Go Petranelle

11/03/2026

Arriving Solo in Grenada: My First Day in Grand Anse

From the beautiful ocean views at Siesta Hotel to a relaxing afternoon at Grand Anse Beach, here's a look at my first day exploring Grenada....

Arriving in Grenada for a solo trip? Follow my journey to Grand Anse, including airport transfers, Siesta Hotel, local breakfast and beach time.

11/02/2026

Can you hike an active volcano in El Salvador? I climbed Santa Ana volcano, and the crater lake at the top is unreal.

The Santa Ana volcano hike is guided, and it is very doable if you are reasonably fit. Start early, because the clouds roll in by noon and can hide the crater lake view. Bring water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes for the rocky trail.

Full guide here: https://gopetranelle.com/2025/07/21/i-hiked-santa-ana-volcano-in-el-salvador/

Would you hike to a crater lake?

11/01/2026

Bacchanal Army Trinidad Carnival 2027: the Monday-only mas band for one day on the road.

Take Over Town is Bacchanal Army's 2027 presentation, built for masqueraders who want Carnival Monday without the two-day commitment or price. Registration is open online, with about 3 sections, from $475.

Their registration discount for new and past masqueraders runs Oct 31 to Nov 2, so tomorrow is the last day to catch it. The band also launched Express Yourself, design-your-own Monday wear in red, white, black, and gold, premium all-inclusive with goodie bag and drinkware.

Full band details and prices are on the mas bands guide: https://gopetranelle.com/trinidad-carnival/mas-bands/

Would you play mas for Monday only, or do you want the full two days?

10/25/2026

Planning 6 days in St. Lucia? Here is my full St. Lucia itinerary, with the Pitons views worth the hike, the beaches I kept going back to, and where to eat in between.

For a 6 days in St. Lucia trip, split your stay between the north and Soufriere if you can. That split gives you resort comfort up north and the lush, quieter south near the Pitons, without backtracking across the island every day.

Full guide: https://gopetranelle.com/2025/04/26/6-days-in-st-lucia/

Pitons hike or beach day, which wins for you?

10/24/2026

Solo winter in Reykjavik: I did 6 days alone in December, chasing northern lights, soaking in geothermal pools, and handling 4 hours of daylight. Dress in real layers, not fashion layers, and plan aurora hunts around clear skies. Full guide: https://gopetranelle.com/2024/12/17/explore-reykjavik-your-complete-6-day-solo-winter-adventure/

Would you do a solo winter trip to Iceland?

10/22/2026

Quebec City ghost tour: I did the Crimes in New France night walk in Old Quebec. It was the best evening of my fall trip.

A costumed guide, the executioner's wife, led us through cobblestone streets telling stories of crime, punishment and justice in the 1600s and 1700s. Eerie, funny, surprisingly educational: the perfect way to see the city's darker side after sunset.

The tour ends at Place Royale, and that picture-perfect square was once the colony's punishment ground. People were put in stocks, whipped, and sometimes executed there in front of everyone. Beautiful and heavy in the same square.

It runs evenings (8 PM through October) from the Morrin Centre, and tickets run about $23 CAD for adults. Book ahead, groups are small.

Full weekend plan here: https://gopetranelle.com/2025/10/18/a-weekend-in-quebec-city-solo-fall-escape-from-nyc/

Would you pick a ghost tour for your first night in a new city? I used to skip these, and now I would not.

10/21/2026

Need a fall escape from NYC? I did a solo weekend in Quebec City: cobblestone streets, French food, and peak foliage without the New England crowds. The train ride up is half the fun.

Full guide here: https://gopetranelle.com/2025/10/18/a-weekend-in-quebec-city-solo-fall-escape-from-nyc/

Would you do a solo fall weekend?

10/15/2026

How to register for a mas band for Trinidad Carnival 2027

Registration for most major bands opened June through August, and it does not work like buying a concert ticket. For premium bands like TRIBE, BLISS, and The Lost Tribe, you register through committee members or affiliates. Returning masqueraders get first pick, so popular sections can be nearly full when public registration begins. YUMA, Paparazzi, Harts, Showtime, Xzotik Mas are open online now.

- A costume only goes into production once the downpayment is in. Lost Tribe requires payment within 24 hours of booking or the order is cancelled; BLISS gives you 5 days.
- Lost Tribe's balance is due December 31, 2026; collection centers are payment free.
- Sold out means sold out. BLISS keeps no waiting list; Showtime's Macaw Valiant Platinum (TTD 20,008) is already gone.

All 26 bands with 2027 prices: https://gopetranelle.com/trinidad-carnival/mas-bands/

Which band are you registering with for 2027?

10/10/2026

Nobody gives you real Carnival numbers. So I built the thing everyone keeps asking for.

My Trinidad Carnival 2027 budget calculator covers the twenty small expenses that actually make up your trip. Not just flights and hotel. Fetes, costume, outfits, hair and makeup, transport, food, all of it. A few questions, your real number, under 2 minutes.

https://calculator.gopetranelle.com/carnival

Free. No guesswork, no $6,000 package needed.

10/09/2026

International Soca Monarch is BACK for Trinidad Carnival 2027

The legendary competition returns under new management (SCORCH Limited) with the theme "Trinidad Versus the World." T&T soca stars vs. artistes from around the world, on Fantastic Friday, the last big stage before the Parade of the Bands.

Dates and tickets are still to be announced. My 2026 fete reviews will get you up to speed on what the big nights feel like: https://gopetranelle.com/2026/03/14/fetes-trinidad-carnival-2026-reviews/

Which artiste are you most excited to see on that stage?