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travel in amsterdam

Things to Do and Avoid in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a lot to offer any globetrotter. Tulip fields, the Heineken experience, Anne Frank House, and the Red Light District are only a handful of activities that come to mind when I recall my 3-day trip to Amsterdam. Here’s how to get the most out of this colorful city:

5 MUST DO IN AMSTERDAM

  1. Anne Frank House: This museum is the real former house of Anne Frank and her family during the years of Nazi occupation in Holland. You MUST book tickets well in advance because it is a small museum. They are strict about letting people in at the correct date/time. As soon as you know you’re going to Amsterdam, book these tickets. It is absolutely worth the 10 euros.
  2. Red Light District: A red-light district is an area of a city with a concentration of prostitution, sex shops, and adult theaters. Not your thing? That’s okay. I would still recommend walking through the area at night just to see what it’s about because it’s eye-opening—no participation necessary. Although, if you’re traveling with kids, it certainly isn’t a PG experience.
  3. Museum quarter: Amsterdam of some of the most famous artists in history, from Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Even if you’re not a history or art buff, you should explore the museum quarter and browse at least one museum/gallery to see great artworks of amazing artists.

Anne Frank House
Anne Frank House

travel in amsterdam

Amsterdam Red light district

Amsterdam brunch spot
Bakers & Roasters

Amsterdam Museum quarter
Amsterdam Museum quarter

Vincent van Gogh’s paintings

CONSIDER AVOIDING:

  1. Free cheese museum: Just a small room with a few cheese samples.  
  2. Windmill Park: Far from the city and full of tourists.
  3. Largest swing in Europe: Only 5 euros but ends up being an additional 20 to get there.
  4. Free Walking Tour: I generally love these tours in all the cities I’ve been to, but we experienced a really disorganized group. Although, it could have just been the day/those tour guides.
  5. Keukenhof Gardens: I still have mixed feelings about this, but if you’re looking for the expansive Dutch tulip fields you’ve seen pictures of then you won’t find them in Keukenhof Gardens or Amsterdam in general. Altogether, this ended up being a 40-euro venture and a large portion of our trip when it really didn’t measure up to expectations. Only go to the garden if you’re looking to spend at least a few hours in a place with lots of flowers in cool patterns/patches.

Something else to think about: the Heineken Experience. Although I was not able to fit this into my quick trip, I intend to do the Heineken Experience, a tour of the brewing facility, if I ever return to Amsterdam. Check it out if you’re a fan of the lager!

Overall, Amsterdam is an amiable city with activities for every type of personality. If any of the above sounds intriguing to you, visit Amsterdam for experiences you’ll never forget.

This is a guest post.

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What to Do on Your Vacation to Lisbon?

In recent years, Lisbon, Portugal has become a hotspot for travelers, and the city’s helpful locals, warm ambiance, and overall easy-going vibe showed me exactly why it’s received such rave reviews. Right off the Mediterranean, the city offers a variety of sights, efficient public transportation, and great music: everything a globe-trotter needs to enjoy a weekend away.

the city / image via getstencil

Once in Lisbon, you’ll want to start off with a scenic tour of the city. What won’t you want to miss? Belem Tower and Santa Justa Lift for sure. Belem Tower, also known as the Tower of St. Vincent, is a famous tower located a little way outside the city. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of Portugal’s significance in the Age of Exploration. The Tower is quite a trek if you’re intent on walking, but it’s also incredibly accessible by bike and public transport (more on that later!). While you’re in Belem, grab a pastel de nata here at Pasteis de Belem. These are the BEST egg tarts around and one of the local foods you must try. Don’t leave Lisbon without heading to this pastry shop (waiting in the line is worth it).

Belem tower / image via getstencil

Lisbon egg tarts

Santa Justa Lift is another spot not to miss—it provides a view of the entire city! I always find that the best way to orient yourself in a new city is to head to a high point. From here, you’ll be able to see other areas you might want to check out: the Alfama Neighborhood, Barrio Alto, Plazo do Comercio, and Rua Augusta Arch are just a few that come to mind.

Best way to get to these? Public transportation hands down. Public transportation is an institution in it of itself in Lisbon. Tram No. 28 is just 1 of 5 wooden tram routes that still weave themselves through Portugal’s capital city. This route will take you through the picturesque neighborhoods of Alfama and Bairro Alto, the must-sees above. If you need to get somewhere, chances are you can do it with public transport in Lisbon, so don’t hesitate to ask the locals to direct you.

