Land Of Marvels

A Travel Blog

24 Hours on the Garden Isle : A Weekend on Kauai

weekend on Kauai

In December this past year, we decided to spend Christmas in Hawaii with my parents for a long 9 days of relaxation and family time.  But on the way over, we decided to see a spot of the Hawaiian Islands that’s long been on our travel list: Kauai.  The beautiful Garden Island as it’s known was well worth our 24 hour stopover en route to Honolulu and I’m so glad we got to see it.  While I don’t know if I could spend long amounts of time there (it has a pretty small town feel), I loved getting to see the landscape which is so different than the other islands in the Hawaiian chain and get a sense of how different it feels.  So in video format, here’s a good way to spend 24 hours on the Garden Isle!

Travel Tips : How to Get through Airport Security in 5 Minutes

How to Get through Airport Security in 5 Minutes

People often ask us if we get tired of traveling, tired of the rigor of going through the airport and enduring security and dealing with issues from check in to the gate agents of airlines.  And the answer is, truthfully, we have the act of traveling down to a science at this point and we very rarely have bad airport experiences.  99% of the time we are dropped off at the sidewalk, enter the airport and are through security within about 5 minutes.  And if you’re jaw is on the ground right now, I will say it again, it is entirely possible to be through security in 5 minutes (in a normal airport situation) and in the following tips and strategies I’ll tell you how!

Use Mobile Boarding Passes.

The first thing that saves us an enormous amount of time – not having to check in at a counter or kiosk to get our boarding passes or carry extra pieces of paper around.  Using mobile boarding passes (which most airlines offer) is a quick and efficient way for you to be able to head straight to security and bypass the whole first part of the airport experience at the check in counters.

Get Global Entry/TSA PreCheck.

I will never stop singing the praises of Global Entry and TSA Precheck – both programs you sign up and pay for.  We did ours right when they started years and years ago and paid the small fee ($100 for 5 years) and it has been a life changer for us.  While there are now other ways to get TSA Precheck printed on your boarding pass, this is still the most sure way to do it.  Global Entry will get you Precheck at no additional cost and you’ll go through the Precheck lane at security – never needing to take out liquids, laptops or coats again.  You put your bags on the conveyer as is, walk through the metal detector and voila, you’re done!  This is the single most incredible way we’ve been able to get through airports so fast all over the country.

Know when your airport is busiest and avoid those times.

For your home airport, try to figure out when it’s busiest as this is going to be when the lines are longest.  For Portland, early mornings tend to be busiest while evening flights usually bring shorter queues.  So if possible, arrange flights when the airport is least busy.

Find out which security checkpoint is least crowded or go through another terminal.

All airports have different security checkpoints and some might be more crowded than others so figure out which ones are usually empty and use those to go through security.  For example in Honolulu, there is a side security checkpoint that is rarely used and we usually walk right through.  You can also sometimes go through other security checkpoints and then connect to your gate in the other terminals.  So figure out which one is best for your situation and which will get you through quicker.  No need to wait in a long line if there is another option.

Carry on luggage only.

This is by far the fastest way we get through security quickly.  We usually only carry on our luggage and have everything convenient for security.  That means nothing falling out of your bags or bags you can’t lift – be ready to just throw them on the x-ray machine and go.

Have a pocket in your bag to put your ID and phone in quickly.

Even in Precheck lines, you’ll have to put your phone and ID away after it’s checked by an agent.  Be sure to have a place to put those in your bags quickly and safely so as not to hold up the line at security.

Become an elite member of an airline loyalty program.

If you fly a lot and happen to be an elite member of airlines’ loyalty programs, you’ll know this is a sure fire way around the world to get access to shorter lines everywhere, but especially at security checkpoints.  You’ll get access to way shorter security lines and be ushered through most areas of an airport – so rack up those miles to get elite status!

