What I Learned from 2017

December 13, 2017

About a month ago, I sat down one evening and wrote something for this post today. I wrote how this year brought emotional challenges for me, about how relationships really changed in my life this year and how half way through the year, I found myself a little lost. And while all of that is honest and all of that is worthy of a post in itself, when I came back to it later, it didn’t seem right. You see, a couple weeks ago a family emergency occurred in my life and what I walked away from it with was a changed perspective on how I look at the world, how I live my life and what my hope for the future will be.

I’m not going to go into details about what happened and the events that led to perhaps the most emotionally heavy 24 hours of my life will remain a private matter, but in short, I walked away from it changed. And as cliche as that sounds, it’s profoundly true.

For anyone that’s experienced a deep emotional pain, when as humans we completely break, when we can only take so much, when we experience loss or heartbreak, you’ll realize that in that breaking, in that sadness, it takes hold deep within you. It grabs hold of every part of you and like an anchor, drags you deeper than can breath, holding you under and leaving you gasping for air. Pain is an emotion that perhaps best represents humanity – we’ve all felt a deep emotional pain in one way or another, we’re united in the realization that seeing someone you love in excruciating pain is one of the very worst things to endure.

But in that pain, in the sorrow and sadness that accompany it, the one thing I have realized this year is that there is no way out of the darkness except to go through it, step by step. I’ve realized the true meaning of forgiveness, of an open and enduring heart, of honesty in the face of complete destruction. I’ve realized that kindness is the cornerstone of humanity and that there is no limit to the agility of the human heart. Pain will try to break us, it will try to destroy the humanity within us, but it is also pain that unites us and makes us stronger.

Life isn’t about what you have in your closet or what car you drive, it’s not about how much money is in your bank account or what your job title is. Life, this precious life we all get to live, is about people. It’s about family. It’s about love. And at the end of the day, even in the pain and sadness around us in what seems like a constant flow of destruction, life is still about hope. Without hope, without faith in a better tomorrow, without a strength to fight through, we have nothing.

So at the end of 2017, I’m ending the year embracing hope. I’m embracing kindness. I’m embracing strength and peace and love. I’m embracing the hope of seeing the sunrise tomorrow and the sunset at the end of the day. I’m embracing the idea that humanity is stronger together, that people are inherently kind and that when faced with the darkest of days, we’re strong enough to make it to see the light on the other side.

Driving from Vik to the Golden Circle : Horses and Snowy Roads

December 11, 2017

While we had planned on heading East on this trip to Iceland and making it up to the Glacier Lagoon at Joksularon, a huge storm was headed in the day we arrived and closed down the road going any farther East than Vik where we were staying. We decided to head back into the Reykjavik area a day earlier than planned and to get out of the crazy wind that we were encountering around the Vik area. And as Icelanders will tell you, you must be flexible in Iceland in the Winter with any travel plans as the roads and situations can become very treacherous very fast.

So we packed up, headed back West earlier than planned and decided to loop through the Golden Circle area which is popular with tourists for our second day’s adventure. It began as a beautiful drive and we made lots of stops along the way at gorgeous vistas and snowy trails, petting horses as we went along and taking in a gorgeous white snowy Iceland. We came upon a field of horses that were super friendly and I spent a bit of time playing with them and frolicking in the soft snow, while Nick flew our drone for a bit to get some beautiful footage for a future video, so stay tuned for that! The Icelandic horses are always one of my favorite parts of our trips there and these 3 were so friendly!

Then upon heading to Gullfoss, we took a turn down a road that we shouldn’t have and spent the next 40 minutes going super slow on a very icy and sketchy road. Shortly after we made a quick stop at Gulfoss, a snowstorm picked up seemingly in a moment and we were facing closed roads and a massive storm right over us. We ended up having to take another route back to Reykjavik and the beautiful white snow suddenly became a very treacherous experience. We ultimately made it to Reykjavik just fine but for anyone traveling to Iceland in the Winter – be ready for crazy weather that changes in an instant!