Lisbon tram

If you’re in Lisbon for an extended period or are just ambitious with your time, consider a day trip to Sintra. Sintra is a little town outside of Lisbon where you can see elaborate tilework and other unique architecture. The most identifiable piece of this architecture is Pena Palace, whimsical and colorful enough to be straight out of a fairytale.

Pena Palace at Sintra 

Tired after a long day of sight-seeing? Head to a restaurant that features Fado, a traditional form of Portuguese singing. The songs are typically accompanied by string instruments and describe the tough realities of daily life. Fado music has two main varieties: Lisbon and Coimbra. Of the two, Lisbon is more well-known. Make sure you check it out!

Listening to Fado music at a local restaurant

A famous Fado singer performing in Lisbon

Lisbon offers something for everyone. If you find yourself seeking a warm destination with friendly locals, great public transportation, an abundance of sights, and unique music, head to Lisbon. You won’t regret it!

This is a guest post. 

What to Look for in Florence, Italy?

Florence is a city small in size but rich in reputation. You don’t need a lot of time to cover the city, but the greatest testament to its prominence is the fact that travelers often return here because of the quality of its sights. Check out below for all you could possibly want in a city!

Looking for history in Florence?

Take a free walking tour. Start your trip out with this and you’ll have all the background knowledge you need of Florence, its early days, and the Medici family. Check online for times, meeting locations, and other information. Just Google search “Free walking tour Florence.”

Looking to shop in Florence?

Mercato Centrale is a market for foods and goods. The prices for goods are negotiable so go in with your game face on and ready to bargain. Additionally, the Piazza San Lorenzo is a shopping plaza where you can buy Italian leather. If you’re dying for a pair of Italy shoes, this may be your spot.

Looking for views in Florence?

Head to Piazzale Michelangelo for the sunset. It’s a bit of a walk and up some stairs, so make sure you’re up for that and have your walking shoes on before you start the trek. You’re likely to encounter a crowd as everyone clambers to see the city from this high point. Other popular spots to see Florence’s natural beauty: the Duomo and the Boboli Gardens. Both require tickets so plan ahead of time and book these to make sure you can go!

The Duomo / photo credit – via getstencil

Looking for food in Florence?

Look no further than I Fratellini, a hole-in-the-wall type of stall, where you order a sandwich and a glass of wine and eat while standing/sitting in the street. This place is not far from the Duomo and Piazza delle Repubblica. There is a variety of sandwiches, each one only a few euros, plus wines by the glass – the most inexpensive meal ever. Or try All’Antico Vinaio. This is a great panini shop that will undoubtedly have a line. Yet, if you’re going to eat a panini, this is the one you want. Afterward, head to Gelateria dei Neri, by far the most beloved gelato shop in Florence.

People eating sandwich at I Fratellini, Florence, Italy.
People eating sandwich at I Fratellini. Can you spot me?

Look no further than All’Antico Vinaio. This is a great panini shop that will undoubtedly have a line. Yet, if you’re going to eat a panini, this is the one you want. Afterward, head to Gelateria dei Neri, by far the most beloved gelato shop in Florence.

Looking for art in Florence?

Florence is often synonymous with Michelangelo’s famous David. He’s in the Accademia Gallery and he’s as grand as described. Just make sure you book a ticket in advance to avoid the thousands of other tourists trying to see him as well. The same goes for the Uffizi Gallery, another great art museum. Book online, save a few bucks, and

Uffizi Gallery
Uffizi Gallery

Looking for something unique?

Ponte Vecchio is a spot to check out. This bridge spans the Arno River and has physical shops built onto it. This is by far one of the coolest bridges I spotted in all of Europe. There’s now a bridge modeled after it in Bath, England. Jewelers, art dealers, and souvenir sellers will attempt to sell you their goods as you walk along this bridge from one side of Florence to the other. The strange part? You’ll feel as though you aren’t even on a bridge and are merely walking along another shop filled street.

Ponte Vecchio 

Florence won’t necessarily impress you with its size. It’s easily walkable from one end to the other in 20-25 minutes or so, but there’s a reason it’s on everyone list for favorite Italian pitstops. On your next trip, check out some of the above and experience one of the greatest European cities out there.

This is a guest post.

When in Rome, Do as the Tourists

Rome, the eternal city, carries quite a reputation and is a city everyone must see at least once in their life. Yet, it could take even a practiced traveler an eternity to see everything if you don’t have a plan. Check out below for the tips, tricks, and best practices for all the top sights and events in Rome and the Vatican City.  

