About me

Bonjour! I’m Marie…

… your friendly French-Canadian neighborhood adventurer, currently calling Kingston, Ontario, home sweet home. Armed with my trusty camera, I'm on a quest to capture the wonders of the world through nature and adventure photography.
Who needs a sidekick when you've got wanderlust and a camera? My mission? To show fellow adventurers, especially my fellow ladies, that solo travel isn't just possible – it's downright exhilarating!
So, buckle up and join me on this wild ride as I navigate the globe one solo adventure at a time. Because let's face it, waiting around for someone else's schedule is so last season.


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Destinations

Europe


Italy


Portugal






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You just got to Venice and it’s the Carnival,  what costume do you pick? 🎭
Last week, my fiancé surprised by visiting me in Italy. It was his childhood dream to visit Venice so we decided to take a last minute trip there so he could finally see it. Little did we know that we were there on the last two days of the Carnival! 🤗
And let me tell you, it was absolutely magical! People take their costumes very seriously there and they are so beautiful. I honestly wanted to rent one of my own just so I could look as amazing as they did. 
Now this is not my first time stumbling on a carnival. A few years back, when I was visiting Tokyo in late May I happened to be there during the Santa Matsuri festival. 🗼🎌
This is a weekend-long festival during which shrines are carried around through the streets near  the Sensō-ji temple. 🏯
One night, I spotted a group of heavily tattooed man dancing and carrying one of those shrines. They invited me to join them, which I did. How fun right? 
When I got back to my hotel, I googled the whole thing : turns out they were members of the Yakuza (basically the Japanese mafia). Oupss… 😬😂
Who knows what carnival or festival will I stumble on next? Rio maybe? 🇧🇷
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Follow me @msurlaroute 👈 for more travel inspiration 
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte ce trouve dans les commentaires 👇🏻
#veneziacarnevale #veniceitaly🇮🇹 #venice🇮🇹 #venezia🇮🇹 #veniceitaly #carnevaledivenezia



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This tropical paradise seemed straight out of a movie 🍿…. And it was! 🎥
Did you know that Saona Island in the Dominican Republic was used for some of the scenes in the Pirates of the Caribbean? 🏴‍☠️ 
Any film buffs here? What’s your favorite movie? 🎬
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Ce paradis tropical semble tout droit sorti d’un film 🍿…. Et il l’est!🎥
Saviez-vous que l’île de Saona en République Dominicaine a été utilisée pour certaines scènes de la série Pirates des Caraïbes ? 🏴‍☠️
Il y a des cinéphiles ici ? Quel est votre film préféré? 🎬
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Follow me @msurlaroute 👈
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#saonaisland #piratesofthecaribbean #dominicanrepublic🇩🇴 #saonabeach #republicadominicana



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📌 SAVE this resort for your next trip to the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
This is the Excellence El Carmen Resort in Punta Cana, an adult-only ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ all-inclusive resort. 
Here’s why you need to visit this resort : 
🌴 A gorgeous private beach with cute umbrellas! 
🌴 The 12 restaurants (and 16 bars) : You like French?  They got a French restaurant. Mexican? They got that too. Asian? Indian? Spanish? Italian? They got all of that. Wanna eat 🦞 every night? They also got a restaurant for that! 
🌴 Every room as a private jacuzzi! 
🌴  The 23 (YESSS 23!!!) pools!
This was my first time at an all-inclusive resort so I don’t have much to compare it too. But what I can say is that is made me want to visit more but now I have very high expectations! 
So tell me, are you more of a hang out by the pool or go for a swim at the beac person? 
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Follow me @msurlaroute 👈
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🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte ce trouve dans les commentaires 👇🏻
@excellenceelcarmen @theexcellencecollection #excellenceelcarmen #puntacanaresort #puntacana #bestresorts #dominicanrepublic🇩🇴



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Postcard from Alfama! 📮🇵🇹
Did you know that Alfama is the oldest district in Lisbon? It is by far my favorite to explore when I’m in Lisbon. I love getting lost in its maze of alleys and staircases, stop at local cafes and just enjoy this village vibe right in the heart of the city! ✨
And if you get there early enough you’ll have the whole place to yourself just like I did! 
What do you think? Have you ever imagined Lisbon could look like this? 📽️
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte est dans les commentaires 👇🏻
#alfama #alfamalisboa #lisbonportugal #lisboaportugal #lisboalovers #visitlisbon #lisbontravel #lisboalife #lisboa #discoverlisbon #portugaltravel #visitportugal #portugal_places #portugalguide #portugaltrip #portugalplaces #solotravel #solowomentravel #solowomantraveler #solotravels #solotrips #solofemaletraveler #solofemaletravel #solofemaletraveller #seetheworldwithme #alonebutnotlonely #wonderlust #europeandestinations



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5 amazing Algarve adventures you have to try! 🌅🏞️
📌 SAVE this POST if Portugal is calling your name!
Known for golden cliffs and turquoise waters, the Algarve is a must on your Portuguese journey. Here’s your to-do list:
🥾 Hike the stunning cliffside:
 * Ponta da Piedade Trail (6km) in Lagos
 * Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (12km) in Lagoa
 
🌍 Day trip to the end of the World in Sagres and Cabo Sao Vincente. The most western point of mainland Europe!
 
