Wander Wellness Travel Magazine Spring 2018

IMAGE: ©JEREMY BISHOP

$6.95

VO LU M E 4 • I S S U E 2

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HARNESS YOUR YOUTH WITH HORMONE BALANCE

PILATES-IN-MOTION

FROM MUSHROOMS TO FEMTECH

CHANGE YOUR EATING

FOR TRAVEL, FOR LIFE.

NEW TRENDS IN WELLNESS AND TRAVEL.

3 WAYS TO DEFY AGE.

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CHANGE A WHOLE LOT MORE.

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#SHOWUSYOURVEGAN

ACROSS THE TOP OF CANADA

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

ASK A TRAVEL AGENT

WE ASKED OUR INSTAGRAM AUDIENCE TO SHOW US THEIR FAVE VEGAN DISHES AND SNACKS - AND THE RESULTS WERE DELICIOUS.

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GETTING BACK TO NATURE IN NAMIBIA.

SIXTY GUESTS, FOUR CHEFS, EIGHT DAYS. A ONCE IN A LIFETIME ADVENTURE.

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COMBINING SPA, YOGA AND MEDITATION WITH A CULINARY VACATION.

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BUSINESS FOR PLEASURE

RECHARGE IN PORTUGAL

INDUSTRY INSIDER

MEET: PETRA STORMEN

SNEAK IN SOME RESTORATIVE TIME ON YOUR NEXT WORK TRIP.

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WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE TOURISM?

A LAID-BACK BUT ACTIVE GETAWAY.

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MBCT THERAPIST, LIFE COACH AND CERTIFIED PASSION TEST FACILITATOR.

WANDER / CONTENT / WHO WE ARE

PUBLISHER Matthew Ross EDITOR Kristina Smith WEST COAST BUREAU Mark Stanton SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Lisa Zukerman ADVERTISING SALES adsales@wander-mag.com GUEST EDITOR, EAT WELL Eric Pateman GUEST EDITOR, LIVE WELL Chris Ryall CONTRIBUTORS Danielle Belec / Theresa Ho / Dr. Cassandra Ohlsen / Chris Ryall / Justin Smith / Dr. Laurie Steelsmith CONNECT editor@wander-mag.com

MARKETING & CREATIVE Springfed Creative Inc. / design@springfedcreative.ca

IMAGE: ©JEREMY-BISHOP

Springfed Creative is a strategic content company specializing in travel and destination marketing.

Wander is published by Springfed Creative Inc. and distributed through partners. No part of this publication may be copied or distributed without the written consent of the publisher. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor, or partners.

WTA member

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WANDER / CONTENT / LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

As I reflect on what has brought us here, to our eighth issue, I feel deep

gratitude to you. For reading this and for sharing it with others; for venturing to live your best lives and seeking to feel inspired, connected, soulful, and renewed through travel.

We set out to create a wellness travel platform that spoke to real experiences, with real people sharing their adventures, retreats, discoveries, advice. Despite what our Instagram feeds will have us believe, life doesn’t have to be or look perfect all the time. We grow, we achieve; we fail, we regret. This has been our experience with this magazine as well.

But throughout this journey, we have been blessed to visit incredible destinations and properties; have met wonderful people who are striving to help others live and be well; and have grown through the challenges we’ve faced.

We haven’t done everything right; sometimes, we’ve done exactly the opposite of what people told us we “should” do because it didn’t feel right.

I am immensely proud of where we are at and grateful to every person that has helped get us here. I wish you all every happiness, joy and imperfect adventure there is to be had.

Travel well, Kristina Smith Editor wander-mag.com

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF CANYON RANCH

We are thrilled to announce that the $500 billion plus global Wellness Tourism industry now has its very own association!

A non-profit entity with the sole mission of supporting and furthering the growth and development of this ever-expanding travel sector, we are kicking off 2018 with strength and commitment by participating in four events between now and the end of March.

Join members Accor Hotels, Art of Living Retreat Center, Canyon Ranch, Grail Springs, New Life Hiking Spa, Retreats Unlimited, Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations, and others in various categories of the industry, as we give Wellness Tourism a credible voice, and help shape its future and sustainability.

www.wellnesstourismassociation.org • admin@wellnesstourismassociation.org 1-800-450-1443 9

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~ MAHATMA GANDHI wander-mag.com

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IMAGE: ©ARTEM BALI

“LIVE AS IF YOU WERE TO DIE TOMORROW. LEARN AS IF YOU WERE TO LIVE FOREVER.”

IMAGE: ©SIMON RAE

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Meditation can actually lower high blood pressure at a rate only slightly less effective than blood pressure medication.1 Working out might make your offspring smarter.2 Moderate drinking and maintaining hobbies both appear to be keys to longevity.3

IMAGES (L TO R): ©GEERT PIETERS; © ALIIS SINISALU

1. Kent State University 2. German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases 3. 90+ Study

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rom gravity-defying planks to youth-boosting serums, many are on an eternal search to reverse the clock—or at least slow the process. But focusing on exercise, diet, personal products, and spa retreats alone neglects a key ingredient to feeling—and looking—your best: Hormone balance.

and thyroid, they exert a profound influence on everything from your mood and energy to your creativity and sex drive—in essence, how lively and youthful we feel at any given time.

If your chief players become imbalanced, or if one is deficient or excessive, the results can Consider hormones and you might think of you range from minor dissonance to major hormonal or your best friend’s second trimester, or the week cacophony. But when we’re balanced, we can of discomfort that arrives before your period. feel on top of the world, compassionate towards Hormones, however, are a daily and constant part others, well-grounded, and physically on fire. of life. Released by glands such as your adrenal And, the age-defying benefits certainly don’t hurt.

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On that note, here are three hormone hacks to make you look and feel younger: Eat Your Veggies

Reach for Herbal Support

To be more specific, eat your cruciferous vegetables. Broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts—not only are these vegetables terrific for maintaining or whittling your waistline, but they’re also a boon for women in their late-30s and beyond.

Starting roughly around this time, many women experience a drop in estrogen as they head into menopause, which can lead to everything from bluer moods to premature aging. Cruciferous vegetables, however, which are a rich source of the phytonutrient, indole-3-carbinol, can help women (and men!) achieve a healthy estrogen metabolism—and with that arrives suppler skin, better sex, and a sunnier disposition.

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While estrogen may dominate most discussions about hormones, progesterone is just as essential in attaining—and sustaining—hormonal equilibrium. Consider it your age-defying hormone: it promotes calmness, helps you “relax” your connective tissues, aids in your ability to sleep soundly, and, when balanced, can result in more even moods. What’s more, progesterone may lessen anxiety linked with menopausal hormone fluctuations. If your levels are low, consider supplementing your diet with chastetree berry.

Classified as a phyto-progesterone on account of its ability to foster your body’s natural production of progesterone, this herb can enhance hormone balance, contribute to more radiant hair, skin, and nails, and encourage weight management. wander-mag.com

While it can be taken on its own, chaste-tree berry is also one of the primary ingredients in the herbal formula Asensia. Studied extensively at Stanford University School of Medicine, Asensia— which was originally formulated to help women conceive—has shown a 153% increase in women’s progesterone levels, with test subjects reporting enriched vibrancy, smoother moods, greater mental clarity, and a more robust libido.

and the symptoms that come with the condition: weight loss, anxiety, increased heart rate, heat sensitivity, and irregular menstrual cycles.