  1. Colosseum: A non-negotiable must-see if you’re in Rome, the massive, stone amphitheater is in the center of the city and served as the scene of numerous hand-to-hand combat matches between gladiators. You’ll want to book this sight ahead of time and hit it early in the day right when it opens at 08:30 (although purchase the unreserved time ticket in case anything happens on your trip that changes your plan). The initial crowd is enormous, but the line that follows is hours long. Going early will ensure it doesn’t suck up your entire day. If you’d like an audio guide, they’re 5 euros and are easily shareable amongst a group, so don’t pay for more than one.
  2. Roman Forum: You may not know about this site in Rome unless you’re a history buff, but the ticket is included in the price of the Colosseum and it’s a quick walk. It’s an absolutely breathtaking spot, and on a nice day, you can spend your time walking around the gardens and exploring what Ancient Rome used to look like.
  3. Trevi Fountain: This is another spot you’ll want to hit early (I’m talking 07:30 early) if you’d like a good picture. The Trevi Fountain is a large, well-known Baroque fountain and one of the most famous fountains in the world. Toss a coin into the fountain and make a wish—but beware that everyone else will be doing the same thing as you.
  4. Pantheon: A pretty church with an open top. If you’re in Rome when there’s rain, this is supposedly a beautiful spot. It’s free and there’s no limit on the number of people able to go in, so don’t be deterred by a long line; it moves quickly unlike the Colosseum.
  5. Spanish Steps: Don’t get caught dead here in the middle of the day if you don’t want to feel like you’re at a rock concert. Everyone loves to sit and sunbathe during a nice day on the Spanish Steps. If you’d love the opportunity for a photoshoot, go early so your experience won’t be marred by tourists. There are a number of great lunch spots around here (Pastificio Ditto Guerra is one to check out) but eating on the steps is forbidden so don’t do it.  
  6. Vatican City: This is a huge one to put all under one heading, but the Vatican City isn’t one you can miss if you’re headed to Rome. The city-state is entirely independent despite being surrounded by Rome and is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. It boasts plenty of its own famous sights: the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Book tickets ahead of time through the Vatican online. If interested, you can also attend a mass. The Pope regularly celebrates mass in St. Peter’s Square for visitors to attend. On holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s, or Easter, be sure to read up on how to get tickets. Tickets are ALWAYS free (never pay for a mass ticket) but helps the Vatican ease the flow of visitors who wish to attend on Holy Days. Although these are Catholic practices, mass has been positive spiritual experiences for non-Christians visiting Rome so feel free to check it out if you’re comfortable.

Rome Colosseum / image via getstencil

Roman forum / image via getstencil

Rome Pantheon / image via getstencil

Vatican view / image via getstencil

The Swiss guard / image via getstencil

Be sure to check out the above on your next trip to Rome and the Vatican City! You’ll leave with an abundance of knowledge and charmed by the city as a whole. Just keep these best practices in mind so you can squeeze in as much as possible. Enjoy!

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Cliché but True, Paris Was the First City on My Travel Bucket List for Europe

When people name the top 5 cities in the world, Paris is always one of them. Paris, to me, is a city that I have always had a special connection with because I grew up listening to French chanson music and reading French literature. My first trip to Paris was incredible, but I also learned that, like any city, it can be full of tourist traps. Nonetheless, I firmly believe that a traveler’s bucket list must include Paris at least once in their life. Here’s why:

Paris is home to incredible landmarks. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame de Paris, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Sacré-Coeur, the River Seine. Of course, these are what you think of when Paris comes to your mind, but the opportunity to see them in person can truly be once in a lifetime. The moment you walk down the Champs-Elysées or stand beneath the enormity of the Eiffel Tour is breathtaking. Notre Dame has such an abundance of history, and it doesn’t get much better than the Louvre for art lovers.

notre dame in paris
Notre Dame / photo credit – via getstencil

Moulin Rouge / photo credit – via getstencil

champ elysee
Champ Elysees / photo credit – via getstencil

Eiffel Tower / photo credit – via getstencil

While these landmarks can sometimes carry ridiculous fees and ticket prices, they are free to visit from the outside. To avoid any tourist traps, carefully research the hours, prices, and which ones you’ll want to visit inside.

Remember: if you’re perfectly content taking a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower, then there’s no reason to spend 25 euros to go to the top.

