<![CDATA[Stella's7Stories® - A Continent Away]]>

<![CDATA[Stella's7Stories® - A Continent Away]]>Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:04:31 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Parents Paying with Points]]>Sun, 03 May 2026 10:30:15 GMThttps://www.stellas7stories.com/a-continent-away/parents-paying-with-pointsTravel can get pricey. You can limit some of this by finding more creative ways to stretch a dollar.

I’m talking about paying with points.

This post is for the parents out that looking to use any travel points or wanting to find more creative and affordable ways to pay for their next trip.

Some points plans allow you to book everything from hotels to flights to all inclusives.

This past December, I paid for a 10-day trip to Europe for Stella & I mostly on points. I used points to purchase our international flights (YYZ-LIS & CDG-YYZ) & most of our hotels in France, Spain and Portugal.

Here’s a quick one-page overview to give you some insights into potentially paying with points for your next travel adventure. You can check out the full lesson here.

Ready to put those points to use?

That’s really the point after all.

]]><![CDATA[Let's Learn Some Travel-Ready French!]]>Sat, 02 May 2026 14:16:19 GMThttps://www.stellas7stories.com/a-continent-away/lets-learn-some-travel-ready-frenchHere's a quick one-page overview on speaking travel-ready French. This simple one-pager offers you some common greetings, various colours & numbers, some travel-ready vocab & a quick way to piece this all together to more quickly form some sentences in French.

It’s just a small sample of what you’ll learn if you decide to purchase my travel-ready French course. Which, by the way, is less than the cost of most tutoring sessions.

It's a comprehensive introductory course for those travelling to a French-speaking place & who want to learn French before they go. It's also for those who've struggled to learn the language in the past.

My approach is a bit different.

I'll also teach you how to use AI to improve your ability to learn the language once you have a solid foundation.

It's not a way to use AI to get out of learning the language or for AI to speak the language for you.

AI becomes the tool that takes you beyond what you already know, once you already understand the fundamentals of the language. You can then use it to tweak & fine tune your learning to match your level.

I'll teach you all of this & more.

Interested?

Head to my website to get started.

Ready to start speaking, reading & writing more French?

]]><![CDATA[Parents - Balancing & Maximizing Work & Play While Away:]]>Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:36:38 GMThttps://www.stellas7stories.com/a-continent-away/parents-balancing-maximizing-work-play-while-awayLeaving all work behind during a vacation isn’t always realistic.

However, there’s really no point to a holiday if you are just going to work the whole time. Plus, that’s not really fair to you or your family.

I believe in balance.

This includes both finding a balance between work & play and finding a way to balance perspectives.

Be able to balance

Being able to balance things a bit better sometimes comes down to being able to figure out when during the day you are most productive. Part of this is figuring out when you have the fewest distractions, when you are most alert, & when your motivation is at its peak.

It's at this junction that you can really maximize your output because you can fully concentrate & get the most out of each task.

Personally, mornings are easiest for me.

Typically, ~5-7 AM seems to be my peak productivity.

Before this, I’m too tired. After this, stuff gets in the way & distractions increase.

If I can get a lot done in a two hour block of time, it frees up lots of time later in the day for other important tasks, like spending time with Stella.

Here’s what I typically do to increase productivity:

-Start the day knowing what needs to get done (either a physical or mental list of a few top priorities).

-Delay checking email. It’s going to reroute my plan & I don’t want that happening. I enjoy crossing stuff off my list as it gets done & email is going to hinder this.

-My email protocol is as follows: scan first, flag important stuff, respond to what needs a response & ignore (& ideally delete) what's unnecessary. This strategy might not work for you, but it generally works for me. Disclaimer - I'm not great at clearing or organizing inboxes.

-Avoid triggers. Negative news triggers me. I’ve stopped consuming it in the morning to avoid throwing off my day. You can ask AI to summarize the top headlines based on informative &/or uplifting topics that you want to read.

-I rarely check social media in the morning. When I do check it, I'm not on there for long. Again, this needs to work for you.

