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Next month, we will be leaving rainy London for colder Boston. Then from there, we’ll take full advantage of a week-long ‘layover’ via IcelandAir to fulfill a dream. Seeing Iceland’s natural beauty and wild terrain up close is an unforgettable opportunity in group travel experiences to be had over the wintry season. At this stage though, I’ve only seen incredible photos of the Northern lights and lots of snow. So what can we do for a full week in this country? And especially, how should I plan a trip to Iceland in the winter? I’m not always one to plan everything out perfectly, but for managing wild terrain and an unfamiliar environment for everyone in the group, coming up with a game plan first seems key to a successful adventure, By using our trusty Iceland travel guide and some forward-thinking ingenuity, I bet our trip to Iceland in the winter will be one for the record books. I also enjoy using some trip calculators and seeing options beyond the hotel on TripHobo, which works ...

I definitely have preconceived notions when I hear the phrase “spa town.” I think fancy upscale hotels, plush bath robes, insanely expensive food, and lots of treatments that involve mud. What I don't necessarily think of is this: Bath Abbey Pulteney Bridge But Bath, a small town in the southwest of England, IS technically a spa town. It's just a spa town that was a spa town before health spa breaks were even a thing. The history of Bath Bath as a city has a long history that stretches back nearly 2,000 years. Around the year 60 AD, the Romans (who had come to Britain in 43 AD) built the first settlement in the area, known as Aquae Sulis (“the waters of Sulis”). It was built around a natural hot spring, which had probably been known and used as a shrine to the gods long before the Romans came along. Because of the naturally-flowing hot water under the ground, it's no surprise that the Romans built a large bath complex here. And it's that complex that h...

Italian Rail Advice: Riding Trains in Italy Italian trains don’t have to be daunting. I was nervous beforehand, but once you get the hang of it, they are super easy. I’m jealous we don’t have such an impressive system in the United States. Here is some helpful Italian rail advice that will better prepare you and save you time when you’re actually in Italy. Be wary of anyone who comes up to you and offers advice. Only ask questions of someone in a uniform or working at the help booth. Keep your purse zipped and watch your pockets. Don’t let your bags out of your sight. Don’t get too close to anyone or get distracted. Pick pockets and scammers prey on tourists who look confused and will offer wrong or unnecessary advice and then demand money. Getting to the train station too early won’t serve any purpose. The platform number where you will board is typically not determined and announced until 15 minutes before your departure time. Find your train number on the electronic bo...

(This post contains affiliate links, for more information read this  privacy policy ) On my second day and also last day in Brussels we decided to sign up for a beer tour that the Meininger Hostel was offering. It seemed like a good idea since Belgium is definitely known for its rich beer culture. The price was 22 euros and all it said in the description was that we would learn a bit about Belgium beer culture and get one beer and three samples included. Didn’t sound like a lot and I also wasn’t expecting much but it did turn out to be a really nice evening. At around 5:30pm we met at this bar called Scott’s Bar, located in the city centre. We waited outside in the cold for a while because on our ticket it said to meet outside which was a little confusing because everyone was already inside. The bar itself looked really fancy from the inside and we got to meet the other participants. After our tickets were collected we walked up the stairs and met our tour guide. I have n...

A Day trip to Bruges in Winter Our journey begins in Antwerp, one of Belgium’s less visited cities but arguably its best secret. The more popular choice to visit is of course the Belgian capital, Brussels, however I much prefer the low key lifestyle in Antwerp. The sun doesn’t rise until nearly 9:00am in winter so once you’ve made the most of your breakfast buffet or grabbed something on the go, make your way to the train station and book your ticket to Bruges. Once you arrive in Bruges I would highly recommend dropping in to the tourist information centre and grabbing a free map (in English – don’t make the same mistake we did!) We also asked the lady behind the counter for the best walking route in to town and I’m so glad we did as it isn’t the most direct route. The map (the freebie, go grab one) highlights the best walking path into the city centre. Bruges Grote Markt After a brisk walk in to the city centre (it was ...

Italy is a country rich in history, culture, heritage and of course, carbs! Over the years travelling I have some of the best kept secrets in Italy. These are not the cities and towns you read about in guidebooks. These are the secret small towns your Italian grandmother tells you to visit. The towns you thought only existed in Hollywood films. 1. Siena, Tuscany With a distinctive medieval charm and a reputation for the annual Palio horse race, Siena is often overlooked in favour of Florence and or Pisa, though holds just as much charm! The cities’ main attraction is the Piazza known as Il Campo, though be sure to step inside the Siena Cathedral for one of the most impressive interiors you will find the world over. Read more: A Quick Guide to Siena, Italy 2. Torno, Lombardy Lake Como is best discovered at a slow and steady pace, wandering throughout the many towns and villages that sprawl across the edges of the lake. Torno is one such small town I discovered on my time in ...

On a mission to find the prettiest and most charming towns in France, it was inevitable that our itinerary would soon lead to Strasbourg. Located close to the border between France and Germany in the Alsace region, Strasbourg is a unique bled between the two influences in a range of ways, but most noticeably in architectural and culinary influences. If you’re visiting Strasbourg for the first time, here is everything you need to know to make the most of your stay (or if you’ve just come here for inspiration, prepare to be inspired!) Checking In: Sofitel Strasbourg For our stay in Strasbourg we were nearing the end of our Spring European journey, so we decided to check in to the centrally located Sofitel Strasbourg for a couple of nights to explore the small city and surrounds in the Alsace region of France. The hotel had a great location just a two minute stroll from the major shopping area and a maximum of five minutes walking to reach the Strasbourg Cathedral and La Pe...