I was sure I was going to keel over right then and there in the customs line. I was hot and nauseous and the line was moving at a snails place that I didn’t know if I was going to actually make it onto the Heathrow Express. When it was finally my turn in line, the desk agent took just a few seconds to check my passport and BUNAC work visa and with a smirk, reminded me to write the day’s date in reverse from now on – 7th of September 2007, not September 7th, 2007.

Just walking out of the customs area instantly made me feel better. I felt like I could breathe properly. I hauled my two bags onto the nearly empty Heathrow Express and was relieved to have fifteen minutes to collect myself. The train slowly crawled out of the airport tunnel and was soon moving at warp speed out into the open. All I could see from my window view were identical brick houses stacked side by side but it was enough to convince me I was no longer in San Francisco.

Two elderly ladies sitting nearby  shook their heads and muttered disapproval of President Bush as a clip of his speech from that day played on the train’s televisions. I chuckled to myself because I was expecting the criticism of my country’s president by people I would meet on my travels and now, not even an hour into being in London, here were two ladies showing their distaste for Bush. Months later, I would see the London newspapers cover Obama and Hilary with such excitement and positivity like never before.

I arrived at Paddington Station and immediately developed a strategy for managing my heavy suitcases. I pushed one suitcase in front of me and pulled the other behind me – I was sure this was the graceful way to do it without looking like a complete foreigner admist the chaos at the station on a Friday afternoon. I wanted to look like I knew what I was doing, where I was going, that I do this sort of thing all the time. And by “this sort of thing”, I mean, up and move to a new city with no job and no permanent place to live. I found the taxi stand and hoisted my bags into the spacious back seat of the black cab, no thanks to my driver.

And then came the sweating. I was expecting a cold, dreary and foggy London, not humid, hot, and sauna-like London. My thick jeans and long-sleeved t-shirt were no match for the weather. Strands of my curly long brown hair were sticking to the back of my neck and my tank top underneath my t-shirt, yes another layer, was stuck like glue to my back which was also stuck to the black leather seat. It didn’t occur to me until halfway through the ride to my hostel that I could in fact roll down the windows. Maybe because I was so distracted by what was going on outside my window. St. James’s Park was brimming with people sun-bathing in striped lawn chairs or just taking strolls and then the cab rounded the circle in front of Buckingham Palace with throngs of tourists snapping pictures in front of the gates and then moved on past Big Ben and over Westminster Bridge. No matter that I would be seeing a different side of London in the next six months and not this iconic side but it was still beautiful nonetheless. I couldn’t just play cool and dismiss how really wonderful it was. With every site we passed, I couldn’t get over the fact that I was finally here. After months of planning and years of day-dreaming, I made it and no amount of sticky sweat could bother me really.

The cab dropped me off on Borough High Street in front of St. Christopher’s Inn. I knew my location by address only but standing on the sidewalk with my bags with no sense of direction or what part of town I was in was a vulnerable feeling. Any passerby could suddenly knock me over, take all the possessions I owned at the moment, and render me insignificant. Luckily, all I had to do was turn around and walk into the hostel lobby. I had friends to meet, a job to find, an apartment hunt waiting for me. Six months later I was on Borough High Street again but this time across the street at the Borough Market with a friend. Before gorging on the food at the market, I looked over to the St. Christopher’s Inn and couldn’t believe how much time had passed and how much had happened since those first few hours of nausea, heat, sweat, and confusion. I had accomplished so much and become more confident in my new temporary home. My unstable state during my first few minutes in London quickly dissipated, but the excitement, the anticipation I felt – that never went away and always stays with me.

Have you had memorable first minutes in a new city?

Just as I am prone to read travel memoirs over any other genre, my movie choices always lean toward something with a travel theme. When I’m not traveling, the routine of work and school makes me forget sometimes how wonderful adventuring can be but reading books and watching films that tell stories of travelers helps me to maintain the wanderlust. Below are some of my favorite scenes from travel-themed films that I’ve watched recently (I’ve included links to trailers if you haven’t seen them yourself!).

Midnight in Paris

My friends and I had a Frenchie night this past weekend with lots of cheese, profiteroles, fruit, and bubbly. All my friends had seen this film already but were more than happy to watch it again with me and I bet I’ll be watching it a second time too. The scene below could have played throughout the whole movie and I would have been satisfied plus I thought the music was so great that I went home and bought the soundtrack. Not only does the music make me miss Paris but the shots of the City of Love at night are pure magic. My first night in Paris, I sat under the Eiffel Tower with my friends eating an over priced crepe in the cold and rain but I still loved it because there were hardly any other people around. I’m due for a return trip to see more of this city at night!

