Hiya Reader!

Spring is officially here and we are so ready for it. Before we say goodbye to what feels like the longest winter in a long time, we had a chance to do a unique project that brought us out to St. Pierre & Miquelon which is what we'll be chatting about today!

And yah, we're trying something new with the banner at the top. Love it? Hate it? Let us know!

✈️ In this issue:

• 🇫🇷 There's a French Island in North America?
• Our latest posts and updates - keeping it fresh!

If you haven't yet, make sure to check out the latest on our social channels: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

French Island 🇫🇷 Off The Coast of Canada 🇨🇦

If you've been watching our Instagram stories, you'll see that we just came back from the archipelago named St. Pierre & Miquelon.

I honestly didn't even know about these islands until I planned a road trip around Newfoundland which ended up being mostly Gros Morne a few years ago. It's largely remained under the radar until more recent years as they've been growing their tourism industry.

Saint-Pierre et Miquelon (SPM) is a collective territory of France and is similar to how French Polynesia and Saint Martin are run.

Where Is SPM?

Was It Really French?

• Flag - Red, white, and blue can be seen prominently and subliminally throughout. You notice it right away when you land.
• Language - French is of course the main language although I was impressed by how many people spoke English as well. The French they speak is also not the French the Québecois speak. It's a subtle difference but it's definitely there.
• Food - From crepes, foie gras, escargot, wine, and cheese, you'll be delighted to find out that there is a lot of French food here.
• Money - Coming from Canada, you definitely don't expect it but of course they use the Euro currency.
• Plugs - This one's easy to forget. They use Euro plugs (two round prongs) so make sure to bring an adapter.
• Cars - There are lots of Renault and Peugeot cars here. At the same time though, we also saw a lot of pick up trucks which is not something you normally see in France.
• Attitude - I'm not sure if this was as in-your-face, but speaking to locals, they definitely have a laissez-faire way of living here. They also take lunch hour very seriously. All stores close usually between 12-2PM.
• Architecture - There was a distinct French small-town architecture here but not so much in a medieval way but something from the 70's. A lot of it was in the small details of things like window trims, signage, and staircase design.

What made it a trippy was that everything the landscape which felt very much fitting of what you'd expect to find in Newfoundland which is very jagged, rocky, and raw.

What's It Like Going In The Winter?

We of course came out here during the archipelago's off-season because their summer season is incredibly busy and they don't exactly need more promotion for that time of year.

Now that we've been here in the winter, here are a few thoughts:

• Adventurous - Similar to our time on Îles de la Madeleine, this takes a particular type of traveller - one that is willing to brave the weather, and excited to explore new places with an open mind.
• Winter landscape - There's a magic to a snowy landscape. For us, it also made our hike on St. Pierre so much easier because it happened to be hard-packed.
• Open year round - What surprised me was just how full of life it is here. It's not just a place for tourists in the summer but a fully functioning city. This means that most places are open.
• Fewer tourists - In fact, it felt like we were the only ones this time of the year. This meant that everyone had time for us and it was pretty easy to make bookings whether it was restaurants, the hotel, and activities. You don't need to book 9-12 months out like you do for summer.
• Cheaper? - This probably only applies to hotels and flights as most tour operators seem to run a single rate throughout the year but it's definitely a consideration.
• Unpredictable weather - I feel like we experienced all the different seasons while we were here so you need to be prepared clothing-wise and build in flexible into your itinerary.
• Some closures - There are still some closures to be aware of. The Île aux Marins island visible from town is closed off in the winter. Likewise, boat activities don't run in the winter.
• Locals are more free - This is something that the people we chatted with echoed which is that the winter time, they're not swamped with work so they have much more time to spend time with visitors. For instance, if an activity/tour takes longer than the allotted time, it's not a big deal.

Overall, we enjoyed our time on SPM. Off-season travel in this way feels liberating in a lot of ways because you largely have everything to yourself. It's a different experience than what most people get and we've really learned to cherish that.

And next time there's a quiz night question about how you can drive from Canada to France, you'll know what to answer!

💸 Travel Deals

Here are the top deals that are currently live right now.

• Europcar Easter Offer: Up to 15% + 5% on APP. Car rentals can be between 26/03/2026 and 31/12/2026. Offer expires April 2, 2026.
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• Avis Spring Savings: Use coupon code UUWA036 and AWD A740300. Get a free upgrade and up to 25% off. Deal runs from March 13 – late May. Rental must begin by June 30, 2026.
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• Peak Design Roller Pro: My go-to carry-on is 10% off with their limited-time sale.
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• Airalo 2026 Deal: For those looking for a re-useable code, use NEWTOAIRALO15 for new users to get 15% off. If you’re an existing customer, use AIRALOESIM10 to save 10%. Deal expires Jan 1, 2027.
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• Best Western: Stay 3 Nights Get a $50 Best Western Gift Card, Limit 3 Gift Cards ($150). Deal ends May 10, 2026.
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• HeyMondo: Save 15% on their insurance plans until March 29, 2026.
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• MagicalTrip: Use code GOINGAWESOME1024 to save 8% on their tours in Thailand!
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To get notified of all travel deals we discover, go to our deals group on Facebook.
​It's free to join!

✏️What's New on the Site

In case you're not subscribed to our 'let us know whenever you publish something new' list, here are our new posts. We aim to publish posts twice a week so if you subscribe you are always kept in the loop!

☝️ What's Next at Going Awesome Places

April is going to be a big month of trying to catch up. We have videos for St. Pierre & Miquelon and St. John's to do. We also have all of the stuff we shot in Bangkok, Singapore, and the Maldives to go through if I have time.

The BIG news for April is that we just confirmed a trip to Zambia in Africa. We're doing our first safari since our honeymoon that included Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands.

This year is definitely turning out to be a year of dream projects coming true!

🍪 Travel Tidbits

Here's the latest from the industry with a few articles that we think you'll enjoy and make your 2026 travel even more exciting:
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• ​The Airports With the Strongest Flight Networks in the World: If you travel more than the average person, chances are you've passed through one - or five - of these hubs before.
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• ​What to Know About TSA's New Touchless ID Lanes: How to Sign Up and Where to Find Them: Touchless ID is now available at 40 US airports, including Miami and Boston. Here's how to opt in to the special security lanes.
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• ​Discover Puerto Rico Launches “Awaken Your Senses,”: A Global Campaign Built on Consumer Psychology
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• ​Villagers on Príncipe, the ‘African Galapagos’, to be paid for protecting the ecosystem: A billionaire is funding a sustainable development project on the west African island that makes the local population stewards of its future
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• ​Why 'Viking wellness' is having a moment: This year's fast-growing spa trend isn't about pampering and relaxation: it's about contrast therapy and elemental experiences. Enter the brave world of Viking wellness.
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• ​Micro-cations: The big appeal of the tiny holiday: From passport privilege to overtourism and carbon cost, the boom in two- to four-day "micro-cations" reveals how modern travellers are rethinking rest.
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• ​Mexico Tourism Surges: Arrivals have more than doubled in the last 25 years, and the country could climb even higher, according to new research highlighted by Mexico News Daily.​
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• ​The Best Spas Around the World: According to Condé Nast Wellness Editors
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• ​TripAdvisors Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Destinations. World Heritage Sites, storied museums, ancient crafts—these destinations offer unique experiences to remember.

Spring Break is almost here!

Have anything on your mind? All you have to do is reply to this e-mail!

See ya next month!

Will

Your Chief of Awesome

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