Solo Trip Snapshots, Iceland, RebeccaWanderlusting

Hiking Mount Esja, Iceland

On September 20, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Iceland, International Travel3 Comments

Mount Esja, which can be seen in the background of Reykjavik in most photos, is just a quick hop, skip and jump from downtown. I was very lucky to have such amazing AirBnb hosts that drove me there on their way to a family event. As we got close, Hulda pointed out her old neighborhood, school and stomping grounds; this area was where she grew up.

When they dropped me off in the parking lot, they explained how I would get back and were off. When I reached the trail head, I made my best guess as to which trail was the scenic route to the top, as the sign was in Icelandic.

I chose a path to my right and walked happily along, realizing about a half mile in that I was headed in the opposite direction as the mountain I wanted to be on top of. The walk was beautiful, taking me through fields of wild flowers, wooded areas, and on wobbly bridges over streams.

Eventually I made it to the top of a hill where a couple were taking photos, and I asked them how to get to the top of Mount Esja. They pointed me in the direction from which they came and said I would come to a fork in the trail, which would put me on the right path. While the detour was very pretty, I was happy to be on my way.

The path consisted of loose gravel and was extremely steep, and after each switchback it became even steeper than before. I had to bribe myself with water and bites of cliff bar to keep going. Truth be told, this is probably one of the hardest hikes I’ve ever done. The views from each switchback was gorgeous, especially with the sun coming up, reflecting off the lake below and making it look metallic.

There were two paths that went to the top, and I chose to go up the steeper trail and down the longer, more scenic trail. I thought the steeper trail might be quicker, and maybe it was, but it was also pretty rough. The terrain was rocky and a little precarious in places, so much so that I had to move in an awkward crawl, pulling myself up the steep hill with my hands.

When I reached Steinn, the first summit, I stopped for some water and tried to decide if I wanted to keep going. The wind had picked up and the path to the very top looked a little intimidating. I asked a man passing by if it was safe to keep going up with the wind as it was, and he said “Ehhhh yeah, is not so bad.” Then I asked him if it was OK for beginner hikers and he said “Sure it is.”

So I started climbing up. The path was tricky, with multiple paths sprouting from what I thought was the main trail. I saw a climber above me slip, and slide down the gravel until he caught himself on a rock, which was my cue to head back down. I wasn’t confident that my legs, which felt like jelly, wouldn’t betray me and send my clumsy butt tumbling down the mountain.

As I turned to go, I saw the gentleman I was speaking with earlier pass me going up a different path. I waved and kept moving. As soon as I started down the longer path back down to the bottom, I slipped on the gravel and fell right on my ass, scraping my hands on the way down. I brushed myself off and kept moving, glaring at the super humans that were actually jogging past me like it was a high school track and not a rocky slip’n’slide.

The scenery was so beautiful that I felt like I had accidentally walked onto a movie set. There was a creek that ran along the path that was crossed a couple of times along the way over the most picturesque bridges and stepping stones. I really couldn’t believe how stunning the view was, which was probably why I kept tripping over my feet.

The last 15 minutes of my hike were probably the most tiring, a feeling that was made worse by the sight of the bus back downtown pulling out of the parking lot as I was getting so close to the ground. The next one was an hour and a half away, so I stopped into the café at the bottom of the mountain for a late lunch. Esjustofa Restaurant opens daily at 11:00am and serves soups, sandwiches, pizza and beverages. I got a sandwich and a latte and settled in to write for a bit. The food was typical café fare, but the guy behind the counter was very kind and helpful.

I caught the #57 bus to a bus terminal closer to downtown, and then the #12 bus back to the Airbnb (which can also be taken to downtown Reykjavik). When I got back, Hulda explained that it was probably good that I didn’t hike to the top because a few people fall down the mountain and break a couple bones each year. So I guess I made the right decision! Mount Esja was a wonderful, beautiful, challenging hike, and, with its close proximity to the city, it is a perfect day trip from Reykjavik. Here are a couple of tips if you choose to visit Mount Esja:

Bring plenty of water and a snack, you will need it
Wear good hiking boots or gym shoes and warm clothes
Bring a hat that will cover your ears and fight the wind
Enjoy the scenery! But maybe stop walking to do so
It’s okay to only make it up to Steinn, most people turn around there too

Have you ever hiked in Iceland? Where’s your favorite hiking spot there?