4 Types of Trips Worth Taking

4 Types of Trips Worth Taking

Travel is about so many different emotions and I find that with each different trip I take, I come away learning something very specific.  Everyone experiences different destinations differently, however there are generally “types” of trips that all seem to have their own distinct experiences and you’ll walk away from each with a very different perspective on ourselves and our world.  And while some people might prefer a beach vacation and others might prefer a city break in a high end hotel with amazing food, still others might prefer a mountain adventure trip or a yoga break in India.  All of these types of trips each have a specific purpose for us as travelers and I personally believe that all should be experienced at different points in our lives.  So give yourself this goal – the following are 4 types of trips worth taking at some point in your life – take away whatever you can from each because you’ll leave each one with a new awakening, I promise!

Adventure

adventure trip

When I started traveling regularly, I wasn’t really the “adventure-type” of traveler.  I much preferred a city break in a great hotel and modern conveniences.  I’d say all that changed on our first trip to Iceland five years ago.  I was never much of an “outdoors-y” type of person, but my time over the years in Iceland has completely changed the way I look at our planet.  And I’m still not a “camping out in the woods” type of person but put me in a beautiful landscape like Iceland and I come alive, even out in the middle of no where.  You might need to find the right place to really experience an adventure trip but when you find the right fit – it will change you.  I’ve done things in Iceland I never thought I would and it’s pushed me outside of my comfort zone in ways I never could have imagined.  Since that initial trip to Iceland, we’ve been to all sorts of destinations that I would deem adventurous: Cambodia and Peru to name just a few.  Sometimes you just have to pull out that inner tomb-raider persona and go with it!

Ideas for an Adventure Destination:

  • Explore the wind landscapes of Iceland
  • Wander the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru
  • Go zip lining across the mountains on Oahu
  • Trek through ancient temples in Cambodia
  • Drive the craziest roads in the world in New Zealand
  • Experience the craziness of the souks in Marrakech

Relaxation

relaxing trip

Sometimes life is so chaotic you just have to rest on a true vacation.  This type of trip might mean a beach for some, for me, it’s a nice hotel in a place with good food and relaxing experiences.  I don’t do these types of trips often, but when I do, I’m reminded of how amazing they are.  We all need a break in this fast paced world and relaxing trips are the ones that you come home from totally refreshed and ready to take on the world ahead!

Ideas for a Relaxing Destination:

  • Spend a week taking in the slow paced life in Hawaii
  • Enjoy a few days at the gorgeous and luxurious Udaivilas in Udaipur, India
  • Relax in a private villa on the beaches of Bali at the Oberoi Hotel in Seminyak
  • Take in a long weekend in Paris with no agenda or itinerary

Romantic escape

romantic escape

There are also times in life when you just really need a romantic escape with your partner.  A few years ago Nick and I were having an incredibly crazy busy Summer and between a big promotion for Nick and a massive workload for myself, we were burnt out by August and felt like we’d barely spent any time together for months.  So on a whim, I booked a long weekend in Amsterdam for us over Labor Day and to this day, it was still such an amazing few days together, without looking at our phones or worrying about what was going on at home – it was just us exploring a city we love together.  When I say romantic escape, the sentiment is always that it has to be a luxurious hotel or a really romantic places with romantic dinners and such.  Personally, I much prefer the places that just allow us to spend more time together and for me that’s romantic in and of itself.  Romantic escapes don’t have to be this big blown out thing – oftentimes, a great romantic trip can be found in the smallest details.

Ideas for a Romantic Escape

  • A weekend in Amsterdam wandering around and eating amazing food
  • Spend a week in Paris, among the most romantic cityscape in the world
  • Explore India, including a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the most romantic buildings in the world
  • A few days driving through the Vermont countryside in October as the colors create an otherworldly magical view
  • Driving through the beautiful vineyards of Napa

Personal Exploration

trip for personal exploration

The final trip that I wholeheartedly believe is worth taking is the trip to really explore within yourself.  I personally don’t love traveling solo and would much prefer that Nick be with me, but at the same time, while my solo trips have been some of my hardest, they have also led me to really explore within myself.  It was on my many solo trips to Seoul that I did some of my deepest soul searching and on my solo trip to Paris and London years ago when I fully realized the direction I really wanted to head in my life.  Solo trips and personal exploration is a worthy and sometimes much needed opportunity to do that deep soul searching that you can’t always do in your daily life and to offer you some much needed guidance about where you’re headed and where you want to go.