Parisians know how to eat. The number of cafes in Paris is absolutely absurd. Their croissants melt in your mouth, the cheese and chocolate are to die for, wine is in abundance, and pastries are everywhere. Spend some time trying everything that Paris has to offer. When in doubt, seek out the Mom and Pop place rather than the big chain that looks flashy from the outside. Though it may take a few days to find these more local restaurants, you’ll immediately know you’ve done it when you’re suddenly enjoying the best food of your life.

Macarons / photo credit – via getstencil

Cheese shop / photo credit – via getstencil

Paris is full of history. If you paid attention during any of your school’s European history classes, you know how significant French rulers were to Paris. The history of Paris is everywhere, but the museums, architecture, and culture are only the beginning.  So, where’s the best place to find it? The people. While you’re in Paris, be sure to engage with the locals. They know the city best and can provide a window into their coveted culture. The best part of engaging with locals is that they can often provide the best recommendations that steer you clear of tourist traps and instead keeps you wining and dining with the best the city has to offer.

Louvre / photo credit – via getstencil

Street artists / photo credit – via getstencil

Overall, I recommend visiting Paris with this savvy approach in mind. Visit the famous landmarks but forego the expensive ticket options if you’re not dying to do them (they can be overrated). Enjoy lots of local food at local places and speak to local people. Make Paris local to you and have an incredible experience!

This is a guest post.

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A Day Trip to Kotor, Montenegro!

Kotor, Montenegro: a little city on the coast of the Mediterranean that’s incredibly accessible to ambitious travelers. Montenegro never seems to be anyone’s first choice destination, but I’ve never met a soul who regretted visiting. This tiny country may only have 5,333 square miles in area but has some of the best views of any country I’ve ever visited. The drive along the Bay of Kotor allows you to experience both mountains and water all at once.

Though Kotor may not have as much to do as a seaside city in Croatia or Italy, it is still plenty worth your time. Here are the top 5 things to do on your trip to Kotor!

  1. Hike St. John’s Fortress: If you’re ready for a climb, put on your walking shoes and head to the top of the Mountain of St. John. The trek will take you roughly 1,000 feet above sea level and includes roughly 1,355, but you’ll have access to a stunning view once you catch your breath. The climb will cost anywhere from 2-3 euros per person, but if you’re up early enough, you may beat the fee collector to his post which means you go up free!
  2. Our Lady of the Rocks: A little way off the coast of Kotor is a small island entirely of a church. The famous church of Our Lady of the Rocks is full of Baroque artwork and a great way to spend a morning or afternoon. In order to reach the island, you’ll board a boat for 45-60 minutes, and the sail offers the opportunity to experience time on the Mediterranean.
  3. Explore the Old Town Walls of Kotor: Kotor is similar to Dubrovnik, Croatia in the style of architecture found in its Old Town. Old Town is free to access and includes many small alleyways. Here, you’ll find shops and restaurants to explore.  
  4. Kotor Cathedral: St. Tryphon Cathedral sits in the Old Town of Kotor and is the perfect symbol of the city. Although it appears plain outside, travelers can view the inside for a small fee (1.50 euro). The upstairs in particular provides quite the display of religious artifacts and icons.
  5. Cats Museum: This is a funky attraction for all those cat lovers out there. Anyone who visits Kotor will notice that vast number of felines also inhabiting the city. I, myself, noticed upwards of 15-20 just in one morning. The Cats Museum is new (established in 2013) and a bit unusual but a fun twist to this quaint city.

Hike St. John’s fortress

View from the fortress

Our Lady of the Rocks / photo credit – wikipedia

Kotor cathedral  / photo credit – via getstencil

The clock face / photo credit – wikipedia

Church of Saint. Luke

Kotor bay

What else is out there if you’re ready to adventure a bit further outside of Kotor itself? Local tour companies also offer the opportunity to kayak, snorkel, and cave! You can book a tour that takes you out to the Adriatic coast.

Montenegro may be small, but its cities like Kotor offer a wide variety of activities to do. Kotor is quiet, hospitable, quaint, and charming. Don’t waste any more time – put Kotor on your vacation bucket list today!

This is a guest post.

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Salzburg and a Few of My Favorite Things

Salzburg: perhaps Europe’s best-kept secret and my favorite city of all. The world knows Salzburg as the birthplace of Mozart and the home of the famous Von Trapp family in The Sound of Music. Yet, for each visitor, it holds its own quiet charm as they get to experience the magic of a smaller city with just as much to do. The city is accessible from Vienna, Prague, and Munich, which makes it the perfect weekend getaway.

If you’re planning a trip to Salzburg, and you’re a fan of The Sound of Music like I am, I would recommend all of the following sites. You’ll recognize many from the 1965 film.