Budget-Friendly Ways to Indulge Your Wanderlust, RebeccaWanderlusting

Exploring Reykjavik

On September 18, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Iceland, International Travel8 Comments

I landed in Iceland at 7:00am after a restless flight, so I was tired and a little bit crabby when I found the Grayline Bus that would take me into Reykjavik. But, by the time it arrived into the main station (just outside the city) the surrounding scenery had roused me out of my half-conscious; my first impression of the impressively beautiful country did not disappoint.

The main station was very close to where I was staying, in an AirBnB. I had to walk along a highway to get there and cross into a neighborhood that housed the apartment where I would be staying, Mount Esja looming behind me the whole walk. My hosts very graciously allowed me to drop off my bags well before check in time, and then, going above and beyond their hosting duties, drove me downtown so that I could start exploring.

My host, Hulda, pointed out where I would catch the bus back to their apartment and dropped me off at one end of the pedestrian walkway, where I started walking with no real direction in mind. The streets in Reykjavik are pretty easy to navigate once you get the hang of it, and most of the shops and restaurants are on two main strips. Because it was so early when I arrived, not many places were open quite yet, so I strolled and window shopped.

Café Paris was one of the few places that were open, so I jumped at the chance for some breakfast and went in. It was a seat yourself kind of place so I sat and ordered a latte and a croissant with ham and cheese and jam when prompted. The café, turned bar in the evening, was cute and relaxed in the way that all European cafes seem to be. The food was good, and they served Illy espresso, which is my favorite so I was a happy camper.

From Café Paris, I walked over to the harbor to see the Harpa music hall and the Sun Voyager. This walk along the coast was so peaceful and gorgeous. I think it was at this moment, being next to the sea, walking in the sunshine that I felt like I had made it, and I was so happy to be in Iceland. The Sun Voyager, which was swamped with tourist hopping of buses to take a picture with the famous statue, had a beautiful view behind it, with the ocean in the forefront and the mountains beyond.

Back towards the downtown area was the Kolaportid Flea Market, which is only open on the weekends. The market was certainly interesting to walk through, though I didn’t buy anything. It’s funny how the kitschy gifts and antiques differ from country to country. This market has a little bit of everything, from the itchy wool lopapeysa sweaters to books and records to antiques to classic Icelandic cuisine. It was a lively place to be, with locals and tourists alike browsing through the stalls.

I decided to walk over to the famous church in Reykjavik, Hallgrimskirkja, to see the view from the top. The church is at the top of the pedestrian walkway. Outside, the church is architecturally beautiful, and inside it is stunning, especially the huge, gilded organ on the wall above the entry.

The ticket to go up to the top of the church is $8, and well worth it for the views. After taking a small (6 person max) elevator to the 8^th floor, you have a 360 degree view of the city, which can be seen from the church windows, while standing on a step stool for a better vantage point.

Once I left the church, it started raining, which it did on and off for the rest of the day, so I dodged in and out of shops and restaurants along the pedestrian street. Many of the stores along this popular street are adorable, but very expensive so I didn’t end up purchasing anything. I did love the beautiful clothing at Geysir, the cute designs at Aurum and the charming home goods and accessories at Hrím Hönnunarhús. I popped into Svarta Kaffid, a restaurant that serves only soup in bread bowls and drinks to go with it.

This hearty meal was exactly what I needed after being out in the cold, wet weather. It was a small, cozy restaurant with Icelandic beer on tap, and I was happy to settle in for a bit to try and wait out the rain. It eventually cleared up and I headed over to the Iceland Culture House Museum which was free to enter and offered a unique look into Icelandic art and history.

It wasn’t very crowded, so I was free to take in the exhibits at a leisurely pace. The general theme was how Icelandic Artists interpret their country’s history in various mediums. I really enjoyed visiting this museum! At this point, jet lag set in hard, so I found a convenience store, where I purchased a ten ride pass for the bus (a decision I later regretted – such an unnecessary expense).

I took the bus back to my Airbnb, a 15 minute ride outside of downtown, and took it easy for the rest of the day. Reykjavik is such an easy city to fall in love with; it’s walkable, easy to navigate, and cute and colorful. After one day of exploring, I was already smitten.

