Santorini is a one-of-a-kind place. The Mediterranean blue waters make the sky seem endless, and the stark contrast of the whitewashed buildings against the dark volcanic cliffs is breathtaking. I could spend the rest of my days on a Greek island and be perfectly content. I definitely should have stayed longer.

I was surprised to find that Athens is a sprawling metropolis, stretching for miles in every direction. The city is steeped in history, with ancient ruins scattered throughout. I only had a day to explore, which was unfortunate, as I was constantly distracted by the delicious food. I couldn't stop eating the moussaka and baklava!

I lived in Birmingham, just 40 minutes away, but it took me a year to finally visit the castle. I had a great time exploring the grounds, learning about the castle's history, and watching a birds of prey show and a trebuchet demonstration. I would definitely recommend this as a day out in the Midlands of England.

I spent two weekends in the Cotswolds of England. The first weekend, I visited Bourton-on-the-Water, a picturesque town known for its waterways and honey-colored stone buildings. I took a walk to Lower and Upper Slaughter, two small villages that are even more charming than Bourton-on-the-Water.

The second weekend, I visited my mom's cousin, who lives in a nearby village. We took a trip to Lacock Abbey, a 13th century nunnery that is now a popular tourist destination. I enjoyed exploring the abbey's grounds and learning about its history.

I spent my final weekend in the UK before moving back to the States in Lake Windermere. I stayed at the Rum Doodle B&B, which I highly recommend. On Saturday, I went on a rainy hike around Lake Buttermere. The scenery was beautiful, even in the rain. On Sunday, the weather cleared up and I went on a hike to Easdale Tarn. The views from the top were incredible. I had a wonderful time exploring the Lake District and I'm sad to be leaving.

Wales is one of my favorite countries. I've visited a few times for hiking and adventure weekends with a good friend that lives there. The tiny narrow roads and the abundance of sheep make it feel like stepping back in time.

I also love the fact that Wales is home to two of my favorite words that are untranslatable into English:

Hiraeth: This word describes a longing for a home that you can't return to, or one that was never yours. It's not necessarily a physical place, but rather a feeling of homeliness and love.

Cynefin: This word describes a place where a being feels it ought to live. It's a place where nature feels right and welcoming.

This was my second time in Iceland. The first time was a blizzard the entire time and we were only able to do a fraction of what we had planned. This time, however, I was able to see everything I missed the first time around, including the northern lights, an ice cave, a glacier, waterfalls, and thermal pools.

Iceland is an incredible country with a rugged terrain that makes it a truly unique destination. I would love to go back again in the summer, when there are 20 hours of daylight instead of the 5 I experienced during my last trip. I can't even imagine how much more I would be able to see and do!

I recently went on another solo trip to Europe in early December. I knew it would be freezing, so I decided to go somewhere with thermal baths. I spent my time exploring the city, soaking in the thermal baths, and eating warm breads and hot stews at the Christmas markets. I had a great time and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a winter getaway.

Jane Austen once said, "Thoughts of Bath in any weather are a comfort to me." I can completely understand why she felt that way. Bath is a truly special place, with its Roman baths, Georgian architecture, and vibrant culture.

I recently had the opportunity to visit Bath, and I was blown away by its beauty. I spent a day exploring the city, visiting the Roman baths, and walking along the iconic Royal Crescent. In the evening, I soaked in the rooftop thermal pool at Thermae Bath Spa, overlooking the city and the neighboring abbey. As the sun set and the super moon rose. An experience I won’t soon forget.

I took a weekend to explore my city, taking in the beautiful autumn colors. I walked through the church square every day on my way to work. It was my favorite place in the city. Autumn is my favorite season, and I wanted to remember the city this way.

I spent my birthday in Norway. All I wanted to do for my birthday was hike to Priekestolen (Pulpit Rock) and look down the fjord 2,000 ft below. I planned the trip for months. I met my oldest friend in London for a couple nights there and then we traveled to Norway together. Day before my birthday we took a cruise up the fjord and saw Priekestolen from below. My birthday was a super rainy, foggy day. I didn't get my views of the fjords, but it created an experience I couldn't have planned for, and was still just as great. 

My favorite Norwegian word untranslatable to English:

Koselig: The feeling of warmth from sharing simple pleasures with people you like.

This was my second time in Ireland. I met up with my cousin for the weekend, and she suggested we take a Game of Thrones tour to the Giant's Causeway. I've only seen a few episodes of the show, but I was excited to go anyway.

It turned out that my cousin hadn't seen the show either, so we didn't get any of the references. But we still had a great time. The Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's truly amazing. The hexagonal columns of basalt rock are formed by volcanic activity, and they create a truly unique landscape.

While we were in Belfast, we also tracked down the graves of our great-grandparents. It was a really profound experience for me to see where my family comes from. It made me feel connected to my ancestors, and it gave me a sense of belonging.

Prague is a remarkable city with something exciting and beautiful around every corner. I only had a weekend to explore, but I made the most of it. My favorite part was taking a sunrise walk along the Vltava River and eating all the Trdlo I could find.

I spent a week in Amsterdam, Bruges, and Paris after moving to England. It was my first big solo adventure, and I learned a valuable lesson: don't try to see too many cities in one trip. I was exhausted by the time I got to Paris, and I didn't have as much fun as I would have if I had spent more time in each city.

I loved Amsterdam and Bruges, but Paris was just okay. Amsterdam is a beautiful city with a relaxed vibe and friendly people. I loved exploring the canals and visiting the Van Gogh Museum. Bruges is a charming city with a fairytale feel. It's perfect for a romantic getaway, but it can be a bit overwhelming as a solo traveler.

I would definitely recommend visiting Amsterdam and Bruges, but I would give Paris another try another time. I think I would have a better time if I spent more time exploring the city and less time rushing from one tourist attraction to the next.

When one of your best friends invites you to spend Christmas in Hawaii with his family because his sister lives there, and you have a free place to stay; you go. You just go!

This may have been the first vacation where I was not the least bit ready to get home. One week was certainly not long enough in this paradise.