Inadequate amounts, meanwhile, can lead to its converse, hypothyroidism. Much more prevalent among women, hypothyroidism may decrease the rate of your entire metabolism and set off a slew of symptoms, from easy weight gain and lethargy to hair loss and dry skin.

Get Your Thyroid Hormones Checked

The first step to resolving a potential thyroid complication is to have yours tested. Standard blood testing, combined with a basal body temperature test, is more accurate and helpful than urine or saliva testing and can provide you with the information you need to get on the right path towards hormone health.

Few of us realize that our thyroid hormones play a fundamental part in our ability to navigate life with ease, energy, and confidence, which is, for many, the epitome of youthfulness. Produced in your thyroid gland, which is a dynamo when it comes to energy production, your thyroid hormones help you generate the drive you need to surmount new challenges in life, overcome limitations, and achieve your goals (in short, a healthy 22-year old!) It also helps you maximize your vivacity and reach and maintain your ideal weight.

Too much or too little thyroid hormone, on the other hand, can send your health into a tailspin.

Excessive amounts can lead to hyperthyroidism

As you aim to defy age, do know that you can take control of your own hormonal harmony. You have the power to direct your key players towards optimal balance, in each new phase of your life, and to influence your hormones’ performance— all without resorting to pharmaceutical and synthetic measures. Balanced, and you’ll relish the timelessness, and vitality, that comes with it.

Consider it youth without the bottle.

Laurie Steelsmith, ND, Lac, is a naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, and passionate spokesperson for educating and empowering women to transform their lives with better health through natural medicines and practices that work with, rather than against, the body’s own healing processes.

She is the Naturopathic Medical Advisor to Daily Wellness Company, and the coauthor of three books: the bestselling Natural Choices for Women’s Health, the critically-acclaimed Great Sex, Naturally, and her latest, Growing Younger Every Day. A leading advocate for natural medicine, Dr. Steelsmith is the medical director of Steelsmith Natural Health Center in Honolulu, where she has a busy private practice and is an associate clinical professor at Bastyr University, America’s leading centre for the study of natural medicine. drsteelsmith.com

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IMAGES: (L TO R) ©CALUM LEWIS, ©ABIGAIL LYNN, ©AVRIELLE SULEIMAN

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By Danielle Belec

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You don’t get to sleep in your own bed at night when you are off globetrotting the world. No problem (until you start missing it). You don’t always get a good night’s sleep at home, even if you’re in your own bed, so all good (so far). Nor will privacy always be a given in either situation, and your favourite things may not be at your fingertips. Timing really can get a bit off, can’t it? Plus, their choice isn’t always yours, or yours, theirs. So where is the wine with the cheese, I dare ask! Hard to get it all right, of course, until you finally let go. Get off that clock and step into the magical flow of being on the road. Bon voyage! Alas.

The definition of flow, according to Wikipedia, much like travelling, is “In positive psychology, flow (travelling), also known as the zone, is the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.

In essence, flow (travelling) is characterized by complete absorption in what one does, and a resulting loss in one's sense of space and time.”

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This, in essence, is why we travel the world n’est pas, or at least, in part. It enables us to more easily become one with the world, one in the world, and one with…ourselves. A very sacred place to be, this essential and primal kind of connection is soul-gratifying, life-reinforcing, compassion-building and vitality-giving.

Yet, you are your body. So, despite the buzz of travel, physical stiffness will manifest, as will your mental resistance, on and off the road. For where ever you go, there you are. Our bodies need to work and to rest; our minds need a job and a holiday. But I believe, if we feed our bodymind, much like we water our plants, tend to our animals, and connect with our loved ones, flow will be of the essence, wherever we are!

Here is a Pilates panacea for moments during your life’s travels when flow starts to feel like a distant memory. These movements can be incorporated into your daily life, so that the ‘mind’ of travel can seamlessly be with you at home and in the air, on your way to someplace fabulous! Knowing these movements are an intention away, ready when you are to get into the zone, whether at home, or in a bed other than your own!

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8. Recovery Pose! – really? Good for your calves, hips and

1. Spine Stretch – ahhh!

endurance for walking!

2. Scoop & Hollow – let your hands go and stay!

9. Open Hammock – stretches your spine and back pelvis,

3. Fly By – keep long not high.

and relieves hip tension.

4. Just Hold – no worries!

5. Bridge – stand on your own two feet!

10. Single Leg Stretch – with a bit of help

6. Lift off!

11. Scissors – lengthen those hamstrings!

7. Roll Down Your Spine – hang out for a bit and…breathe!

12a. Knee Drop – a gentle twist.

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12b.Knee Drop – a gentle twist.

13. Sitting Hawk – open your chest (can be done on a chair or the floor).

14. Meow! – a prep for what comes next….

15. Just Do it! – keeps you upright for long walks (more than once please…!).

16. Wall art #1.

17. Wall art #2.

18. Stretch it out #1.

19. Stretch it out #2.

20. Body Drip Front – alas! A rest pose to rebalance.

Danielle Belec, MA, CMA, PMA®-CPT, danced professionally for over a decade.

She first trained in Pilates in NYC in 1989, and opened Second Wind® Pilates Plus® and its associated teacher-training school in 1998. Known for “putting the soul back into Pilates”, Danielle is the creator of Integrated Movement Therapies (IMT)® and certified through The Pilates Method (PMA). secondwindpilates.ca wander-mag.com

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EACH YEAR, THE GLOBAL WELLNESS SUMMIT IDENTIFIES TRENDS THAT WILL HAVE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON THE WELLNESS INDUSTRY, AS PEOPLE WORLDWIDE TAKE MORE CONTROL OF THEIR OWN HEALTH AND WELLNESS. HERE ARE SOME OF THE 2018 TRAVEL TRENDS ALREADY TAKING SHAPE. 19

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TREND: MUSHROOMS EMERGE FROM UNDERGROUND Whether “magic” or medicinal, more people are exploring the unique medicine these fungi provide us, possibly even proving “‘better than existing treatments’ for anxiety, depression and addiction.” There’s a legalization movement in play for magical varieties, with experts predicting they will be legalized medicine within five years.

Guests are encouraged to stay for a minimum of six nights to work with psilocybin several times and allow for processing and integration. Retreats feature lodging, authentic Jamaican meals, herbal steam and massage sessions, guided hikes and ethnomycological teachings on gourmet, medicinal and psychoactive fungi.

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EXAMPLE: MycoMeditations (mycomeditations.com) offers psilocybin-assisted retreats in Jamaica for those looking for a “middle ground between the intuitive and the intellectual.” Psilocybin is a psychedelic mushroom said to initiate deep psychological healing and self-discovery.