Have you ever been to Reykjavik? Which city attraction was your favorite?

A Quick Euro Trip Recap

On September 13, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn International Travel, Trip PlanningLeave a comment

Hi all!

I’m back in the states after ten days of being in Iceland and Denmark and doing my best to keep the jet lag monster at bay with copious amounts of coffee. This trip was amazing, life-changing even, and I’m happy and proud to have been able to do it on my own. It’s always a great feeling to come home from a trip that met and exceeded all of your expectations.

Though there were some bumps in the road (oh hi spending $40 on bus passes I gave away at the end of the trip and drunk man who tried to grab me on the street in Reykjavik!), I had a wonderful time in both countries and wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything.

In my packing list and budget, I promised a trip recap on both accounts. As for the packing list, I wore everything I packed at least once (mostly more than once) . The Packing MVP award goes to the Shout Stain Remover Wipes for saving me from a coffee spill disaster and my Mophie mobile phone battery! I could have done without the towel I brought, everywhere I would have needed it provided towels for me.

As far as the budget is concerned, I under spent by about $200, which was far better than I was expecting! Both countries are very expensive, Iceland more so than Denmark. To compensate for this, I didn’t drink much in Iceland, and when I did, I took advantage of the many Happy Hours there. The Copenhagen Card that I prepaid for got me into many of the museums and attractions there, so that helped me stay in my budget too. I didn’t buy many souvenirs, only a couple of things for my family and Mike.

I’ll be posting more about both of these amazing destinations in the very near future, but until then, here are a few of my favorite photos from this trip:

Stay tuned for more details and photos from Iceland and Copenhagen!

Trip Planning Milwaukee, RebeccaWanderlusting

Trip Planning: Milwaukee, WI

On September 9, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip Planning3 Comments

A couple of weeks after I return from my trip to Europe (which I am currently enjoying – Hello from Copenhagen!), Mike is taking me on a little weekend getaway to Milwaukee, WI. While I have been to this city a few times, mostly for concerts, this will be my first time staying overnight there. Funnily enough, the original reason we were going to Milwaukee in the first place is because we have tickets to a Thrice (one of Mike’s favorite bands) show at the Rave/Eagle’s Club (the last time I was at this venue was to see All American Rejects when I was 15 and in love with Tyson Ritter). Because I am going solo to Europe, we thought it might be nice to have a little romantic weekend away together once I came home, so we made a trip out of it. Milwaukee is only an hour and a half drive from Chicago, which makes it a perfect destination for a quick vacation. It will be very nice to get a little time to ourselves while exploring a new city together. Here is the breakdown of our trip planning Milwaukee, WI:

Trip Planning Milwaukee, Visit Milwaukee — *Photo Via Visit Milwaukee*

Where we will be staying:

The Hilton Milwaukee City Center*

*Mike picked this swanky hotel and surprised me with the reservation. I think he did pretty good!

What we will do:

The Lakefront Brewery Tour (which came highly recommended by almost everyone I talk to about Milwaukee)
The Public Market
Cactus Club for cocktails and live music
North Point Lighthouse
Wisconsin Cheese Mart (my personal version of heaven)
Milwaukee Arts Museum
Riverview Antique Market

What we will eat:

County Clare for brunch
Cafe Benelux
Leon’s for custard
Comet Cafe
Kegel’s Inn for Friday Fish Fry

Resources:

Adventurous Kate – “Milwaukee Rocks! Who Knew?“
Drink Tea & Travel – “Sunday City Guide: What to Do in Milwaukee, USA“
Twirl the Globe – “Bikes, Brats & Beers Tour in Milwaukee, WI“

Have you been to Milwaukee? Please share any Milwaukee, WI travel tips in the comments!

5 Notes on Road Tripping with a Baby

On September 6, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip Planning1 Comment

This post is brought to you by my wonderful sister, Molly Reis, the talented mama of my beautiful nieces and author of Blogging the In-Between.

We took two trips this summer with the family – one to Tennessee (a 10-hour drive each way) and one to northern Wisconsin (a 4-and-a-half-hour drive each way). This is how we planned, what we learned and what worked for us in our travels. Most of it was trial and error. This is by no means a perfect solution for the adventure that is traveling with a baby; however, I do hope what we learned can help you. Enjoy your journey!