  • Mirabell Gardens: These gardens are situated right near the center of the city and are featured in the Do Re Mi scene.
  • Leopoldskron Palace: This is the back of the house used for filming in the movie and across a beautiful lake.
  • Heilbrunn Palace, Gazebo: Think ‘I am 16, Going on 17’
  • Salzburg Lake District Area, St. Gilgen: Absolutely breathtaking scenery of Austria.
  • Nonnberg Abbey: Abbey featured in The Sound of Music.
  • St Peter’s Abbey: This is the abbey where the Von Trapp Family is filmed hiding from the Nazis in the movie.
  • Do Re Mi bridge: This is the bridge that Maria and the Von Trapp children ran across in the movie.
  • Marionette Theater: This theater is close to Mirabell Gardens. Shows are available to watch if you are interested!
  • Felsenreitschule: This is the theater from the end of The Sound of Music; midday tours are available, or you can see a show later in the evening.

Mirabell garden at Salzburg
Mirabell garden

A kid slept on a tree in the garden

Salzburg Lake District Area

On the road

If you love The Sound of Music but are overwhelmed by how to accomplish all of this in one trip, Salzburg tour companies offer a variety of options. A bus tour is offered through Panorama tours for $45/person that takes you to many of the sights listed above. Furthermore, the Fraulein Maria Bicycle Tour offers individuals the opportunity to bike through Salzburg in nice weather to get the true experience of the Von Trapp children.

Salzburg bus tour

The sound of music is everywhere

For the Mozart lover, you can actually go visit his birthplace in the center of the city and tour a museum of his former home. The tickets are 10-15 euros and totally worth it for classical music enthusiasts.

Additionally, be sure to check out both the Salzburg Cathedral and the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Both provide a window into the early history of the quaint city. The Fortress is a little bit of a hike since you can see it from anywhere in the city, so wear your walking shoes before you head up to this medieval castle.

Finally, after you’ve spent the day seeing these sights and taking in the breathtaking Austrian scenery, what’s left to do but eat and drink some traditional Austrian food? Be sure to order some wiener schnitzel, have apple strudel for dessert, and visit Augustiner Bräu for a beer. This brewery is run entirely by local monks and is a can’t miss while in Salzburg!

Otherwise, enjoy your trip, take lots of pictures, and Salzburg is sure to be one of your favorite things!

This is a guest post. 



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Iceland in 24 Hours

My husband and I had our second wedding reception in the US and already bought our return flight from Prague to California. A few weeks after the purchase, Adam came up with the idea to do a coast to coast road trip, driving from the west coast to the east coast. That meant that we had to forfeit the return leg of our light and book another one-way ticket to Prague from whichever airport on the east coast. We used Kiwi and found cheap flights departing from New York with a short layover in major European cities, one of them is Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Upon seeing Reykjavik destination, Adam got another idea that we should also visit Iceland on this trip. I had been in Iceland, spending more than two weeks with an adventure tour group and camping all over the country. I had no intention to go back because first I had seen most of it, and second we packed for summer (June) California weather and would need to stuff winter clothing into our already-full luggage. Iceland was kinda on Adam’s bucket list of places to see, and after all, this was still our honeymoon trip. Finally, we decided to include Iceland into our journey and picked a flight with the longest layover in Reykjavik, 24 hours.

Reykjavik is a lovely city on its own right, but people don’t travel to Iceland to stay just in the capital. On the other hand, it’s difficult to not stick to the capital because sights in Iceland are scattered across the countries. There is no frequent and extensive public transportation network as you see in most European countries. To get the best out of Iceland, you need to join a tour or rent a car.

While one day is not ideal, but no amount of time in Iceland is too brief. You can still hit some of Iceland’s most breathtaking sights and make the most of this tight window. Before you do anything, consider renting a car. We got ours at Sixt. And now see below for the top places to hit if you ever spend a day in Iceland!

1. KEFLAVIK

We flew into Keflavik, the fifth largest city in Iceland and home to Keflavik Airport (KEF). The city provides a more local, small-town feel to the largest city and capital of Iceland, Reykjavík. The fishing town is also close to the famous Blue Lagoon, so don’t pass it by. I recommend staying here to hit all the biggest landmarks while still maintaining incredible accessibility to the airport.

We first leaned towards staying in Reykjavík to get to see the capital more but ended up staying at an Airbnb in Keflavik. The rental was a few minutes drive from the airport, very convenient for us to drive back to the airport early in the morning and dropped off our car at Sixt.