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TREND: EXTREME WELLNESS “Hacking” our way to better brains and bodies is on the rise, with an increase in brain-optimizing nootropics and personalized precision wellness combining DNA, epigenetic and microbiome testing. The goal? Re-wiring ourselves to achieve the (once deemed) impossible. More people are gearing to train like an Olympic athlete or tough out extreme “mind over matter” workshops.

And new luxury travel escapes are popping up to challenge body and mind - like being dropped into the wilderness to fend for yourself.

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EXAMPLE: The “Ice Man” Wim Hof ’s workshops and expeditions in Switzerland (wimhofmethod.com) use cold therapy and breathwork to master immune and autonomic nervous systems.

Participants report everything from better sleep to increased willpower and enhanced creativity.

Catering to those who are looking for the ultimate Wim Hof Method experience, the biannual Expeditions offer training by experienced mentors in natural environments.

The summer expedition takes place in the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees and is centred around mastering the three pillars of the Wim Hof Method: breathing technique, cold exposure, and cultivating a mindset that allows you to incorporate these into your daily life. wander-mag.com

“OVER 90% OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION NOW BREATHE AIR THAT VIOLATES AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES: COUNTRIES LIKE CHINA AND INDIA ARE SMOTHERED IN TOXIC AIR, WHILE THE (ENERGY EFFICIENT) AIRTIGHT BUILDINGS IN DEVELOPED NATIONS CAN PROVE JUST AS DEADLY.”

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IMAGES (CLOCWISE: ©MICHAEL A. PINSKY; ©VISITFINLAND; ©AIRINUM

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TREND: GETTING OUR “CLEAN AIR ACT” TOGETHER “Over 90% of the world’s population now breathe air that violates air quality guidelines: countries like China and India are smothered in toxic air, while the (energy efficient) airtight buildings in developed nations can prove just as deadly.” As governments debate and argue over legislation, more of us are taking personal responsibility for the air we breathe, using plants to enhance indoor air quality and embracing salt therapy and breathwork training.

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EXAMPLE: In addition to Finnish Lapland, the World Health Organisation calls out Norman Wells, Canada, Campisábalos, Spain, and Converse County, United States as the best clean air localities in the world. You can travel the stunning Arctic wilderness of Finnish Lapland (visitfinland.com) on foot or by bike or a “lung-cleansing” getaway, where national parks showcase the unique characteristics of the area - virgin forests reaching quietly to the sky, lakes glimmering in a thousand shades of blue, and the wilderness of the Lapland fells. Watch out for more tourism boards promoting the clean air benefits of their destinations in future. wander-mag.com

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IMAGE: ©DEUN IVORY

"CARING FOR MYSELF IS NOT SELFINDULGENCE, IT IS SELF PRESERVATION AND THAT IS AN ACT OF POLITICAL WARFARE."

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TREND: A NEW FEMINIST WELLNESS “2017 was a year of attacks on, and fighting back, by women: the U.S. presidential administration threatening women’s rights, the 5 million-strong global Women’s March, Harvey Weinstein, MeToo, the exposure of the Silicon Valley boys club. #Resist and #thefutureisfemale became global movements, and “feminism” was rightly named the word of the year...With this confluence of forces, we predict new intersections between women’s empowerment, feminism and wellness in 2018.”

EXAMPLE: “Painmoons” - wellness retreats providing women with emotional healing after divorce, grief, anger, loss of sexual happiness and more, aimed at empowering and supporting women - are appearing on a global scale, designed and facilitated by women.

One example is ​The Women of Color Healing Retreats (womenofcolorhealingretreats.com) in Costa Rica, created out of the desire to connect women with nature and provide a space of “learning, healing, and nurturing that so often From women-only co-working spaces and alludes black women.” The retreats welcome black collectives to the wave of FemTech—women women of all religions, languages, and ages, with doctors and technologists“solving” for women’s the intention that a quote from Audre Lorde so actual bodies and apps that put fertility and beautifully explains, ​"Caring for myself is not hormone tracking in women’s hands—by women, self-indulgence, it is self preservation and that is for women, wellness solutions will march strong. an act of political warfare."

Trends from the report “2018 Wellness Trends, from Global Wellness Summit.”

Download your full copy at globalwellnesssummit.com.

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“EAT FOOD. NOT TOO MUCH. MOSTLY PLANTS.” ~ MICHAEL POLLAN

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IMAGE: ©JENNIFER PALLIAN

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A fish-heavy diet has been associated with later menopause.1 Your gut bacteria affect how you absorb fat.2 A plant-based diet can prevent and treat type 2 diabetes.3

IMAGES (L TO R): ©ADOBE STOCK; © JA MA

1. University of Leeds 2. University of Chicago Medical Center 3. Institute of Geriatric Cardiology

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“LET US EAT IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE KEEP OUR COMPASSION ALIVE, REDUCE THE SUFFERING OF LIVING BEINGS, PRESERVE OUR PLANET, AND REVERSE THE PROCESSES OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

“When you change your eating, it’s not just your eating that will change,” says Cassandra Ohlsen, MD, author of the recently released book, Enlightened Eating: The Eightfold Path to Health.

“What we eat impacts everything: from how much we weigh, to how we feel, how much we sleep, and our bodies ability to switch on disease-preventing genes and switch off disease-causing genes.

“The United States is one of the fattest and least healthy population nations in the world”, she says.

“We want the pleasures of the foods we like, and then we want a quick fix -- a pill -- to counteract the harm we’ve done to ourselves by eating them.”

“The bottom line however is simple - the best fix is to change how you eat and switch to a plant-based, whole foods diet,” she says. “Instead of overeating high-calorie, fat-laden, prepared, processed, and unnatural foods, indulge yourself by eating nutrient-rich, calorie-sparse natural foods -- vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains.”

But nutrition science is confusing and the hefty advertising budgets of the food industry can derail people. The incredible number and range of studies and science about food and diet is sometimes contradictory. People eat for countless reasons, including stress relief, to relieve fatigue, to comfort themselves, to accompany the alcohol they drink, to please others, to be included in family gatherings and social situations, to celebrate their heritage... seldom is it simply for health.

Dr. Ohlsen offers a guide is all about navigating this path and you don’t have to be a Buddhist to receive the benefits of their principles.

“You can change your health by changing what you eat”, she says, “as well as how to change how you think and act with regard to food. You can transform your relationship with food and change from the inside out.”

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HERE ARE A FEW OF HER RECOMMENDATIONS THINK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT-NOT WHAT YOU DON’T WANT. Getting to a new

way of eating requires a new way of thinking.

Since solutions always begin with thought, problems have to be solved first in our mind.

NAME WHAT YOU WANT TO CHANGE. Perhaps

there was a diagnosis of a medical problem and the issue is at least partly a result of the way you’ve been eating. Or maybe it’s simply time to improve or preserve your health and to do that there needs to be a change in diet. Or maybe you want to contribute to preserving the environment. Name it.

REFLECT ON HOW YOU GOT TO THIS PLACE. What

created this problem? Was it due to mindlessly overeating? Did you experience some kind of childhood trauma, or do you sometimes have bouts of depression? Only by knowing the reason behind the issue can you then actively change it.