Before Sunrise

I had always heard about how great this film was but never watched it but then I read this great post by former literary agent turned social media manager, Nathan Bransford, and I got to watchin’. I’m sure every traveler, at one point or another, has hoped of meeting a kindred soul on a train, maybe to stay together or never see each other again. Either way, it makes for an interesting journey. I love the following scene because it makes me think of my favorite memory in Vienna when my friends and I spent a lazy afternoon at Cafe Sperl. We had just got off a night train and were exhausted and even though we had spent seven months traveling together we still were able to sit in the cafe and talk and learn something new about each other.

Before Sunset

So right after I watched Before Sunrise, I had to watch Before Sunset to see what happened to these two star-crossed travelers nine years later. Often the original is far better than the sequel and this is true in this case but Before Sunset is still pretty amazing. It takes the classic question, “what if?”, and expands on it in a heart-wrenching fashion and instead of the couple wandering around Vienna, as they did years ago, they now wander around Paris or float on the Seine as in the scene below. I’ve had my missed connection and while I love just the memory, I always wonder what if we bump into each other again? Also, I never managed to take a boat ride in Paris so now I have another excuse to return to France.

(Watch this extended boat scene!)

Lost in Translation

This is another film from a while ago that I just watched for the first time and it reaffirmed my desire to visit Japan. The film has a somber tone to it but every image of Tokyo shows an energy that is so appealing to me. And of course there are some laughs too with the translation barrier as in the scene below. I’ve only traveled to Europe where the differences from the States, at least to me, are not so significant. However, Japan is something completely new and potentially disorienting, but in a good way. A cultural jolt can be a good thing and I hope I can travel to Tokyo one day.

Extended scene in beautiful Kyoto

No doubt there are other films that I have yet to see or that I’ve watched a while ago but don’t remember so please comment with your recommendations!

*Guest post by Rob Toledo

Rome is an amazing city, but it is also a tourist trap, especially in the central zones. What to do then? As a rule of thumb, talk to locals. Just as it is probably true in your home town, you clearly know the difference between the local favorites and tourist traps. I know in my home city of Seattle, there are countless restaurants on both sides of that spectrum.

I have put together this little guide that provides suggestions for some much-loved restaurants in Rome, which I learned in my time there, that are all frequented by locals. Some of them are in the center of the city; others are not too far away from it and all of them are worth checking out for some fresh local flavor.

Mondo Arancina      

Have you ever tried Sicilian arancine? It’s a deep fried rice ball as big as an orange, seasoned with Ragù sauce, green peas and mozzarella, or with saffron, mozzarella and ham. In this shop you will find these two traditional varieties, plus 18 more! You can also taste other Sicilian treats like cannoli, panelle, cassate.

Via Marcantonio Colonna, 38 (nearest Metro station – Lepanto).Open from 8am to 12pm, 7 days/week.

Forno Roscioli

Courtesy of Daniele Muscetta

This is a bakery where you can buy hot-from-the-oven pizza, biscuits, bread, and cakes. After visiting the nearby Campo de’ Fiori, try some warm pizza bianca – a typical Roman snack of “white pizza” seasoned with salt and olive oil only.

Via dei Chiavari 34. Open from 7 am to 7,30 pm. Closed on Sunday (and Saturday evenings in July and August).

Er Filettaro     

This small, old shop near Campo de’ Fiori sells just a few Roman specialties. Go there for a crunchy fried cod fillet (in Italian filetto di baccalà fritto), and eat it when it’s still hot, while walking on the street.

Piazza Santa Barbara – Largo dei Librari 88. Open from 6pm to 11pm. Closed on Sunday.

 Forno Campo de’ Fiori  

Courtesy of su-lin

Romans like to visit bakeries when they’re hungry. This is a very old one, famous for both its pizza bianca and its pizza rossa – “red pizza”, with tomato on top. Of course, they also produce pizza with different toppings, bread, and cakes. Take a slice (just point to the pizza you want and show how much you want of it) and go sit under the statue of Giordano Bruno, the great philosopher.

Piazza Campo de’ Fiori 22 – Opening times: 7,30 am-2,30 pm / 4,45pm-8pm. and Vicolo del Gallo 14. Opening time: 10,30 am – 4-45 pm. Closed on Saturday evening (July and August).

Pizzeria Formula 

If you want a taste of Roman University atmosphere, this is the place you are looking for. This Pizzeria is an economical, simple and stress-free place to get fried zucchini flowers and cod or pizza and beer with your friends. Roman pizza is thin and crunchy, as opposed to Neapolitan pizza which is much fluffier. As the name suggests, the service is very quick!

Via degli Equi 13 (near Termini Station). Open from 7 pm to 12pm. Closed on Saturday.

