Part 2 of my four-part series on "Budget Travel" (the full feature "Thrifty Trips" appears in our July issue) focuses on London, which, because of the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee is a popular destination this summer for Canadian travellers.

Last week the savvy folks at Visit Britain shared their round-up of budget-travel tips. I've cherry-picked my way through their list and here are five of their tips - followed by another five of my very own.

1. BritRail Transit
Benefit: the pass allows for unlimited and flexible rail travel with discounts for families, groups, seniors and youth. Visit britrail.com.

2. Oyster Cards and Visitor Transit Passes
Benefit: the Visitor Oyster Card is described as a “pay as you go” pass that promises to "cap your daily costs at the cheapest price available." It's a bonus for families with children under 11 years old who ride for free when accompanied by an adult. The Visitor Oyster Card is valid on the Underground (translation: subway), buses, trams and the Dockland Light Railway. Purchase your passes beforehand at visitbritainshop.ca.

Hop a bus, get on the tube - save big bucks (Courtesy: Visit Britain)

3. Bike Sharing
Benefit: Bike shares offer bicycles for short term rental, a wonderful way to get from point A to B, seeing the city close-up and not incurring cab fare. Some bike share outfitters offer the first half hour for free. Rent a bike from Barclays Cycle Hire (nicknamed the Boris Bikes after the London mayor who supported this mode of eco-friendly travel) in London’s zone 1 for £1 (which works out to about CDN $1.60) for the full day.

4. Discount Theater Tickets
TKTS London is your best bet for half-price, same-day theatre tickets in London's West End.

Cheap tickets to Wizard of Oz and other shows (Courtesy: Visit Britain)

5. Museums and Galleries are free
I'm mildly surprised when visiting London and I have to fork out cash to get into some of the bigger churches and cathedrals (houses of worship) but world-class galleries and museums - such as the Tate - are free.

Now, my own personal best budget tips for London:

6. Best budget-savvy (healthy) spot for mid-day lunch or snack: For the record, I've not ever received a free meal from the popular chain Pret a Manger. But they're my personal favourite in big cities such as London and Manhattan when I want a healthy meal on the go. For freshly-made sandwiches and salads made with excellent fresh ingredients, you can't go wrong. If you're in the centre of London, grab your meal to go and find a spot in Hyde Park. If you want to plan ahead, check out the chain's handy little Pret a Manger shop locator.

Of course, this should be your go-to stand-by. Rule of thumb: Eat like a local and don't bypass the street-food. See item # 9 below.

7. Afternoon Tea: And speaking of eating like a local, afternoon tea is a British tradition you should try at least once. And, yes, it's going to cost a few pound but the reality is: it's much cheaper than a fancy meal out in the evening and you're paying for the experience as much as the food. Compare 30 pounds for an afternoon tea in a swank hotel to a meal out in Knightsbridge. Visit London has compiled a list of excellent options (and booking ahead is a good idea).

8. Take the tube from Heathrow Airport. Avoid the taxi stand. You'll save gobs of money -- and the Underground (which we call subway and Londers refer to as the Tube) is very efficient. And you pay by zone. There's a transit kiosk right at Heathrow.

9. Street food. The Guardian newspaper recently compiled the top 10 street food stalls. Like Afternoon Tea, it's tradition -- and will save you a few quid. It's not all greasy hot dogs slathered in ketchup that clutter the streets of so many North American cities (though we are improving). Think: Pulled pork sandwiches, scotch eggs, Korean fusion food (kimchi on your burger, anyone?), spicy churros and more.

Suggestion: If you splurge on Afternoon Tea (see item # 3) then balance your budget by grabbing dinner on the street. Your taste buds and bank book will thank you.

Splurge on Afternoon Tea, then save on dinner (Courtesy: Visit Britain)

10. Buy your souvenirs and gew gaws at the Portobello Road Market. No, you don't need to shell out 20 pounds for cutesy Tower of London salt and pepper shakers. Pick up some retro bijoux or tchotchkes at this or any other London flea market.

If you want to get really serious about exploring London on the cheap, check out Visit London's budget section. For cheap(er) digs, scroll through Visit Britain's special budget accommodation area on their web site.

If you have any money-saving travel tips of your own, by all means, post them below.

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How do you know if somebody really means it when they say thank you?

It’s rare that yours truly (that’s me, btw) would ever be speechless. And yet, if I'm honest, I can say it's happened to me a few times.

It’s simple, but it means a lot – sometimes. (photo, courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

When? When I’ve been at my most vulnerable and someone was there for me: my mom coming over in a taxi when I was really sick, my boss at work giving me time off when I needed it, my friends talking to me at all hours when I was going through a dark time. And all I could say was thank you.

Here, my top 5 favourite thank-yous.

Oh, Sally, you’re too cute!
I have seen this clip of Sally Field getting an Oscar for Places in the Heart soooooo many times – this girl is overwhelmed with emotion, and she is speaking straight from the heart. When she yells "You like me! Right now, you really like me!” you know she's someone who is just so grateful for the recognition.

You know a PR company didn't write this for them
This week, I received a press release telling me that Brite Futures (band) was breaking up. Here's one of their songs that I really like.

And here’s what they posted on their Facebook page.

“Our most cherished memories come from being around the people we grew to love...everyone we’d see singing and dancing like crazy at our shows...every sweaty kid who talked to us at the merch booth after the show, everyone from every corner of the globe who we got to know online, and all the extremely talented and generous people who became part of the NPSH/BF team, helping us make some of our wildest dreams a reality...

“So to everyone who’s taken the time to listen to our music, watch our videos, write about us, perform with or work with us, thank-you for letting us be a part of your lives in some small way. It's been such an amazing privilege and a pleasure, it means so much to us.”

From the future Ultra-Lord of the Universe
It's a thank-you letter a kid wrote to someone who spoke to his class. He obviously wants to do something very special for this man, so he tells him that when he becomes the lord of the universe, he will let Mr. Ramon live in his 200-storey castle, where unicorn servants will feed him doughnuts off their horns.

