Stranger in A Strange Land :
​The Beauty of Travel
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
Confessions of Crystal

My Top Twelve Favourite Blog Posts

10/11/2016

4 Comments

 
Thinking about Europe's Top Ten Most Christmasy Towns, put me in a list-making mood. Plus, I thought it would be nice to have my favourite posts in one accessible place.  I like to think my blogging has improved over the years, but for this list, I tried to choose exclusively by content and not style.

12) Colorado as Seen From the Window of a Moving Car

Picture
A photo journal through America's most beautiful state.

11) Oxford, Cardiff, and Stratford-upon-Avon

Picture
This is basically me nerding out about Oxford's literary heritage and Shakespeare's home.  Oh and faceplanting on the streets of Oxford one quiet Sunday morning.

10) Adventures in Interlaken: Culture Tours, Mountain Climbing, Ropes Courses, and an Unfortunate Incident Involving Hives

Picture
I spent a year studying abroad in London, travelling Europe, and seeing countless wonders, yet my most told story of that year is the Baby Brown Swiss Dairy Cow Incident.

9) 36 Incredible and Exhausting Hours in Florence

Picture
I had a hard time deciding which Florence blog I preferred, my first trip in spring 2015 or my second trip this summer.  I decided on my initial trip, but here is the link about the time I got stranded in Florence as well.

8) An Idyllic Farmstay in Remote Italy 

Picture
I've spent a lot of time in Italy so it was hard to narrow down the blog posts. Click the "Italy" tab on the right to read more.  One of the most peaceful, welcoming places I've ever stayed was a farm in Desenzano del Garda.

7) Copenhagen: Cycling over Cobblestone

Picture
One of my favourite trips of 2016 and I just really appreciate my use of alliteration in the title. 

6) My House in Budapest, My Hidden Treasure Chest

Picture
Yes, I had the George Ezra song "Budapest" stuck in my head the entire time! Budapest is one of Europe's most unique cities.

5) An On-Going Love Affair with Oxford and London

Picture
What can I say? I just really like the UK, especially London and Oxford!

4) Questionable Life Choices

Picture
The title says it all.  And keep in mind this was written in March 2015.  I've made many more travel-related questionable life choices since then!

3) I Bought a One-Way 6AM Ticket to London the Next Morning and Found the Land of my Ancestors

Picture
This was definitely the most impulsive trip I've ever taken and certainly one of the most memorable. I started in London, then went north in search of my ancestral home, Hadrian's Wall, and into Scotland.

2) Why Travel in Turkey Still Shouldn't Terrify You

Picture
When I reflect on my travels, Turkey always surfaces quickly.  It has been over a year and a half since my visit, but sometimes I still think, "Wow, I really went to Turkey!" (The link leads to my original post about my travels in Turkey). Turkey is among my favourite destinations. It is the furthest away from home I've ever been in terms of both geography and culture.  I vividly remember looking at Google Maps at a rest area in Turkey, realizing how far east I was located.  The media headlines make Turkey seem like a terrifying destination, but I felt safe the whole time I was there.  Before visiting, I was worried about admitting that I was in an America, but the Turkish people were welcoming, fluent in English, and genuinely curious about life in America. 

1) How I Become a Hostel Person

Picture
This has been my most read post to-date and details how I went from being anti-hostel to a "hostel person." I also include detailed information on my favourite hostels across the globe.
4 Comments

Europe's 10 Most Christmasy Towns

8/11/2016

5 Comments

 
When you currently reside in a country that doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving (hint: anywhere except the US and Canada) and you like to spread Christmas cheer for all to hear, there is absolutely no reason to refrain from decorating until the end of November!  Your friends and neighbours can say, “Isn’t it a little early?” but they can’t say, “Wait until Thanksgiving!”  That said, I stretched the decorating boundaries even further this year by decorating, wrapping Christmas gifts, and listening to Christmas music in mid-October.  
Picture
"May all your troubles soon be gone, those Christmas lights, keep shining on."
Halloween is celebrated here, but not nearly to the extent as in America.  Rest assured, I did carve a pumpkin.  Like the year I studied abroad in London, I served as the “American pumpkin carving expert” and helped a friend carve her first pumpkin. 
Picture
​My pumpkin competes in the Miss America Organization and won the Miss Pumpkin local. ;)
I recently blogged about how the entire town ofStykkishólmur, Iceland belongs under a Christmas tree.  Here are  additional towns that desire a spot on your Christmas travel list.  Some of these towns I travelled to at Christmastime, others were at other times in the year, but they still had Christmas cheer for all to hear all year!  

10) Budapest, Hungary

Picture
Based on appearance, Budapest has the coolest trains. Based on door closing safety, Budapest has the worst trains.
Budapest is a city like no other.  As soon as I arrived, I felt like I had been transported back to the 1970s Soviet Union.  Even during the sweltering heat of my May 2015 visit, the city held a Christmas vibe.

9) Vienna, Austria

Picture
This photo makes me laugh: multiple jackets, all my luggage, and four hours of sleep total in two nights.
Even though my most vivid recollection of Vienna is the sleep-deprived state I was in when I wandered about the city, the gorgeous architecture would lend itself well to Christmas time. I've also been told they have excellent markets!

