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5 Reasons to Love Walking Downtown Little Rock

Chris Boothman
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0
5 Reasons to Love Walking Downtown Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas may not be the first city on the tip of your tongue when thinking about cities to explore and with good reason, but perhaps it is worth nothing that this city has much more to offer than you may imagine. Walking around downtown Little Rock offers a variety of attractions, awesome cuisine options and of course a myriad of bars to sample a local brew and watch the Razorbacks in action.

Any city that is conducive to walking around and enjoying the surroundings immediately has our vote and this is certainly true in Arkansas’ capital city. We have visited Little Rock on several occasions including a visit to the Clinton Presidential Library which on its was a cool experience, but on our recent trip we decided to spend a little more time exploring the River Market and downtown district.

downtown little rock

Thanks to the local CVB office who have recently started offering free walking tours of downtown Little Rock every Saturday, we were delighted to join them on one of their 90 minute excursions exploring ‘The Rock’ to see exactly what this city has to offer.

History of Little Rock

Our tour started at La Petite Roche Plaza, also known as “Little Rock Plaza” by the Arkansas River so it’s only fair that we start by sharing a little history on this city. Dating back to the early 18th century, the discovery of Little Rock is credited to the French explorer Bernard de la Harpe who was also renowned as being the first person to set foot in Oklahoma.

downtown little rock

La Petite Roche Plaza has an iconic rock that is attributed to de la Harpe but history indicates that the Frenchman actually traveled 50 miles beyond Little Rock and North Little Rock before noting a landmark on the north bank of the Arkansas River. This landmark he dubbed as the ‘French Rock’, now referred to as Big Rock.

little rock arkansas

Although de la Harpe doesn’t specifically mention any other rocks, the likelihood is that he would have stumbled across this outcrop on the southern bank, hence how we now have today’s capital city – Little Rock.

1. Arkansas River Banks

As our tour guides started to share some of the aforementioned history of Little Rock, I couldn’t help but peer across the Arkansas River and marvel at the gorgeous architectural designs of the Junction Bridge and Clinton Presidential Park Bridge to the east.

junction bridge little rock arkansas

Peering across the Arkansas River and beyond into North Little Rock, we noticed the USS Razorback submarine docked on the north bank and our tour guides recommended visiting this attraction as you can take a full tour in and around this World War II submarine.

downtown little rock arkansas

Meanwhile on the south bank we started walking by the Sculpture at the River Market display which has a number of cool exhibits. The heart of the sculpture park is known as the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden and here you will find a collection of 70 different public art sculptures.

arkansas sculpture park

The majority of these exhibits are smaller but along the bank you will stumble across several larger designs that offer a trendy reflection on Little Rock’s culture.

vogel schwartz sculpture garden

2. Riverfront Park and Medical Mile

Along the banks of the Arkansas River is Little Rock’s answer to Central Park. Ok, so perhaps this is a little ambitious but Riverfront Park offers a myriad of outdoor activities, historical markers and cultural experiences that will entertain visitors.

The First Security Amphitheater is Little Rock’s primary outdoor concert venue and this plays host to a number of events every year including the annual Riverfest which takes place on Memorial Day weekend.

peabody splash park

The Peabody Splash Park, named after the Peabody hotel group is a popular spot for children while the Civil War memorials provide a learning experience for everyone who takes a wander through the park.

civil war memorial

Little Rock is proud to be home of several leading medical entities and this is typified by the city’s focus on promoting healthy living.

medical mile downtown little rock

As we walked around Riverfront Park back toward the River Market, we strolled along a section of the ‘Medical Mile’ which was created in 2003 by two dozen local physicians who fundraised a combined $350,000 to help construct part of this trail in the heart of the city.

medical mile river walk

Whether you walk or bike along this section of the trail, you will be rewarded with a number of murals focused on promoting specific aspects of your health and what can be done to ensure you live a healthy lifestyle.

medical mile downtown little rock

3. River Rail Street Cars

After leaving the River Market district and heading back to President Clinton Avenue, we walked past the Central Arkansas Library which is a popular spot for historians and Kilwins, which is a popular spot for ice cream and fudge aficionados.

Regardless of your interests, Clinton Avenue is a hub of variety with restaurants, bars, quaint souvenir shops among others all waiting to entice you through their doors.

river rail street car downtown little rock

One of the highlights of Clinton Avenue and nearby streets is the River Rail Street Car system that makes its way around downtown Little Rock and across the river to nearby North Little Rock.

river rail streetcar downtown little rock

Although we are focusing our attention on ‘walking’ around the downtown district, the streetcar trollies offer a quaint alternative. We were given a free day pass by taking the walking tour (another great advantage of this awesome tour!) and hopped on the trolley to take this all the way to Heifer International.

downtown little rock river rail streetcar

The scenic views from aboard the streetcars make this a memorable experience and just like similar trolley systems that we have encountered in Memphis, New Orleans and San Francisco, this is a great way to get around and see more of the city in a short time.

downtown little rock

I am happy to include this in this post because I think the streetcar pass goes hand in hand with walking around downtown Little Rock. I strongly encourage you to use the ‘hop on, hop off’ approach with the streetcars because you will certainly see more doing this.

clinton avenue downtown little rock

We made the full downtown loop on the green line and also as mentioned took the expanded line to the Clinton Presidential Center (this line only operates until 5:45PM).

4. Clinton Presidential Center

The state of Arkansas is unfortunately one of those states that is forgotten as it really doesn’t have the pizzazz of other states. When President Bill Clinton became the 42nd president of the United States, this at least put the state on many folks radar (maybe not always for the best of reasons).

clinton presidential center little rock

Today, many of Clinton’s avid followers will find enjoyment in exploring the impressive Clinton Presidential Center that is located just a few blocks from the River Market district in downtown Little Rock.

The modernistic design of the center was strategically constructed at the request of Clinton to represent his policies and promise to “Build a bridge to the 21st century” (this is obviously noted as well by the nearby Clinton Presidential Park Bridge).

clinton presidential center little rock

From artifacts of Clinton’s campaigns and time in the office to the only true full-size replica of the Oval Office, the Clinton Presidential Center is well worth experiencing. After leaving the River Rail Streetcar, we walked past the Presidential Center listening to stories from our tour guide of President Clinton frequently spending time in Little Rock.

clinton presidential center oval office replica

For only $7 per person, you can take a full self-guided tour of the Clinton Presidential Center and I would strongly consider taking this before walking back to the heart of downtown Little Rock.

walking tour of downtown little rock

Whether you agree with my rather negative sentiments on the overall experience is entirely personal preference, but before making a judgement I think it’s an attraction you have to visit.

5. The Old State House

After passing by the Arkansas History Museum, we board the streetcar again to complete our loop of downtown. As we passed by the Old State House, I told Heather that we needed to walk back here from the River Market to check it out.

old state house little rock

It’s only a short walk past the Marriott (formerly the Peabody) and the impressive design of what was once the Arkansas State Capitol building is in front of you.

old state house downtown little rock

We visited after 5:00PM so were unable to get inside the gates of the Old State House grounds but daily tours are available between 9AM and 5PM (1-5PM on Sunday’s).

old state house little rock

Construction of the ‘original’ capitol building started in 1833 but this venue’s most famous moments really didn’t take place until 1992 when it was the site of President Clinton’s election night celebration.

Summary

Taking a walking tour of downtown Little Rock courtesy of the CVB really gave us a great overview of what this city has to offer. Of course you will want to head out and explore for yourselves and sample some of the fine attractions and cuisine spots that are located all around the downtown district.

river market little rock

Regardless of your interests, Little Rock has a vibrant and entertaining nucleus surrounded by a myriad of other neighborhoods that offer landmarks and attractions for all the family. Historians will love the Clinton Presidential Center, while children will be entertained all day at the Peabody Splash Park. We both love cities that encourage you to walk around and this can certainly be said in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Have you visited Little Rock? What are your experiences in the state of Arkansas?

5 Historic Churches in Dublin That Are Unique and Iconic

Chris Boothman
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17
5 Historic Churches in Dublin That Are Unique and Iconic

There is something quite unique about European architecture that makes it such a popular attraction, and rightfully so. From the medieval age designs to Gothic Revival flair and finesse that we see throughout European nations, architectural brilliance is something that we probably all come to expect as we make our way around Europe’s finest cities. Dublin, Ireland is certainly no different. One aspect that stands out is the fine selection of historic churches in Dublin and their breathtaking and ingenious architectural design.

During our recent visit, we spent 48 hours in Dublin and had ample time to experience many of the cities ancient churches and cathedrals. Whether you have the opportunity to explore all of these both on the inside and outside, you will certainly gain a much deeper appreciation due to the inherent beauty that lies within these historic walls of all the places of worship throughout Dublin.

Dublin is a city that thrives on preserving a large number of churches, so it’s difficult to pick and choose which are worth visiting. Regardless of your religion and regardless of how much time you have spent in church throughout your life, appreciating the design and details of these breathtaking constructions is something that everyone can enjoy.

Our self-guided walking tour of Dublin saw us pass by several which are well worth exploring while others are simply too iconic to avoid. Let’s take a look at five different churches that you should consider visiting on your next trip to Ireland.

Christ Church Cathedral

Dublin’s most famous cathedral stands at the brow of a hill overlooking the rest of Dublin. Christ Church Cathedral’s history dates back to the early 11th century when the initial construction of this church took place.

churches in dublin

Extensive renovations took place in the late 19th century and much of what stands today dates back to this particular era.

christ church cathedral dublin

The interior of the church is equally as impressive as the outside. As we toured the inside of Christ Church Cathedral, we heard a story about the arched stone roof which visibly leans on the north side by about 18 inches. This wall still stands today while many others tumbled around it due to poor design and subsequent renovation in the 16th century.

churches in dublin ireland

The original church was staffed by secular clergy though when it was reformed in the 19th century it became a more Victorian style with restorations focused on this design period.

churches in dublin

Standing inside the cathedral today, it is difficult to identify which parts maintain the medieval look versus the more modern Victorian age. However, remnants of the medieval design can still be found especially in the ‘crypt’ which contains some of Ireland’s oldest secular carvings.

churches in dublin

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

After visiting Christ Church Cathedral, you may be forgiven for thinking that it can’t get any better in terms of gorgeous churches in Dublin. A short walk from here will lead you to Dublin’s other ‘iconic’ church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Many would argue that St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the church to visit if you are considering what to do in Dublin in one day.

st patricks cathedral dublin

It may not have the same reputation or rich history as Christ Church, but it does have an equally impressive design and many would argue the interior is far superior, especially with the modern features that have been implemented.

churches in dublin ireland

Dating back to 1191, the Gothic architecture of St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest in Ireland and along with Christ Church is one of Dublin’s two Church of Ireland cathedrals. The cathedral is located on the grounds of St. Patrick’s Park which was once renowned as one of the worst slum areas in Dublin, but today is a pleasant area of green space where visitors and locals alike can relax.

The interior of the church is spectacular and part of the church is dedicated to commemorating Irish soldiers that died while fighting in the British Army.

churches in dublin

Hanging above the arches of the North Transept are a number of flags reflecting the various regiments that fought in battle and this is a nice touch especially for family members who can visit this tranquil setting and reflect on their ancestors.

st patricks cathedral

Jonathan Swift, author of the infamous novel Gulliver’s Travels, was the dean of this cathedral in the early 18th century, so it’s no surprise as you enter St. Patrick’s Cathedral today to see Swift’s grave.

churches in dublin

Today, St. Patrick’s Cathedral has added a ‘modern’ twist with iPads portraying details of the rich history of this parish, and a couple of ‘hands-on’ areas for visitors to learn all about brass rubbing.

churches in dublin

St. Audoen’s Church

Located south of the River Liffey in close proximity to Dublinia and Christ Church Cathedral, St. Audoen’s Church has the unique characteristic of being the only medieval parish church throughout Dublin that has maintained all of the original features.

st audoens church dublin

Dating back to its original construction in 1190, this church is devoted to the parish of St. Audoen. As we peered up at the tower, it’s noticeable that this is one of the oldest churches in Dublin (actually it’s the oldest parish church that is still used) but it has been incredibly well preserved.

As with most churches over recent decades, there have been financial issues associated with St. Audoen’s Church that made it difficult to afford such renovations but the 1980s was a pivotal era for the restoration of the tower and bells.

churches in dublin

I have to admit that the exterior of St. Audoen’s is one of my favorites of all the churches we experienced on our tour of Dublin. Whether it’s the ancient, medieval design that is still recognizable to this day, or perhaps the infamous stories of ghosts and lucky charms that are associated with this church.

churches in dublin ireland

The ‘Lucky Stone’, now located in the porch of St. Audoen’s Church, is a 9th-century grave slab confirming suspicions that this parish was built on top of a previous structure that once stood here. If you are an avid historian, there is plenty of history in this part of the city!

