Tayla Blaire

A trek to the ancient citadel is a must-do for most adventurous travellers, but how do you actually get there and is the hike that tough?
Machu Picchu is on the travel vision board for many adventurers, but for the truly daring, arriving well-rested by train, freshly showered, wearing Instagram-ready clothing isn’t the ultimate feat. Machu Picchu is a well-preserved relic of the mighty Inca civilization, hidden among mountains and clouds, overlooking the aptly named Sacred Valley. It’s a jaw-...

A career pivot is one of the most intimidating things you can do, especially when you’re considering leaving a career in which you are firmly established. Perhaps you’re not even sure if pivoting is the right move, or if it is, you’re not sure how to prepare for it or what bumps you’ll encounter along the way. Here’s how to make a successful career switch, according to experts.
How do you know if you need to pivot?
The first hurdle is identifying whether a career pivot is the right step to ta...

More and more workplaces are implementing free and readily accessible menstrual products in washrooms, though lately, there may be greater hesitation from those who usually reach for tampons. A recent study published in Environment International went viral on social media after it found that a selection of tampons from several widely available tampon brands contained measurable concentrations of potentially dangerous metals.
No one wants to hear that the products they’ve been using for severa...

The Great Wealth Transfer—the idea that trillions will move from older generations, like baby boomers, to their children and grandchildren (millennials and Generation Z) in the coming decades—is currently a source of debate.
“It’s going to change the economy whether we like it or not,” explains financial adviser Sofia Cianciulli. “People will have to deal with a sudden lump sum of money and that means planning for a tax-efficient wealth transfer, which will be of major importance to millions ...

Whether you’re planning a safari trip or seeking sun-drenched beaches, we’ve mapped out top times to see South Africa
South Africa is a traveller’s dream: exquisite beaches, countless safari opportunities, imposing mountain ranges, with every month of the year offering something different. Coupled with the U.S. dollar going way further and English being widely spoken, it’s no wonder there are so many repeat visitors. While there’s something to do all year-round, we wouldn’t want you to miss o...

With South Africa being so vast, it can be tough to decide where to stay. Whether you’re looking to splurge or keep it simple, these hotels are primed to offer you the best of the best while making memories down south.
Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg
Book a stay at the Saxon Hotel in South Africa for an ultra-luxe experience. Renowned for its extensive wine cellars, the hotel is a haven for the finer things in life, especially after its interior design facelift by the talented Nelson Kubheka. Aft...

We did our own research for the best digital nomad cities and rounded up five destinations around the globe that get high marks for several top-of-mind factors for digital nomads, including affordability, agreeable weather and more.
Cape Town, South Africa
Digital nomad and PR expert Alice Draper believes Cape Town is the most scenically beautiful city in the world. “For digital nomads earning Western currencies, it’s extremely affordable, and you can enjoy a fantastic standard of living,” sh...

I wrote the itinerary copy for this tour by Distant Journeys.

Digital nomading marks a shift in how professionals are approaching careers and work-life balance. The number of self-described digital nomads skyrocketed post-pandemic. Here’s a look at 2024’s digital nomad statistics.
What is a digital nomad?
For much of the workforce, the days of being tethered to a desk in the workplace are gone. Work is what—and where—digital nomads make of it, bouncing from place to place, country to country.
Anthropologist and digital nomad expert Dave Cook, in his 202...

Next generation leaders are set to shake up the workplace as we know it. Gen Z are more educated, with early benchmarks showing that post-millennials are enrolling in college at a significantly higher rate than millennials did at the same age. They will also comprise 27% of the workforce by 2025, and that number will continue to climb as its members graduate and settle into their careers. But what do members of this generation value, and what will their leadership look like in the workplace?
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It’s standard practice to have multiple employees in every organization qualified in first aid so they can attend to physical injuries until professional medical help arrives. However, the same consideration is seldom extended toward mental stress and strain—otherwise known as mental health first aid—and that needs to change.
Gallup found that “19% of U.S. workers rate their mental health as fair or poor” and are four times more likely to miss work due to poor mental health than peers who rat...

Veganism isn't just a passing trend. In fact, plant-based foods with no trace of animal products are only growing in popularity. For some, veganism is an ethical choice, while others choose the lifestyle for its health benefits. From initiatives like Meatless Mondays to Veganuary, folks are finding plenty of reasons to try out vegan foods. This lifestyle used to have a much higher barrier of entry, as there were practically no restaurants that offered vegan fare, especially in the fast food s...

I wrote brochure copy for multiple itineraries for Distant Journeys.

Bridesmaids are spending hundreds of pounds to accompany their nearest and dearests on their big day
It’s an incredible honour to be asked to be a bridesmaid. Standing beside your loved-one on such a special day is the stuff memories are made of. Unfortunately, it can also be the stuff that debt is made of.
Let’s examine the average wedding. The bridesmaid dress, hair styling, make-up, manicures, pedicures, shoes, jewellery – and those are just for the wedding itself. Sometimes brides step in...

In October 2019, my husband and I booked a weekend getaway in the Pilanesberg, a Big Five game reserve in South Africa. Work had been really stressful, so we figured a trip to a nearby reserve for a few game drives (or safaris, as they’re commonly known) would be just what we needed.
While there are numerous luxury hotels surrounding the national park, we stayed at one of the more discount options to save a few extra dollars. The desire to save some money was also why we opted to do a self-dr...