Ideas for Personal Exploration:

  • Exploring the incredible beauty of the Great Ocean Road and Melbourne, Australia
  • A few days in the incredible city of London
  • Take in the beauty and vitality of Vienna
  • Experience the calm, beauty, and kindness of locals in Bali

Reykjavik Favorites

Reykjavik Favorites

Over the years of visiting Iceland, the capital city of Reykjavik has really grown on me.  And while it’s definitely not a “big city” in terms of Paris or London, it feels huge compared to the other towns and cities around the country.  It’s in Reykjavik where you’ll find the shopping and restaurants while you travel through Iceland, as well as a plethora of hotels and activities to partake in.  Over the years we usually stop through Reykjavik for at least 1 night of our time in Iceland and we’ve come up with a list of Reykjavik favorites for the city.  Next time you visit Iceland, don’t miss some of these quirky and fun spots to enjoy!

Food

  • Krost at Hlemmur Mathöll Food Hall – This has become one of our favorite spots for dinner while in Reykjavik.  Sit at the bar top and watch the food being prepared while you sip on a great glass of wine.
  • Braou and Co. – This has become our go-to bakery in Iceland.  Go for their cinnamon rolls (which are amazing) but try everything else too.  They have an amazing assortment of vegan pastries which are delicious for me being dairy free and their rye bread is my favorite to bring home.
  • Reykjavík Roasters – This is THE Instagram spot in Reykjavik and everybody who’s anybody has visited this chic hipster coffee spot.
  • Laundromat Cafe – This is another favorite for any meal of the day and offers a variety of items on their menu and a great location.
  • Eldsmiðjan – On our last trip to Reykjavik we were craving some good pizza so we headed out in search of a great option – much to our luck we found this spot near Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral and it was delicious!
  • Ítalía Veitingahús – This is an incredible Italian spot right in the center of Reykjavik that has become a new fave.
  • The Coocoo’s Nest – This amazing spot down by the harbor in Reykjavik is the perfect brunch spot.

To Do

  • Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral – This is a famous building on the Reykjavik skyline and well worth checking out when in the area.
  • Shopping – Downtown Reykjavik is filled with quirky little shops and you’ll find everything and anything you need.
  • Grótta Island Lighthouse – This cool spot at the tip of Reykjavik is great during the day to see some of the area around the city and great at night to try and spot the Northern Lights.
  • The Pond – In the downtown area of Reykjavik you’ll find what is generally called “the pond,” a body of water that freezes over in the Winter and is lovely in the Summer.  Wander by and take it all in!
  • Kringlan Mall – If you need to do a bit of commercial shopping on your trip or need to stop in at H&M or Topshop, head to Kringlan Mall on the outskirts of downtown for whatever you may need.

To stay

Tips for Reykjavik

  • Use spare change for parking meters – Wherever you park downtown you’ll need to pay for parking at the meters!
  • Watch out for pedestrians – There are people everywhere these days in Reykjavik so when driving be sure to yield to pedestrians.
  • Explore the city but don’t spend all your time here – The beauty of Iceland really is out in the countryside so while Reykjavik is lovely, to really get a sense of Iceland, be sure to explore out of the city as well.

Headed to Iceland? 

See more of our content on Iceland here!