Really? A commercial thank-you?
I know it sounds ridiculous, but this lovely P&G video is a tribute to honour and showcase the amazing moms behind the Olympic athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games. It made me cry. And they’ve set up a Facebook page so you can post a thank-you to your mom.

I know this one’s for real
This is the email I got from my friend Cheryl this morning. It's a thank-you to me and two other friends for taking her out for her birthday. We’ve been friends for a long time, and one thing about people you know for a long time is that you know when they're being sincere.

“Thank you my friends for a lovely evening. I feel spoiled and special!” It was our pleasure, of course, to treat her. It was a simple acknowledgement of how we made her day.

I used to think thank-you was just a word. But now I realize it’s possibly one of the most powerful things you can say to someone.

Because if you mean it, it comes from a very deep place, the part of us that is truly grateful for other people rocking our own personal worlds in the universe. And when worlds collide, it’s pretty nice to have a safety net, where we can count on others to love and support us in our everyday lives.

Your turn. Anybody you want to send a thank-you to out there? 

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What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice, and everything nice,
That's what little girls are made of.

What are young women made of?
Ribbons and laces, and sweet pretty faces,
That's what young women are made of.

What's so great about being a girl?

I asked this question to a few girls in my life, both young and old.

Suffice it to say...being a girl rocks.

There are so many reasons why, I just had to narrow it down.

4. Playing dress up

So, without further ado, here are the Top 10 reasons why being born female is quite simply...AWESOME.

10. Clothes shopping

9. Makeup, hairstyles and pretty nails

8. Pigtails

7. Wearing a fancy dress on your wedding day

6. Tea parties with teddy bear friends

5. Being emotional is OK

4. Playing dress up and wearing mommy's high heels

3. Girl talk

2. Giggling all night at slumber parties

1. Becoming a mom

What would you add to the list?

• Does the world need more girls?

While a hotel’s website may indicate who’s welcome, call and talk to someone directly before booking to know exactly how welcome your pet will be. Here are some questions you may want to ask when deciding if a hotel is right for every member of your family.

Photography: The McClouds

What types of animals are welcomed?
Some places may welcome only dogs, while others may roll out the welcome mat for far more members of the animal kingdom. Hotels may also have restrictions based on the size and age of an animal.

Will we be charged extra for our room?
You may be charged anything from a small fee to help cover cleaning costs to a refundable damage deposit to a nonrefundable deposit. TIP: If your pet is used to being allowed on the furniture at home, pack a sheet to cover the beds and chairs to keep the room a little cleaner – and less furry.

What rooms are available to pet-toting families?
You don’t want to be saddled with an older room with torn curtains and carpet peeling from the floor, or if you’re a non-smoker, a room that’s usually reserved for smokers. And think about asking for a room on the ground level. Much easier to get in and out for those early morning walks and late evening bathroom breaks.

Let me grab a catnap before seeing the sights (photography: Eugene0126jp).

What's the area around the hotel like?
While a selection of restaurants and a mini putt nearby are lovely, if you’ve brought along your dog, you’ll need somewhere to walk him. Is the hotel in the middle of a busy city street, or is it a little off the beaten path with a park and other green spaces just a few minutes away?

Does the hotel provide any pet amenities?
You can save baggage space if you don’t have to pack food and water bowls. But you may want to bring along some comforts from home. The transition to a new place – even a temporary one – may be easier (not to mention less stressful) on your pet if he has his own toys and blanket.

Can I leave my pet alone in the room?
This is a firm no at some places, even if your pet is crated, due to concerns over barking, scratching and other disruptions to fellow guests (and the worry of what may come of the room). At places where the answer is yes, be sure to leave your pet in his crate (for the safety of cleaners or other hotel staff who may enter). You may even want to hang the Do Not Disturb sign on the door.

Are there extra services available for pets?
At places where your pet must be supervised at all times, a pet-sitting service would allow the family to check out local attractions without one person always staying behind.

Is my pet permitted to roam the grounds?
Taking a dip in the pool is probably a no-no, but what about other common areas?

Do I need to bring my pet’s vet papers?
Some hotels may ask you to bring your pet’s paperwork and proof of shots, as well as his ID (collar, tag, etc.).

Do your family vacation plans include your pet?

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"Sir, how many tea bags are you bringing with you on the plane?"

The customs agent's question was accompanied by a smirk. There I was in the security line-up at airport, attracting glares from the line-up of impatient people behind me -- and a devilish grin from the customs guy. There, splayed out for all the world to see, were the contents of my suit-case, which included a generous stash of tea bags, packets of cup of soup, dried fruit and discount energy bars.

"So," asked the wicked customs agent, enjoying my reddening face, "Would you be starting an import business or perhaps you're serving tea and biscuits to the entire plane? That's lovely."

Luckily, he eventually passed me through with no problem -- and I got to keep my stash of tea bags, packets of cup of soup, dried fruit and discount energy bars... Food for the plane ride? Not really, packing all those extra goodies is just one of the ways I save mega bucks when I arrive at my destination.

Food, dining out in particular, is an essential part of travel, whether you're going on a road trip through Newfoundland or hopping a plane for Italy. Exploring the cuisine of a place is how you're likely to experience local customs, get a taste for the region's food (quite literally) and meet the locals. But how do you do it without breaking the bank?

Here are 5 money-saving tips for eating well while travelling - and not breaking your budget:

1. Bring a handful of tea bags, instant cup of soup, instant coffee packets, energy bars and dried snacks.
Travel writer Michele Sponagle put me onto the tea bags and instant cup of soup some time ago and I've never looked back. Picture this: you're in your hotel room (where there's almost always a kettle), and you're a bit peckish late at night and the kitchen is closed. Or you're thirsting for a cup of tea but don't want to get stung with a hefty charge for ordering the expensive room service.

