December 31, 2023 by Wandering Whit

2023: A Year in Review

Well, here we are again. Another Year in Review. I just had a glance back at last year’s recap and remembered how I had proclaimed that 2022 was one of the best year’s of my life… and now that I’m reflecting on 2023… I’m pretty sure it got even better. I mean not out there in the world; the world is basically a hellscape of political upheaval, war, genocide, the raging climate crisis, unaffordability and so on… but for me, in my little corner, I have a whole lot to be grateful for. I have a great job, great partner, great friends and family. My mental health is finally under control and I feel settled in a way that I don’t think I ever truly have before. I know who I am. I know what I stand for (and what I don’t). I know what makes me happy and that my best years might even still be ahead of me. I know what gives me energy and fills my cup. And I know that there is no time like the present. So with that in mind, I did a whole lot of living in 2023 and travelled with nearly all of the most special people in my life. I visited places I’ve been dreaming of for decades and places that I’ve loved for just as long. I returned to people and places that made me who I am and remind me of what’s important. 2023 was good to me. Cheers!

Seattle, WA (January)

Visiting the famous Pike Place public market

2023 began exactly the way I like it… travelling. It wasn’t the first time I rung in the New Year in Seattle but it was the chillest. Visiting the city with my cousin Teri-Lynn and her family meant an evening on the couch drinking champagne which honestly, was quite a delight after the two previous years hibernating at home. On the first day of the year, I also got to show my crew my favourite spots in the city – the Chihuly Glass museum and the view from Kerry Park. There are few things I enjoy more than playing tour guide.

Blaine, WA (January)

I have to say it but my book club is better than yours. lol. We have created a bit of a tradition of scheduling getaways about twice per year and this year we hopped across the border for a one night stay at the Semiahmoo Resort. We enjoyed spring-like weather (IN JANUARY!), massages at the spa, and some brief book chats in the hot tub.

Chile (March)

The view from Terraza Bellavista in Santiago

The first of two new countries in 2023 with my best travel bud, Megan. We started off our whirlwind 8-day South America trip in Santiago, Chile were we had two nights and essentially one full day to explore the city. We took in the main sights of the town and got in a ton of steps (as per usual) feeling very accomplished before we set off for the focus of the trip – the Atacama Desert. We started out in the cute tourist town of San Pedro de Atacama where we explored salt lagoons and the otherworldly landscapes that looked more like scenes from Mars than anywhere on Earth. After adjusting to the altitude of 2400m we set off for the main event… in Bolivia.

Bolivia (March)

Our South America trip continued across the border into Bolivia where our private driver, Mario (absolute legend) picked us up for 3 days of exploring the most unbelievable places I’ve ever seen – volcanoes, pink lakes filled with flamingoes, islands covered in cacti, geysers, hot springs, and the largest salt flat in the world. I still need to document this trip in full because it was a massive check off the ole bucket list, but I’m so glad we finally made it happen. Megan and I had been talking about this specific trip since we met in 2014 and had even planned and cancelled it once back in 2019. While it wasn’t glamourous and the road was certainly bumpy (understatement of the century) – it was worth every challenge. The world is so incredible.

Portland, OR (April)

For the Easter long weekend, we finally made it back down to Portland after a nearly 5-year hiatus. This trip was truly focused on catching up with family but the timing also allowed us to check out peak bloom at the Japanese American Historical Plaza in downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park. One hundred perfectly aligned cherry blossom trees line this stretch of the park next to the Steel Bridge and I was beyond giddy!

Leavenworth, WA (April)

On our way home from Portland, we decided to take the scenic way home through Hood River so that we could stop in Leavenworth for a night. I had been hearing about this quirky, Bavarian styled village in the Cascade Mountains for years, and even though I knew what was coming, I still couldn’t believe my eyes. It was just like walking around a small German town complete and it was a delightful way to break up a long drive.

Ottawa, ON (April)

The last time I was in Ottawa was February 2020, right before the world shut down. It was the last flight. The last trip. The last time that I saw my brother and his family in person for years. The last time that life felt normal. Being back here, 3 years later, was powerful in a way that I couldn’t have expected. It was just a quick work trip but it closed the loop on a period of immense, turbulent growth. After immeasurable loss and pain and suffering… I returned to this city with a new lease on life. Healed. Whole. Fulfilled.