VISUALIZE THE NEW BEHAVIOUR IN YOUR MIND BEFORE YOU PRACTICE IT. Visualize yourself

choosing more plant-based foods and enjoying the tastes and textures. Do this in as much detail as possible. See the colours, hear the crunch.

Feel the enjoyment and the satisfaction of eating wander-mag.com

nutritious foods, and the good feelings that come from treating your body well.

SAY POSITIVE STATEMENTS ALOUD TO YOURSELF.

This might include, “I see myself eating more healthfully each and every day. I am in the process of choosing foods that are better for me and the environment. I see myself becoming healthier, thinner, and more fit.”

WE BECOME WHAT WE ENVISION. Focus on the

present moment and observe your thoughts.

Do they work against this new way of eating, or do they encourage it? Do we tell ourselves we’re happy with our new eating or that we’re deprived? If the latter, we are less likely to stick with it.

CREATE THE THOUGHTS THAT WILL LEAD TO THAT NEXT ACTION. Many of us want to change

something but don’t know how. To change our eating habits (or any habits), identify the problem, look for the causes, eliminate them, and live with the solution through plans, thoughts, actions, and daily awareness.

Once you begin to take control of your mind, it’s time to take control of your food.

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IMAGE: ©ANDA AMBROSINI

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HOW TO TRANSITION TO PLANT-BASED EATING Tip: Think differently about what you already eat.

1. CONSIDER FRUITS, VEGETABLES, BEANS AND GRAINS AS THE MAIN FOCUS OF A MEAL RATHER THAN SIDE DISHES.

Beans, nuts, hummus, edamame and tofu are good protein additions to salads. Experiment.

This not only helps with the transition, it also automatically increases the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat daily.

Sandwiches: Create a salad between two pieces of bread.

Fruit: It’s satisfying, contains no salt or fat, provides a lot of great nutrition.

What to do: Have it washed and cleaned and available at all times for snacks. Throw it in a backpack, lunch box, briefcase, desk drawer or in the car. Throw into smoothies. Make it easy to grab a piece of fruit, rather than a sugar-filled energy bar or candy bar.

Salads: Make them a more prominent part of your meal.

What to do: Throw in more veggies, make it larger, add more protein or fruit - apples, berries, and dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries, and dates.

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What to do: Load it up with raw vegetables-lettuce, tomato, avocado, cucumber sprouts, or whatever veggies you love. Add a dip for extra flavour.

Snacks: When you’re hungry, go for something that will nourish you, not chips or candy or cheese.

What to do: Stuff raw vegetables with nut butter or soy cream cheese or hummus. Raw veggies can be used with many different types dips. Beans can be mashed or pureed and used as a dip with veggies, or as a sandwich spread or eaten with vegetables as a light meal.

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IMAGES (L TO R): ©NEHA DESHMUKH; © MARKUS SPISKE

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2. THE SQUARE MEAL PLAN

Imagine a square divided into quarters. In one corner there are dark-green leafy and other vegetables. In another corner there are legumes such as nuts, beans peas, tofu, or peanut butter.

Fresh fruits are in the third corner, and some kind of whole grains are in the forth. Eating this way, you’ll be sure to get all the vital nutrients you need, including protein.

A whole foods, plant-based diet, along with Buddhist psychology changes everything. It gives you a new way of reasoning, overcoming obstacles, and eliminating impulsive behaviours.

It will help you to: • Know when to stop eating • Become aware of the space between thought and action, allowing you to make good decisions • No longer consume anything mindlessly - food, alcohol, TV or anything else • Become aware of the now • Accept responsibility for how you live • Feel lucky to be able to eat in such a way that you no longer have to worry about weight • Know that eating has become a very spiritual thing

Cassandra Ohlsen, m.d., is a diplomate certified in Internal Medicine. She received her medical degree from Keck School of Medicine of USC and has been in practice for over twenty years. She has also practiced in Africa and India: In 1984, she worked with Mother Teresa at her Home for Dying Destitutes and her Children’s Home in Calcutta. Dr. Ohlsen also cared for the medically underserved at a Los Angeles clinic, helping to rebuild community health after the Watts riots; in Fresno, California, where she attended to migrant farm workers; and at the Monterey County Health Department, where she took care of indigent adults and children. Enlightened Eating is her first book. drcassandraohlsen.com. wander-mag.com

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#ShowUsYourVegan We asked our Instagram audience to show us their fave vegan dishes and snacks - and the results were delicious.

@whiteglovedvegan

@dextosterone

@alisonlinly89

@thecrueltyfreelifee

@mia_roundtheworld

@thesproutedveggie

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Many dream of experiencing the far North, to discover the stark beauty and way of living that is strikingly different from the rest of the Western world.

Last July, Edible Canada gathered food enthusiasts from all over the world to discover Canada's North through its food traditions and recipes.

Viewing stunning landscapes from a private jet, meeting wonderful people, and learning from cultures who still honour the old ways were just a few highlights of this adventure. Here's a taste from their online journal.

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After more than a year and a half of planning we are finally off on this incredible culinary adventure. Starting with an epic send off at Fairmont YVR, our guests gathered to mingle and meet our traveling culinary team.

Celebrating BC ingredients at this feast, Fairmont brought together chefs from four Fairmont properties to collaborate and throw an amazing party with an abundance of sustainable West Coast seafood, wild mushrooms, local cheeses, foraged greens all highlighting the best ingredients in British Columbia.

Guests had a chance to meet all the travelling chefs, and were treated to some epic cocktails by the Fairmont Pacific Rim’s own Creative Beverage Director, Grant Sceney. We are lucky enough to have Grant on board for the duration of the trip, keeping us well hydrated by stirring up some incredible libations on this trip using Corby’s spirits and local ingredients he is foraging for along the way.

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Making our way across the top of Canada we find ourselves now in Yellowknife. At this latitude, 400 km south of the Arctic Circle, there is a very wide range of time between day and night over the course of the year. Now in June so close to the summer solstice they have twenty hours of daylight and four hours of dusky light – it’s never truly dark out!

Yellowknife Situated on the North shore of Great Slave Lake, the deepest lake in North America, Yellowknife has a very unique subarctic climate. Due to the rain shadow effect of the mountains to the West they average less than 300 mm of precipitation annually, and because of the city’s proximity to Great Slave Lake the frost-free growing season averages around 100 days. Foraging season is in full swing and there’s edible bounty from the boreal forest everywhere you look.

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Flying over hundreds of kilometres of melting snow and ice the landscape finally gave way to a tiny community dotted with colourful buildings. A treeless, icy world with ever changing and unpredictable weather. Very few people make it this far North and visit communities in Nunavut, but those who do receive a warm welcome from the people who live here, and are treated to awe-inspiring natural wonders.

Nunavut is one of the most remote and sparsely settled areas in the world. It has a population of about 35,000, mostly Inuit, spread over 1,750,000 square kilometres.

We stopped down in Rankin Inlet for the day and visited several art galleries and other cultural sights. The chef team and I also visited a traditional caribou processing/drying facility, stood out on the ice flow and tried to take it all in. We were all pretty silent and in awe of what we saw. After a whirlwind day we were back on the plane headed to Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut.