Solution: simply keep a few of these dried goods on hand and you're all set. You'll have what you need but, more importantly, you can save a few bucks and splurge on that fine restaurant the following night. Why pay $8 for a two-cup pot of coffee (as I had to do recently) when you can have a hot cuppa for pennies.

Another money-saving tip is to stack a few nibblies in your carry-on so you're not shelling out big bucks for in-flight snacks. (Have you purchased one of those over-priced, tasteless sandwiches or wraps on an airplane recently? I recently forked out $13 for a snack that would have cost me $4 at home.) Silly me, I had packed my discount-store energy powers in my checked luggage! Next time I'll know better.

Also, if you're waiting around an airport between flights don't expect $20 to go far when you've got the munchies. Just pack a few things at home and you'll be glad you did. Or hit a super market before you head to the airport.

2. Sign up for a cooking lesson.

Doug cooking up a storm in culinary class

Enrolling in a half-day or full-day cooking lesson is an event itself. You get to spend time with locals, perhaps shop in a local market, learn a few culinary skills, maybe even go market shopping with the chef, and you get to enjoy a full meal (in many cases up to 5 courses) for a fraction of the price you'd pay in a proper restaurant. I once paid $35 for a Moroccan cooking lesson which included a four-course dinner including tagine and wine, and it was the focus of my entire day. I even left with a doggy-bag.

Most recently, I was in Belgium where I participated in a morning cooking class at Mmmmh! Culinary Centre in Brussels. It was a hands-on experience and heaps of fun.

3. Local festivals, community dinners and church-hall suppers.

Lobster dinner in the local community hall (Photo: WikiCommons)

I've noshed my way through a mountain of scallops at a community dinner in Digby, Nova Scotia with beverage for a meagre $8. And I'm talking really delicious, fresh scallops right out of the ocean.

That meal would have easily cost me about $45 in a fine restaurant at home. On another trip I lucked out in British Columbia at a community salmon dinner. I paid $10, enjoyed a salmon steak the size of my plate, and supported a good cause at the same time. Just contact the local tourist office for details on food and cultural festivals when you're planning your trip. And be sure to check the local newspaper listings.

4. Breakfast in a local diner

Get down with friendly Calgarians at Diner Deluxe

Veteran food and travel writer Joanne Sasvari is a huge fan of NOT eating breakfast in your big-chain hotel or boutique inn. Not only does it get expensive, but for a quarter of the price, you can eat in a local diner, talk to the locals, get a feel for the city or region and not pay $28 for scrambled eggs and toast. For instance, if you're in Calgary, get up and head to Diner Deluxe, a fun retro breakfast experience. You'll think you've been transported back to the 1950s.

5. Do lunch:
Prices on lunch menus in fine restaurants are usually a lot lower than the dinner menu -- for the same dish! If you're hankering for the famous four-cheese risotto at the popular Italian eatery in Montreal, why not pay less and just have your special meal in the middle of the day. Then for dinner, you treat it as a modest lunch by grabbing a healthy take-away sandwich or some fruit and snacks to enjoy on a park bench, down by the waterfront or in your hotel room.

A budget-savvy tip for foodies: swing by a local food and produce market for in-season food and locally-produced cheeses at amazingly good prices. Pick up a freshly-baked baguette and you're good to go. Chances are you'll be getting organically grown produce as well.

Do you have any great budget travel tips that work for you?

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Whatever you call her, she is the first person you run to.

Whether you skin your knees, read your first word, need a tummy rub, pass your Driver's Ed test, experience your first heartbreak or need help picking out your wedding dress, she is the one you want to share your news with. She will encourage you, praise you, console you and love you through it all.

Photo credit: Nancy Menezes

You know that your mom will be there, no matter what...

Mother is the bank where we deposit all our hurts and worries.
– Unknown

Mother is the one we count on for the things that matter most of all.
– Katherine Butler Hathaway

Who ran to help me when I fell, or kissed the place to make it well? ... My mother.
– Ann Taylor

The best medicine in the world is a mother's kiss.
– Anonymous

God could not be everywhere and therefore He made mothers.
– Jewish proverb

A mother loves her children even when they least deserve to be loved.
– Kate Samperi

All I am I owe to my mother.
– George Washington

The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.
– W.R. Wallace

These are a few mom quotes that I absolutely love. I hope you do too.

To the moms out there, enjoy your special day. Embrace those children and praise their artwork. Put your feet up, sit back and watch your handiwork. They love you with everything they've got. There ain't nothing sweeter than that.

Happy Mother's Day to you.

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Every day, I get up and start the day. Some days, I feel good and I am ready to go, others, it takes all the energy in every cell of my body to do it. Why? It depends on where I’m at in my life.

Wouldn’t it be fabulous if it were just this easy?

And then I started to think, hey, maybe it is! Let’s begin with love.

Love: Set an intention every morning for your day. Don’t have one? How about this: “I'm going to treat everyone I meet today in a loving way – including myself!” See if it makes a difference.

Hope: “I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.” This from the Dalai Lama. Don’t judge, but don’t despair, either.

Faith: Whoever – whatever – you believe in, do it with all your heart. And believe that it will work out: It always does, not always as we want or expect, but whatever it is, you can deal with it. Start with faith in yourself.

Patience: Ralph Waldo Emerson suggests we adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. And it’s true. As kids we rush to grow up; as we get older, we want to slow things down. Stop wasting energy, we can do neither. Accept it.

Courage: Also sometimes known as boldness, fortitude or bravery. It’s calling upon your inner strength in the face of terror – whether it’s a fear of public speaking or stopping terrorists on a mission, as did passengers on United Flight 93 in 9-11.

Understanding: This always reminds me of The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, especially this part: O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand. If we all sought to understand others, the world would be a different place.

Peace: I pray for peace, for inner calm and for world peace.

Passion: What is a life without passion? It can be anything you love that makes you joyful – from food and music to sports and activities, passion makes your life worth living. Don’t worry if you don’t have one yet, I’m still trying to find mine.

