Oh, my beautiful, dearest Ireland! How I love thee! And you will love Ireland too! It is definitely one of the top most friendly countries I have ever visited, twice, and I desperately want to go back again!

If you have never been to the Emerald island, then here is a bit of an extensive guide to get your planning started. With countless sites, locations, food and places to check out, there is something for everyone whether you are single or a family, shoestring traveller or luxury traveller. Ireland is especially good for nature lovers and hikers, so bring a camera and good shoes. If you are social and like chatting with locals, there is no better place!

Without further ado, here are things to do on your trip to Ireland:

The Basics:

Currency: Ireland is part of the EU and uses the Euro. Prices are neither cheap nor expensive, though Dublin is where you will see the highest prices for accommodation and food.

When to go: Ireland is probably best during the months of March-October, since the winters can be quite chilly, rainy and cloudy. But overall the weather is relatively mild, so if you choose to come in the off season, simply be well dressed with warm socks, good boots, a decent jacket and hat!

What to do in Dublin

This city is full of hustle and bustle, with plenty of things to do, all within walking distance in the city center.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Not only is this a beautiful example of a medieval church, it is the tallest in Ireland! Named after the most famous Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is reason enough to check it out!

Temple Bar

The most famous bar in Dublin, found in the area known as Temple Bar. Yes, slightly confusing, but it's not difficult to find. It is recognizable by it's bright red walls and busy crowd, likely watching a football match with a pint or two.


St. Stephen Park

A beautiful green space and park that has it's original Victorian layout. Great place to take a rest, maybe have a picnic, or people watch.

Trinity College

A beautiful and impressive establishment, I highly recommend visiting not just the college, but the every famous Book of Kells exhibit. If you love books, these old texts will give your inner bookworm a thrill! Gorgeous pages that have preserved the ancient manuscript skills of monks long passed.

Kilmainham Gaol (Prison)

Want to see where Irish revolutionaries stayed while imprisoned? You can! In fact, you can stand in their very cell. This historic building comes with a very good tour of the building, along with haunting stories to make chills go up your spine...

The Brazen Head

The oldest pub in Dublin still stands today! If you are lucky, there may be some live music, but if not it is still a great cozy place for a good Irish meal!

Guinness Storehouse

If you don't like Guinness before you visit the museum, you will fall in love with it by the time you are done! There is absolutely no comparison to Guinness bought abroad to a pint in the very factory where it is made!

Dublin Writers Museum - I'm a word nerd. So I'm adding this to the list in case anyone else is a fan of literature! Or at least a fan of James Joyce.

Day Trips From Dublin

Wicklow Mountains

To the south of the capital is a huge national park in the County Wicklow. You will need a tour bus to get here, or car rental. It is a perfect place to hike and see the biodiversity of Ireland. The mountains are not that high, so the hiking is not that intense, which is good news for anyone who is not much of a climber. Everything is lush, green and peaceful. There are little streams and waterfalls. You can also visit the Glendalough Monastery ruins.

Howth

Nothing says quaint coastal town like Howth! It is an easy ride on the DART from Dublin. A super lovely town to stroll through, explore little shops, eat amazing fish and chips, and have nature walks by the ocean! You may even see a seal in the marina, really close and personal! It isn't a large town, so there is plenty of time to see both Lighthouses, the Castle and the Abbey. Howth is mostly known for its fish and cliff views, so be sure to enjoy both as well!

What to do on the Coast

West Coast- See Galway and Cliffs of Moher:

Probably the top destination in Ireland besides Dublin. The West coast boasts of incredible sites both of nature and historic. Galway is a young and hip town, thanks to all the students living there. Beautiful shops lining cobbled streets and right along the coast, so you can get a big whiff of that beautiful salty ocean air.

The Cliffs of Moher are the main thing to see on the West Coast. Dauntingly beautiful. Be sure to bring a jacket, as it always seems to be windy! If you are taking a tour bus from Galway to the cliffs, you will likely also stop by to see the Poulnabrone ancient tomb site. For me, this was especially cool, since there is likely some distant relatives of mine buried there.

What to do in Northern Ireland

What to Eat

Food

Irish Beef Stew - a staple of Irish cuisine. It is typically accompanied with soda bread on the side, though you may have the option of Guinness bread as well.

Bangers & Mash - Mashed potatoes and sausages! Very simple but very heart and delicious!

Fish N Chips - fish is common in general, since so much of Ireland is coastal. But I'm pretty sure Howth is where I had the best fish n chips!

Lamb - Whether you have it with potatoes, have it as chops, or in a stew, you're not having the full Irish experience without eating some lamb. During a trip with my friend Jeff, we chose to buy our own lamb chops and cook it ourselves. It was delicious!

Drink

Guinness - starting with the best! Even if you've never really liked dark beers, give Guinness a chance! I definitely didn't like my first taste, but by my third, I found I actually really liked it! It is the most fresh at the Guinness museum of course.