Brasserie 4.20

Courtesy of blizzard

Everybody knows that “Italians drink wine”. Well, not always! This place is for beer lovers, as its owners want to surprise you with a wide selection of rare and home-brewed beers that can be chosen from the list written on a blackboard. You cannot order anything else, save for water and whiskey. They also offer hot and cold dishes.

Via Portuense 82 (near Portaportese Market). Open 7days/week – Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 7pm-2am. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7pm-4am.

Naturist Club Isola

Do you want to try macrobiotic food? Visit this small, hidden restaurant on the fourth floor of a building near the Spanish Steps. You will find creative vegetarian and vegan recipes, and also fish sometimes, in a very quiet and friendly environment.  Reservations are requested for the evening.

Via della Vite 14, open from Monday to Saturday, 12:30-2:30 and 7pm-11pm.

Pizza Luigi

You shouldn’t leave Rome without having eaten some pizza al taglio – pizza sold by the weight. This shop is a bit tucked away, but it is worth a try! You should try some pizza bianca with Nutella at least once in your life.

via Federico Nansen 6 (not very far from Piramide metro station) Open from Monday to Saturday, 8am-11pm.  

It might be worth it to spend a few weeks prior perusing through some language learning programs, or bring along a travel dictionary of some sort to ensure you can communicate effectively as locals will always appreciate at least the effort to attempt to speak in their native language.

Good luck, and remember first and foremost, travel is a learning experience, and spending time indulging in local flavors is one of many ways to soak up the culture.

Do you have any restaurant recommendations in Rome?

*Rob Toledo is an addicted traveler who hopes to one day get his feet on every continent. He currently works for Distilled.net and can be reached on Twitter @stentontoledo

It finally happened. My two best friends and I actually decided on a date to go on a vacation together. The three of us work full-time and go to grad school and even though our vacation was a mini one – an overnight in Napa, it was a much-needed and relaxing break. Many thanks to Kristin Luna from Camels & Chocolate for going on her girls’ trip to Napa and thereby kicking my butt and motivating me to actually make my own girls’ trip happen, otherwise the wonderful photos of food, wine, and blissful nothingness that you are about to see might not even exist.

First stop was lunch at the famous Oxbow Public Market which features specialty merchants and restaurants.

Oxbow Cheese Merchant

The Olive Press

Hog Island Oysters

Next, we hit the wineries including Trefethen.

And also Frog’s Leap Winery, which is known for their organically grown grapes.

Dinner in Downtown Napa was at the amazing Italian eatery, Oenotri.

After a night’s sleep at the Chardonnay Lodge, we visited Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery for breakfast.

Much needed relaxation was found at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. For you Bay Area residents, ask for the Good Neighbor discount to use the salt baths, saunas, and warm pools without breaking the bank.

We couldn’t drive back to the city on an empty stomach. Five minutes from the spa is The Girl & the Fig – a delicious finale to an incredible weekend.

Home.

Kastellet, Copenhagen

My favorite way to procrastinate from the grad school work I have to do is look through all of my travel photos. A few weeks ago I looked at my photos from my trip to Stockholm and Copenhagen, a trip that was a mere five months ago but felt more like five years ago. The trip was only two weeks long and I wish I could have had more time to spend in both of these beautiful cities.

Similarly, I met a friend of a friend at a bonfire recently and he had just come back from a month in India where he was doing a little bit of soul-searching and some volunteer work. He said he definitely did not regret going and got what he went there for but only wishes he had a little more time. He wants to go back for six months to really feel the effects of his travels.

Is short-term travel worth the trip or is long-term travel, lasting several months to a year, the only way to benefit from our experiences abroad?

Four years ago, I started working and living abroad in London and all of my memories during my six months there have stayed with me to this day. And in fact, not a day goes by without something or someone reminding me of my time in that beautiful city – long conversations over dinner with friends, nights in and out with housemates, weekend trips to the countryside, or Sunday afternoons spent at a museum or walking through a new neighborhood. I knew that I would be going back home to California eventually, but there was no time limit. I had no commitments or responsibilities back home. I was fully invested in London.

With the housemates in London

This past May, I was looking forward to my trip to Scandinavia. I had just finished my first year of grad school and needed a break from work. I left the smart phone and laptop at home and had some “me” time. I reunited with old friends, made some new ones, and whole-heartedly enjoyed wandering through Stockholm and Copenhagen with no schedule to adhere to. However, I knew the exact date and time that I had to leave and go back home. Thoughts about work or what friends and family were doing back at home creeped into my mind from time to time and it was a struggle to relax.

Liljeholmens island, Stockholm

Like the friend from the bonfire, I don’t regret my trip to Scandinavia one bit. I went there for  many reasons – to see an old friend, to travel solo for the first time, and to take a break and I learned some new things about myself that I’m grateful for. Short-term travel is right for my life right now and so I guess the debate between short-term and long-term travel depends on the context of your life. I was a recent college graduate with no obligations when I moved to London so that is why my experience there was so liberating and one I always hold close to my heart.

