15 Everyday Pleasures Snowbirds Rediscover While Travelling

Are there simple pleasures that you enjoy even more when you're travelling than when you're at home? Maybe it's walking in the morning sun, drinking coffee on a terrace overlooking the sea, or strolling through the local market.

For many Canadian Snowbirds, these little everyday moments take on a whole new flavour once they're far from the snow and cold of winter.

Be inspired by these travellers who trade Canada's cold weather for sunny destinations and share what they love to rediscover, year after year, in their lives under the sun.

1. Enjoying Coffee and Croissants in the Sun

Nothing beats a morning walk followed by a croissant and coffee on the Paseo by the sea in Fuengirola for Linda G. "At home, in the suburbs of Montréal, it doesn't have the same charm, but there, it's my favourite routine. "

2. Living Outdoors All the Time

For Gilles and Louis, from VRN'GO, who spend their winters in Melaque, Mexico, everything is more enjoyable when it's warm. Cooking a meal under their palapa or exploring the small neighbouring villages becomes a real pleasure, as they live almost entirely outdoors.

3. Making Every Day an Adventure

With no set itinerary during his stay in Italy, Tony P. sets off early in the morning and lets the day guide him. A lively piazza catches his eye, a market invites him to stroll, and an unfamiliar side street encourages him to get lost. There’s something about the fresh air and the city’s vibrant energy that brings back a vitality he really misses once he’s home in Canada.

4. Visiting Local Markets

For Alain B., going to the local market is a must. “In Canada, I don't go regularly because we're used to doing big grocery shopping trips, but abroad, it's an activity in itself. You see the interactions between merchants and customers, and you discover fascinating products that you can't find at home.”

5. Enjoying a Good Glass of Wine

In Montpellier, where he spends his winters, Michel M. takes advantage of the local wine tradition. His ritual? Half a glass every evening, just enough to appreciate the aromas and share a convivial moment in the French style.

6. Watching Life Unfold Before Your Eyes

During a trip to Vietnam, Alain and Lucie chose to be guided by a local Vietnamese who speaks French. Thanks to him, every detour along the way became an immersion in the country's culture. Spontaneous stops in villages, conversations with locals, discoveries off the beaten track: they saw Vietnam through the eyes of those who really live there.

7. Gardening in the Middle of Winter

Gardening takes on a whole new meaning when it's done under blue skies and summer temperatures in the middle of January! Gilles and Louise see it as a little luxury that makes them happy every day. 

8. Opening Up to New Encounters

When travelling, Lucie G. feels more drawn to others and more sociable. She likes to meet people, even if it's just to spend an afternoon together. In Koh Lanta, Thailand, a meal at a local pizzeria allowed her to strike up a friendship with another couple from Canada. The next day, at sunset, they met up for a drink with their feet in the sand on the beach.

9. Enjoying the Coffee Culture

In Greece, Mary G.'s day always starts with a freddo cappuccino and a bouraza. Even when she tries to replicate the ritual at home, she can't find the same authenticity as when sitting on a Greek terrace, surrounded by lively conversations.

10. Playing Golf Without Breaking the Bank

A loyal soNomad customer, Réal M., who spends his winters in Harlingen, Texas, particularly enjoys being able to play golf for $20, cart included! It's an affordable luxury that allows him to play his favourite sport as often as he likes.

11. Eating Local and Fresh

Grilled fish straight from the sea in Thessaloniki, Greece, fruits picked at dawn and sold by street vendors in Mexico, fresh pasta made by hand in Italy... for many snowbirds, these meals are a real treat. 

Tony P. never fails to emphasize the quality of Italian products: “Incredibly, they manage to maintain such a high level of quality. And, surprisingly, I never gain weight when I'm there.” For many, eating this way becomes one of the most memorable pleasures of the trip.

12. Spending the Whole Day at the Beach

Having the sea at your fingertips, even if the water is sometimes too cold to swim in during winter, as in some European destinations, remains an irresistible attraction for many Canadian Snowbirds. 

From Harlingen, Réal M. travels about an hour to reach the beach, then settles in from morning until the sun sets with a program of reading, walking, and above all, enjoying the day as it flows with the rhythm of the waves and the sun.

13. Being Spontaneous With Activities

While travelling, it is easier to say yes to whatever comes your way: a concert in the park, a busy night market, or dinner with new friends. That is how Alain and Lucie ended up with some of their favourite memories, like climbing on a glacier in New Zealand or going for a dive on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It is often these unplanned moments that end up being the most meaningful.

14. Treating Yourself to Moments of True Relaxation

Without the pressure of tight schedules, taking the time to sip coffee on a piazza in Italy like Tony P. or reading on the beach becomes a precious luxury. Some snowbirds even bring this habit back home with them.

15. Rediscovering the Pleasure of Walking

On the beach, through the narrow streets of a village, or on a gentle hike, walking becomes a pleasure in itself, rather than just a means of getting around. That’s why, as Linda points out, bringing good walking shoes is essential for making the most of every outing.

Let Yourself Be Tempted by the Charm of the Snowbird Lifestyle

All these little personal touches remind us that a trip is not just a destination, it's a different way of enjoying each day.

Don't forget that a good trip also starts with good travel insurance. Get a quick quote with soNomad to accompany and protect you during your next winter in the sun.

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