It’s OK to Want to Travel Instead of Having Kids

September 20, 2017

If there is one thing that comes up more often than anything else in my life, it’s the subject of having kids. I can’t tell you how many times I hear “you guys will want to be having kids soon right?” or “you better travel all you can now before you have kids.” And it seems, without even really knowing it, that a lot of people just assume that every woman should have kids, that because I’m almost 31 years old that I should start having kids, that because we travel a lot now, that we’re doing it to get it out of our system before we have kids and “settle down.”

To all the women reading this, I’ll say this loud and clear: it’s ok to want to travel instead of having kids. It’s ok to want other things from your life. It’s ok to want a career or a life full of adventures instead of having kids. It’s ok to be a woman and not want children of your own. As women, we should be supporting each other’s choices instead of judging them. And my choice is to travel, far and wide, instead of having children of my own, plain and simple.

You see, I’ve never felt the urge to have kids of my own. I’ve never held a baby and thought, “oh I want one of my own” or played with my nieces and said “I can’t wait until I have kids of my own.” I’ve heard for a long time, “you’ll change your mind.” And while I would never say never, I can say with a pretty significant certainty that I know myself and I know what makes me happy – and kids aren’t the answer for me.

Often times in our society, women are made to feel selfish for not wanting to have kids and it’s often just assumed that as a woman, that a large part of our lives is to raise a family of our own. For me, my decision to not have children stems from quite a few different reasons and whatever our reasons are (and everyone’s are unique to them), doesn’t mean that I’m missing out on something in my life. In fact, I truly believe that I’m gaining experiences that women who do have kids might miss out on, that I can offer something different to the world, and still no less meaningful than having kids. I don’t judge my friends and family for wanting to have kids, nor should I be judged for the opposite choice.

Growing up, I never dreamed of having kids of my own or coming up with names for future children I might have someday. Instead I dreamed of traveling the globe, of seeing and experiencing different places and people all around the world. So if you’re reading this and nodding your head, feeling the same frustrations I’ve felt over many many years of being judged for a choice I made long ago, then just know that I feel you. I’ve been there. I’ve been accosted by people I don’t know, I’ve been questioned, I’ve been told I’m wrong and that I don’t know what I’m talking about. And yet, I wholeheartedly believe that as women, we need to stand up and support each other, no matter what our choices are for the lives we want to create. So if you want to travel (or whatever your dream may be) instead of having kids? Make the choice that’s right for you and I’m here to say, more power to you!

How to Pick and Plan a Cruise

September 18, 2017

I’ve never been too overwhelmed with wanting to do a cruise and while the idea has popped up a few times over the years as an option for a trip, I’ve always shied away from it for a variety of reasons. But one cruise has always been high on my list and I’m super excited to make it a reality next year when we cruise to Alaska, leaving from Seattle. I fell in love with the US’ most Northern state last year and have always wanted to see more of the coastline of Alaska from a cruise, seeing amazing scenery and enjoying it all from the water.

But when we started planning our cruise from Seattle to Alaska and back, I immediately was completely overwhelmed. Which cruise line? Which type of cabin? Which ship? What time of the year? Which ship has better food, which less kids? There were so many things to consider in order to enjoy our first cruise. So as Nick sat beside me, we spent an afternoon weeding through all the information necessary to pick and plan a cruise that you will enjoy. So if you’re in this boat too (pun intended), here’s what I suggest!

Narrow down ports you want to leave from first.

We knew we’d rather leave from Seattle than Vancouver BC just for ease of travel for us from Portland, so immediately some ships or cruise lines were narrowed out of search due to the port we chose to leave from. Pick this first, it will greatly help narrow down your search.

Then start a spreadsheet outlining all the important factors in your decision.

I started doing this research on my own and quickly realized it would be easier with another person helping as well. So Nick pulled up a spreadsheet and we started entering information as we came across it. We ended up with columns for food, experience, type of clientele, how big the ship was, what type of rooms were recommended, etc. Every important factor that we wanted for our cruise, we entered into the spreadsheet and it made it so much easier to put all the important information in one place.

