Maybe I have a biased opinion because I grew up in this magical area, or maybe you’ll have to come visit yourself. The Sunshine Coast is a slow-paced area with beautiful small towns sprinkled along the coast. From hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, exploring beaches, cafes and restaurants or the local shops, there is something for everyone here. Trust me… you wont want to leave.
Athens, Greece
Greece had always been one of my top places to visit for my entire life. The first time I stepped foot on it’s ancient ground I was with two of my girlfriends and we had an absolute blast. From Athens to Santorini to Crete, it was one of the most spectacular girls trips I’ve taken and I fell so head over heels with the country. A few years later I signed a professional volleyball contract in Athens where I got to live for seven months and ultimately feel like a local. I always try to find the best kept secrets in the city I am exploring although I don’t often have months on months. Dive into the history of Athens and all it’s gateways to other amazing parts of the beautiful country of Greece.
What NOT to miss in Athens
1. Acropolis + PARTHENON
2. ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
3. PLAKA
A DARLING LITTLE TOWN WITH SHOPS AND STREET VENDORS AT THE BASE OF THE ACROPOLIS HILL.
4. FILOPAPPOU HILL
Walk to the top for the best view in all of Athens
5. MONASTIRAKI
A GREAT PLACE TO COME GRAB A bite to eat or a drink. Find a rooftop bar and watch the sunset over the Acropolis hill. They also have a very fun flea market
6. Ancient Agora of Athens
Iconic Greek ruins with a really awesome museum
7. Temple of Hephaestus
Be careful not to miss this amazing temple! Down in the bustling city of Athens you can find some spectacular ruins intermingled within the city dwellers. Right across from the Ancient Agora.
8. Arch of Hadrian
9. Kerameikos
Located to the northwest of the Acropolis, it includes an extensive area both within and outside the ancient walls known as the potters’ quarter of the city (this is where the word “ceramic” is derived).
10. Panathenaic Statium
11. Vouliagmeni
One of my favourite places to spend an afternoon! There are some amazing shops and green spaces you can spend a few hours wandering around, finding a nice brunch spot, and enjoying the sunshine. A hop skip and a jump can take you to my absolute favourite restaurant in all of Athens: Moorings. The surrounding area is beautiful too so make sure you leave some time for exploring!
12. Piraeus Harbour
13. Tower of the Winds
14. Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
A beautiful Greek Orthodox Church which is one of the oldest churches in all of Athens
15. Limanaki
Me and my teammate’s favourite spot: “The Watering Hole.” We were lucky enough to experience this little slice of heaven during the off season but during the summer this hidden gem is bustling with locals wanting to cool off.
Paradise in Mancora
Abu Dhabi
Malta
Malta holds a special place in my heart. It’s where my husband and I spent Christmas two years ago and is actually the location where we got engaged. A magical island with everything you could ask for in one trip; rich culture, relaxing beaches, alluring streets, inviting restaurants. Here is your three-day itinerary to the beautiful island of Malta!
Tofino
Tofino is a little piece of heaven. It’s a small community on the west coast of Vancouver Island featuring lush rainforests, rocky coastlines, and endless stretches of beaches; an amazing escape if you’re looking to be rejuvenated in mind, body, and soul. Stunning natural beauty paired with a laid-back, authentic surf culture, it’s hard not to fall head over heels with this place.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Welcome to the wonderful world of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio is a huge seaside city home to some of the best beaches in the world, the 38m Christ Redeemer statue and the Sugarloaf mountain with it’s cable cars to it’s summit. Here are seven of the must do things in this vibrant, lively, expansive city.
Budapest Eats
One of the most magical and alluring cities I’ve been to recently also has an unbelievable food scene. Nestled into the crooks and crannies around every turn are delicious bakeries, cafes, and restaurants that not to be missed. However, when wandering make sure to not judge by the outside; often the best restaurants I’ve come across are the one’s where the magic is solely happening on the inside.
Budapest
Euro Tour
Team Canada jetted off on our first European tour this past August to play in some exhibition matches against the Turkish, Bulgarian, and German National Teams. We were gone for a total of three weeks; one week in Istanbul, Turkey and two weeks in Rimini, Italy. A tough trip overall with a heavy training and match schedule, but we took major steps forward as a team and now have total confidence heading into World Championships in Japan.
Indonesia
This contract offer kind of fell into my lap randomly this past summer. I was on our much needed two week break in July after a hectic start to the summer with National Team and found myself down in Sandpoint with Rudy and his family. My previous team’s manager from Baku sent me a message asking if I would be interested. I signed the next day.
Athens, Greece
I have been in Athens, Greece for over three months now and wow - time flies (…most days!). I settled in pretty quickly, enjoying everything that Athens has to offer. My housing and club situation is great and my surroundings have vastly improved from last year. I am living across the hall from Canadian National teammate, Marisa Field, our neighbourhood is bustling with cute cafes and bars, and the city center is only fifteen minutes away.
Azerbaijan
When I first started telling people I was going to Azerbaijan, I pretty much had the same response across the board. Where on earth is that? Is that a real place? When I pull out a map to show them, the shock value increases. Ohmygoshhhhhhh it's like - the middle east? Is it safe? So far it's been nothing but safe.