Once safe in Reykjavik that evening, we had our hearts set on seeing the Northern Lights. And while the scale of seeing them was 2/10 that evening, we decided to try it out anyways and headed to the Grotta Lighthouse on the edge of the city around Midnight. We pulled in to the parking area of the lighthouse and tried to see anything, but when we spotted nothing we turned around and were about to head back to our hotel, when I saw a faint green in the sky and slammed on the breaks. We ended up going back and spending about an hour there and while the lights were super faint in the sky, we did get to see them after all!

If you’re headed on this route, here are a few spots I’d recommend stopping at along the way:

Hruni area of Arnessysla in the Southern Region of Iceland for beautiful scenery
Gullfoss Waterfall
Hveragerdi area for incredible views
There are tons of stops along side roads in this area that are breathtaking so just go off the beaten path and you’ll be sure to find some stunning spots!
Grotta Lighthouse for Northern Lights viewing near Reykjavik

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Driving from Keflavik to Vik : Snowstorms + Crazy Wind

December 8, 2017

For this most recent trip to Iceland, we really wanted to explore more of the Eastern Coast which we haven’t had a chance to get to yet on our 3 previous trips. Unfortunately for us, a huge storm closed the road and blocked us off from that area, but we still got to explore a lot of beautiful Iceland in the snow! We started our first day there at Keflavik Airport, arriving in the early morning and picking up our rental car. Heading straight towards Vik, we drove through insane wind (that day gusts reached 75mph) and snow storms that came out of no where. We stopped randomly, took in waterfalls and churches with incredible backdrops, and just all around enjoyed one of our favorite countries!

If you’re headed on this route, here are a few spots I’d recommend stopping at along the way:

Seljalandsfoss
Skogafoss
Reynisfjara Beach
Reynisdrangar Beach and Viewpoint
Vik i Myrdal Church and scenic point

Headed to Iceland?

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Driving in Iceland in the Winter

December 6, 2017

We’ve been to Iceland several times now and most of those trips we’ve rented a car and driven ourselves around. Most of the time, it’s totally fine and while we did encounter a random snowstorm in a mountain pass in the North of Iceland in May one year, every other time has been well worth having a car. I’ve written a post about the basics of Driving in Iceland but driving in the Winter there is a totally different story! So if you are interested in heading to Iceland in the Winter, here’s all you need to know for driving in the snow and ice of Iceland.

Rent a 4×4 vehicle with Winter tires.

Usually, I try to get the smallest rental car I can find. This time however, I wanted a 4×4 vehicle with a good all wheel drive and Winter tires so that I’d be comfortable driving in the snow and ice. We went through Budget and booked a Ford Edge which we were so happy with. It handled really great in the Winter weather and didn’t have any issues even on some pretty sketchy roads.

Expect the unexpected like crazy strong wind and snow storms that start suddenly.

Iceland is notorious for weather that changes in an instant or for storms that seem otherworldly. And driving in those unexpected instances can be challenging, like 75 miles per hour winds where you have to literally steer into the wind just to go straight or snow storms that start out of the blue and accumulate very quickly. You have to think on your feet driving in the Winter in Iceland and be prepared for the unexpected.

Get the full insurance package.

This is a must in Iceland any time of year but for sure in the Winter. Even though it’s going to cost you more, please please please get the full insurance package with no deductible. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been returning rental cars there and have the people in front of us dealing with an incident report with the rental car company because a rock flew and hit their wind shield or wind threw a piece of debris at them. With the crazy weather in Iceland, it’s well worth it to protect yourself!

Go slower than the speed limit in bad weather especially in high winds.

The speed limits are posted all through Iceland but the majority of the time in the Winter, you’ll be going less than that. High winds will prohibit you driving very fast as will snow and ice, so go slower and be cautious.

Give yourself plenty of time to stop.

I had a scary situation on our way back to the airport where a round about came up and I couldn’t barely see it in the heavy snow and wind and had to slam on my breaks. Good thing our car handled really well and the Winter tires stopped us from sliding, but when you need to stop give yourself more time than you think.

Check road conditions before you go anywhere.