Healing: So many of us are broken or wounded from events and experiences that we have suffered in our lives. Do whatever you can to help yourself and others heal their wounds.

Strength: What did Christopher Robin say to Winnie the Pooh? You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Every one of us!

Beauty: Right now, go to a mirror, look yourself straight in the eye and tell yourself with feeling and conviction how truly beautiful you are, in your own words.

Freedom: The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Something we all take for granted unless we never had it, or it’s taken away.

How about you? What do you need today?

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Here are their incredible stories:

Nanook, St. Catherines, ON

(CNW Group/Purina Animal Hall of Fame)

Siberian Husky cross, Nanook, was just a puppy when she woke owner Coleen as she neared a heart attack during the middle of the night. While Coleen and husband Gord tried to sleep, Nanook circled the bed, howled, barked and licked their faces. When she awoke, nurse Coleen noticed pain in her arm, and began to feel pressure in her chest, quickly realizing she was having a heart attack. Gord called an ambulance and by 11a.m. that morning, Coleen had been through surgery to place three stents in her heart.

Monty, Camrose, AB

(CNW Group/Purina Animal Hall of Fame)

Last March, in the middle of the night, orange tabby Monty acted unusually. Owner Patricia Peters woke up to her cat biting her fingers, and when she got up to put Monty on the floor she suddenly felt very dizzy. Newly-diagnosed with diabetes, Patricia slowly made her way into the kitchen to check her blood sugar, with Monty leading the way down the hall. When the pair got to the kitchen, Monty leaped to the counter and sat beside her blood testing kit. Seeing her blood sugar at a dangerously low level, Patricia took sugar tablets, then waited 15 minutes to re-test her blood. Monty sat with Patricia as she waited and when she re-tested her blood, it was back to normal. Patricia and her doctor credit Monty with saving her from slipping into a diabetic coma as she slept.

Bree, Blissfield, NB

(CNW Group/Purina Animal Hall of Fame)

Sleep never seemed to come easy to two-year-old dachshund, Bree. Owner Michele said she remembers waking up often to Bree's little snout in her face, or to Bree licking her face in the middle of the night. Last September, Michele woke to Bree sitting on her chest who also frantically forced her snout in to Michele's mouth. At that moment, Michele realized she was having a very hard time breathing and felt like she was drowning. Her husband called an ambulance, and when it arrived Michele was put on oxygen, and discovered her blood pressure was dangerously high. At the hospital, Michele learned she had severe sleep apnea, and that every night, little Bree had been waking her up to help her resume breathing again.

Service Dog of the Year: Titan, Oakville, ON

(CNW Group/Purina Animal Hall of Fame)

One stormy night last year, a woman called 9-1-1 and told the operator she had just gone to a wooded area, purposefully overdosed on medication with the intention to end her life. While the operator spoke to her on the phone, and tracked her general location, Constable Tara McLorn and Police Service Dog Titan raced to the woods in attempt to reach the woman before it was too late. Through high winds and torrential rainfall, Titan worked quickly to find the woman's clothes at the side of a river bank. With a stronger scent to track, Titan led Constable McLorn and her team to the woman, and they were able to help her from the water, just as the effects of the drugs began to take their course. The woman was rushed to the hospital and was saved from the overdose and treated for hypothermia. Tara credits Titan's fast action and direction with saving the woman's life that night.

Each of these animals are now recognized as one of Canada's most heroic pets, have their photo and story added to the Walk of Fame, located at Pawsway in Toronto.

In 1968 Purina began recognizing the life-saving heroics of Canadian pets, and this year added dogs Nanook, Bree and Titan, along with orange cat Monty. So far, 128 dogs, 26 cats and one horse have been inducted into the Purina Animal Hall of Fame.

Tell us: What does your pet do to make you feel better? My dog Bink is so enthusiastic about getting outside and moving around, it's contagious. I certainly spend less time on the couch and more time outdoors since bringing him home.

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Would you buy a goat for Mother's Day? (Image courtesy of Oxfam Unwrapped)

Goats. Chickens. Seeds. Donkeys. Wells.

Oxfam Unwrapped is a program that lets you purchase gifts for your friends or loved ones, that go to people in the developing world. For example, you can purchase a goat through the Unwrapped program (in your mother's name, for instance), and it will go to a mother in Asia, Africa or Latin America. She will then use the goat to help her family get nourishment, and quite possibly become more self-sufficient.

“These sheep are my hope. They have made me more confident in my family and in society. My son loves animals and I just feel happy when I see them." - Wubalem Muluneh a mother of two in Akaki, Ethiopia. (Image courtesy of Oxfam Canada)

The gifts vary in cost -- a chicken costs $15 and a donkey is priced at $120 -- but the benefits make all the difference in the lives of so many people in various parts of the world. A gift from the Unwrapped program is literally a gift that keeps on giving.

Some additional perks of the program?

- Oxfam handles your delivery
- You get to see your gift in action
- You can choose your gift based on interests and budgets

“Now that we no longer have to spend three hours carrying water, we have more time for our family, our children. Thanks to Oxfam we have been saved from being displaced during the floods” - Sakina Katun in Mathpara, Bangladesh. (Image courtesy of Golam Rabban/Oxfam Canada)

So this year for Mother's Day, think globally, and give your mom a gift that crosses boundaries and makes a lasting impact on the lives of people around our planet. Visit OxfamUnwrapped.ca for all the details.

What are your special plans for Mother's Day?

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Two Christmases ago I took what I call the best 'cheap and cheerful adventure' holiday ever: I signed up for a group package with G Adventures (then called Gap Adventures) to Costa Rica. The 10 days were jam-packed with zip-lining, horseback riding, Level 4 rafting and some of the scariest heart-in-my-mouth rappelling ever.

Admittedly, my participation in a few of the activities were the direct result of peer pressure ("Doug, don't be a wuss!") from a mother-daughter duo from Wisconsin who were in the group.