John’s Lane Church

A short walk from St. Audoen’s Church is a much more modern construction dating back to 1874. John’s Lane Church was constructed on the site of a former hospital and today is famous for the towering spire and steeple that rises over 200 feet above the city. The tallest spire in the city of Dublin, this was originally constructed solely as a unique aspect of the church and not to hold bells which were later added.

johns lane church dublin

Located on Thomas Street, John’s Lane Church is served by the Augustinian parish. We stumbled across this church en route to the Guinness Storehouse and this is well worth exploring before sampling a pint of Ireland’s finest brew. The myriad of stained glass windows makes this church particularly spectacular during morning hours when the sunshine pours through these windows illuminating the interior of the church.

The full name of John’s Lane Church is the Church of St. John the Baptist and St. Augustine, but locals opted for the shortened version of ‘John’s Lane’ which is a steep side-street directly beside this church (perhaps the design of this church with the tall spire reflects the steepness of the street it is now commonly named after!)

Romanian Orthodox Church

One of the lesser known churches throughout Dublin is the neo-gothic design devoted to the Romanian community in the city. Located in Leeson Park on the south side of the city in the Ranelagh neighborhood, the Romanian Orthodox Church is a spectacular design and well worth visiting as you make your way around the city.

romanian orthodox church dublin

Even though we didn’t enter this building and honestly had no idea about the religious affiliation until we left Dublin, we are delighted to have stumbled across this church because it really offers something different to the traditional Irish churches that we explored on the rest of our trip.

The Orthodox movement has had a presence throughout Ireland for several decades and the Romanian Orthodox Churches can be found in both Dublin and Cork (if you have more time to spend in Ireland, I strongly encourage you to head over to Cork to explore this part of the country).

Summary

Even though churches are not the first landmark we generally visit while exploring a new city, the churches in Dublin are certainly breathtaking and historic enough to warrant spending some time exploring them.

Whether you want to visit the iconic Christ Church and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, or perhaps you want to explore a lesser known gem such as the Romanian Orthodox Church, Dublin is filled with so much history and culture that churches are a great way to start learning about this beautiful city.

Our 2015 Year End Review – Why Was It So Amazing?

Chris Boothman
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5
Our 2015 Year End Review – Why Was It So Amazing?

How do we keep churning out years of such amazing travel you may be wondering? Well, we are frequently asking ourselves the same question. As we start 2016 and look forward to yet another amazing year of potential travel opportunities, we want to take a few moments to reflect on the past twelve months in our 2015 year end review and find out just why this year was yet again another awesome time for A Brit & A Southerner. We thought that 2014 was pretty spectacular when we took 40 flights and visited 10 different countries. Could we beat that in 2015? Of course we could!

montserrat spain

In 2015 we visited 18 different countries which is a pretty amazing feat given that we both work full-time. From Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks to the beautiful monastery in Montserrat, Spain, we certainly had a year to remember.

I am writing this review now at the end of our breathtaking European rail adventure which started just before Christmas. But more on that later in this post…however, when you think about all the travels that we have done in recent months, it really makes us appreciate just how fortunate we have been not only in a financial sense to be able to afford this, but also emotionally and physically for being healthy enough to endure the demand of traveling around the world.

Rather than looking at the last 12 months chronologically, I think it’s more appropriate to take a look at our top 10 experiences/trips.

10. New Orleans

We headed to New Orleans in mid-October excited about what we had planned for one of our stereotypical ‘long’ weekend getaways. This was my third time to ‘The Crescent City’ but Heather’s first, so we were both looking forward to exploring everything this French inspired city has to offer.

new orleans 2015 year end review

Tours of the Garden District and French Quarter along with a Natchez River Boat Cruise were definite highlights of our time in New Orleans. We sampled some amazing local cuisine at Mother’s (you have to sample the Po’boy there!) and had a delicious jazz brunch buffet at The Court of Two Sisters.

2015 year end review

The disappointing aspect of our time in New Orleans was that we simply didn’t have enough time there to experience everything we wanted to. I love cajun/creole cuisine so this part of USA is definitely high on my list, but I don’t think Heather is quite as impressed.

Overall Rating

8/10 – Beautiful city with so much to experience and a plethora of fine cuisine options to sample.

9. Dallas

Texas in July? We must be crazy right, especially with the heat that is generally forecast at this time of the year. However, a July 4th weekend trip to Dallas was what we had planned and as always it was an action packed adventure. Thanks to the amazing folks at CityPASS, we were able to experience many of the city’s top attractions, in an ‘all-in-one’ package deal.

dallas arboretum

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens were gorgeous and in full bloom in July, but of course the highlight was experiencing the JFK Museum at Dealey Plaza, especially for Heather who is a huge history buff and JFK fan!

jfk dealey plaza dallas

Overall Rating

8/10 – Although we only experienced what we would consider as ‘tourist attractions’, it was nice to walk around downtown and explore more of the city than we were able to on our first visit to Dallas.

8. St. Louis

We have been to St. Louis on numerous occasions but this year we decided to visit on a couple of occasions to explore ‘off the beaten path‘. We all know the iconic reasons why people visit St. Louis, but what about those hidden gems such as Laumeier Sculpture Park and diverse neighborhoods such as The Hill and Delmar Loop where you will always stumble across something worth experiencing.

2015 year end review st louis

The Botanical Gardens in St. Louis offer a different experience away from the hustle and bustle and if you are really looking to get away, perhaps taking a hop across the river to the historic town of St. Charles will interest you. We did both and enjoyed every minute in both locations.

st louis zoo

2015 was also the year that we ventured into videography. Our second video to go live featured the beautiful St. Louis Zoo which is undoubtedly one of the best zoos around, especially given that admission is free.

Overall Rating

8.5/10 – Conveniently location for us, but with so many free attractions St. Louis is an attractive destination for everyone.

7. Memphis

Travel begins at home…at least that is one philosophy we are trying to get across to our followers in an attempt to inspire everyone to at least look outside their front door and see just how much there is to do there! For us, Memphis, Tennessee is right on our doorstep as it is only a short 50 minute drive from Arkansas across the Mississippi River.

sun studio memphis tennessee

Weekly trips are common but in 2015 we decided to dig a little deeper. We wanted to find the ‘real Memphis’ and experience some of the hidden neighborhoods that many tourists likely never see. From the South Main Street arts district to the Cooper-Young district, we explored 5 areas that we believe everyone visiting Memphis should consider experiencing.

2015 year end review

We are proud that the post we wrote on the ‘Top 5 Memphis Neighborhoods You Need to Know About‘ went viral and was by far our most popular post in 2015! This will certainly inspire us to keep exploring more cities beyond the tourist traps but if you plan to visit Memphis, be sure to check out these districts.

Overall Rating

9/10 – Our ‘second home’ or so it feels given the frequency we visit Memphis, but 2015 was different for us as we explored more hidden spots that really helped show us the real Memphis experience.

6. Utah’s National Parks

The Mighty 5 National Parks in Utah make this state one of my favorites, especially after our epic road trip over Memorial Day that saw us visit three of us. After exploring the stunning Grand Canyon (more on that later) in Arizona and heading into Utah, we visited Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and finally Arches National Park near Moab.

arches national park utah

Each of these national parks has unique natural characteristics that makes them each stunningly beautiful. Words fail to express the beauty throughout Utah so hopefully our pictures will help do the landscapes justice. If not…well you will just have to take our word for it and head on over to Utah and appreciate this beauty for yourselves!

arches national park utah

Overall Rating

9.5/10 – Utah is unlike any other state I have visited (and we have now experienced 46 of the 50 US states) and is definitely in my top 3 favorites! The geographical phenomena throughout each of the national parks is a true stunning sight to behold.

5. Dublin

A trip to the Emerald Isle over Thanksgiving gave us the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Ireland’s capital city, Dublin. Exploring the historic Book of Kells and Old Library inside Trinity College were memorable experiences but of course visiting Dublin wouldn’t quite be the same without sampling some of Ireland’s finest brew.

book of kells trinity college dublin

Experiencing the Guinness Storehouse tour in the heart of Dublin is definitely worthwhile but perhaps touring around the ancient churches and cathedrals inside the city would interest you more.

guinness storehouse dublin

Overall Rating

9.5/10 – Dublin is a beautiful city and sampling some typical Irish stew combined with a pint of Guinness is a perfect way to end your day exploring Ireland’s capital.

4. Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is unsurprisingly one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. We visited this wonder for the first time over the Memorial Day weekend and we were not disappointed. The views across the South Rim are awe-inspiring and the number of trails are endless.

grand canyon arizona

Heading out of the national park on the East Rim drive offers a myriad of Grand Canyon lookout points to continue the natural beauty. Let’s be the honest…it’s a never ending experience and certainly a part of the world that you won’t want to leave!

grand canyon 2015 year end review

Overall Rating

9.5/10 – The Grand Canyon is one of those natural wonders that you just have to visit. After experiencing this for the first time, I can attest that this is not one of those overrated tourist traps. Instead, it is an attraction that we are already looking forward to a return trip!

3. Road Trip – Salt Lake City to Glacier (and back)

One of our most ambitious trips in 2015 was a road trip from Salt Lake City to Denali National Park over a long Labor Day weekend. After flying into Salt Lake City, we spent some time exploring Grand Teton National Park and the stunning Yellowstone National Park. Encounters with wildlife, watching geothermal activity and perusing over beautiful panoramic scenes are all available inside Yellowstone.

yellowstone national park

After passing through Wyoming and Idaho, we arrived in Montana, home of Glacier National Park. Our time in Glacier was limited, not only because of our time constraints but because the weather closed part of the Going to the Sun Road. Despite the adverse conditions, we enjoyed Glacier and hopefully a return trip can be arranged in the not too distant future.

glacier national park montana

The drive back to Salt Lake City saw us pass through Washington and Oregon so that we could experience part of the Oregon Trail and of course visit the remaining states in the Pacific Northwest.

Overall Rating

10/10 – We love road trips and this is certainly the most ambitious and exciting that we have encountered so far. Yellowstone is stunning but so are the other national parks in this part of the country.

2. Barcelona

TBEX Europe in Lloret de Mar, Spain gave us the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Barcelona prior to heading over to the Costa Brava for the conference. Exploring Gaudi’s finest examples of architectural brilliance and of course watching the mighty Barcelona at the Nou Camp were key highlights of our experience in Spain.

park guell barcelona

Our final day prior to heading over to TBEX saw us take a trip outside of Barcelona to Montserrat and visit the historic monastery there. The views are spectacular and hiking to the top overlooking the monastery is certainly worth the effort.

montserrat monastery

Overall Rating

10/10 – Barcelona is a beautiful city and we can highly recommend taking a food tour here with Devour Barcelona food tours. Sampling Catalan’s finest cuisine along with stumbling across some hidden gems make this tour well worth the time.

1. European Rail Adventure

We mentioned at the beginning of this post that we wanted to save the best until last and this is exactly what we did in 2015. Prior to Christmas we headed to Europe armed with our Eurail Global Passes giving us access to 28 different countries. Of course with limited time we had to establish a more realistic route to see as much as possible. Over the next few weeks we will be sharing many of our stories from our trip but this was definitely the perfect way to end an amazing year.

brandenburg gate germany

Here is a quick summary of where we went. We started in Stockholm, Sweden and spent 48 hours there. We took the train to Copenhagen, Denmark before flying to UK to spend Christmas with my parents on the Fylde Coast. December 27 saw us fly from Manchester to Hannover where our European adventure really started.

2015 year end review belgian waffle

Hannover to Berlin to Dresden to Prague to Vienna to Bratislava to Budapest to Zurich to Strasbourg to Luxembourg to Brussels and our final stop in Amsterdam. Technically speaking our 2015 travels ended in Budapest where we enjoyed New Year’s Eve in the Executive Lounge of the Hilton Budapest City!

Overall Rating

10/10 – Traveling around Europe is definitely something that everyone should do. The BEST and ONLY way to achieve this is using the awesome train service that runs throughout Europe. Our Eurail passes made this experience seamless and painless. So many amazing cities and so many stories to share!

Summary

So there we have our 2015 year end review! It was another spectacular twelve months and we have experienced so many new and exciting places, many of which we can’t wait to return to. I can openly say that we visited so many destinations and very few of them were we disappointed with. Perhaps this is because we visit every new spot with an open mind and look for ways to enjoy the location.

What does 2016 have in store for us? Many more exciting travels! We already have a few trips booked including TBEX North America in Minneapolis over Memorial Day weekend, TBEX Europe in Stockholm in July and then the Ryder Cup in Minnesota in late September.

When you reflect on your 2015 travels, which destinations and trips stand out as your favorites? We would love to hear your thoughts and experiences so feel free to share them below!

A Review of the Scandic Grand Central Hotel in Stockholm

Chris Boothman
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17
A Review of the Scandic Grand Central Hotel in Stockholm

When you think about Sweden, what are the main things that the Swedes are famous for? ABBA, Absolut Vodka or perhaps the blonde stereotypes would be near the top of most peoples lists and of course with good reason. But what about the modern decor that we all love to associate with the Swedish lifestyle? Of course I am talking about the global conglomerate – IKEA! This modern decor is something that I want to focus on because during our recent ‘first’ visit to Stockholm, we were well and truly welcomed to the home of modern decor during our stay at the Scandic Grand Central Hotel in the heart of the Swedish capital.