Harp - If you're not too keen on stout and dark beers, than maybe this light lager will suit your fancy. It is lighter and smoother in taste, making it similar to other European beers.

Irish Whiskey - Ireland is not only proud of their beer but also of their whiskey! And they should be. I had a shot that cured me of a headache!



This concludes my basic guide to Ireland. I think everyone should visit this beautiful, friendly and amazing country! If you are planning a trip soon, or have visited the Emerald island before, let us know in the comments below!

Have you ever seen a photograph of a place that instantly captured your desire to travel and visit that location? That is how we came to visit Cappadocia, Turkey. You can probably imagine what the photo captured. The iconic landscape of the Cappadocia valleys, during the sunrise, with countless hot air balloons magically floating above.

While that view alone is a good enough reason to visit this ancient natural landscape, here are 10 reasons you absolutely must visit Cappadocia!

BASICS TO KNOW

Before we get started, here are some basic facts about Turkey. First off, the capital is Ankara, which is a couple hours flight from Istanbul, and lies on the Asian part of Turkey. The language is Turkish, and they have their own currency known as the Turkish Lira. Currently 1 TRY is equivalent to 0.26 USD, though be sure to check the rates before your trip. It is a predominantly Muslim country, though has a great deal of Christian roots.

Now, unto why the region of Cappadocia is a must-have on your bucket list!

1. The Fairy Houses

The secret to the magic of this area is the unique and incredible rock formations to be seen. The well dubbed Fairy Houses are no exception! Not only is their natural shape fascinating, but the fact that humans actually lived inside some of them just makes them feel like homes straight out of a fairy tale! This romantic and beautiful location makes it a popular place for wedding photos.

2.Underground City

This may be the deepest you ever climb down into the earth! If you take a tour to visit some of the ancient and incredible human settlements that used the natural landscape to their advantage, you will be blown away. The deepest one is known as Derinkuyu, which goes as deep at 8 stories! It even connects with another underground city via an underground tunnel!

3. Cave Boutique Hotels

Ever wanted to sleep in a cave filled with luxurious furniture? Here's your chance! If you go to Cappadocia, please, please, please stay at Canyon Cave Hotel ! Most hotels here are small and personally run by the owner. The owner of our boutique hotel is a very sweet and charming man, Murat. He will make it his personal mission to ensure you enjoy yourself not just in his hotel but while in Cappadocia area. He arranged everything for us in terms of the tours and hot air balloon ride, which made our time in Cappadocia all the more relaxing! Also, sleeping in a cave just might change your life!

4. Open Air Museum

This is not a typical museum. It isn't in a building, it doesn't have walls or displays. Instead it's an open area that is a UNESCO world heritage site. You can visit churches that have been carved into the rock, see ancient fresco paintings, and hike around.

5. Pigeon Valley

Talk about a view! Not sure if I need to say much more. The history of why it's called Pigeon Valley is an interesting one, so be sure to ask your tour guide to tell you!

6. Cheap Food

Turkey isn't a very pricey place to travel in, but the price of food is relatively low compared to most of their commodities. So that's always a bonus! While I'm not absolutely crazy about Turkish food (I blame early pregnancy symptoms that wouldn't let me enjoy food), we did enjoy some Turkish dishes at low costs, which always helps a traveller make their travel money go further! One dish I do recommend is roasted eggplant and fresh yogurt. This is an appetizer that is served hot or cold, I tried it cold and it is quite yummy!

7. Incredible Landscapes

There is more to the region than rocky canyons and caves. Be prepared to take numerous panoramas of landscapes that are so gorgeous and unique! There are hills and hidden valleys with streams. It's a nature-lover's dream! My favourite is probably of this mountain range we took a quick pit stop at during our tour. It looks like something out of a Tolkien novel!

8. Rich Ancient History

If you are even only a minor history buff, you will be very impressed with the interweaving layers of history that Cappadocia carries. I was particularly blown away by the early Christian history that took place in the very caves, hills and valleys we explored.

9. Small Town/Country Feel

This whole area is a cluster of small cities and towns scattered throughout the canyons. It is a nice break from metropolitan traffic of cars and people that you normally encounter on holidays. This is a very different and unique nature experience that will stand out in your memories for years to come!

10. Hot Air Balloon Ride

This is the iconic, bucket list-worthy item of Cappadocia. I hope you are not afraid of heights! This is truly a unique experience. Wake up long before the crack of dawn. Hop on a balloon. Rise up along with the sun. Soar above the breath-taking views. Please check the weather expectations during your stay. I recommend staying at least 3 days so as not to miss your chance to catch a low breeze!



Have you been convinced to buy a ticket to Cappadocia, yet? Have you been there before? Is it still on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments below! I hope your wanderlust is inspired!

Last year we explored Europe once again for the Christmas holidays, and we decided to finish off in Paris! This was our second visit to Paris as a couple, so I was eager to hit up some of the places we missed our first time that I really wanted Wayne to see. This was also my second New Years in the city of lights! It was a wonderful little stay, full of great food, shopping and sight-seeing of course!