Look up each cruise line and ship from that port and do your research on all of it – then add all the info you find into your spreadsheet.

I did a full day worth of research as it’s our first cruise, we knew nothing about any cruise lines or ships or anything. We wanted a cruise that was more adults than kids, one with great food and a room with a balcony. We prioritized the things we would find in our research in our spreadsheet so at the end of it, we could make a decision on which line or ship was best for us.

Look into things like families vs. couples, food choices, room choices, etc.

I researched everything I could about all the options available for the cruise we wanted to take at the time of year we wanted and from the port we wanted. I looked into the clientele on each type of ship, was it more geared towards kids and young families or large adult groups or couples. I looked into what the food options were, something that ended up being one of our deciding factors as that’s one of our favorite parts of a trip. I looked up what types of rooms were available, how much upgraded suites were, how big the balconies were and the location on the ships. All the information we gathered, then got put into the spreadsheet which in the end, helped us make out decision.

Decide which room type you want and if you’re willing to spend a little more for a balcony or special room.

We ended up splurging a bit for an upgraded room because it was a little bigger and our particular type gave you VIP access to a couple more restaurants that the normal rooms didn’t have. You have to decide which type of room you want and what you’re willing to pay for – just like a hotel, obviously when you want special add on’s like balconies or larger spaces, you’ll have to splash out more cash. For us, since it’s our first cruise and it’s a full week, we figured it was worth the extra for our situation.

Look into which sailing might work better for you, for example May vs. July.

We went back and forth between May and July sailing for a while but when I started researching it, a lot of articles said we’d see more wildlife on the May sailing versus July, plus it will be a lot less crowded than July so we went with May. But do the research to see which time of the year might be better for your circumstances.

Other Posts on our Alaska Cruise Experience

Which to Choose : London or Paris

September 15, 2017

I often get the question, if you had the choice to travel to place A or B, which would you choose? Or do you think I’d like place A or B better? And to answer that question, it really depends on the destinations you’re looking at choosing between. There are some cities that many people try to choose between if you only have one opportunity to head somewhere so if you end up having to make that choice, here’s how I’ll best help you decide in this new Land of Marvels series.

So, you’re headed to Europe and you’re wondering if Paris or London would be a better choice for you to explore and base yourself?

Well… both are two of my favorite places on the planet but if you can only pick one, here’s my best information to help you choose!

Choose London if you…

Could spend hours wandering museums – hello British Museum, V&A and Natural History
Don’t want a language barrier (if you speak English) – cheerio!
Love pub food – hand over the giant helping of fish and chips, followed by sticky toffee pudding
Don’t mind splurging a bit – London isn’t cheap but it’s worth the splurge
Want to wander large parks and green spaces – ride bike shares around Hyde Park with the locals
Like to shop – everything you could ever imagine is available in London from high street faves like Zara and Topshop to high end everything
Want to explore the UK and Ireland – Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin are all only a train or short flight away!

Choose Paris if you…

Love a good romantic spot – Paris was built for romance!
Want to learn about European history – it was Marie Antionette after all who said “let them eat cake!”
Want to be based on Mainland Europe – for easy access to trains all over Europe
Like learning French – parlez-vous Francais?
Want a slower pace – like sipping espresso as slowly as you want watching the world go by
Could spend hours wandering – cobblestone alleys are at their finest in Paris
Are more reserved – Parisians are notoriously stoic, but open up when you give them the chance
Want to use more public transportation – Paris’ metro is one of the best in the world

#BloggingDesk : How to Combat Lack of Inspiration

September 13, 2017

Blogging regularly can be really draining – constantly having to come up with new content and talk about new subjects and often I find that I go through lulls of having a lack of inspiration. Sometimes I’ll go through a few weeks where I just can’t for the life of me come up with blog topics or things to discuss here on Land of Marvels. And yet, you might be wondering, how do I keep a consistent flow of posts even when I’m lacking inspiration? My secret really is pre-scheduling posts, that way when I am lacking inspiration, I have stuff already scheduled to post and I don’t have to worry about coming up with something in the moment. However, when that lack of inspiration strikes, there are also lots of things you can do in order to combat that feeling and move forward to keep coming up with new ideas.