What You Need to Know

Location of Scandic Grand Central Hotel

Any time you visit a new country for the first time, it’s imperative that you stay in a hotel that is in a great location providing easy access to the key landmarks and attractions within the region. The Scandic Grand Central Hotel in Stockholm is situated in possibly the best location throughout city, given that it is located directly next to Stockholm’s Central train station and within short walking distance to a myriad of attractions.

scandic grand central hotel

Stockholm has a great public transportation system that we experienced first hand, and by staying at the Scandic Grand Central Hotel, we were close to a variety of options that made accessing various attractions much easier. Whether it was taking the Djurgården line number 7 (tram) to the Vasa Museum or the underground subway to the SkyView, everything was just a short walk from our hotel.

scandic grand central hotel stockholm

By now you should be convinced that this hotel is the perfect choice, if location is your most important attribute when searching for hotels. But don’t worry, there is so much more and by the end of this review I am convinced that you will be sold on all aspects and will definitely consider making a reservation at the Scandic Grand Central Hotel, the next time you visit Stockholm.

Address

Kungsgatan 70,
111 20 Stockholm,
Sweden

Rates

Room rates fluctuate on a daily basis but for a standard room you can expect to pay anywhere from 75 to 100 Euros per night. Larger, superior rooms are available as are a variety of views across the city.

The Lobby and Breakfast Area

As we walked inside the Scandic Grand Central hotel for the first time, we were welcomed with a breathtaking sight of the ultra-modern lobby which is definitely a great spot to relax while staying at this hotel.

scandic grand central hotel lobby

Of course much of your time in Stockholm will be spent exploring the beautiful city, but in the back of your mind you may be enticed to make an early return to the hotel to spend some time relaxing with a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir and taking in the beautiful surroundings of the downstairs area.

scandic grand central hotel decor

Plenty of comfortable sofas and stylish chairs and tables are available to accommodate all guests of the hotel but it’s the restaurant area and breakfast experience that really helps sell this hotel above its competitors in the area. Sweden is famous for having awesome breakfasts so we were excited to hear that this was included in our room rate.

scandic grand central hotel lobby

Delicious Swedish Breakfast Buffet

We rose early the first morning and headed downstairs in hopeful expectation of something spectacular. We were not disappointed! In fact, the wide array of options available on the breakfast buffet was such that the irresistible temptation of devouring everything on the menu was nearly impossible to resist.

swedish breakfast at scandic grand central hotel

But when you are on vacation, why resist the inevitable? Just sample a little bit of everything because you won’t be disappointed.

scandic grand central hotel breakfast buffet

For locals, eating breakfast is usually a home-cooked meal before heading out to work. However, for visitors to the Swedish capital, the experience of sampling a myriad of delicious options is certainly an attractive reason to spend a night in a hotel like the Scandic Grand Central.

breakfast buffet

Why not start with a hot cooked meal including sausages, stereotypical Swedish meatballs, bacon, eggs, beans and a surprise inclusion of broccoli. There is nothing like adding a little greenery or perhaps ‘healthiness’ to what many may deem to be a typical English breakfast rather than something you would find in Stockholm.

stockholm breakfast experience

Add a little ‘caviar spread’ and now you are really getting into the lifestyle of a Swedish person.

breakfast in sweden

The real Swedish flavors can be found in the cold section of the buffet. We were literally spoiled for choice with various ham, turkey and cheese options, combined with a plethora of breads and knäckebröd (crisp bread).

swedish breakfast

Swedish dark rye bread with a hint of butter and blackberry jam was one of my favorite experiences…if you have the opportunity to sample this, it’s worth the effort of cutting the bread and making this perfect concoction.

typical swedish breakfast

Espressos, orange/apple juice, sparkling/still water and of course the highlight, a strawberry smoothie were all available at the Scandic Grand Central breakfast buffet.

scandic grand central hotel strawberry smoothie

After sampling this breakfast, you are definitely well set for the rest of the day to explore the city of Stockholm.

scandic grand central hotel

Our Room – Ultimate Comfort

When it’s time to head back to your room, you always hope for a comfortable bed and relaxing atmosphere. The Scandic Grand Central hotel offers both of these, along with plenty of space, modern decor throughout and a walk-in shower to help revitalize you either before a good night’s rest or before heading out for the day (after experiencing the shower for the first time, if you are like us you will want to sample this more than once daily!)

scandic grand central hotel rooms

Our room had several pictures with iconic quotes taken directly from some of the world’s leading rock artists such as Led Zeppelin and Bob Dylan.

music quotes

A corner desk overlooking the nearby Casino Cosmopol provided plenty of workspace but the queen size bed with individual duvet covers was the most attractive feature inside this spacious room.

bedroom modern decor

The worst part about having a bed like this is that you don’t want to get up in the morning, and with limited time to explore Stockholm we really wanted to rise and shine early.

walk in shower

A walk-in shower always gets thumbs up from both of us as we much prefer this experience than having to struggle with a shower inside a bathtub. The modern decor throughout the room continued in the bathroom and made getting ready that much more enjoyable.

scandic grand central hotel

Summary

The Scandic Grand Central Hotel in Stockholm is the perfect location to begin exploring the city. If you are visiting Stockholm for the first time, like we did, we strongly recommend considering this as a viable option for a 2 to 3 day stay in the city. We are heading back to Stockholm for TBEX Europe 2016 and will likely stay here as it is a short distance from the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre and City Hall.

For the ultimate comfort experience, luxury dining options and much more, the Scandic Grand Central Hotel is a really affordable option in the heart of the city. For a hotel with such great features, it is surprising to see how affordable this really is. It is a credit to the Scandic hotel group and of course the management on site for ensuring this hotel remains such high quality.

Disclaimer – We were guests of Scandic Grand Central Hotel and received a complimentary one night stay in return for consideration of a blog post. The views contained within this post are entirely our personal opinion/experience and we were not financially compensated for this review.

Weekend Wanderlust


Where Are the Best 2016 Travel Destinations?

Chris Boothman
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Where Are the Best 2016 Travel Destinations?

Happy New Year!! Who is ready for yet another amazing year of travel? The last 12 months literally flew by in a heartbeat, but now is not a time for relaxation, instead it’s a time for planning your upcoming travels. We are delighted to share with you a rich collaboration of the best 2016 travel destinations that many of our friends are aspiring to either visit for the first time, or revisit given the inherent beauty that lies within the realms of their chosen destination.

Whether you are a luxury beach lover, or a cultural explorer looking to expand your knowledge base, there are a myriad of worldwide locations waiting to be experienced. Each of our fellow travelers have shared their top 5 destinations that they would love to visit in 2016, the only requirement being that at least one of these five is a city/country that they have previously visited.

2016 travel destinations

What are your top 2016 travel destinations that you are hoping to visit over the next 12 months? Wherever you travel, be sure to keep following us as we continue to embark on our global travels ‘one weekend at a time’ and hopefully inspire a few new people to head outside and explore this amazing world that we all live in! Happy travels everyone and please enjoy this unique collaboration!

Thanks to everyone that has contributed to this post! Those highlighted in RED are destinations that each of the travelers have visited before but after falling in love with them during previous visits, a return trip in 2016 is high priority.

McCool Travel

Charles McCool from McCool Travel shares his 2016 travel destinations that are the top of his list. From the extreme to the culturally diverse, there are a myriad of reasons why each of the following spots should be on your list too!

  • Cape Town
  • Patagonia
  • Romania
  • Berlin
  • Northern Ireland

These destinations dominate my mind when I think of where to go. Cape Town and Patagonia represent the end of the world to me, living most of my life in the Northern and Western hemispheres. Berlin and Romania are on my radar because of family history. I want to visit these places because they are amazing designations but also to walk in the footsteps of my ancestors.

northern ireland coastline

For the same reason (family history), I want to return to Northern Ireland and dive deeper into my McCool heritage.

Chronic Wanderlust

Victoria Urbanek from Chronic Wanderlust has an inspiring list of destinations that she is looking forward to visiting in 2016, the majority of which are European based but who can blame her when you see the beauty that lies within the confines of the European continent.

  • San Marino
  • Iceland
  • Montenegro
  • Costa Rica
  • Israel

At the end of every year, I try to think about how the next year can possibly get any better in terms of traveling. After a round the world trip this year what can be next? I then find myself in bookstores at the travel department flipping through guide books or reading stories about fascinating places online – and the conclusion is always the same: I want to see them all!

israel landscape

But for the next wonderful year of 2016, I’m planning on revisiting the Holy Land and exploring it by car. Just me and the car and good music and happy people! Israel is a country that fascinates me in terms of landscapes and mix of cultures.

Furthermore, I’d like to expand my European horizon and travel to somewhat closer destinations such as San Marino and Montenegro. Iceland has been on my list for long and as by the looks I will make it there in 2016! Central America is a gem and after having seen quite too many pictures of Costa Rica I’m convinced that I have to see this beauty with my own eyes!

2 Travel Dads

Rob Taylor from 2 Travel Dads shares their 2016 plans and how these destinations may be the perfect fit if you are traveling with kids in the New Year.

  • Florida Keys
  • Iceland
  • Brazil
  • Cabo San Lucas
  • Utah

We’ve done Utah and it’s beyond beautiful. We always do one big camping trip, so Utah it is in 2016. Iceland for more than a day’s stop-over – I’ve toured Iceland…alone. We all need to experience it, especially our oldest who’s into volcanoes.

The Florida Keys and the Everglades – We never quite go as far and the Keys but want to. It’s the ultimate road trip. Brazil’s beaches and rainforests – Brazil: duh!

cabo san lucas mexico

Releasing baby sea turtles in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – Watching baby sea turtles hatch and helping them make it into the ocean is the most moving experience. We need to do this with our kids now and see how it impacts them (and it’s booked already!).

Willunga Wino

Louise Rhodes from Willunga Wino shares three old favorites of her that she would love to revisit along with a couple of new ‘hidden gems’ that are waiting to be discovered on her travels.

  • Nozawa Onsen, Japan
  • Piedmont, Italy
  • Murray River, South Australia
  • Burgundy, France
  • Rioja, Spain
Nozawa Onsen

Three years in a row, we have visited this secluded, traditional village in January for skiing, culture, food and relaxation. Where rice and wildflowers thrive in summer, deep dry powder perfect for skiing forms in Winter. Soothe those sore muscles in the natural hot springs around town. You can even enjoy cuisine cooked in the hot springs, just a few steps on the cobbled streets from the onsen.

nozawa onsen japan skiing

Piedmont

Tucked up in the northwest corner of Italy, up in the cuff of the boot, is the stunningly beautiful wine region of the Piedmont. Turin is the capital, a charming city. There is far more that the region is famous for. Barolo and Barbaresco wines, made from the Nebbiolo grape, as well as White and Black truffles. Add in fine, egg yolk rich pasta called Tajarin (tie-yar-reen) and it’s a recipe for perfection.

Murray River

The beating heart of Australia is the Murray Darling River, which runs all the way from Queensland to South Australia. Houseboats or paddle steamers are the best way to view the orange-red cliffs, which shine an array of colors at sunrise and sunset. The P.S Marion does regular Rockford Wines cruises that pair outstanding cuisine, some of Australia’s best wines, and the beauty of the Murray.

Burgundy

I am yet to experience the rolling hills, the rocky soils, and the endless grape vines of Burgundy. Small scale producers rule here, as do the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. For years, I have had a recurring dream where I ride a bike through a windy country road, with a baguette, a wedge of gooey fromage, and a bottle of vin rouge in the basket, stopping under a tree to enjoy a picnic before wobbling home. While Mr Wino works in the winery of course.

Rioja

The home of Grenache, the most celebrated wine of McLaren Vale, is here. Tempranillo, too. These are food friendly wines, and perfectly paired with paella, pintxos, Not to mention the shoe shopping, my favorite brand originates in Spain!

Travelling King

Samantha Duffield from Travelling King is looking forward to a year of clear, tropical beaches and why not when you see the gorgeous destinations she has chosen for 2016.

  • Samoa
  • New Zealand
  • Bali
  • Maldives
  • Fiji
Samoa

I rarely see Samoa featured in “where to travel” lists and it’s a shame its such a beautiful country! The beautiful white beaches and clear blue waters and lush green landscapes, not to mention the rich culture of the Samoan people – why the heck wouldn’t you want to travel here! Make sure to make a stop at the famous Sua Ocean Trench.

New Zealand

Traveling from Australia can be difficult as we are so far away from everywhere else in the world, luckily we are neighbors with New Zealand. New Zealand and Samoa are fairly similar cultural wise, however the landscape of NZ is totally different and not to mention its a lot colder there!

