Jordana Manchester - Adventure Travel Specialist

27/03/2026

Life moves slower on the river…castles drifting past, cobblestoned towns to wander, crisp wine in the glass, and waking up in a new town every other morning🤌🏾

Stepping onto the AmaViola out of Budapest last spring reminded me that the best kind of travel is the kind that leaves your camera full of snapped memories, your limbs sore from exploring and your inner romantic firing on all cylinders❤️

River cruising has officially stolen my heart (and much of my travel bucketlist). Who else has caught the river cruise bug? Drop your favorite river below 👇🏽

17/03/2026

There’s a quiet power in choosing to love what is unfamiliar. Well, for some of us, it isn't such a quiet act. It's loud. Rooted in activism.

But there IS courage there.

It takes courage to lean in instead of pulling away.
It takes humility to ask questions instead of making assumptions.
It takes mindfulness to meet 'differences' with curiosity, not fear.

A xenophile, a lover of people, cultures, and the beautifully unfamiliar. It isn’t just a definition. It’s a way of moving through the world.

Radical inclusivity isn’t a trend. It’s a responsibility.

And as for “keeping politics out of it”? That’s a privilege not everyone gets to have, because for so many of us, identity IS the conversation. And if you're not ready to have the conversation, try this....

Lead with kindness.
Get curious.
Listen deeply.

The world doesn’t need more division. It needs more people willing to understand it.

02/03/2026

Five months ago, I stepped back.

I needed distance from the noise of the travel industry , from the trends, the algorithms, the pressure to constantly *produce*.

My best laid plans for 2026? Up in smoke. Every spreadsheet, every strategy, every carefully mapped-out launch… dissolved.

And honestly? It shook me.

But somewhere between the unraveling and the rebuilding, I found myself back on Vancouver Island, where the air is thick with memory and the old growth forests don’t rush for anyone. The rhythm there is different. Slower. Wiser. Certain.

That trip wasn’t just a getaway. It was a remembering.

Why I started.
Who I serve.
What kind of stories I want to help tell.

Clarity rarely arrives at your desk, when you’re in the thick of crisis. Sometimes it rises with the tide, settles in the cedars, and waits for you to get quiet enough to hear it.

I’m resetting.
I’m refining.
I’m rebuilding with intention.

And the next chapter of Storied Lands will be rooted deeper, wilder, and more aligned than ever before.

Stay close 🤍

22/09/2025

🌟 It's Time for a Change🌟

I've just returned from four jam-packed days at two inspiring travel conferences, and something clicked. ✨ I was reminded of why I first fell in love with this work back in my junior advisor days—the kind of travel that sets my soul on fire.

In the years since the pandemic, I’ve happily helped many of you book dreamy all-inclusive beach getaways, but my heart has always belonged to safaris, expeditions, and once-in-a-lifetime group adventures. Having explored more than 75 countries myself, I’m ready to bring that energy back—this time with even more depth and purpose.

So here’s where Storied Lands is headed for the NEXT 10 years:

• Luxury river and luxury ocean cruising (think Avalon & AmaWaterways, Azamara, Oceania, Virgin Voyages, and other elegant ships that explore the world in style)

• Expedition cruising to breathtaking, hard-to-reach corners of the globe (think HX Expeditions & Aurora)

• Worldwide group tours & curated European escapes that connect travellers and cultures (Storied Lands is off to Sri Lanka in September 2026 with Intrepid Travel!)

• Accessible travel experiences, because exploring the world should be possible for EVERYONE—visible or hidden disabilities be damned! This remains work I am deeply committed to championing.

If you’re an existing client with an upcoming all-inclusive vacation, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. 💛 And if you’re craving a sun-filled Mexican or Caribbean resort stay, I’m happy to recommend some amazing advisors who specialize in these much-needed escapes.

For new clients, we’re charting an exciting course back to soul-stirring travel—the kind that transforms you and leaves a story to tell.

Are you ready to plan your next great adventure? Let’s dream big, together. 🌍✨

Jordana ❤

10/09/2025

Let Locals LIVE!

I captured this moment a couple of years ago when I was traveling on one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world: Kandy to Ella. This quintessential Sri Lankan experience takes you through some of the most breathtaking countryside you've ever seen. Colourfully draped women meticulously pluck away at delicate tea plants amidst terraces in shades of emerald you never knew existed. Cool mists cling to the branches of ghostly forests along the way. The soft sounds of Sinhalese fill the train car and an ever-familiar sound of rhythmic clacking beneath your feet will lull you into the folds of time.

It's iconic and mesmerizing.