Give it Time

Sometimes I have to take a step back and realize that I just need some time away from blogging and coming up with constant ideas. If you give it time without pushing yourself, it often gives you a break and allows your mind to rest so that inspiration will come back faster.

Don’t Force It

This is something I often have to remind myself…. don’t force ideas. When they come, great – write them down! But when they don’t, step away and don’t force that creativity. I’ve found both in blogging and in my day job in the creative fields, forcing inspiration never leads to my best work.

Keep a Running List of Ideas

One way that helps to tide me over while I’m lacking inspiration is keeping a running list of ideas for blog posts. I add to the list all the time when something pops into my head, that way when I’m running low on ideas, I’ll check out my list and go from there. It saves me so much time racking my brain when inspiration is low to have ideas already there. I also keep a folder on my Desktop of screenshots of ideas I’ve come across as well – so there is always a backup library of ideas I can draw from when needed.

Write when it Doesn’t Feel Forced

I find I do my best writing when I’m really in the mood to write. The times when I force myself to write a blog post never turn out to be my best work so write when it doesn’t feel forced. Put on some music or whatever gets you in the writing mood and write when it feels good in order to write as much as you can, that way when you’re lacking inspiration at other times, you already have a group of posts all ready to go.

Looking for more posts on Blogging?

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20 Years on from Repatriation

September 8, 2017

20 years ago this Summer, my family left our home in Saudi Arabia. We packed up everything we owned in shipping containers, sent our furniture across the ocean on a boat that took months. We spent our final week in our home on the Persian Gulf saying goodbye to everyone we had known for all those years, everyone that I had grown up with – family friends, school friends, church friends, neighbors. Imagine in a week or a few days, all those goodbyes, not sure if you’d ever see those people again. I still remember what those last few days felt like, a pre-teen girl watching everyone I’d ever known slowly slip away. And on our final day when we headed to the airport, I vividly remember the tears just kept coming.

I hadn’t really realized it was 20 years this year until all the stuff about the anniversary of Princess Diana’s death kept coming around recently. And yet another vivid memory, I remember hearing about that on the drive home from River Rafting in Rogue River, something my family did a lot that first Summer in the States when we resettled in Medford, Oregon after leaving the Middle East. For some reason, that marker in time always reminds me of that first Summer in the US and brings back so many flooded memories of our repatriation.

Just to back up for a second so I can explain what the magnitude of 20 years back in the US really means to me, if you’re not aware, I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia. I spent the first almost 12 years of my life there and it was my home. We would come back to the States every Summer for what we called repat, mostly to get out of the intense Summer Middle Eastern heat, but other than that, our home on the Persian Gulf was all I knew. Saudi Arabia is still strewn across my passport as place of birth and while I’ve always been an American citizen, born to two American parents half way across the world, part of me will always feel more connected to the Middle East than anywhere else. So leaving at almost 11 years old, saying goodbye to everything I had ever known, my childhood home (which I’ll likely never see again), my friends, our neighbors, the people I had spent all those years with, the people I grew up with, it was traumatic to say the least.

Those first few years back in the States were really hard for me and looking back, I’ve honestly blocked a lot out. I didn’t fit in in Medford, Oregon, a mid-size town close to the California border. No one around me understood where I came from, why I didn’t feel like I was American or the emotions I was going through. In truth, at that moment in my life I didn’t feel American and even in the 20 years since then, to this day, I still consider myself much more a citizen of the world than even my one single country. But also, if I’m being brutally honest, it’s taken me years to feel American. For over a decade, I struggled with what that meant, with the feelings I had and how I never really felt fully Saudi or American, something that learning about Third Culture Kids changed forever. And when I meet new people and explain how I grew up and where I was born, I always acknowledge, that as cheesy as it sounds, finding that terminology of who I am, completely changed my life and became a catalyst for the next phase of my life.