The Magic of Iceland in Winter

The Magic of Iceland in Winter

During our trip in November to Iceland, I was blown away once again by the beauty of the country.  Our very first trip there was in late November and upon our return at that time of year, the more we explored, the more we felt overwhelmed by the brilliance of Winter.  While a trip to Iceland is always going to come highly recommended by me any time of the year, Winter is especially beautiful with snow and horses and icy rivers running through the landscape.  So after watching this compilation video of Iceland in Winter, if you aren’t ready to book a ticket to this magical place then I don’t know what will convince you!

Headed to Iceland?

See all of our Iceland content here.

Where to Stay in Iceland

Tips for Arrival into Iceland

Tips for Arrival into Iceland

Iceland has become quite the tourist destination in the past few years and it’s crazy how much the island has exploded as more and more people visit.  With that said, arrival into Iceland can be a chaotic experience and while the Keflavik Airport where you’ll arrive is trying to update and accommodate the immense influx in visitors, it isn’t quite up to the task yet.  You’ll arrive to a crowded airport, unsure of what to do and where to go and waiting in the immense crowds – but I’m here to make all of that easier for your arrival into Iceland with the following advice!  So don’t worry a bit and follow the tips below to make everything smoother.

Have your cold weather gear ready for when you land. Often you will get off the plane on the tarmac and get bussed to the terminal meaning you’ll be landing in cold weather most likely and not in a warm airport terminal.

Because the airport is overcrowded, not all planes have gates when you arrive so they’ll often park out on the tarmac and bus you in to the terminal.  This means that you’ll be out in the weather immediately once you arrive so if it’s cold outside when you arrive, be sure to have cold weather gear to put on or you’ll be freezing!  I recommend having a warm coat and gloves or a hat ready to go for when you land!

If renting a car, have breakfast in the terminal and let the rush die down as everyone arrives all at once.

All the flights from the US arrive within about 20 minutes of each other early in the mornings in Iceland so the airport is a chaotic mess if you’re arriving from the US, it really is best to wait a bit and let the rush pass you by.  We like to stop and have breakfast in the terminal (before you go out of baggage claim as there is less available there) and sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and something to eat.  It will be early in the morning after all, so take your time in the airport terminal before you head out.

Try to book a car that has in-terminal locations – otherwise plan a solid 30 minute wait for the shuttle bus at peak times.

Some of the car rental companies have in-terminal desks for your car.  Others are about a 10 minute shuttle bus ride away and while that might not seem bad, there is one shuttle that handles a ton of people at not very frequent intervals.  I always try to book the in-terminal companies, but if you can’t, plan on a solid 30 minute wait for the shuttle at peak times.  Also keep in mind you’ll be standing outside waiting for the shuttle, most likely in a line at peak times, and it can get quite cold.

Nothing opens in Rekjavik until 8:30ish so don’t hurry in.

If you’re headed into Reykjavik first, keep in mind that the flights from the US arrive around 6am and even if you wait around the airport a bit and have breakfast, nothing in Reykjavik opens early so take your time.

Most hotels charge for early check in and it’s not always available.

Since a lot of flights arrive early in the morning, some of the larger hotels in Reykjavik will allow you to check in early but for an extra fee and it’s not always available due to occupancy.  So you can try, but have a plan of what to do if you can’t check in and have to wait all day.

Headed to Iceland?

See all of our Iceland content here.

Where to Stay in Iceland

The Do’s and Don’ts of Traveling in Iceland

Iceland is a magical place and after our fourth trip there this past year, I feel like I finally have the hang of travel in this incredible country.  And while we’ve learned a lot over our four trips to the island of fire and ice, there are some things that I constantly tell people that ask me before going.  So I compiled my list of the must do’s and don’ts before you head to the mythical and incredible Iceland!

Do…

Stop to play with horses.

Perhaps my favorite travel experience in Iceland are the incredibly friendly and beautiful Icelandic horses that will come up to you on the side of the road and let you pet them.  I love horses and this is always one of my very favorite things to do in Iceland and something not to miss!

Get off the beaten path.