When travelling, I let Stella sleep in to protect her rest & her immune system. I get an early start to put in a few hours before she wakes up. This is when I can control distractions. It’s quiet, I’m rested, & I can maximize my productivity. I can’t concentrate as effectively later in the day, so my output lags. There’s no point in wasting time, so I move unfinished tasks to the next morning if they can wait.

After she wakes, we eat and start the day.

Getting out to explore, fitting in physical exercise, going to the beach or just walking around a new city are all resets & how we might spend the day while travelling. I use these tasks as opportunities to spend time with Stella, get outdoors, see new sites and feel more energized. I can fully focus because I've already gotten done what needed to get done by getting an early & productive start. I'm now ready to go. I'm fully present.

I may briefly return to work later that evening, but typically it’s more to jot down ideas & think about what needs to get done the following day. I may check emails or socials later on, but I don’t often even do that while travelling. If it’s urgent, they’ll text. Anyway, it's also safest to wait to post about your travels until after you return home.

Figure out what works best for you while away.

If you can avoid work altogether while travelling, good for you!

Whatever you decide, try to compartmentalize.

When you work, work.

When you play, play.

Give what you are doing your full attention. This leads to less guilt & more productivity out of each task.

Decide your boundaries with AI as well.

For me, I’m considerate of AI & its environmental impacts, but I also see its many benefits.

Again, it's all about balance.

I’ve decided to use AI to speed up & automate some tasks, but only as needed.

Automating can lead to fewer errors, enhanced productivity, and more time with your family.

Concerned about the planet? You can always offset your impact by driving less, using less packaging, water &/or electricity, or finding other ways to reduce your environmental footprint & somewhat offset your AI use.

Decide what’s best for you & know that this may change and evolve with time & new information.

Staying rigid isn’t the goal. Adaptability is.

All this to say, know yourself & how best you work if you want to maximize your productivity at home & while away.

Here are my 7 tips for doing just that during your next vacation.

Ready to start bringing back play & achieving a better work/life balance?

]]><![CDATA[Creating Independent Travellers]]>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:41:18 GMThttps://www.stellas7stories.com/a-continent-away/creating-independent-travellersStella’s first ever flight was at a few months of age. Mine was 16.

She’s grown up travelling in a way that I had to wait about 20 years to experience.
My world of travel initially existed mostly in the pages of National Geographic Magazines - some of which I still have.

The goal has always been for her to gain independence & skills while seeing beautiful places.

If you are planning on travelling with young children or teens, here are some possible suggestions to make that a little bit easier & also help to make them a little more independent. It’s fun for children to get involved in different aspects of the trip planning process, and its helping to develop skills that’ll last them a lifetime.

Ready to get started?

]]><![CDATA[Healthy Eating for Less: Eating On-The-Go:]]>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:24:04 GMThttps://www.stellas7stories.com/a-continent-away/healthy-eating-for-less-eating-on-the-goTravel can throw off scheduling, diets and exercise. But it doesn’t need to.

Here’s some ways that you can stay healthy while on the move:

Opt for local foods
Choose healthier options while dining
Combine eating with outdoor time - eat outside on patios or picnic in the park
Check out local markets & support local farmers
Opt for water
Walk instead of drive
Set bedtime & wake-up routines
Know your body - rest when needed
Find outdoor workout equipment - this is popular in some French cities
Walk on the beach
Spend most of your time outdoors
Relax in nature
Listen to upbeat music to energize & reset your mood
Awaken your aesthetic senses in nature, with street art, art galleries & at outdoor concerts
Set an exercise routine & make it a morning or evening ritual
Carve out time for everyone to have some alone time
Be social - get to know other travellers & locals
Support local economies & small businesses - spread your travel dollars
Prioritize family time
Set time limits for electronics if this is a priority
Draw if you find it relaxing

Remember to help keep yourself & others safe too. The easiest things to do are:

Stay up-to-date on vaccinations
Wash your hands often
Consider wearing a mask if you are feeling unwell & taking public transit
Pack a basic first aid kit
Make sure to have travel insurance for any medical visits

A vacation should be just that - a vacation. Use it as a chance to reconnect with family & to do some of the things that you might not always have time for.

