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Passports and Pigtails

A Travel Family with a Passion for Authentic Connection

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • Alberta
        • Shadow Lake Lodge: A Back Country Hike-in Experience in Banff National Park, Canada
        • Folk, Flavour and Fringe: A Local’s Guide to Summer Activities in Edmonton, Alberta
        • Notes from the Hill: The Edmonton Folk Music Festival
        • Brunch and Bakeries: Exploring Edmonton’s Old Strathcona Neighborhood with Alberta Food Tours
        • Macaron 101: A Confection Class with Ollia Macarons & Tea
        • Elevating Expectation: A Stay at the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel
        • Mount Engadine Lodge: All-Inclusive Connection in Alberta’s Backcountry
        • Fairmont Hotel Macdonald: Staying in the Jewel of Edmonton’s Skyline
        • Fairmont Hotel Macdonald: A Mother-Daughter Weekend in the Fairytale Castle of Edmonton
        • Downtown Delights Food Tour: Indulging in Edmonton’s Diverse Cuisine Scene
        • Adventures in the Air: The Snow Valley Aerial Park, Edmonton, Alberta
        • FISE World Edmonton: An Epic Weekend of Spokes and Slopes
        • Visiting The Edmonton Ice Castle
        • Edmonton, Alberta: Spending Summer Discovering our Capital City
        • Alberta’s Majestic Backyard: This is Banff, Canada
        • Unplugged in the Rockies: Camping and Hiking at Abraham Lake, Alberta
        • Lions and Tigers and Towers, Oh My! Spending a Weekend in Calgary, Alberta
        • Back to Basics: A Calgary Farmer’s Market Food Tour
      • New Brunswick
        • Exploring the Historic Charms of St. Andrews by the Sea, New Brunswick
      • PEI
        • Beach Sand in my Hourglass: This is Cavendish, PEI
    • Caribbean
      • Dominican Republic
        • Dominican Republic: Discovering your Idyllic Corner of this Caribbean Island
    • United States
      • Luxury, Location and Long Bars: A Stay at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston
      • Patriot Place, Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots: Kicking our NFL Bucket List Through the Uprights
      • Finish Lines, Fenway and the Freedom Trail: A Family Guide to Exploring Boston, Massachusetts
    • Hawaii
      • Sunsets, Surfers and Swells – A Week on Oahu’s North Shore
      • OAHU: Aloha to a Kid Free Week
    • Italy
      • Paris and Italy: A 28 Day Itinerary
      • Connection Along the Cinque Terre
      • Falling for Framura
      • Footsteps thru Florence
      • From Sea Glass to Sea Views, This is Positano
      • From Tuscany With Love
      • On the Canals of Venice…
      • Unexpected Bliss: A day in Portofino, Italy
      • When in Rome…Stay and Stroll
      • Pillars, Power and Performance: Visiting Rome’s Colosseum & Forum
    • Paris
      • Disneyland Paris – Magic en Francais
      • Our 34 Hour Love Affair With Paris…..Part 1
      • The City of Paris…Part Deux
    • Mexico
      • Mexico’s Mayan Riviera: An All Inclusive Week at the Barcelo Maya Grand Resort
    • Costa Rica
      • Kids Saving The Rainforest: Family Friendly Volunteering in Costa Rica
      • Casa Mia: A House in the Clouds of Monteverde, Costa Rica
      • Pasión Costa Rica: An Exceptional Education in Monteverde
      • Kelly’s Surf Shop: A Day on the Waves of Tamarindo, Costa Rica
      • Sirena Serena: A Boutique Oasis in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
      • Tree Houses Hotel: Sleeping in the Canopy of Costa Rica
  • Travel Planning
    • My Top 25 Travel Tips: Packing, Planning and Enhancing Your Experience
    • 8 Ways to be a Respectful Travel Family
    • A Journey of Roots: Planning a Multi Generation Vacation
    • Christmas Day….Home or Roam?
    • Paris and Italy: A 28 Day Itinerary
    • Local is the New Lux
    • Planning a Family Vacation Abroad
    • Checking In by Completely Checking Out….
    • It’s Not Just Water: My ‘Waterlust’ Affliction
    • It’s Never Too Late to Look at a Map…..
    • Stories for my Suitcase: 20 of My Favorite Books
  • About Amy
  • Contact
  • Work With Us

Author: AmyButterfield

Brunch and Bakeries: Exploring Edmonton’s Old Strathcona Neighborhood with Alberta Food Tours

October 24, 2019October 24, 2019 AmyButterfieldAlberta

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” – James Beard – Food is an intricate pathway of connection, a network linking us to our emotional and physical self, our family and friends, to local businesses and global growers.  Food is an indulgence, a pleasure, a vital necessity, housing the power to both heal and […]

Shadow Lake Lodge: A Back Country Hike-in Experience in Banff National Park, Canada

August 23, 2019August 23, 2019 AmyButterfieldAlberta

“You’re off to great places, today is your day.  Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” -Dr. Seuss- Deep in the heart of world renowned Banff National Park, nestled among the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains, lies a quaint row of cabins dotting a lush green meadow.  At a pristine emerald lake […]

Macaron 101: A Confection Class with Ollia Macarons & Tea

July 12, 2019July 13, 2019 AmyButterfieldAlberta

mac·a·ron noun:  a small round cake with a meringue-like consistency, made with egg whites, sugar, and powdered almonds and consisting of two halves sandwiching a creamy filling. OLLIA MACARONS & TEA When it comes to the elusive french macaron, the popular Calgary based confectionery, Ollia Macarons & Tea, is a master.  A dynamic French-Canadian duo, […]

