You heard that right. I’m one of 28 international bloggers to be invited by the Canadian Tourism Commission this May, for what sounds like an incredible trip to explore the maple leaf country. I’m going to be the only travel blogger from India, so that’s a little overwhelming!
This 15-day trip will start in Vancouver, often ranked among the best cities to live in. From there, we’ll board the VIA Rail to the mountain town of Jasper, and to Winnipeg in the Canadian Prairies. The trip will end in Toronto, where we’ll be part of TBEX, the greatest international travel blogging conference. Seeing another one of my travel bucket list items turn to reality is unbelievably exciting!
This will be a trip of firsts for me – My first trip to the continent of North America. My first trip with a group of international travel bloggers (I’ve interacted with some of them, but only over Twitter). And my very first time at TBEX.
Words are difficult to find in all this excitement, so I’m going to let this little introductory video, that I made for the Canadian Tourism Commission, do the talking:
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I’d love to have your recommendations on local hangouts, offbeat experiences, and culinary (vegetarian) delights in Vancouver, Jasper, Winnipeg and Toronto. I leave on 18th May.
You can follow my adventures live on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, The Shooting Star and Canadian Tourism’s Tumblr. Looking forward to your virtual company!
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Featured image by Patty O’Hearn Kickham.
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Welcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.
Wow!!!! TBEX too….Awsumness….way to go 🙂 and the only one from India. Good Luck ahead!
Thanks Ramit!
All the best. It is hard not to be jealous with you(r life) or (not to like you).
Haha, fair enough 😉
Hmm. 🙂
Congratulations!
That’s indeed a great achievement.
Enjoy your trip and blog live…we’ll have a virtual tour of Canada too…:-)
Thanks Rekha! Looking forward to your virtual company in Canada 🙂
Great! I will (hopefully) see you here in Toronto!
Awesome! See you soon!
Congratulations! Have a great time 🙂
Thanks Madhu!
thats awesome news……..wish you a great trip 🙂
have fun and enjoy yourself
Thanks Geetanjali 🙂
Congratulations! Have a great time.
Thank you Debra!
Very proud to see you going places (atleast some of us do go after all.. 😀 ) Take the public transport in Toronto (apparently, quite amazing), that’d be my only recommendation as I am not pretty much versed around that part of the world. I have also heard Montreal is beautiful, would suggest you go there as well.
Thanks so much Nikhil! I will. Not sure if I can extend this trip and go to Montreal, figuring that out now!
Such great news! We can hang out in Toronto together! You are going to LOVE this train trip.
I sure am! Can’t wait to see you in Toronto!
Great news, congratulations.
Enjoy your trip 🙂
Thanks Namrota 🙂
See you there at TBEX !!
Awesome, see you there!
Congratulations..u deserve it ! Have a wonderful trip.
Thanks Manish!
omg! so happy for you! great going Shivya! Have a very nice trip and lots of photos for us!
Thanks Chandrima! I’m so excited too 🙂
Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing all your travel stories from Canada! 🙂
Thank you! I’m sure there’ll be plenty of stories 🙂
Congratulations. Wish you all the best. Looking forward to reading your posts.
Thanks! 🙂
I enjoy reading your blog living here in Vancouver and traveling with you. It’s a beautiful city. Welcome to Canada. If you need an assistance or smth don’t hesitate to contact me. Cheers.
Thank you so much, Saida 🙂 Would you have any recommendations in Vancouver for me? Best kept secrets of the city? 🙂
Congratulations on this amazing opportunity! I hope you love my country and I know you will have an amazing time. In Toronto check out Kensington Market, it has to be one of my favourite places in the city.
Awesome, thanks for the recommendation! Which part of Canada are you from?
I’m from the suburbs of Toronto.
Awesome. I’ll be seeing you at TBEX then!
I live in London (UK) and I won’t be home around then. Enjoy and I look forward to the blog posts!
Ah that’s too bad. Virtually then 🙂
Congratulations ! happy for you:) I visited your blog 3-4 days ago and i instantly connected to a lot of things and places that you wrote about. Subscribing to your blog and looking forward to reading your posts 🙂
Thanks Shweta! I’m glad you found a connection here. Looking forward to your virtual company on my travels!
Good on you! You will love Canada and TBex will be awe inspiring. Look forward to following you.
I’m sure it will be! Thanks Jan, look forward to your virtual company 🙂
AAAAAAA!!!!
(Congrats!!)
Haha, thanks Anisha!
That’s great Shivya…Congratulations…Enjoy your time there!
Thanks Anu! I sure will 🙂
Great! Heartiest congratulations to you, Shivya! Keep it up! 🙂
Congratulations Shivya! Way to go. 🙂
Thanks Amit 🙂 And thanks again for being a loyal reader from the very start.
Fundoo! Keep exploring
Thanks Sangeetha!
Fantastic. Have a nice journey.
Thanks Tushar!
Congratulations….Keep it up!
Thanks Adam!
wowww dats sound great …..have a memorable trip 🙂
Best of luck Shivya.Have a nice trip.
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Enjoy the trip, have loads of Poutine 🙂
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Hi there, all is going fine here and ofcourse every one is sharing
information, that’s actually fine, keep up writing.
I am not satisfied Canada visa office two and half months my passport in visa office but refused my visa application
Congratulations Shivya! Way to go