ZIPLOC BAGS – They just make organization so easy! Get ready for a new best friend! We used the bags to make everything grab-and-go ready. We brought: pjs, outfits, extra tops, extra bottoms, eating supplies, swimming supplies, and blankets and burp cloths. It was nice not to have to think about what we’d need and when and to just have our supplies ready no matter what our trip threw at us. Also, the Ziploc bags allowed us to fit everything nicely into our Thirty-One bag, which was awesome. I highly recommend it (or something similar) because it fit all the babe’s things and was easy to store in the trunk.

BOUNDARIES – Set your limits and stick to them! If traveling with family or friends (or even if you’re not), be prepared to stick to your guns a bit. You know what your little one needs. If that means you need to duck out early or make dinner reservations for 5:00 instead of “going with the flow” to be flexible for everyone else, then that’s what you do. We wanted to keep our girl’s nighttime routine as close to normal as possible, so we insisted on eating dinner no later than 6 or being able to leave early if we needed to. We were with family, so it wasn’t a big deal. But I’m sure whoever you are with will understand.

BREAKS – Plan on a longer travel time. We needed to stop about every two hours to give the babe a break. We planned feedings and changings around those breaks. If your child is old enough, you can stop at places that offer a little grass or space to run around so she can stretch her legs a bit. Of course, if your baby is still taking three- to four-hour naps, you can probably stop less frequently.

TRICKS – I wish I had a one-size-fits-all trick to make a road trip with a little one easier, but, as I’m sure you know, every baby is different. Here are some things that worked for us, though: Baby Einstein videos (on my phone, using Guided Access so she couldn’t do anything but watch), rolling the windows down every so often, lots of snacks, and music. I also had a basket of toys in the backseat that I kept out of sight for the week or so before our trip. Some people recommend sitting in the backseat, but we found that more distracting than beneficial. It just made her want me to hold her even more, which was torture for both of us. She did better on her own, when she could just play or eat or zone out on her own terms.

FLEXIBILITY – While it is important to know your and your little one’s limitations, it’s just as important to be flexible. You’re not at home – you’re working outside of your normal routine. To expect your baby to behave normally is unrealistic. He might not eat as much or nap at the same intervals. We had to come to terms with the fact that our girl was just going to have to make do with naps in the car as we traveled from place to place on our trip. If we could get back to the cabin early for an afternoon nap before meeting everyone for dinner, great! But we had to be flexible. Trying to stick to the normal routine all day might make you a bit crazy. You’re not in a normal situation – it’s okay for you to put a pin in the schedule until you’re back home. Again, you know your baby best. Follow her cues and trust her instincts.

What are your best tips for traveling with babies? What has worked and what hasn’t worked so well?

Creating a Travel Capsule Wardrobe | RebeccaWanderlulsting

Europe Packing List

On September 2, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip PlanningLeave a comment

Today is the day I finally stop talking about this trip and actually leave for Iceland, en route to Copenhagen. And it has finally hit me that this is actually happening. I am nervous and excited and ready for a new adventure. Before I go, I need to pack, which is a project in and of itself. While it’s been a bit stressful with everything else I have going on lately, I really don’t mind packing. With the search for the perfect hiking boots that also had to be suitable for wearing out and my best attempt at packing a travel capsule wardrobe, it’s been a fun process. What’s been the most difficult is trying to plan for the unpredictable climates of Iceland, while still trying to bring clothes I’ll be happy wandering around Copenhagen in. I had to edit the list down quite a bit because I am trying to pack lightly, and I think I’ve finally got it down. I’ll be bringing my Samsonite rolling suitcase (which will be my checked bag), a backpack (my carry-on) and my Madewell Tote (personal item) with me. So, without further ado, here is my Europe Packing List, broken down by bag:

Madewell Tote:

Notebook & Pens
Passport
Bill Bryson book (“Neither Here Nor There”)
Mophie
iPad with “Girl on a Train” on it
iPhone Charger
Face Wipes (1/2)
Bandaids
Water Bottle
Small purse with wallet

Backpack:

(1) Outfit – socks (1/10), undies (1/10), bra (1/3), jeans, tank top, long sleeve shirt
2nd Mophie
Camera
Tripod
Makeup Bag
Deoderant
Brush
Cliff Bars

Rolling Bag:

Socks (9/10)
Undies (9/10)
Bras (1/3)
Sports Bra
Tights
Swimsuit
Tank top
(4) T-shirts
Long Sleeve Shirt
Sweater
Blouse
Chambray Top
Dress
Skirt
Leggings
Pajamas
Flip Flops
Flats
Sorrel Boots
Towel
Toiletry bag
Jewelry pouch

What would you bring on a Scandinavian Adventure? How does my list stack up?

