My Top Twelve Favourite Blog Posts

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

A photo journal through America's most beautiful state.

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

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

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

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 

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

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

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

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

4) Questionable Life Choices

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

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

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

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.