism. ⁠
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I encourage everyone to do your research & seek out ethical operators. You can always contact me to check for you!

08/11/2021

It’s a new dawn & Aussies (in NSW & VIC) can finally travel….. so where are we allowed to go?!⁠
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Here is a list of countries that allow Aussies to visit:⁠
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*Singapore ⁠
*Portugal ⁠
*Iceland ⁠
*Canada ⁠
*USA⁠
*Thailand⁠
*Italy⁠
*Spain⁠
*Germany⁠
*Argentina⁠
*Chile⁠
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Open soon ⁠
*Fiji - From December⁠
*South Korea⁠
*Indonesia

18/10/2021

NSW - Australia will open for international travel November 1! The Aussie borders have been closed since March 2020 and Aussies have been waiting a long time to be able to travel, especially those wanting to visit family abroad. ⁠
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The details (for fully vaccinated only):⁠
*No quarantine required ⁠
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*Only Aussies & immediate family members can enter ⁠
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*The PM said to expect Aus to open for tourists in December/January ⁠
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*The other states remain closed for now ⁠
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*Sydney folk will likely be able to travel to Canada before they can go to Queensland!⁠
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Exciting times as Australia opens up!⁠
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10/10/2021

Sydney & NSW emerge from lockdown today… We are absolutely stoked!!!! ⁠
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I can’t wait to go out for dinner, see friends, enjoy live music, and TRAVEL!⁠
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Aussie friends…. What are you excited to do? And where are you going to visit first?⁠
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Took this shot in Tassie, which is top of my list to revisit. ⁠
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👉🏻

09/09/2021

Canada’s borders reopened this week to vaccinated travelers! Who’s excited to visit?!⁠
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This shot was taken on my favourite hike just outside Whistler - to Wedgemount Glacier Lake. I highly recommend it as a long day hike or an overnight stay⁠
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Oh Canada 🍁 I miss you ⁠
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👉🏻 ⁠
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24/04/2021

Since I’m leaving Canada I thought I would share some of my all time favourite trips from my last 15-years here.⠀
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1. Road-tripping the powder highway with my girls to snowboard BC!⠀
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2. Heading up North to the Yukon to witness Northern lights ⠀
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3. Biking & eating my way around Montreal & Quebec City for the most bizarrely European/Canadian experience ⠀
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4. Surf & hiking trips to Tofino & Ucluelet to visit Vancouver Islands rugged coast ⠀
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5. Grizzly bear sighting in Jasper AB⠀
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6. Hiking & kayaking Emerald Lake & Lake Louise in summer & snowshoeing in winter! ⠀
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7. Visiting the coastal rainforests & bear country of Bella Coola, BC⠀
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I should mention that Vancouver is the city that stole my heart & Whistler is the mountain town that I cheated on Vancouver with. These were the 2 best homes I could hope for.

14/04/2021

Finished my latest article on South Okanagan wine country in BC, Canada. Osoyoos & Oliver have over 44 wineries nestled between these 2 towns, overlooking lakes. ⠀
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Save this post for my favourite wineries:⠀
*NK’MIP - BC’s indigenous winery⠀
*Jackson Triggs - try the entourage bubbles⠀
*Hester Creek - has an incredible restaurant
*Oliver Twist - for a varga themed winery
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Here’s the article:

https://www.novatravels.org/the-perfect-wine-weekend-in-osoyoos-bc/

14/03/2021

Nita Lake Lodge has one of my favourite Happy hours in Whistler. It’s on daily from 2-5pm in Cure lounge, overlooking Nita Lake. I love sitting outside by the fire. ⠀
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Menu highlights include Miso Tofu & Shortrib Poutine for $6 each. They have wine, beer & cocktail specials too.

For more options, check out my article on Whistler’s Best Happy Hours:

https://www.novatravels.org/whistlers-best-happy-hours/

13/03/2021

Aussie friends! The government will be offering half price flights starting April 1st to boost tourism!

https://7news.com.au/travel/australians-to-receive-800000-half-price-airfares-in-bid-to-boost-ailing-tourism-sector-c-2328394

Half-price return tickets to more than a dozen destinations will be offered under a government-subsidised scheme to save the travel industry. Here’s where you’ll be able to travel.

11/03/2021

I love being outside more than anything! When we arrive in Sydney we have to do a 2-week mandated hotel quarantine. It’s going to be a struggle 😭

Straight off the plane, we get placed into a hotel that’s picked for us. We can’t leave the room at all. It costs $4000 AUD for the 2 of us, including food.

Any tips on what I should bring for my hotel prison sentence? 🤣

📸 Emerald Lake, BC

05/03/2021

Check out my latest article, on one of BCs coolest ski towns! I lived in Fernie 10-years ago & was lucky enough to visit this past year. It’s an incredible ski hill. Check out my complete guide

https://www.novatravels.org/the-ultimate-fernie-ski-trip/

A Complete Winter Guide to Fernie BC Fernie Mountain Resort has long been revered as one of BCs best ski-hills. Fernie is completely encircled by the Rocky Mountains and it just happens to be a cool town choc-full of great bars and eateries. Why visit Fernie Incredible terrain with 5 bowls to explor...

04/03/2021

After 15-years in Canada I’m moving back to Australia on March 31st! I’m taking my American fiancé, Mark, and our cats with me.⠀
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I have mixed emotions as BC is my home. I have an incredible community with amazing friends & I’m going to miss the mountains so much! ⠀
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On the other hand, I’m excited to be close to my parents again & my Aussie friends. We are moving to Sydney’s northern beaches, so we will trade ski days for beach days. ⠀
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Here’s to 1 more month of snowboarding my ass off! ⠀
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This shot was taken in one of the most beautiful places in Canada - Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, BC⠀
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Follow my move across the world on Instagram

25/02/2021

What a season it’s been at Whistler. It’s our 4th year with a season pass & it’s the best investment we have made in ourselves.⠀
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Season passes are surprisingly affordable. For $1200 CAD get unlimited skiing at Whistler & every Vail owned resort around the world with an Epic Pass. This includes mountains in Australia, Europe, Japan, Canada & the US. Including some heavy hitters in the States like Vail, Breckenridge, Heavenly & Park City. ⠀
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In Canada they also have a partnership with RCR, including 7 days at Fernie, Kimberley, Nakiska & Kicking Horse.

11/02/2021

She Takes Five has just published my article on the Perfect week in Whistler! Have a read here:

https://shetakesfive.com/a-ski-trip-in-whistler-7-day-itinerary/

Plan a restorative ski trip in Whistler, Canada. Here is the perfect 7-day itinerary filled with lots of slope time, luxury, and après.