Day 1 - New Years Eve

Believe it or not, it was cheaper to fly into Paris on New Years Eve than the next day! So we flew out of Prague and landed in Paris late morning. We checked into the hotel Libertel Gare du Nord, which is incredibly close to the train station Gare du Nord, which made it super convenient from the airport.

We settled into our hotel, bought some food from a local market and bakery a few blocks away, and then got ready for the evening!

I had already done the countdown by the Eiffel tower many years ago, so I knew there wasn't much to see. I had done some research and found out that l'Arc de Triomf has a light show and fireworks! We definitely wanted to see something a little more special, so we chose l'Arc as our countdown place.



If you have ever been to a huge metropolitan city for a big event like New Years, you know it gets crowded quite quickly. The show was great, we were able to have a decent view, and it was wonderful to kiss my beloved into 2016! The aftermath was chaotic, more so than I remember from many years ago. I believe some construction, and distance to the metro contributed to this. It took quite a lot longer to get back to the hotel, but once we did we wished everyone back home a Happy New Year and went to bed!

Day 2 - Relaxing & Food

It's New Years day, so not much is open and we slept in a bit. Once we felt recovered, off we went to explore the city and discover new things!

One place we discovered that instantly became a hit was a small bistro called Frenchie To Go. Wayne and I are huge breakfast people! Now, culturally, French people have very simple breakfasts, but we sought out places that served less typical breakfast meals. This place definitely take a concept that is very foreign to the French, which is the "To-Go" menu! But you can sit inside and enjoy your breakfast at leisure, and look quite French while you do it.



This bistro is the kind of place that changes their menu a little as seasons change, so we were very lucky that they were serving their Maple Bacon scones and pastrami eggs benedict! Both absolutely smashing in flavour! They also have great baking in general. Highly recommend you visit them!



We then walked through Ile de la Cité by Notre Dame. At this point the sun had already set (around 5 pm in the winter) and the Christmas tree in the square was lit up. It was quite beautiful. Slowly we made our way over to the St. Michel fountain and found a restaurant that was open, so we got some dessert.

Day 3 - Shopping at Galleries Lafayette

To save some money, we had only booked a hotel for the first two nights then checked out. For the rest of our time there, we would stay in Le Montclair Montmartre hostel. It was actually really nice, because we had a private room and bathroom to ourselves!

While we thought Frenchie was great, we had also heard of another breakfast place called Holy Belly. It is known to get busy lines in the late mornings since it is well known for serving a non typical French meal known as brunch! We seized our chance and got there before the morning rush.

Their food is delicious, no doubt about that. Very hipster place as well, with some rustic and vintage details. I will say, however, for what is a standard American meal, they charged quite a lot! It was probably the most expensive breakfast we have ever had anywhere!



We were in need of some nice shoes and we were in Paris. How could we not do shoe-shopping in Paris?

Right after breakfast, we headed over to Les Galleries Lafayette. In all my visits to Paris, I had yet to shop in this huge and gorgeous mall!



Can you believe that after a few hours of shopping, and looking at dozens of shoes, I had no success at all? Wayne, on the other hand, found two stylish pairs of shoes to call his own. Needless to say, I felt a bit cursed.

To make up for how down I felt, after a rest at the hostel, we decided to hit up Trocadero and walk up to the Eiffel Tower to watch her sparkle! It never ceases to lift my spirits and fill me with a sense of wonder! Afterwards we got lost trying to make our way to a nearby metro stop, but that's part of travelling and exploring!

Day 4 - Versailles

Taking Wayne to Versailles was high on our to-do list since we didn't get a chance to visit it during our honeymoon. We chose to do an audio guide tour, which in some ways I prefer for an actual guide. For a busy and popular place like Versailles, you'll want to go at your own pace and get a chance to see whatever strikes your fancy.

I always, always, always recommend a ticket that allows you to go into the gardens and properties beyond! Don't be satisfied with only a castle tour. The gardens are lovely, and we went in winter time! In summer it is simply exquisite.



I believe we spent at least 3 hours on the chateau property. With the train ride to and from Paris, we basically had a full day. We stopped by a bakery on our way back to the hostel and bought a Galette de Roi! If you are in France during the holiday season or January, please do yourself a favour and try this great traditional pie!

Day 5 - Shoes & Jardin de Luxembourg

Since it was our last day, we savoured one last delicious breakfast at Frenchie To Go. Thanks to the recommendation of a friend, we were going to try to find me some shoes one more time!

We hit up rue de Rennes, and this time we had success! While I didn't quite find the kind of boots I had in mind, I bought one pair of black suede shoes and one pair of black suede boots that I thought I looked killer in!

The Jardin de Luxembourg was one other major site Wayne had not yet visited, and it is probably my favourite park in Paris! To celebrate finding beautiful shoes and our last full day in Paris, we did a fun photoshoot in the garden.



