profile

Sand In My Suitcase

Hi! We’re award-winning travel writers (and former lawyers), published in outlets like USA Today, The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star. In 2012, we launched "Sand In My Suitcase," our luxury travel blog. We've explored all 7 continents (even Antarctica!) and share trip itineraries, cruise reviews and hotel finds so you can travel smarter and in style. Join thousands of travelers who follow our adventures — and get exclusive tips and fresh inspo delivered straight to your inbox!

Featured Post

✨ Just back from the south of France!

Hello hello again! We’ve just returned from two fabulous weeks in the south of France and a sailing cruise to Corsica — and oh, what a trip! October turned out to be the perfect time to go ☀️ — warm sunny days in the mid-70s, the Mediterranean still invitingly swimmable and fewer crowds (though we still had to book restaurants and tours in advance). The first five days we stayed in the Nice area. Here, we balanced our love of old-town wandering with plenty of coastal walks — because for us,...

Hello hello again! Are you, like us, missing summer already? With fall on the horizon, it feels like the perfect time to start dreaming about a cruise. 🚢 The other night, friends told us over dinner that their daughter and son-in-law (both doctors in California) sailed on one of the new Ritz-Carlton yachts — and absolutely raved about it. Indeed, luxury hotel brands like Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and Aman are launching ships that look nothing like the cruises of old! They’re part of an...

Hello again! Think Europe means shoulder-to-shoulder piazzas, endless lines and fully booked restaurants? Think again. If you’d rather sip your cappuccino without a sea of selfie sticks around you, we’ve got just the ticket. From charming villages with cobbled streets to little-known cities that sparkle in autumn (and even winter!) and under-rated countries, these lesser-known spots are perfect for curious travelers who crave space to breathe – without skimping on beauty or culture. ➡️ It’s...

Hello hello again! It’s us again in your inbox with more travel goodness, served hot this week! 🌎 This newsletter brings you a talked-about travel question, fabulous luxury cruise deals, one of our favorite winter sunshine escapes (hello, Cabo!) and useful tidbits — like which parts of a hotel room are really the dirtiest... Hot Question of the Day We’ve shared our list of the 35+ most beautiful beaches in the world... But our Sand In My Suitcase Facebook community has plenty to say too! From...

Hello hello again! We’re back with a fresh dose of wanderlust – starting with our latest blog post on our favorite Caribbean islands. Also inside... A fun bit of trip news (mini-ponies at Vancouver’s airport!), some great cruise offers and more! Our 10 Favorite Caribbean Islands! We’ve been lucky to explore many sun-drenched Caribbean islands over the years. And, yes, we have our favorites – from glam St. Barts and vibrant Puerto Rico (hello, colorful Old San Juan!) to the under-the-radar...

Us, bicycling in Whistler on our recent family reunion Hello again fellow travelers, We’re catching our breath after a whirlwind family reunion in the mountain resort of Whistler. Janice’s brothers (from Australia, Ontario and Calgary), their families and her mom all joined us. Busy, fun and a little exhausting! Now that we’re back and recharged, we’ve rounded up a bit of everything for you in this newsletter — travel news, hot deals and a dose of wanderlust to fuel your next adventure. Trip...

Hola hola, We’ve got a fun mix of Cabo goodness for you here — from vintage Cabo flashbacks to safe swimming spots, plus taco tips, inspectors and new foodie finds!😊 How Cabo Got its Cool! A Vintage Look Back Over the years, we’ve watched Los Cabos evolve from a laid-back beach escape into a glitzy playground of celebrity sightings, poolside margaritas and mega-resorts. But Cabo’s star power started long before the first infinity pool was poured. 🌟 Back in the mid-1900s, the son of a Mexican...

A young Balinese woman makes palm leaf offerings

Hello again fellow travelers, We’re popping into your inbox with a mix of wanderlust-worthy goodies – think cruise contests you’ll want to enter, savvy travel deals and helpful news from around the globe. Oh, and you’ll find a sprinkle of travel inspiration too, because dreaming about your next adventure is half the fun, right? Trip Talk: Travel News You Can Use A young woman in Bali makes a palm weaving for a temple offering 💡Top Summer Vacations Picks for 2025 What do Cyprus, Bermuda, Bali,...

Bocas del Toro beach at sunset

Hello again fellow travelers, So sorry, we made a boo-boo recently – you may have received the same newsletter twice, one a week later. That darn “Send” button! Well, we promise this one’s fresh, new and hot-off-the-press! Let’s start with those secret islands... Have you heard of Ilse des Saintes? We hadn’t either – until we dropped anchor there on a Caribbean sailing cruise with Star Clippers. (By the way, if you’re active, like the romance of sailing and want to escape the crowds, you’ll...

Victoria, BC

Hello again fellow travelers, It’s absolutely beautiful here right now – and will be right through to the end of September! We’re talking about our hometown of Victoria (Canada). We’ve lived in Victoria for nearly nine years now. And we’re still smitten! (With the city, that is... and each other too...) Tucked on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, it’s got a unique vibe – part old-world charm, part laid-back coastal cool. We may be a tad biased, but we think it’s a must on any trip through...