Iceland’s beauty is definitely off the beaten path and while the tourist spots are beautiful too, I’ve always found that our favorites have been the spots that you just stumble upon when no one else is around and you have the views all to yourself.  Be sure to get off the beaten path during your visit for the best of Iceland.

Embrace the wildness of the landscape.

Iceland’s raw and desolate landscape is simply stunning and the best description I can muster is that it feels like you truly are on a different planet than Earth.  But to really enjoy it, leave your expectations on the plane and really embrace the wildness of the island, the desolate emptiness – that’s when you really enjoy the beauty that awaits you.

Make a plan of where you’re headed, but be flexible.

Always have a plan of where you’re headed in Iceland as you can drive great distances to get to different places and you want to give yourself time, but with that said, always be flexible because things can change in an instant.  Crazy freak snowstorm in May?  1 lane gravel road where you have to go way slower than anticipated and looked like a highway on your map?  Endless stops for photos that take way more time than you thought?  We’ve encountered them all – so be flexible but also be prepared with a plan.

Drive yourself.

On our first trip we hired a private guide to drive us around, but on all our subsequent trips we’ve rented a car and driven ourself.  I’d highly recommend the second option – you’ll have so much more flexibility in what you see and where you go.  It really is the best if you can drive yourself.

Don’t…

Stay just in Reykjavik.

A lot of tourist just stay in Reykjavik and do a day tour of the Golden Circle which includes the main attractions close to the city.  My first advice to anyone going to Iceland is to not JUST do this!  The true beauty of Iceland lies far from Reykjavik and the Golden Circle and you’ll want to give yourself time to really see the island and what makes it so stunning.

Underestimate the weather.

I can’t tell you how many times we’ve heard stories of people going to Iceland and saying “Oh I’m great with that type of weather, I grew up in snow.”  And then when they get back, they say, “Wow, that weather is no joke.”  Icelandic weather is famously unpredictable and can be really intense.  Even if you’re used to cold and snow, both in Iceland bring an entirely new perspective on Winter weather.  This past November we experienced snow storms that come out of nowhere and close major roads as well as 75 mph winds that quite literally blew us off our feet.  And it’s not just the Winter in Iceland that can bring crazy weather, our trips in the Summer have brought insane conditions as well.  So don’t underestimate the weather and pack and act accordingly.

Expect world class food.

While I adore Iceland and have been several times and plan to return several more in the future, the food there isn’t super great.  And while it’s totally fine and you’ll be able to eat well, don’t expect world class food that’s going to blow you away.

Forget to take in the surrounds.

Iceland is one of those destinations that you really must stop and just take in the beauty around you.  It’s an almost spiritual experience and some of my most amazing travel memories have come out of standing in the middle of Iceland without another soul for miles, just taking it all in.  Don’t forget to really take in the moment and where you are, because there is literally no other place like Iceland.

Headed to Iceland?

See all of our Iceland content here.

Where to Stay in Iceland

Merry Christmas!

For me, my readers are like my friends and every year at Christmas, I like to post our Christmas cards that are sent to friends and family so that my Land of Marvels family gets to be part of my life too!  Thank you for following along on my journey and Happy Holidays to each and every one of you and your families from the bottom of my heart!

I’ll be taking the next week off to enjoy the holidays but I’ll be back with brand new content on January 1st!

2017 in Review

2017 brought a lot of travel for a lot of different reasons.  First and foremost, our personal travel this year was really Europe heavy with 5 trips to the continent.  Work took us to Hawaii multiple times and family events took us from Southern Oregon to Reno to Virginia this year.  We also road tripped a lot this year, from driving through the Alps in Austria to an epic road trip that ended in Yellowstone National Park.  We loved places like our return to Austria and our first visit to Stockholm and didn’t love other places as much along the way.  This year’s travel was a lot more in our comfort-zone, places we’ve been to and that we feel comfortable but also really refreshing.  All in all, I can’t complain about our travel this year and I look forward to the places to come in 2018!

