Life’s Incredible Journey is an award-winning travel publication founded by journalist and photographer Wendy Nordvik-Carr. Together with my daughters, Melanie Lomond and Stephanie Carr, our family travels near and far, sometimes across three generations, sharing first-hand experiences that help readers discover more, travel thoughtfully and better understand the places they visit.
We look beyond the must-see attractions to discover the people, history, food, culture and traditions that give a destination its character, while providing practical information travellers can use to plan memorable journeys of their own.
Our contributing guest writers add the expertise and perspectives of accomplished professional travel journalists, expanding the destinations and experiences we can bring to our readers.
Our Journalism. Our Experience. Your Trust.
525,000+ km travelled | 52 countries | 34 US states | 9 Canadian provinces and territories | 62 UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 140+ national, state and provincial parks | 25+ Ocean and River Cruises
20+ years professional journalism | Award-winning photography | Canadian restaurant judge | 6 years TMAC board leadership | Community volunteer
Meet Wendy Nordvik-Carr, Award-Winning Travel Journalist, Photographer and Editor
Hi, I am Wendy Nordvik-Carr, founder, editor and publisher of Life’s Incredible Journey. Before creating Life’s Incredible Journey, I spent more than 20 years working in the fast-paced newsrooms of The Vancouver Sun and The Province. I also produced digital content for Postmedia.
That journalism background continues to shape the way I travel and everything I publish.
I research extensively, ask questions, seek out knowledgeable local sources and look beyond the obvious to dig deeper into the places I visit. I want to know the history behind a building, the story behind a regional dish, the traditions that continue to shape a community and most of all, about the people and the culture of why each place is unique. But good travel journalism also needs to be useful.
Is an attraction worth your time? What should you reserve before arriving? Where should you stay? What foods should you try? Can you explore independently? How much can you realistically see in a day? What might you miss if you do not know where to look?
Those are the questions I ask because they are the questions travellers need answered when planning their own journeys.
My particular interests include cultural and culinary travel, history, cruising, rail journeys, road trips, luxury and 50-plus travel, multigenerational adventures and the extraordinary experiences that give a destination its sense of place.
About Wendy Nordvik-Carr, Founder of LifesIncredibleJourney.com and an award-winning travel writer. Did you recognize Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay? This photo was taken at the opening of his restaurant Gordon Ramsay Steak at the River Rock Casino in Richmond, BC.
A Life More Travelled
My travels have taken me more than 525,000 kilometres by land, sea and air, through 52 countries, 34 US states and nine Canadian provinces and territories.
Along the way, I have explored 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and more than 140 national, state and provincial parks. I have travelled by river and ocean cruise, rail, road and air, exploring major cities and small communities, celebrated landmarks and places well beyond traditional tourism routes.
Those numbers represent much more than distance. They represent conversations with guides, historians, chefs, winemakers, artisans, producers and locals; visits to museums, archaeological sites and historic places; meals ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to small family-run establishments; and countless opportunities to understand how people live in different parts of the world.
First-hand experience, curiosity and careful research are at the heart of the stories I tell.
Discovering a Destination Through Food
Food is one of my favourite ways to understand a destination. As a Canadian restaurant judge, I have a particular interest in chefs, restaurants, culinary traditions and the people producing the ingredients behind the food we eat. My travels have taken me from conversations with renowned chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, to food markets, wineries, bakeries, farms, cooking experiences, Michelin-starred restaurants and small establishments where recipes and traditions have been handed down through generations.
I want to know more than what is on the plate. Who made it? Where did the ingredients come from? Is the dish particular to this region? What does it tell us about the people, geography, history or culture of the place we are visiting?
Food can tell some of travel’s most interesting stories.
Local Experts in Vancouver and British Columbia
Our travels may take us around the world, but some of our favourite discoveries are close to home. Based in British Columbia, we have extensive first-hand knowledge of Vancouver and destinations throughout the province.
Life’s Incredible Journey features local adventures, weekend getaways, scenic road trips, neighbourhood discoveries, hotels, attractions, cultural experiences, family activities, festivals and seasonal events. We want the site to be useful not only to someone planning their first visit to British Columbia, but also to locals wondering what to do this weekend or where to take visiting friends and family.
Being local gives us something difficult to gain during a short visit: perspective. We see neighbourhoods change. We discover new attractions, restaurants and experiences as they open. We attend annual festivals and events. We can return to places we have written about and continue exploring communities throughout the province.
Exploring Vancouver and BC Through Food
Our local culinary coverage is an important part of that expertise.
We follow the chefs and restaurants shaping Vancouver and British Columbia’s dining scene, from celebrated establishments to new openings and neighbourhood discoveries.
We are equally interested in the farmers, fishers, growers, winemakers, brewers and artisan producers supplying their kitchens.
Our coverage takes us to restaurants, farmers’ markets, wineries, breweries, food festivals and regional culinary experiences throughout the province.