]]><![CDATA[Integrating AI Into Your Travel Planning:]]>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:09:15 GMThttps://www.stellas7stories.com/a-continent-away/integrating-ai-into-your-travel-planningLet me reiterate some of my thoughts on AI as mentioned below. These are just thoughts.

Personally, I take a bit of a cautionary & balanced approach.

Do I think that AI has the potential to offer phenomenal advancements? Absolutely!

Its benefits are wide ranging, but there’s lots of concern when it comes to negative environmental impacts. As a result, I think that Al is going to have to drive the move toward a more sustainable future in terms of water & energy use.

The potential negative impacts of AI are what should drive us to look for better & more optimal solutions. What new jobs can be created? How can we build more sustainable futures? How do we ensure sufficient agricultural lands exist to support food production? How do we mitigate the impacts on climate? How do we offset our impacts through conservation and expansion of forests & wetlands?

I choose to view Al as a resource.

Much like other resources, I consider it to be one that should be used on an as-needed basis. It doesn't matter that it's free or easily available. Responsible use should still be encouraged.

When it comes to travel, here's where I think Al could assist.

]]><![CDATA[Travelling Young & On a Budget]]>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:40:59 GMThttps://www.stellas7stories.com/a-continent-away/travelling-young-on-a-budgetThis next post might seem a bit all about me. It is only so that I can draw upon my own experiences to perhaps lend some travel insight to young people wanting to see the world on a budget.

My first ever flight was at 16.

I somehow managed to follow this up by visiting over ten countries during my undergrad.

How’d I manage to do this after not having travelled that much as a child?

I took part in an Exchange in Australia & a Study Abroad in India. From there, I made stops in South-East Asia, Europe and Southern Africa.

I did this all while not having to pay foreign tuition.

If you are a post-secondary student wanting to see the world, this is probably your best option. Not only from a financial point of view, but also in the connections & friendships that you’ll make. I’m still in touch with a few people from trips made over 25 years ago.

I've had the privilege of living with a family while studying in India, an experience most tourists will never have. I learnt about Indian dance, Hindi, supplementary income projects for rural women & environmental issues.

In Australia, a student visa let me work part-time at the library while studying. Stop-overs meant that I got to spend NYE in Singapore before stopping in England. After flying to Durban from Rajasthan, I was able to explore several countries in Southern Africa: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Here are some of my take aways:

Tavel isn’t just for the wealthy.
Be resourceful, find non-traditional ways to explore the world.
Travel is by far one of the best teachers - it lets you learn new languages, try new foods, be exposed to different cultures & to test your limits. It pushes you to learn about navigation, budgeting, resilience, planning and so much more.

Get out there & explore the world around you!

]]><![CDATA[Deciding What to Pack]]>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 01:39:12 GMThttps://www.stellas7stories.com/a-continent-away/deciding-what-to-packOur December 10-day trip to Europe was a test of packing skills.

Scenario: 10-days in Europe + 3 countries + varied weather + 4 flights

Here were some things that we had planned that impacted packing:

Surfing = need a wetsuit
Beaches = need bathing suits
Hiking = need suitable clothing & running shoe
Touring cities = need everyday clothing & running shoes
A boat cruise on the Seine & NYE celebrations outdoors in Paris = need warm clothing (warm clothes, jackets & gloves)

Other considerations:

We also had to pay for any checked bags - I wanted to avoid this.

We were also taking two long bus rides (Bilbao to Hendaye & back) & two long train rides (Hendaye to Pau & back). On top of that, we had multiple airport transfers via public transit.

Lugging around bulky suitcases wasn’t an option.

The plan was to fit everything into small backpacks.

After some careful clothing culls, we got it down to two backpacks.

Sheri's Backpack

Stella's Backpack

In the end, there was stuff that we didn’t even end up using &/or decided to donate.

10-days worth of stuff crammed into two backpacks, and we were still carrying too much.