I’m usually pretty good about this but our second day in Iceland this past trip, we originally wanted to go East but due to a massive storm, all the roads were closed. So we headed inland to the Golden Circle and didn’t think weather in that area would be a problem so I didn’t check the roads. We circled around through Gullfoss and then when we headed back to Reykjavik, a snow storm popped up and closed off some roads so we had to go a little out of way to get back to the city. Long story short – always check the road conditions on Iceland’s road website before you go anywhere!

Be flexible with your plans.

One thing to remember if you’re headed to Iceland in the Winter, be flexible in your plans. You most likely will have to change your plans at some point while there due to weather or availability so keep an open mind and just go with whatever comes your way!

Headed to Iceland?

Check our the rest of our Iceland content here.

Everything You Need to Pack for Iceland in Winter

December 4, 2017

Iceland in Winter is no joke and being prepared for your trip there is a must do if you intend to visit between November and March. The weather in Iceland is notorious for changing on a dime and the roads can be treacherous and hard to traverse, add in crazy wind and snow and ice and you’ll want to be fully prepared with your packing list before you head to Iceland in the Winter!

Gloves

I brought a few pairs of gloves on our trip, because A) my hands are always cold regardless of where I am and B) they looked cute with my outfits. I found out very quickly no matter how cute my knitted gloves were, they didn’t protect my hands well as the wind could still get through them. The rest of the trip I wore my leather gloves that fully protected my skin and hands and it was so much better! So bring a really warm and solid pair of gloves – you’ll need them!

Similar Gloves

Hats + Earmuffs

I usually alternate between hats and earmuffs in Iceland depending on what type of weather it is or how windy it is. For example, if it’s super windy, sometimes a hat is better to keep my hair in place but if it’s just cold, ear muffs are a warm alternative. Either way, you’ll want something to protect your ears and head from the cold.

My Eafmuffs

Leggings / Double Layered with Pants

I see a lot of people wearing ski pants in Iceland and while you totally could do that, I have always found that a pair of good leggings double layered with a pair of pants is the easiest way to go. It looks normal and still keeps you warm. I layered my Zella leggings with a pair of Old Navy corduroys and I was really warm the whole time.

My Leggings

Insulated Boots

Last year when we got record snowfall in Portland I invested in a pair of insulated boots and I’m so glad I did. Not only are they great for Portland but they were amazing for Iceland. For someone who’s feet are always cold, my feet were never cold on this trip to Iceland!

Similar Boots

Insulated Coat with Hood

You’ll want a really good insulated coat for Iceland in the Winter. The wind and cold is no joke there and gets deep into your bones without proper attire. An insulated coat with a hood is a must for your Winter visit. I picked up this Nordic parka from J Crew last year on end of year sales and it was so warm for our time in Iceland. It was well worth the money to invest in a great cold weather coat to stay warm even in the coldest weather!

Similar Coat to Mine

Thick Scarves

I never travel without scarves but in Iceland’s Winter, they are more than necessary! They can be used to keep your neck warm or to pull up over your face when the wind if absolutely freezing.

Similar Scarf

Heavy sweaters

I typically layered a long sleeve t-shirt, a heavy sweater, a scarf and my insulated coat and I stayed warm and toasty all day long. So bring a variety of heavy sweaters for your Winter escape!

Similar Sweater

Warm packs

These are super handy to have when you’re in any cold weather location. Pick up some warm packs that can be warm in an instant and they’ll be a life saver!

Hand Warmers

Thick Socks / Double Layer

Again, my feet are always cold, so I wore a pair of regular socks and then layered over them with another pair of thicker cold weather socks and then my insulated boots and my feet stayed warm the majority of the time.

Winter Socks

Headed to Iceland?

Check our the rest of our Iceland content here.

Iceland in Summer vs. Iceland in Winter

November 29, 2017

Iceland is a land of extremes, the midnight sun in the Summer versus hours and hours of dark in the Winter, ice and snow in the winter and vast colorful landscapes in the Summer. Whatever season you visit Iceland you’ll be sure to be blown away, but it seems like a lot of people pick either the Summer or the Winter when visiting this magical land and therefore, I thought it was important, since I’ve been in all seasons, to point out the differences you might encounter per the season you visit and how to pick which season might be better for you!

