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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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*Culture | Luxury | Adventure
*Division of @tripztertravel_
*Advocate for #BIPOC in travel
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Happy Monday Storiedlanders It's February already

Happy Monday Storiedlanders It's February already which means it's my birthday month, but more importantly, it's Black History Month. ⁠
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Black History Month (or African American History Month) dates back to 1926 when Carter G. Woodson, a historian and the son of former slaves, announced the second week of February as "Negro History Week." The birthday of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass fell on February 12 and February 14, both individuals who had been commemorated by the Black community since the 19th century. This special week, eventually evolved into becoming a month-long celebration, but it wasn't until 1995 that it was officially recognized in the Canadian House of Commons as Black History Month.⁠
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This month Storied Lands will be featuring places around the world that commemorate the struggle of the African diaspora, celebrate the brilliance of those I am so proud to call my ancestors, and showcase the beautiful landscapes of the motherland that is Africa. ⁠
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#blackhistorymonth #blackhistory #blackculture #history #africanamericanhistory #africandiapora #travel #storiedlands ⁠
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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

Come join me for my first FB Live of 2021!. It may

Come join me for my first FB Live of 2021!. It may not feel like it, but the future of travel is bright, and I think we should talk about it! I would love for you to come join the Storied Lands community for a chat about changes in the travel and tourism industry (the good ones!), why you might want to think about planning those big bucket list trips NOW, and what you can expect from Storied Lands in the coming year and beyond. This is also a Q & A so please feel free to send me your questions ahead of time if you’ll be catching the replay, or, just pop them into the comment box and I’ll answer them Live. Can’t wait to see you there!

#storiedlands #fblive #livestream #livestreaming #traveltalk #travel #travelgram #traveltheworld #returntotravel #letsgo #travelingram #traveladvisor #travelexpert #adventuretravel #luxury #luxurytravel #familytravel @artravele @travelpulse

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

Do You Feel Represented in Travel Brochures?. This

Do You Feel Represented in Travel Brochures?. This is the year 2020. Yes, it’s a Pandemic year and yes, we’ve been grounded for the most part, but it’s also the year the ‘representation’ conversation hit a fever pitch...and the. Seemingly fizzled out. As I sit here and re-design my website and design luxury travel options for 2021 and beyond, I struggle to find marketing materials that accurately represent my own clients; People of colour🤷🏽‍♀️ Now, it’s not a new problem, but it is a prolific one, and I want to put the question out to you: Do you feel represented in the world of travel? Does it matter? What would you like to see more of? I would love to hear your thoughts.

#travel #travelgram #travelvideo #travelquestions #traveltheworld #luxury #luxurylifestyle #luxurytravel #letstalk #letsgo #question

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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