Oh the places I’ve gone….
There was fun to be had
There were places to explore
There were adventures that made me glad
That I ever left the house
And now I’ll tell you all
The stories that I’ve collected
Both great and small.
Even before I started kindergarten, I was traveling. I went on family trips to small places like the zoo and Phipps Conservatory, and to the bigger places like Niagara Falls. That was my very first trip outside the country and I think that’s the trip that really ignited my sense of adventure and my need for travel. Since then, I’ve made my way slowly around the Northern Hemisphere and with my big trip to the Mediterranean, in honor of my graduation, coming up soon, I felt that this would be a great time to give you all my top 11 destinations from west to east.
Juneau, Alaska, USA
When to Go: I traveled to Alaska in May of 2011 and it was actually warmer in Alaska than it was at home. There was little rain and all you really had to wear was an average hoodie.
What to do: Juneau has an incredible amount of activities to offer those who take the time to visit. My two favorite things to do were whale watching and visiting the Mendenhall Glacier.
Why: I really recommend whale watching because even if you don’t see whales, which can include humpback and orca, there’s something to be said about the sheer peace you can feel when you’re out in the water. It offers a different perspective to your surroundings, and you can still see other neat things like some cool rock formations, bald eagles, seals, and almost the whole spectrum of wildlife that the area has to offer.
As for the Mendenhall Glacier, it’s about 13 miles wide and to stand before it is actually very humbling. There’s a river comprised of the glacier’s runoff that nourished all kinds of grasses and wild flowers that liven up the scenery and can successfully complete your sightseeing needs.
Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington, USA
When to go: If you go in the beginning of June, you may still need a jacket. Going around July/August may yield warmer weather.
What to do: Kayak with orca, lavender farm, alpaca farm, feed Popeye
Why: Orca travel in huge pods around the San Juan Island, and Friday Harbor offers millions of opportunities for guests to see them one way or another. On my trip here, I went on a three day kayaking trip with a group which included hiking up a mountain to a beautiful lighthouse, playing with seals in kelp forests, and seeing orca firsthand. Now, I didn't see any orca up close and personal until I was in a bigger boat, but even seeing them from a kayak was awe inspiring. The pods up in the area have been around for decades, the oldest one actually being over 100 years old.
After your adventures kayaking, take a trip up to Pelindaba Farm and Krystal Acres. Pelindaba is a lavender farm where you can buy freshly made lotions, oils, candles, and herb mixtures while appreciating the beauty of the fields of lavender. Krystal Acres, offers guests the opportunity to see, and even pet, their alpacas! The farm also has a store (of course) where you can buy items like clothes and stuffed animals that have been made from alpaca wool, which is very soft.
Before you leave Friday Harbor, make sure you stop by the marina and go over to the fish market. In this part of the marina, there lives a harbor seal the locals affectionately call Popeye because she has one blind eye. Popeye spends most of her time next to the fish market and will splash you to get your attention (especially children and old women with bags) so that you can go over to the fish market and actually feed her! After kayaking, we stayed in the town for a few extra days and every single day I would drag my parents down to the market so that I could feed this seal. It is, truly, an unforgettable and worthwhile experience.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
When to go: Again, I found myself in Vancouver in May of 2011 right before my Alaskan Cruise. The weather there was about the same as it was in Alaska, not hot but also not too cold.
What to do: I wholeheartedly recommend going to Stanley Park, The Capilano Suspension Bridge, and Grouse Mountain. They are three of Vancouver’s little treasures that really showcase the beauty of British Columbia’s wildlife.
Why: Stanley Park offers stunning views of Grouse Mountain, trails to take you through pine tree forests and spotted with wild flowers, and amazing sculptures and works of art on display free to the public.
The Capilano Suspension bridge, featured in “Psych” and “MacGyver”, offers a little bit of thrill to those thrill seekers. While you are not allowed to purposely swing the bridge around (just ask my brother) it is still fairly rickety of its own right. On one side of the bridge you have a gift shop, a visitor’s center, and even a little restaurant. On the other, a beautiful nature walk where you can walk along a steam that feeds into a waterfall visible from the bridge, learn about different birds and flowers, and truly feel at one with nature.
Finally, Grouse Mountain not only serves as a quaint ski lodging venue, but also showcases beautiful wolves, tours of “Eye of the Wind” which is a wind turbine that generates energy and sports a glass viewing station for a 360 degree view of the surrounding scenery.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
When to go: Going in June gives you an average temperature of 70 but you may still see snow (I know I did when I was there during Father's Day) and this is also the time when you will see more baby animals. (I saw two black bear cubs my first 10 minutes in the park, coyote pups, and even grizzly bear cubs.)