The only thing that we didn’t have that we should have brought were headphones & gloves. That’s it!

Why am I telling you all of this & relating it to our own travels?

The whole point of this site is to take our travel experiences and condense them into ways that’ll make travel or learning something new (skiing, surfing, cubing....) easier for someone else.

I’ve been travelling extensively since university & Stella’s been travelling since she was only a few months old. Between the two of us, we’ve accumulated a fair bit of experience.

I also have to travel with a budget in mind, something most people probably have to do. That means that I can pass on what I learn, what works, and what doesn’t. Some of this may resonate.

Travel doesn’t have to be unaffordable.

It doesn’t have to be out-of-reach.

My intention is to make travel a little more accessible.

My goal is to also (re)consider how I travel - my impact & what I leave behind.

Whether you are going for 2-days, 2-weeks or 2-months, consider how much you are willing to carry.

What I’m leaving you with now is a 2-page overview that’ll perhaps make your next packing experience a little bit easier.

Ready for another adventure?

]]><![CDATA[European Escapes]]>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 19:35:14 GMThttps://www.stellas7stories.com/a-continent-away/european-escapesStella & I had the chance to return to Portugal, Spain & France for Christmas 2025.

What a trip!

It was our first trip back to Europe since Stella was home schooled there for ~8 months back in
2022-2023.

Our holidays were simple. It was all about beaches, European Christmas markets, being active and outdoors & visiting places that we love.

No big gifts.

Hardly any luggage.

Just simple, fun, calm & mostly outdoors.

I couldn't ask for anything more.

Here's a quick overview of why we went, where we went, how we got around and some photos of our 11-days spent exploring Europe.

That's followed up by the how.

How did I pay for this trip?

Well, it was mostly on points that I've been collecting for the past few years.

2025 was a rough year!

We managed this trip because we kept our costs low, we relied lots on points to pay for the big ticket items - flights & hotels - & we stuck to a pretty tight budget best we could of around 100 € per day.

Nothing too fancy.

After all, that's what this site is all about.

I'm a single mom. I know how to stretch a $, € or whatever the currency may be.

This site is for those who want to travel in less conventional ways. It's for those wanting to stay sustainable, spend less, explore more and really rely on their resourcefulness.

It's a site for families wanting to explore, youth wanting to prep for their next trip, & young people getting ready to travel & venture out on their own.

Looking back, the two best semesters of my undergrad were spent in Western Australia during an exchange & Jaipur, India during a study abroad.

It started in places where I didn't have to spend a fortune to see some pretty amazing sites.

No international tuition.

Mostly just a plane ticket & some spending money.

These far off places were just the beginning of a life spent exploring. I've since spent time adventuring around the Canadian Arctic, Japan, Southeast Asia, Iceland, Tasmania, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Scotland, Denmark......
to name but a few.

There's a whole world out there.
Get out & explore it!

Ready for another adventure?

Sheri

Honey

Stella

]]><![CDATA[How We Measure Up: February to June 13th]]>Sat, 05 Aug 2023 16:24:33 GMThttps://www.stellas7stories.com/a-continent-away/how-we-measure-up-february-to-june-13thStella & I are back in Ontario, Canada.
It's great to be home! However, we certainly miss France, friends and our many adventures.

We got to visit some pretty amazing places together: Denmark, England, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Norway (just a quick stopover), Scotland and Spain.

I wanted to post a final follow-up to assess our progress against some of our initial goals. One definite lesson learned is to be flexible and to set more realistic goals in the future.

Ambition + Realistic goals = A better approach

This past year was filled with countless discoveries.
Our travels taught us how we might do things differently in the future. These lessons learned are invaluable and they'll help us with future planning and travelling.

We are so grateful for this experience, and I am looking forward to continuing to post on this site.

As always, feel free to check out Stella's adventures in aerobatic flight on our Head in the Clouds blog. For those of you not familiar with or from the Niagara Region, it's a chance to learn more about flight, aerobatics and to tour a bit closer to home alongside Stella & Lizzy.

Are you ready to for an adventure?

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