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  • across storied lands
    Travel

    Across Storied Lands: The Podcast

    May 27, 2020 / 0 Comments

    Well it’s official. I know I am absurdly late to the game, but I’ve just launched my first podcast, and recorded my first episode. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to come around. Maybe it’s because it’s a medium I didn’t think I would have the stamina for. Plus, I don’t exactly love the sound of my own voice (does anyone?) But when my career (temporarily) went up in flames, and my son’s daycare closed down, leaving me to transition back into being a full-time stay-at-home Mama, I had some major soul-searching to do. Even though this has been one of the most challenging chapters my little…

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    All Aboard the Kettle Valley Steam Train

    February 20, 2019 / 0 Comments

    I meant to publish this months ago, but life with a tiny human has a way of re-prioritizing everything.  Back in October of 2018, my little family celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving. And in the weeks leading up to my second favourite food holiday (after Christmas of course), I had been spending a lot of time contemplating what I’m grateful for in life. I took a much needed hiatus from social media, focused on my personal relationships and reflected on how fortunate my partner and I are to be surrounded by loved ones who not only love and cherish us, but joyously bestow the same on our young son. If you follow my…

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    A First Timer’s Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

    February 12, 2019
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    February 12, 2019 / 2 Comments

    A few months back, if you asked me if I would be writing a first timer’s guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I might have chuckled a bit. I haven’t been to an amusement park, other than my small hometown fair, in over twenty years. Pushy crowds, never-ending line-ups, over-priced (crappy) food, neck-breaking, hair-raising rides…none of it has ever appealed to me. In fact, it would give me anxiety just thinking about it. Not to mention the thought of traipsing around an amusement park with a toddler sounded exhausting. However, I am huge fan of Harry Potter, especially after touring Edinburgh, and seeing where JK Rowling would piece…

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    Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Take A Bucketlist Alaskan Cruise

    February 9, 2019 / 0 Comments

    Updated: February 2019 It’s high noon and while much of the ship is congregating in the Lido Market for lunch, or out on the crowded observation deck, we’re perched on our private verandah, camera in one hand, binoculars in the other, trying to catch our breath with every passing spectacle. The sun affectionately bathes the jagged shorelines of Glacier Bay, emphasizing glistening, snow-packed crevices high above and turquoise, iceberg riddled waters below. Seabirds effortlessly glide atop the arctic thermals at eye level, and in our gentle wake, small fish leap from the depths to catch levitating insects on the ocean surface. What is almost as impressive as the scenery, is…

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    Namibia: A Personal Journey Across the Red Sands

    February 9, 2019 / 8 Comments

    This year marks an important anniversary; It’s been a decade since my trip to Namibia. It’s poignant, not just because it’s an anniversary, but because since the birth of my son, I’ve been compiling a list of all the incredible places I want to take him when he’s older, and Namibia is one of them. Back in 2013, my trip to Namibia was featured on a Canadian Travel Blog: 1Life196Countries. Kelly Little, travel author, mom extraordinaire, and anthropology graduate, asked me to write a piece about my time in Namibia. So I sat down one afternoon and poured over my field notes, scrawled on the pages of my moleskin journal (I…

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Writer, Mama & Student of Life

Did you always know what you wanted to be when you grew up? I sure didn’t. But it’s been one heck of a ride, and that is what life is all about.

I am a thirty-something year old Pacific Northwest kid, with a heart full of wanderlust, a decade and a half of experience in the tourism and writing business, and an adventurous little family that keeps me laughing.

I use this platform to share stories, provide expert advice, collaborate with brands that speak to me, and connect with  humans who believe in kindness over all else.

Jordana

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Jordana - Storied Lands Travel
Do you have a favourite person to travel with? Is Do you have a favourite person to travel with? Is it a partner? A best friend? A parent? When you're not exploring solo, who do you love to see the world with? 

#love #travelforlove #fortheloveoftravel #storiedlands
Did you remember to jot down “Hang out with Jord Did you remember to jot down “Hang out with Jordana on Wednesday at 7:30PST?”

It’s okay if you forgot. My feelings aren’t hurt (too much😂) The good news is, there’s still time to set that reminder now. 

Don’t worry, this isn’t some kind of sale-sy pitch where I convince you to ignore travel advisories and take that questionable trip to Mexico😆 This is just an honest chat about the future of travel, some of the challenges we’re facing in the industry, mixed in with some feel good future travel inspiration. 

Hope to see you there❤️

#travel #fblive #livewithstoriedlands
Puerto Rico is probably one of my top 5 favourite Puerto Rico is probably one of my top 5 favourite island stops when I'm cruising the Caribbean with my family every January. We're land-bound this year, obviously, but we love flipping back through photobooks and reminiscing about our amazing lunches at Orzco's (the BEST Mofongo and the freshest mojitos on the island), the infectious sounds of merengue reverberating off the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, and all of the vibrant colour one would expect to find in this part of the world...

What's your favourite Caribbean Island?