What to do: Old Faithful, Upper falls, Fairy Falls, Morning Glory Pool
Why: Old Faithful is a huge geyser that goes off roughly every 60-110 minutes but don't worry. When you arrive at Old Faithful you actually arrive at the Old Faithful Inn where predictions for the next eruption will be listed and you can have time to relax, enjoy the scenery and food, and do a little souvenir shopping.
The Upper Falls of Yellowstone is one of the most photographed natural wonders of the park. The falls are very tall and located on the upper part of the "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone", hence the name. The canyon also has two other falls, the Lower Falls and Crystal Falls, and while both are impressive they just do not hold up against the Upper Falls in my opinion.
Next, take about a six mile round trip hike to the Fairy Falls. These falls are not incredibly big and the water doesn't gush down but it does resemble the daintiness that you would expect fairies to swarm to. The surrounding area is filled with rocks of all shapes, colors, and sizes, and there are small wild flowers that bud up. It may not be exactly what you imagine, and the trail to the falls isn't exactly impressive, but the falls themselves will not disappoint you.
Last but not least, is another famously photographed wonder of Yellowstone called Morning Glory Pool. The pool is a hot spring with water at a temperature of about 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The pool gets its colors from loads of bacteria swarming around in the heat, and the bluer the color the hotter the water is. It doesn't smell very great, but it is quite a beautiful site to behold.
Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida, USA
When to go: Not during the summer. It is very hot and since everyone’s out of school it gets very crowded. Personally, I recommend going in September/October or November/December.
What to do: This depends on what season you go. If you go in the fall, the Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom is a must, as well as the Food and Wine festival in Epcot. As for the winter months, the Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom and Holidays Around the World in Epcot’s World Showcase.
Why: The Halloween Party features a parade lead by The Headless Horseman, a performance with the Sanderson Sisters from "Hocus Pocus," and trick or treating stops all around the Kingdom where you can get all sorts of treats.
The Food And Wine Festival offers a variety of dishes from all over the world at the corresponding country stands (for example gyros at a Greek stand, crepes at a French stand, etc.) and even special stands featuring different types of chocolate and other delicious desserts.
As for the Christmas celebrations the Christmas Party also has its own parade and show performance with stops to get free snickerdoodles and hot chocolate and ends with bubbles to simulate snow on Mainstreet USA.
Holidays Around the World takes guests through the Christmas traditions of all the featured pavilion countries. My personal favorite from Holidays Around the World is La Befana, a woman who brings gifts to children because she wants to finally pay her respects to Christ. When I went to Disney my first time, my older brother went with us and she addressed him as “Earring Boy” because wore a small golden hoop earring.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
When to go: I went in September of 2012 and was met with sunny weather and comfortable 70 degree weather, so I recommend going around this time.
What to do: The Citadel, Peggy’s Cove, and the Titanic Grave Site.
Why: The Citadel acted as Halifax’s defense back in the day, and they still regularly blast cannons at noon every day and currently employ guards to stand watch. It offers guests the chance to step back in time and explore some of Halifax's history.
Peggy’s Cove, while being a 45 minute drive from Halifax, is a large park with a lighthouse and a quaint seaside restaurant that serves fresh, homemade food daily and offers a splendid view of the ocean. It's very calming and honestly just a very beautiful sight for those who love to soak in the beauty of the places they go.
Halifax also received many of the dead bodies of victims from the Titanic sinking. The town put their graves in Fairview Lawn Cemetery in the shape of a ship’s bow. Fun fact, there actually was a real passenger named Jack Dawson on the real Titanic and after the release of the 1997 movie, workers had to clear the grave of women’s underwear almost every day.
Reykjavik, Iceland
When to go: If you go around the beginning of July, the temperatures are roughly in the mid 60s to low 70s and it typically makes for a comfortable time.
What to do: Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park and Gullfoss
Why: Thingvellir National Park is home to various volcanic structures, the volcanoes that made those structures, and the “Birthplace of Democracy”. Going to the park is like stepping back in time and getting to experience Iceland’s rich history for yourself, especially since the lay of the land is still virtually the same.
Another cool thing about Thingvellir is that it’s home to the Continental Divide, or rather the drift between the continents of America and Europe. The divide is filled with runoff water from the mountains, spring water, and filtered rain water that stays at just above freezing all year round. Many people, including myself, travel here for the rich scuba diving opportunity it yields. Since the water is so pure, the visibility is probably some of the best in the world, even though you can really only see rocks.