Once we had our fun and had gone around through most of the garden, it was time to find a place to eat. We found a restaurant nearby for lunch. Wayne had boeuf bolognaise while I indulged in a foie gras platter. Both delicious, of course.



Besides going back to the hostel to pack for our early morning flight, the last thing we did was to spend the evening in Sacre Coeur and Montmartre area for dinner. This is one of the most beautiful and romantic areas in my opinion! So I was quite pleased to end our Paris holiday this way.

Read More: Three Museums in Paris To Visit Besides the Louvre



Are you planning to visit Paris for New Years or holidays this year? Have you been before? Let me know in the comments below! And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Travelling to underrated places are some of my favourite. While I have a deep love for popular places like Paris and Dublin, I find Eastern European countries are waiting for travellers to discover their hidden beauties. The Ukraine is no exception.


How did we end up going to Ukraine? Quite simple, compromise. Part of being a travelling couple is that we try to plan trips that make both of us happy. When my husband expressed a desire to see the Ukraine as part of our 2 week Spring break, I thought "sure! If we can also go to Turkey!". I had actually been to the Ukraine before. My mother grew up there, and when I was 11 we travelled from Canada to Kharkov so I could meet her side of the family for the first time.

BEST TIME TO GO TO UKRAINE

We live in Egypt. It's already getting relatively hot, so we thought Spring break in Eastern Europe would be refreshing. Turns out it is very much like a Winnipeg spring. Very chilly wind, sometimes rainy, and then suddenly spikes to a very warm heat so you sweat under your 3 layers of clothes.

Other than the varying weather that has you taking off and putting on your jacket over and over again, the only other main downside to coming in the spring is construction and renovations.

Now, maybe it just happens to be a year when the Ukraine planned to renovate many of it's popular attractions, but double check online if anything you wish to see during your visit might be closed due to renovations! We unfortunately met up with 3 during our trip.

Summertime, (late April-Mid September) is a great time to come because that's when so many places are available to see and enjoy. The Love Tunnel, the Black Sea beaches, and the Carpathian mountains are all best enjoyed in the summer. If you love winter, are dressed appropriately, then it's not a bad choice to come here for Christmas time either! Ukrainians have such a rich culture, it would be quite the treat to see how they celebrate Christmas!

WHERE WE WENT IN UKRAINE

We decided to only spend 10 days in Ukraine, and decided to split the time evenly between Kiev and Odessa. In hindsight, we would have done things differently, such as added Lviv or simply cut it a few days shorter (this is mostly due to the weather and construction!)

KIEV

The vibrant capital city! The historic center! I would recommend a good 3 days in the capital as there are endless museums, cathedrals, historical buildings, restaurants and events to choose from! While there is a metro system, the monuments and attractions are relatively spread across and the metro stops are not as frequent

as in some cities. Also, you can add an extra day if you want to do a day trip to either Chernobyl, or maybe to see the Love Tunnel.

My top suggestions:

• Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti)


• St. Michael's Golden Dome Monastery


• St Andrew's Basilica and surrounding area - bit of a hike! But super gorgeous church!


• Walking down Khreschatyk Street - numerous shops, great for people-watching, pedestrian friendly on weekends.


• Mariyinsky Palace and surrounding garden

Read more for 39 other things to see and do in Kiev!

ODESSA

The mini Paris of Ukraine! We definitely spent one too many days in this gorgeous city. If it was summer time, then 4 days is perfect. Most of the attractions are in the center of town and towards the port. It is a very walk-able part of town, which is good since there is no metro, only buses and trams. But not only was it still a cool spring, one of the main attractions was under renovation, once again! We did not have the best of luck, as you can see.

My top suggestions:

• Odessa Opera House - a real beauty and cheap, cheap tickets for STUNNING shows! We saw Swan Lake and it was absolutely breathtaking!


• Cathedral Square - Ukraine is not short on Orthodox churches!


• Derybasivska Street - there are plenty of shops and restaurants, and it will lead you to the city garden which is very quaint.


• Potemkin Stairs - perfect photo op and view of the sea!


• Open Air Markets - Odessa is known to have quite a few, if you want to catch a bus, you can go the largest one in Eastern Europe!

WHAT TO EAT IN UKRAINE

Believe me when I say that we had some amazing Ukrainian food! And that's coming from someone blessed with a Ukrainian babushka! If you are unfamiliar with the comforting wonders of Ukrainian food, allow me to enlighten you to a very popular cuisine.

Vareniki - In Canada, for some reason, we call these 'perogies', but don't go around asking for perogies. Or you will get something breaded with meat or mashed potatoes. What makes vareniki so popular is their dumpling-like shell that compliments both savoury and sweet filling options. The most popular are cabbage,mashed potato and meat.