#Whereintheworld #storiedlands #wanderlust #caribbean #caribbeanlife #caribbeantravel #islandlife #islandvibes #islandgirl #travel #travelgram #traveltheworld #traveling #travelingram #traveladdict #puertorico #puertorico🇵🇷 #colour #colourful #cruise #cruiselife #familytravel #luxurytravel
I am a great-grand daughter, granddaughter and dau I am a great-grand daughter, granddaughter and daughter of the Canadian military. My great-grandfather served in World War I, was wounded, bought home, and returned to the field a second time. My grandfather lied about his age and enlisted in the Canadian Air Force during World War II. And my father served for over two decades. An infantrymen, and peacekeeper, after multiple deployments and peacekeeping missions, he tragically lost his war only a few years after he retired. 
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Today we remember the fallen, on the battlefields away and here at home. We thank them for their sacrifice, their dedication and their profound courage. 
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My heart swells with pride for my family’s contribution, and for every single soldier, our Indigenous soldiers, Francophone, Anglophone, Sikh, Black, Chinese, and every person of colour, from all spiritual backgrounds, who stood together, shoulder to shoulder for the same cause. 
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#lestweforget🌹 #lestweforget #remeberanceday #thefallen #remember #neverforget #unit #community #history #together #shouldertoshoulder #legacy #family #ptsd #canadian #pride
Happy #TravelTuesday Globetrotters! I don't think Happy #TravelTuesday Globetrotters! I don't think I've officially introduced myself here on Instagram. My name is Jordana Manchester and I'm the founder of Storied Lands Travel. I've been a part of this incredible industry for 16 fabulous years. For 11 of those years, I fell into a second career as a travel writer, a total accident. I've written content for some of the world's most renown travel brands. Writing was always my first love (my first career choice was journalism), but romance and adventure intervened (thankfully!) ⁠
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When I was 29, I enrolled in University and completed a degree in anthropology. Two of those years were spent learning hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, the language spoken by the First Peoples of the Fraser Valley here in British Columbia. I've been fascinated with culture since I was a little girl, but my degree allowed me to build a solid foundation, and a plus, it allows me to have deeper conversations with my clients about cultural differences when they travel. ⁠
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I'm also a toddler mom, I love to design, sew and knit, I have a four month old Australian Shepherd, and I'm always looking for brave folks to interview for my podcast (hint, hint!)⁠
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#travel #travelgram #instatravel #canadianswhotravel #traveller #traveler #travels #letstravel #adventuretravel #culturetravel #culture  #traveladvisor #Travelexpert #anthropology #introduction #travelmama #travelbogger #canadian #postcardsfromtheworld #denmark #goexplore #wanderlust #travelbug #wanderlust #traveladdict #travelstories #travelinspiration #travelpics #traveltheworld⁠
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The sooner you understand and embrace this, the qu The sooner you understand and embrace this, the quicker you learn that placing expectations on any one destination sets you up for disappointment. No where on earth is perfect, but there is something beautiful, mysterious or fascinating about everywhere. ⁠
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Leave your heart, head and soul open and stay in the moment. ⁠
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#travel #travelquote #quoteoftheday #quotes #travelgram #returntotravel #travelinspo #letstravel #instatravel #culturetravel #adventuretravel #culture #adventure #mindful #happiness #mentalwealth #storiedlands
Anyone else feel like they’re fighting an uphill Anyone else feel like they’re fighting an uphill battle? Yep. All of us in the tourism industry around the world definitely know what that feels like🤷🏽‍♀️ But we are💪🏽 and resilient, and we know we WILL BE BACK. We just have to be patient (and tap into our other skill sets!) 

Btw, anyone walked along the Great Wall of China? It was one of those “pinch me moments” and I seriously cannot WAIT til I’m having those again! 

#tourismstrong #tourism #returntotravel #travelphotography #instatraveling #instatravel #travel #travelwhileblack #china #greatwallofchina #visitcgina#photooftheday #china #backpacking #backpacker #roundtheworld #adventure #adventuretravel #culture #culturetravel #unescoworldheritage #hiking #travelinspo
This one is for the hopeful romantics (I hate sayi This one is for the hopeful romantics (I hate saying we’re hopeless, it implies we’re not lovable or capable of love). Have you ever fallen in love while travelling? Come on, you can tell us☺️ I have. A few times. Did you love and leave them (ohh la la!) Or did it turn into something everlasting and could fill volumes and volumes? Or maybe it was a short-lived, but fiery love that made it a few years but was only a chapter long. Or maybe, it’s really just the act of travel that’s captured your heart. Travel brings out the love in all of us, some of us just end up finding someone to take the journey with us❤️

#love #romantic #romance #truelove #loveoftravel #loveofmylife #lovequotes #travelquotes #loveislove #lover #selflove #travel #travelling #traveltheworld #quoteoftheday #instamood #storiedlands
Have you ever watched a movie or show and felt lik Have you ever watched a movie or show and felt like you were transported in time? I have so many favourites. Westworld, Peaky Blinders, Downton Abbey, just to name a few. But I’m a sappy romantic and there’s one on-screen love affair that I can’t get enough of, it’s Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe. I fell in love with Diana Gabaldon’s epic masterpiece and it’s what inspired my road trip around Scotland. So, if I had to pick a show and cast, it would be the entire cast of @outlanderofficial and @visitscotland would be my first stop 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 

What cast and crew would you love to tour the world with? 

