When considering the spectacular options for a European trip, until recently, I had never considered Iceland, passing it over for more well-known destinations like Italy or France. Then, I actually looked up information about Iceland. I found an island that has an ethereal, other-worldly beauty and ample opportunity for outdoor activities. I was immediately hooked and have been aching to make a trip to Iceland ever since. I discovered an incredibly cool travel opportunity when researching random airfare deals. Doesn't everybody do that in their spare time? Anyway, Iceland Air has a stopover option, meaning that, if you book a trip to another destination in Europe, you can choose a stopover for up to seven days in Iceland on your way to or from your destination. WHAT? And, get this - the price is comparable to a ticket from America to Europe without a stopover in Iceland. You're not paying any additional airfare for time in Iceland. Two destinations for the price of one? Sign. Me. Up. I think this is such a cool travel deal if you have some extra time to spend exploring Iceland during the course of other European travels. ReykjavikReykjavik, the northernmost capital city in the world, has a reputation for good food and drink, as well as being easy to navigate and pedestrian friendly. There is a scenic pathway for walkers and bikers who want to explore the city. A stop by the botanical gardens is free. The Hallgrímskirkja church, pictured below, is an obvious landmark, as it towers above the skyline. Reykjavik has many museums, possibly due to the fact that it is the only city in the country, including the National Gallery of Iceland, Reykjavik City Museum, National Museum of Iceland, Culture House, Volcano House, and the Reykjavik Museum of Photography. The City Museum also runs The Settlement Exhibition in central Reykjavik, which was built around the oldest archeological ruins in Iceland. When in Europe, I am always amazed at the richness of history, since the ruins, buildings, and traditions are often centuries older than those in America. Reykjavik is also very near mountains that are reachable by public bus for hiking. In addition, there are whale watching tours, opportunities to ride Icelandic Horses, a variety of geothermal pools, concerts, theater performances - I could go on and on. The more I read about Reykjavik, the more activities I discover to do in a relatively small city. Finally, I think it would be incredible to see the Northern Lights, which are visible from various places in Iceland, including Reykjavik. However, they are only visible in winter, whereas summer offers the best weather for outdoor activities. Blue LagoonI had to give the Blue Lagoon its own section on this blog post because it's so famous. If you haven't been obsessively researching Iceland like me, I'll give you the details. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal pool, about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. The minerals in the water are reportedly wonderful for skin, including people with skin conditions like psoriasis. You basically float around, soak up the warmth, and rub the mineral-rich mud on your skin. Who needs fancy spa treatments when you can enjoy nature's version for only 35 Euros? I know there are other geothermal pools in the Reykjavik area, so, if crowds aren't your thing - the Blue Lagoon draws a lot of visitors - then ask around for other good options. Þingvellir National ParkÞingvellir National Park is located at the junction between the European and North American tectonic plates, so it has a rift valley and the largest natural lake in Iceland. There is a parliament site dating back to 930 AD, where the oldest existing parliament in the world first met. The park also contains an old church, deserted farms in the lava field, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities. Many people go diving in two submerged rifts, since Þingvellir is known for stunningly clear visibility in the water. The park is located only an hour from Reykjavik, and buses run daily between the city and the park. There is no park entrance fee. I am not a diver, but I think this would make a great day trip from Reykjavik. Vatnajökull National ParkVatnajökull National Park is the largest national park in Europe, made by combining two former national parks into one. It offers places to camp and trails to hike, in addition to Iceland's highest mountain, Iceland's largest glacier, and Iceland's most powerful waterfall. There are tours that offer glacier walks and ice climbing. Like Þingvellir National Park, there is no park entrance fee. I would put this park at the top of my "must do" list in Iceland, since it encompasses the best of the landscape elements that Iceland is known for. Ideally, I would love to spend a couple of days in Vatnajökull National Park, going on a glacier tour, camping, and hiking, in order to get a feel for this starkly beautiful environment. Ring RoadRing Road is Route 1, the major highway around Iceland, meaning that it connects all the major towns and sights in the country, including Reykjavik. The Ring Road is 830 miles long, so, with stops at various towns and national parks, it can take a week or more. The road passes through mountains, fjords, plains, waterfalls, and small towns. Driving the Ring Road would enable me to see much of Iceland at my own pace. If I confined my trip to Reykjavik and the surrounding area, I would miss the wild, sparsely populated areas of the country. Almost everything that I've read about Iceland encourages visitors to explore outside of Reykjavik in order to experience all that Iceland has to offer.