Favorite Travel Memories, Top Five Friday, RebeccaWanderlusting

New Orleans, Louisiana – Revisited

On August 30, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Louisiana, US Travel1 Comment

The city of New Orleans, Louisiana had captivated me long before I ever visited it. I had romanticized the city so much that I knew it needed to be my next trip. Enter Michael. On something like our fourth date, I mentioned my obsession with New Orleans, and he simply said, “well, let’s go then.” I didn’t really think he was being serious, but a few weeks later we were booking our hotel and planning a road trip there. We drove to New Orleans with an overnight stop in Nashville, TN, arriving in Louisiana just in time for dinner. That was two years ago today. Our time in New Orleans was amazing, and though we encountered a few bumps along the way, we didn’t fight once, which is no small feat for a new-ish couple during a 16 hour drive!

Each day was a new adventure, and each night was spent wandering on and around Bourbon Street, Big Ass Beer in hand. My favorite memory of this Louisiana trip is our first full day there: we walked all day, in the rain, popping into stores and bars to try to get dry and toasty. In my humble opinion, New Orleans is prettiest in the rain. While we were there, it was also Southern Decadence, which is NOLA’s pride celebration. This meant that in addition to rain drops, beads and small tubes of lube also fell from the sky. It was a fun festival to partake in and I am glad that our time there fell on the same weekend. This trip is among my all-time favorites for a lot of reasons, but here are nine places and activities that made it so great:

Omni Royal Crescent Hotel: This hotel is a real class act. We ~~lied~~ told them it was our anniversary and they upgraded our room and sent champagne up right after we checked in. Their beds are the comfiest clouds of white linen and their bathrooms are huge. Plus, the location was perfect for us – out of the excitement, but close enough that we could walk almost everywhere we wanted to go.
Cochon Restaurant: We had our first meal in New Orleans here and it gave such a great first impression. Everything we ate was delicious and the atmosphere was very warm and inviting. The restaurant is in the Warehouse District of the city, so it is the perfect place to start out your night if you plan on going out in style. Fair warming: make reservations!
William Faulkner House: Located in a cobblestone alley next to Jackson Square, the William Faulkner house sits perfectly preserved in time. The first floor is a charming bookstore, featuring beautifully bound copies of all the classics. Faulkner wrote his first novel here and it’s a very inspiring place to visit.
Verti Marte: This hidden gem is about a ten minute walk from Bourbon Street and makes the most amazing sandwiches. We had the All That Jazz Sandwich which featured shrimp, deli meat and veggies and was easily one of the best meals we had in New Orleans. The sandwich shop is within a small market and tends to have a line running through it. Be patient though, it’s worth it!
Barataria Preserve: I touched upon this in last week’s blog, but I really, really loved this portion of the Jean Lafitte National Park. We took a four mile hike through the swamp in search of gators and it was amazing. BUT! Learn from our mistake and bring water, not coffee, to quench your thirst while you hike.
Mango Mango: I know, before you say it, I know these slushie/pizza joints or one like it are on every other corner in New Orleans, but hear me out. After hours of drinking and wandering, the pizza at Mango Mango is a lifesaver. It’s perfectly cheesy and thin-crusted and just greasy enough to give you a second wind.
Louis Armstrong Park: If you want to get away from the drinking and debauchery of Bourbon Street, or just want a quiet place to drink your Mango Mango hurricane slushie, Louis Armstrong Park is the place to do it. The park is beautiful and peaceful with well-maintained grounds, ponds and statues of Jazz Greats, like Mr. Armstrong himself.
Carousel Bar: Located in Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter, the aptly named Carousel Bar is truly unique. They offer classic cocktails that are freshly made in the center bar as you rotate slowly around it. The drinks are delicious and the bar is gorgeous. The spinning may cause a tiny bit of motion sickness, but I promise it is worth it.
City Park/Lake Pontchartrain: Both of these must-see spots are just a short drive from downtown, and are so, so pretty. You could easily spend a whole afternoon at either destination, but we visited on our last day of our trip which means we were rushing a bit. Both locations would be perfect for a picnic. We strolled through City Park, enjoying the gardens and then moved to the lake to soak in the Louisiana sun on the concrete steps surrounding it.

