6.6 Take a Trip to This City for the Most Magical Christmas Experience

It's the most wonderful time of the year! 🌲 The time of year where you can cozy up by the fireplace with a delicious hot cocoa, enjoy ice-skating, and see beautiful lights. Everyone is much kinder and more apt to help others this time of year, which makes my heart so happy. For me, Christmas is a magical time, and there's no better place to amplify that magic than New York City. 

Why New York City?

Everywhere you go, you'll feel the Christmas spirit. All of the storefront windows are decorated, the amazing Christmas markets are open, special Christmas shows, and all of the lights you could ever want to see. Let's not forget some of the best Christmas movies set in NYC! My favorites are Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, and Home Alone 2. There are so many reasons to visit NYC; I think the real question here is, why not? 

Lea Michele says it best in Glee- "Being in New York is like falling in love. Over and over again, every minute."  

(Left- Photo Credit: "The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center" by Sister72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

5 Things You'll Want to Do While There

• Visit Rockefeller Plaza 
• You'll see the famous Rockefeller tree while showing off some ice-skating skills.
• Attend The Nutcracker
• This well-known show at the NYC Ballet is something you don't want to miss. 
• Check out Santaland at Macy's 
• Whether you have kids or want to feel like a kid again, this place is fun for all.
• Take a Carriage Ride
• Get romantic and take a stroll through Central Park on a horse-drawn carriage. 
• Eat at Tavern On the Green
• Eat at this iconic landmark that's now an elegant, romantic restaurant. 

Prepare further for your trip by checking out Jenny Bhatia's traveling blog, where she talks about her experience in NYC during Christmas. She says, "New York City is absolutely beautiful. The sites are truly breathtaking. Just walking through Times Square is exhilarating."

Where to Stay

AirBnB's are becoming increasingly popular. I recommend staying near a subway for ease of travel, and you can also search for places close to a specific landmark. For example, this townhouse is located in the historic brownstone on the upper west side. It is very spacious and only a short walk from Central Park! 

If a hotel is more of your style, I highly recommend The Palace, which has impressive architecture and is situated right in central NYC. However, if you have it in your budget, I'd recommend splurging on a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Ritz-Carlton. 

If this trip isn't already on your bucket list, you'll want to add it right away. I've been dreaming of this trip ever since I was a little girl because every movie makes it seem so magical. It will be a memorable trip that will fill your heart with endless joy. So go ahead, get your trip booked and get ready for that Christmas magic. 💓

Tell me all about your NYC trip in the comments!

(Above: Radio City Hall at Christmas "New York Christmas 2009" by Loco Steve is licensed under CC BY 2.0)

6.6 Traveling to A different Country Can be Very Dangerous: This is Why

Theres pickpocketing, theres many things you do not know about the country, the diverse culture, and language barrier. It is very easy to get lost if your not with a tour guide. You could also come up on some dangerous places in that country. There are also very dangerous Countries to visitThis is a map of the most dangerous places to go to in the world.

https://www.alarms.org/most-dangerous-countries-for-travel/

This is a map of the most dangerous places in the world.

Dangerous Countries Visit

• Libya

• Syria

• Iraq

• Yemen

• Somalia

• South Sudan

• Central African Republic

• Part of the Congo(DRC)

Ways to avoid the Dangers of Traveling

    1. Do not travel to any dangerous countries unprepared.

    2. Always walk around with your wallet in your front pocket.

    3. Never take pictures of random people dance or else you might have to pay a large amount

    4. Get a tour guide for visits.

    5. Learn or have a translator up if you travel to countries that speak a different language. 

  https://www.shrikesafaris.org/blog/travel-safety-essential-guide-for-safe-traveling/

  This is a photo of a safety first sign.

             

    Traveling can be very dangerous sometimes. But most of the time it's safe. You just have to look out for things and keep on your toes. There is a difference in cultures. There are more difficult ones to understand so you have to be careful. Traveling to different countries can be a lot of fun! You just have to do it the smart and safe way!

Why Italy Is Worth the Trip

In every movie, the couple always jets off to Italy on a romantic trip. Sometimes movie magic makes us feel like we can't have as much fun as they are. Italy can be great for a romantic getaway, an educational trip for the kids, or a nice relaxing beach trip. I've always wanted to visit!

Here are the top 5 reasons why Italy is worth the trip.

•   Preserved History

Visiting Italy is like bringing a history book to life! According to Civitatis Rome, the Roman Empire was officially established by Augustus Caesar in 31 BC. Through the years Italy has changed and grown, but luckily a lot has been preserved. Stop at The Collesuem, Pompeii, or the Leaning Tower of Pisa. There is a lot to learn about, and there's no better way than to immerse yourself in the environment.

• Amazing Food

Surely I can't be the only one who plans their trips around food? There is no better place to go for delicious meals! Fresh vegetables, delicious pasta, and of course the legendary wine. Every meal in Italy feels like grandma's good cooking and is sure to be a favorite food destination.

• Beautiful Culutre

I checked out Espresso Translations which really highlighted the unique culture that encompasses the country. It is a wonderful mix of family, religion, food, language, art, and many more. Together it blends to make a country that is fiercly loyal. With the article mentioning, "Italy is home to over 62 million people and of that population around 96% are of Italian heritage." Their culture is so appealing because they have maintained a very traditional culture. 

