Photography

Switzerland in 4 Days: A Scenic Road Trip Guide

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View of paraglider over Lake Brienz from Harderkulm

View of Lake Brienz from Harderkulm

Disclosure: A big thank you to Hertz,  Eurowings and Bürgenstock Resort Spa for sponsoring this post and making our Switzerland road trip very memorable. As always, all opinions are 100% my own and I would not recommend something that I don’t personally believe is awesome.

Switzerland has been at the top of my bucket list forever, so when Hertz and Eurowings contacted me about a partnership to promote their new route, I could not resist.  I called up my sister Kim and planned an impromptu scenic road trip around Switzerland.  I was excited to finally see iconic Swiss sights like alpine villages, wooden chalets, rolling green hills and glacial lakes with my sister.  Switzerland has natural beauty in abundance so you can’t really take a bad picture, and every scene looks like it came straight out of a postcard.

A road trip through the picturesque mountain passes and the jaw-dropping landscapes is the best way to experience the country. There are inspiring panoramic views at every turn and driving allowed us to see them all at our own pace. We spent 4 days driving ourselves around the Bernese Oberland region exploring the many villages, lakes and mountains in the area.  This comprehensive guide and road trip itinerary will outline the route, drive times, accommodations, and restaurant suggestions to help you plan your OWN trip.  The itinerary is broken out by day, with ideas on where to stop and what to see at each location.

Switzerland in 4 days a scenic road trip guide Continue reading →

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Trip Report: Iceland

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Iceland Road Trip Map for 11 day itinerary

Recently, you can’t scroll through Instagram without seeing at least a picture of someone posing under the rainbow at Skogafoss, or sitting on the basalt columns at the black sand beach (I am guilty of both!). These pictures have fueled everyone’s wanderlust and boosted Iceland to the top of everyone’s bucket list – and for good reason. This island of Fire and Ice is known for its volcanoes, glaciers, and surreal landscapes that are best explored by car.  A road trip around the famous Ring road will allow you to see the whole country.  Regardless if you’re a seasoned traveler or a novice, you can’t help but feel in awe of this stunning country that is sparse and yet hauntingly beautiful.  It’s no wonder that Iceland welcomes over 2 million visitors to its shores each year, a number that has tripled in recent years.  Below is a breakdown of our 11 day itinerary and costs: Continue reading →

25 Most Instagrammable Places in Iceland

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People walking between the rift valley in Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park

It’s no secret that Iceland is at the top of everyone’s bucket list right now. Waterfalls, hot pools, out-of-this-world jaw dropping landscapes – what’s there not to love, right?  It’s no wonder that this land of Fire and Ice serves as the backdrop for so many Games of Throne scenes.  As an aspiring photographer, I couldn’t help feeling excited for all the Instagram-worthy spots around Iceland.  After taking over EIGHT THOUSAND photos (I know, I have a problem!) I can tell you that it’s almost impossible to take a bad picture – this country is just that photogenic.  Here is a list of the 25 most Instagrammable places in Iceland to get you even more excited, because it’s never too early to start planning. I’ve also included their GPS coordinates so you can find it easily.

To plan your Iceland trip, click here for the complete guide and 11-day itinerary. 

Woman standing on basalt columns at Reynisfjara black beach

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Trip Report: Bali

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Bali is one of those places that sit at the top of everyone’s bucket list – and for good reason. The Island of the Gods is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, welcoming over 10 million foreign tourists to its shores each year.  This tropical paradise has lush green rice fields, misty waterfalls, turquoise blue water, and ornate temples – something for everyone.  It’s not hard to see why everyone who comes to its shores falls hopelessly in love with this beautiful island.  Continue reading →

7 Must Visit Places on Nusa Penida

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Nusa Penida - Kelingking Beach

Fausto at the bottom of Kelingking Beach

Nusa Penida is part of the Nusa archipelago, located just 12km off of the Balinese mainland. In recent years, the island of Nusa Penida has become increasingly popular because of its stunning coastal cliffs, and pristine beaches.  Apparently, its laid-back vibe is reminiscent of the Bali from 10 years ago. It’s not surprising that more and more people flock here to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main island. For more information about how to get to Nusa Penida and where to stay, here is a quick guide for the Nusa Islands.  Following is a list of 7 must visit places on Nusa Penida: Continue reading →

19 Things To Do Around Bali

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Bali - Tegalalang Rice Terrace

Love Bali sign at Tegalalang Rice Terrace

Bali is one of those places that is at the top of everyone’s bucket list.  The island of Bali, known as the ‘Island of the Gods’, is one of the most beautiful places on earth, It’s no wonder that this popular travel destination welcomes over 10 million foreign tourists to its shores each year.  Surrounded by lush green rice fields, misty waterfalls, and ornate temples – there is something to do for everyone.

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I am Back!

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This is the longest hiatus I’ve ever taken since starting this blog – it has been almost 3 months since I last posted.  It started with a very eventful trip to Bali where we literally had to evacuate because of an erupting volcano – but more on that later.  When we got back, it was the holiday season and I went to Canada for 3 weeks to spend time with my family.   Shortly after that, my mom fell and broke her leg and needed emergency surgery, so I went back to Canada for a few more weeks.  Between all that craziness, my first month of 2018 somehow completely disappeared into an abyss – but now I am back! 

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I hope  you’re still around because I am excited to share with you about our experiences in Bali – the good, the bad, and of course all the funny memorable stories.  Bali is a truly stunning place, not lacking in Instagram-worthy photo ops.  Even with all the rain, we couldn’t stop taking pictures of everything from the lush rice fields to the intricate temples.  The people of Bali are kind and friendly, and we were lucky to have met and called many of them our friends. 

Whisky Tour

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Whisky is Scotland’s national drink and its biggest export. For more than 500 years, skilled distillers have taken the basic ingredients of barley and water and transformed them into single-malt whisky. Over the years, many attempts have been made to copy the unique fiery taste of Scotch Whisky in different parts of the world, but with no apparent success.  By law, the spirit cannot be called Scotch until it has aged in Scotland for at least three years, but most single malt whiskies are left to mature for much longer. Continue reading →

15 Things to Eat (and Drink) in Scotland

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If you’re like me, whenever you hear of Scottish food, you probably think of Haggis.  But with the country’s changing eating habits, Scotland has evolved to be a culinary destination for food lovers with a strong emphasis on fresh and locally sourced produce. With the Atlantic ocean on its doorstep and plenty of rolling green hills means an abundance of fresh seafood, succulent beef, and wild game. You can eat extremely well from the big cities to the furthest isles. Fine bistros, cozy pubs, quirky cafés, and everything in between offer delicious fare. Here is a list of all the food (and drinks) you should try while visiting Scotland: Continue reading →