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We made it! We successfully flew all the way across the top of Canada!

Landing in St. John’s Newfoundland marked the farthest East this journey took us. Lush green trees and colourful buildings greeted us upon arrival as we flew in over the water onto the rock.

St. John’s architecture has a distinct style, the buildings are built onto a hilly maze of streets, all painted bright colours, varied and unique. As North America’s oldest city, it’s full of arts, culture and amazing fresh seafood.

The bounty of seafood is incredible. You can watch the fishing boats unloading their catch from the windows of many restaurants. This is a fishing culture the chefs here focus on what’s local, what’s in season, and what’s fresh that day. You don’t see things like farmed tiger prawns from Asia on menus here.

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“TO GET LOST IS TO LEARN THE WAY”

IMAGE: ©PIOTR USEWICZ

~ AFRICAN PROVERB

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If you want to feel calmer and happier, focus on recalling special places instead of things.1 "Wellness resorts" has replaced the term "destination spa" in the industry.2 TED Talk darling confirms it: travel improves your relationships.3 1. National Trust 2. Wellness Tourism Association (WTA)

IMAGES (CLOCKWISE): ©DENYS NEVOZHAI; © NAD HEMNANI; © MIKAYLA HERRICK

3. Robert Waldinger

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Getting Back to Nature in Namibia

IMAGE: ©LUCAS ALEXANDER

By Chris Ryall

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We step out of the safari vehicle to stretch our legs. Rusten, our safari guide, cautions us to be alert. We were open prey to lions, elephants and hippos as we wander near the riverbank’s edge in Bwabwata National Park located in northeastern Namibia bordering Angola in the north and Botswana in the south.

Casual conversation is suddenly interrupted with a distinct rustling sound emanating only a few metres away. In the riverbank’s weeds, we see a moving and menacing-looking head and outline of a full-size crocodile. Without hesitation and with hearts beating fast, we make a mad dash to the safety of our safari vehicle.

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IMAGE: ©CHRIS RYALL

THE CALL OF THE WILD Nature and Namibia are ever present cohabitants and happy to be that way. Namibia takes nature seriously. Back in 2012, it was the first country in Africa and one of the first in the world to incorporate protection of the environment into its Constitution. More than 40 percent of Namibia’s surface area is under conservation management.

Today’s residents and travellers to Namibia are the lucky recipients of this conservation management. Unlike other African nations, Namibia’s wildlife population is thriving with the world’s largest free-roaming population of black rhinos and cheetahs and the elephant and lion populations are making a comeback.

Poaching is minimal. wander-mag.com

I’ve been fortunate to experience many African safaris in countries like South Africa and Kenya.

What makes Namibia so different? Crowds or lack thereof – when you see a lion, rhino or other large wildlife the word spreads and like a magnet a convoy of safari vehicles converge at that spot.

In Namibia, the safari tracks are more covered with elephant dung then vehicles.

My fellow group of veteran travellers from U.S. and Canada are on a 10-day river and land safari with Blue Crane Safaris beginning in the German-influenced capital of Windhoek.

Namibia claimed its independence in 1990 (then called Southwest Africa) and is seen as one of the safest, politically stable and more prosperous African countries. We take a short 90-minute flight to Namibia’s northeast corner and land at Katima Mulilo airport.

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IMAGES: ©CHRIS RYALL

Though many people go on land safaris this trip was focusing on river safaris on Namibia’s four major rivers: Zambezi, Kwando, Chobe and Okavango. The Four Rivers Route bordering Botswana, Zambia and Angola features a distinct water ecosystem.

CONSTANT CHIRPING With more than 430 bird species prevalent throughout the Zambezi and Kavango region (formerly known as the Caprivi Strip), birders will delight in every chirp and trill while ticking sightings of slaty egret, wattled crane, soaring fish eagle, and the very colourful southern carmine bee-eater off their list. Unlike wildlife, best viewed in the dry season when they congregate to watering holes, the wet season months especially January to March is a birdwatcher’s paradise.

A wonderful tradition that became a habit on this trip was enjoying a refreshing sundowner while cruising the rivers and waterways. Danger though is always close at hand. Lurking below and near the boat, the 49

IF YOU GO For Tourism Information

Namibia Tourist Board For Namibia Safari Tours (Custom & Scheduled)

Blue Crane Safaris

Direct Flight to Africa/Connect to Namibia

Ethiopian Airlines

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IMAGES: ©CHRIS RYALL

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river is teeming with hippos, crocodiles and Africa’s version of the piranha, the tiger fish with its oversized, razor-sharp teeth. It’s more than enough reason not to dip my hand into the deadly waters lest leave my pound of flesh in Namibia.

The wondrous things about riding in boats are the feeling of open air and never knowing what we will see around each river bend. A sense of tranquillity I felt passing beds of waterlilies and papyrus was shattered when someone in our group yells out, “Two elephants.” In an instant, Along the riverbanks, we see occasional mokoros, the silence is broken and we are now witnessing the traditional dug-out canoes used frequently in two male pachyderms battle to win the right to the Okavango Delta. Local villagers fish as well breed with a female elephant. Nature can be kind as transport food and other supplies sometimes but also brutal. illegally as the two country’s borders can be as little as 25 metres apart. Our group persuaded On the Okavango river, we encounter a bloat of the boat guide on different river excursions to hippos. They usually congregate in families of go “to the other side” – which meant Botswana, ten to twenty. We are awestruck when one male Zambia or Angola. These were no passport/ hippo looks directly toward our boat perhaps paperwork “entries” and when we reached a thinking what a feast we would be and opens its riverbank in Angola it was pointed out there were massive mouth. A hippo can open its jaws an still thousands of live land mines leftover from impressive 150 degrees – easily enough to chomp the country’s civil wars. That prompted us not to on our human body. As we keep our distance overstay our visit! about 20 metres away in the boat with camera wander-mag.com

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shutters going off at record speed the hippo and his companions never take their eyes off us. We all know who rules this river and they aren’t drinking sundowners.

VILLAGE CULTURE A visitor’s bonus when travelling in this region is the chance to visit the numerous traditional villages along or near the riverbanks. Most villages retain the construction of centuries past with sticks, logs, earth and thatch.

The cluster of huts are usually bee-hive or round shaped and surrounded by wooden palisades.

Many tribes live in the region including the Masubia, Mafwe and Mashi who farm maize, millet, melons and even pumpkins.

Westerners would find the living conditions primitive with no running water or electricity but sometimes a simple life can be the happiest one. They could teach us a thing or two about the importance of community and family. Smiles and waves are in abundance here. It was inspiring to see children playing not with an iPhone but with each other in a game of soccer or a popular game called Owela played with seeds, pebbles, marbles and stones.

Namibian river adventures cater to all styles of comfort from thatched tents literally on the riverbank’s edge to luxury lodges featuring Namibian inspired furnishings and design.

This journey was a trip on the wild side but also the riverside. Safaris are not only on land. Explore Namibia’s Four Rivers route on a river cruise.

Don’t be surprised if you start crooning, “Moon River” at sunset while enjoying a cool cocktail.