Of course the physical activities were unforgettable, but some of the most enduring memories of that trip were moments shared with mom-daughter duo Karen and Brenda. This adventure trip was their Christmas gift to each other. How cool, I thought, instead of swapping identical cardigans and over-priced kitchen appliances, they opted to travel together.

Talking to them separately, it was clear that it was a special time for both of them. And they were being practical as Brenda joked, "Being in a group is safer. If we get on each other's nerves, there will be other people to diffuse the tension!" Not that I saw any signs of conflict. They were having a blast.

Wouldn't it be great if we all had that opportunity in our lives? To plant yourself in a new environment, just parent and child (of any age) and discover a new part of yourself – and maybe a new dimension to your parent-child relationship? Isn't that food for thought as Mother Day approaches.

Turns out that Brenda and Karen aren't the only ones who believe in parents and children hitting the road together.

Canadian writer Heather Greenwood Davis (Globetrotting Mama) is an incredibly courageous believer in the concept. She and her husband are travelling around the world - for a year - with their two young boys.

I interviewed Heather last November in this blog  about her reasons for taking her young children travelling around the world:

"This is the opportunity of a lifetime," Heather said. "It's true for Ish and I as parents and it's true for the kids. This trip will affect the rest of our lives. Since we left home there have been rare moments when an inkling of uncertainty might creep in but then we see our boys learning something new or growing as individuals and it wipes the uncertainly out of our minds."

Round the World with kids in tow (Courtesy: Globetrotting Mama/Heather Greenwood Davis)

The Greenwood-Davis foursome has been hot-air ballooning in Egypt, on safari in Tanzania, boating on the Mekong Delta, roaming ruins in Cambodia, bathing elephants in Thailand, back-packing through parts of South America, and eating their way through parts of the Middle East - not to mention falling in love with Lisbon. And, as Heather was keen to point out, learning about the world and each other.

What an incredible gift she's giving to her children.

You can follow Heather and her family as they spend their last 100 days travelling the world as a family - and get inspired. Maybe send the link to mom or your own child.

I also caught up with Cameron and Nicole Wears, Traveling Canucks, who shared some of their travel highlights in this blog last year. Then they were travel-obsessed Canadian couple living the dream. Now, they're  a travel-obsessed Canadian couple living the dream...with baby in tow.

They've also just launched a new web site where they share their hard-earned wisdom for travelling with infants. It's called, what else, Tips For Baby Travel.

Traveling Canucks: new member of the team

Say Cameron and Nicole: " Gone are the days of simply showing up to a backpacking district in Asia and searching for a hostel (at least in the foreseeable future). We now need to plan and get organized." And that's the focus of their new cyber venture.

If you're looking for gift ideas for Mother's Day or  tips on travelling with kids (and parents) of any age, check out Tips for Baby Travel, G Adventures and Globetrotting Mama.

Would you ever travel with your mom or adult child?

• Travel Talk: Travelling around the world with kids
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Thank you for all the lovely comments you shared in my post: On moms, biology and a special Mother's Day giveaway. I absolutely enjoyed reading about the unique relationships you share with your mothers, and my heart swelled to know of the special roles they play in your lives.

The contest for the giveaway has now ended and we have a winner determined by a random number generator.

The winning number (counting from oldest to newest comments) is:

And the winner of our special Mother's Day giveaway, courtesy of Canadian Tire, is:

Congratulations, Colleen Cole!

Thanks to our friends at Canadian Tire, you'll be receiving some relaxing treats to help ease all your stresses: a Revlon Paraffin Bath, a Sunbeam Massaging Foot Spa, and a Sunbeam Neck and Shoulder Wrap.

Best wishes,

Simone

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Every day, I am surprised at how easily inspiration comes to me. Sometimes, it’s a beautiful new dessert from the Test Kitchen that I get to sample. Last week, it was the excitement over a new summer T-shirt that doesn’t hug me in all the wrong places (The Gap, $29). And this week, it’s our new intern here at the magazine, Tasha.

I love interns because they are so fresh and lovely – oozing the energy of their youth that surrounds them like an invisibility cloak they are unaware of. I like it that some of that excitement wears off on me. And so, I asked Tasha, “Who inspires you?”

Apparently, an older person, her grandmother. Some of the stuff she told me was so touching, I asked her to put it in writing. So this week, I’m turning over my inspirational post to my inspiration.

Tasha, as a baby, with the woman who’s been inspiring her all her life, her grandma.

By Tasha Zanin

For the past year, I’ve been living with my grandparents to save money while going to school. I love that she lets me live under her roof rent-free and leaves a lunch for me on the top shelf of the fridge every morning, but I hate my morning commute. What I didn’t expect to gain from my living arrangements is a role model.

When she first came to Canada, my nonna worked two jobs, Monday to Friday at a factory and Saturdays serving weddings at a banquet hall, to provide for her family, and still managed to put a healthy home-cooked meal on the table every night. And now she’s still taking care of her family, long after her own children have moved out. She’s allowed me and my cousin to move in, keeps an extra bed for visitors and even puppy-sits my uncle’s new dog.

I’ve realized no matter how busy she is, my nonna always makes time to call her siblings in Italy. If she can make that long-distance call, I can certainly find time to check in with my parents and brother, maybe even go home for dinner now and then. Sometimes it feels like I’ve spent weeks chained to a desk in the library, but I’ve learned that no matter how busy I am, there’s always time for my family.

There’s a saying Nonna has when my cousin and I complain about not being able to do something, like build Ikea furniture. “When your bum hits the water, you will learn to swim.” And every time she says it, she reminds us that when she married my nonno (Italian for grandfather), she could barely cook. Fifty-two years later, her home-cooked meals are the envy of my friends. It’s not just a lesson in cooking she’s teaching me, though my tiramisu is almost as good as hers now. She’s inspired me to dive head-first into whatever comes my way. And the Ikea shoe rack in my closet is holding up!

