1950s Citroen tour through Paris

Paris is popular for a reason. Or 100. 

Experiencing it from the passenger seat of a restored Citroen while Edith Piaf blares on the speakers is one I didn’t expect. 

Complete with authentic swearing in French and interesting tidbits about historical sites from the driver, this is a must do, whether it’s your first time or your 10th in the city of lights.

Self-guided e-boat tour through the canals of Copenhagen

Where else can you boat around in a capital city without a guide? Labor is expensive in Nordic countries, and they’re known for being independent. It only makes sense that they’d have a self-guided boat tour. 

A bit nerve wracking at times with other boats and cranes shooting out, but loads of fun with a new perspective of the city. The only downside is that the Nyhavn area is now off limits. Otherwise, it would be packed with e-boats. 

Hiking up the Caldera in Santorini and swimming in the Aegean

Out of the thousand islands in Greece, Santorini is one of a kind. 

The water is so still and calm that it’s deafening (it’ll make sense when you’re there). It seldom rains on Santornini. It’s a microclimate with incredibly rich volcanic soil and moisture from heated vents on the ocean floor, so everything that grows there is delicious. 

The food isn’t the only thing that makes the place special. The most fun we had was hiking up a volcano, then jumping in the picturesque blue water. It was surreal to the point that I can still see it when I close my eyes.

Exploring Machu Picchu at sunrise and having a picnic lunch

It pays to take your time. 

Machu Picchu is a little out of the way, but the path is well-beaten. 

Getting there at sunrise gives you a few hours to experience it before the heat and crowds. Still one of the most vivid landscapes I’ve ever seen. It’s even better when you have all day to explore areas that people don’t look for. Machu Picchu may be hyped up, but it’s for good reason. Sitting on the adjacent peak while eating empanadas is a sight I won’t soon forget.

Discovering a hidden waterfall in Iceland and Horse Dance Festival before winter

Iceland is another place that’s not a secret anymore. 

Once you get out of the Golden Circle, you can really enjoy all it has to offer. 

We were lucky enough to find the Troll Witch’s realm, Kolugljufur Waterfall, where no one but locals were riding horses with huge mugs of beer. (they can ride without spilling a drop) 

Even though Kolugljufur wasn’t the most popular landmark, it was the most memorable because we had the chance to experience it without distractions.

Riding camels through the Sahara Desert and staying in a Bedouin camp

You can’t go wrong with an epic camel ride through the desert. 

A little challenge before a breathtaking sunrise and sunset makes it even more rewarding. I was even able to get bucked off my camel when it rose up early while trying to get on. 

It’s not a camel ride until someone falls off. Fortunately, the sand is very forgiving and cushioned my fall.

Campfire storytelling and entertainment under a starlit sky, followed by a night in Bedouin tent was icing on the cake.

Wandering all over Paris on an e-scooter    

Paris is so nice, it made our list twice. 

Days with no plans are often the best. 

We booked an Airbnb on the Seine River for 2 weeks and had a few days open to let things happen. We jumped on an e-Scooter at Jardin du Carrousel and wandered until we reached the 8th Arrondissement, where locals thrive without a tourist in sight. (besides us)

It was nice to see people enjoying the moment with a book and something warm.

Staying in a Ryokan with local friends in Noboribetsu, Japan

Japan is full of hidden gems. 

Fortunately, we were able to enjoy some with our Japanese friends. 

The oldest Ryokan with private Onsen in Noboribetsu, Sapporo requires Japanese fluency in order to stay there. We never could have found the place much less booked it online in Kanji.

The food was grown locally and it was so beautifully prepared it was a shame to eat it. (but we got over it quickly)

The natural hot springs were so soothing that we passed out that night with a glass of sake in hand and awoke feeling born again.

Spending a week inside the Castle walls in Visby, Sweden

Sweden is as close to perfect as you get. 

It’s even better when you get a tip from a local friend about a secret Viking stronghold. Gotland is well-known only to Swedish people as a must-visit place. 

Sweden is as close to perfect as you get. 

It’s even better when you get a tip from a local friend about a secret Viking stronghold. Gotland is well-known only to Swedish people as a must-visit place. 

Getting to the island by ferry was a breeze. Once there, you can see mostly Swedish tourists and locals having weddings. We booked a place with an old cathedral view. Renting a bike and riding around the castle walls is a must. There’s also a neat outdoor museum where you can experience life on Gotland in each century.

Spending two months in a rainforest on Fiji with endangered parrots

Fiji is well known for beach resorts, but there’s much more to it. 

Its rainforests are home to some of the rarest and most beautiful wildlife in the world. 

We stayed in a writer’s cottage in Colo-i-Suva, and were treated to a veritable nature show every morning on our veranda. (a conservationist was later surprised we had Masked Shining Parrots and Golden Doves nearby, since they’re endangered)

The rolling thunder and torrential rain made the experience even more magical. There were even semi-wild dogs that we fostered. (we taught them the basics like how to sit and not bite so hard) 

Fiji is well known for beach resorts, but there’s much more to it. 

Its rainforests are home to some of the rarest and most beautiful wildlife in the world. 

We stayed in a writer’s cottage in Colo-i-Suva, and were treated to a veritable nature show every morning on our veranda. (a conservationist was later surprised we had Masked Shining Parrots and Golden Doves nearby, since they’re endangered)

The rolling thunder and torrential rain made the experience even more magical. There were even semi-wild dogs that we fostered. (we taught them the basics like how to sit and not bite so hard) 

Going to the beach every so often didn’t hurt either.