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

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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!

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!

We spent four days in Qatar, which is more than enough to see all that Doha has to offer. The city is clean and very modern with new high-rises going up all the time, and of course there are preparations under way for the FIFA world cup. That being said, there is not a great many things to see and do in Doha, particularly if you are a budget traveller or really enjoy more authentic cultural experiences.

Greece was nothing like how I always imagined, but it is absolutely wonderful, and has become my husband's top favourite country so far! The islands of Greece are a rugged type of beauty, full of rocky cliffs, breath-taking sights, and winding roads. The people are friendly, the food is delicious, and the lifestyle on the islands is different than anything I have yet experienced.

Santorini vs. Mykonos:

We went to both Santorini and Mykonos, and I will state right off the bat that there is no way to compare these two islands. They are both very different in their vibes, culture,  and lifestyle; even the way the islands are geologically shaped affects their character. This is a two-part blog series that will focus on each island individually, and today we begin with our first stop: Santorini.