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Marissa + Crew | Live to See 🌎

@live.toseetheworld

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🤍 honest hotel reviews • real travel experiences
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🏔️Grassi Lakes: Canmore’s Turquoise Gem 💎
Those glowing emerald lakes, the quiet forest trail, the Ha Ling backdrop… it’s the perfect morning escape just 1.5 km from town.
Swipe for the full experience →
🥾 3.8–4.2 km return | ~250 m gain | 1.5–2 hrs
🅿️ Free parking | Best June–Oct
🛤️ Easy gravel (family-friendly) OR rocky scenic (waterfall + pictographs)
Travel hack: Arrive before 8 AM or after 4 PM to skip the crowds ⏰
👉 SAVE this post for your Canmore trip
👉 TAG your adventure partner who needs to see this

🔗 Full blog post available! Blog links in bio 💻

#CanmoreTravel #AlbertaRoadTrip #RockiesDayHike #CanadaTravel

🇨🇦grassi lakes hike canmore guide
easy turquoise lake day trip near banff
best short hikes in kananaskis country
grassi lakes parking and trail tips
canmore half day travel itinerar by @live.toseetheworld

🌲✨ Embark on a family-friendly adventure to Kinney Lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park! 🇨🇦

📌Save this post for your trip and check out our updated blog post, link in bio 🔗

🏞️ This stunning 4.5km hike is perfect for all ages, with gentle trails and breathtaking views. Push a stroller, soak in the turquoise waters, and make memories in BC’s wilderness! 🥾👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Follow @live.toseetheworld for more tips, trail info, and more!

#MountRobson! 💚 #HikingWithKids #KinneyLake #BCParks #FamilyAdventure #CanadaHikes #NatureLovers #ExploreBC #HikingTrails #OutdoorFamilies #BritishColumbiaTravel by @live.toseetheworld

🌿 A Late Afternoon in Aberdeenshire 🐑

There’s something about driving through the Scottish countryside that makes you want to slow down, wind through one more country lane, and see what lies around the next bend. After visiting Balmoral Castle, we did just that, spending the late afternoon wandering through Aberdeenshire, where the fields seemed almost impossibly green, sheep and cows grazed peacefully in the sunshine, and leafy branches arched overhead to create little tunnels along the narrow single-track roads. We kept stopping to take it all in, reluctant to rush through such a beautiful landscape.

Our first stop was Tullich Carved Stones and Church, a fascinating glimpse into Scotland’s ancient past. Dating from the 7th–9th centuries, the Pictish and early Christian carved stones bear crosses and mysterious symbols that offer a glimpse into the beliefs of people who lived here more than 1,000 years ago. The site is also traditionally associated with St Nathalan, a 7th-century saint believed to have founded the church. It was a lovely place to pause and reflect on just how much history lies hidden in the Scottish countryside.

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From there, we continued along winding country roads, through rolling pastures and beneath leafy canopies that transformed the lanes into enchanting green corridors. With cattle scattered across the fields and sheep grazing in the distance, every turn seemed to offer another picture-perfect view. It was the kind of afternoon when the simple pleasure of being on the road was reason enough to keep going. 💚

Eventually, we arrived at Maryculter, where another unexpected encounter with history awaited us. The peaceful graveyard, tucked beneath towering trees, sits beside the site of a medieval Templar preceptory. The land was granted to the Knights Templar in 1187, and a preceptory was established here in the early 13th century. After the Templars were suppressed, the estate passed to the Knights Hospitaller. Standing among the old gravestones, it was fascinating to imagine the centuries of stories held within this quiet corner of Aberdeenshire.

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We finished the afterno by @live.toseetheworld

🏰 Balmoral Castle | Royal Deeside, Scotland

With the afternoon slipping away and the 4 pm entry cutoff fast approaching, we arrived at Balmoral just in the nick of time! Even before reaching the castle, the approach was beautiful. The River Dee sparkled nearby, and the lovely little Crathie Kirk, where the Royal Family attends church when staying at Balmoral, added another layer of history and charm to the landscape. From there, the magnificent, towering trees lining the lane created a grand, almost storybook entrance to the estate. By the time we reached the grounds, the crowds had all but disappeared, and we practically had the place to ourselves. What could have been a rushed visit turned into a wonderfully peaceful wander.

The much-loved Scottish retreat of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and the place where she spent her final days, is every bit as lovely as you might imagine. Tucked away in the beautiful countryside of Royal Deeside, it feels secluded, private and wonderfully serene. Surrounded by woodland, gardens and the rugged Highland landscape, it’s easy to understand why the Royal Family has cherished this place for generations.

One particularly touching detail was the beautiful golden bust of Queen Elizabeth II at the centre of the smaller maze beside the ballroom — a poignant tribute to the monarch who loved Balmoral so dearly. The intricate stone mosaics throughout the maze were equally lovely, adding an unexpected touch of artistry and craftsmanship to this peaceful corner of the estate.

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#BalmoralCastle #RoyalDeeside #ScotlandTravel #ScottishHighlands #queenelizabethıı

While the castle itself is largely closed to visitors, the ballroom is open to the public and houses seasonal exhibitions. For those who book ahead, guided tours offer access to additional rooms, including the family dining room and the Green Drawing Room, where the Queen took her final public photograph.

Beyond the castle, the gardens offered a glimpse of another side of Balmoral. We loved seeing the thoughtful, practical touches, from sheep’s wool mulch used around the plants to the Balmoral Straw Roundhouse, a charming straw-built structure by @live.toseetheworld

Aberdeen: Granite, Gardens & Harbour Views 🌸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

In spring, Aberdeen comes alive with colour. Against a backdrop of cool grey granite — grand mansions, elegant terraces and handsome old buildings — rhododendrons burst into bloom, spilling shades of pink, purple and crimson through the neighbourhoods. The contrast is striking, and wandering the city’s streets at this time of year is a real pleasure.