Travel Favorites of 2017

This year our travels took us to a lot of our favorite places as well as some new favorites and introduced us to some incredible spots around the world.  We were very Europe and US heavy this year and our travels ended up being a little bit more in our comfort zone than in years previously which in itself offered some different moments and experiences for us than traveling to places where you are totally out of your element.  But even in more comfortable settings, we fell in love with a lot of places this year and here are some of my travel favorites of 2017!

Favorite Travel Moment 

I think this has to be spending my 31st birthday in Paris, my favorite place in the world.  We booked this earlier in the year when I came across a great flight deal and spending a blissful Fall weekend in October in Paris with no plans was pretty magical.  We had picnics in the parks, watched the sun set over the Seine and ate at our favorite spots… all in all, it was incredible.

Favorite Reoccurring Travel Moment

We spent a few days in Amsterdam in the Spring and I’m always surprised when we go through the famous Dutch city how much I love it and how much I sort of forget about it.  We tend to go through Paris and London a bit more but I love heading back to Amsterdam as well and we enjoyed a few lovely days in the city earlier this year.

Biggest Travel Surprise 

In January of this year, we headed to Stockholm for the first time due to a deal on insanely cheap plane tickets.  I wasn’t sure of what to expect from the Swedish city as we didn’t love Copenhagen a few years back and I was expecting something similar.  All in all, we loved Stockholm!  The food, the people, the prices (cheaper than Denmark) and the architecture… we really enjoyed Stockholm and it’s for sure a place we would go back to!

Worst Travel Moment 

While we loved said trip above to Stockholm, our travels there and back weren’t super great.  On the way, Nick got really sick on the flight there and he was miserable.  Then on the way back, I got hit with the flu and a bad cold at once and spent the whole flight home going between shivering and sweating with horrible chills and congestion… all in all, while we loved Stockholm, we didn’t love our travel there and back.

Best Hotel Stay 

I think this definitely would be the Hotel Pulitzer in Amsterdam.  We loved our stay at this hotel and I think it’s definitely our new go-to while in the city.

Most Emotional Travel Moment

While I usually love this to be a beautiful moment somewhere, this year I think this year my most emotional travel moment was driving around Iceland in the Winter.  We encountered some intense wind and snowstorms during our time there and I felt a bit nervous multiple times driving around in the crazy weather there in November.  One moment in particular when I was driving in 75mph hour winds around the Vik area and stopped to get out and open my door, I truly thought the door was going to get blown off the hinges because the wind was so strong.  I was steering directly into the wind for the majority of our time there and it was definitely tense driving conditions.

Most Beautiful Scenery

One of the places I’ve been wanting to make it to for a long time is Provence in the Summer to see the lavender blooming.  So for this category, Provence definitely takes the cake!  It was so gorgeous to see fields of purple all around us and to see the incredible scenery of the whole Provence area in Southern France.

Favorite Landscape

For a single landscape, the Palouse area of Eastern Washington was definitely a standout for me this year.  I’ve been wanting to make it to this area forever and when we headed to Yellowstone for our road trip in May, we made an effort to go through this insanely beautiful area of the Pacific NW.  The rolling hills of green were incredible and I can’t wait to get back to this area.

Favorite Country

I think that while I loved a few different countries this year, like Sweden and Austria, I’d have to give this category to France.  We got to explore a lot more of the country this year and made multiple visits which I felt so lucky to do.  And while we try to get to Paris each year at some point, this year we really got to take in some of the most beautiful parts of France and enjoy one of our favorite countries so very much!

Travel

Travel Tips
Truth About Travel
Destinations
What to Wear

Life

Portland
Thoughts
At Home with LOM
Expat Kid in Saudi Arabia

Favorite Destinations

Paris
London
Iceland
Tokyo

Travel Reviews

Hotel Reviews
Restaurant Reviews
Activity Reviews
Airline Reviews

Disclaimer

All content on this blog, including photos and written words, are my property and may not be taken without my written consent to do so.