Gullfoss is the other big attraction that honestly keeps me wishing I was going back there. It’s a large waterfall that used to be owned by a farmer, and when he died he left it to his daughter who wanted it to be protected and preserved. Someone close to her brought this to the attention of the government, and they ended up buying it to fulfill the daughter’s wishes. Gullfoss means “Golden Water” and they say on a very sunny day you can not only see a rainbow in the water but, also, flecks of gold.
Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland
When to go: Again, I traveled here in the beginning of July and required a light jacket.
What to do: Walk around, visit confectionery shop, go to cliffs of Deerness
Why: Walking around the small town of Kirkwall is actually a lot more fun than it may initially sound. There are tons of back streets and churches, both great and small, to marvel at and in. There’s a market place where people go to sell their wares and generally see one another. There’s even a confectionery shop that sells probably the best fudge I have ever had—seriously if you go there, get it.
Lastly, there’s a spot on the island that’s quite a drive from town that is certainly worth the trip. The cliffs of Deerness, while being muddy and very windy (bring an extra jacket), are a sight to behold. The ocean waves lull in and out of the shore, the wind dances through your hair, and it is just so peaceful and rejuvenating to breathe in the cool, fresh air. In Kirkwall even, there’s a certain peace felt walking through the streets. Of course, I could just be saying all of this because I come from a relatively large city, but I would love to go back there someday and feel welcomed once again.
Villefrance, France
When to go: June
What to do: Nice, Eze, stroll around
Why: Villefrance is a very small port town in the French Riviera and an extremely short distance from the towns of Nice and Eze. Nice is a town well known for attracting the rich and famous, and it’s architecture certainly reflects that. There are two parts to Nice, old and new, and no matter which side you chose to spend your time in, you will not be disappointed. There are small cobblestone streets filled with shops big and small, and an open air market where people sells books, mirrors, shoes, and all sort of other goodies!
Eze, on the other hand, is a small town surrounded by castle ruins. The streets here are more like cobblestone sidewalks and filled with tiny shops, spice markets, and there are climbing roses on almost all the buildings. Eze, for me, is like walking into a storybook. It’s a fairy tale town nestled on top of a hill and will enchant you forever.
Oslo, Norway
When to go: End of June, beginning of July (I actually wore a tank top and shorts very comfortably)
What to do: City Hall, The Palace, Akershus
Why: Oslo’s City Hall is referred to affectionately by the locals as “Goat Cheese” because the exterior resembles… you guessed it! Goat Cheese! Regardless of whether or not this is a pleasing image, the inside of the hall is what is truly breath taking.
The interior courtyard features wood carvings of scenes from famous Norse mythology and has a very large astrological clock that depicts the zodiac symbols. On the very inside, the floor is made of fine Norwegian marble. The walls depict the people who built Oslo up and work hard to maintain it. They pay tribute to the city’s patron Saint, who was shot three times, tied up, and thrown in a fjord, but still did not drown and saved a persecuted pregnant woman.
Aside from City Hall, in the center of the city lies the palace where the country’s monarchs (who still hold actual political power) still live to this day. If you go there and see a raised flag, it means the royal family is at home, if not they are most likely gone and you may tour the palace.
The last marvel of Oslo is Akershus, an ancient fortress that has guarded the capital since it began. The fortress’ only failure occurred during World War II against Nazi forces. There are, in fact, many monuments to the people lost to the Nazis in the fortress, including a headstone for resistors who were executed in the fortress walls.
Rome, Italy
When to go: June
What to do: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona
Why: The Trevi Fountain is easily one of the most iconic Roman landmarks, aside from the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum. The fountain is actually located down a few small alleyways and is on the back of a giant office building. The crowds there are always very big, but you can always find a spot right up to the fountain. If you’re itching to throw some coins in the fountain, you must face away, close your eyes, and throw it over your shoulder.
One coin will guarantee a trip back to Rome for you, two coins for a wedding, and three coins will actually result in a nasty divorce. If you have doubts about it though, keep in mind that I went to Rome in 2013, threw one coin in the fountain, and I’m finding myself going back.
The Pantheon in Rome is not to be confused with the Parthenon in Greece. The Pantheon is a symbol for all the gods while the Parthenon is a tribute to Athena specifically. The Pantheon is a domed building that has a large hole in the roof that allows natural light to flood the premises, which still has the original marble floor and original sculptures. The building also has its own air filtering system and is widely known to have the cleanest air you will ever breathe.
Not too far from the Pantheon, you can find yourself in Piazza Navona. The Piazza is home to the Fountain of Four Rivers, the Fountain of Neptune, and the Fontana del Moro, which all pay tribute to water spirits and gods. The Piazza is a very wide open area with a delicious gelato shop, and a place to buy small statues of your favorite landmarks made out of marble dust.
