Travel Dreams, Planning, and Thoughts on Wandering Solo

The past week has been all about fighting off a stubborn flu, the kind that slows everything down and forces you to rest whether you want to or not. And when life quiets down, the mind tends to drift — mine certainly did. I found myself returning again and again to the same thought: a trip to Canada at the end of the year. A trip I want to take alone — not because I don’t love my family, but because sometimes it’s healthy to give yourself space to breathe and move at your own pace.

I’ve realized that the planning itself is already part of the joy. Browsing maps, exploring different neighborhoods, searching for small cafés and local hidden gems… it all feels like a tiny adventure that begins long before any flight is booked. November is starting to look like the right month for this journey, and I’m hoping to secure my tickets within the next few weeks.

I’m not a big museum person, though occasionally an exhibition might catch my interest. What I truly enjoy is walking — simply wandering through a city, observing everyday life, and discovering places that don’t appear in guidebooks. Toronto seems perfect for that: small cafés, side streets, parks, markets, and those little corners locals love but tourists rarely find. I want to see the city as it is, not just through its major attractions, but through its ordinary beauty and quiet details.

And since FestiveFindsSuomi will be coming along with me, I love the idea of sharing small video snippets and impressions from the trip. Local gems, cozy cafés, early holiday touches, and whatever November in Toronto has to offer. Maybe this journey will become a gentle, creative content trip as well — calm, personal, and very much my style.

Even though the trip is still months away, it already feels good to give myself permission to dream. Perhaps this is the moment when the journey truly begins.

A Small List of Things I Hope to Discover in Toronto

As I imagine this trip, I keep circling back to the same kinds of places and moments. I’m not chasing the biggest sights — I’m looking for the small, authentic treasures that make a city feel alive. Here are a few things I hope to find:

✨ Hidden gems — places tourists rarely stumble upon

• quiet side streets with colorful murals

• small vintage shops and artisan boutiques

• parks and viewpoints loved by locals but missing from guidebooks

🥐 Breakfast spots with personality

• cafés that smell like fresh pastries

• places where you can sit by the window and watch the city wake up

• little bakeries with that one special treat you can’t find anywhere else

☕ Coffee shops with “that something”

• the perfect latte or matcha

• beautiful interiors that inspire you to film or take photos

• a peaceful corner for writing, reading, or simply being

🌆 A place that feels like a must‑see

Not necessarily a major attraction, but:

• a view that stops you in your tracks

• a street that feels instantly familiar

• a moment that stays with you long after you’ve left

Leave a comment to share your suggestion! Thanks :)