As far as favorites go, Edinburgh Scotland is up there, way up there. Moody, full of medieval and victorian architecture and thick Scottish accents, this city has a feel that is unparalleled. The stark contrast of the Old Town and that of the modern and elegant Georgian New Town is like experiencing two completely different cities in one. Walk the famous Royal Mile that separates Edinburgh Castle from The Palace of Holyrood House. Full of shops, restaurants, pubs and many more attractions, this street is a bustling stretch through Old Town. A unique quality of Edinburgh is that the wild landscapes of Scotland can be reached with just a short walk out of the city.
Bring your rain jacket and make the hike up Arthur’s Seat — an extinct volcano that overlooks city and the North Sea. Situate yourself up there amongst the vibrant landscape and watch the clouds pass right before your eyes. Catch the bustling city from the top of this mountain and experience the city in a unique way!
Beer is cheaper than water, in Belgium. Yes, it really is. Hard to believe, but as I shared 1 euro beers with some Belgians, this is not the only thing unique to Belgium. For such a small country, Belgium packs a real punch — chocolate, waffles and beer that are known the world over. For those like me who find the consumption of chocolate to be something of a necessity of life, Belgium is a haven.
Everything you know about waffles will be shattered when you step into a pastry shop and let the sweet smell of biscuits, cake and most importantly, waffles wash over you. Here, you can find a menu dedicated solely to waffles. As there are several types of waffles and endless combinations of toppings, this can be a bit overwhelming. For reasons that I still am unsure of, my travel companion and I opted to share a waffle…this was one of the premier regrets of my life. As the waitress placed the waffle on our table, we knew we were on the verge of something life changing — something that would be the mark of every waffle to cross my path from here to the end of my days.
A short train ride from the capital of Brussels will bring you into a town that truly delights. Voted in the top 15 friendliest countries in the world Bruges delights. It’s old world, riddled with canals and lush foliage, incredible architecture, overtly friendly locals, charming shops and sweet shops everywhere, to visit Bruges is to love Bruges. Get lost wandering through the cobblestone streets, venturing over arched stone bridges, conversing with locals and you’ll find that the feelings that Bruges evokes are hard to replicate.
If you want to experience one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by yourself — go at 6am. After a long night of travel, the alarm was a rather unwelcome sound. However, I had been promised a beach sanctuary in a mixture of Spanish and English, so I pried myself from my present coziness. The ride there was quiet and sleepy, full of expectations for a regular trip to the beach. It was already humid out with an emanate cloud covering. Maybe 6AM is too early to swim. On your average beach day, it probably is. As I passed under a low bridge, an ethereal sight glassed over my eyes. I couldn’t be barefoot quickly enough — tiny silky golden sand grains pressed against my feet. I waited in the sand for several minutes, looking out across the refreshing teal mass of water leading to the edge of the world. The Mediterranean Sea is proper nice. You can float in the Mediterranean Sea without really trying. No matter how far out you go, you can see your toes and the bottom of the ocean. And you can lay, right there on the surface of the entire ocean and watch the clouds pass by for hours — and I recommend that you do.
To the east of La Rambla lies the Gothic Quarter of the city. In stark contrast with the more modernized areas of the city, entering into the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona seemingly takes you to a different place in time. Enter through a narrow side street off of La Rambla and an almost other worldly feeling washes over you. Surrounded by a sea of towering gray walls and intricate carvings and statues, the Gothic Quarter is somewhat eery. Upon wandering through the 
labyrinthine narrow streets that suddenly open up into a square with fountains and detailed building fronts, you will be struck with surprise that there are people here, simply enjoying their daily lives of plopped down at a tiny street cafe. This part of the city looks as if it should be sparse with people, a far cry away from the bright liveliness of the heart of the city, just a few streets away. Come across the magnificent 13th century Gothic Barcelona Cathedral and take in the intricate details of the exterior facade that includes mythic gargoyles. Sit on the steps and watch the charm of Barcelona dance by. This lively square is often filled with street performers as well as tourists and locals alike.
This northern town has is somewhat unexpected.