I guess the point of all of this is that repatriation into your passport country is hard if you’re an expat. It’s draining and tiring and sad and dis-placing. It makes you feel like there is something wrong with you for not fitting in, or being the same as everyone else. Still to this day there is so much that goes over my head when my husband talks about something from his childhood in the US, things that I never did or saw because we were a world away. Repatriation is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes years and lots of emotions to somehow fit back into the country you’re supposed to fit into.

20 years on from repatriation, I’ll tell you this: there are days that I still struggle to feel like this country is where I belong. There are still times when I feel completely misunderstood because of my background. There are still days when I wish I could jump on a plane and land in the town I grew up in and then a flood of sadness comes when I realize I can’t do that or that my husband Nick might never get to see where I grew up. There are still days that I crave a schawarma with everything I have and whenever I drink Orangina, it brings back floods of memories from my childhood where it was a constant staple. There are still times when traveling abroad that I wish my passport wasn’t American, and there are still times when I wonder what would have happened if we hadn’t left.

But the one thing I have learned in the 20 years since we returned to the States from our home in the Middle East, my childhood there is the biggest blessing I could have received. I treasure my time there, my birthplace there, the lessons I learned there. I treasure being a third culture kid, I treasure that when I go through Immigration while traveling, Saudi Arabia, is my place of birth on my passport. I treasure that I got to grow up among sand dunes and camel markets and the call to prayer. I treasure how much I know about that part of the world and how over and over in my adult life, Saudi keeps coming back to be part of my life in one way or another. While repatriation is beyond difficult and my journey of repatriation has been years in the making, I wouldn’t change my situation for anything. And while today, 20 years on, I’m more American than I ever have been, I’m also a little bit part Saudi and a little bit part of all the places around the world I’ve traveled and I know with absolute certainty, that’s exactly who I’m meant to be.

Interested in reading more about my childhood in Saudi Arabia?

See all of my posts on the country!

10 Stunning Places to Visit in Asia

September 6, 2017

Asia is a continent with a vast array of countries and landscapes, from the rice fields of Bali to the skyscrapers of Tokyo. With a population of 4.4 billion people and growing, the continent of Asia is teeming with incredible people and places to see and visit. Many people flock to Asia for an exotic escape different from the West, for rides in the back of tuk tuk’s down bumpy Indian roads or exploring ancient temples crumbling around you a la Lara Croft in Cambodia. There are many experiences to be had throughout the continent but some are better than others and these below offer 10 stunning places to visit Asia.

UDAIPUR, INDIA

Known as the Venice of the East, Udaipur is one of my all time favorite destinations. Set on a series of lakes, this Indian city is a true beauty and far from the craziness of New Delhi or Mumbai. For a true retreat from everything, stay at the incredible Oberoi Udaivilas and I promise you’ll return home a new person.

Traveling to India?

See all of my posts on the country!

BANGKOK, THAILAND

From crazy traffic buzzing in all direction to night markets selling all sorts of goods on the cheap, Bangkok is a unique city, both calming and crazy all at once. You’ll be blown away by the cosmopolitan vibe of Bangkok all the while witnessing a calming Thai spirituality side by side. Don’t miss a tuk tuk ride through the teeming streets of Bangkok with a Thai iced tea in hand from a street vendor – just prearrange your fare ahead of the ride!

Traveling to Thailand?

See all of my posts on the country!

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

Reminiscing on my time in Seoul during my first few years of my career, I often tell people when they ask about my countless work trips there, “I found my soul in Seoul.” Those years of traveling to South Korea often were a trying time in my young life and I did so much soul searching in the early mornings with wanders through the back alleys of Myeong Dong and late dinners over Korean BBQ in Itaewon. Seoul is a city bustling with people and modern in all the necessary ways, yet wander past the skyscrapers and modern glass facades and you’ll find yourself a world away in Seoul’s old world city. From colorful temples to hidden markets and incredible food, Seoul is a destination you’ll always remember.

Traveling to South Korea?

See all of my posts on the country!

