It’s England’s Most Beautiful Hike—and We Got it on Video

That’s right, we finally have a new YouTube video for you

We’re back from our 10-day springtime hike in England and here’s the good news: Contrary to expectations, it did not rain every single day of the hike. Here’s the even better news: the Cotswolds is an absolutely beautiful corner of England filled with quaint villages, rolling hills, and frolicking lambs (honestly, they really did frolic). It truly is a storybook landscape

One of many glorious days on the Cotswold Way

Overall, the hike was a success and we’re officially adding it to our list of favourite hikes around the world. The distances were quite manageable and the terrain offered just enough steep hills to justify the extra effort of bringing our hiking poles along as checked luggage (don’t even ask how many times we debated the pros and cons). We were also glad to be there in the springtime; braving a couple days of rain was a decent tradeoff for the blossoming trees and all those adorable lambs.  

That said, this is not a hike for those seeking a budget-friendly destination. We were amazed by the prices that we faced in this heavily touristed part of England. We managed to keep our accommodation expenses relatively low through very rigorous deal hunting (and also staying in some very quirky, lower cost options - can't say I love sharing a bathroom.). 

However, the cost to keep ourselves fed each day was a bit of a shock, likely due to the lack of restaurant options in the tiny villages along the trail. If you’re looking for a lower budget inn-to-inn hike in Europe, the Bohemian Paradise in Czech Republic or the Via Transilvanica in Romania are both excellent options. 

A veggie version of the classic English breakfast

Of course, why just read about our trip when you can come along for the adventure? After a very lengthy hiatus from YouTube, we finally have a new video to share with you. We knew going into the Cotswold Way that it would be particularly scenic and made sure to bring along our video equipment. The end product is a fun round up of the highs and lows of the Cotswold Way, including the costs, of course. Have a look and let us know if the Cotswolds make it onto your bucket list. 

Making a difference in Mexico 

You might recall that last August I traveled to northern Manitoba to participate in a spay and neuter clinic in the Chemawawin Cree Nation community. This was an eye-opening experience for so many reasons. It was my first time visiting a First Nations community and also my first time on the front lines of a dog rescue mission. I returned home somewhat worse for wear, having spent every waking hour tending to and cleaning up after dozens and dozens of anxious dogs. 

Sweet little Benji having his photo op before heading over to see the vet

Still, it was deeply rewarding to know that I had contributed in a small way to the welfare of dogs in that community and now I’m looking forward to doing the same in Mexico. Later this month, I’m heading to an animal shelter in Puebla with a team from Save Our Scruff, a Canadian non-profit dog rescue (Gillian is kindly staying at home to take care of our own pups). There I’ll be helping out in the background however I can while the local vets operate on a couple hundred cats and dogs.  

If you’re interested in finding out more about what it’s like to combine travel and volunteering, you can follow along as I share the day-by-day experience on Instagram.   

In the meantime, enjoy the video!  

See you on the road,

Stephanie & Gillian