Go to Iceland in the Summer for:

The Midnight Sun – this incredible experience is really one to see in your lifetime! To stand outside at 2 or 3 in the morning and have it feel like 6 or 7am is really a surreal but incredible experience.
Easy Driving – If you really want to explore Iceland by driving around it, especially if you want to head up North, you’ll want to go in the Summer or shoulder seasons. But beware, weather up in the North can still be pretty unpredictable, like in late May when we were driving back to Reykjavik from Akureyri and encountered a fierce snow storm. So be prepared, but you’ll for sure have an easier time getting around and driving in the Summer.
Colors like you’ve never seen – Whenever anyone asks me to describe Iceland, I say that the landscape has colors like you’ve never seen, like you are on another planet. The greens are a shade that are truly indescribable, the blues deeper than most, the whites brighter.
Less Layers Required – Obviously the weather is going to be warmer in the Summer, however keep in mind, “warmer” in Iceland still requires layers. It will still be chilly in certain places and particularly along the coast as the wind coming off the ocean always lowers the temperature by about 10 degrees F.
Adventurous Activities – You’ll have your pick of adventurous activities in the Summer like a helicopter ride (which I’d highly recommend) or hiking or whatever your heart desires.

Go to Iceland in the Winter for:

A Winter Wonderland – If you want snow and ice and a true Winter wonderland, Iceland is the place for you in the Winter months. You’ll be met with a truly beautiful and unique winter landscape in Iceland.
Cold Weather – Sometimes I just love a trip where it’s going to be freezing and you have to bundle and we are all your coats with the faux fur you never get to wear anywhere else. If you love the cold weather, Iceland is for sure home to a true cold.
Darkness to Sleep In – If you love to sleep in on vacation, then try out Iceland in the Winter. The sun doesn’t even rise until around 10-11am, which allows you to really relax and sleep in before heading out to explore when the sun finally does rise. Also keep in mind though – it sets early too so be sure to plan your days wisely!
Gorgeous Sunrises and Sunsets – One thing that comes with the late sunrise and early sunset in the Winter in Iceland are the gorgeous colors in the sky around those times unlike other times during the year. They last longer and the colors are just softer in hue, which makes them truly a magical spectacle.
Northern Lights – While we had yet to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, we finally caught glimpses of them on this last trip and they are an amazing sight to see while in Iceland for the Winter.
Sticking closer to Reykjavik – You might not be able to travel as far in the Winter or while you may technically be able to, it won’t be easy in the Winter. I’ve heard horror stories of people trying to drive North in the Winter and while the locals might know more to be able to do it, I would recommend to any tourists to stay farther South in the general radius of Reykjavik during the Winter months, particularly if the weather is stormy.

Headed to Iceland?

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Where to Stay in Iceland

A Complete Budget for 4 Days in Iceland

November 27, 2017

From the survey so many of you guys did for me a few months ago, one of the things you wanted to see more of here on Land of Marvels going forward was actual budget posts for trips. And while in the past, I’ve shied away from these a little bit, I realize that it’s super helpful to get an idea of how expensive travel is and how much you should budget for a trip. So before I jump into today’s post and future budget posts, let me preface this by saying that I don’t really try to stick to a strict budget when traveling. Of course we have a general budget for the whole trip, but we’re not pinching pennies by any means, so if you need to be on a stricter budget for your trip, then adjust as needed for your own situation. Today I’m sharing a complete budget for 4 days in Iceland.

This year for our annual Thanksgiving escape, we wanted to head somewhere snowy and magical – enter our fourth trip to Iceland, one of our all-time favorite places! Below is the total budget for this trip, which included a total of 4 full days in Iceland. Hopefully this will help you plan your own escape to Iceland and give you an idea of how much you might want to budget for your own adventures!

AIRFARE

$199.80 for 2 people using Alaska Air Miles – from Portland – Seattle – Keflavik
$275.92 for 2 people using Alaska Air Miles – from Keflavik – Seattle
$100.71 for 2 people on Alaska Air – from Seattle – Portland

HOTEL

$576.50 for Iceland Air Hotel Vik for 2 nights
$217.90 for Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel in Reykjavik for 1 night

TRANSPORTATION

$555.54 for rental car for 4 days (large car with studded tires specific for Iceland)

EXPENSES ON THE GROUND

This section includes everything we spent once on the ground in the destination like food, metro tickets, museums, etc.