Folk, Flavour and Fringe: A Local’s Guide to Summer Activities in Edmonton, Alberta

May 23, 2019May 28, 2019 AmyButterfieldAlberta

“You take delight not in a city’s seven or seventy wonders, but in the answer it gives to a question of yours.” – Italo Calvino – Edmonton, Alberta, isn’t your average capital.   It is a destination that beats to its own unique rhythm on a drum of cultural diversity.  Home to roughly 1 million residents, […]

Finish Lines, Fenway and the Freedom Trail: A Family Guide to Exploring Boston, Massachusetts

April 18, 2019April 18, 2019 AmyButterfieldBoston

“Boston isn’t a city, it’s a family.” -Chad Finn- We have an affinity for historical cities.  There is something captivating about the architecture, character and deep rooted pride of a destination that carries with it the vibrancy of the past.  Boston, Massachusetts, is a culmination of curves and clean lines, as a 19th century church […]

Patriot Place, Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots: Kicking our NFL Bucket List Through the Uprights

January 13, 2019January 13, 2019 AmyButterfieldBoston

“The thing about football – the most important thing about football – is that it is not just about football.” – Terry Pratchett – Football.  A game of yards and 4th downs, interceptions and intensity.  It’s the power behind a defensive tackle, the beauty of a perfect spiral and the heartbreak of a field goal […]

Luxury, Location and Long Bars: A Stay at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston

October 29, 2018October 29, 2018 AmyButterfieldBoston

“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” -Coco Chanel- I imagine this is how Alice felt, unsure which parts of her lavishly dramatic world were a dream and which parts still held footing in reality.  Swirls of brilliance and magical mirrors, deep rose reds and ornate door handles that surely lead to worlds […]

Horsing Around: A Night of Thoroughbred Racing in Edmonton, Alberta

August 22, 2018August 23, 2018 AmyButterfieldAlberta

“There is something about the outside of a horse, that is good for the inside of a man.” -Winston Churchill- There is something nostalgic about walking the grounds of a stable, the earthy mixture of dirt and hay, manes and tails.  It is the sound of hooves, the neighs and the nickers.  A blow of […]

Notes from the Hill: The Edmonton Folk Music Festival

August 15, 2018August 15, 2018 AmyButterfieldAlberta

“Music is one way for young people to connect to themselves, but is also a bridge for connecting with others.  Through music, we can introduce children to the richness and diversity of the human family and to the myriad rhythms of life.” -Daniel A. Carp- For nearly four decades, music lovers have been staking a claim […]

Adventures in the Air: The Snow Valley Aerial Park, Edmonton, Alberta

July 6, 2018July 6, 2018 AmyButterfieldAlberta

“It’s okay to be scared.  Being scared means you are about to do something really, really brave.” -Mandy Hale- THE AERIAL EXPERIENCE Those first unsure footsteps, shaking hands, a nervous but determined face, gentle words of encouragement…. and a zip-wire so fun it needs to be crossed half a dozen times before moving on.  A […]

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Nice to Meet You!

We are the the "B' Family behind the stories of 'Passports and Pigtails', a family of four on a journey to explore as many corners of the globe as possible. Whether it is counting hotel stars, or sleeping under the millions above, we are simply in search of authentic connection.

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7 months ago

'Support Local' isn't just about the economy. By supporting a local business we open the door to discovery, and this vibrantly delicious box was just that. It started as a gift from our friends at Tourism Calgary, and ended up in our new found love for all things Ollia Macarons & Tea.

The French macaron is perhaps my favorite confection, and so I am thrilled to be invited to attend Ollia's 'Macaron 101' class later this month where we learn to make them ourselves. Stay tuned as I will be sharing our flavor creation experience, and inspiring others to indulge!

Classes make a perfect Mother's Day gift and are held in both #YYC and #YEG. For more info or to register, visit: http://www.byollia.com/classes
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7 months ago
Photos from Passports and Pigtails's post

Another snowy morning in Edmonton, but not to worry, summer is inevitably around the corner! Putting together my YEG MUST's of the season, and can't wait to share them with you. What makes your list of summer favorites in our capital city?

#yeg #exploreedmonton #travelalberta
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7 months ago
Finish Lines, Fenway and the Freedom Trail: A Family Guide to Exploring Boston, Massachusetts

Have you ever visited a city for a specific reason, and unexpectedly fallen in love with it? That was Boston. From the perfect blend of historical and modern architecture to the waterfront views and getting to see the Red Sox play the Yankees, we cannot wait to return ... See more

“Boston isn’t a city, it’s a family.” -Chad Finn- We have an affinity for historical cities. There is something captivating about the architecture, character and deep roote… ... See more

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7 months ago
UNILAD Adventure

Absolutely devastating news in Paris. Construction on the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral began in the 12th century and took roughly 300 years to complete. You simply cannot rebuild a history that has withstood the French Revolution of 1786 and seen Joan of Arc beatified by Pope Pius X in 1909. I am so glad we had the fortune of witnessing the cathedral in its glory a few years ago. Today, our hearts are once again with the city of light. ... See more

Heartbreaking scenes as a huge fire breaks out at the historic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris

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Recent Posts

  • Brunch and Bakeries: Exploring Edmonton’s Old Strathcona Neighborhood with Alberta Food Tours
  • Shadow Lake Lodge: A Back Country Hike-in Experience in Banff National Park, Canada
  • Macaron 101: A Confection Class with Ollia Macarons & Tea
  • Folk, Flavour and Fringe: A Local’s Guide to Summer Activities in Edmonton, Alberta
  • Finish Lines, Fenway and the Freedom Trail: A Family Guide to Exploring Boston, Massachusetts
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