Whether we are exploring Vancouver or travelling thousands of kilometres from home, we are looking for the same thing: the people, places, flavours and stories that make somewhere worth knowing.
Travel Is a Family Affair
Travel has always been an important part of our family. Today, my daughters Melanie Lomond and Stephanie Carr share my passion for exploring the world and contribute their own travel experiences, interests and perspectives to Life’s Incredible Journey.
We enjoy travelling together, and increasingly those journeys span three generations with my grandchildren joining us.
I experience a destination as a journalist and 50-plus traveller. Melanie combines extensive international travel experience with the realities of travelling as a mother with children. Stephanie brings her passion for independent travel, detailed itinerary planning and discovering memorable experiences others may overlook.
And the grandchildren frequently notice things the adults miss completely.
Travelling together allows us to experience the same destination through different generations, abilities and interests and to consider whether something genuinely works for the entire family.
Raising Thoughtful Travellers
Travel Can Be One of the Greatest Forms of Education
Travelling with my grandchildren has reinforced something I believe strongly: showing children the world is also an opportunity to teach them how to respect it.
We encourage them to ask questions, learn about the history of the places we visit, listen to local stories, experience different cultures, try regional foods and understand why protecting wildlife and natural environments matters.
A national park becomes an opportunity to learn about conservation. A historic site can make something learned in school suddenly real. A farm or food experience can help children understand where food comes from. A museum can introduce another culture or period of history. A conversation with a local guide, artisan, Indigenous knowledge keeper or producer can provide a perspective no textbook could offer.
We want our grandchildren to grow up curious about the world, but equally important, respectful of it.
Travelling With Respect
Sustainable and regenerative travel are increasingly important to the way our family explores. For us, responsible travel goes beyond reducing environmental impact.
It means respecting the land and communities that welcome us, supporting local businesses and producers, learning about Indigenous and local cultures, respecting wildlife, protecting natural and historic places and thinking about the impact we have as visitors.
Sometimes that means staying longer rather than rushing through a destination. It can mean supporting locally owned businesses, travelling outside the busiest periods, exploring communities beyond established tourism centres or simply taking the time to understand the significance of the land we are visiting.
Travel should not only give something to us. Whenever possible, it should contribute something positive to the places we visit. Most importantly, we want the remarkable places we experience today to remain remarkable for the generations that follow.
Meet Melanie Lomond
Family Travel, Nature and Responsible Tourism
Melanie Lomond is an experienced travel writer based in Vancouver with a particular interest in family and multigenerational travel, nature, food, health, wellness and culture. She has travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, the United States and Canada.
Since starting a family, Melanie has become particularly interested in helping children experience and understand the world around them. She believes travel can be one of the greatest forms of education. She seeks out experiences that introduce her children to nature, wildlife, different cultures, local food, history and the importance of responsible tourism.
Her work has appeared in The Vancouver Sun and numerous online publications. She is also the founder and writer of West Coast Fresh, where she writes about family activities and cooking.
Melanie regularly joins our multigenerational journeys, bringing extensive travel experience along with the valuable perspective of a mother travelling with children.
Melanie seeks out and her children learn about sustainability and responsible travel.
Stephanie Carr
A passionate traveller with 32 countries behind me and an ever-growing list still to explore. I’m drawn to destinations that offer more than beautiful scenery. I enjoy places rich in culture, history, traditions, and unique perspectives.
I love discovering hidden gems, beautiful beaches, exceptional food, cocktail bars, local beer, and unique experiences. I’m fascinated by different cultures and religions, and I’m always looking for the stories, traditions, and little details that make a destination truly memorable. Also, if there’s an opportunity to encounter wildlife or animals along the way, even better.
One of my greatest passions is creating unforgettable itineraries. Whether you have a long, leisurely trip or just a few precious days, I know how to make the most of your time without sacrificing the experience. I specialize in finding unique accommodations in the best locations, uncovering those special places you might otherwise miss, and thoughtfully connecting it all into a trip that feels effortless yet extraordinary.
Not sure where to start? Don’t know how to fit everything in? Want to see as much as possible? I’m your girl. Give me the destination, the timeframe, and a little sense of what you love, then I’ll take it from there.
For me, travel is about curiosity, discovery, and creating experiences you’ll still be talking about long after you’ve unpacked.
Stephanie plans the best travel itineraries for Vancouver, British Columbia and destinations around the world.
Our Contributing Guest Writers
Life’s Incredible Journey is also fortunate to feature work from accomplished Canadian travel journalists who bring additional expertise, destinations and perspectives to our readers.
Anita Draycott
Anita Draycott is a respected, award-winning Canadian travel writer who is a member of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) and TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada). She specializes in culinary, golfing adventures, wellness and cultural heritage. Anita is based in Ontario.