🏖️ Visit gorgeous beaches:
 * Praia do Camillo (Lagos)
 * Praia de Marinha (Lagoa)
 * Praia Dona Ana (Lagos)
 
🚤 Explore by boat or kayak. Best way to see the cliffs and beaches! I booked my tours with the @GetYourGuide app. 
🌇 Catch a breathtaking sunset! Top spots: Cabo Sao Vincente and Ponta da Piedade.
Dreaming of the Algarve? Which of these 5 would you try first? 
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte est dans les commentaires 👇🏻



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3 days itinerary in Libson, Portugal 🇵🇹 
📍 SAVE THIS POST & FOLLOW for more travel inspo! 
Day 1 
🌇 Morning: Wander through Alfama, Lisbon's oldest district. Get lost in narrow streets and try local pastries at Alfama Dolce. If you are there for lunch head to Alfama Cellar for the best Bacalhau (cod) stew. 
⛲️ Afternoon: Head to Bairro Alto to see the Elevator da Bica and enjoy the views and garden at Sao Pedro de Alcantara. 
🌆 Evening: Wrap up your day with a sunset picnic at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, the highest viewpoint in the city. 🧺
Day 2 
🏰 Morning: Visit Belém! The Jerónimos Monastery is definitely worth a visit, but skip the Torre de Belém, it is not worth waiting in line to get inside. Don't forget to try the famous Pastel de Nata at Pastéis de Belém! 🍰
🎨 Afternoon: Immerse yourself in art at the LX Factory, a creative hub in a former industrial complex. 🖼️
🍲 Evening: Try some Portuguese food at Time Out Market. 
Day 3 
🏰  Day trip : Escape to Sintra to see the castles. This will make you feel like you are in your very own fairy tale. 
🎶 Evening: Enjoy Fado while having dinner. There are many option in Lisbon but I recommend Parreirinha de Alfama.
👉  Have you every visited Lisbon? Did I miss something? Let me know in the comment what your favorite thing about Lisbon is! 
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte est dans les commentaires 👇🏻
#visitlisbon #lisbonportugal #lisbontravel #portugaltravel #portugalguide



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Postcard from Porto, Portugal 🇵🇹
What if I told you that I took these photos not with my fancy camera, but with my IPhone 11! 
When I travel by myself, I try to blend in as much as possible and avoid unwanted attention. Part of that is leaving my camera at home. 
Here are 4 tips to take amazing photos with your smart phone while travelling! 🧳
1️⃣ Embrace natural light: Seek out soft, natural lighting for your iPhone photos—it can make a significant difference. Early mornings or golden hours during sunset can add a magical touch to your travel shots.
2️⃣ Experiment with perspectives: Try capturing the same scene from different angles or heights. Whether it’s a low-angle shot to emphasize the foreground or a bird’s-eye view from above, experimenting with perspectives can add variety to your travel photo collection.
3️⃣ Clean you lens: Remember to clean you lens regularly. Since we use our phone for almost everything, the camera lens (front and back) quickly become dirty and there is nothing more annoying than realizing there is a smudge in your otherwise great shot.
 4️⃣ Use an editing app: This is probably the step that will take your photo from ok to Instagram worthy! I use @lightroom app to edit all of my photos. I find that the IPhone camera really goes hard on saturation so my goal is always to give the photo a more natural look by toning it down a bit and highlighting the details instead.
What are your travel photography tips? I’m curious to see if anyone else shoots with their smartphone while travelling! 🤳
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte est dans les commentaires! 👇🏻
#porto #portoportugal #visitporto #portotravel #visitportugal



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🦙🐐 5 reasons why you should visit Haute Goat farm near Port Hope… in case these cute photos weren’t enough to convince you! 
1️⃣ Have a sleep over with Alpacas! Haute Goat offers one of the most unique glamping experience in Ontario (and maybe even Canada) : you can sleep in the Alpaca enclosure (in a cozy little cabin!)! Check out the second photo to see the view when I woke up! 
2️⃣ Snuggle baby goats! Join the Shmurgle experience and you’ll get to bring the goats on a walk around the pasture and get snuggle them with the babies in their enclosure! 🥰
3️⃣ Do a pop-up Goat Yoga session! For even more goat snuggles, look for the pop-up goat yoga sessions! It’s more cuddles than yoga, but who’s going to complain about that right? 
4️⃣ Take the Alpacas on a walk! Forget walking the dog and walk an Alpaca instead. Join the Knuffle Shuffle experience to take your very own Alpaca on a stroll across the property.
5️⃣ Become a Farmer for a day! Experience the full farming experience by helping out for chores around the farm and learn what it  takes to be a farmer. And of course, you’ll get time to snuggle all the animals too! 
Which one of these experience would like to try? Let me know in the comments! 
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte est dans les commentaires! 
#invitation 
#hautgoat #porthope #porthopeontario #farmexperience #farmstaycanada #farmcabin #ontariocanada #ontarioglamping #ontarioadventures #ontariotravel #discoverontario

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