Chris is an avid traveller who loves immersing himself into the local culture. He has been fortunate to do just that in more than 80 countries with the African continent a favourite source of discovery and wonder. His camera lens focuses not only on stunning landscapes but on the smiling faces of local villagers. He loves nothing more than conversing, eating, drinking and dancing (even though he has no rhythm) with the locals. Chris has written for many publications including Dreamscapes Magazine, Toronto Star, WestJet Magazine, Yahoo.com, SpaLife, TravelindustryToday.com, Canadian Traveller, Travelweek and others.

He is Wander Magazine's Live Well Editor.

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IMAGE: ŠJASON BLACKEYE

I'm looking for recommendations for combining spa, yoga and meditation with a culinary vacation late Summer / early Fall.

Should I book a culinary tour package and then a spa resort separately, or are there options where spa and yoga can be combined with local food tours?

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IMAGE: COURTESY OF RANCHO LA PUERTA

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“The world of wellness travel has grown exponentially over the past decade and options for travellers seeking a culinarywellness experience abound!

Chris Torgerson Stone Arch Travel

With a background of 20+ years in the travel industry, Chris has a passion for wellness travel which she shares with her clients, providing options and ideas to exceed expectations from startto-finish. Chris is a member of the Wellness Tourism Association. stonearchtravel.com

To begin planning your culinary-wellness journey, start by contacting a travel advisor specializing in wellness travel. Through carefully crafted questions and interactive discussion, your advisor will seek to understand the experiences you desire and can then suggest options to fit your culinary-wellness experience.

Two North American examples to provide you with a little “taste” of what is available in the world of culinary-wellness experiences include Miraval Resort & Spa located in Tucson, Arizona and Rancho La Puerta, located in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico.

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IMAGE: ©MIRAVAL ARIZONA

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Miraval, located at the base of the beautiful Catalina Mountains offers an array of culinary options and interactive experiences, including chef-lead cooking demonstrations where guests prepare (and enjoy!) a signature appetizer and cocktail. Guests also have the opportunity to join the Miraval beekeeper to experience the wonder and magic of bees. The culinary experiences are combined with a rich menu of physical activities including yoga, hiking, meditation and education, along with spa experiences created to touch all points for a mind, body spirit refresh.

Rancho La Puerta located within a spectacular 4,000-acre nature preserve provides guests with physical activities including yoga, hiking, trail runs, water workouts (and more), to mindfulness reflection and education designed for rest and renewal. Guests at Rancho La Puerta dine on beautifully created, fresh, organic culinary options and can also choose to participate in farm-to-table cooking classes at La Conina Que Canta Cooking School with a rotation of worldrenowned chefs.

A myriad of culinary-wellness experiences awaits – enjoy every moment of the journey as you plan your amazing get-a-way!”

Have a question for the experts? Email us at editor@wander-mag.com. wander-mag.com

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By Kristina Smith

If you travel often for business like I do, you know it can be draining: long days, hectic meeting schedules, time spent cooped up in airplanes.

But alongside there are perks: new places to experience, connections to make, comfy hotel beds to collapse into.

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IMAGE: ŠBODY BLITZ

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So, during my last industry conference in Toronto, Canada, I decided to extend the trip a couple of days and take some time out. I booked extra nights at my hotel to follow the conference and packed my bag with business attire - I stick to neutral colours to make life easy - plus some items just for me: tea, travel kettle, protein bars, flax eye mask, a journal and my yoga mat.

feel of a Japanese garden, where only the sound of water falling could be heard (a Jacuzzi was available for a pre-treatment soak which I will be sure to take advantage of next time).

This particular hotel was perfect for an urban retreat as it is home to SpaZen, an oasis tucked away on the 4th floor. I relaxed with a tea in their quiet, glass-enclosed solarium with the look and

Back in my room, I had already picked up healthy take-out from a local whole foods deli so I could stay in. After eating in conference halls and restaurants late at night, it was a welcome change!

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From the spa menu, I chose their signature manipedi, a relaxing experience involving exfoliation, hydration and oil and warmed stones. Bliss.

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IMAGE: ©BODY BLITZ

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I sipped detoxifying tea, did yoga and meditation (grateful for the Insight app) and slept, soundly.

I also took the opportunity while in Toronto to book into Body Blitz for a body scrub, where the age-old tradition of communal bathing allows women to come together while ‘taking the waters’ in a bathing suit-optional, femaleonly environment.

All treatments include access to the waters, so I spent 90 minutes winding down in the therapeutic waters circuit, with a warm Dead Sea salt pool, hot Epsom salt pool, and cold plunge pool plus eucalyptus steam room and infrared sauna. The entire circuit is housed in large indoor space reminiscent of an ancient Roman bathing house.

Showers, lockers, towels, a robe and sandals are all included, and while talking is permitted, hushed voices are encouraged. While lounging, 57

you can call up to the desk and order a tea or a fresh juice for sipping. Afterwards, I met my lovely esthetician who led me to a tiled treatment room for a signature full-body scrub, where I stripped down to nothing but the disposable thong provided.

I choose the sweet ginger scrub, formulated with minerals rich in salt and essential oils to eliminate toxins and reduce inflammation. My skin was cleansed, exfoliated and stimulated front and back in an incredible series of scrubbing and rinsing, with low lighting and warm water to soothe and relax.

The scrub was followed by a soothing body massage with lotion to counterbalance the invigoration of the scrub and encourage draining of the lymph nodes. My entire body was so soft and hydrated, and I was so incredibly relaxed, it was difficult to exit into the cold winter wind outside! wander-mag.com

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TRAVEL MUST HAVES

WHAT I PACKED FOR MY URBAN WORK//RETREAT.

3 2

“Simply stunning, and a nice weight to it.

I use it for water, tea and smoothies. ”

“Plant-based and cruelty-free, and the coconut-avocadoargan oil combo works for my hair.”

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4

“I don’t tend to wear lipstick but this vegan nude felt soothing. Pumpkin Spice, just because.”

“Durable, grabbable, totally roll-able, and expandable. In love with this luggage!”

“Adore the apothecary-style bottle and the scent is absolutely heavenly. Super nourishing.”

1. Gear Warrior™ AWD 26, $299, shop.eaglecreek.com 2. Vega Vacuum Bottle, $25, proofexists.com 3. Hair Travel Set, $14.99, urbanhydration.com 4. Rose Hair Elixir, $20, theinnatelife.co 5. Matte Liquid Lipstick, $18, cherjokle.net Shout out to reader Elizabeth Morgan for recommending we check out Body Blitz! wander-mag.com

Plan your visit at bodyblitzspa.com.

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IMAGE: ©JASON COOPER

ETHICAL AND SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL

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IMAGE: ©THE YEATMAN HOTEL

Recharge in One of Europe’s Most Charming Cities

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IMAGE: ©TBY-NC-ND - ASSOCIAÇÃO DE TURISMO DO PORTO E NORTE, AR

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Recently voted “Best European Destination” by the European Consumers Choice, Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, has been luring visitors with its traditional beauty, top-quality wine, and trendy old-town bohemian vibe.