2016 travel destinations

The scenery of New Zealand is lush green fields, snow capped mountains, famous glaciers, rain forests and inactive volcanoes. The South Island is ideal for skiing or snowboarding and other extreme activities such as bungy jumping, sky diving and jet boating (on a very small amount of water!).

new zealand ski season

Bali

Bali is a typical holiday for most Australians, I’m fairly sure there are more Australians in Bali than Indonesians! (kidding!) Bali is a great little great away for most Australians (and anyone willing to travel there), with its golden sand beaches and turquoise waters and incredibly friendly locals, it really does make for a pleasant trip.

bali

Not to mention that Bali is really cheap to visit and travel around, even when staying in 5-star luxury hotels. Grab a 2 for 1 cocktails and relax by the pool.

four seasons hotel bali

Maldives

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to visit the Maldives, who doesn’t like the idea of relaxing in your own private overwater villa or walking out of the bedroom and diving straight into the ocean!

The Maldives is the ultimate place to switch off and relax either alone or with a loved one. Recent studies show that the Maldives may not be around for much longer so the sooner you get here the better! Make sure to splurge and stay in one of the overwater villas for at least one night!

Fiji

Fiji is made up of 333 tropical islands and is famous for its soft coral diving, palm tree lined white sand beaches and pristine natural environment. Make sure to do a bit of island hopping, don’t just stay on the mainland, you’ll end up missing so much!

Fiji is of course home to some of the friendliest locals in the world, they are always keen to share their culture with you and get you involved if you want to learn more. Otherwise, if you just want to relax, pull up a hammock (along most of the beaches) and take an afternoon nap with the fresh ocean breeze and sound of waves lapping at the beach.

The Trusted Traveller

Jen Seligmann from The Trusted Traveller is an Aussie local who continues the theme of destinations ‘Down Under’ that she wants to explore in 2016!

  • Adelaide
  • Great Ocean Road
  • Gippsland Lakes Region, Victoria
  • Nullabor
  • Perth

In 2016, we will be heading off on a slow indefinite road trip around Australia. We hope to cover every region on this trip but there are a few places that really stand out in our minds and make us super excited for the adventures we’re about to have.

adelaide australia 2016 travel destinations

We can’t wait to revisit Adelaide and hopefully spend a few weeks there soaking up the cool vibe it has going on. I’m looking forward to taking Mick along the Great Ocean Road as this is a place I remember fondly from my childhood. Mick is super keen on fishing so the Gippsland Lakes Region of Victoria, which is famous for fishing, is where he is looking forward to spending some time.

Driving the Nullabor has to get a mention in this list. It’s the ultimate road in Australia and while most who have driven it say it is boring, I am so excited to see the one long straight stretch of road surrounded by nothing but desert. Finally, we are both very excited about getting to Perth after driving over 4,000 km’s to get there. We plan to spend a few months there over the summer before taking off north to continue our trip around the country.

Queidue

Odoardo Girardi, co-founder of Queidue, shares his global destinations that he wants to visit in the next 12 months and there is a real South-East Asian feel though his return visit to a destination is very different!

  • Jerusalem
  • Siem Reap
  • Bangkok
  • Singapore
  • Kuala Lumpur

2016 will bring a big change in our life as we will move to Cambodia for work purposes. This is why most of our resolution destinations are in the Far East, there is so much we have to explore there. We will start with Siem Reap and its Angkor Wat temples which is the easiest to reach from Phnom Penh, the city where we will be living.

Next destinations will be three of the biggest and more charming cities in that part of the world: chaotic Bangkok, multicultural Singapore and vibrant Kuala Lumpur.

jerusalem 2016 travel destinations

On our way to Asia, we will definitely enjoy a long stopover in Israel, where we lived early this year. We want to spend again and again some days in Jerusalem, one of the most impressive and touching cities in the world. Being in one of the holiest places of the three biggest religions of the world makes you feel part of centuries-old history. Absolutely our favorite destination so far.

Traveling Rockhopper

Maja from Traveling Rockhopper has been fortunate to visit a unique destination and a return trip is already on her mind. Plus experience a diverse variety of other locations around the globe with her as she embarks on an ambitious year of travels!

  • Falkland Islands
  • Iceland
  • Greenland
  • Canada
  • Jordan

I visited the Falklands in 2014, but I love penguins, so this place is always on my list!

Iceland and Greenland are also known to me, but this time I’d like to go there in summer and enjoy their beauty!

falkland islands

Canadian mountains are still waiting for me, and I don’t want to disappoint them again.

And in Jordan, I’d like to finally visit Petra. To keep a balance, it’s a bit warmer place than the above ones.

Contented Traveller

Paula McInerney from Contented Traveller shares her thoughts on this Aussie couples travel plans for 2016. Along with her husband Gordon, Paula indicates that 2016 will be a ‘quieter year’…we will see (we all know how that goes for travel bloggers)!

  • Amsterdam
  • Vietnam
  • New Zealand
  • South America
  • Melbourne

In 2016, we are going to try and have a slightly quieter year but we know that this won’t be happening.

amsterdam netherlands

We both love Amsterdam and want to stay on the houseboat on the Prisengracht Canal again. And we have friends who we ski with in Nozawa Onsen, Japan who live close to Amsterdam. We have never visited South America before but we have a nephew studying in Uruguay so that may provide the impetus to check up on him.

Melbourne is a short weekend trip away and along with Tasmania we would love to combine both and explore this part of Australia!

Savored Journeys

Laura Lynch from Savored Journeys has a really diverse range of destinations in mind for the year ahead. From a Croatian gem to a plethora of worldwide destinations that she wants to explore, Laura will inspire many with these travel plans.

  • Dubrovnik, Croatia
  • Munich, Germany
  • Doha, Qatar
  • Dubai, UAE
  • Maldives

I’ve been to Dubrovnik before, but I absolutely fell in love with it when I was there in 2009. My husband, however, hasn’t yet been, so we’ve been planning a trip back so he can see how wonderful it is. Munich is also a trip we’ve been wanting to take. For Nick’s 30th birthday in September, we plan to head to Munich for the Oktoberfest celebration.

dubrovnik croatia

Why Doha? I have a friend who is in the foreign service so he moves around a lot. He’s currently living in Doha and has told us many wonderful things about Qatar. We plan to hit up Dubai and the lovely Maldives for our 5-year anniversary in 2016. It will be a fun and packed year of travel resolutions!

The Broke Backpacker

Will Hatton, also known as The Broke Backpacker has a real Asian feel to his 2016 travel destinations and his desire to head off the beaten path is definitely highlighted with some of his hot spots for the New Year! Throw in the fact he wants to achieve this without taking any flights and it is a pretty exciting adventure ahead.

  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • Iran
  • Pakistan
  • Bhutan

This year I’m trying to get off the beaten path – way off the beaten path. I want to explore places that rarely get tourists and to immerse myself fully in these cultures. I crave the discovery of places I’m not going to read about in your run of the mill travel blogs, and I want to shatter my own preconceptions of what places like Pakistan are actually like – on the human level, rather than the political.

nepal mountains

Plus, I’m doing it all without the use of any flights – some of these borders are going to get pretty interesting!

The Savvy Globetrotter

Patti Reddi from The Savvy Globetrotter possibly has the most unique location that she wants to revisit, especially when you consider so few people get to visit there once in their lifetime. Add a variety of other destinations around the world and Patti has yet another breathtaking year of travel ahead of her!

  • Antarctica
  • Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
  • Antelope Canyon, USA
  • To Sua Trench, Samoa
  • Bhutan

There are many more destinations on my “must visit” list but I find myself researching these places more than others lately. Bolivia’s salt flats look so surreal in photos that I want to experience them in person and even attempt some perspective photos myself. I must have a thing for unique scenery as Antelope Canyon looks like a place I must see in spite of the expected crowds.

Samoa interests me in and of itself but throw in an iconic swimming hole and I’m definitely in. Bhutan’s sustainable tourism, Gross National Happiness, festivals and hiking trails are all great reasons to make this destination a frontrunner.

antarctica penguins

And of course, after an amazing experience traveling to Antarctica, I’ve decided that it is not a once-in-a-lifetime destination. The beautiful scenery and wildlife have me plotting my return as soon as I can make it happen.

antarctica

Great Big Globe

Matt and Alana from Great Big Globe have destinations all around the globe that they want to visit in 2016, of course, it’s appropriate given the name of their website!

  • Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
  • Argentina
  • Peru
  • Vietnam
  • Italy

In 2016, we want to return to one of our favorite places on earth, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. While we enjoyed an amazing three-day safari in 2015 we missed the Great Migration by less than two weeks. We’d love to return and experience one of the greatest shows on earth!

serengeti national park 2016 travel destinations

Also for 2016, we finally want to step foot in South America. On the top of our to-do list is glacier hiking in Argentina and trekking the Inca Trail to the famous Machu Picchu in Peru.

Lastly, what is traveling without some amazing food?! The two countries we are looking to hit are Italy and Vietnam. We’d love to spend a few weeks eating pho and cao lau in Vietnam and then head over to Italy to finish things off with some Italian dishes, wine and gelato. Yum!

The Travel Sisters

Matilda, one-half of The Travel Sisters along with her sister Patti, shares her diverse range of 2016 travel destinations that she would love to visit. Whether it’s hot, beach destinations or cold, snowy conditions that you prefer, all have been covered in her selection.

  • Rwanda
  • Jelly Fish Lake, Palau
  • Norway
  • Tanzania
  • Giraffe Hotel, Kenya

It wasn’t until I put my list together that I noticed a common theme for my travel resolution destinations – all destinations include wildlife. Trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda was such a humbling and amazing experience I would love to return for another visit with the gentle giants. Although surely a different type of experience, the thought of traveling to Palau for a swim among millions of jellyfish and not getting stung is otherworldly.

2016 travel destinations rwanda

Norway, with beautiful fjords and the Northern Lights, easily makes my must-see list especially with the possibility of observing polar bears in their natural habitat. I’ve been fortunate to experience a few safaris but witnessing the legendary wildebeest migration in Tanzania promises to be more than a typical safari. And although I have seen beautiful giraffes in the wild, the thought of having breakfast at the Giraffe Hotel while they poke their heads through my window looking for goodies is too tempting to pass up.

I’ve been fortunate to experience a few safaris but witnessing the legendary wildebeest migration in Tanzania promises to be more than a typical safari. And although I have seen beautiful giraffes in the wild, the thought of having breakfast at the Giraffe Hotel while they poke their heads through my window looking for goodies is too tempting to pass up.

Nomadic Boys

Stefan and Sebastien are the Nomadic Boys and their list of 2016 travel hot-spots really emphasize their nomadic lifestyle, though with a real South American feel to it.

  • Sacred Valley around Cusco, Peru
  • Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
  • Bariloche, Argentina
  • Florianopolis, Brazil
  • Patagonia, Chile/Argentina

In 2016, we want to travel in Latin America, starting with South America. Stefan went in 2005 for a year (before Nomadic Boys existed) and was mainly based in the villages around Cusco in the Sacred Valley doing volunteering.

sacred valley peru

Stefan loved it so much he wants to return to the area and show it off to Sebastien, along with trekking to Machu Picchu.

We aim to go to the highlights of the continent particularly Buenos Aires, Rio, Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, but our Top 5 Wish List centers around the places Stefan didn’t go last time round.

We love diving and the underground world of Galapagos is a dream for both of us. Stefan missed out on chocolate heaven Bariloche in Argentina so this is of course a must this time round. Florianopolis is a gay heaven in Brazil and we’d love to discover this together. Finally, Patagonia, the tip of the continent, divided between Argentina and Chile. It’s remote, a paradise for trekkers and literally the end of the world!

The Sophisticated Life

Nadeen White from The Sophisticated Life has yet another diverse array of destinations that she would love to explore in 2016. Her philosophy of seeing at least one new place every year is certainly one that we would all do well to follow.

  • South of France
  • Cuba
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Dubai
  • Hong Kong

There are so many places to see in the world and so little time! When people ask me which places are on my travel bucket list I say “everywhere.” Over 15 years ago I made a vow to see at least one new place every year and I have accomplished that! I try to prioritize my travel bucket list from year to year and these are the top places on my list for 2016.

South of France

I visited the South of France while on a cruise in 2014 and hope to return in 2016. Since I only spent one day there I would love to return to visit more areas such as St.Tropez and Eze. Monaco in particular, has special meaning to me since I got engaged there!

monaco 2016 travel destinations

Cuba

I was very pleased when the U.S. government changed their policy on Cuba allowing U.S. travelers to legally visit there. My goal is to become immersed in the Afro-Cuban culture. I have also heard that the beaches are beautiful! I will admit, the idea of it being in somewhat of a time warp is appealing to me.

Rio de Janeiro

If only to visit Ipanema Beach and Christ the Redeemer statue! I hope to samba, eat Brazilian street food and volunteer in the favelas. Visiting Rio during the Olympics next year would knock two things off my bucket list.

Dubai

I have heard it is like Las Vegas on speed! I just have to go at least once to see the opulence, the tallest building in the world (Burj Khalifa) and to ride a camel in the dessert.