8) Stockholm, Sweden

Picture
I think this photo of an owl belongs on a winter greeting card.
With its gorgeous harbour, the charm of Old Town, and Scandinavian design, hints of Christmas were already popping up when I visited in October 2014.  Some of the stores had started selling Christmas ornaments and other decorations.  

7) Prague, Czech Republic

Picture
People from around the world gather for Prague's famous Christmas markets
Prague: the Fairy Tale city.  With its Gothic Architecture, cozy bonfires, candles, and the smell of cinnamon everywhere, Prague is a dream destination for Christmas time.  There are amazing Christmas markets on every corner and I could have spent the entire Christmas season just wandering around one of them! I've been lucky enough to visit Prague twice, once in December 2014 and once in May 2015.
Picture
Trdelniks are sold along the streets of Prague year-round

7) Interlaken, Switzerland

Picture
A picturesque view from the top of Harder Kulm
Interlaken is one of those places that drew me in immediately and is also home of the Baby Brown Swiss Dairy Cow Incident.  Christmas is in the Swiss spirit year round, with the wooden buildings and log cabins.  The wood carver shop I visited specialized in wooden nativity scenes, which are available for purchase year round. 

6) Copenhagen, Denmark

Picture
Colours, cobblestones, and cycling make up the ambiance of Copenhagen
Scandinavian countries generally excel at celebrations.  I visited Denmark over Easter this year and loved its markets and cycling culture.  With its colourful buildings and cobblestones, I am sure it is lovely at Christmas time as well.

5) Akureyri, Iceland

Picture
There's not a whole lot that can top a real life gingerbread house!
​Nothing beats a Christmas shop that looks like a real life gingerbread house! Except perhaps a gingerbread house with the world’s largest Advent Calendar and a location geographically close to the Arctic Circle and, presumably, Santa’s workshop and the North Pole! 

4) Oxford, England

Picture
I always feel like I've entered Narnia when I see this lamppost
The historical, charmingtown of Oxford and I go way back. (Or only a couple of years really, but it feels so familiar). I've lost count of the number of timesI've visited. Oxford knows a thing or two about markets with its Covered Market and various pop ups throughout the year.  The charming buildings and bright lampposts lend themselves well for Christmas cheer. 

3) Berlin, Germany

Picture
This Christmas shop in Berlin keeps the Christmas magic going year round.
Though I visited Berlin in the spring, I did make a stop at the Christmas store.  Germany is well-known for its Christmas markets, decorations, and traditions and I can only imagine how incredible it must be in the winter! 

2) London, England

Picture
In awe of Oxford Street's light up night
​Oh, London.  This city is so deeply intertwined with my identity and love of travel that it would be impossible to omit it from this list.  Right now, Londoners are enjoying light up nights across the city.  With a large amount of Christmas markets, window decorations, mince pies, Christmas themed high teas, traditional carol services, and holiday plays, there is an endless amount of Christmas cheer.  And shhh don’t tell anyone, but I just might be making an appearance in London just before Christmas again this year!
Picture
London has no shortage of outdoor rinks!
Picture
Rocking my Scottish attire at Dean Street Townhouse for Christmas tea

1) Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Picture
The view of the city as I stepped into the fairy tale.
​I firmly believe this is the most underrated town in Europe, especially at Christmastime.  When I arrived by the castle, I was greeted to a view of the sun dipping behind the town.  Little lights glowed across the market and town and I felt like I had walked into a Christmas fairy tale.  The market featured a glowing bonfire, a nativity scene, cinnamon roasted nuts, hand carved toys, and traditional ornaments.  This town is one of those places that just has a special magic to it!
Picture
Cozy corners and bright tunnels add to the town's charm
Leave a comment below about other towns have you visited that had a special Christmas magic to them, no matter what time of year!
Travel Bloggers Link-up Party
5 Comments
<<Previous

    Crystal Chilcott

    Hi, I’m Crystal!  I love to travel and am currently a graduate student in Scotland. You’ll get all the best tips and insights from my experiences as a former ice-skating coach in Iceland and former study abroad student. Of the 27 countries I have visited, a type 1 diabetes diagnosis has been the strangest land yet.  Type 1 has not slowed down my travels and you'll learn how to take type 1 with you on the road! You can connect with me further on Instagram @CrystalChilcott, or send me ideas of where I should travel next via email: crystalmechilcott@gmail.comHappy Travels, Crystal

    Subscribe to Stranger in a Strange Land by Email
    What am I up to today?  Check out my Instagram feed below to find out!

    Categories

    All
    Austria
    Baby Brown Swiss Dairy Cow Incident
    Books
    California
    Cambly
    Canada
    Cats
    Chicago
    Coffee
    Colorado
    Croatia
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Diabetes
    Dumb Things I've Done In Foreign Countries
    Favourite Posts
    Figure Skating
    Florida
    France
    Germany
    Greece
    Hungary
    Iceland
    Ireland
    Italy
    London
    Macedonia
    My Travel Playlist
    Netherlands
    Northern Ireland
    Other Writings
    Sanibel Island
    Scotland
    Slovakia
    Spain
    Stranger In A Strange Land Series
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Travel Tips
    Turkey
    Type 1 Travels
    UK
    Wales

    Archives

    December 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact