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The Real Souvenir

The Real Souvenir

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    • Asia
      • Azerbaijan
      • China
      • Japan
      • Philippines
      • South Korea
      • Sri Lanka
      • United Arab Emirates
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • Azerbaijan
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Italy
      • Malta
      • Portugal
      • Slovenia
    • North America
      • Canada
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Uruguay
  • Get to know us
  • Send us a message!
  • Travel Tips

Travel Adventures

Where to Eat in La Paz, Bolivia
Bolivia South America

Where to Eat in La Paz, Bolivia: 10 Best Restaurants (Expat Guide)

updated on September 10, 2026September 10, 20260 Comment on Where to Eat in La Paz, Bolivia: 10 Best Restaurants (Expat Guide)
Where To Stay in Uyuni
Bolivia South America

Where to Stay in Uyuni: Town Hotels vs. Salt Hotels Near the Flats

updated on September 10, 2026September 8, 20260 Comment on Where to Stay in Uyuni: Town Hotels vs. Salt Hotels Near the Flats
Sculpture Park in Uyuni, Bolivia
Bolivia South America

1-Day vs. 3-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour: Which Is Best for You?

updated on September 10, 2026September 1, 2026
Salt Flats Hexagons
Bolivia South America

How to Spend 2 Days in Uyuni: The Best 1-Day Salt Flat Tour + City Guide

updated on September 10, 2026August 31, 2026
Bariloche Sign
Argentina South America

Is Bariloche Worth Visiting? The Ultimate 2-Day Bariloche Itinerary

updated on August 27, 2026August 27, 2026

Start Your Travel Journey

Travel simply changed my life. The more I set out to embark on new adventures, the more it brought out a passion for discovery and change within me. When I first started travelling I thought that I always had to be abroad. As I grew up in Ontario, Canada this meant at least crossing over the pond and experiencing a life in a new country. The irony is that the longer I have lived as an expat abroad, the more I realize that travel doesn’t …

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therealsouvenir

Discover the real souvenir 👇
✨Travel experiences that spark self-discovery, confidence & create lasting memories!
👣 Step into the adventure

Who else is excited for the Olympic Games?? It's Who else is excited for the Olympic Games??

It's been years since we have been in Canada during the Olympic Games, and there is just something a little extra special about watching the games from home.

We have made our way to Calgary and will be in Alberta for much of the duration of the games!

It's been awesome to see so many places, including @bottlescrewbills opening up early to allow for a fun atmosphere, full of hockey fans! 🇨🇦

#TheRealSouvenir
2016 was an INCREDIBLE year. We had spent a long t 2016 was an INCREDIBLE year. We had spent a long time in 2015 planning what 2016 could look like for us.

We began our journey with a trip to South America, making our way to Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. Exploring the Galapagos Island was an absolute highlight and we would love to go back there now with our scuba diving certifications! 

Later in the year we decided to move to South Korea with a new job. It was so fun exploring Seoul and it still remains one of my favourite places to this day. 

With a family trip booked for Sri Lanka we made our way there at the end of 2016. Hiking there was unbelievable. We even got a painting made up from the view at the top of Sri Pada.

Although we did plan for some of 2016, it unfolded into an incredible year of adventure and exploration, beyond what I had thought.

Time passes by so quickly, and it has already been 10 years. I'm so happy we made that leap and leaned into those travel experiences.

What were some of your highlights in 2016??
I can pin point exactly when my life changed forev I can pin point exactly when my life changed forever.

Exactly 15 years ago in 2011, I hopped on a plane for the first time. By myself. 

The night before I was so nervous. Heading to Scotland and then onwards to England to join a group trip.

Last year while travelling to Rome, I visited some of the same sites and it brought back soooooo many memories. A brand new traveller, exploring Europe for the first time.

I'm looking forward to the year ahead and the adventures to come.

Do you have a favourite travel memory that sticks out for you?

#therealsouvenir #travelmemories #globalexplorer #2026adventures
What a difference 10 years can make! Little did I What a difference 10 years can make!

Little did I know how much my life would change after my very first trip abroad.

I caught the "travel bug" and before I knew it I was seeking opportunities to work around the globe.

I'm so glad I took that leap of faith, joined a group tour with complete strangers, and went on an adventure in Europe.

Who else has had a memorable trip like this?

#therealsouvenir #travel #Europetour #lifechanging
Going skating is a staple in Canada and something Going skating is a staple in Canada and something I have treasured since returning this winter. I'm lucky to have a small rink nearby—it’s a fun way to embrace the fresh winter air.

It has me thinking about other skating rinks and paths close by that would be so fun to explore. If I didn't set the intention to go skating, another winter day would simply pass by. It’s all about choosing to embrace the moment and making your own "souvenir" for the day.

I'm looking to expand where I skate—what other rinks or paths do you recommend in Ontario?? ⛸️❄️

#TheRealSouvenir #ExploreOntario #WinterInCanada #MeaningfulTravel #SkatingPath
10 years can fly by in an instant. That has defin 10 years can fly by in an instant.

That has definitely been the case when I think about this last decade of traveling, living abroad, and stepping out of my comfort zone.

I found myself no longer searching for a new country to visit; instead, I began reflecting on the adventures I’ve been lucky enough to experience. 

This led me to discover the true meaning of The Real Souvenir. It’s the memories you make, the people you meet, and the growth that happens when you embark on a new adventure.

This is a new chapter for me—sharing more of my travel experiences. I'm back in Canada 🇨🇦, and during the winter, no less!

Looking forward to the new year ahead.

Happy 2026, everyone!
2025. A year of global exploring and trying new th 2025.
A year of global exploring and trying new things. 

Each 365 days seem to go by faster than the last. This past year I started to get out of my comfort zone and embark on new beginnings.

In 2026 I'm going to continue to build on the momentum of 2025, dive into creating, discover new adventures and embark on personal growth.

It has been wild to reflect on this past year, while thinking about the journey ahead.

Cheers to an awesome 2026 ✌️

#therealsouvenir #newbeginnings #2025recap #newjourneyahead
We have been travelling in Sri Lanka for the past We have been travelling in Sri Lanka for the past month!

We have been to over 10 cities, covering a fair amount of distance and reaching multiple coastlines. Mixing our time between travelling and spending time with family, we have enjoyed our time so far!

With this island being so small, it only takes a few hours to travel between cities, reaching new parts of the island.

Now you might be wondering how you get from place to place?

For much of our journey we have hired a driver. With 5 of us travelling, this was an easy choice for us to help manage our luggage and quick changes in our itinerary.

If you are interested in travelling to Sri Lanka, check out my latest article to learn more about how to smoothly travel around! 🚘

#travelsrilanka #srilanka #travelplanning #traveltips #therealsouvenir
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About The Real Souvenir

Hello! We are Denise and Ru! A Canadian couple enjoying the adventures of exploring the world and embracing the travel memories that come with it! We plan to share amazing adventures with you and provide travel tips to make your planning process a breeze on your next vacation!

Destinations!

Argentina Asia Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Bolivia China Europe Germany Greece Italy Japan Malta Philippines Portugal Slovenia South America South Korea Sri Lanka Travel Tips UAE Uruguay Vietnam

Recent Posts

  • Where to Eat in La Paz, Bolivia: 10 Best Restaurants (Expat Guide)
  • Where to Stay in Uyuni: Town Hotels vs. Salt Hotels Near the Flats
  • 1-Day vs. 3-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour: Which Is Best for You?
  • How to Spend 2 Days in Uyuni: The Best 1-Day Salt Flat Tour + City Guide
  • Is Bariloche Worth Visiting? The Ultimate 2-Day Bariloche Itinerary
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