There were a couple things we missed during this trip that we really wanted to see, including Preservation Hall, Longue Vue House and Marie Laveau’s grave that definitely would have made this list had we been able to visit them. Hopefully that means that we can go back soon and check them out!

Have you ever been to NOLA? Which are your favorite places there?

Top Five Friday #15

On August 26, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday2 Comments

Happy 100 Year Anniversary National Parks System!

In honor of the 100^th Anniversary of the United States National Parks Service (which was actually yesterday, I know), this is a very special Top 5 Friday post. These parks are a huge part of what makes America truly beautiful. The National Parks have been a huge part of my personal relationship with travel. Thanks to my parents, I grew up learning about geysers in Yellowstone National Park, climbing mountains in Olympic National Park and hugging sequoias in Yosemite National Park and visited countless other beautiful parks on family vacations.

I have many, many fond memories of enjoying these parks when I was young, alongside my sister and parents. Recently, I’ve been lucky enough to explore new (to me, at least) US National Parks with Mike. Among the many great experiences I’ve had exploring the National Parks, of course I have some favorites, which is where the top 5 comes in! So, below in no particular order, are my top five favorite National Park memories.

Yellowstone National Park – This list would not be complete without the first National Park I’ve ever visited. The year was 1998 and I was 8 years old. We drove across the flattest parts of the country to a world so unlike my hometown that I was convinced it was magical. The smell of sulfur permeated the car as we got close to the park. We witness Old Faithful, hiked on boardwalks through color changing geothermal areas, and rode horses across fields. On this same trip through the West, we visited Mount Rushmore, The Badlands in North Dakota, and The Grand Tetons. In other words, we got a lot of National Park bang for our buck, which was a great experience for a National Park first-timer.
Haleakala National Park – My family visited this park on a vacation to the island of Maui in Hawaii. I distinctly remember being roused out of bed in the early, early morning to watch the sunrise from the dormant volcano of the same name of the park. My sister and I were bundled up in our blankets, huddled between our parents, watching the sun make its way into the sky. It was an experience that I would be hard pressed to forget. In fact, the whole trip was one of my all-time favorites, from driving to Road to Hana in our bright blue Mustang convertible (thanks, Dad!), to jumping off the tops of a waterfall only to smack painfully into the water on my 10 year old butt… it was all perfect.
Jean Lafitte National Park – This park will always hold a special place in my heart because Mike and I visited it on our first ever trip together. The Jean Lafitte National Park is just a short drive from New Orleans, and it is definitely worth a visit. The portion of the park that we explored was the Barataria Preserve. There, we walked through the forest/swamp on a boardwalk path and peeled our eyes for alligators. The walk took us through the humid swamp, under spiders as big as my head and alongside other critters, like lizards, snakes and birds. The park was beautiful and lush. We eventually found an alligator, a baby one, and it made the walk through the swamp complete.
John Muir National Forest – Just outside of San Francisco, this park is just too pretty to miss. This coupled with the drop dead gorgeously scenic drive along to get there makes it a must see in my book. Mike and I walked into the park and instantly fell silent to marvel up at the trees. We hiked into the forest, making several Star Wars references as we went (Return of the Jedi was filmed here). We chose a path that wound up into the mountains and lamented the fact that we both chose to wear Chuck Taylors. Despite our aching feet, the hike was one of our favorite parts of our trip to San Francisco.
Smoky Mountains National Park – Started with the first and now ending with the last one we visited. Smoky Mountains National Park was amazing for multiple reasons but mostly because I had my whole family and Mike with me. We hiked as a crew and ate picnic lunches together in the picturesque rest areas and enjoyed the city of Gatlinburg in the evenings. My favorite memory of the trip was ascending the slow, cement spiral to the top of Clingman’s Dome and taking in the view of the whole park from there. We had to take turns going up to the top so someone could watch the stroller, but being there all together made it perfect.