Bowen Island, BC (April)

Surprise weekend courtesy of Guess Where Trips

I’m deeply attached to my identity as a planner. I love planning. It brings me joy and helps me fight my anxiety. But unfortunately, I also love surprises. So when I learned about a way that I could plan a surprise for myself – I couldn’t feel more seen! Enter Guess Where Trips – a company that plans the trip for you. I was excited about the opportunity for a night away and a surprise itinerary. We knew we were going to Bowen and we lucked out with delightful weather. The company sent us little envelopes that told us where to go and what to do for 5 different stops along the way. It was fun and definitely took us to some spots on the island that we probably wouldn’t have visited otherwise.

Whidbey Island, WA (April)

Our first of two girls weekends this year was a screaming success! Our dear Rachel flew out from Edmonton and we hit the road for Whidbey Island in Washington. After we all went overboard at Trader Joes, we stopped at the iconic Deception Pass on the way to our cozy coastal cottage at the South end of the island. We followed up a great first day with a self-guided wine tour where we made fast friends with an older couple celebrating a birthday and proceeded to hit up all the same wineries sort of by accident but maybe on purpose? We even had the chance to visit Coupeville, the setting up the cult classic, Practical Magic, which we made sure to watch together too. Time with these ladies is always deeply restorative. Through so many seasons of life – from university, to marriage and babies, moving to new cities, surviving a pandemic, and navigating all the ups and downs of life from early 20s to mid 30s – these women are always there.

Sunshine Coast, BC (May)

Nothing chills me out like the Sunshine Coast. This visit saw us joining my friend Joy and her sweet fam for a weekend in Halfmoon Bay. Coastal Walks. Patio Breweries. Puzzles and Chess. It was exactly my kind of cozy weekend away.

Naramata, BC (May)

This year we finally gave up our dreams of visiting the Okanagan in the smoky, fire-plagued summer and decided to visit in May. The weather gods decided to shower us in rain but we made the best of it, frequently many of our reliable favourites and some new-to-us wineries too. After years of visiting, it still feels like we’ve barely scratched the surface of the wine available. Fortunately, that means we have many years of spring sipping ahead of us.

Northern Italy (June)

This trip! One of the first things that Markus and I bonded over when we started dating was our shared love of travel and especially Italy. We’d both been before and dreamed of returning together. Finally the timing and stars aligned for two unforgettable weeks in June. We crafted a “new to us” itinerary focused on Northern Italy with just the right mix of relaxation and exploration. We toured vineyards, wandered cobblestone streets, swam in lakes, and ate our pasta loving hearts out. La dolce vita strikes again… and I know we’ll be back!

Oregon (July)

I didn’t expect to be making a second trip to Oregon but when my travel buddy Megan reached out about one last pre-baby trip… I couldn’t say no. She flew into Portland and I drove down to pick her up from the airport. We actually already explored Portland together back in 2015 so we took off to hit the open road – as we so often do. We headed straight to the Coast spending a whole day exploring every beach and look out we spotted and eating our body weight in Tillamook cheese along the way. Next we veered inland to spend a day hiking in Crater Lake National Park where we edged out the crowds by arriving early in the day. And to cap off the trip we hit up some lovely sights in Bend – Smith Rock State Park, Tumalo Falls, and the very last Blockbuster on earth.

Seattle, WA (July)

In July it was back to Seattle for a very special reason. TAYLOR ALISON SWIFT! I’ve been a die-hard Swiftie since I first heard Love Story back in 2008 and I have been living my best life since she’s been back in the limelight. My absolute queen of a sister-in-law managed to beat the odds and score VIP tickets to the Eras Tour in Seattle so we donned our best costumes – from Red and 1989 – to dance and scream sing the night away. It was truly one of the best nights of my life… so good that I’m aiming to recreate the magic when she comes to Vancouver in late 2024.