• Religion

As mentioned in their culture, religion is a big part of the country. Christianity, Catholism specifically, is a very important belief system. If you are religious, Italy is a very spiritual place to connect with your faith. If you aren't, the cathedrals are a beautiful sight that is a must-see. 

• Art 

A constant you may have noticed in the rest of the list, is the beautiful architecture. Spending time walking around can be a unique experience if you are visiting from a younger country. The age of the country allows for much of the architecture to highlight a time that we aren't firsthand familiar with. Some of the best artists have come from Italy, so this is a great trip for all the art lovers out there. 

I hope to someday visit Italy, and learn even more about the beautiful country. There's breathtaking art, a long history, deep culture, and faithful experiences. This would be the ultimate trip for everyone!

It's Got to be London

It's Got to be London

As a young man in my mid-twenties, I've always wanted to travel and see the world before I decided I want to settle down, and London is the adventure I've always wanted.  I've had many family members travel abroad told me London was definitely worth it. This only excited me more and as a natural adventurer and a free-spirited heart, traveling to the capital of the United Kingdom is at the top of my list.

What about London?

London is one of the most popular and main attractions in the world. The main reason people want to travel abroad is that they want to explore different parts of the world. This includes the scenery, the different cultures, and just the country itself. That is the reason why I want to see London first handed. Most of the main attractions in London are: 

1. Buckingham Palace

2. Big Ben 

3. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge

4. The British Museum

5. The Parliament

6. Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square

7. The Shard

8. Hyde Park

9. Covent Garden

10. The London Eye

Tell Me More UK's Capital

London has such great scenery. Although it is one of the most developed cities in the world, London retains a lot of its vintage looks from the early 1900s. Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like to be in the places that some of our founding fathers lived? And as we all know it, the vintage feel gives everyone that relaxed vibe that is just so stress-free. When it comes to culture, London is very popular for its verity of arts. This includes its music, museums, theaters, festivals, and its lifestyle. Much like the U.S London also listens to a wide verity of music and hosts multiple music festivals per year. Also, as we know it, there are a few major artists from the UK that we also listen to like Sam Smith and Adele. However, the most popular type of music is classical music and opera. One major attraction that draws travelers to London is also the night/party life. According to the article called The 11 Best Party Cities in the World found on the website Kayak.co.uk published on September 12, 2017, the city of London comes in 10th. When most people think about the word party, they think crazy binge drinking and living like a young adult in college. However, London hosts many types of parties. Events that range from club parties to simple wine-tasting parties. The idea is that there are different niches of parties and there is always one for you.

Although there are so many wonderful places yet to explore, London is the number one destination I would love to visit. UK's capital includes great scenery, has a verity of cultures that are accepted in their community, and possesses multiple types of nightlife to fit your niche. If London is not in your top 10 places to visit, you should highly consider it!

Sources:

www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/london-eng-l-lon.htm  

Paris: Au Revoir, Forever?

 When you think of Paris, what comes to mind? Love? Romance? Pasta? Whatever it is that draws to Paris, it is a city full of mystery, twinkling lights, and the best wine on Earth. I had the great pleasure of being able to visit Paris a few years back with my family, and if it were not for Covid-19, I would be back in a heartbeat. I know it is difficult for all of us to have the internal conflict of wanting to go and explore the world, yet wanting to keep us and others safe during this pandemic. I have never felt so mystified and completely engulfed by a city before. If you are planning to head to Paris shortly, it is listed as a Level 3 by the CDC, which indicates rescheduling due to issues with Covid-19. However, if you are still determined to make the trek, you will not be disappointed. Due to the pandemic, Expedia has roundtrip flights from Minneapolis to Paris for as low as $1,000.

The Other City That Never Sleeps

Paris offers a large number of attractions to keep you busy from sunrise to sunset. Some of my recommendations for Paris include:

• The Eiffel Tower
• The Palace of Versailles
• The Champs De Elysee
• The Louvre Museum
• The Notre Dame
• The Arc De Triomphe 

  

  Eiffel Tower, Thorston Technoman 2017
  

  
  

Between the shopping on the Champs De Elysee, the beautiful sights of the city from the top of the Eiffel Tower, and the exquisite artwork displayed in the Louvre Museum, there is absolutely no shortage of attractions and activities to keep you on your feet all day. 

Things to Keep in Mind While in Paris

As is common when traveling to any new country or city, there are always things you want to be careful to keep you and your travel companions safe and experience a joyful trip. These include:

• Avoid talking to strangers selling bootleg alcohol or cigarettes
• Don't walk on the dark or less-traveled streets alone at night
• Make a note to check if the restaurant you are dining at accepts tips; in some countries, tips may be seen as disrespectful
• Do not point or stand in traffic to try to take photographs

If you follow these steps, you will have a glorious time in the city of love. I hope one day we are all able to travel safely again, and I wish nothing more but for all of you to be able to experience the magic that lies within Paris. Everyone deserves to feel like they are in a truly magical place once in their life. Hopefully, one day, we won't have to feel guilty about leaving the house and exploring the world.

The Louvre Museum, Pixabay 2015

Sources used:

U.S. State Department. (2020). France Travel Advisory. Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/france-travel-advisory.html

Expedia. (2020). Cheap Flights: Airline Tickets, Airfare Deals & One Way Flights: Expedia. Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://www.expedia.com/Flights-Search?flight-type=RoundTrip