TOKYO, JAPAN

Japan in general is a country that will sooth your soul – from the kind people to the amazing food to the amazing modernity and cleanliness of its cities. Tokyo is a city that feels large and small at the same time, bold and colorful yet also quiet and soothing – it’s a place of contradictions. The best part of Tokyo though is just exploring and taking it all in. And then at the end of a long day of seeing the city, find a big bowl of ramen and sip to your heart’s content.

Traveling to Japan?

See all of my posts on the country!

BEIJING, CHINA

China is perhaps one of the places on this Earth that felt most foreign to me, made me the most uneasy and yet I still think often about our visit to Beijing. Sometimes as a traveler, it’s important to go someplace that you aren’t entirely sure about, where no one speaks English and the language barrier completely takes you out of the game. Sometimes those barriers, those uneasy feelings of a country where you aren’t allowed to connect online with the rest of the world – sometimes those places teach you the most. Beijing is a city of contradictions, both good and bad. And while I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite place I’ve ever visited, I think Beijing is an important place to visit for another reason – to learn and understand how people live a world away.

Traveling to China?

See all of my posts on the country!

NEW DELHI, INDIA

India’s cities all have a unique vibe all their own, some populous and a cruel joke on your senses, some peaceful and quiet and easy to navigate. New Delhi is a huge metropolis spanning miles and housing 21.75 million people. And yet, in the center of the crazy traffic – and yes, sitting in traffic in India is an experience entirely different than any other place in the entire world, New Delhi also has a teeming culture and beautiful open spaces like the Lodhi Gardens.

Traveling to India?

See all of my posts on the country!

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

Few places in the world that I’ve visited have touched me as deeply and as provocatively as our visit to the Great Wall of China. We made the hour drive out of Beijing early on a Monday morning, just as the snow started to fall in a rare early storm in late November. Arriving to the top of the Great Wall as the first 4 people atop of the wall for the day, snow falling around us, a quiet stillness taking over the scene way up high in the mountains on a wall built thousands of years ago – it was a spiritual experience. History has a way of taking us over, standing somewhere that so many have come and gone before and especially to experience the Great Wall of China, almost entirely empty was a travel experience that you won’t be able to forget.

Traveling to China?

See all of my posts on the country!

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

The temples of Siem Reap, Cambodia evoke scenes out of Tomb Raider, but just with more crowds. And while Angkor Wat is impressive, the crowds make it feel a bit claustrophobic. For a quieter temple exploration, the Angkor Thom temples just down the road are a relief from mass tourists and as they become encompassed by jungle, the giant carved stone faces here evoke an otherworldly feel. Suddenly, you’re transported years back when these were being used and built, a wold away than anything we can imagine. And for an even quieter visit, head here at sunset after the hordes of tourists are tired from a long day of exploring and are headed back to their hotels – you’ll have the whole place to yourself.

Traveling to Cambodia?

See all of my posts on the country!

BALI, INDONESIA

Where can you find rice terraces as far as the eye can see, the friendliest people you’ll ever meet and markets to explore for hours on end? In Bali, you’ll get all that and more, combined with gorgeous beaches, fantastic hotels and a humidity that just might melt you. And while Bali offered almost everything I don’t love like heat, humidity and beaches, something about this little Indonesian island won me over. Maybe it was the smiles on the Balinese people’s faces at every turn or the endless green of the rice fields or the incredible woodworking. Maybe it was the beauty of the countryside and the laid back vibe of life here. Whatever it is, Bali is a special special place.

Traveling to Bali?

See all of my posts on the island!

TAJ MAHAL, AGRA, INDIA

No visit to India, or Asia in general for that matter, would be complete without seeing the Taj Mahal in your lifetime. This monument of love is a stunner in more ways than one, but perhaps the best way to visit is at sunrise as the fog rises off the river behind it, seeing the monument open up before your very eyes. Take in the intricate Arabic script chiseled in the stone and the luxurious tiles that line the building, see the symmetry of the architecture and the different views from all different angles. The Taj Mahal is a gem in monuments around the world and a place that will completely take you over.

Traveling to India?

See all of my posts on the country!