I must admit that I love a good road trip. I love seeing new and exciting places as I drive through them. I love making impromptu stops at roadside attractions and beautiful vistas. I love singing along with my road trip playlist. I love rolling the windows down on a nice day and feeling the wind whipping through my hair. I love waking up early in the morning and setting off in my car at sunrise with coffee...and this is saying something because everyone who knows me will tell you that I am not a morning person. The Ring Road in Iceland is the ultimate road trip, and it's hard for me to imagine a better adventure.
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I have been dreaming about going to Morocco ever since I learned about Le Maghreb in high school French class. I was overwhelmed by the idea of a place so geographically and culturally different than the place where I grew up. In Morocco, I dream of exploring the markets of Marrakesh. I dream of riding into the Sahara Desert and spending a night under the stars. I dream of hiking in the Atlas Mountains and looking out at the ocean in a seaside town. I dream of air saturated with spices, drinking Moroccan Mint Tea, and hearing a mix of Arabic, French, Spanish, and Berber languages. High school French class was over 10 years ago, and I still have not been able to get Morocco out of my head since it captivated my imagination. Since I've had a lot of time to think about it, my list of "must-see" places is long, but, hey, it's a dream trip! Here are the places I would want to go in Morocco: MarrakeshMarrakesh is a well-known destination in Morocco, famous for its souks and Djemaa El-Fna square filled with musicians, food stalls, and many other things to explore. There seems to be something for everyone in Marrakesh: viewing cultural sights, including museums and mosques (non-Muslims are not allowed inside); indulging in hammams, which are Turkish baths; shopping and haggling at the souks; and staying in a riad, which often have beautiful Moroccan architecture and designs. This city is also at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, allowing for easy day trips to the mountains. Atlas MountainsSo often, when picturing Morocco, I think of sand dunes stretching endlessly into the distance or bustling markets in the cities, and I end up forgetting that there are stunning mountains and opportunities for outdoor activities all over this country! Since the Atlas Mountains are near Marrakesh, it is possible to do a day trip into the mountains. I love hiking and exploring naturally beautiful places, so I would definitely want to spend at least a day in the Atlas. ChefchaouenLiterally, a blue city, Chefchaouen is a town in the Rif Mountains. It's a smaller town and known as one of the most beautiful in Morocco. Due to it's location in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is an ideal starting place for many hikes, whether guided or independent, in the Rif Mountains or nearby Talasemtane National Park (45 minutes away). The town is also known for having skilled leather artisans, making it a great place to shop for purses, jackets, and more. Interestingly, the language spoken by most of the locals is Spanish, with French being the language of education. I would love to relax in a smaller town for a few days, head to the mountains, and take in Morocco at a slower pace. TangierRumor has it that Tangier has a reputation for being a little rough around the edges, given that it is a port city, a major gateway into Morocco. But, this is a city that has historically attracted interesting artists and writers, such as Tennessee Williams, the Rolling Stones (who recorded a song here), Truman Capote, Jack Kerouac, Paul Bowles, and Henri Matisse, among others. I am fascinated by a city that can draw dreamers and creative minds such as these. I'm not sure if I would choose to visit Tangier if I had limited time in the country, but I would be interested to discover the flavor of the city on a longer trip. Sahara DesertA camel trek into the Sahara Desert is most likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. ("Only if you want it to be" - any Gilmore Girls fans here?) The Sahara Desert is known for being the largest subtropical hot desert in the world. Desert landscapes are not my favorite when compared with mountain vistas or ocean views, but they hold a stark beauty of their own that has alway intrigued me. Given the opportunity to ride a camel over the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert and spend a few nights in a luxury camp under the stars, I would jump at the chance! When in Morocco, right? RabatRabat has been described by some travel articles and websites as a "hidden gem" of Morocco and a relatively laid-back Moroccan city, often overlooked by travelers. I love cities that are less frequented by visitors because I am able to get more authentic feel for how the people live. It is situated on the Atlantic Coast, so there is a beach to visit. Rabat also offers a Medina to wander through, a royal palace and gardens that can be viewed from the outside, National Archeological Museum, the ruins of the ancient city of Chellah (pictured below), and art deco architecture. The souks sell a variety of beautiful goods, but the salespeople reportedly are less pushy than in other cities. I think it would be amazing to experience Morocco in a more relaxed environment and to take advantage of the beautiful Atlantic coastline by visiting Rabat. Since I have not been to Morocco (yet!), all images were found through Flickr Creative Commons searches. Credits and license can be found under each photo. Click on each photo for a link to the Flickr page where the image was found. Thanks!
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AuthorMy name is Alyssa Good and I have a passion for travel, adventure, culture, and new experiences! I focus on budget friendly travel, trip planning resources, and seeking out new experiences. Archives
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