Posts in Europe
Munich Christmas Markets

This blog post is for those clinging to Christmas, like me. Our Christmas tree is still up and will likely stay that way for another few weeks. But as I tuck away the stockings and other holiday paraphernalia, my thoughts wander back a few weeks to our quick jaunt to Germany to enjoy the Christmas markets in Munich.

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Cahernane House Hotel - Killarney, Ireland

Killarney has always held a special place in my heart. My first introduction to this Irish village was through the song โ€œChristmas in Killarney.โ€ My love for the ballad led to a Christmas trip in 2014 filled with music, laughter, and realizing Christmas is NOT the time to travel to Ireland. I had no idea five years later I would call Dublin home, and while COVID put a slight damper on my Ireland trips, the lifting of restrictions has every single weekend from now until August booked to see as my sights possible. My first weekend leaving Dublin county led me back to Killarney, and to one of the most spectacular hotel stays Iโ€™ve had in Ireland at Cahernane House Hotel.

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Blog, EuropeAlyssa Aalmo
Walk the Great South Wall - Dublin

Irelandโ€™s โ€œLockdown 2.0โ€ has me trading in my stilettos for sneakers and embracing the great outdoors, as indoor activities have ceased once again. Unless they included being cooped up in the house finding another series to binge on Netflix. The lack of indoor activities has led to several outdoor excursions that yours truly may not have participated in otherwise. A recent adventure took me and my sneakers out to the Great South Wall in Dublin.

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Escape to the Blue Lagoon

Many of us are heading into nearly 60 days or more of quarantine, and while I am going a little stir crazy, I found that revisiting some old travel memories is helping ease the monotony. Let me transport you out of your living room and into the warm aqua tinted waters of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.

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Blog, EuropeAlyssa Aalmo
Snow Covered Stopover

Since our relocation from Kabul to Dublin, the 24 to 48-hour trip is quickly becoming my travel go-to. Quick weekend jaunts are like a tapas restaurant. You can try bite-size portions without having to commit to a full meal. Last weekend, we were swept away by the beauty and wonder of Reykjavik, Iceland.

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Blog, EuropeAlyssa Aalmo
Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Iceland is known as one of the best places to see the Northern Lights, and I can now fully back that statement. We were able to witness natureโ€™s light show first-hand through Special Tours. The company offers a 2 - 3 hours โ€˜Northern Lights by Boatโ€™ trip that departs from Reykjavikโ€™s Old Harbor and is very highly rated on TripAdvisor. They will also try to reschedule your trip should conditions not be suitable for proper Northern Lights hunting. 1000% recommend. *Please note there is no guarantee of seeing the Northern Lights.

  • If you are looking for a fancy night out, the Matarkjallarinn Food Cellar offers a low-lit romantic ambiance with delicious fresh fish options on the menu. Fancy something not so fancy? Just around the corner, the Saetasvinid Gastropub will have everything you need. For all of my cocktail lovers, order the Marie-Antoinette, the drink is as iconic as the former Queen herself.

  • The Blue Lagoon. A full blog post is forthcoming and will be linked here. Short advice, go.

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Tranquil Tuscany

Some travelers want to spend hours on the beach. Others may find their solace on trails in the mountains. Or, perhaps the constant buzz of city life as you whiz from one place to the next. There is a famous quote, โ€œvacation to find yourself.โ€ If you need me, Iโ€™ll be in Tuscany.

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