#BloggingDesk : How Even Small Blogs Can Work with Brands

August 30, 2017

I started working with travel brands years ago here on Land of Marvels when I barely had a following and even now that I have a larger following, I’m still not a “big blog” in the industry. The truth is, I work with a lot of travel brands based on a simple fact: I reach out to them. And while yes, sometimes I do get brands that approach me to work with them, the majority of the time I’m the one making contact and reaching out for a collaboration. Even small blogs can work with brands, it’s just about knowing how to do it and what you can offer them for a valuable partnership. So if you’re a small blog and think you don’t have any clout to work with brands, you’re wrong and here’s how to go about doing it.

Have Confidence in Yourself and Your Brand

First of all, it’s important to be confident in yourself and your brand, aka your blog. If you’re not confident in your site and what you can offer, why would someone else be? So be proud of what you have accomplished and showcase it with confidence in how you approach brands.

Be Clear About What You Can Offer

When I want to work with a travel brand, I send them an email (more about which I shared here) and am very clear about what I can offer them if they choose to work with me. I’m also very clear about what I would like and what they will get in return in my first correspondence so everyone is on the same page. Be sure your email is clear and professional as first impressions are important.

Have a Portfolio of Work to Share

Most of the brands I work with are hotel chains and independent hotels, so before I started reaching out for media stays around the world, I started reviewing the hotels we stayed at even when we paid for them. That way when I did start reaching out, I already had something to show the hotel brands I was speaking with about what they could expect for a review on my site. Brands often need something to see how you would handle their posts on your site, so work up a portfolio of posts to share with them, showing what it would look like for them and send them a few links for similar posts to review.

Don’t Expect Them to Come to You

I think one of the biggest misconceptions out there is that as a blogger, brands will just come to you. And while yes, if you have a huge following that might happen, but most mid size to smaller bloggers, don’t expect them to come to you. 90% of the brands I work with are ones I’ve personally reached out to. You need to do the work to reach out and build these relationships in order to really gain from it.

Don’t be Discouraged by “No.”

The honest truth is that a lot of people will tell you no. But if you stop at no, you’ll miss all the yes’s. Probably 75% of the brands I reach out to tell me no or just don’t answer at all. But it’s that other 25% that say yes that makes it all worth it. It’s important to keep going and to reach out to a bunch of brands in order to get that 1 yes. Just keep going and don’t be discouraged by no, that’s only the beginning.

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5 Things to do on Oahu that Don’t Involve the Beach

August 28, 2017

Most people are heading to Hawaii for the beaches and Oahu itself has some great ones. But if you’re also looking for scenery and culture and some fun other than laying on the beach, Oahu has that too. For every beach day, you could easily fill another day with so many other things as well. So if you’re headed to Oahu anytime soon, here are 5 things to do on Oahu that don’t involve the beach, well at least just laying on the beach!

1. Shopping at Ala Moana

Honolulu has some of the finest shopping in the world and most of it is all together at the Ala Moana Mall. Here you’ll find everything from Zara to Chanel and believe me, you’ll be able to spend hours here as it’s a huge mall!

2. Eat!

Honolulu has no shortages of places to enjoy eating, from local hole in the wall spots to fine dining. You could spend your days on Oahu just trying out the many restaurants all around the island.

3. Drive up into Manoa.

Manoa is a local area of Honolulu that goes up into the mountains and while it’s super easy and quick to get to from downtown Honolulu, it feels worlds away as you get up into the lush rainy jungle. Drive up into Manoa and explore some of the local neighborhoods.

4. Explore Hawaii Kai.

Hawaii Kai is a local area on the East end of Oahu where man made canals and water passages wind through neighborhoods. It’s well worth a few hours driving around this area and you can stop at the brewery right on the water for an afternoon snack.

5. Drive the Ring Road.

The ring road around Oahu that takes you around pretty much the whole island is well worth an afternoon’s drive. You’ll drive through so many different types of landscapes from seaside cliffs to jungles to open stretches of sandy beaches.

Headed to Hawaii?