Tofino, BC (August)

This trip had been in the works for years and was de-railed many times to do the dreaded c-word but everything finally came together for a couples trip with one of my oldest friends. We stayed at our favourite spot – the Shoreline Tofino – which has a dreamy barrel hot tub and sauna with views of the harbour. While we ended up getting fogged in for most of the trip – something I definitely hadn’t clued in about even though it’s super common in August – we still had a lovely time. We felt like we had the town to ourselves in many ways, assuming that the hectic road construction had scared most of the tourists away. And let me tell you, Tofino without the crowds is everything!

Los Angeles, California (October)

Another long awaited trip that finally came together in 2023 was to celebrate Markus’ sister’s 30th birthday in California with a trip to Disneyland. We were nearly two years overdue but we finally made it and managed to extend the trip to include 3 nights in LA and 3 nights in Anaheim. Shockingly, in all my trips to California over the years, I’ve never seen more of LA than the airport. Since this was our first time, we made sure to do all the most touristy things: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, and Universal Studios. And then capping it off with the grand finale of two jam-packed days at both Disneyland and California Adventure where we hit nearly 30,000 steps a day. Exhausting doesn’t even begin to cover it, but it was also magical and Star Wars land lived up to every bit of the hype.

Winnipeg, MB (November)

My last official trip of the year was a quick weekend trip to visit my cousin Teri-Lynn and her sweet new baby, Annie. At just 6 weeks old, the weekend was filled with baby snuggles and naps. But, I always find a way to see some new things in the Peg, and this time I got to check out the updated Village at Pineridge Hollow and enjoy some tropical temperatures in The Leaf at Assiniboine Park – both fabulous additions to attractions outside the downtown core. And as a bonus, we got to kick off the holiday season at the Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade. We got so lucky with above average temperatures and clear skies – it was such a fun activity to do with the family. Thanks again Winnipeg – I know I’ll be back again soon.

2023: By the Numbers

Countries Visited: 4 (2 new ones!) – USA / Chile / Bolivia / Italy

States Visited: 3 – Washington / Oregon / California

Provinces Visited: 3 – British Columbia / Ontario / Manitoba

Plane Rides Taken: 10 one way flights (I count a flight as a flight regardless of how many segments or layovers it has).

Ferries Taken: 10

Airports Visited: 12 (YVR, MSP, ATL, SCL, CJC, SEA, YOW, LHR, VCE, MXP, LAX, YWG)

Kilometres Flown in 2023: 56,678

Beds Slept In: 29. Of those, 20 were hotels, 3 were vacation rentals, 2 were cabins, 2 were staying with friends/family, 1 was a winery, and one was my own bed!

September 2, 2015 by Wandering Whit

My Top 5 Favourite Islands

Last summer I wrote a series on some of my Favourite destinations. But one of these lists needed some serious updating after my travel adventures over the past 12 months. So without any further ado, here is my updated list of favourite island escapes.

Spanning five unique countries, all of the islands on my list have one important thing in common: stunning natural beauty.

Top 5 Favourite Islands

Galiano Island, BC

This lovely little gem in the Gulf Islands is the nearest to Vancouver making it a perfect weekend getaway or even day-trip from the mainland. Very few people live here year round, but those that do love it’s laid back vibe and tight knit community. Galiano is the only place where I’ve ever felt safe enough to hitch hike or leave my bike unattended. They even have a free store and a free book store where you are welcome to take whatever you like – no donations required. With stunning views from the top of Mt Galiano, lovely trails near Montague harbour, and the friendliest locals around – It’s no wonder I have come to consider Galiano my second home.

Hvar, Croatia

If you are looking for an intoxicating blend of old world charm, exhilarating night life, and ruggedly beautiful coastline, then look no further than Hvar. Touted as the sunniest spot in Europe, this beautiful island on the Dalmatian Coast convinced me that it would make a perfect Honeymoon destination. A consistent contender on many top 10 lists – it’s no surprise that Hvar easily holds its own among the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.

Capri, Italy

I just can’t get enough of the Amalfi Coast and especially my favourite little piece of la dolce vita – Capri! Twice I’ve visited this lovely island off the coast of Naples and twice is not nearly enough time to soak it all up. Famous for its dazzling Blue Grotto and beloved for its majestic Cliffside vistas, Capri is the perfect place to soak up luxurious Italian living.

