Archives for February 2014

Top Destinations for 2014

February 28, 2014

Although it’s been several months now since the start of 2014 (um, what? is February really almost over?), the two months following this new beginning are often full of “Top” posts. I, personally, love to read every “Top Places To See” article that I can get my hands on. The other day, I read one where I wasn’t to enamored with most of the destinations, partly because it was a little too America-centric. There’s nothing wrong with traveling the United States–in fact, I think we’re pretty spoiled to call this country our backyard–but there are also so many places in the world to visit, too!

So, I thought I’d share my list of the Top Destinations for 2014.

You know, since I know everything, I’ve been everywhere, and I’m clearly your travel expert.

(I know, I’m delightfully witty and hilarious).

I actually haven’t been everywhere (but can I?) nor do I know everything (just ask my Research Methods professor). However, I did compile a list of some of my favorite places–places I can’t wait to go back to–and places I have yet to visit but hope to this year, or at least someday soon.

Enjoy!

(I tried to pick my top 14 but…that was impossible. So, I rounded up!).

This country, while tiny, seems adorable and full of gorgeous views and pretty castles. Apparently, you can also accidentally run into the king at the grocery store! A quaint, unique place to visit in Europe.

I only spent several days in Laos, in Luang Prabang, and was intrigued by the country. I’d like to go back into more rural areas, and maybe stop in Luang Prabang for another crepe or two :).

Well, if I can’t go see these cherry blossoms in the spring, I hope you can!

I’ve heard that Macchu Picchu might be shutting down due to the sheer volume of tourists. While this might not be a terrible thing, as I think it should be preserved, you should still go and see it while you can!

Thailand is kind of the perfect destination: delicious food, historical cities, perfect beaches, smiley people. I would encourage you to go during the Loi Krathong festival, where they send these lanterns into the sky.

Iceland is gaining more recognition as a must-see destination…so go before everyone finds out!! I obviously adore Iceland and am counting down the days until I can go back…and maybe catch a sight of the elusive Northern Lights?

See what I mean with America’s amazing backyard? This place is awe-inspiring.

Especially if you love diving, I’d highly recommend a visit to Cozumel. The island has beautiful visits, endless amounts of island drinks, ruins and some of the best reefs in the world.

Although my feelings about China are complicated, I certainly hope to go back again one day.

I’m not sure I need to explain Bruges…I mean, just look at this picture! It’s a wonderfully preserved medieval city in Europe and it’s the image of Europe you always envisioned. And, wafflesfrieschocolatebeer galore!

I’ve wanted to visit these ever since my father and brother did several years ago. Another diving paradise…and just paradise in general.

I recently read this article about Argentina and now I’m dying to go.

Had to throw in a plug for my home state! It’s beautiful, rural, with many national parks, national forests, and other preserved wilderness.

If I was a celebrity, I would buy a winery in this picturesque valley. I wouldn’t mind retiring there, either, drinking wine and wandering through the vines.

Despite what this picture may lead you to believe, I am not a Lord of the Rings junkie (although I definitely enjoyed the stories!) but I just liked this picture. Like Iceland, I love the ideas of tiny island countries surrounded by ocean.

I feel like Scandinavia is the quintessential winter destination.

You know my love of Scotland (I’m still plotting how to move there). 2014 is also a big year for the country!

Reasons to visit Victoria? It’s a short ferry ride from Seattle, its university is full of bunnies, it has this garden, and it’s just charming. I also saw whales on the way to Victoria from the ferry, and my life was kind of complete.

Last summer, through my program, I would either have ended up in China, India, or Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka (another island…I’m noticing a pattern here) seems like a true vacation spot: beaches, jungles, ruins, and you can’t forget the elephants!

South Africa has also been receiving a lot of attention as a new vacation spot, for good reason.

Slovenia is a recent addition to my must-see list, because, look at this picture!

**All photos are my own, or you can find their source by clicking the image.**

I hope you enjoyed my list. What are you top places to visit? I would LOVE to hear them!

England

Snapshots and Snippets {England}

February 27, 2014

Welcome to another edition of Instagram Travel Thursday!**

Today I’m taking a visit back to merry old England.