We stayed at Malmaison Aberdeen on Queens Road, a wonderful base for exploring, with a bus stop right outside the door. While my husband worked, I set out to discover the city at my own pace.

One day, I explored on foot, following the Deeside Way to Duthie Park, a lovely green oasis with its magnificent Winter Gardens greenhouse. I also took time to wander through the historic graveyard across the road, where beautiful memorials and tributes offered a quiet glimpse into the past.

On another morning, I walked from the hotel to Johnston Gardens, an enchanting little haven where the flowers in bloom were simply stunning. 🌿🌷

I also took a ride on the open-top sightseeing bus, a lovely way to see more of Aberdeen and appreciate its distinctive architecture. Queens Road itself is well worth exploring on foot, with miles of magnificent grey granite mansions that make the walk a highlight in its own right.

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Our evenings brought their own pleasures. We enjoyed a delightful meal at Café Bohème, with its charming atmosphere and delicious food.

Another evening, after a drive through the surrounding countryside that brought us back a little later than planned, the hotel’s steakhouse graciously accommodated us. The meal was delicious, and the warm welcome was much appreciated.

One of our favourite evenings was spent at The Silver Darling, enjoying a lovely meal while watching the enormous ships come and go through the harbour. There was something captivating about seeing these vessels move through the water as the day drew to a close.

Afterwards, we took a charming wander through Footdee, affectionately known as Fittie, with its quaint cottages and delightful little lanes.

Aberdeen charmed us with its elegant granite architectu by @live.toseetheworld

A morning hike to Grassi Lakes followed by an afternoon in a heated outdoor pool overlooking the mountains? 🏔️ That’s a pretty perfect Canmore day.

We spent two nights at The Malcolm Hotel in Canmore after a busy hockey weekend in Calgary, and it was exactly the kind of stay we needed.

After hiking Grassi Lakes one morning, we came back to swim and soak in the hot tubs surrounded by the Rockies. Pretty hard to beat. ✨

A few highlights:

🏊 Heated outdoor pool + two hot tubs
🚶 Easy walk into downtown Canmore
🎱 Games lounge (great when travelling with a kid)
🍽️ Sunday Prime Rib Buffet at Stirling
🏋️ And if you’re a gym person, there’s a fitness centre with mountain views

The Malcolm is definitely a splurge, but if you’re looking for a Canmore hotel where the stay itself is part of the getaway, this is one we’d happily book again.

We left wishing we had one more night—which probably says everything.

📌 Save this post for your next Canmore getaway.

Want to know if The Malcolm Hotel is actually worth the price? Find our entire review—including the rooms, pool, dining, location, family-friendly amenities + what we’d do differently—at the link in bio.

#CanmoreAlberta #TheMalcolmHotel #GrassiLakes #CanmoreHotels #CanadianRockies by @live.toseetheworld

One of the easiest places to simply be. ♥️🍂

📍Pyramid Lake, Jasper

#JasperNationalPark #PyramidLake #ExploreAlberta #CanadianRockies #JasperCanada by @live.toseetheworld

A quick stop at the scenic 📍Peyto Lake, AB on our drive from Banff to Jasper 🩵

Just a short 700m walk on a paved path to the lookout point. A bit of elevation climb on the way there but well worth the stop on the Icefields Hwy 🏔️

#PeytoLake #TravelAlberta #IcefieldsHwy #CanadianRockies #livetosee by @live.toseetheworld

Just a little Banff in early fall for your feed 🍂🏔️✨

📍Banff, Alberta

#travelalberta #livetosee #travelblog #banff by @live.toseetheworld

My favourite season 🍂🖤 by @live.toseetheworld

I have a real thing for the sea 🌊 It just feels so different from the ocean—more intimate, more comforting, safer somehow 🤍

I’ve been able to dip my toes into a few different seas but this time I finally got to swim in the Med ☀️ I feel it’s worth the hype. It’s so warm and so salty that you just bob at the surface without having to tread much 🫧

I think Noah felt it too. He was so adventurous—jumping off the boat, snorkeling along caves, in his glory 🤿

It almost feels it’s where all the Disney sea creatures live lol 🧜‍♀️🐠 There’s just a different kind of magic to it✨

Do you feel a difference when you’re swimming in the sea versus the ocean? 🌊

📍Noto, Sicily

No filter! 🩵✨

#MediterraneanSea #MediterraneanSummer #SeaLovers #FamilyTravel #MediterraneanMagic by @live.toseetheworld

There’s something special about a Vancouver Island road trip. 🚗🌲🌊

One of our favourite itineraries on the blog just got a full revamp — Jane’s 5-night road trip from Vancouver to Ucluelet, with a stop in Parksville along the way.

Think scenic ferry rides, sandy beaches, old-growth forests, winding coastal roads, ocean views and plenty of good food. ✨

The updated guide shares the full itinerary, including where to stay, where to eat, favourite stops along the way + tips for planning your own trip to the west coast of Vancouver Island.

If Ucluelet or Tofino has been on your list, this is a good one to save for later. 🤍

📌 Save this post for your Vancouver Island trip planning, then head to the link in bio for the full Vancouver → Ucluelet road trip itinerary.

#VancouverIslandRoadTrip #UclueletBC #VancouverIslandTravel #VancouverIslandBC #ExploreVancouverIsland by @live.toseetheworld