But as picturesque as the scenery is along this rail route, it's often not what's highlighted across social media platforms. What you see is photo after photo of travel bloggers, canoodling couples, influencers, and tactless tourists, pictured hanging off the side of the train. The backdrop is irrelevant. Gowns and glam squads create these manufactured moments...but there's another side.

And what you DON'T see are locals being pushed out of the way or harassed to 'get the shot.'

For me, this IS the shot. Two Sri Lankans laughing, chatting, enjoying a train journey in their home, taking in the beauty of the place of their birth.

We are guests. We are not there to interrupt the goings on of local life; we are there to observe it. To soak it up. Learn from it. Let it wash over us. And if we are so lucky, be invited to participate in it.

03/09/2025

Hellooooo Storied Landers!

It’s a smoky day up here on beautiful Squamish territory and all I can think about is far off places…particularly those with sandy beaches and palm trees!

NOW is the time to get your winter and spring holidays BOOKED!

Kid-friendly resort options? ✅
Adult-Only Dreamy Escapes?✅
Multi-Generational Adventures?✅
Bucketlist Expeditions?✅

I’m already booking into 2027! ✈️

And don’t forget, the countdown is on for Sri Lanka 2026 - A storied journey hosted by Storied Lands Travel and Intrepid Travel! (Ask me about it!)

The inbox is back open, let’s get those deposits sorted and your trips confirmed!

[email protected]

22/08/2025

Girlfriends Getaway? Romantic Escape? Multi-generational Family Adult-Only unforgettable adventure?

Virgin Voyages is hands down THE MOST inclusive cruise line on the high seas, and NO ONE does upscale, adult-only fun like Virgin!

Here's a deal for YOU!

Itinerary: Winter Break in the Less Antilles
🛳 Ship: Valiant Lady (7 nights)
📅 Dates: Nov 22-29, 2025

Sail away to the stunning Lesser Antilles with Virgin Voyages! This incredible itinerary takes you through the beauty of the Caribbean with stops in the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, and St. Lucia. From the crystal-clear waters of Tortola to the colorful charm of St. John’s and the lush landscapes of Castries, every port offers a new adventure. Pair that with Virgin’s award-winning dining, entertainment, and adults-only luxury—and you’ve got the perfect escape!

🗺 Voyage Itinerary:
🛳 Day 1: San Juan, Puerto Rico
🛳 Day 2: Tortola, British Virgin Islands
🛳 Day 3: Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
🛳 Day 4: St. John's, Antigua
🛳 Day 5: Castries, St. Lucia
🛳 Day 6: Charlotte Amalie,
🛳 Day 7: Ibiza, Spain, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
🛳 Day 8: San Juan, Puerto Rico
🚢 Ready to escape on your next adult-only getaway?

Price CAD $4134 PER CABIN! (You read that right, not per person!)

Mid-Ship Cabin: Central Sea Terrace (Private balcony with a view!)

Always included Luxury:

WiFi
Tips & Gratuities
All Dining
Soda & Water
Fitness Classes
Entertainment

As your trusted Travel Advisor and certified First Mate with Virgin Voyages, I’ve got all the latest promos, insider perks, and personalized planning to get you sailing the Virgin Way aboard our award-winning lady ships. Let’s chart your course—reach out anytime at [email protected] 🌴⚓

And if you want to peruse Virgin Voyage's gorgeous itineraries on your own, check out my dedicated advisor link below:

https://www.virginvoyages.com/?agentId=225663&agencyId=451

20/08/2025

For the same price as a five star resort guests will be sailing 8 nights on the gorgeous Celebrity Equinox, enjoying views from their Veranda this November. They’ll be visiting Seville, Tangier, Porto and Lisbon 😍

And yes, I book cruises too! Heck, I’ve sailed on 6 of the major lines myself (and yes, Celebrity is one of my faves!)

Sound like the type of escape you need? You know where to find me ⬇️

[email protected]

20/08/2025

Now that my blood pressure has come down, and I'm finally seeing some progress in the inbox (thank Air Canada), it's time to get back to helping you escape to the the most beautiful places on earth...

Hot Off the Blog: Dreamy Long-Stay Escapes for the Slow Traveller

From the cobbled streets of Portugal to the beaches of Southeast Asia, I've compiled some of the best long-stay holiday destinations for Canadians in 2025 and beyond, each offering a unique balance of comfort, culture, and connectivity.

From the cobbled streets of Portugal to the beaches of Southeast Asia, I've compiled some of the best long-stay holiday destinations for Canadians in 2025 and beyond, each offering a unique balance of comfort, culture, and connectivity.