Bonjour! I'm Marie...
... your friendly French-Canadian adventurer, currently calling 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.
Let’s connect on Instagram!
Did you know Matera has been continuously inhabited for over 9,000 years? 🤯 That means people have been watching sunsets from these ancient cliffs since before Rome even existed!
📌 SAVE & SHARE this reel for your next Italian adventure! 🇮🇹✨
What makes Matera so special?
🏛️ One of the oldest cities in the world – It’s the 3rd oldest continuously inhabited settlement after Aleppo and Jericho. If you move into the Sassi di Matera, you’d be living in the same cave homes as people from the Middle Ages!
🪨 Matera is literally carved into stone! – The word Sassi means “rock” in Latin, and most of Matera’s dwellings are dug directly into limestone cliffs. That’s why the cave hotels here are some of the most unique stays in Italy!
⛪️ 155 hidden cave churches! – Matera is home to an underground world of frescoed churches and monasteries, carved into the rock centuries ago.
😳 Once abandoned, now a UNESCO site! – In the 1950s, Matera was called the “shame of Italy” due to extreme poverty. Families were forced to relocate, leaving the city in ruins.
✨ But by the 1990s, everything changed! Matera was revived and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Today, it’s one of the most breathtaking and unique places in Italy!
Visiting Matera = stepping back in time!
Between its ancient history, unreal landscapes, and magical golden-hour views, this place is unforgettable.
Would you visit Matera? Or have you already been? Drop a 🏛️ in the comments if this is on your bucket list! 👇
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
#Matera #ItalyTravel #VisitItaly #SassiDiMatera #HiddenItaly #CaveHotels #UNESCOWorldHeritage #AncientCities #TravelEurope #historicplaces
Would you stay in a cabin so remote, you have to hike to get there… Trust me it’s 100% worth it.
Looking for a secluded winter getaway near Toronto? Meet Lavender Landing, a hidden off-grid cabin in Creemore, Ontario, just 1.5 hours from the city. No cars, no crowds—just snow-covered trees, a crackling fireplace, and total privacy.
🚶♀️ Getting there is part of the adventure – You’ll hike 1km through the forest to reach this cozy retreat, but don’t worry, the owners provide snowshoes and a sled for your trek.
🔥 Cozy perks:
✔ Heated by a wood-burning fireplace (because nothing beats the sound of crackling fire in winter)
✔ Gorgeous views over the snowy forest—no neighbors, just nature
✔ Off-grid, but still has WiFi & power outlets
✔ Mini fridge, camping burner & BBQ for simple meals
✔ Heated outhouse just steps from the cabin
🌲 Endless trails & a hidden waterfall!
This isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a winter adventure. You’ll have access to scenic trails, including one leading to the largest privately owned waterfall in Ontario.
📌 SAVE this post for your next Ontario cabin getaway! Would you hike 1km in the snow for a morning like this? Let me know in the comments! 👇
📍 Lavender Landing | The Hollow Mill | Creemore, Ontario
*invited stay*
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
#OntarioCabins #WinterGetaway #CozyCabin #SnowyEscape #HikingOntario #OffGridCabin #WinterHiking #CreemoreOntario #HiddenGems #CabinInTheWoods #cabinvibes
If you don’t love winter, you’re just not going to the right places. ❄️😉
Not everyone gets winter—the cold, the snow, the shorter days. But these places? They’ll make you wish winter lasted longer. Whether it’s frozen waterfalls, cozy cabins, scenic hikes, or outdoor skating rinks, these are the best winter destinations in Ontario for a perfect snowy escape.
🌊 Indian Falls – A breathtaking frozen waterfall near Owen Sound, where ice formations change with the season.
🏡 The Hollow Mill – A secluded off-grid cabin in Creemore, where you snowshoe 1km through the forest to get there. But trust me, it’s worth it.
❄️ Jones Falls – A waterfall in Owen Sound: snow-covered bridges and frozen cascades that make winter hiking magical.
🍷 Three Dog Winery – Think snowshoeing hike in a vineyard! Because winter wine tasting > summer wine tasting.
🏖️ Sandbanks Provincial Park – A frozen beach? Yes, please.
🧊 The Grotto (Bruce Peninsula) – Turquoise ice, frozen caves, and rugged Georgian Bay beauty—without the summer crowds.
⛸️ Kingston – Skating in front of historic City Hall feels straight out of a holiday movie.
🌲 Frontenac Provincial Park – One of the best places for winter hiking & snowshoeing near Kingston, with frozen lakes and peaceful trails.
