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Iceland Travel Tip List- What to Know Before You Go
Iceland Travel Tip List – Six Things That Surprised Me Iceland is an extraordinary country everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. The isolated, northern Atlantic island has unworldly landscapes, a unique population with a distinctive culture, and challenging weather beyond expectations. Here is an Iceland travel tip, and more, I wish I would have known before heading to The Land of Fire and Ice: Expect to Meet more Foreigners than Locals Meeting locals is a memorable, enjoyable experience for travelers who like to explore and learn about various cultures. As a frequent solo traveler, I love having in-depth conversations with people from other nations, especially those native…
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Living a Frugal Lifestyle – Hacks to Spend less to Travel more
Living a Frugal Lifestyle – It Requires Discipline and Sacrifice I am not wealthy, yet I travel to Europe four times a year. Though I do not have a high-paying job, various streams of income allow me to take off anytime; this flexibility makes it possible to grab deals on flights, hotels, etc. when they pop up. Fantastic deals are the fun part of this lifestyle; the other part, less glamorous and more difficult, is the day-to-day penny-pinching to keep spending in check. Understandably, many of you may think I’m crazy to exist this way, but here are tips on living a frugal lifestyle: Mind your Utility Usage Utilities can…
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Five Reasons Why I Love Ireland – Written by an American on St. Patricks Day
Five Reasons Why I Love Ireland – An Expression of Affection I traveled to four European countries last year: Italy, Ireland, Iceland, and Switzerland. Each country is unique in its way, and I enjoyed every minute of all of them. But if I had to pick one favorite experience, it would be Ireland. Here are five reasons why I love Ireland: 1. Friendly, Gracious People Interacting with and listening to the people was by far my favorite part of Ireland. The Irish accent can put any grump in a good mood. Local folk sayings such as “chance my arm” and “don’t push the pint” I’ve adopted into my vocabulary. I…
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Saint Mary Major Basilica – The Oldest Shrine Honoring God Through Mary
Saint Mary Major Basilica – One of the Seven Papal Basilicas I love Rome, especially the scores of majestic cathedrals scattered throughout the city. One of the first sites I visit on every trip is a place of worship to thank God that I’ve arrived safely and to find peace while gazing at ancient artifacts. Usually, the question is where can I find a church? However, in Rome, I ask which cathedral should I check out first? I headed toward the Saint Mary Major Basilica bell tower, the tallest in the city, not sure what to expect. The beauty and history of this impressive basilica blew me away. Origins of…
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Warsaw Dark Side Tour: The Raw and Real Praga District
Warsaw Dark Side Tour: A Piece of the Original City Hitler destroyed almost 90% of Warsaw after its citizens rebelled against Nazi occupation in 1944. To prevent other occupied territories from doing the same, Hitler wanted Warsaw to be an example of the harsh consequences captive states would face. The Warsaw Dark Side Tour journeys into the 10% of the city untouched by Hitler’s fury. Picked Up in a “Cucumber” Bus The tour picks up passengers outside the Palace of Culture and Science, the American-Gothic-styled skyscraper. A retro bus affectionately referred to as a Jelcz or “Cucumber”, transports Warsaw Dark Side tour participants to the city’s sketchy and dark part…
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Guinness Storehouse in Dublin Ireland: Beer Tastes Better Here
Guinness Storehouse in Dublin Ireland: Tour and Sample Ireland’s Best Brew Admittedly, I rarely drink Guinness in America. Yet, I had to have one when I visited the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin Ireland. The Storehouse is a six-story museum with various restaurants, pubs, and the Gravity Bar on the seventh floor. Located outside the town center, the Storehouse is about a 30-minute walk from The Temple Bar; finding the correct entrance can be challenging (I winged it, didn’t look it up). Despite the effort, time spent at the Guinness museum is a must during a stay in Dublin. Location and Admission into the Guinness Storehouse Dublin Ireland If you are…
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First Day of an International Trip – Survive and Thrive on Arrival
First Day of an International Trip – Tips for a Smooth Arrival The average flight from Chicago to Europe is about 8.5 hours with a typical seven-hour time difference. Jet lag impacts people differently; some barely feel it, while others are exhausted beyond the norm. Because of the effects of little sleep and the significant time difference, it is ideal that your first day of an international trip is tour-free and light. I have taken more than 30 trips abroad. Here is what I do to ensure a pleasant, stress-free start no matter where I go: Do not Schedule Tours on the First Day of an International Trip Lately, airlines…
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Lokrum Island Dubrovnik Croatia
Lokrum Island – A Nearby Nature Escape Just off the coast near Dubrovnik’s old town is the small yet highly visible Lokrum Island.Formerly a Benedictine monastery settlement, the island is an uninhabited nature preserve today. A haven for hikers and explorers alike, Lokrum offers opportunities to swim in the Dead Sea pond, discover monastery ruins and enjoy a cocktail with lunch. How to Get to Lokrum Island Ferries run, depending on the season, from the Old Town port to Lokrum’s only pier. The short 15-minute ride provides passengers with a fabulous view of the Dalmatian coast. Tickets cost around $15 for the ferry and the park admission fee and must…
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One Day in Reykjavik
One Day in Reykjavik – How I Spent My First Day in Iceland After a 6.5-hour, non-stop flight from Chicago, I arrived in Reykjavik around 8 AM local time tired but excited to discover Iceland. The ride from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik is a two-step process. First, you take a 40-minute drive to the main bus station. Next, you hop onto a second bus that takes you into the city center. After exiting the bus near my hotel, I was ready to explore. Here is how I spent one day in Reykjavik: Luggage Storage Experience during my One Day in Reykjavik Hoping to store my luggage, I entered the Guesthouse…
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Book the Trip – Life is Short
Book the Trip – Life is Short, Watch that Window of Opportunity Several social media groups relating to travel, particularly solo travel, encourage members to go for it. Every day I see questions posted from people who want to take a trip alone, yet they hesitate. Recently, three events cropped up in my life reminding me to book the trip because life is short. Death After I turned 45, I realized I was closer to death than birth and it was time to start checking things off the bucket list. Travel was a major part of that, and I began doing it in earnest by working hard and living a…
