Kate McGregor

There's a version of this trip where you fly into Halifax, hit the highlights, and head home thinking you've seen the Maritimes. Please don't do that. The real reward is staying longer and letting all three provinces do their thing—because each one has a completely different personality, and together they add up to one of the most underrated travel experiences in North America.

Newfoundland was the one Canadian province I had never visited, and as the saying goes, I saved the best for last. But don’t make the mistake I did and wait: go now, before the secret gets out. Adventure seekers, nature lovers, and curious travelers are waking up to what a magical place this is. Built on fishery, forestry, and family, Newfoundland is beautiful, rugged, and surprisingly raw—softened by a culture so welcoming that locals will call you “my darling” or “my love,” regardless of your age or theirs. It’s equal parts funny and utterly endearing, and before long, it somehow feels perfectly natural.

When someone says “wellness retreat in Iceland,” you probably picture hot springs, a sleek Nordic spa, and a fluffy robe—I certainly did. Yet, somehow I found myself climbing aboard a bus, yes, a bus, albeit a tricked out one that ended up being my magical home. The ESJAN Glamping Buses at SÓL Retreat Centre, a former farm just outside Reykjavík where restorative workshops delivered the most unexpected wellness experience. And when the week was up, I ended my Icelandic adventure at the polar opposite—The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, where the robe was indeed waiting. Same country, different universe. And yes, I would hop on that bus again!

With a last name like MacGregor, I am obviously biased when it comes to Scotland. This country is in my blood, and every visit feels like coming home to a place that keeps getting better. It layers history, humor and heart into every corner, from the cobblestoned lanes of Edinburgh to the fairy pools of Skye to the vastness of the Far North to the most adorable shaggy cattle you've ever laid eyes on. I've traveled every inch of it, and I still can't pick a favorite—Scotland doesn't let you. It just keeps giving more.

My three magical places in Ecuador are all different yet the same. They change you. Rejuvenation begins in the Andes, purpose takes root in the cloud forest, and perspective expands beneath the vast Amazon canopy. This is not a vacation—it is a journey of giving back and giving in to serenity. Begin at SachaJi Wellness Sanctuary, where the Andes invite you to slow down, breathe slowly, and reconnect with yourself. Incredible gardens where all your food is grown, deep cultural immersion, and unique therapeutic services. Continue to Mashpi Lodge, where conservation becomes personal and every activity in the cloud forest has a purpose. End at Sacha Lodge, where the Amazon stretches endlessly before you, reminding you just how vast, beautiful, and interconnected our world truly is. Ecuador has a remarkable way of restoring not only your sense of adventure, but your sense of self.

Our journey to New Zealand began in Christchurch. We spent just a day there to rejuvenate after the long flight, then boarded the TranzAlpine Train to our first destination in Arthur’s Pass. The train itself was a stunning introduction to the gorgeous landscape of the South Island. I strongly recommend booking a Scenic Class seat—you will look out the window mesmerized the entire ride. New Zealand’s South Island is the kind of destination that ruins you for ordinary scenery. One moment you are racing through a canyon at alarming speeds, the next you are standing silently on a glacier wondering how this is a real place. It delivers adrenaline, serenity, and jaw-dropping beauty in equal measure. Even after weeks exploring, I was still pulling over every twenty minutes just to stare and say of word of gratitude that I was experiencing such wonder.