#outlander #samheughan #caitrionabalfe #dianagabaldon #castandcrew #epic #love #romantic #romantic #romancetravel #travel #travelgram #instatravel #letstravel #returntotravel #travelblogger #scotland #highlands #roadtrip #travelinspiration #questionoftheday #storiedlands
L’Shanah Tovah from one of the most fascinating L’Shanah Tovah from one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever explored, Masada National Park. 

September 18th marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and it ends on September 20th. Now is the time to “raise noise”, eat honey-dipped apples and wishes for good news, health and happiness. 

#shanahtovah #roshhashana #jewishnewyear #holiday #newyear #culture #israel #travel #hope #happiness #health
Wishing the @thenotaryshouse a heartfelt congratul Wishing the @thenotaryshouse a heartfelt congratulations on winning a @tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award! I had the pleasure of staying with them in September of last year and I can’t sing their praises enough. Meticulous service, beautiful rooms, sumptuous food, and stunning grounds. It’s such a tranquil place to rest your ahead when you arrive after a long flight. 

#srilanka #visitsrilanka #artravele #sosrilanka #lanka #luxurylifestyle #luxury #luxurytravel #boutique #boutiquehotel #tripadvisor #awardwinning #travelgram #traveladvisor #travel #travelphotography #travelblogger #storiedlands
“This above all: to thine own self be true, And “This above all: to thine own self be true, 
And it must follow, as the night the day, 
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

How do you feel about pageantry and re-enactments? 

I LOVE it! It’s my favourite thing about travelling Europe’s most iconic castles and historical sites. My history and literature books are brought to life in places like Kronberg Castle, pictured here. Kronberg is the actual setting for #shakespeare’s Hamlet. We stepped foot into the courtyard on a rather dreary August day, and out from one of the entrances burst two characters from the epic play. They spoke in script, and with the dramatic backdrop, you were immediately transported back in time. 

The castle itself is cold, creepy and mournful, with haunting folklore swirling about your feet in every corridor and room you step into. Well worth a visit! 

#denmark #denmark🇩🇰 #danish #kronberg #castle #haunted #hamlet #costume #timetravel #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #traveler #traveleurope #visiteurope #returntotravel #familytravel #trip #worldtravel #history #historic #storiedlands
Who's feeling the pull of the road again? With no Who's feeling the pull of the road again? With no intentions of traveling internationally before December of this year, I've been sorting through my library of over 20,000 photos from years past. I've also been flipping through the worn pages of old travel journals and teasing out stories, polishing up ethnographies and compiling lists of articles to share with you about my travelling experiences. From dealing with a family death on the road, to travelling with my infant son to Europe. Or sipping Whiskey in my favourite distillery to following a complete stranger into the depths of the Sumatran Jungle, and grappling with racism in Zambia. 
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Here are a few of the topics on the list...⁠
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1) In Search of Fairies: Roadtripping Ireland & Scotland ⁠
2) Cruising the Caribbean with a Toddler (and no kids Club!)⁠
3) My Favourite Luxury Stays in Sri Lanka⁠
4) Backpacking Munich & Berlin with a Baby⁠
5) My Biggest Travel Fears & How I Overcame Them⁠
6) Grief on the Road: Losing a Loved One & How to Navigate Loss⁠
7) How to Travel Like an Anthropologist⁠
8) Why Language Should Never Be a Barrier ⁠
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What topic interests you the most? And what topics on travel or destinations would you like to learn more about? Comment below! ⁠
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#travel #traveladvisor #travelprofessional #travelbusiness #travelbrand #instatravel #traveller #traveler #travelquote #returntotravel #quoteoftheday #femaletravel #blackintravel #blacktraveler #solofemaletravel #familytravel #travelwriter #traveblogger #inclusivetravel #diversityintravel #luxurytravel #culturetravel #storyteller #jordanamanchester #storiedlands ⁠
On this very day, four summers ago, my partner and On this very day, four summers ago, my partner and I hopped in our rental car and drove from the seaside town of Cork to Blarney Castle & Gardens. It was the third to last stop on a week and half jaunt around the Emerald Isle. I snapped this shot while my partner kissed the Blarney Stone. I have the gift of gab, so didn’t feel it was a “must-do” on my list...plus I’ve heard all kinds of icky things happen to that stone🤣
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Did you kiss the Blarney Stone?🍀
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@blarneycastleandgardens 
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#ireland #visitireland🍀 #visitireland #travelireland #emeraldisle #luckoftheirish #blarneycastle #blarneystone #heritage #castle #culture #fortress #history #cork #discoverireland #traveler #travellers #travelgram #instatravel
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