Maui, Hawaii

Oh Maui… how do I love thee? Let me count the ways! Before I first visited Maui, I had previously been to Oahu twice. And I thought it was great. Then, I went to Maui and now I wonder why anyone even bothers going to Honolulu because Maui is E V E R Y T H I N G ! Less crowded than bustling Waikiki, Maui offers a more laid back vibe but still delivers a ton of activity if you want it. In my four day escape I lay on gorgeous beaches, snorkeled with sea turtles, drove the winding and scenic road to Hana, summited a volcano, and ate my heart out. I still look forward to visiting the other islands in the future but for now I am content with my version of paradise!

Santorini, Greece

Located in the Aegean Sea, about 200 km southeast of mainland Greece is Santorini, one of the most popular islands in the world – and for good reason! I fell head over flip flops for the spectacular caldera views, beautiful beaches, cliff-side villages, amazing restaurants, and friendly local hospitality. Santorini was a dream destination for me and it absolutely lived up to all the hype. I had one of my favourite travel days of all time while riding an ATV around the island and touring the nearby wineries. It was so unbelievably gorgeous that it almost pained me to leave. I will definitely be back someday!

What’s your favourite island escape?

August 17, 2014 by Wandering Whit

My 7 Wonders of the World

This is a special edition of my Favourites series.

It seems like there are so many variations of the Seven Wonders of the World floating around that I decided I would create my own from places that I’ve actually been.

My 7 Wonders of the World

Machu Picchu, Peru

Without a doubt, Machu Picchu is the most spectacular, awe-inspiring site that my eyes have ever seen. It absolutely lives up to all the hype! I trekked 33 kilometres over three days from Lares to Ollantaytambo before finally taking a train to Aguas Calientes and making the early morning trip to Machu Picchu. From touring the ancient capital of the Incas to hiking Wayna Picchu, the whole experience was incredible from start to finish. These Incan ruins need to be on every person’s bucket list.

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

While I was planning my trip to Egypt, people were constantly asking me Why Egypt? This question seriously puzzled me. Don’t people understand that to see the pyramids one would have to go to Egypt? Well this original wonder of the world certainly earned its place. Riding camels around the site didn’t hurt either…

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

The most recent wonder on my list is the magical Halong Bay. Even on a mostly cloudy day this place had a mystical hold on me. With nearly 2000 limestone islets and floating fishing villages creating a tropical kaleidiscope above the green waters, this place is more than worthy of a spot on the new 7 wonders of the world list… and mine too!

The Colosseum, Italy

I’ve visited this famous amphitheatre twice now and both times it transported me back in time. I’ve read so many stories and seen so many films (Gladiator anyone?) from the era of the Roman Empire and it is always haunting and humbling to be standing in a place so rich in history and tragedy. I can only imagine how impressive it would have been back in its glory days.

The Eiffel Tower, France

Paris je t’aime! Sometimes I still can’t believe that I’m not living in a chic apartment in the Cinquième (5e) arrondissement splitting my time between the cafe culture and long walks along the Seine. But, I digress. There is no building on earth that I was more excited to see than the Eiffel Tower. After studying French for 8 years, this was the place that I most wanted to see when I went to France and the place that I would most like to re-visit… and soon!

Alhambra, Spain

This palace/fortress, originally constructed in 889 and reconstructed in the mid-11th century by the Moors was a major highlight of my 3 months in Spain. It might not be as popular as some of the other wonders on this list but it is every bit as beautiful. My only regret is that I didn’t take more pictures… I was too busy experiencing in the present tense.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Croatia, Croatia, Croatia. The country that won my heart in one, all-to-brief week. And the crowning jewel is this absolutely stunning national park filled with turquoise lakes and magnificent waterfalls. This was the perfect day trip from Zagreb and a must-see stop for any trip to the Balkans. I can’t wait to go back!