Pelmeni - my absolute childhood (and adulthood) favourite! This is similar to vareniki, but inside is a meatball with specific spices that gives it a very specific flavor. Slop on some creamy sour cream and a bit of butter and, mmmmm, you have heaven in the form of a dumpling.

Sirniki- cottage cheese-filled pancakes. These are simply to die for! I have a deep love for cottage cheese, and these babies are amazing with some strawberry jam and sour cream! Man, I'm hungry...

Pashtet- liver pate. If you like liver, you will like this pate. It is usually mixed with hard-boiled eggs that are finely chopped up, so the liver taste is softer. Very filling on a nice piece of toast!

Holopsi- Cabbage rolls! Yum, yum! A very common dish that is full of flavour, but surprisingly not very heavy on the stomach.



DRINKS

----

Compote - You cannot go to Ukraine and not have compote. What is this? Fruit that has been sitting in hot water, then cooled. Kind of like cucumber water. There is a huge variety of compotes! We had strawberry with apple, and red berries. My babushka makes these too, and they're perfect as a refreshing drink on a warm day!

Ukrainian Beer - Not only did we find that Ukrainian beer is quite good and with a large variety of blond, dark and unfiltered, it was also ridiculously cheap! Having a couple of beers with your meal won't hurt your pocket when you dine in Ukraine!

OUR EXPERIENCE - Things the Surprised Us

# 1 - The People:

One of the first things I worried about was the people. We had visited Russia the year before and found the people distant and hesitant or unwilling to help. That was not the case in Ukraine. Both in Kiev and Odessa, I'm proud to say that basically all of our interactions with people was kind and pleasant.

Maybe it's because I can speak the language (basic, not fluent), but I was actually more worried about how Ukrainians would react to someone speaking in Russian. Turns out they all speak Russian too! And as far as I could tell, no one seemed offended or upset. Most people were patient with us and did their best to communicate and help us. Sometimes you have to have faith in people!

#2 - The Obvious Economic Struggle

With all the beauty Ukraine has, you can see that there is a struggle to get back to glory days. Many buildings are in disarray and unkempt. For some buildings, it adds an old charm, but for many the deterioration is a bit heart-breaking. But Ukrainians are a proud people, and especially in a large city like Kiev, we saw countless people who maintained the pristine look of their street, park or shop.

Don't let their lack of prosperity deter you from visiting, though! Like I said before, they are doing a lot of renovations to major attractions, so you will see an even more beautiful Ukraine than we did!

#3 - The Colourful Beauties

I never imagined a northern European country to be almost more colourful than a hot country like Sprain or Portugal! I was blown away by the colour pallet of both Kiev and Odessa. If you were following along on Instagram, you have seen the lovely bright coloured buildings that grace the streets of Kiev. Soft pinks, bright mints and turquoise, periwinkle blue, and sky-blue are the most popular.



Overall, we had a lovely time in Ukraine! There was no shortage of beautiful sights, quaint streets, unique restaurants and good food and drink! So, not only is there so much culture and fun experiences to be had, Ukraine is also ridiculously budget-friendly when it comes to accommodation and food!

Have you had a chance to visit the Ukraine? What is your favourite Ukrainian dish? Do you plan to visit in the future? Let me know in the comments below!

Since travel is a great passion for many people (myself included), I thought it would be neat to share some travel related names for all you travel-loving folks! Maybe this list will help you out if you're still searching for that perfect name.

Meaning behind the name is very important to me, and if it is for you too, I explain the meaning and origin of the name! They are separated into two categories for a total of 40 names. Each list comes with it's own Pin image so you can pin for later reference!

25 Names Inspired by Places (Cities, Countries, State, etc)

Alaska - from the Aleut language, this female name means "that which breaks against the shore" or "great land", take your pick! Made popular by John Green's book "Looking for Alaska". It just sounds like a cool nature girl with beautiful, natural flowing hair.

London - this can go for either boy or girl, and you can even alter the spelling: Londyn. I find the name both elegant and serious, but is fun to say outloud! Named, of course, after England's historic capital that is almost synonymous with William Shakespeare, tea with scones, and Big Ben.

India - want an exotic-sounding name for your baby girl? Why not go with the name of a very well-known exotic country! India has been associated with this romantic ideal of the beautiful and foreign.

Odessa - while this beautiful name means "wrathful", it is known as the artistic center of the Ukraine. A mini Paris in it's own rights, this city also has a history of being strong against historic upturns. Just like the Black Sea waves that crash upon its shores....

Paris - Though originally a greek name, Paris is known world-wide as the shining city of lights in France. As one of my most favourite cities, and it's tie to the handsome prince in mythology, you can't go wrong with this classical name.

Arizona - where the name comes from is debatable. Some say it comes from the Spanish, others claim it is native-american. Either way, it's a very cool and beautiful name for a girl.

Austin - believe it or not, this name originally comes from the name Augustine.

Boston - another popular American city, this name originally comes from an English Saint, though the Old English spelling and pronunciation is not very similar.