🪨 Bon Echo Provincial Park – Mazinaw Rock dusted in snow? Unreal. Winter transforms this Ontario park into a quiet, icy wonderland.
🌿 Silent Lake Provincial Park – No motorized boats, no noise—just snow-covered forests, cross-country ski trails, and pure tranquility.
🍁 Mono Cliffs Provincial Park – A classic winter hike near Toronto, with snow-covered cliffs, frozen lookouts, and towering trees.
Winter in Ontario isn’t just bearable—it’s breathtaking. You just need to know where to go.
📌 SAVE this post for your next Ontario winter getaway! Have you been to any of these? Or do you have a go-to winter spot? Drop it in the comments! 👇
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
#WinterInOntario #OntarioHiking #FrozenWaterfalls #OntarioCabins #WinterAdventures #SnowyEscape #HikingOntario #HiddenGems #DiscoverOntario #WinterMagic #ExploreCanada
Winter hiking can be magical… unless you make these mistakes. ❄️
I’ve made my fair share of winter hiking mistakes, and trust me—some made my hike way harder than it needed to be. Avoid these 5 common mistakes (and don’t miss the 3 extra ones at the end!👇).
1️⃣ Overdressing & Overheating
I was afraid of being cold, so I layered up too much. Big mistake. Once you start moving, your body warms up fast—and sweating in the cold makes you freeze later. Wear breathable layers you can easily remove.
2️⃣ Skipping the Snowshoes
The trail looked packed, so I thought I didn’t need them. Two minutes later, I was sinking knee-deep in snow. If there’s fresh or soft snow, bring snowshoes.
3️⃣ Not Checking Trail Conditions
Deep snow, ice, or even surprise closures can ruin your hike. Check trail reports before heading out and bring microspikes or snowshoes if needed.
4️⃣ Starting Too Late in the Day
Winter days are short, and the sun sets fast. Start early so you’re not racing against daylight.
5️⃣ Forgetting a Second Pair of Gloves
Wet gloves = cold, miserable hands. Whether from snow or sweat, a dry backup pair is a lifesaver.
🚨 And here are 3 mistakes most people don’t think about… but definitely should! 👇
6️⃣ Not Protecting Your Phone from the Cold
Cold weather drains your phone battery FAST. Keep it in an inside pocket close to your body and bring a portable charger.
7️⃣ Ignoring Wind Chill
-5°C might sound fine, but with wind chill, it can feel like -15°C or worse. Dress for the “feels like” temp, not just the forecast.
8️⃣ Not Telling Anyone Your Plan
Winter hiking conditions can be unpredictable. Always tell someone your route and expected return time.
📌 Save this post so you don’t make these mistakes! Have you ever had a winter hiking fail? Tell me in the comments! 👇
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
#WinterHiking #HikingTips #OutdoorAdventure #WinterHikes #HikingOntario #WinterExploration #StaySafeOutdoors #DiscoverOntario #HikingFails #coldweatherhiking
Spend the weekend with me at Pearadise on West Lake 🏡✨
You know that perfect kind of weekend? The one where you actually slow down, breathe a little deeper, and let yourself just be? That’s exactly what I found at @pearadiseonwestlake, a cozy winter Airbnb in Prince Edward County.
Some days, I stayed wrapped up in a blanket by the fireplace, book in one hand, coffee in the other—fully leaning into my cozy retreat mode. Other times, I ventured out to explore PEC’s charming cafés, wineries, and scenic winter views, knowing I had the most peaceful space to return to.
It’s the kind of stay that makes you feel at home the second you walk in the door.
✔️ Cozy winter retreat? Check. (Fireplace, reading nook, and big windows to watch the snow fall? Yes, please.)
✔️ Romantic winter escape? Definitely. (Slow mornings, candlelit dinners, and a dreamy atmosphere.)
✔️ Family-friendly Airbnb? Absolutely. (Spacious common areas, a playroom, and a cozy space to make memories.)
Located right by West Lake in Wellington, Prince Edward County, this winter getaway spot is perfect for those who want to explore PEC at a slower pace—or stay in, light a fire, and enjoy a quiet, peaceful weekend.
📍 Looking for a cozy winter escape in Ontario? Tag someone you’d love to bring here! 💫
🇫🇷 La version française de ce texte se trouve dans les commentaires
*invited stay*
#PrinceEdwardCounty #VisitPEC #CozyWinterGetaway #OntarioAirbnb #OntarioStaycations #WinterInOntario #RomanticWinterEscape #WestLake #PECWineries #WeekendGetaway #BestAirbnbOntario #WinterRetreat #FireplaceVibes #pecadventures
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