What was the last National Park that you visited? And which is your favorite?

Top Five Friday #20 - Favorite Travel Writing Tools, RebeccaWanderlusting

EuroTrip Budget

On August 24, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip Planning1 Comment

Way, way back in the beginning of this year (gosh that feels like such a long time ago), I was formulating a plan to go on an international trip in the early fall. I, much to my chagrin, am not one of those last minute jet setters that can take off at the drop of a hat. A lot (read: most) of my travels take a bit of planning and forward thinking due to my work schedule and need for budgeting to make them possible. So, back in February, I started looking into where I might go, and how much it would cost to get me there and so on.

I stumbled upon the IcelandAir Stopover offer and was attracted to the idea of a two for one vacation. I played around with the second destination and length of time I could spend in each to see which flights were the cheapest and which destinations were the most solo travel friendly. Eventually, I landed on Copenhagen and booked the ticket a couple weeks later.

Fast forward five and half months later, and here I am, counting down the days until I depart and saving up every last penny. A large portion of this trip so far was bought and paid for by my tax return from last year. In fact, most of my tax returns sort of act as travel gift cards. Do you think maybe next year the IRS can pay me back in airline miles?? Just kidding…

Anyways, this means that my flight (which was around $800) was paid for upfront with my debit card. Everything else so far has been charged to my travel credit card (gotta get those points!). The rest of my budget for this trip is as follows:

Flight: $800
Accommodation: $100/night x 10 nights = $1,000
Food & Beverage: $60/day x 10 days = $600
Tours/Activities: $400
Souvenirs: $100/country x 2 = $200
Emergencies: $200
Total: $3,200

In the interest of total honesty, I already blew it on the accommodation portion of the budget, by $150. But, in my defense, these are two very expensive cities to visit! I’m just really glad I booked when I did, because as of a week ago, most of the hotels were booked or increased in prices. In terms of tours and activities, here’s what I’ve got going:

Elding Whale Watching Tour: $82
South Shore Tour: $105
Copenhagen Card: $95
Total: $282

So far so good on that front! When I return from this Scandanavian Adventure, I’ll check back in with how I did. In the meantime, please share any budgeting or Iceland/Copenhagen tips in the comments!

Mystic Blue Cruises, Chicago, RebeccaWanderlusting

Boats & Blogs

On August 19, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, US Travel1 Comment

This past Tuesday, I was lucky enough to take part in a Lake Michigan Cruise with Mystic Blue Cruises. This event, which was put on by The Windy City Blogger Collective, was attended by some amazing Chicago Bloggers. I was so happy to take part in it for a multitude of reasons, but the top two reasons were: 1.) I was able to chit chat and network with some bloggers I admire, and 2.) this was one of the items on my 26 in 26 list (and I gleefully check marked it as soon as I got home).

I rushed to Navy Pier after work, afraid I was going to quite literally miss the boat, but I just made it. The boat departed at 6:30pm, pulling away from the pier and headed out into the lake. It was an absolutely gorgeous evening, a gracious departure from the gloomy clouds that hung over the city in the morning.

The wonderful Mystic Blue staff provided us with delicious snacks and libations, which were enjoyed on the upper deck of the massive boat. The cruise moved south first, towards the Museum Campus. We cruised along, unhurriedly, parallel to the skyline.

As we moved, the sun set behind the buildings, and the sky changed colors in a slow, beautiful transition. Once we reached the area around the Museum Campus, the Mystic Blue boat turned around and headed back the way we came.

The views were stunning, and, being the bloggers that we are, every single person on the boat had their cameras and phones trained towards the skyline or out towards the lake.

Once we passed Navy Pier on our way towards North Avenue Beach, the sun had almost fully set. The group was enjoying the snacks and drinks, playing giant jenga and mingling.

As we made our final turnaround to return to Navy Pier, it was full dark and the city lights were on and welcoming. We returned to the pier and went on our own ways. It was a wonderful event and such a beautiful evening. Thank you to Mystic Blue Cruises and Windy City Blog Collective for hosting!