Bristol - another Old English derived name, where the original name is spelled entirely different. This pretty female name mean "place at a bridge". Maybe she will have very good connections.

Carson - honestly, I think of Downton Abbey before I think of Carson city, and who could oppose to naming their child after one of the most beloved characters of the series? Carson's meaning depends on the language root you look at. It can mean "marsh", "fort" or "rock.

Kent - Another name with a very old root, in this case Welsh. It basically means edge or border. Short but strong, could be a classier replacement for Kyle.

Dakota - This name is no stranger, but it's hugely popular. This beautiful name means "friend" in the Dakota language, which can complement either boy or girl.



Santiago - I bet you never knew this name is from the Anglicized "James". Neither did I! If you like a bit of an exotic flare, this could be a perfect name for a dark-haired boy!

Verona - Speaking of exotic and warm names, this is a beautiful girl name. Shakespeare chose this particular Italian city as the backdrop to possibly his most famous play "Romeo and Juliet". Romance and beauty abound!

Rio - This latin name is short, sweet and simple. It means "river", which is quite refreshing and pleasant!

Indiana - hopefully the famous Jones doesn't put you off from choosing this name. After all, it does sounds adventurous!

Tara - This short Irish name has a pretty neat meaning, which is "where the kings met". You can still visit the Hill of Tara to this day!

France - Probably my favourite country in the world, France is famous for so much! Incredible food, amazing art, and revolutions! You may, however, prefer the more subtle name Francis.

China - While the Great Wall might be one of the first things to come to mind, it is also synonymous with beautiful artisan china that is known for its delicate beauty.

Israel - Talk about an old name with a lot of history! Anyone who is fond of Jewish history and Hebrew roots might name their son after this strong cultural name.

Brooklyn - Well-known neighborhood of New York, this lovely girl's name is a compound English name that simply refers to "one who lives near a brook.

Sydney - Everyone knows the Sydney Opera House from it's stunning silhouette. This name comes from Normandy that means "wide island" or from the French name "Saint Denis".

Diego -  This cool-sounding name is yet another Spanish name that is from the anglicized "James", which means supplanter.

Athens - Famous since ancient times. While Athens can be used as a boy name, this Greek capital was named after the goddess Athena after she won the vote of the people. Athena means "sharp" and "praise".

Memphis - Ending off on an even more ancient city, going back to Ancient Egypt. This boy name was originally in Egyptian, meaning "enduring and beautiful" before the Greeks changed the spelling and pronunciation.

15 Baby Names Inspired by Natural Places

1. Carolina - after the hills of the Carolinas, of course! Beautiful name for a beautiful place.


2. Ocean - don't most people love the ocean? It's so powerful, yet soft and calm. Then again, it can be frightfully strong and powerful. It cannot be tamed.


3. Aria - This name is a breath of fresh air! Literally, it is the Italian word for 'air', and also the same word for a beautiful soloist song.


4. Terra - a lovely name that simply means "earth". The place we live, but also the substance in which all livings things come from!


5. Coral - Anyone who has snorkeled or scuba-dived has ogled at beautiful coral reefs that we are so fascinated by!


6. Sky - this is such a lovely name! It is so inspirational, afterall, don't we say "the sky's the limit"? Who knows where your little one will go in life!


7. Beaumont - this fancy French name is after a mountain in (you guessed it) France! You literally have a beautiful and strong name, since it translates to "beautiful/handsome mountain".


8. Brier - this always reminds me of Sleeping Beauty! 'Brier Rose' does have a nice ring to it.


9. Glenn - 'shady glenn', a quick line from the melodious song "Loch Lomond", it's definitely a retro name these days.


10. Montana - a popular name, having both a state and a faux pop singer with the same name, this is a classic for those who love open fields, riding on horse-back, fishing, and rodeos!


11. West - As long as your last name isn't Jet, this is a really neat name that will automatically make your boy sound like the cool kid. 


12. Dale - synonymous with valley. If you have ever walked along the bottom of a valley, you know how neat and beautiful it is, usually with a stream running along with low trees perching over and large rocks that lead up to the mountains.


13. Sierra - named after the lovely Sierra range, what is there not to love? This name is both feminine and solid.


14. Hudson - Canadians know the huge role the Hudson Bay played in our history. It sounds like a sporty guy who loves hunting.


15. Logan - no, we're not talking about the Wolverine (although he's pretty cool too), but about Mt. Logan. Canada's tallest mountain! Logan sounds like someone you can depend on to get the job done. Also sounds like he owns a truck.

I hope you enjoyed this collection of travel inspired baby names! Are there any that really appeal to you? Have you used one of these names for your kid? Do you have other travel-related baby names that were not on this post? Share them below in the comments!