England was familiar, and yet different from I expected. London is a huge, metropolitan city–not exactly the the quaint city you see in the movies–but nonetheless that charm can still be found when you look for it, through the classic red telephone boxes and during a sunset on the South Bank. I was surprised by how much I loved Big Ben (also known as the Elizabeth tower), London’s most iconic symbol. I had to hold myself back from squealing with joy every time it popped up around the corner. (Full disclosure: most of the time, I did squeal…I’m sure I’m a fabulous travel partner…).

I was also surprised at the food!! English food doesn’t have a great reputation, nor does it always sound so appetizing…I mean, mushy peas? Fried fish and soggy chips? No thanks. Yet, we didn’t have a meal I didn’t at least enjoy–and those mushy peas can actually be delicious! Who knew.

Although we did not get much time in the countryside of England, this is what I loved the most, which is typical as I’m not a city girl. The sheep, the rolling green hills, the adorable villages…talk about movie-worthy!

Overall, my visit to England merely added more places to my list. A week there was just long enough for me to decide where I want to spend more time–like Oxford, the British Museum, and the Cotswolds, to name a few. London, too, would make that list, as there is so much to see and do there! We tried to cram in everything, and therefore, we got a quick taste of many things, such as Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, and the National Gallery. London taught me to travel at a more leisurely pace, and to pick a few top sites to thoroughly enjoy. The many famous sights of London and England make this extremely difficult! I wanted to see it all, and my feet did not thank me for it.

However, I can’t say I regret one minute of riding around in double-decker buses, slowly creeping to the top of the London Eye, or running to catch the Tube. It’s also so very British, after all, and isn’t that why we were there?

I hope you enjoy a few of my pictures from the trip–I can’t wait to go back!

**Instagram Travel Thursdays are hosted by Skimbaco Lifestyle, an online magazine, both in the form of a weekly link-up for bloggers, and through the hashtag #IGTravelThursday. I’m so excited to join them in sharing some of my Instagram photos again this week, and hopefully will again in the future! If you’d like to, link-up below!

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USA

Olympic National Park {USA}

February 26, 2014

On the coast of Washington state is the Olympic National Park. The park contains an actual rainforest, miles of unspoiled coastline, magical forests, hot springs, waterfalls, and excellent camping. Camping with E’s parents is essentially glamping (or glamorous camping if you aren’t in the know). They have all the gear you would ever need and had meals planned (and sometimes already cooked!) for the entire four days.

I definitely have never enjoyed camping more. The beautiful scenery and the opportunity to visit my favorite place always, the beach, certainly helped this become my favorite camping experience in my life, by far!

We spent the first two nights at Sol Duc, a standard camping site in the forest, drove to the Hoh rainforest, possibly the most famous hikes of the park, and spent our last night on the coast at Kalaloch. Near this campground is a charming inn, the Kalaloch Lodge, with a great restaurant and perfect little cliff side cabins. Staying in one of those cabins is now on my list!

The park was fairly busy in the summer, but it was easy to get away from the crowds with a few extra minutes on a hiking trail. The summer we visited was unfortunately a drought summer, so the rainforest was really dry–the moss wasn’t dripping as I expected. It did make it sunnier for our hikes, though, which is always a plus.

Although it is well off the beaten path, the Olympic National Park is worth the trip! It’s often rainy, the beaches are definitely not sunbathing or swimming types (except without a wetsuit–even in August!) but I could live on the quiet coastline and watch the seals play in the waves every night at sunset. We were blessed with three beautiful days, but just so you know, the three weeks after we left were rainy and stormy! However, I think the rain and the storm would make this area even more exotic and mysterious, although slightly more difficult to explore. But hey, just utilize your inner Scout and come prepared! IMG_20120824_180552

{Hiking near Hoh rainforest / a tree-lined trail / a mossy phone booth / the river by the trail / a boy and his dad, navigating the logs / squeezing through the logs to find the trail / we passed through Forks so I had to commemorate that, even though I’m no lover of Twilight / my man / hiking up to a waterfall near Sol Duc / the creek among the trees / I really need to get better at waterfall photos! / pretty, if still slightly blurry / onto the coast! / two minutes from our campsite / by the Kalaloch Lodge / E and his parents / a coffee on the beach, my new favorite thing / more snapshots of the Lodge / take two / a boy and his dad, this time on the beach / so happy for a sunny beach day! / our campsite in the magical beachside forest / always exploring the woods…so fast it’s blurry, ha / the sunset / I only packed sandals for the beach and regretted it! / my handsome sunset date / still gorgeous after the sun disappeared behind clouds}

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