July 29, 2014 by Wandering Whit

My Top 10 Favourite Cities

According to my Trip Advisor travel map, I’ve been to 265 cities and counting! I believe that this stat gives me a bit of credibility in listing some of my favourites thus far. I wholeheartedly recommend all of these cities and have visited half of them more than once. As always, I reserve the right to update this list whenever I like because I’m constantly visiting fabulous new destinations. But, for now at least, here are my top 10 favourite cities.

My Top 10 Favourite Cities

San Diego, California

I first visited San Diego on a family vacation when I was 10 years old. We did the typical touristy activities like SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo. I loved them both and even got called up on stage during two of the shows (my 15 minutes of fame). Flash forward a decade and my views have certainly changed. I may no longer support animal captivity but fortunately SD still has a plethora of amazing (cruelty free) things to do – try whale watching or surfing instead. When one of my best friends moved to the city in 2012 I was beyond excited about frequently visiting (and I have!). With blissful temperatures year-round, stunning cliffs and beaches, and amazing restaurants, San Diego is my favourite winter getaway. I could even see myself living here someday – Hello Vitamin D!

Paris, France

A wise woman once said, “Paris is always a good idea” and I couldn’t agree more. If you were to visit my apartment, one thing would quickly become apparent, and that is that J’adore Paris! I can’t possibly think of a city with more class and culture. Just imagine perusing the markets in Montmartre, strolling the grounds of les Jardins du Luxembourg, or savouring a crepe on the Champs-Élysées. An exemplary model of urban planning, this world-class city has so many unique neighbourhoods to explore. Not to mention being home to some of the world’s most famous sights; L’arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Le Louvre, and La Tour Eifel, to name a few. Now if only I could remember my 8 years of French lessons…

Rome, Italy

Ah Roma… a textbook example of why you sometimes need to revisit a city to truly appreciate it. Ten years after my first visit, I went back to the eternal city to discover what I had missed back in my teenage years. Yes, I remembered that the monuments were impressive and that the gelato was tasty but I couldn’t seem to understand what the fuss was all about. Well, let me tell you – Rome is simply magical. The entire city is like an open air museum with rich history spanning more than 2,500 years and amazing architecture around every corner. You could easily spend years in Rome and still not discover it all. I’ve thrown my coin in the Trevi Fountain twice and I’m sure I’ll be back again!

Dubrovnik, Croatia

My inaugural trip to the pearl of the Adriatic was almost ruined by a missed train and a spiral of lost connections. Fortunately, I pushed passed the roadblocks with the lovely premonition that I was about to fall in love. Most of the cities on this list are places that I’ve courted over several trips but Dubrovnik is my only one night stand. So, you can imagine how intoxicating a city it must be to have such power over me so quickly. Well let me tell you that one walk around the old city walls is all it took to have me spouting off grand declarations and adding Croatia to every list in my book. Dubrovnik is quite simply the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen and even though our time together was brief, it left a lasting impression on me. I hope I won’t have to call her The One that Got Away for long.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh was one of the very last stops on my 8 month European backpacking adventure in 2005/2006. I arrived there feeling a bit of travel burnout and was definitely looking forward to heading home. Fortunately I arrived to perfect spring weather and a gorgeous city dripping with classic European charm. Edinburgh has a distinctly medieval feel with cobblestone streets, Gothic architecture, and a castle resting on an extinct volcano. But, it’s also a great city for young people and maybe even a place to find love… I mean if it worked for Will & Kate! I have yet to hear a negative review of this Scottish gem so if it isn’t on your bucket list yet… you know what to do.

Bogota, Colombia

This is one that may raise some eyebrows. Bogota is a very unconventional choice and probably won’t make many top ten lists (unless you’re looking at the negative side). But, I don’t care what the critics say – I have my own opinions and my own experiences and Bogota won me over big time. It likely had a lot to do with my personal tour guide / travel agent friend who hosted and entertained me the entire 5 days, but that also proves that there is plenty to love about Colombia’s capital. The historic district La Candelaria (pictured above) has lovely Spanish Colonial and Baroque architecture with a wealth of churches and squares to fill your camera. The city has great shopping and dining options plus Monserrate, one of the most beautiful mountain top attractions I’ve ever seen – the funicular ride to the top is a must-do for all tourists. Transportation may not be super easy (although I was kind of taxi fairy) and English still isn’t widely spoken (if at all) but the effort was definitely worth it to discover the inner beauty of this very misunderstood city.