The most inspiring thing she’s taught me? A little bit about love. By the time she was just a year older than I am now, my nonna was married and my dad came one year after that. She met my nonno as a teenager and fell in love. Despite a 12-year age difference and a long-distance relationship (my nonno used to send her letters and money from Canada), she wasn’t afraid to take the leap of faith to move here to marry him, leaving her family and friends behind. That’s love, or, as the song goes, “That’s amore.” When you know it’s right, and you would cross thousands of miles across an ocean to live in a different country for love, it probably is.

What she’s taught me: Her love story inspires me to be brave, to take chances and trust that with a little work everything will fall into place.

How about you? Who’s inspiring you this week?

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Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote those immortal words in 1850. How could she have known that more than a century and a half later we could use these same words for the four-legged loves of our lives?

Photography: U.S. Army

To celebrate reaching one million Facebook “pet fans,” Petco (a U.S.-based pet supply company) recently asked followers how pets make life one million times better. Here were the top 5 responses:
1. He loves me no matter what.
2. He’s my best friend.
3. He makes me laugh.
4. He's the perfect stress-reducer.
5. He gets me off the sofa.

We asked our Facebook friends a similar question – What does your pet do to make your life a little brighter? – and their responses lovingly confirmed Petco's survey. Here are a few of our favourite responses.

• "They really don't have to do anything. Just looking at my dogs makes me smile." – Debbie Lauzon

• "I'm fostering five kittens right now and the joy I get from watching them play is amazing. They let me love and snuggle them all the time." – Karen Shier

• "Darby loves a snuggle first thing in the morning. If I'm sitting in a chair he'll lie against my chest and go to sleep. His brother Liam is very vocal, and if I'm not getting out of bed soon enough he'll jump on the bed, wake up me and meow in my face." – MJ Westaway

• "When I come home from work my Buffy jumps from the couch to the floor and back about six times, then runs over to me talking in a very high-pitched voice, as if to say, 'I'm so glad you're home!' It's so nice to be loved so very much – and it's also wonderful to be able to return that love to an appreciative being. I am blessed!" – Marsha O'Leary

• "They greet me at the door as though I've been gone weeks, even when I just run to the store for five minutes. And they let me sleep a little longer on Sunday mornings!" – Elsie Ross

• "As soon as our cat realizes that we're awake she'll kiss and lick our noses. After that it's major snuggling time – best way to start the day. Our other cat and our golden retriever bring many smiles to our faces throughout the day in so many ways. Our pets mean the world to us." – Michelle Brugess

• "She wags her tail. It seems like a small thing, but she is paralyzed in her back end, so for her to wag her tail is a big deal to us. She's a dachshund and I love her." – Sandra Smith

• "When my boxer hears me tell my son it's bedtime, she leads the way to his room, curls up on the end of the bed and waits for him. And she stays there until I get both of them up in the morning! Makes me smile every time!" – Denise Phelan

How does your pet make your day a millions times brighter?

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As someone who recently joined the Canadian Living team, I've had the joy of getting to know some of the fabulous moms in our office. In fact, you've probably read some of their posts in the Life Blog. There's Donna, who recently wrote this amazing blog post on why girls rock; Teresa, who has been writing some fascinating posts about birth orders; Olga, who shared this heartwarming post about a trip she took with her children, and my desk buddy, Helen, who has been working away intensely on content for our updated Mom's channel (appropriately enough).

These ladies are just a handful of the wonderful moms who are part of our team. I don't need to speak of the love they have for their children, as I believe that's evident in their posts. They truly exemplify the characteristics I believe it takes to be a good mom -- selflessness, sacrifice, a nurturing nature, and a sense of humour. I've learned a lot from these ladies through our conversations, and I hope that if and when the day comes, I too will showcase similar qualities towards my child as they do to theirs.

Our May issue featured a story I'd like to draw attention to. Redefining Mom highlighted the lives of three women who proved that there's more to being a mother than simple genetics. These women brought up children that weren't biologically theirs, and nurtured them as if they were their own. Their beautiful stories tugged at my heartstrings and made me realize that there is so much more to being a mother than simply giving birth. I encourage you to give their stories a read when you have a moment, and share your thoughts.

Finally, this blog post dedicated to moms wouldn't be complete without me mentioning my own mother -- a lady who truly defines grace and beauty to me, and proves time and time again that the strength of a woman is endless and unmatched. She has taught me the true meaning of compassion, and has brought me up to know that the world isn't as scary as people make it seem. Above all else, however, my mum has taught me to have a sense of humour about life, because despite all our planning and paving for the future, life will always unveil its own course for us. We simply have to go with the flow.

I'm glad we have a day to celebrate our moms. Actually, scratch that. Let's make this a day to celebrate all the women in our life who have nurtured us and helped make us who we are, whether through biology or otherwise. And then, if at all possible, let's take every chance we get to remind them just how much they mean to us. And not just on Mother's Day.

Now it's your turn. Leave a comment below, telling us about the unique bond you share with your mom (or the special woman who helped you become who you are). Each comment will be entered into a draw to win a special Mother's Day gift pack courtesy of Canadian Tire, featuring a Revlon Paraffin Bath, a Sunbeam Massaging Foot Spa, and a Sunbeam Neck and Shoulder Wrap.

The winner will be chosen at random on Monday, May 7, 2012 at noon.

UPDATE: Thank you for all your lovely comments. The giveaway contest is now closed, and we've selected a winner.

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With so much buzz about Her Majesty Queen's Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebrations to mark her 60 years on the throne of England, it's easy to forget about the monarchs, nobility, lords, ladies, dukes, counts, earls and the like in other parts of the world.

Castle Ooidonk on Lys River, Belgium (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

Recently, while travelling in Belgium, a group of us were invited for an afternoon visit with a bonafide Count, Earl Juan t' Kint de Roodenbeke, whose family have long resided at Ooidonk Castle, which is just east of the village of Bachte-Maria-Leerne, a few kilometers south west of Ghent.