This eclectic city offers more of an authentic taste of Portuguese life than its popular capital Lisbon. It will enchant you with its mysterious narrow medieval alleyways and colourful azueljos (hand-painted ceramic tiles).

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An ideal destination for anyone looking for a laid-back but active getaway, indulging in culinary opportunities and exploring historical landmarks and hidden gems on foot. wander-mag.com

IMAGES (CLOCKWISE TOP LEFT): ©TBY-NC-ND - ASSOCIAÇÃO DE TURISMO DO PORTO E NORTE, AR ; ©THE YEATMAN HOTEL; ©THE YEATMAN HOTEL; ©THE YEATMAN HOTEL; ©TBY-NC-ND - ASSOCIAÇÃO DE TURISMO DO PORTO E NORTE, AR

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The Yeatman Hotel Home to one of the top 12 infinity pools in the world named by Condé Nast Traveler... Here your breath will be taken away by the most magnificent panoramic view of Porto.

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Stroll Down to the Remarkable Ribeira Cross the Ponte Luís I Bridge A World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Ribeira is the oldest and most romantic district of Porto. Prepare to get lost in a maze of tight cobbled street alleyways set on a hill. As you make your way down, you will see a stunning view of the Douro River, Ponte Luís I and Port wine cellars.

Visit the São Bento Train Station One of the most beautiful railway stations in the world. As you enter the entrance hall, you will find around 20,000 blue hand-painted tiles, each panel illustrating a scene from Portugal’s history that will simply take your breath away.

Pop into Livraria Lello This neo-gothic bookstore is strikingly beautiful with its stained glass ceiling, iconic red spiral staircase, and ornate wood carvings. A must stop for Harry Potter fans - J.K. Rowling lived and wrote much of the series in Porto. Rumour has it, this was her muse and inspiration for Hogwart’s library. There is an admission fee for the bookstore and it tends to get crowded. Tip: Buy a ticket online to avoid waiting in the queue.

Climb the Clérigos Tower Climb the 225 steps to the top of the Baroque style bell tower. Take in the gorgeous view of the city from the top of the most monumental landmarks in Porto.

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This 19th-century bridge was built by Gustave Eiffel, the architect behind the Eiffel Tower. The Ribeira’s landscape is shaped by this ironwork masterpiece connecting Porto and its neighbouring city of Vila Nova de Gaia. Cross the bridge and you will have the most impressive view of the Douro River and the two cities.

Discover the Port Wine Cellars When you cross the Douro river on the Ponte Luís I Bridge, you will arrive on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Douro. This is where some 50+ companies age their Port wine in wooden casks.

Explore these Port wine cellars, learn how Port wine is made and take the opportunity to do a Port wine tasting.

Surf at Praia de Matosinhos Learn to surf and catch a wave at the beach of Matosinhos. Here you’ll find surf schools, stores, and wind and kite surfers looking for the perfect wave. After a day of riding the waves, dine at one of the many fine restaurants located on the seafront. These restaurants are known to have the freshest seafood in town. And remember to pair it with a glass of light and fresh vinho verde!

Bike along Ribeira to Foz do Douro Ride along the waterfront avenue and discover the riverside and the beach right up to where the

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IMAGE: ©TBY-NC-ND - ASSOCIAÇÃO DE TURISMO DO PORTO E NORTE, AR

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IMAGE: ©THE YEATMAN HOTEL

You’ll be wishing you could stay and enjoy this magical city a little longer!

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Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Along the 6 km journey, enjoy the sea breeze and indulge in the local lifestyle. Stop and recharge at an outdoor café in Foz, an upscale neighbourhood.

Be sure to take in the beautiful Jardim do Passio Alegre, a lovely park where you can play minigolf next to the river. Further down, you will find Farol de Felgueiras, a 19th-century lighthouse in the middle of the Atlantic. Enjoy a movielike view of the city and watch the rolling Atlantic breakers.

Home to one of the top 12 infinity pools in the world named by Condé Nast Traveler, shaped to look like a decanter. Here your breath will be taken away by the most magnificent panoramic view of Porto.

Treat yourself at The Yeatman Hotel

Round off your visit and have an afternoon tea, or dine at the only restaurant in Porto to be awarded two Michelin Stars while enjoying a stunning sunset. Pamper yourself at the Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa. Try the Barrel Bath where you will bathe in the beauty properties of grape extracts, helping you restore your skin, body and mind.

One of the most relaxing experiences you can have after an active day is to visit the luxurious The Yeatman Hotel, located in Vila Nova de Gaia.

You’ll be wishing you could stay and enjoy this magical city a little longer!

Theresa Ho is the Founder of Happy Free Lifestyle.

She's a free-spirited, freedom-lovin', wellness travel junkie sent to help apprehensive go-getters reclaim their lives and grow into their most authentic self. happyfreelifestyle.com

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IMAGE:S COURTESY OF THE EVOLVED TRAVELER

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Editor’s Note Ethical and sustainable travel is something that we at Wander feel is an inseparable part of “wellness travel” for self, and the planet. With that in mind, we are thrilled to introduce a regular column from Justin Smith from The Evolved Traveler. We hope you will find inspiration in his refreshing outlook on the future of the industry.

is a term many of you may have become aware of the past few years but could quite likely be unsure of its true meaning or application. I would like to believe that will soon change. The groundswell regarding Sustainable Tourism is significant, so much so that the United Nations declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism. While the rise in awareness of Sustainable Tourism is encouraging, many of us in the travel industry that are passionate about the issue have put it at the pole position of our business believing it is not only a necessity but in many instances, critical.

All of us are aware of sustainable options available to us in our everyday lives such as community recycling programs, organic food options, and even alternative powered vehicles. Yet, unbeknownst to many travel consumers, similar options are also available when it comes to making choices for travel. That being said, we presently face two significant challenges regarding Sustainable Tourism – a clear and unified approach from which we, the travel industry, work, and subsequently but equally important, providing consistent awareness and clear best practices to you, our clients and guests. I believe we can begin to define the principles of Sustainable Tourism into three easy “best practices.”

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Sustainable Tourism was born of very simple, common-sense ideas, but in its organic and authentic form, is still in its infancy. However, the time is here for all of us to begin practising it.

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Ensure local communities benefit socially and economically from your travel

Reduce negative impacts on the environment

Presently, no more than 10% of all tourism revenue in developing nations benefits the local communities visited. The social and economic benefits to communities are monumental when there is even a marginal shift in this paradigm.

One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to ask your travel agents and tour operators if the products and services they will be using are sourced locally.

This is the easy one! Apply a few simple rules to your travels just as you likely do every day at home: reduce use of disposable and consumable goods, respect and protect natural resources wherever and whenever possible; reduce energy and fuel consumption; do not participate in the inhumane treatment, consumption, trading, or harvesting of protected wildlife and plant life.

