Iceland. A place of astounding natural beauty. A place once many had heard of, but few had the privilege of visiting. That is until Iceland implemented an extended layover plan for up to seven days to boost tourism to the island. Today, it’s one of the top destinations to visit in the world as well as one of the best layover destinations and is on everyone’s bucket list. As such, there is not much more I can say about Iceland that hasn’t already been said for this tiny island in the Atlantic. So, instead, I’ll just show you some of the highlights of the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik!

Europe is already an intriguing place to visit, as well as the most popular tourist destination in the world. But before you traverse this beautiful continent, why not learn about the royal past of Europe, of the kings and queens who shaped the continent as well as built some of the most stunning castles and palaces in Europe, all the while leading tumultuous lives behind closed doors filled with gossip, rivalries, heartbreak and more!

While Venice might be the world’s most famous canal town, there are so many other places to visit in Europe which are equally as beautiful, graced by winding waterways, charming arched bridges and romantic canal boats casually streaming down river. Over 60,000 people descend on Venice every day, threatening its future. So, if you’ve ever dreamed about strolling through a romantic canal city but aren’t fond of the crowds, I’m here to share with you a collaboration of picturesque canal cities in Europe that aren’t Venice!

Though I have traveled extensively through England, I have still yet to see it all. But of all the towns I have visited in England, nowhere is perhaps more ‘Medieval’ than York. An amazing 13th century wall still encircles the town, narrow streets with timber-framed houses twist and turn in a spider-like web with the York Minster at the heart of it all. The town bustles with modern cafes, restaurants, shops & museums while still holding on to the city’s heritage with traditional pubs, markets and antique shops. But why should you visit? It’s not exactly an easy day trip from London after all.

Barely a blip in my travel guide for England about Chatsworth House makes me cringe at the thought that many people who visit England have probably never heard of one of the top 10 English country houses in the country. Located in the heart of the Peak District, rolling hillsides scattered with rich stately homes beautifully blended together alongside ancient stone villages. Of them all, Chatsworth House makes for a wonderful day trip in the East Midlands. 

Gracefully spread out across six counties, the Cotswolds are the epitome of charm. If you’re looking for the perfect day trip from London, look no further than the tangle of golden villages, thatched-roof cottages, quaint little town churches, ancient mansions as well as a plethora of cream teas and organic local produce. The Cotswolds are just stupid pretty and it doesn’t get more picturesque than this!

London – Europe’s largest city and one of the most famous capitals in the world. Incredibly iconic, vibrant and diverse, London is for everyone. There are a plethora of attractions, museums, historical sites, modern architectural structures, theaters, cafes, pubs and restaurants to fit everyone’s desires! For first-timers to London, it can all seem a bit overwhelming trying to figure out where to begin, what should you see in London and how to cram it all in in a short amount of time without going overboard.

About an hour and half southwest of Copenhagen is Denmark’s third largest town, Odense, on the island of Funen. Not your typical tourist hot spot, especially amid a bitterly cold winter. While recently being a guest at the Langesø Castle, we drove into Odense to learn more about the area and one person in particular: Hans Christian Andersen.

Afternoon tea, quite possibly one of the most quintessential English customs, which has quite recently become rather mainstream. Throughout the United Kingdom, there is no shortage of opportunities to have a sit down with a good cuppa tea and a variety of scones and desserts! But, the pleasure of enjoying an afternoon tea is so much more than just scones and sandwiches and dates back to the 19th century. So, sit down, make a cuppa tea and snuggle up to read this post of amazing places for afternoon tea around the world!

In my previous post about Gdańsk, I showed you how beautiful and colorful the city was, but that was only the beginning! When I knew we would be visiting Gdańsk, I told my friend who would be showing us around that if there was enough time, I absolutely had to see some of the interesting street art located near the city. She willingly obliged us with a quick tour of an area of Gdańsk called Zaspa – a residential district with large Soviet style apartment buildings with an empty canvas on each side of the building perfect for locals to express themselves on!