Barcelona is a popular destination, no doubt about it. It is a great mix of urban modern city, old gothic charm, beach town and Spanish culture with a Catalan twist. It's a unique city, and there is a reason it keeps drawing in tourists and visitors by the thousands! If you are planning a trip there, keep reading to get an idea of what to see, do, what to eat, and overall how to have a blast in this amazing Spanish city! Here are my 10 suggestions:

1- Visit the Gothic Quarter

This is a spot I love returning to every time! The Gothic Quarter is so neat and different from the rest of Barcelona, with it's tiny, winding streets preserved since the middle ages, the cathedral and little squares, all etched in old and fascinating history! This is a part of the city you want a tour guide for!

2 - Eat Seafood Paella

Barcelona is a coastal city, so you will see a lot of seafood around! If you're not allergic, then I highly recommend you combine two typical dishes of the city: Paella and seafood! It comes with rings of calamari, little clams, and half a lobster! Yum!

3 - Walk Down Las Ramblas

This is where the hustle and bustle never seems to end! We loved walking down this street from Placa de Catalunya and occasionally meandered off to the side streets before making our way back to Las Ramblas. This is also a potential hot spot for pickpockets, so keep your belongings well-secured! This is also a great street to make some typical souvenir shopping. From here you can also go to Plaza Real, Santa Maria del Pi Basilica and the Boqueria Market.

4 - Be in Awe of the Sagrada Familia

Two visits later, and I still am in incredible awe of this magnificent structure. The outside might seem very impressive and interesting, but the inside is really where the artistry and reverence is revealed. You could spend hours looking at all the detailed elements and admiring the beauty on every column, window or wall. There is seriously nothing like it in the entire world!

5 - Fun Day at the Beach

Barcelona didn't always have a beach! In fact, that's Egyptian sand you're tanning on! The beach is a very popular destination, and yes it can be fairly crowded and touristy, but it's still a fun way to beat the Spanish heat in the middle of summer! The water is so lovely and warm, but still refreshing. The waves can get fairly strong, so surfing is definitely a possibility!

6 - Watch A Football Match

It's no mystery where the Barcelona team is based. If you are lucky to be visiting during a game, be sure to book tickets in advanced. If you love futbol, you'll love the experience of watching one of the most renown club teams in the beautiful stadium, Camp Nou, filled with energized fans!

7 - Explore Gaudi

A Trip to Barcelona would not be complete if you did not see more of Gaudi's work, besides the Sagrada Familia. There is Parc Guell, which I recommend bringing a picnic, water and comfy shoes along. There are two Gaudi 'houses', one called Casa Batllo and the other La Pedrera. If you appreciate artistic brilliance and architectural beauty, you will fall in love with Gaudi's genius mind!

 

8 - Go on a Tapas Tour

What are Tapas? If you don't know, it's basically snacks! Usually finger food and usually accompanied with a beer. There are good tapas places, and bad tapas places. To hit up a few and try about 5 different tapas or so, look for a Tapas Tour. Imagine dozens battered shrimp, spicy meatballs, savory puff pastries and sausages on toothpicks. Yum! Veggie people, don't be discouraged, good tapas bars will have options for you too!

9 - Taste Delicious Sangria

Before I had Sangria, I only really liked white wine. Crazy, right? Sangria was what transitioned me into a 'red' person. If you are travelling with someone, then you can easily split a pitcher and have a few glasses with your meal. One of the best Sangria's I had was in Plaça Reial. Enjoy, and take your time! Spanish people don't eat, drink and leave in a rush.

10 - Enjoy Museums for Free on a Sunday

Who doesn't like free things? And hopefully you like museums too! If you like Picasso or Barcelona History, there is the Picasso Museum and the Museo d'Historia de Barcelona, that are free from 3pm until 8pm on Sundays. Other museums also are free at least once a month, here is a list of those museums for reference.. So be sure to check out their websites in advance.





If you did just these 10 things, you are already having a great time in Barcelona! There are definitely more things to do, so stay tuned for a more detailed guide to this popular Spanish city!

Have you been to Barthelona? What did you think of it? Is it still on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments below!

Tourism is slowly improving in Egypt now that people realize it's actually pretty safe in spite of the events that hits the news once in a while. Even Will Smith came with his family and had a great time in Cairo! So it's probably time for you to start planning your trip! Whether you come for a weekend or a month, I have multiple itinerary plans that you can customize to make the most of your stay.

Cairo (3-5 days)

You have to begin in Cairo, the largest capital in the Arab world. Filled with over 22 million people. Yes, it will be crowded, smelly, and hot, but it's Egypt! Come in the winter and then at least it won't be hot.

What to Do & See:

1. Pyramids & Sphinx - you didn't really come all the way to Egypt to skip this wonder of the world, did you? Of course not. Do not go without reading up on what you need and what to expect when visiting the pyramids.


2. Khan El Khalili - If you know how to barter and want to get souvenirs at a bargain, this maze of a bazaar is the place to be. Careful not to get lost!