24 hours in Iceland

Our Airbnb accommodation in Keflavik

 

Sixt and other car rentals

 

24 hours in iceland

Keflavik seafront

2. BLUE LAGOON

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous spa in Iceland and open year-round to travelers wishing to bathe in its warm seawater averaging 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius). The lagoon is known for offering treatments for skin conditions such as psoriasis, and it renews the waters in it every 48 hours, so it’s always fresh. It’s perfect to enjoy late at night in the summer or under the Northern lights in the winter.

Iceland Blue Lagoon

On the way to the Blue Lagoon, we found this site

 

Iceland blue lagoon

The blue lagoon

 

3. BRIDGE BETWEEN CONTINENTS

On the Reykjanes Peninsula, in the southwest corner of Iceland, a bridge now connects two pieces of land that were formerly the continents of Europe and North America. The peninsula exists on a major tectonic plate boundary: the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. As the plates have continually separated, the bridge was built to symbolize the connection the two continents. Definitely worth a visit!

Iceland bridge of continent

The Bridge between continents

4. GUNNUHVER GEOTHERMAL HOT SPRING

In the same region of southwest Iceland, you can find the area of Gunnuhver. This spot is named after a female ghost who haunted the area until she was trapped by a priest and fell into the spring. Now, you’ll find mud pools and steam in this geothermal field. Although a bit eerie, this is a great spot to visit and travelers stay safe on the wooden observation platforms nearby.

GUNNUHVER GEOTHERMAL HOT SPRING

The hot spring is apparently active

5. REYKJAVIK

Finally, no trip to Iceland is complete without a trip to the capital! Reykjavik is full of landmarks and things to do. Hallgrímskirkja Church is a must-see with its unique design that can be spotted from almost anywhere in the city. The church features a remarkable pipe organ inside and a massive statue of Leif Erikson, the first European discoverer of America, outside. In the city center, walk down Laugavegur, one of the oldest streets in Reykjavik. The street is home to restaurants, shops, bars, second-hand and vintage stores. Grab a bite to eat with an Icelandic twist right here. Finish off your visit at the seafront. A famous statue, the Solfar Sun Voyager, can be found here and is meant to inspire dreams, imagination, light, and hope.

Hallgrímskirkja – the Lutheran parish church in Reykjavík

 

Walking downtown Reykjavík at midnight

 

Reykjavik at midnight

Reykjavik at midnight

Interested in learning more about Iceland? Plan your own trip and be sure to check out all of the highly recommended spots above!

 

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top things to experience when you travel in Stockholm

Top 10 Things to Experience on Your Visit in Stockholm

If you don’t mind having a few hours of sunshine during the winter and money draining so fast from your pocket, then Stockholm, Sweden’s cultural, political, and economic capital is your next travel destination in Northern Europe. Spreading over more than a dozen of islands and connected by bridges, Stockholm is tourist-friendly with a broad range of public transport including trams, buses, metros, trains and ferries. This bustling city surely has got the look and a bit of everything for everyone from elegant boutiques, fine craft stores, cozy cafes and restaurants to impressive sets of museums including the famous ABBA Museum.’

Swedes, like Norwegians and Finns, are more reserved and introverted, so don’t expect them to start a conversation or be the first to lend out a helping hand. However, I find Swedes polite and helpful when I needed help. You jut have to ask for it. Swedes’ perfect English is a major plus because if you understand English, you will feel at ease traveling in a foreign country.

Plan your day wisely if you travel to Stockholm not in the summer when the days are much shorter. Allocate your budget for the trip and be aware that Stockholm is ridiculously expensive. What you spend for a weekend trip here can last you at least a week in Eastern Europe.

There are many things to do and see in Stockholm, and you will find different travel tips from other travel websites and travel blogs. Below my list, and I hope you find it useful while planning your trip to Stockholm.boo

Prague Off the Beaten Path - Authentic Vietnamese Food Sapa Vietnamese Market

Prague Off the Beaten Path – Authentic Vietnamese Food at Sapa Vietnamese Market

Prague might not be the place you come to find good food. However, if you crave exceptional Vietnamese food in Prague and love to go off the tourist map, then you should visit Sapa, the largest Vietnamese market Prague.

Be prepared for a culture shock. Once you enter Sapa, you feel that you’re no longer in an EU country. Sapa’s rundown and unkempt appearance might make some of you feel unsafe, but there’s more to the market than the crappy environment that will be yours for the next hours.