Hong Kong

I have never been to Asia but Hong Kong has always been on my list. The views from their skyscrapers look stunning. Besides the temples and harbor views, they have a Disneyland park!

This Could Lead to Anywhere

Kate Brennan from This Could Lead to Anywhere has a real desire to ‘explore the outdoors’ and her list of destinations certainly provide a diverse variety from the adventure travelers to relaxation in paradise.

  • Barcelona
  • Yosemite (or other US National Park)
  • Lithuania
  • France
  • Hawaii

The reason I want to go to the places on my list is because I want to explore the great outdoors more next year. There are places all over the world but I’ve neglected Europe and the USA for years now opting to go somewhere further away and very different in culture.

park guell barcelona

I’ve missed out on seeing amazing national parks and experiencing the adventures of a US or European road trip. The scenery and food in places on the west coast of USA or in Europe are also good inspiration.

la sagrada familia

Seeing the Eiffel Tower again or the volcanoes of Hawaii for the first time in person is a very exciting prospect. Finding out about local recipes and traditions in new places is always a big part of the way I like to travel. I’d love to eat fresh seafood on the west coast of the USA or find a completely different dish I’ve never tried in Lithuania.

Jon Is Travelling

Jon Algie from Jon Is Travelling has a variety of European destinations that he would love to visit (and revisit) in 2016. Throw in a hint of Asian culture with his other chosen spot for the year ahead, and Jon is looking forward to quite an exciting twelve months.

  • Hungary
  • India
  • Iceland
  • Scotland
  • Turkey

In 2016 I hope to finally visit India, a country that has intimidated me for a long time. It’s so big, so bustling and I honestly don’t know where to start, but it excites me more than anywhere else at the moment. I plan on spending at least 3 months in India, and if I still have the time (or more importantly, the money) I would love to return to Europe.

The surreal landscapes of Iceland are a huge draw for me, and one of my best friends just moved to Scotland which gives me a good reason to go there. Turkey, with its wealth of wonders both natural and historic, is a place I’m desperate to get to as well.

best 2016 travel destinations

The country I’d love to return to in 2016 is Hungary. I spent a few days in Budapest just over a year ago and it quickly became my favorite city. I can’t wait to return and to also check out the rest of the country.

Reflections Enroute

Corinne Vail from Reflections Enroute continues the theme of predominantly European influenced destinations, but with a variety of nations that each have unique attractions that inspire people to visit them.

  • Bastei Bridge, Germany
  • Stockholm, Sweden
  • Canary Islands
  • France
  • San Marino

Bastei Bridge is only two hours away and I feel like I am missing out by not visiting! I would really love to attend TBEX in Stockholm but also because I have never been to that part of Sweden before.

I’d love to warm up in the next few winter months, so a trip to the Canary Islands is on the cards… Germany can be cold! San Marino – a small country nestled in the middle of Italy. It just sounds fascinating!

france 2016 travel destinations

And anywhere in France, because it’s one of my favorite countries. I just love the food.

Live Dream Discover

Sarah Hughes from Live Dream Discover is looking forward to her Southeast Asia trip in the first quarter of 2016 so much of her travel hotspots are based there though a return trip to Mexico is also on the cards.

  • Phillippines
  • Cambodia
  • Vietnam
  • Mexico
  • Myanmar

As we will be in Southeast Asia for the first quarter of 2016 our top choices will mainly consist of destinations on that exotic continent.There is so much to see, do, eat and experience in Southeast Asia that the hardest part is narrowing it down. Temples, jungles, beaches, cities…there’s a bit of everything! Glad we managed to have Thailand checked off the list in 2015 leaving room for more next year.

guadalajara cathedral

Outside of Asia however the lively and beautiful Mexico has been calling us back for some time now and we’re pretty sure we will not be able to resist much longer. Delicious food, amazing natural beauty, ancient sites, cultural cities, great weather and friendly people. Aaah yes I think we will be returning soon.

Kathmandu and Beyond

Kirsty Bennetts from Kathmandu and Beyond has a very distinctive list of destinations in mind for 2016. They are very unique and in many ways ‘off the beaten path’ but perhaps you will be inspired to join her as well in discovering some of these hidden gems.

  • Iran
  • Madagascar
  • Romania
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Tajikistan

A couple of years ago we travelled from China’s Xinjiang province to Kyrgyzstan. Central Asia was a complete contrast from China and I fell in love with the dramatic landscapes and warm, friendly people.

kyrgyzstan

Unfortunately, our time was cut short as the harsh elements conspired with long public holidays. Our plan was to travel from Kyrgyzstan across the Pamir Highway into Tajikistan, but it was late April and we hadn’t quite got our timing right. Heavy snow meant crossing the high mountain passes was impossible.

Whilst we waited and made a couple of attempts we were faced with another dilemma – the May holiday was approaching which meant that the border between Kyrgyzstan and China would be closed for an extended period of time, leaving us stuck on an expired visa.

Our choice was to remain in Kyrgyzstan and try again to cross the Pamirs to Tajikistan or return to China while we still had valid visas. We decided to cut our losses and cross into China and head to Kashgar. It turned out that the two-day trip hitching across the border was fantastic and is one of our all-time travel highlights.

Our number one travel resolution for 2016 is to head back to Kyrgyzstan as part of an epic journey through Central Asia. This time, we’ll get the timing right!

Where’s Sharon

Sharon Gourlay from Where’s Sharon is hoping to have yet another year of diverse travel experiences and this can certainly be seen with her variety of destinations that cover pretty much all corners of the globe.

  • China
  • Germany
  • UAE
  • USA
  • Estonia

There are so many places I want to visit in 2016 – more than we could ever get to! My top destination is because I am very much hanging out to do another US road trip. Our Deep South trip a couple of years ago was one of my favorite trips.

I have been to China several times and loved it every time. It is such a big country though and there is still so much to see. I particularly want to travel between Shanghai and Xian visiting places I learned about in my Asian studies degree at university.

I want to visit Germany because my daughter is about to start studying at a German school in Australia. She will be spending 90% of her time at school speaking German and I would love the chance for her to use it in Germany.

The UAE is on the list as we were booked to visit it this year and unfortunately, I was sick and we had to cancel. I was so looking forward to it!

tallinn estonia

Finally, we visited Estonia and the other Baltic States in 2015 and we were surprised how much we loved them. We really want to return!

Castaway With Crystal

Crystal Egan from Castaway With Crystal has a very Caribbean feel to her potential highlights in 2016. However, as you can see from her story below, she doesn’t want to visit these spots the ‘traditional’ way.

  • Havana, Cuba
  • Negril, Jamaica
  • Cap-Haïtien, Haiti
  • The original Carnivale in Trinidad
  • Los Roques, Venezuela

As you can see from my list it’s very Caribbean Island focussed. In 2016, I will attempt to hitch a ride on a sail-boat going around the Caribbean and work on it while learning to sail. I get a kick out of extreme, off-the-beaten-path travel, so I’m heading to some of the craziest places I can think of.

el malecon cuba

I want to go back again to dance salsa in sticky nightclubs with locals in Havana, Cuba (my obsession country), listen to reggae and sip rum after a dive in Negril, Jamaica and soak up local Haitian culture by taking part in a voodoo celebration in Cap-Haïtien.

It is my dream to party on the streets with locals in the birthplace of the original Carnivale in the Port of Spain, Trinidad and to visit possibly the most beautiful island in the most dangerous country at picturesque Los Roques in Venezuela.

If you’d love to visit these places through my eyes, follow Castaway with Crystal!

Green With Renvy

Alison Abbott from Green With Renvy continues the theme of having an assorted array of amazing destinations around the world that she would like to explore in 2016. Let’s take a look at her top spots for the year ahead and why she is so inspired to visit them.

  • Azores and Portugal
  • Detroit
  • Alaska
  • India
  • Peru

One location I never tire of is India. Trip number 7 coming up in January and I can’t wait for my senses to be assaulted with the colors, food and warmth of the people. This time, I will take a camel trek in the desert!

2016 travel destinations

Portugal and the Azores…It’s an eco-destination not on the radar of many Americans. I was completely seduced by Portugal and the food scene when Nelson Carvalheiro spoke about the destination at TBEX.

Interesting pieces popping up about the renaissance taking place in Detroit. Gardens and farms sprouting on abandoned lots. Chic hotels and restaurants featuring fresh local ingredients popping up downtown. Loads of energy going into bringing the dynamic back to this American city that I would like to explore in person.

The breathtaking wilderness, Native American culture and the salmon capital of the world – need I say more about Alaska?

Finally, I have to climb Machu Picchu before my knees give out and I find the indigenous culture fascinating.

A Brit & A Southerner – 2016 Travel Destinations

We are physically and mentally exhausted after another amazing year of travel. However, we are not going to let that stop us from having another year of travel plans as we already have several trips planned. In terms of where we would like to visit this year, here are some spots we would love to see.

  • New Zealand
  • Alaska
  • Hawaii
  • Iceland
  • North & South Dakota

As you can see, three of our chosen spots are US States which if we accomplish visiting all four of those, we will hit the magical 50 states visited! New Zealand is a country we are both desperate to visit and perhaps over the Christmas and New Year break would be the perfect opportunity to experience this part of the Southern Hemisphere.

iceland northern lights

A return trip to Iceland is always on the cards after experiencing this for the first time at the end of 2014. We had an awesome time there seeing the Northern Lights and would love to return to explore more of the island, a Summer trip would be ideal so that we have daylight all the time!

Summary

WOW…that’s about the best way to summarize all those amazing destinations! I think we pretty much have every corner of the globe covered in some capacity or another, but one trend that appears throughout is that there are folks everywhere that are inspired to keep traveling. Hopefully, this will have a positive effect on you and perhaps you will find one or two of these spots interesting enough to visit in 2016!

We would like to take this opportunity again to thank all of our amazing friends for sharing their favorite 2016 travel destinations…we look forward to seeing all of your awesome photographs and hearing your stories from these experiences around the world.

Feel free to share your travel plans for the year ahead and if any of these locations spark your interest.

5 London Pass Attractions That Are Worth Your Time

Chris Boothman
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5 London Pass Attractions That Are Worth Your Time

The lavish displays of grand heritage throughout the plethora of royal residences combined with the myriad of modern day attractions make London one of the most attractive global cities to visit. But where do you even begin to explore London with so many amazing things to see and experience? Thanks to the London Pass, you have over 60 attractions, tours, and museums to choose from.

We want to recommend a few London Pass attractions that we recently experienced and perhaps you will consider adding these to your itinerary next time you visit the English capital.

westminster london england

With so many quintessential landmarks and attractions to choose from, especially if you are visiting London for the first time, it can be difficult to decide which should be top of your must-see list.

Whether your interests lie in the gates of Buckingham Palace or perhaps the hallowed turf of Center Court at Wimbledon, the city of London is an iconic magnet that will continue to attract and inspire visitors from across the globe.

kensington palace grounds london

Here are five uniquely different attractions that we experienced during our recent 48 hours in London. Each one is symbolic to London and well worth experiencing.