$500 cash for everything while traveling

TOTAL = $2,426.37

WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

Fly on budget airlines like WOW Air which offer really cheap airfares to Iceland
Stay in cheaper hotels or rent apartments on AirBnB
Buy food from markets instead of eating out at restaurants
Go to Iceland in the off seasons like the Spring or Winter
Be organized for your days while traveling so you don’t use extra money getting from place A to B when they are super far apart – plan out your days so you see things in the same areas and don’t have to go too far

Headed to Iceland?

See all our Iceland content here.

Where to Stay in Iceland

Why a Visit to Iceland Will Change Your Life

November 20, 2017

I often get asked what my favorite destination is that we’ve visited and while Paris is usually my answer to that question, there’s another place in this big beautiful world that has touched me as deeply as Paris but in an entirely different way. I’m a really emotional traveler, I feel really deeply about a place, and when I love it, I feel an almost spiritual connection to a location. And so 5 years ago when Nick and I first visited Iceland over Thanksgiving break, a trip we booked somewhat on a whim a month prior to leaving, I left that trip with a profound sense of change in myself and the world around me.

You see, Iceland is a place that’s hard to explain to people. It’s cold, yes. It’s barren, yes. It’s full of superstitions and fairy tales, yes. But in order to really understand how Iceland will change you, you simply have to go. You have to stand in those barren landscapes where the lava rocks go for miles and where the most beautiful olive colored moss covers everything in a soft cushion. You have to stand on the edge of the island and stare out at the sea as it roars against the cliff below you, with a bright orange lighthouse shining a beacon of light out into the open ocean. You have to stand above the Waterfall of the Gods at 2 in the morning under the midnight sun without another soul for miles and you have to witness the miraculous and incredible beauty of Iceland in its purest form.

Iceland has completely changed my life, no matter how cheesy that sounds. I crave it, I dream of it. And on those days when the world seems to be a little too much, I dream of selling everything I own and buying a little horse farm in the middle of the wilds of Iceland just to surround myself with beauty. It’s a place that I never counted on falling so deeply in love with, a place that captured my whole heart on that first visit 5 years ago. And since then, we’ve visited multiple times and as we head back this week for our fourth trip, I’m sure there are so many more to come in the future.

I can’t always explain to people what Iceland means to me. It’s not just that I love it, the beauty, the cold, the simple way of life. It’s that every time I step foot there something inside of me changes, something inside of me awakens and it brings me back to life. The landscapes, the people, the stories of elves and fairies, the horses, all of it together creates a place that will always be a refuge for my soul. And so as we embark on our fourth visit to this amazing country, I know another spiritual awakening is on the verge of happening. And I know this sounds cheesy and cliche and everything else, but truly, a visit to Iceland will change your life – so what are you waiting for?

Headed to Iceland?

See all our Iceland content here.

5 Places Around the World that Aren’t on your List, but Should Be

November 17, 2017

In this age of Instagram and blogging, it’s easy to form your travel list of “must see” spots based on popular places, like Paris and London and Tokyo. And while all of those are great and are all definitely “must see’s,” there are also a ton of places in the world that might not be as well known or as “must see” as some others, but will offer a unique trip and some incredible memories none the less. Over time, I’ve come across some of those places that while their neighbors tend to get the attention, these places will blow you away just the same! Here are 5 places around the world that aren’t on your list, but should be!

1. Seoul, South Korea

I’ve had the pleasure of spending a lot of time in South Korea, and particularly in Seoul, for work. And let me tell you, Seoul might not get the attention that it’s neighbors Tokyo or Hong Kong get, but a visit to Seoul is just plain good for the soul, pun intended. This bustling Korean city has incredible food (now I’m craving Korean BBQ), color everywhere and the friendliest locals around!

My favorite neighborhoods in Seoul include Hyehwa, Myeong-Dong and Itaewon!

