"Awe: An emotion variously combining veneration and wonder,that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime" Sometimes when you travel, you arrive at a new place and can’t help but feel a bit disappointed. You might even feel guilty for feeling that way- you're in a new place after all. Isn’t everything supposed to be exciting and new and wonderful when you travel? Sometimes, unfortunately, that feeling is inevitable. Maybe something you built up…
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest point, is a bucket list item for many travelers. Ascending the blue and white peak hovering over the African savanna is an image and goal that many aspire for- but it's not always easy. The Niemers are an adventurous husband and wife duo who decided to take on the challenge of hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro. It wasn't something for me, but my childhood friend Christina and her husband Greaham were…
The Emerald Isle is a lush, green country that most travelers aim to visit at some point in time. The local culture, traditions, history, and nature draw you in… or is it the pubs? Here is my itinerary for a 10 day independent road-trip- Also be sure to check out the driving map below! : Day 1: Fly in to the Shannon Airport. Pick up your rental car, and make a quick stop in the…
Many people haven’t heard of the small Eastern-European country of Montenegro, nor its medieval city of Kotor. In their defense, it just recently gained its independence in 2006! Despite being new to the scene, I have a feeling it’s about to be on the radar of travelers worldwide. Its natural beauty, kind people, and affordability are going to start drawing more and more visitors each year. On a two-week trip through the Balkans with my…
The hills are alive... with the sound of music! While you won’t encounter many locals raving about this classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, the vast majority of tourists to Salzburg will be. Growing up with a mom who is absolutely enamored by the musical retelling of the Von Trapp family story, I’ve always dreamed of seeing the places from that timeless and classic film. In the summer of 2012, I was fortunate enough to visit this…
While Tanzania may not be your typical honeymoon destination, that's where my husband and I decided to go! I’ve always had a deep love for elephants, and the trip combined an African Safari with beach time on the spice island of Zanzibar. We planned the trip independently, but our safari company helped! This itinerary was perfect, allowing us to get a true taste of the diversity that Tanzania offers. Here was our schedule: [gallery type="circle" link="none"…
The Indonesian island of Bali is a timeless travel destination that offers enough activities, sightseeing and relaxation to last a lifetime. There are many unique excursions and sights you just won’t find anywhere else. This fascinating island in Indonesia will enchant you- and I think you'll see why. Check out a list of the top 10 activities to do in Bali, according to a local: [gallery type="circle" link="none" ids="2083,2094,2092"] Activity #1: Mount Batur To experience the spectacular beauty…
Paris is fantastic, but that's not breaking news. People have been saying it for years. Everyone has their own sentiments attached to the city of light, and it’s big enough to have a little something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in visiting for the food, the art, the history, or the culture, you won’t be disappointed. Back in college, I did a ten day backpacking trip to Paris, Normandy, and London with a few friends.…
In the summer heat of July, my family decided to go on a Utah road trip vacation. My Dad had been dreaming of this for a long time, and he wanted to mix in overnight camping/backpacking with staying in hotels. We flew out, rented a car, and explored the wild west! This is our 2 week itinerary. It includes details on what we did each day, and where we stayed. It required a lot of…
I’ve been to many places around the world, and in all sincerity, Cuzco is one of my favorites. Maybe it’s the Spanish teacher and history lover in me, but I don’t think that’s all there is to it. Cuzco is truly unique, and has such a compelling and unparalleled history. It combines the ancient with the new in a way I’ve never seen elsewhere. The indigenous cultures blend together in the city’s art and history,…
