There is a saying in Key West that if you take home sand in your shoes, it’s a good indication that you’ll return. So, if you take home sandals that are made in Key West, what could that mean?Explore
Kino Puts the Keen into its Sandals
Recycled Plastic Totes – Locally Crafted
At the tip of the Baja California Peninsula, in Northwestern Mexico, Flora Farms is a must-visit spot, not just for the shops, but for the organic restaurant, the farm market, the handmade ice cream, the spa, cooking classes, and painting classes. Make sure you allow time to take a tour of the entire property.Explore
From Beach to Jewellery Box
We don’t all make time to shop when on holiday, but looking for gifts for friends and family, or picking up a memento for yourself is a real treat. Jewellery doesn’t take up much space, even if you are travelling with carry-on luggage.
Did You Ever Dream You Could Drink a Cactus?
And even like it, too! The prickly pear comes from the nopales cactus which grows wildly throughout much of Arizona. These cacti have beaver tail-like paddles that appear to explode helter-skelter out of the earth in massive array and in huge numbers.
The Dram Dunk Option
In 2014, a group of friends chartered a sailboat to scope the west coast of Scotland with various distillery stops along the way. Because I was somewhat instrumental in making this trip happen, I was told, during one of the messages back here, that a very special bottle of scotch would make its way home to me. Sadly, however, it never made it. However, it did land in the hands of a very helpful fellow sailor who, clad in a wetsuit, went down under and untangled/cut the sternline from the prop. A very nice gesture, so I let it go. At the time, this scotch was not available in Canada.Explore
Victoria’s Distillers Introduces New Fairmont Empress 1908 Gin
Staying in the beautiful Fairmont Empress Hotel recently, it was impossible to refuse a refreshing gin and tonic after a busy day filled with outdoor activities. Empress 1908 has an unusual flavour, with a hit of citrus. During distillation, an infusion of butterfly pea blossom creates the distinctive hue. Indigo blue in colour, added to a splash of tonic, it transforms from indigo blue to monarch purple then rose petal pink.Explore
Arizona Turquoise – Don’t Come Home Without Some
When you are in Arizona, turquoise jewellery is irresistible.
Turquoise was designated the official state gem of Arizona in 1974, and the quality of it is world-famous. An icon to Arizona surely has to be silver and turquoise, so when I saw a row of market stalls at the side of the highway backing onto a desert and canyon, it was the perfect place to shop for my souvenir. Stalls all run by local Navajo women made it even more of a treat.Explore
My Inside Sandbox Game
Little did I know that when my travelling companion begged me to take something home for her because she couldn’t fit it into her own luggage, I discovered that it was a gift for me. A darling Tic Tac Toe game purchased at the Artisans du sable in the Magdalen Islands.
If You Go to Cuba, Come Home with a Cohiba or Maybe 50
Until recently, the most popular exports from Cuba have been rum, cigars and berets. I was on board a Celestyal Cruise circumnavigating Cuba with lots of opportunity to explore. After spending a day snorkelling, beach time on Paradise Island followed where we came across locals selling simple jewelry made from shells and seeds.Black watermelon seeds, red cornilla seeds and black jaboncilla seeds will make the day for any fashionista. Unique, 100% natural and priced so inexpensively, there’s no point in bartering. If you want to add some colour to your t-shirt or sundress, this jewellery adds a natural punch to any outfit, and cheap to pick up for yourself to enjoy or take home as small easy-to-pack gifts.Explore
Spicy Grenada
Grenada draws those who worship the sun and everything that comes with it – beaches, aquatic sports, hiking and true Caribbean culture.
It’s also a place for foodies. There are many types of scrumptious fresh fish, locally grown vegetables and herbs, but it’s the spices that set Grenada apart. In fact, the island’s main products – nutmeg, cinnamon and sorrel give it another name, Spice Island, and they are used in local dishes in fresh and inventive ways.Explore