Wembley Stadium

One of the most iconic football (or soccer) stadiums around the world is Wembley Stadium. The modern day stadium opened in 2007 following the demolition of the original Wembley in 2002. This stadium was originally famous for the ‘Twin Towers’, but this was replaced with the infamous Arch that can be seen towering above the London borough skyline at 440 feet.

wembley stadium london

When I noticed the London Pass included a guided tour of Wembley Stadium in their list of attractions, I immediately thought this would be a cool experience.

bobby moore wembley stadium london

Wembley is so much more than a football stadium, in fact nowadays it is the home of the NFL when American Football teams head across the pond and ply their trade in England.

nfl at wembley stadium

Major concerts have taken place here also, so we were ready to go behind the scenes and explore exactly what this state of the art stadium was all about.

wembley stadium tour

Tours are available throughout the day, generally every hour and last for around 75 minutes. We were part of a fairly large group but at no point during the tour did we feel rushed. Our tour guide, Ian was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the history of the stadium and was always willing to answer questions and take impromptu photos whenever requested.

wembley stadium tour

The tour started ‘behind the scenes’ so to speak, as we headed downstairs to the Press Room. We all had the opportunity to sit in the ‘hot seat’ and marvel at the gorgeous interior of this modern day office for the global journalists that attend events at Wembley.

wembley stadium tour london pass attractions

From here we headed to the dressing rooms and were able to capture a glimpse of shirts of England’s present day national team. From Wayne Rooney to Joe Hart, all of the shirts were waiting for visitors to take their picture with.

wembley stadium tour

The moment everyone was waiting for arrived when we headed outside through the tunnel and went pitchside.

london pass attractions

Stood there gazing around the 90,000 seater stadium was certainly an impressive sight and it helped that a corporate event was taking place with teams on the field playing (I won’t mention anything about the quality).

wembley stadium

We paid a visit to the Royal Box and had our pictures taken with a replica FA Cup and after having ample opportunities to take in the breathtaking views of the stadium, Ian led us back inside and the tour culminated with memories of England’s most famous moments at Wembley (England fans out there will know…there have not been many in recent years!)

wembley stadium tour

What You Need to Know

Address: Wembley, London HA9 0WS

Nearest London Underground Station: Wembley Stadium Station

Ticket Prices: Adult – £19.00 Child – £11.00 (Included in London Pass)

Hours: 1st September to 20th July (10:00AM – 3:00PM Daily); 21st July to 31st August (10:00AM – 7:00PM Monday to Friday; 10:00AM – 5:00PM Saturday; 10:00AM – 4:00PM Sunday)

Kensington Palace

After celebrating England’s glory years dating back to World Cup success in 1966 on our Wembley Stadium tour, we headed back to the heart of London and decided to visit Kensington Palace hoping for a spontaneous meeting with Prince William and Kate.

kensington palace london

Of course, this didn’t happen but what we did get to experience was a self-guided tour of a gorgeous royal residence that is now divided into two segments, the private residential area for the Duke and Duchess and the area we had the opportunity to explore.

london pass attractions

Walking around the various wings of Kensington Palace is a real eye-opening experience. The reality is that most of us can never relate to how royalty live, but it’s a rewarding sight to appreciate how elaborate everything is inside a royal residence.

kensington palace london

Your self-guided tour starts in the atrium where you can decide whether you want to explore the King’s wing or Queen’s wing. The ornate staircases lead you upstairs to the heart of these apartments where the lavish furnishings continue.

kensington palace ornate staircase

A glamorous collection of royal dresses are available for viewing in the ‘Fashion Rules’ area of the Queen’s quarters.

kensington palace princess diana

Dresses from the Queen, Princess Diana and Princess Margaret dating back over previous decades can be seen and allows visitors an opportunity to take a nostalgic look back at how members of the royal family can be seen in public.

kensington palace london pass attractions

What You Need to Know

Address: Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8

Nearest London Underground Station: High Street Kensington, Notting Hill Gate or Queensway

Ticket Prices: Adult – £15.00 Child – Free (Included in London Pass)

Hours: March to October (10:00AM – 6:00PM); November to February (10:00AM – 5:00PM)

Westminster Abbey

If you have never visited Westminster Abbey, you have no idea what you are missing! We were both culprits of this prior to our recent visit to the Abbey and I can now honestly say that we were both floored by the beauty and rich history that lies within those ancient walls.

westminster abbey london pass attractions

Whether it’s through my own ignorance or lack of knowledge of British history, Westminster Abbey is so much more than I imagined. Immediately we walked through the entrance on our audio driven self-guided tour, I realized that we were in for a real treat.

westminster abbey london

Heather commented that this is more like a walking cemetery and that may be the case with so many tombs and gravestones of iconic Kings and Queens that have previously led this historic nation.

westminster abbey

The grave of the Unknown Warrior is another iconic part of Westminster Abbey and if you are fortunate enough to experience a moment’s silence as we were, the announcer will ask everyone in the Abbey to join in this moment of remembrance.

london pass attractions

I was particularly impressed by Poet’s Corner as all the leading British literature figures could be found with their name engraved in the Abbey. From Wordsworth to Shakespeare, anyone with a hint of significance in British literature is idolized here.

westminster abbey london pass attractions

Even though photography was not allowed inside Westminster Abbey, I think the images of the exterior are spectacular enough to justify taking a tour inside. You don’t need photographs of the interior to appreciate the history, it’s the lifelong memories you create from walking around and listening to the audio guide of the centuries of history that exists within these walls.

What You Need to Know

Address: Westminster Abbey, London SW1P 3PA

Nearest London Underground Station: Westminster

Ticket Prices: Adult – £20.00 Child – £9.00 (Included in London Pass)

Hours: 9:30AM to 3:30PM (Subject to change – check Westminster Abbey website daily for latest times)

Royal Albert Hall

Often sat in the limelight of many of London’s other leading tourist attractions, the Royal Albert Hall is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious venues not only in London but throughout the country. Host to over 150,000 performances from some of the world’s most iconic musicians and performers, the Albert Hall is a vibrant and unique venue that is well worth touring.

royal albert hall london pass attractions

We were fortunate to have an extremely knowledgeable tour guide who gave our small group a guided tour of the Royal Albert Hall and we were even given the opportunity to sit and listen to a number of groups rehearsing for a performance later that evening.

royal albert hall london

You know that this is a pretty spectacular venue when there is a Royal Box for Her Majesty and even another room (Royal Retiring Room) specifically for the Queen and her guests to relax both prior to and after the performances inside the Royal Albert Hall.

london pass attractions

Unfortunately, photography was not allowed inside the Royal Albert Hall, but I was able to capture a shot overlooking the gorgeous theatre.

royal albert hall london england

Dedicated to the late Prince Albert, the Royal Albert Hall was opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria in tribute to her late husband.

albert memorial

The gold-leafed Albert Memorial statue that stands proudly beside the Royal Albert Hall is iconic given that Albert is looking over the Hall which of course, was an intentional design given his fondness towards the arts and his desire to create a venue that could help musicians and artists prosper. I think his wishes came true with this breathtaking venue!

royal albert hall london

What You Need to Know

Address: Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP

Nearest London Underground Station: High Street Kensington and Knightsbridge

Ticket Prices: Adult – £12.20 Child – £5.25 (Included in London Pass)

Hours: April to October (9:30AM – 4:30PM Daily); November to March (10:00AM – 4:00PM Daily)

Thames River Boat Cruises

Trying to explore London for the first time or even on a return visit can be a daunting task. So much to see, so much to experience yet so little time to accomplish everything on your itinerary. Don’t worry, one of the London Pass attractions that will help solve this issue is the Thames River Boat Cruise.

city cruises london

Whether you want to use this as a viable option to get from one attraction to another, or perhaps just take a relaxing couple of hours cruising up and down the Thames River, this is well worth experiencing and a great way to see many of London’s iconic landmarks.

thames river boat cruises london pass attractions

You can hop-on and hop-off at any of the four docks: Westminster, Greenwich, Tower Bridge and the London Eye. The London Pass offers visitors the option of a full day utilizing this pass so don’t think that once you ‘hop-off’ that you can’t use this again!

thames river boat cruises

The stunning panoramic views of London can be seen directly from the cruise boat but of course if you are like us you will be eager to hop-off and experience everything this city has to offer.

london pass attractions

We found the Thames River Boat Cruise to be the perfect mode of transport to get around while at the same time enjoying the experience of being fully engulfed in the gorgeous surroundings.

thames river cruise london

London at its finest can be experienced from this boat so don’t let the opportunity pass…hop on this cruise boat with your London Pass and you won’t be disappointed!

What You Need to Know

Address: Boats depart from one of the following piers: Westminster, London Eye, Tower Bridge and Greenwich

Nearest London Underground Station: High Street Kensington and Knightsbridge

Ticket Prices: Adult – £18.00 Child – £9.00 (24 Hour Day Pass included in London Pass)

Hours: Daily From 10:00AM to 5:00PM (Winter); Longer Hours in Summer.

Summary

If you are visiting London for only 24 or 48 hours and decide to purchase the London Pass, it is essential that you prepare your itinerary prior to visiting the city. This collection of London Pass attractions offers a diverse array of cultural and historical experiences that offers a reflection on the city that will make you want to return in the future.

We are both huge sporting fanatics so taking a trip to Wembley Stadium was an exciting prospect that lived up to our expectations. The other attractions are iconic and of course, what better way to get around the city than by hopping on the Thames River Boat Cruise.

london pass attractions

London is one of our favorite cities (Heather will admit that it is her favorite!) and this array of attractions is just a brief glimpse of why we love this city so much! Regardless of the attractions you choose to visit with or without the London Pass, one thing is for sure, you will encounter lifelong memories each and every time you explore London.

Disclaimer – We were provided 2 complimentary 2-day passes for our trip. These are solely our personal opinions/experiences and we were not financially compensated for this post.


48 Hours in London – Why a London Pass Is the Best Choice?

Chris Boothman
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48 Hours in London – Why a London Pass Is the Best Choice?

London is an epic city with so much to explore and experience, so contemplating spending only 48 hours in London will likely be a daunting prospect. When you are trying to visit a city like London in only 48 hours, you have to be prepared, otherwise time will literally fly by and you will have experienced very little. Make the most of your time in the city and you will have an awesome adventure!

Thankfully this is where the amazing London Pass comes in handy. You don’t need to worry about conducting research on a myriad of attractions around London, instead this is all done for you inside a handy booklet or even an app for your smartphone or tablet. For many of London’s leading attractions, lengthy waiting times can be expected. However, the London Pass already has this covered with Fast Track access to many of the ‘busier’ attractions.

We will take a look at more of the benefits shortly but if you are limited to only 24, 48 or even 72 hours in London, we strongly recommend considering the London Pass as a viable option to make your stay that bit more enjoyable and organized. If you are looking for reasons to visit London, well it’s an endless list with so much to choose from. The London Pass makes life easier and will inevitably ensure that you can make the most of your trip to one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world.

What is the London Pass?

The London Pass is a single, ‘all in one’ sightseeing card that you can purchase online and gain entry into a myriad of attractions in and around London. Free entry to over 60 attractions, museums, and guided tours makes this a popular option for not only first-time visitors to London but also those that are returning to this beautiful city.

48 hours in london

A full listing of the London attractions available with the London Pass can be seen on the London Pass website though new landmarks and locations are frequently being added, making this an extremely lucrative purchase!

As I mentioned, we have visited London a couple of times before and actually used the London Pass during our first visit which was a 3-day trip, but our recent 48 hours in London was a more ambitious attempt and we are grateful for both the benefits of the London Pass.

tower of london

The London Pass is available in several different options. As of December 1, 2015, the available options are 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 6-day and even a 10-day card.

48 hours in london

In addition, you can add a London Oyster travelcard to this for an additional charge which is definitely an incentive if you plan on getting around London using public transportation. Be sure to calculate prior to purchasing this option to see if the cost-savings are enough to justify this.

Benefits of the London Pass

The benefits of purchasing a London Pass are such that it will quickly become a no-brainer that you should pursue this route if you plan on experiencing London’s tourist attractions.

fast track access london pass

Here are a couple of benefits that were important to us:

  • Cost-effective – Determine exactly how many attractions you can feasibly visit during the duration of your visit to London. This is one of the main drawbacks of the London Pass in our opinion because many of the attractions have limited hours all year round, especially in Winter (most close by 5:00PM daily), but you can certainly achieve large savings if you visit enough to cover the cost of the Pass.
  • Fast Track – Attractions such as the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, London Bridge among others are renowned for having long wait times. The London Pass allows you to bypass all these long queues and gain Fast Track access.
  • Itinerary Planning – In addition to this post and others that we have put together on our recommended attractions in and around London, the London Pass website offers a couple of viable alternative itineraries that you can follow. Of course, personal preference will determine which attractions you want to see but the guidebook and informative website will allow you to plan your itineraries in advance of arriving in London.

If you have used the London Pass before, what do you consider to be the main benefits of such a pass?

Our Guide to 48 Hours in London

Before we look at our specific itinerary that we followed during our 48 hours in London, we want to make you aware of a caveat that should be considered – don’t try to see too much in such a short period of time!

westminster abbey

We mentioned earlier that the cost-effectiveness of the London Pass is a huge benefit but on the flip-side this can be a negative because you will be eager to try and see as much as possible. This is perfectly fine but be aware that it can be time-consuming to get from one attraction to another and the limited opening hours make it impossible to see everything.

london pass

Here is a quick guide to how we spent our 48 hours courtesy of the London Pass:

Day 1

  • Wembley Stadium Tour – £19 saving
  • Kensington Palace – £15 saving
  • Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour – £22 saving

Day 2

  • Westminster Abbey – £20 saving
  • Royal Albert Hall – $12.25 saving
  • Thames River Boat Cruise – £18 saving

You may be thinking that we didn’t see much during our time in London, but even with a basic itinerary like this you will save quite a bit of money purchasing the London Pass. Let’s take a look at the savings of the London Pass versus paying at the individual attractions.

48 hours in london

The 2-day London Pass costs £75 per person (£55 for children). As you can see above, the total of the attractions we visited was £106.25 so over £30 savings each! The beauty of the attractions we visited is that we were able to experience a little bit of everything, from the history and heritage of Kensington Palace to the world-famous sporting venue that is Wembley Stadium.

48 hours in london

Both the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour and Thames River Boat Cruise offer an opportunity for visitors to catch an ‘overview’ of London and these are both great ways to get around especially if you choose to decline the Oyster travel card option.

harrods department store

Throw in some time to sample the fine cuisine throughout London and of course, a little retail therapy in Harrods and your time in London will be over before you know it!

Summary

I cannot emphasize enough the benefits of purchasing a London Pass. Even with the ‘light’ itinerary that we experienced above, you can see the value in cost-savings in addition to the other benefits mentioned.