2. Northern Ireland, UK

While Ireland proper and England and Scotland might be all the tourist glory in this part of the world, a visit to Northern Ireland will actually blow you away too. Northern Ireland has incredible landscapes like the Giants Causeway, incredible food and little Irish towns that look like a postcard.

I’d recommend a visit to the Giants Causeway and lunch in the little town nearby Bushmills. Also don’t miss exploring Belfast, a lovely and large cosmopolitan city!

3. Pacific NW, USA

While many that come to the US choose to head to our famous spots like LA or New York or Las Vegas, a hidden gem and often overlooked by visitors is my home of the Pacific Northwest, including Oregon and Washington. You’ll find incredible landscapes here, great food and beautiful cities like Portland and Seattle.

Don’t miss the Columbia River Gorge, the Oregon Coast and the San Juan Islands!

4. Udaipur, India

Among the many cities I’ve visited in India, Udaipur completely stole my heart. Often unheard of among tourists and passed over for visits to more famous cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Agra, Udaipur is a true hidden gem in India. Nicknamed the Venice of the East, this incredibly beautiful Indian city sits on a series of lakes and while still large, is more manageable to explore than the larger Indian metropolises.

Don’t miss a stay at the Oberoi Udaivilas here and explore the City Palace!

4. St. Andrews, Scotland

While Edinburgh and the Highlands may get more attention, little St. Andrews, famous for it’s golf course, is a truly incredible spot to explore. This city on the Scottish coast is gorgeous, with old stone buildings and castle ruins, not to mention some incredible Scottish pub food!

Visit the St. Andrews Cathedral ruins and coastal views near the St. Andrews Old Course.

Travel Tips : Dealing with a Language Barrier

November 15, 2017

On Nick and I’s honeymoon 7 years ago, we arrived in Paris after a week in London and headed out to explore. On the way back, after walking probably 10+ miles that day, we got incredibly lost. We were staying at a hotel in the Opera District of the city and the tiny narrow streets had us all turned around. With no data on our cell phones at that point, all we had was a paper map which didn’t help very much considering we didn’t even know where we were on said map. And so in my very limited French at that time, I stopped someone to ask for help. A lovely French man in a beret started pointing and going on and on in French which I followed none of and when he was done, I said “Merci,” and proceeded to look at Nick and said “I had absolutely no idea what he said.” In those situations when you just smile and go along because you don’t have the time or the energy to figure out what’s being said in another language or you truly don’t speak a word of whatever language you happen to find yourself in, can be excruciating while traveling. Those moments are when you find yourself on the verge of tears when you can’t understand, when you can’t communicate and when nothing you’re doing is actually getting through to the person speaking something else than you.

It’s all part of travel though and while frustrating, doesn’t have to ruin your trip! Over the years, I’ve come up with a lot of ways around that frustrating feeling of not being able to communicate, no matter what language you might find yourself in. So when one of my longtime readers asked me for a post on this subject (thanks Jenn!), I jumped at the chance because language barriers don’t have to be horrible and don’t have to make you anxious or annoyed when you’re exploring other countries.

Learn a few words of the local language before you leave.

I almost always do this no matter where we go and it’s helped me tremendously in my travels around the world. Even if you only know how to say hello, goodbye and thank you, it means a lot to locals that you make an effort and they’ll be more willing to help you. Over time, as I visit certain places more and more, this rings more and more true. When I was traveling to Korea often for work, I learned a decent amount of Korean, at least the most common phrases to get by or take a taxi. I remember one morning I was walking from my favorite coffee shop to my office in Seoul and I was wandering past a shop keeper opening up for the day. I said “good morning” in Korean and he smiled at me warmly and said it back. It’s one of those moments that I always remember because it was my willingness to learn that allowed me to connect with a stranger that probably had 0 in common with myself.

Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation or understanding in a foreign language.

One thing I used to really worry about was pronouncing everything perfectly in another language when traveling even if I didn’t know the language at all. I would stress about “did I say that right!?” or “I don’t want to sound rude!” But the truth is, when traveling, the locals know that you don’t speak their language and that’s totally ok. Of course we should all try to be respectful and pronounce everything as accurately as possible, but sometimes if you end up saying “mare-cay” the whole time in France when it should be pronounced “mare-see,” then at the end of the day, it’s not hurting anyone.