Check out our Oahu Travel Guide in the Land of Marvels Shop for only $5!

5 Beaches to Visit on Oahu

August 25, 2017

I travel to Hawaii often and while 90% of my trips there are for work and I sometimes don’t even see the beach during my stay, obviously most people are traveling to Hawaii for the beaches. Oahu has a great selection of beaches and while most tourists will go directly to the famous beaches of Wakiki, there are so many other great, lesser known to tourist spots around the island if you’re looking for somewhere a little different than the norm.

Lanikai

Lanikai Beach Park used to be a well kept local secret though now hords of tourists show up by the busload during the day for this gorgeous stretch of beach on Oahu’s windward side. The trick for enjoying Lanikai the most though, go at sunrise. There will be no one there and watching the sunrise here is one of my favorite things to do on Oahu.

Hilton Hawaiian Village – Waikiki

While most tourists will be congregating towards the main stretch of Waikiki, at the very East end of the Waikiki strip sits the Hilton Hawaii Village hotel which has a corner stretch of beach. I find it’s usually less crowded and offers a great view of the Waikiki strip.

Ala Moana / Magic Island

For a more local environment, the beach right near Ala Moana Mall and right off Magic Island is a great spot. It’s not as scenic as some of the other spots on the island but you’ll get away from the tourists a bit and be in more of a local environment.

Sandy Beach

This is a very local beach spot and will be full of locals on a beautiful Saturday. Be careful here though as the waves are super strong and many people get hurt when trying to swim too far out. Also, since it’s a local spot, be aware of that and be respectful to the local culture.

Kualoa Regional Park

This spot on the Windward side of Oahu is a great spot for a different type of beach view on the island. You’ll see islands off shore and waving palm trees. It’s less of a sandy beach strip and more of an actual beach park with grassy areas too. Parking also isn’t great here, so I actually love this spot at sunrise when not many people are around.

Headed to Hawaii?

Check out our Oahu Travel Guide in the Land of Marvels Shop for only $5!

Where to Stay in European Capitals + Why

August 23, 2017

Europe is a central hub for all sorts of different places to travel to and oftentimes, even if you’re flying to a specialty destination in Europe or even going on to places in the Middle East or Asia from the US, you’ll find yourself going through European capital cities quite often. There are a handful of European cities that serve as hubs to the rest of Europe and beyond and as you go through or stay for a few days or longer, it’s important to have a central area to base yourself. I have found that it’s a good idea to create a “local” spot for yourself in these hubs so that when you go through these cities, you are able to quickly get around and orient yourself. It’s also great to have “regular” places to go back to in certain cities you might go through frequently. For example, we often fly through Paris and London and hence have regular spots we stay so that when we’re only there for maybe a night, we can jump in and out fairly easily. Here are my favorite places for where to stay in European capitals and why each area is perfect for a stopover.

Paris – Le Notre Dame Hotel | Left Bank

If you’re going through Paris and only have a night to stopover, I recommend staying at the Le Notre Dame Hotel on the Left Bank for a few reasons. First, the hotel has incredible views of the Seine and Notre Dame. Second, it’s an amazing location, right on the Seine on the Left Bank, close to all the main sites, 5 minute metro ride from St. Germain or a 10 minute walk from the Luxembourg Garden and directly on the RER line from both Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport without any line changes.

My Review

London – Ampersand Hotel | Chelsea

We go through London a lot as we have lots of direct flight options from the West Coast and usually like to stay a night to get ourselves oriented on the local time zone. Over the years, we’ve stayed all over London and in the last few years we settled on the Ampersand Hotel in Chelsea for our “regular” spot. The hotel is beautiful and comfortable but the location is really a huge part of it’s charm too. Right across the street from the South Kensington Tube Station, it’s an easy spot to either use the tube or to take taxis and have them drop you off there even if they don’t know the hotel name. From the airports (either Heathrow or Gatwick) you can quite easily take the trains into the city, grab a cab at either station and have them take you to South Kensington in a pretty quick way of getting into central London.

Chelsea is also home to lots of restaurants and the typical London architecture which offers a great central hub of seeing the city for a quick visit.