London is a city that will capture your soul the minute you set foot outside of Heathrow airport, so it is critical that you are well-prepared and the London Pass will certainly point you in the right direction to achieving good preparation.

48 hours in london travel card

We strongly recommend purchasing one of these passes with the Oyster travelcard included so that it is a breeze once you arrive at the multitude of London Underground stations. With the hectic London lifestyle, it can be an overwhelming experience fighting the hoards of people scrambling to board the Tube, so to have a travelcard handy in your pocket will make this experience a little less stressful.

48 hours in london

The ultimate experience in London is exploring this beautiful city and spending as much time as you can checking out everything there is to do there. With the London Pass, your time is maximized so be sure to consider this the next time you are heading to the English capital!

Disclaimer – We were provided 2 complimentary 2-day passes for our trip. These are solely our personal opinions/experiences and we were not financially compensated for this post. 

Why ibis Blackfriars Is One of the Trendy Hotels in London?

Chris Boothman
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Why ibis Blackfriars Is One of the Trendy Hotels in London?

If you are visiting London or have visited recently, you will know that you are literally spoiled for choice with hotels. With such a plethora of accommodations to choose from, it is often difficult to know where to start. We love staying in modern establishments so immediately started looking for trendy hotels in London. Questions such as style, budget, location among many others will likely be considered, but we feel like we have the perfect option for you.

If you love ultra-modern and chic hotels, this hotel will be for you. If you are looking for a hotel in a great location, a short distance from a London Underground station and scenic views across the city including the London Eye, this hotel will be for you. Welcome to ibis Blackfriars by the AccorHotels group!

What You Need to Know

Location

ibis Blackfriars is located just a short walk from the Southwark London Underground station. We arrived in London at Heathrow and took the Piccadilly line to Green Park where we changed to the Jubilee line and arrived at Southwark. The travel time is about 45 minutes depending on how busy the Underground system is.

trendy hotels in london

The hotel is located in the Southbank neighborhood of London and has plenty to offer within short walking distance, including the National Gallery, London Eye and London Aquarium.

Address

49 Blackfriars Road,
London,
SE1 8NZ
Tel: (+44)207 633 2720

Rates

Room rates fluctuate at ibis Blackfriars depending on the time of the year you are visiting. Due to the hotel’s prime location, you can expect to pay anywhere from $95-200 per night which in comparison to other hotels in central London is a great price!

Stylish Lobby

After a quick check-in, we walked through the lobby area and marveled at the gorgeous decor that was used to create such a modernistic design. We have stayed at a number of what I would deem to be ‘trendy’ hotels before, but nothing compared to the sophisticated details of the ibis Blackfriars location.

trendy hotels in london

Behind the check-in desk was a large screen focused on promoting the ibis brand, in addition to reminding visitors why they chose to stay at the Blackfriars establishment.

ibis blackfriars london

As we walked past the stylish chairs and tables where guests could be seen relaxing with a drink from the nearby bar, it immediately became apparent that we would enjoy our time here. Vibrant colors including reds and greens could be seen mixed in with the predominantly white interior of the hotel.

trendy hotels in london

If you have shopped at IKEA before, you will know the type of furnishings and decor that I am referring to but it was one of those lobby areas that encourages you to ‘hang out’ and relax rather than spending all of your time in your room.

Relaxation in Your Room

The stylish interior continues throughout the hotel as we headed up the elevator to the tenth floor. Entering our room we immediately gasped at the view that greeted us as we saw the London Eye illuminating the night sky in the distance. The views out of our window were truly spectacular, though this took nothing away from the quality of room.

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night and peering out of your window to a view of the London Eye along with more of London’s infamous skyline. I could certainly get used to that every day!

trendy hotels in london

The continued theme of modern decor was highlighted with a number of nice touches, ranging from the design of the desk to the lighting fixtures that just enhanced the overall experience.

ibis blackfriars trendy hotels in london

The bathroom was impeccably clean with stainless steel fittings that combined perfectly with the crisp, white finish of the walls and walk-in shower.

ibis blackfriars london

The focal point of any hotel room has to be the bed and this was extremely comfortable providing a good nights rest in preparation for exploring the city of London the following day.

ibis blackfriars trendy hotels in london

The ibis brand has recently implemented a new innovative technology in their beds with ‘The Sweet Bed by ibis’ philosophy. These revolutionary new beds comprise the latest technology in bed springs, duvets and of course, fluffy pillows, all of which create the perfect environment to enjoy your stay at ibis Blackfriars.

Our commitment to the welfare of our customers is simple. Our aim is that they fall asleep soothed, calm and perfectly relaxed (ibis)

The overall feel of the room was incredibly relaxing and in fitting with the rest of the hotel emphasized the position of ibis in creating an environment that reflected their modern culture. I love how ibis has created a hotel in London that truly portrays their core values and how it fits perfectly with their mission.

trendy hotels in london

Enjoy a Pint and Delicious Food

We headed back downstairs although I have to say it was difficult leaving such a comfortable bed, but we were ready to enjoy the atmosphere and gorgeous seating in the bar area. The lobby and bar/breakfast area merge together and create a chic looking environment that will encourage you to spend some time here either catching up on some e-mails or just relaxing with a pint or glass of your favorite chardonnay.

ibis blackfriars trendy interior

After ordering a couple of drinks, we found a perfect spot to enjoy the surroundings while at the same time doing a little people watching and noticing just how positive the ambiance of the hotel was.

ibis blackfriars london

All too frequently in hotels you see people complaining, but at ibis Blackfriars everything worked like clockwork and guests were clearly happy to be here. Our drinks were accompanied with a generous serving of peanuts which were a handy late-night snack.

trendy hotels in london

Food is available 24 hours from a select menu but if you visit the bar/restaurant before 10:00PM, you can enjoy a much larger menu with a variety of cuisines to choose from at very reasonable prices.

ibis blackfriars london

Rise and Shine Early with Breakfast

I will openly admit that getting out of our amazing bed was difficult, but the thought of experiencing the delicious buffet breakfast downstairs was a pretty convincing attraction. I am sure you are all familiar with the vast range of quantity and quality available at breakfast buffets in hotels, but don’t worry the ibis brand at the Blackfriars location did not disappoint. In fact I would go as far to say that they far exceeded any expectations we had heading downstairs.

ibis blackfriars breakfast

Our host seated us and pointed us in the direction of the buffet spread which was one of the more impressive selections that I have seen.

ibis blackfriars trendy hotels in london

From your stereotypical hot, English breakfast including sausage, bacon, hash-brown, beans, tomatoes and mushrooms, to a variety of cold-cut selections (ham, cheeses etc.) there was pretty much everything you could imagine.

trendy hotels in london england

Frequently when you have a large selection, you lose a little quality but this was not the case at ibis Blackfriars.

ibis blackfriars london

I enjoyed a Lavazza latte which was a nice touch given that most hotels usually offer plain coffee rather than the sophisticated Italian espressos we have all come to love. Everything about the breakfast experience was a perfect ending to our stay at ibis Blackfriars.

ibis blackfriars by accorhotels group

This certainly provides enough energy for the rest of the day to start exploring the nearby attractions.

Summary

We all have different expectations when staying at hotels around the world. Many of us just want a comfortable bed and a shower, whereas others will want the full experience of relaxing and enjoying everything the hotel has to offer. After staying at ibis Blackfriars, I really think this is the perfect mix of both worlds.

There is a wide selection of new, trendy hotels in London to choose from but I am convinced that ibis Blackfriars would be a great choice for anyone looking for a reasonably priced accommodation option in a great location.

Disclaimer – We were guests of ibis Blackfriars and received a complimentary one night stay in return for consideration of a blog post. The views contained within this post are entirely our personal opinion/experience and we were not financially compensated for this review.

Why Christmas Travel Is the Best Way to Enjoy the Holidays

Chris Boothman
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3
Why Christmas Travel Is the Best Way to Enjoy the Holidays

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word Christmas? Understandably many of you will think about the Birth of Christ or perhaps childhood memories of Santa Claus (sorry folks if you are still clinging to the reality that Santa will be popping down your chimney), but we challenge you to think beyond these obvious answers. Did you know that Christmas was an awesome time of the year to explore the world?

For many of you Christmas travel has probably never even entered your thoughts, so hearing a suggestion that this is an awesome time to travel is probably not something you will believe. Hopefully after reading this post, you will be inspired to consider traveling the world at this time of the year. Let’s take a look at why Christmas travel is worth experiencing.

Why Travel at Christmas?

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of where to spend Christmas, we want to share a couple of reasons why we think traveling at Christmas is one the best times of the year.

Holiday seasons are the time to spend with families, but the value in traveling at Christmas is so great that perhaps the positive outweigh the negatives. If you are still not convinced after reading this post, I have one more suggestion…plan a trip somewhere with all the family!

innsbruck austria christmas travel

There are many misconceptions floating around about Christmas travel and why you should not do this, but after traveling for several years at this time of the year, we believe that this is one of if not the best time to travel.

Of course, we both work at a university where we have two weeks vacation at Christmas so it works great for us in terms of having time off work to travel, but we think that you can make it work too!

Price of Traveling at Christmas

Flying in December is NOT one of the cheapest times of the year to fly. However, Christmas Day IS one of the cheapest days! If you can arrange your travel schedules to fly on December 25, you can frequently find incredibly low fares around the world. Airlines are not offering quite as many great deals as they were a decade ago, but if you are willing to shop around you can find some substantial cost-savings.

We did a quick review of one-way flight prices using Google Flights from New York to Europe on December 23, 24 and 25 and there is quite a substantial saving if you choose to fly on Christmas Day.

christmas markets paris

If you are traveling to Paris for example, it is over $200 cheaper to fly on December 25 as opposed to Christmas Eve. Rome is $150 cheaper and Stockholm is almost half the price if you are willing to leave on Christmas Day.

December 23 – New York City to European Destinations

christmas travel to europe

December 24 – New York City to European Destinations

christmas travel to europe

December 25 – New York City to European Destinations

christmas travel to europe

The overall consensus is that if you are willing to fly on Christmas Day, you can likely find a better deal than any other day around the holiday season.

We flew from Little Rock to Brisbane, Australia via Dallas on Christmas Day a couple of years ago and despite suffering delays and cancelations due to adverse weather conditions, we were able to benefit from a much cheaper round-trip price because our schedules were flexible enough to fly on this day.

TOP TIP – Our recommendation is that you spend Christmas Eve with your families and celebrate the festivities before flying out on Christmas Day and beginning your travels around the world.

Enjoy a White Christmas

It may be a stereotype that many of us pursue, but the reality is enjoying Christmas somewhere in the world with snow falling to the ground is a pretty spectacular scene.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas… (Bing Crosby)

It may be a picture perfect Christmas card scene, but imagine waking up to the sight of snow packed mountains and the sound of bells jingling as you curl up again in front of the warm fireplace.

christmas travel

Enjoying a picturesque scene in the Swiss Alps or perhaps taking a stroll around the Christmas markets in Germany will inspire you to think about Christmas travel this year.

christmas travel

Relaxation After a Long Winter

The Winter months frequently seem to drag, especially when you wake up in the morning to go to work and it’s still dark outside, only to leave work at 5:00PM and you missed all the daylight. Utilizing the Christmas season as an opportunity to break up the normal routine is a great way to relax, regardless of your preference over where to spend Christmas.

christmas travel in switzerland

How can you relax while traveling? The holiday season is one of the most hectic times of the year to travel and can cause chaotic scenes with bad weather and thousands of travelers trying to get home or away on vacation. But if you follow our advice and pick the best travel days during the season, you can avoid the crowded airports and still enjoy an amazing vacation.

zurich christmas travel

When you return home after your Christmas getaway, you will be raring to go in January (maybe!) and Spring will be right around the corner.

Christmas Festivities Around The World

Christmas travel not only allows you to experience a new destination, it can frequently allow you to encounter the local festivities.

winter wonderland hyde park

Walk along The Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris while exploring the local Christmas markets or enjoy the Winter Wonderland experience in Hyde Park in London.

Shop for Yuletide gifts in the enchanting surrounds of the Rhine Valley as you visit some of the most picturesque German Christmas markets

Whatever type of attraction or local festivity you are interested in experiencing, there is something pretty special about the Christmas season.

paris christmas travel

Summary

Traveling at Christmas is a great opportunity to maximize some great deals on flights if you are willing to adjust your schedule to travel on Christmas Day. At the same time, there is nothing quite like experiencing European Christmas markets while sampling some fine mulled wine.

If you have never traveled during the Christmas season, we challenge you to consider this in the future. You never know, you may enjoy this time of the year. Forget taking your main vacation in the heart of June or July and instead opt for a December trip of a lifetime to one of your bucket-list destinations around the world.

