The T Word Travel

10/04/2026

If you were planning a 2-week Europe trip, would you try to see everything… or slow it down?

A subscriber in my community just did it across France and Germany, and his approach was interesting.

I’m sharing his full route and lessons in today’s email, subscribe to stay in the loop:

Sharing practical tips, honest reviews, and real-life stories to help you travel smarter - and stretch your budget further. Want in? Get weekly Friday updates with Tanya’s travel hacks, destination guides, and exclusive resources - straight to your inbox.

12/03/2026

✈️ Quick reminder for my fellow travelers.

I am currently giving away a carry-on suitcase that is perfect for trips where you want to travel light, hop on trains, and avoid checked luggage.

If you have been dreaming about your next trip to Europe, a Caribbean escape, or even a quick weekend getaway, this could be a great bag to take with you.

The giveaway closes Saturday night, so there is still time to enter.

I will put the entry link in the comments.

07/03/2026

✈️ Carry-On Suitcase Giveaway

If you love traveling with just a carry-on, this one is for you.

I’m giving away 2 premium carry-on suitcases (value $700+) to help make your next trip easier.

After years of traveling with my family, I’ve learned that the right carry-on makes a huge difference. Smooth wheels, smart compartments, and something that actually survives airports.

So I decided to give two away.

Two winners will each receive a premium carry-on suitcase.

You can enter here:
👉https://the-t-word-travel.kit.com/ab3f3fe2b2

⏰ Giveaway closes March 14

When you enter, you’ll also get my guide on how to pack for a one-week trip using only a carry-on.

✈️ Where would you take this carry-on first? Tag the friend you'd bring with you.

06/02/2026

🚗 Quick question, are you traveling soon and planning to rent a car?

If you are, don’t book it blindly. My rental car broker site is often one of the cheapest places to book, especially for Europe and the Caribbean. Same cars, same pickup desks, just better pricing.

Before you book, here are a few things I always tell people to watch out for when renting a car abroad.

• Check what insurance is actually included. Some quotes look cheap until basic coverage is missing.
• Watch the deposit amount. In some countries, deposits can be very high.
• Manual vs automatic matters. Automatics cost more and sell out fast in Europe.
• Read the fuel policy carefully. Full to full is usually best.
• Know the age rules. Extra fees often apply under 25 or under 30.
• Take photos at pickup and drop off. Inside and out.

If you want to compare prices before they jump, you can use my rental car broker here. It’s the same site I use for my own trips.

https://thetwordtravel.carrentalnet.com/

04/02/2026

A little Caribbean inspo for your feed today 🌴✈️

I was recently featured in an article by another travel writer sharing some of the best islands to stay in the Caribbean, with ideas for all kinds of trips.

If you’re daydreaming about your next escape, this one’s worth a read.
Link in the comments 👇

02/02/2026

I shared this with my email list on Friday.. and I get this question at least a couple times a week! I finally wrote down what I know, and taped a short video explaining how to do it.

There are no hacks, no secret tricks, just tried and tested method that I actually use to book my family's flights every time we travel. ✈️

Link in the comments 👇

27/01/2026

💼 Just published a new suitcase test that surprised me.

We took two quality carry-on suitcases on the same trip, from snowy Montreal to sunny Guadeloupe, and put them through real travel conditions.

🚶‍♀️🛃 Cold sidewalks, airport chaos, overhead bins, humidity, sand, and tight connections.

One case handled winter and summer travel better than expected, the other had some clear strengths but also limits once the trip stretched out. 🌴

If you travel with just a carry-on and want something that works in very different climates, this comparison might save you some trial and error.

Link in comments 👉

10/01/2026

We met a woman named Nenette on Christmas Eve in Guadeloupe.

I had pre-ordered a traditional holiday meal from her - a Creole grandmother who cooks for the community out of her home. I expected a quick handoff.

Instead, she welcomed us in, poured us glasses of the local drink 'ti punch' which was made with her own gooseberry syrup, and we stood together in her kitchen while her daughter told us stories and they asked about our travels.

It was warm, real, and so unexpected.

That’s what Guadeloupe was like for us. The kind of place where strangers invite you in. Where you’re not treated like a tourist, but something closer to a neighbor.

I shared this story (and a few others), plus a travel tip that saved us hundreds on BUSINESS class seats our flight home, in my email newsletter today.

📬 Want to get stories & travel tips like this delivered straight to your inbox every week?

I’ll drop the sign-up link in the comments below.

06/01/2026

Have you ever tried a galette des rois?

It’s a traditional French pastry eaten in January to celebrate Epiphany. Inside the flaky almond-filled tart is a small charm called a fève. Whoever finds it in their slice is crowned king or queen for the day.

One of my favorite reasons to rent an Airbnb when we travel is moments like this. You get to wander local grocery stores and bakeries and stumble across everyday traditions that tourists often miss.

We picked this one up in Guadeloupe, and yes, we found the prize inside. I couldn’t resist buying a Disney version, and the fève turned out to be a tiny Prince Ali from Aladdin.

Funny enough, I tried to find a galette des rois last year while we were in France, but we left on New Year’s Day and missed the window. This year, it finally happened, just not where I expected.

Simple food, local traditions, and small surprises like this are what make travel feel personal to me.

05/01/2026

I just published my first Guadeloupe guide, based on the two weeks we spent there as a family and getting home only last week.

This post focuses on Deshaies, a place that surprised us in the best way. Think laid back beaches, jungle views, great food, and a slower pace that feels lived in, not resorty.

Inside the guide I cover
• what Deshaies is really like as a home base
• beaches we loved, including quieter spots
• where to eat, from bakeries to sit down meals
• realistic costs and grocery prices
• family tips and whether it works well with kids
• Death in Paradise filming locations you can actually visit

If Guadeloupe is new to you, or you’re curious about a Caribbean destination that feels different from the usual spots, this guide will help you decide if it’s worth the trip.

Link in the comments.

01/12/2025

🎄We spent the day out in Lodgepole Alberta choosing and cutting down our own Christmas tree, and it felt like the perfect start to the season.

We drove in, walked the rows until we found the one that felt right, and warmed up with lunch cooked over an open fire.

Then it was time to cut it down, tie it to the truck, and head home with that crisp pine scent filling the air. Now it really feels like Christmas ❤️

It is one of those simple days that will become a core memory as we look back every year.

My family chose a blue spruce, while my brother and sister-in-law chose a lodgepole pine.

Memories 📸 Magic ✨️ Tradition 🎄 Together 🤍

28/11/2025

Eight-five centimeters of powder over 3 days❄️ Grindelwald First gave us one of our best winter mornings last Christmas.

🇨🇭 ❄️