Salzburg, Austria

Visiting Salzburg was the realization of a childhood dream – to step into the world of Fräulein Maria and the Von Trapp children. After growing up with an obsessive passion for the Sound of Music I knew I had to do the official SOM tour when I finally made it to the famous city – and it did not disappoint. Even in the fall, the Mirabell Gardens (pictured above) with views of Hohensalzburg Castle were enchanting. The nearby palaces, abbey, and Lake District easily appeased the fan girl in me and proved that my adoration of Austria was well deserved. But, the city has even more to offer. As the birth place of Mozart, culture in the way of museums and music is at a premium and the lovely riverside hosts one of my favourite little Christmas markets in the winter. Although it is much smaller than Vienna and harder to avoid tourist groups (sorry – that was me), it is worth your time and will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Florence, Italy

Tuscany. That’s probably the only descriptive word that I need to use to explain why I love Florence so much, but this is a blog, so I will elaborate. Firenze is another city with a medieval feel. Often considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, it is so easy to get swept away with the impressive art (Michelangelo’s statue of David), gorgeous churches (Duomo and Santa Croce), and unique bridges (Ponte Vecchio). I loved exploring the winding streets and discovering epic views (see above) from the Piazzale Michelangelo. And to top it all off, Florence is where I first discovered gelato (Tiramisu flavoured nonetheless)! There’s something dreamlike about this part of the world and it’s orange roof tops – it easily makes my list.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Welcome to Nawlins y’all! There is just something special about the South that makes me want to slow my speech and eat something fried… but maybe that’s just the Bourban talking. Joking aside, New Orleans is a truly amazing city that in many ways doesn’t even feel like part of America. With buildings dating back to the 1700s and a unique French influence, Louisiana is easily one of the most interesting of the 50 states. Known for its delicious Cajun food, amazing jazz music, beautiful colonial architecture, and the wild and crazy Mardi Gras – NOLA has something for everyone. You can party in the street all night long or step back in time on a beautiful antebellum or creole plantation. The city has faced a lot of adversity with its history of slavery and recent tragedies like the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. But, what I saw here was beautiful resilience, hope, and a whole lot of fun! Do your part to help and make New Orleans your next vacation stop.

Vancouver, BC, Canada

My city. My home. My happy place! The past two years of living in Vancouver have been some of the very best of my life. I still pinch myself every time I cross the Burrard Street Bridge (which is usually twice per day) because I can’t believe that this is my real life. Vancouver is by far my favourite place on earth. Wherever you look you see water or mountains or both! You can ski, golf, bike, sail and kayak– all on the same day. Not only is this city breathtakingly beautiful but it is bursting with activity, diversity, and general awesomeness (that’s a technical term)! In Vancity we know all about living well – we are clean and green. We love yoga and craft beer and playing outside all year long. If you’re not planning a visit to the magnificent Pacific Northwest – then you should be!

Honourable Mention:

July 23, 2014 by Wandering Whit

My Top 5 Favourite Countries

I’ve been having so much fun with this Favourites series… let’s keep the ball rolling with my favourite countries.

The criteria I used to make my decision are as follows:

Natural Beauty
Rich Culture
Interesting History
Liveability
People (i.e. friendly? interesting? etc.)
Overall Experience (i.e. weather? ease of travel?)
Intangible – Wow Factor

Top 5 Favourite Countries

Croatia

This country knocked my socks off! Not only is it one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever been, but the locals were incredibly helpful (and basically all spoke English), the history is fascinating (was there really a war here just 20 years ago?) and the cities were dripping with old world charm and romance. After my first trip in 2013, the Balkans region has climbed to the top of my dream trips list. I hope to be back again by 2016.

Italy

Where do I even begin with Italy? In some ways I don’t want to put Italy on my list because it seems too obvious, but three trips later and I still can’t get enough. Italy was the first European country I ever visited (way back in 2003) and since then I have covered Western Europe on 4 separate trips (one that lasted nearly 9 months). I have visited many of the big ticket attractions but there is still so much to explore. I constantly feel drawn here – to the place that made me fall head over heels for Europe. I can’t dream up a better afternoon than sipping a glass of red wine in a beautiful square while listening to the musical language of the locals. Italy, I love you!