Count Juan t'Kint de Roodenbeke (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

It's not everyday you visit a castle which is still occupied by the owner. The castle has a spotted history. It was caught in the midst of conflicts between various warring cities during the 14th and 15 centuries and then endured the raucous religious wars of the 16th century. Demolished, burned, torn asunder, at times pillaged, the medieval castle was rebuilt in 1595 with the notable crow-step gables and chimneys which so often remind visitors of castles in the Loire, France.

The castle was brought into the modern age in 1870 (with minimal tampering to its Renaissance elements) and it's been open to the public since 1958. The castle is brimming with paintings of European monarchs, furniture that wouldn't be out of place in Versailles, lots of silver and – just like any home – there are endless family portraits and photographs. Click here for an aerial view of the castle.

The gardens are lovely but not overly manicured. The rose gardens were just being prepped during our visit and I got the sense that this was a home -- not a museum piece. The surrounding land is still a working farm. A couple of sturdy Belgian horses greet you at the end of the lane, and don't be surprised if you see herons skirting over the castle moat and nearby lake. I was surprised to learn that the castle is twinned with Duns Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland.

One of the Guard's Tower of Castle Ooidonk (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

 
What really resonated with me about the visit to Castle Ooidonk parallels my impression about the Belgians, especially those I met in Flanders: they're unpretentious. Even in the stylish quarters of Ghent and Brussels, people seemed approachable. They're the perfect blend of Parisian style (even while riding bicycles along the canals) with - dare I say it- Canadian modesty.

Such ingredients make for a perfect time when you're wandering around medieval Bruges or the chi-chi shops of Bruxelles. It's no wonder I felt so welcomed when visiting the count and invited into his family home.

Elaborate furnishings of the castle date back hundreds of years (Photo: Doug O'Neill)

Like many castles throughout Europe and the United Kingdom, the inhabitants have opened their doors to visitors to generate money (you have to pay the heating bill!) but Count Roodenbeke firmly believes he and his family are custodians of history, that they are the keepers of an important cultural treasure. He also maintains of tradition of opening his doors to the locals for festivals and flower shows. Apparently the castle is 'the' happening place at Hallowe'en.

Count Roodenbeke proudly speaks of his family's connections to royals and cultural leaders, but like anyone else he's a family man. One of his sons works in IT in the United States. But his successor, the eldest, has been chosen, so you can expect the castle to put out the welcoming mat for another generation at least.

You can visit Castle Ooidonk throughout most of the year. For more travel information, check out the robust Visit Flanders web site.

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In fact, here is a crazy story. There is an artist in Scotland that has left little treasures, mysterious paper sculptures, all over the city, celebrating the role of books and libraries in our lives.

I have read this story almost as many times as Anne of Green Gables, one of my all-time favourites. Check it out. The anonymous artist left notes along with the beautiful creations, including one that read, “A gift in support of libraries, books, words, ideas…and all things *magic.*”

And that is how I feel about books, I think they are a little bit of magic in my life, they open doors into worlds that would be totally unaccessible otherwise. They are a little break sometimes in a routine day. If the book is really good, I become obsessed, rushing through errands, dinners, phone conversations, so I can get back to it. With a cup of tea and a good read, I think to myself, it does not get much better that this.

And so I am happy to champion books – and festivals about books, too. This weekend, Steven Page (of Barenaked Ladies fame) opens the TD National Reading Campaign in Vancouver. As a child, he read and wrote voraciously, and self-published his own picture books, comics, and later, books of poetry.  He says he reads for information, comfort and inspiration now.

Right now, I’m reading Vincent Lam’s The Headmaster’s Wager (Doubleday Canada, 2012). Lam is also the author of the Scotiabank Giller Prize–winning short story collection, Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures. It’s a rich, moving and suspenseful read. I can’t wait to get to the end, except that I  don't want it to end!

I have 20 copies of The Headmaster’s Wager to give away this month! Send me a comment telling me what you're reading and you could get one. And, here's the best part, if you send me a review, you could have it published in a future issue or on this blog. 

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I love, love, love this list.

I read through it with each one of my kids.

Oh, the memories...

"Remember the cottage we rented with the rope swing and everyone running to it as fast as they could?"

"Remember the caterpillar we nursed back to health on the beach? We made a bed out of leaves and surrounded it with sticks so the birds wouldn't see it."

"Remember when we woke up at 3 o'clock in the morning and watched the sun come up as we drove to Florida?"

Soooo many good times.

Although the list says "before the age of 12," I don't think it should ever expire. I've yet to accomplish everything on the list, and I'm so far past my 12th birthday. I've never canoed down a river, lit a fire without a match or even set up a snail race.

I've got some catching up to do.

Here's the list...

1. Climb a tree
2. Roll down a really big hill
3. Camp out in the wild
4. Build a den
5. Skip a stone
6. Run around in the rain
7. Fly a kite
8. Catch a fish with a net
9. Eat an apple straight from a tree
10. Play conkers
11. Throw some snow
12. Hunt for treasure on the beach
13. Make a mud pie
14. Dam a stream
15. Go sledding
16. Bury someone in the sand
17. Set up a snail race
18. Balance on a fallen tree
19. Swing on a rope swing
20. Make a mud slide
21. Eat blackberries growing in the wild
22. Take a look inside a tree
23. Visit an island
24. Feel like you're flying in the wind
25. Make a grass trumpet
26. Hunt for fossils and bones
27. Watch the sun come up
28. Climb a huge hill
29. Get behind a waterfall
30. Feed a bird from your hand
31. Hunt for bugs
32. Find some frog eggs
33. Catch a butterfly in a net
34. Track wild animals
35. Discover what's in a pond
36. Call an owl
37. Check out the crazy creatures in a rock pool
38. Bring up a butterfly
39. Catch a crab (*not THE crabs. That's for later in life, kids.)
40. Go on a nature walk at night
41. Plant it, grow it, eat it
42. Go swimming in a lake or river
43. Go rafting
44. Light a fire without matches
45. Find your way with a map and compass
46. Climb rocks
47. Cook on a campfire
48. Try rapelling
49. Find a geocache (*49a. Look up "geocache" in the dictionary)
50. Canoe down a river

How many of these have you done? How many have your kids done?