As a visitor, obviously we don’t know the full language or meanings of everything in the local language, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still immerse ourselves and find beauty in where we are. And the locals are more thoughtful and kind than you think, like when the waiter we’d been going to everyday at our hotel restaurant in India quietly told me on our last day there with a smile after I’d been ordering “chai tea” every day for a week, “ma’am, you can actually just order chai, as chai tea is repeating the same word in Hindi.” Of course I was a little embarrassed in the moment, but his kindness and thoughtfulness to tell me that meant a lot to me. The locals want you to love their country, their home, so don’t worry so much about mistakes, instead try to focus on what you’re gaining from their country and their language, not what you’re missing.

Have a map in English with you at all times.

This rings true especially in places in the world where their alphabet is different than English, or your home language. For example in Asia, where languages are entirely different characters that I can’t read, it’s really important to have a map in English with you at all times. Buy one before you leave home so you don’t rely on what’s available on the ground wherever you are going. I was really glad to have an English map in China for example, as often times translations are bad there and might not say exactly the same things as one made in the US.

Embrace hand gestures.

While we all might speak thousands of different languages, one universal language is that of hand gestures. We can say a million different things to each other with just gestures and body language so embrace that when traveling. For example, a shrug of your shoulders and pointing on a map to where you want to go can ask a local where that is. When there really is no common language or words between you and someone else, this is your go-to to communicate with them in some way.

Take a card from your hotel with address information.

Especially in countries where English isn’t widely spoken, we always grab a card from our hotel that has the address of the hotel in the local language. This is usually a fail safe to use cabs and or ask directions to where you need to go no matter what language the locals speak that you don’t. Just ask your hotel front desk for one!

When all else fails, just laugh it off and keep on walking.

In Beijing last year we had walked 10+miles that day already all over the city and it was freezing cold and snowing and we were exhausted. So we hailed a cab, showed him the card from our hotel and he shook his head, waved us off and drove away. Baffled, we weren’t sure what happened so we hailed another cab. Same thing. We walked a bit more, hailed another one, same thing. We couldn’t figure out what was happening but realizing that no one was going to drive us the 10+ miles back, we just kept on walking until we got there. Upon returning to our hotel we asked the front desk what was going on with the taxis and they told us that Chinese taxi drivers are notorious for not wanting to drive very far so if they see where you are going and it’s outside of their radius of where they want to drive, they’ll tell you no.

Well lesson learned, sometimes no matter what you do, a language barrier and not understanding what is happening will try to derail your trip. When you feel on the verge of tears from a language barrier, that’s when you have to just laugh it off and keep on walking. In the end, you’ll realize it’s not going to ruin anything, but it’s a lesson learned and a story you’ll have down the road to laugh about!

More Travel Tips Posts

Headed to Iceland?

Headed to Iceland?

Rent a 4×4 vehicle with Winter tires.

Expect the unexpected like crazy strong wind and snow storms that start suddenly.

Get the full insurance package.

Go slower than the speed limit in bad weather especially in high winds.

Give yourself plenty of time to stop.

Check road conditions before you go anywhere.

Be flexible with your plans.

Headed to Iceland?

Gloves

Hats + Earmuffs

Leggings / Double Layered with Pants

Insulated Boots

Insulated Coat with Hood

Thick Scarves

Heavy sweaters

Warm packs

Thick Socks / Double Layer

Headed to Iceland?

Go to Iceland in the Summer for:

Go to Iceland in the Winter for:

Headed to Iceland?

AIRFARE

HOTEL

TRANSPORTATION

EXPENSES ON THE GROUND

TOTAL = $2,426.37

WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

Headed to Iceland?

Headed to Iceland?

1. Seoul, South Korea

2. Northern Ireland, UK

3. Pacific NW, USA

4. Udaipur, India

4. St. Andrews, Scotland

Learn a few words of the local language before you leave.

Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation or understanding in a foreign language.

Have a map in English with you at all times.

Embrace hand gestures.

Take a card from your hotel with address information.

When all else fails, just laugh it off and keep on walking.

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