Maureen Littlejohn
Maureen Littlejohn is a curious Sagittarius who loves to delve into the cultures, traditions and beauty of countries around the world. An award-winning travel journalist, she has worked in Canada, the United States, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Ghana, and Vietnam. Currently based in Toronto, she is a prolific freelance writer and her articles have appeared in outlets including CNN Global Travel, nationalgeographic.com, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, JourneyWoman.com, Panoram Italia, USA Today’s 10 Best, National Parks Traveler, and Hotel-Scoop.com.
Sandra Thomas
Sandra Thomas is an award-winning journalist and travel writer, based on the Sunshine Coast. She was once named best investigative reporter for B.C. and Yukon. Sandra is currently a reporter at the Coast Reporter. She is past Co-chair of the B.C. Chapter of the Travel Media Association of Canada.
Linda Barnard
Linda Barnard is a National Newspaper Awards-winning career journalist who left the Toronto Star in 2016 to become a full-time freelance writer covering travel, food and wine — with a side of film. Her travel stories focus on local people, well-researched inside info and a touch of quirk, written in a way that inspires readers to set out on their own adventures. She is a member of the Travel Media Association of Canada, the Society of American Travel Writers and the Toronto Film Critics Association. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia.
Supporting Professional Travel Journalism
My involvement in professional travel media extends well beyond Life’s Incredible Journey. I have served for more than four years on the board of the Travel Media Association of Canada, contributing to the organization through governance, professional development and chapter leadership. My roles have included Chair of Governance, National Professional Development Chair and BC & Yukon Chapter Chair. In 2026, I was named a finalist for TMAC Volunteer of the Year, recognizing my contribution to Canada’s professional travel media community.
Professional development has been particularly important to me. Travel journalism and digital publishing continue to evolve, and I believe strongly in creating opportunities for journalists, photographers, content creators and tourism industry professionals to learn from one another, strengthen professional standards and build a strong and supportive travel media community.
I am a member of:
Society of American Travel Writers — SATW
Travel Media Association of Canada — TMAC
North American Travel Journalists Association — NATJA
International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association — IFWTWA
Awards and Recognition
● TMAC – Nathan Fong Award 2025 – Honourable Mention – Michelin-worthy Baan Lao escalates its culinary magic in Richmond
● SATW Canadian Chapter Awards 2025 Best Photo, People – SILVER: World Wonders along Bay of Fundy Coastal Drive New Brunswick, Publication
● IFWTWA 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards – Third Place – Vancouver Island Wine Tour: The Perfect 4-Day Itinerary for Wine Lovers
● IFWTWA 2025 Excellence in Journalism and Video Awards – Honourable Mention – Newfoundland and Labrador: Am I Dreaming, Iceberg Alley is the best place to see icebergs,
● SATW Canadian SATW 2024 Awards 2024 – Best Photo, People Bronze: Wendy Nordvik-Carr, Annabell Takes Us Inside the Shaman’s House, Life’s Incredible Journey
● Creative and Visual Arts Awards 2024 – Best Travel Destination Photography Platform – North America
● Feedspot 70 Best Canadian Travel Blogs and Websites in 2025 and 2026
● Feedspot 100 Best Travel Blogs in 2025 and 2026
● Travel Media Association of Canada 2026 – Finalist — Volunteer of the Year
Work With Us
Together, we can offer more in-depth coverage of any destination we explore. We work with brands, hotels, tour companies, and tourism boards to showcase their unique destination and cultural offerings to our readers and on all social media channels.
To inquire about partnerships, sponsorships or opportunities, please contact wnordvikcarr@gmail.com
Destination Marketing
Content Creation
Beautiful Photography
Engaging Videos
Social Media Strategy
Brand Development
Detailed Storytelling
Digital Media and Blog Mentorship
What Others Are Saying
Wendy wears many hats – travel writer, photographer, videographer, content creator and social media influencer – and the big winners are those who follow her work. A gifted veteran journalist and storyteller, she produces well-researched stories that are fun reads with lots of colour, details and photos. She gets to know destinations and their people and looks beyond the surface to find interesting travel stories. She has captured New Brunswick so nicely and accurately in her travel stories. Wendy’s publication, Life’s Incredible Journey, features a wide variety of well-written stories and it’s a welcome addition to the Canadian travel media landscape. If you’re not reading Life’s Incredible Journey, you should be.
Neil Hodge, Travel Media Representative for Tourism New Brunswick
Working with Wendy was a pleasure. Her engagement with our partners ensured thorough and thoughtful coverage. Her focus on multigenerational family travel brought a unique and heartwarming perspective. Professional and a joy to collaborate with, Wendy delivered quality, insightful content.
Joyce Kiehl, Visit Greater Palm Springs
Thank you so much for all of your wonderful coverage and for providing extra deliverables to us. You did a wonderful job covering the destination and we appreciate it. I especially love the angle of an educational vacation.
Karina Diez, Buena Park, California
We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Travel Writer Wendy Nordvik-Carr and her family to our Coast Bastion Hotel in Nanaimo. Wendy shared a wonderful account of their three-generational adventure, exploring the best of what Nanaimo has to offer.
Coast Hotels
