The TravelRight Dispatch

POSTCARD FROM PELICAN LAKE
​"More beer!" Speedy paddle boarders and pedal boaters bring fresh coolers of icy pops to our flotilla. And loud! Seriously, you can hear this bunch across the whole lake (and it's big). My nieces and nephews try to get together every other summer or so for a weekend reunion. This year's bash was at my niece Sandra and her husband Marc's new forever home on Pelican Lake in southwestern Manitoba. We are always very kindly invited as "honorary cousins." It's a great way to keep in touch and give their kids that extended-family feel. You can do it, too!

THE DISH
Next Door, Winnipeg​
Tempura Manitoba pickerel and thrice-cooked potatoes with a wasabi leek tartar and some fine slaw—fabulous. Next Door brew pub and patio in (kinda) West Broadway in Winnipeg is chill and cheerful, with small-batch and seasonal beers brewed next door in the Good Neighbour Brewery (get it?). The focus is everyday comfort food with a twist, all from Chef Stefan Lytwyn of Hoagie Boyz fame. Tuna nachos, pork belly fried rice, piri piri cauliflower, coconut mochi cake—good luck not rolling out afterward.

EXCERPT
Live the Yacht Life Without Befriending a Billionaire
​If your time on the water requires pampering, we have the boat for you—the Emerald Sakara from privately owned Scenic Group. This story originally appeared at Zoomer Mapped.

My first glass of Champagne goes down a treat. Chloe, the voyage leader— all gorgeous smiles and English accent—pours us another while we wait in the silver-clad reception area for our suite to be ready. From that moment on, my week aboard the Emerald Sakara—the new motorized superyacht from Emerald Cruises—delivers the opulent vibe of a small, private yacht but with all the amenities of a larger cruise.

THIS MONTH'S PODCAST
​Episode #38 of The TravelRight.Today Podcast outlines things to double-check before you hit "Book"—and there are dozens. We also examine how you can take your hobbies on tour, with new ideas for indulging your interests. Me, I just want to strap on an apron and make stuff. Teach a man to make empañadas, and you feed him for a lifetime.

INTEL
How to vacation-proof your home
​I think I left the iron on. It’s natural to worry about your home while you’re away, but making sure everything is secure before you leave will alleviate that sense of doom.

1. Start your list with the simple things: everything locked and alarms set, lights timed to go on and off at dusk and dawn, someone engaged to mind the mailbox, jewels in the safe and batteries changed on the smoke detectors. (Yup, the neighbours just loved that beeping all weekend...)

2. Turn your attention to the gadgetry: unplug electronics, dial the thermostat to energy-efficiency, and shut off the water and the gas (see above). Don’t forget the barbecue. Our house has electronic toilets, which have to be set to eco-commode. I just made that word up. Ha!

3. Action items should also include tidying up: empty the fridge, deal with the trash, and leave time to run the dishwasher and put the dishes away. It’s great to have a clean house to come home to.

4. Straighten personal affairs. Ensure your bank will auto-pay bills, get the appropriate travel insurance, and arrange for someone to take care of pets and water the plants (thanks, Mary and Kath).

5. Alert your family and friends to your travel plans, so no one worries if they don't hear from you for a while.

6. WAIT! One more: remove all the spare keys from their hiding places. You’re not fooling nobody nohow.

You're Driving Me in Spain!
​Literally! I partnered with the Spain Tourism Board in Canada (Turespaña) to produce the cool podcast Finding Spain From Canada. You can discover the wonders of Spain through the eyes of Canadian professionals who share their stories (yes, including me). Urban streets, country lanes, fancy meals, patatas bravas—it's all here. Check it out!

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