Switzerland

People always ask me which place has been my favourite? That’s partly what motivated me to write this series. For years, my default answer was always Switzerland. And, for good reason: Swiss Alps, Swiss Chocolate, and Swiss Cheese. Because it’s such a small country I was able to see quite a lot of it by train, car, and gondola! I met some truly beautiful people who are like family and got the thrill of a lifetime when I went skiing on Christmas day 2005. Some may find it stuffy and expensive, but I love the clean streets and polite drivers. It also doesn’t hurt that it is spectacularly beautiful!

Austria

I was blessed to call this country home for about three months in fall 2005 but that isn’t when it first stole my heart. I first discovered Austria through Julie Andrews’ voice in the magical film…The Sound of Music. I can’t remember when I first saw it and I can’t remember how many times I’ve seen it (clue: A LOT!) but I do know every song by heart and I can tell you that the hills definitely are alive! From sleepy alpine villages to vibrant world-class cities , Austria has everything this city girl / nature lover / history enthusiast could want, except for maybe an ocean, but the lakes are a lovely substitute.

Colombia

Have you ever been travelling, and for no apparent reason, you just felt like you were somewhere special? It doesn’t happen to me very often (anymore) but it definitely hit me as I was boarding the plane from Cartagena; I knew that I had to come back someday. Colombia is the least touristy country I have ever been. The violent history. The language barrier. The difficult terrain. All of these things should have deterred me, but I couldn’t be stopped. What a thrill to go somewhere where I had absolutely no expectations. After spending time in the capital, Bogota, I proclaimed (probably foolishly) that I could totally live here (and I don’t say that very often). Maybe it was the rainy weather. Maybe it was the mind-blowing coffee. Or maybe it was being reunited with my friend Beatrice and meeting her amazing family. I’m not sure exactly… but something felt right and oddly familiar while being completely different at the same time. Tropical. Cosmopolitan. Diverse. Colombia had me at Hola!

June 20, 2013 by Wandering Whit

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

This is one of those days that you hope never happens but end up reliving for years to come because it makes for a great story.

The Good
On our last day in Rome we spent the day exploring the nearby neighbourhood Trastevere. We started early in the hopes of beating the heat and enjoying breakfast in an outdoor cafe. We accomplished both tasks and even discovered the riverside boardwalk lined with white tents that I had read about online. It’s a festival that takes place every night during the summer months called Lungo il Tevere Roma. During the day it is very quiet and makes for a great bike ride and at night it turns into an open air night club containing more than a kilometer of stalls along the Tiber river, each one a shop or cafe, restaurant or bar.

Trastevere

After some final shopping near the Pantheon and a delicious piece of buffalo mozzarella and tomato pizza to go, we headed to the Rome train station to catch our 2:50pm train to Bari, Italy where we were scheduled to board an overnight ferry to Dubrovnik, Croatia. This of course had been carefully researched and booked in advance to secure the cheapest and best way of getting around. After our 20 minute city bus ride we were watching the giant train screens to see from which track our train would be departing.

The Bad
The number finally came up on the screen about 20 minutes before our train was scheduled to depart: Track 18. Great! It was right in front of us. This was very good news since Rome is the second largest train station in Europe. Unfortunately Track 18 was actually 400 metres further down. We started walking but then quickly began to feel uneasy as we thought we heard that our train had been switched to another track. This happens quite often and they announce the changes over the speaker in Italian and English if you are able to catch it. We stopped and I stayed with the bags while Mindy went ahead to check. Nothing was showing on the sign so we gambled and decided to go anyways. Wrong decision. It was not our train but since we were 400m away from the main screen and now only had 5 minutes we knew we weren’t going to make it.