11 Best Places to Spend Christmas That Are Not in Europe

Chris Boothman
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11 Best Places to Spend Christmas That Are Not in Europe

Europe attracts visitors from around the globe every year primarily because of the idyllic Christmas markets and perfect weather to hit the slopes and fine-tune your skiing skills. If you read our recent post on the best places where to spend Christmas in Europe, you will know there is a myriad of destinations waiting to be explored. However, what about if you are burned out with all the European hype. Perhaps you want somewhere a little different. We want to share a collaboration of the best places to spend Christmas that are NOT in Europe.

Whether you are celebrating Christmas by the gigantic Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center in New York City, or perhaps surfing the waves Aussie style on Bondi Beach, the ‘rest of the world’ has so much to offer without thinking that Europe is your only option.

Europe has both of our hearts so undoubtedly we love to visit this part of the world, but we are delighted to have our horizons broadened by this wonderful collaboration from many of our friends from around the world who share their favorite Christmas experiences.

Charleston, South Carolina

Thanks to Natalie Vereen-Davis from Cosmos Mariners for recommending Charleston, South Carolina which may be the perfect spot for you this Christmas.

Charleston, South Carolina, might not be on your radar for Christmas destinations–but it should! With mild December temperatures that rarely includes freezing weather and a plethora of fun, coastal-inspired activities, the Holy City knows how to ring in the holidays.

where to spend christmas

Head over to the South Carolina Aquarium to see a scuba diving Santa hanging with the fish and sharks in the 385,000 gallon Great Ocean Tank. Then, take a drive among the palm trees over on James Island to see the annual James Island County Park Festival of Lights (a local favorite!). There are multiple Christmas-themed runs, including the Reindeer Run through historic downtown or the Jingle Bell Run in Mount Pleasant.

If you’re still around for the New Year, join in the fun over on Sullivans Island on January 1st for the Polar Bear Plunge. We might not have snow and ice, but Charleston still brings plenty of Christmas spirit!

Follow Natalie at Cosmos Mariners

Cuba

There are certain places around the world that you would probably never think about visiting and Cuba definitely fits into that category, at least for many Americans. However, we urge you to change this opinion and thanks to Carmen Edelson from Carmen’s Luxury Travel, she may just convince you to pay Cuba a visit for Christmas!

Cuba is a special place to visit especially during the Christmas holidays. Every year on January 6, my family in Cuba celebrates Three Kings Day (El Dia de los Tres Reyes). It’s also known as “Feast of the Epiphany”. Epiphany is when the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem. For Cuban children, this is the most important day of the year when they wake up to find that Los Reyes Magos (the Three Kings) have left gifts for them in their house.

January 5, the eve of Three Kings Day, is similar to our Christmas Eve celebrations, but it symbolizes the end of Christmas. Families gather together for dinner and wait till midnight to give and receive presents. It is to celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men. Just as the Three Wise Men gave gifts to baby Christ, the Spanish give presents to children.

places to spend christmas cuba

Before going to sleep, instead of putting some milk and cookies next to the Christmas tree, children leave grass and water under their bed to feed the camels. Children leave their shoes out the night before or a box, similar to how stockings are left out on Christmas Eve. In some countries, they stuff the shoes with straw or hay for the kings camels. In Cuba for instance, we put the shoes under the bed. The shoes are filled with presents and candy.

Follow Carmen at Carmen’s Luxury Travel

Hawaii

Noel Morata from Travel Photo Discovery thinks that Hawaii is the perfect spot for Christmas celebrations…and why not after you read about such awesome parades and experiences that you can have in the Land of Aloha!

Christmas in Hawaii is filled with the typical Christmas parades, Christmas fairs and music festivals and a variety of small to large-scale events. The major difference is the tropical nature, the aloha that the locals share and the varied foods that come out during the holiday season.

hawaii at christmas

All the islands have their own special events that happen during the holidays so it’s not easy to always pick just one island to enjoy the holidays. The above image shows one of my favorite parades that happen in East Hawaii on the Big Island.

Follow Noel at Travel Photo Discovery

New Orleans, Louisiana

Who doesn’t love a trip to New Orleans at any time of the year? We love the cajun and creole cuisine so when Katherine Belarmino from Travel the World shared her experiences on NOLA, we were raring to share this with you! Let’s take a look at why she thinks New Orleans should be on your bucket list of Christmas destinations.

Last year we chose to celebrate the holidays in New Orleans, and it turned out to be one of the best places we have visited during the Christmas season. We think Christmas in New Orleans is best because Christmas lasts longer in NOLA.

new orleans at christmas

Christmas doesn’t end on December 25. Rather, in NOLA, Christmas lasts until January 6, which is the date of the epiphany, so the city stays decorated for almost two weeks after Christmas. This also means you can celebrate Christmas morning with family at home, then hop on a plane and enjoy a destination Christmas.

Christmas in New Orleans even has its own dinner menu. Réveillon is an old Creole custom, a meal enjoyed after returning from midnight mass. Now New Orleans restaurants offer a special réveillon dinner menu for the holiday season.

Follow Katherine at Travel the World

New York City, New York

A list of potential Christmas destinations wouldn’t be the same without the ultimate 24-hour city of the world – New York City! Andrew Tolentino from Dish Our Town shares his thoughts on why NYC should be at the top of your list in 2015.

As is the life in the City that is New York, that people find the need to escape to somewhere else during holidays. Which I, too, am inclined to do, save one, the Christmas Season. “There’s no place like home for the Holidays”, as the song goes. I happen to agree. Why leave a place that millions spend their hard earned dollars to visit during this time? There must be something to it.

How the city celebrates the Holidays is incomparable. Bookending the Season, are the world famous, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and The New Year’s Eve Ball Drop at Times Square. In between are a host of wonderful events, not the least of which is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.

new york city at christmas

Though there are traffic and crowds, they seem to somehow be overcome by the angelic rings of Church bells and choirs. Every tree, not just the big one, seems to be sparkling along with the smiles on people’s faces.

Children can be children, and adults can be children as they skate around some of the most famous ice-rinks in the world. There’s shopping for the ladies, drinks for the gentlemen and of course, shows for the kids – did I mention that’s just 5th Avenue?

Follow Andrew and Brenda at Dish Our Town

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Who is ready to enjoy Christmas on the beach? Lance Longwell from Travel Addicts shares his ideas of why spending Christmas in a tropical location is the best way to relax during the holiday season.

One of our favorite holiday destinations is St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We live in the Northeast where it’s cold and miserable. We’ve found ourselves here for several different holidays and have always loved it.

where to spend christmas

And what’s not to love? The weather is warm, there’s lots of sunshine and there is something magical about the sand between your toes as you walk along the beach sipping a delicious adult beverage.

There’s nothing better than escaping to the Virgin Islands for a little tropical therapy every Christmas!

Follow Lance and Laura at Travel Addicts

San Francisco, California

Having visited San Francisco before and fallen in love with this city, we are delighted to share Carole Terwiliger Meyers experiences on this beautiful city and why she thinks this is the perfect spot for a Christmas vacation.

San Francisco is the best place to celebrate anything, including Christmas. The big department stores around Union Square put up some elaborate decorations, and the square itself hosts ice skating.

san francisco at christmas

One of the annual Christmas events here that I have enjoyed numerous times is the Great Dickens Christmas Festival, which takes place in the south of the city in a huge hall that is transformed magically into Victorian London.

A highlight is attending and dancing at an ongoing party with Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig. And there is always the chance you will run into the female Santa Claus.

Follow Carole at Travels With Carole

Sante Fe, New Mexico

If you are looking for somewhere a little different, consider Santa Fe, New Mexico. Billie Frank from Santa Fe Travelers shares her experiences and perhaps the local folklore will convince you that a trip to New Mexico is worthwhile.

If someone told you that you had to choose one night and one night only to spend in Santa Fe pick Christmas Eve. It is like no other night here. The highlight of the evening is the Canyon Road Farolito Walk. It’s magical!

santa fe new mexico

The historic street is lit by farolitos (paper bags filled with sand and a lit candle), “fauxlitos” (the plastic, electrified version that come in strings) and by luminarias (small bonfires made from piñon wood). Local lore says these light the way for the birth of Baby Jesus.

The narrow byway, closed off to traffic, is packed with people, about 30,000 (Santa Fe’s population is about 80K) are likely to show up between 5pm when the road closes and around 10pm when it reopens. Some people don festive lights, while other wear bells that gently tinkle in the cold air.

Every now and then you’ll encounter a spontaneous group singing Christmas carols; stop and join in. If it happens to snow, well, that takes this storybook setting over the top.

Follow Billie at Santa Fe Travelers

Stowe, Vermont

Looking for a traditional Christmas setting? The small state of Vermont in North-East USA may well be the perfect spot for you especially in the picture perfect setting that frequently offers a White Christmas. Amy from Two Drifters shares her thoughts on Vermont.

One of the absolute best places to spend the Christmas season is a place which could not be more traditionally festive. The state of Vermont, where I lived for 10 years, is one of the most picturesque and cozy places to be. The ideal area to go is Stowe, Vermont. This is a ski town ringed by gorgeous mountains with a quaint downtown village.

where to spend christmas vermont

Stroll down the brick sideways sipping local hot chocolate and admiring the scenery and the twinkling lights strung above. Afterward, take a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh, go ice skating on a nearby pond, or head up to the Trapp Family Lodge, a hotel owned by the Von Trapp family immortalized in the Sound of Music.

According to locals, the Von Trapps chose to settle in Vermont because it reminded them so much of the glorious snowy peaks of Austria. While you’re in Vermont don’t forget to enjoy some Cabot cheddar cheese, Lake Champlain chocolates, and of course, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. VT is all about amazing food!

Follow Amy at Two Drifters

Sydney, Australia

After visiting Australia in 2012 for Christmas and New Year, I can certainly understand the attraction of the ‘Land of Oz’ for travelers around the world. Roma Small from Roaming Required shares her experiences ‘Down Under’ and why Sydney in particular, is the perfect spot for a Christmas vacation.

So, let me paint you a picture of a typical Aussie Christmas. It’s hot, there are endless blue skies and some tunes blaring out of a speaker in your backyard. The sun is beating down on you set up the blow-up pool for the kids. So you grab some of the extra brolleys you use for the beach, (because it rarely rains here!) and have the boys fire up the BBQ ready for the crowds to arrive.

sydney at christmas

Your friends & family turn up each with two eskys. One’s filled with raw meat & marinating seafood, the other is full of ice and chilling drinks. Your aunty May arrives with her box of wine, to the snickers of the adolescents that make fun of her goon.

The boys stand around in a huddle, beers in hand, and carefully consider the order of cooking. BBQ real estate is precious and the cooking process is (apparently) a complicated one. Nods of agreement and the garlic prawns go on, as they’re always quick to cook. Chicken, snags & the steaks will find their place on the grill soon enough.

sydney australia at christmas

As the day progresses, presents are unwrapped, dorky paper hats are donned by most (not those moody teenagers!) and laughter ensues.

We don’t sit around a fire and sing Christmas carols, it’s a fluid affair. Up and down to the BBQ outside, keep an eye on the kids in the pool. Remembering not to leave Aunty May napping outside in the sun, she’ll burn in a few minutes!

Christmas in Australia is mad fun and it’s completely different to most places in the world. As an expat, you soon realize that it’s about what you know to be normal, and to me, Christmas isn’t Christmas unless you have sweat running down your back.

Follow Roma at Roaming Required

Tahiti

Looking for the ultimate, ‘best of the best’ in terms of luxury destinations to spend Christmas? How does Tahiti sound? Mar from Once in a Lifetime Journey shares her experience of visiting this gorgeous Polynesian island in 2014 (plus find out how she was able to spend Christmas in two different countries!).

In 2014, I spent Christmas away from home for the first time and in no other place than Tahiti, in French Polynesia. Technically European territory, as it still belongs to France, Tahiti is a small island in the South Pacific that may come to mind as the dreamy escape of Paul Gauguin. Think frangipani flowers, grass skirts and rugged mountain tops surrounded by shallow motus. It was paradise, in the most obvious definition of the word.

tahiti where to spend christmas

I was staying at the fabulous Intercontinental Tahiti and took advantage of their sprawling brunch and Polynesian entertainment show to eat as much poisson cru as my body could possibly handle, then burn the calories off by joining the dancers for a wavey and balmy performance. 

spend christmas in tahiti

I spent the rest of the day road tripping the raw island, stopping by to say hi to the many locals who were enjoying the day at the beach or in one of the lakes and national parks. It was, no doubt, very different from the usual Christmas Day I would spend back home in Barcelona, yet the Christmas feel was still there, families still gathered together and food was still shared.

Follow Mar at Once in a Lifetime

Summary

Wow…what a diverse array of destinations around the world that each celebrates Christmas differently but offer an awesome experience for visitors! Whether you are looking to spend Christmas on the beach or perhaps learn a different culture, surely you are now convinced that you need to think outside the box and consider alternatives to your hometown this Christmas holiday.

We would like to thank all of our contributors from around the world for sharing such breathtaking experiences. I know that we are inspired to keep traveling and look forward to spending Christmas in many of these gorgeous spots in the near future!

Weekend Wanderlust


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