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1. My Street by 50 headphones. Love them. Love them. At first I thought they were a bit decadent. I had been a cheap ear-pod guy. I even resorted upon occasion to those freebies that some airlines give away. But the quality sucked. Now, I get to listen to Bose-quality music while in crowded train stations or in hectic airports.

Biggest advantage: I just flew to Brussels on a flight that was about 30 percent children. Let me qualify that: about 30 per cent crying, screaming children. I donned my Street by 50 headset, and lost myself in two hours of Sting while the little toddlers cried themselves to sleep.

 
2. My Ipod Nano - which is almost 5 years old. (Yeah, I know. Time to update it.) I’d be lost without it. Biggest advantages:  I can zone out while listening to my favourite music, or close my eyes on a long-haul flight (when the in-flight movies don't cut it) and listen to an  audiobook.

What I enjoy the most: listening to podcasts related to my destination. I remember listening to a  podcast from the Amateur Traveler which was devoted to travelling in India -  just as the plane touched down in Mumbai. And it fit in my shirt pocket.

3. My Kindle - has spoiled me! I remember hauling about 8 books in my backpack on my first trip to Europe and getting charged for the extra weight. I didn't anticipate falling in love with my Kindle so quickly - and so completely. I long fancied myself a 'paper kinda guy.'  I held forth at dinner parties about my need for "the tactile experience of turning the printed page."

Now I've clearly crossed over to the dark side. I'm now carrying about 50 travel books, novels, guide books, memoirs and humour books all in the inside pocket of my jacket which is where my Kindle fits. (It makes airport check-ins a breeze.)

The only drawback: not once has anyone leaned over to me on a plane or train to say, "Hey, I see you're reading Rolf Pott's 'Vagabonding' book," because, of course, they can't tell from a glance. The upside:  I can go anywhere I like without having to carry an extra tote for books - or worse, be stuck somewhere without anything to read while waiting for someone.

4.  SKROSS World Travel Adapter 2 and USB Charger has saved my butt on many occasions. You don't have to carry a bulky carry-all of 5 different adapters in the hopes that one of them works. This is hugely important if you're travelling to more than one country where the electrical outlets require a different gizmo.  This handy SKROSS World Travel Adapter 2 and USB Charger set is compact - and guaranteed to work for you in any country. And it takes up very little packing space.

5.  Quick dry towels.  I'm a big fan of these little life-savers. I have two yellow quick-dry towels that I purchased at Mountain Equipment Co-op years ago. They do the trick. Not just on camping or back-packing trips, but even on urban trips when you get doused in a downpour and need to make yourself presentable before touring the Louvre.  Now that I've gotten my money's worth out of them, I've got my eye on a handy multi-towel set from Innate.

At some point, I'm going to break down, dip into my piggy bank and get an iPad and combine multiple functions of the iPod and Kindle (not to mention laptop). It's long overdue. But, hey, I have a birthday coming up so if anyone is feeling generous...

CALL FOR HELP!!  Has anyone found a reliable travel accessory that allows you to boil water in your hotel room when there's no kettle available.

I figure if I bring some tea bags and a travel mug, all I need is some way to boil water. Apart from hauling an electric kettle around the globe, I'm curious what any of you have found?

Please let me know. I may even send you a cook-book!

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Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come to reveal my third and final pick in my hot social media networks to check out today series.

Without further ado, I present...

Klout
It's known as that thing that measures your online influence.

What's Klout all about?
To put it plainly, Klout is a tool that summarizes and scores your online influence on topics and on people. It gives you a number on a scale of 1 to 100 (with 100 being most influential).

How does it do that, you might ask?

When you create a Klout account, you connect it to your social media networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, You Tube, and blogging platforms, too. Then, Klout measures your audience reach, combined with the who's, hows and whats behind the interactions going on at your social media pages and profiles. This includes the information you create and share with others, plus the information others create and share with you. Klout crunches the data and generates your influence score.

How accurate is it?
As a Klout user, I've received inaccurate summaries. It pegged me as being influential about yoga, for example, but I haven't attended a yoga class in a year. My yoga-loving friends are much more influential about this topic than I so maybe their interactions with my social media accounts confuses Klout.

Perhaps the brains behind Klout are working out the kinks or maybe I just needed to give the tool more time to get to know the online me. But I'm happy to report that after participating in recent Twitter chats about Oscar-nominated films, my Klout score reveals I'm influential about movies -- and not yoga (that's more like it, Klout.)

Why should I try Klout?
Beyond bragging rights, your Klout influence can lead to perks, offered up by businesses that are wise to rewarding influential folks.

And you're curious to find out what Klout reveals about you, aren't you? Go on, give Klout a try.

Are you on Klout? If not, would give it a try? If so, do you think it's accurately sums up your influence on others?

If you're an early adopter and have been completely bored by my little trilogy, I'd love to know which social media network you think I should check out next. As always, I welcome all feedback.

• Hot social media networks to check out today: Part 2 of 3
• Hot social media networks to check out today: Part 1 of 3
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They're kinda like my cake.

My oldest – she is the cake batter. The beginning. She awakened a whole new part of my soul that I didn't even know existed. I love her best because she started this whole family thing and made me yearn for so much more. A wonderful introduction to this thing called parenthood.

My only son – he is the freshly baked cake. The so very necessary delicious centre. He is the continuation on this journey of ours. I love him best because he introduced me to all things "boy" and helped me see the world through a whole new lens.

The cake batter, the freshly baked cake and the icing.

My youngest – she is the icing on the cake, complete with cherries and a dollop of whipped cream. She is the sweet ending to our little group. The final addition. I love her best because she completes this little family of ours with a bit of fancy flair.

I couldn't satisfy my cake-loving sweet tooth if I didn't have them all. Something just wouldn't be right. Something would always be missing.

It just couldn't be.

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