Sustainable Tourism was born of very simple, Enrich cultural heritage and understanding common-sense ideas, but in its organic and See yourself as an ambassador of culture and authentic form, is still in its infancy. However, the goodwill. Remember, you are travelling to and time is here for all of us to begin practising it. I visiting people’s homes, towns and communities. believe our first step towards that could be as easy Treat them with the same respect you would want as setting our intention in regard to it. What is in your own home or community. Moreover, that intention? To think as a global citizen, not a engage with them authentically by initiating global consumer. This simple shift in perspective discussion of their everyday lives, family, culture, is extremely powerful when done individually, community, and even their view of the effects of image its implications when it’s done collectively. tourism on their communities and country. You will be rewarded with far richer experiences and knowledge.

Founder and president of The Evolved Traveler and Evolved Retreats, Justin Smith is a 33-year veteran of the travel and cruise industries. Having travelled to over 100 countries, he possesses extensive international knowledge and expertise in luxury itinerary and tour development. Justin continually strives to bring new and rewarding experiences to his guests worldwide. Believing that travel could, and indeed should, “evolve” into something even more rewarding and inspiring—not only to the travellers themselves but also to the people they encountered and countries they visit on their journeys—Justin created The Evolved Traveler.

The company curates personalized, international luxury journeys which encompass the highest level of Guest service combined with Sustainable Tourism and authentic community engagement, offering a “benefit to all” approach to travel. Justin believes the result is an endto-end experience that benefits the traveller, the communities they visit, and the environment.

Justin resides in Los Angeles and continues to travel the world at every opportunity. evolvedtraveler.com

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“Travel light, live light,

spread the light, be the light.”

– Yogi Bhajan

Luxury Travel with a Purpose UNSURPASSED EXPERIENCES

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

GIVING BACK GLOBALLY

We believe that luxury travel and philanthropy are not mutually exclusive.

Our personalized journeys are designed with the benefits of both in mind, intertwining impeccable service and accommodations with the opportunity to truly experience your destination in-depth and to give back to local communities at the same time.

Our goal is to create a positive and lasting impact wherever we go, which is why we’ve created our own declaration of sustainability. We endeavor to leave all destinations our guests travel to in better condition and, we encourage all those we work with to implement sustainability goals that are realistic and attainable within their sphere of influence.

The Evolved Traveler donates a portion of every custom land journey to charitable causes around the world, so our guests can be assured that their travels are making a difference right from the very start. Our Charity Partners are a collection of nonprofit organisations our guests can choose from for us to donate to on their behalf.

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SOUTHEAST ASIA | CENTRAL AMERICA | INDIA & SOUTH ASIA wander-mag.com 70 AMERICA | CUSTOM EXPLORATIONS NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST | SOUTH

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PETRA STORMEN

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Petra Stormen, MBCT therapist, Life Coach and certified Passion Test Facilitator, is the director and co-founder of Petra Stormen Coaching & Consultancy and Lunablu Retreats. Petra worked as an executive in the travel, entertainment and medical devices industries prior to establishing her independent consulting company. Since then, she has coached hundreds of people from all walks of life and is an expert in the field of transformation management, guiding individuals, teams, and large organizations through complex change processes.

What does the perfect Sunday look like to you?

It begins with opening eyes oblivious to time, aware of sunlight flooding the room. A gentle stretch, a smile……it’s Sunday. In the softest and comfiest of clothes, I wend my way to the kitchen. As the kettle comes to the boil I select something tasty and aromatic from the tea box.

Then it’s cup in hand and out the patio doors to the garden. The sun already promises warmth to reach my very core. Shining on my face it makes me stop and smile, drinking in the sweetness of the garden waking. Birds, red squirrels, and even the frogs in the pond are a regular, welcome wander-mag.com

feature to share my morning ritual. No need to find a frog to kiss: my prince is indoors. I can hear him preparing breakfast. Luca is a chef, weekends are his busy time so the morning is an island shared with us two and our animal friends.

The air is sweet and the sanctuary complete. After Luca leaves I settle down to paint - drawing pens, pencils, inks all around - I immerse myself in the colours and patterns. A passion I rediscovered only recently. Creating my artwork is meditative and transcendental, intuitive and energy based, like representations of what is happening in my life or in the world.

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WANDER / SPRING 18 / TRAVEL WELL

We’re having a potluck dinner. What do you bring?

Vermentino wines in stock at home, so they will be in the fridge the evening before. Vermentino is gathering in popularity all around Europe. It’s a light-bodied white wine, however, what’s exciting about this wine is it can be deliciously complex similar in taste to a Sauvignon Blanc but unique.

Unspoiled.

Everything handmade, with only the best ingredients. The taste stops the conversation and changes the subject to “mmmmmm this is nice…” We would probably make fresh pasta, mezza lunes (Italian pasta) filled with ricotta and spinach, with some sage plucked from the herb garden and the best quality olive oil. Make some focaccia with loads of different cheeses, affitate, olives and fresh capers. Our annual visits to Sardegna ensure that we have some

Go-to comfort at the end of the day?

Kick off the “heels” to kicks away the working day. Pad about in bare feet wending my way to where the Vermentino is. Glugging, popping 73

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sound as it splashes into the glass releases aromas that moisten the mouth…. usually a sigh round about now.

What’s in your carry on?

I travel mainly for business, which means a laptop, phone, headset and a good book. Then I’ll have a scarf for the cozy feel and a bottle of water.

The same carry on every time. Boring? Simple?

Maybe, but the less I carry the better I feel.

Best wellness or travel tip?

A week with Lunablu, Holidays for the soul, in Puglia, Italy. Discerning people want something more for their time and money. A wellness break that offers a holistic approach for the total person. A holiday break for body, mind and spirit indeed for more than the sum of these parts, so that we can return home from a holiday truly rested, happy and perhaps even with new skills!

The sea is turquoise, the beaches sandy, the air sweet and clean. Mediterranean cuisine - organic, locally sourced food from the village where everyone still greets each other. The programs are amazing, not just average retreat programs, but complete immersions in the local lifestyle, incredible teachers and high-quality excursions and experiences.

What excites you about your company?

I wanted to be able to offer my clients something more…an experience more than anything. A short intensive period in which all senses where

triggered and we could truly hold space for clients; our organization Lunablu Retreats was born, a fairly young initiative, but already I have met amazing people, co-workers and clients. We offer incredible holiday experiences in South Italy. For us, it is all about connection, the deep and meaningful version. I strongly believe that we meet each other for a purpose as we walk on this earth, during this lifetime. All these meetings bring special knowledge, unique information and indescribable energy. Take the example of simply making pasta all together: you can see the energy change, sparkling eyes, and seeds of friendships for life. It is those moments where we can see soul connections, moments of happiness, even knowing that perhaps circumstances are difficult for people. Deep sighs of relaxation, smiles that reach the eye, pink cheeks after a poolside massage or the occasional aha-moments during sessions… it is then that we know this is what we are passionate about and this is what we love to do!

What do you want your legacy to be?

I hope to leave a legacy of consciously doing the best we possibly can every single day: Nobody is flawless and nor perfect. We have a human experience and should be grateful for each day that we live. We should trust in what is given to us in this life be it happy or sad experiences, as both leading us to growth and evolution over time. We have this rare opportunity to give and share the best version of ourselves to ourselves and to others and I hope to continuously share this message with others around me.

petrastormen.com lunabluretreats.com wander-mag.com

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