We started running and calling for help like hopeless idiots. The police, customer service, other passengers, and a poor travel agent named Marina couldn’t help us. We had missed the only train that could get us to Bari in time to catch our ferry. The next ferry didn’t leave for 2 days. After switching our train tickets twice, going to an Internet cafe, talking to a travel agent for about an hour, and waiting in line for customer service for about an hour we had a new game plan. We called our landlord Sergio and were able to get another night in our same apartment in Rome. We also had new train tickets (this time to Ancona, Italy) and a new ferry ticket from Ancona to Split, Croatia for the next day. We would still make it to Dubrovnik but it just meant a lost day, a 5 hour bus ride down the coast, and a lot of extra money.

The Ugly
After sweating more than I thought was humanly possible we finally made it back to our apartment for an impromtu final night in Rome. We were so physically and mentally exhausted from our 4 hour ordeal at the (non-airconditioned) train station that we were almost delirious. Unfortunately not quite delirious enough to miss the fully naked man standing in the balcony outside our window. It was actually quite a fitting end to our day and actually made us laugh out all the stress we had been carrying.

Next up: Croatia at Last!

June 19, 2013 by Wandering Whit

Unfinished Business: Neapolitan Pizza & the Blue Grotto

Okay… time to catch up on some serious blogging.

On our third day in Italy we decided to take a full day trip to nearby Naples to search for Pizzeria Da Michele’s made famous by Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love. We took the high speed train in business class (fitting for two former business students) and found the place with little trouble. Since we were early we squeezed in some shopping and then got there for the opening in order to beat the crazy lineups. There are only two items on the menu: Pizza Margherita and Pizza Marinera. We got one of each. The pizza is cooked in a wooden oven and we were able to watch the whole thing. It was definitely worth the trip and only cost 4 euros for an entire pizza.

Next up was a trip was a trip back to the island of Capri near the Amalfi coast: my second time. The first time I was unable to visit the famous Grotto Azzura (Blue Grotto) due to weather conditions so this time the perfect summer conditions made my dream come true. We started off with a 40 minute hydrofoil to the island and then quickly hopped onto a one hour boat trip to the famous cave. We loved being on the water and snapping as many photos of the island as physically possible. Mindy was totally in her happy place. We got to the cave and then hopped in to our own row boat with a very charismatic boat rower who led us into the narrow opening and showed us the amazing blue water in the cave while serenading us with classic Italian songs. It was kind of comical and overpriced but a great memory nevertheless.

Once back on shore we once again had perfect timing and caught a bus from the port to the upper town called Anacapri. The town is draped along the cliffs with white pristine houses and flowers. Picture perfect at every turn. After shopping and visiting the Villa San Michele we decided to take the small funicular (chair lift) to the summit of the island where we could see the whole island and get photos of the stunning little islands called the Faraglioni. The chair lift took 13 minutes each way and was the perfect end to our day on the island. We love being on the water and are immensely looking forward to more time on the water in Croatia.

June 18, 2013 by Wandering Whit

Rediscovering Rome: 10 Years Later

Ciao!

It’s rare when I get the opportunity to revisit a place that I’ve been before simply because my bucket list is long enough for several lifetimes. However, I always knew that I would go back to Rome. Maybe it was my belief in the legend of the Trevi Fountain coin toss or maybe it was the fact that my memories were going dimmer with each passing year, but whatever the reason I am so glad to be here again. The gelato is just as good as I remember it but the city is far more beautiful and vibrant.

This time around I did a lot of pre-trip research that is definitely paying off. So far we have skipped the lines to the Colosseum and the Vatican, which was a godsend in the heat wave we are currently experiencing. We’ve eaten at some delicious restaurants including Taverna dei Quaranta courtesy of the blog Revealed Rome. And we’ve visited sites that I missed the first time around.

I was delighted to leisurely stroll through the Roman Forum instead of being hearded onto a bus and missing so much of the history that makes the city of Rome a living museum. We also found ourselves at the tranquil and uncrowded Garden of Oranges behind the Church of Santa Sabina, which boasts the BEST view of Rome. The dreamy twilight was the perfect setting for the end to our first day of sightseeing and I was so enthuised that I could have stayed there all night. The eternal city has found a way to make old things very new again and reinvigorated this travelista for the journey to come.

View from the Garden of Oranges

Next up: The Great Pizza Quest!

Wandering with Whit

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