My Review

Amsterdam – Hotel Pulitzer | Nine Streets

We’ve tried a few different hotels in Amsterdam but after staying at the Hotel Pulitzer on our most recent trip, I know for sure it will be our new go-to spot in the city. Not only is the hotel gorgeous, the location right in the Nine Streets section of the city is perfect. It’s far enough away from the tourist spots to feel quiet but close enough to access whenever you need. It’s also a quick 20 minute cab ride from the airport and near the streetcar/tram lines as well.

My Review

Stockholm – Sheraton Stockholm Hotel | Norrmalm

As a hub in Scandinavia, Stockholm is an amazing city. If you’re traveling to this part of Europe, you’ll probably eventually go through Stockholm. The Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, right on the water across from Gamla Stan, is a great stopover spot for a night or two. It’s an updated design and the location close to Gamla Stan is fantastic. It’s also a quick 5 minute walk from the Central Station where you can take the train to the airport very quickly.

My Review

Rome – Hotel Indigo – St. George | Rione v Ponte

For your hub in Rome, the Hotel Indigo is the place to go. It’s a decently quick cab ride in from the airport and the location can’t be beat – 10 minute walk to the River Tiber, the Piazza Navona or Trastevere, it’s an amazing spot. The hotel is on an old cobblestone street with lots of restaurants nearby and the rooms are pretty spacious for European standards.

My Review

Vienna – Hotel Topazz | Innere Stadt

If you’re headed toward Vienna and want to stay right in the Old Town area of the city, close to all the main squares, restaurants and shopping then the Hotel Topazz is your spot. It’s close to the main train station and the hotel is beautifully designed!

My Review

Barcelona – Room Mate Gerard | Near Las Ramblas

Only a 15 minute walk from La Rambla and the main tourist areas of Barcelona, Room Mate Gerard is my go-to spot in the city. It’s brand new, well designed and offers an amazing location. It’s also only a quick 20 minute cab ride from the airport!

My Review

Reykjavik – Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel | Centre

We have been through Reykjavik yearly for the past five years and each time, no matter where we head on the island of Iceland, we end up staying at least one night in the capital city. We’ve tried a bunch of different hotels and we always end up at the Radisson Blu 1919 hotel in the Centre part of the city. It’s a great location, near a bunch of restaurants and shops and is easy to get to by car.

My Review

Narrow down ports you want to leave from first.

Then start a spreadsheet outlining all the important factors in your decision.

Look up each cruise line and ship from that port and do your research on all of it – then add all the info you find into your spreadsheet.

Look into things like families vs. couples, food choices, room choices, etc.

Decide which room type you want and if you’re willing to spend a little more for a balcony or special room.

Look into which sailing might work better for you, for example May vs. July.

So, you’re headed to Europe and you’re wondering if Paris or London would be a better choice for you to explore and base yourself?

Choose London if you…

Choose Paris if you…

Give it Time

Don’t Force It

Keep a Running List of Ideas

Write when it Doesn’t Feel Forced

Have Confidence in Yourself and Your Brand

Be Clear About What You Can Offer

Have a Portfolio of Work to Share

Don’t Expect Them to Come to You

Don’t be Discouraged by “No.”

1. Shopping at Ala Moana

2. Eat!

3. Drive up into Manoa.

4. Explore Hawaii Kai.

5. Drive the Ring Road.

Headed to Hawaii?

Lanikai

Hilton Hawaiian Village – Waikiki

Ala Moana / Magic Island

Sandy Beach

Kualoa Regional Park

Headed to Hawaii?

Paris – Le Notre Dame Hotel | Left Bank

London – Ampersand Hotel | Chelsea

Amsterdam – Hotel Pulitzer | Nine Streets

Stockholm – Sheraton Stockholm Hotel | Norrmalm

Rome – Hotel Indigo – St. George | Rione v Ponte

Vienna – Hotel Topazz | Innere Stadt

Barcelona – Room Mate Gerard | Near Las Ramblas

Reykjavik – Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel | Centre

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