3. Felluca on the Nile - what could be more romantic and relaxing than a little boat cruise on the Nile? This may be one of the best ways to end off your trip in Egypt. You can head to Zemalek island, go down Left Bank and hire a felluca. Don't pay much more than 150 Egyptian pounds for one hour.


4. Mall of Egypt - if you like malls, this brand new structure is the one to beat! Gorgeous interior and is the twin to the Mall of Dubai - since they are built by the same owner. You can try out the indoor ski park, VIP theater (yes there are English movies!) a range of delicious cafes and endless shopping for whatever your budget is.


5. Coptic Cairo - if culture, religion and architecture interests you at all, you can do a walking tour of Coptic Cairo, which has the famous Hanging Church. And in its near proximity, the Amr Ibn El Aas Mosque, where both men and women can enter, just through different entrances!

Red Sea Coast (3-5 days)

Probably my favourite part of Egypt! We have been to the Sinai peninsula coast 3 times now, and I love it every time! If you like the beach lifestyle, turquoise-blue waters and many outdoor activities and sports, this is a must-see!


 

What to Do & See:

1. Sharm El Shiekh - an hour from the airport, or 7 hours by the Superjet Bus, this city is one of the best spots along the Red Sea. 5 star resorts for as low as 40 US$ a day, incredible blue water, Old Town, Farsha Cafe, desert safari, I could go on and on about all the things you could do that would easily fill up your days. Read more about what to do in charming Sharm.


2. Dahab - If Sharm is too resort-like or big for you, Dahab is a tiny beach town just 1 hour north of Sharm. While low tourism has made Dahab feel a bit shabby and ghost-like, it is THE spot of snorkeling and diving! With the famous Blue Hole and Three Pools coral reefs, you can really enjoy the water life here. Find out more about this small beach town and fun to be had!

Aswan & Luxor - The South (3-5 days)

There is one very popular way to visit both Aswan and Luxor, which is by cruise along the Nile (with a short flight from Cairo to Aswan first) although it automatically take 4 days if you do so.

The Itinerary for Nile Cruises:

1. Begin in Aswan: Philae Temple and the High Dam


2. Stop over in Kom Ombo City: Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu Temple


3. End in Luxor: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon

Check here for more information about Nile Cruises and see if there is a package right for you.

North Coast & Alexandria (2-4 days)

The city of Alexandria alone can be done in 1-2 days, but if you have time, you should squeeze in a trip westward along the Mediterranean for some of the softest white sand and gorgeous blue water!

What To Do & Sea:

1. The Citadel - a fort-like structure that is hundreds of years old with a great view of the Mediterranean in the city of Alex. If you like castles and the like, you will enjoy a jaunt through here.


2. Library of Alexandria - not the original I'm afraid, but this library was built in the memory of the old world wonder and is considered in the top most beautiful libraries in the world. There are also a couple smaller museums inside, including one with ancient, preserved texts from ancient times!


3. North Coast Hotel or Resort - if you are coming during May-early September, then you can enjoy the coastal life on Egypt's lovely north coast! Soft white sand, beautiful warm turquoise water, just watch out for the jelly fish!

ITINERARY OPTIONS:

All of Egypt: If you like to evenly pace your trip and have a lot of time to travel, you could do Cairo, the Red Sea, the South, and North coast in 21 days. If you rush through quickly, you would need a minimum of 2 and a half weeks, but it would be very tight.

2 Week Recommendation: If you only have two weeks, then I recommend Cairo, the Red Sea and then Aswan & Luxor with about 3-4 days for each location.

1 Week - 10 Days: If you only have a week to ten days, then I would recommend only two of these locations, unless you cut it down to only 2-3 days per location, but instead of Aswan & Luxor, Alexandria would be more doable.

Less than a Week: You can do what Will Smith did, and simply spend a weekend or so in Cairo! A day trip to Alexandria is still very doable as well if you are visiting for 4-5 days.

Whatever your time frame is, I hope you visit enough of Egypt to have seen at least 3 of these 4 locations to really get a taste of what this country has to offer. Now, if time is the least of your problems, here are some extras you can throw into your plans!

Extras

Here are some honourable mentions that you can do if you are staying for an extended period of time, because you could spend a whole month in Egypt and have it quite filled with activities, exploration and fun!

1. Sandboarding in Fayoum - a lot warmer than snowboarding! You can also camp out in Fayoum, which is a couple hours south west of Cairo.


2. Kayaking on the Nile - rent a kayak and get more personal with the popular Nile and see Cairo from another perspective. Just don't go swimming in it!


3. Hiking in Wadi Degla Pectorate - this protected desert area is just outside Cairo, and is great for hikers. You can bring a picnic and portable BBQ if you like!

If you were at a loss when it came to planning a trip to Egypt, I hope you feel inspired and ready to plan out your itinerary with the places and outings that suit you!

Special thanks to Zach for his great photos from Fayoum!



Have you been to Egypt before? Or is it still on your bucket list? What is stopping you from visiting? Let me know in the comments below!