Now, I’m completely invested in work and school and my family and friends so that long-term travel just doesn’t quite fit (but I hope it does in the future). I will always look forward to two-week breaks in the years to come because I believe they are necessary when we become too wrapped up in the routines of our small worlds.  Two week bursts of travel to the new gives us some perspective to take back home with us so that we may do things a little bit differently and a little bit better. Should I forget just how wonderful the trip was, luckily I have journals and photographs to help me remember and become a champion procrastinator.

I just got back from a bachelorette extravaganza in Las Vegas – your run-of-the-mill 48 hour party and while I had a great time it reminded me that there is more to Vegas than the hotels and clubs on the strip. I asked my friend Krissy, travel mate extraordinaire and Vegas local, to share her favorite spots in the place she calls home.  Whenever we met someone new while traveling through Europe, Krissy would constantly have to defend herself as a local from Las Vegas and try to make people believe that she did not in fact spend every night of the week at a club drinking, dancing and pulling the levers at the slots. So in an effort to vindicate herself, here are her top picks for unique activities in Sin City, both on and off the strip.

Favorite Restaurant: Vintner Grill

Vintner Grill prides itself as a “neighborhood gem that proves that there is more to the culinary scene than what is found on the Strip.” And while the food is amazing, it’s the ambiance that truly tops the experience. You walk in to find Humphrey Bogart somberly staring back at you as ‘The Maltese Falcon’ plays on a glass panel, Sinatra croons ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ and it hits you that somehow this Rat Pack-inspired soundtrack fits in perfectly with the simple décor of black and white with green accents. While the outside seating emanates more of a Moroccan flair as thin, white tents surround larger tables and colorful pillows accent the seating, lanterns adorn the trees and a fire pit illuminates the patio by night. The menu features American cuisine with Mediterranean flavors thrown in and while the the list isn’t extensive, each dish is spot-on. This is Vintner Grill.

Favorite Karaoke Duo: Ichiza and Zizzy

For a night out in Vegas’ Chinatown, start out at Ichiza for a yummy Japanese meal. After, head downstairs to Zizzy, a tiny but happening karaoke bar. Once you’ve commandeered one of the karaoke rooms in the back (and hopefully still have sake-induced courage pumping through your veins) strut up to the mic and entertain your friends with your most soulful rendition of Katy Perry’s “Waking Up in Vegas.”

Favorite Pool: Mandalay Bay Beach

The name says it all, between the real sand and wave pool, Mandalay Bay Beach, located at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Hotel, is as close as you’ll get to a beach experience in the middle of the desert. Be sure to grab a raft and float along in the lazy river, or if you’re feeling decadent indulge in some R&R with a day bed, bungalow or villa. The best bit: May through September the Beach doubles as a concert venue at night. Concertgoers are serenaded by popular performers from the comfort of their beach blankets or while wading in the “surf”.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Sandquist

I have yet to see these piano-fiends encounter a song they don’t know, or fail to get the entire crowd singing along with them. Located at Town Square, the musically inclined duos at Pete’s have personality to boot, teasing and playing-up the crowd into a high-energy, fun-loving bubble. Maybe that’s just the alcohol talking, but I prefer to think it’s a bit of both.

Favorite Show: The Beatle’s LOVE

Cirque du Soleil has yet to get it wrong, but team up impressive acrobatics with classic Beatles tunes and they have got it oh-so-right. LOVE is completely inspired by the lyrics of those famous songs because that’s all you really need. To produce a series of both real and imaginary scenes, an energetic cast employs everything from extreme sports to urban and freestyle dance to illustrate the beautiful lyrics. An added bonus is that this inspired show even incorporates the legendary foursome’s master tapes at Abbey Road studios.

Favorite Bar: Chandelier Bar

Just as the name implies this bar is designed to make you feel like you are inside a three-tiered, sparkling chandelier. Located inside The Cosmopolitan, one of the newest additions to ever-evolving Las Vegas Blvd., each level features it’s own signature cocktails. Far from run-of-the-mill drinks these are artisan cocktail creations. The menu is extensive and often seasonally inspired so put to rest your fear of monotony.

Photo courtesy of BruceTurner

Favorite Brewery: Chicago Brewing Co.

Head here for something off-Strip. Located in the West part of the valley this neighborhood venue features a laid-back sports bar as well as separate restaurant area. But the real draw is their microbrews, namely – the Blueberry Vanilla Wheat. Come summer, when more often than not the thermometer reads 100°F +, try a pint of this fruit beer on-tap, now that’s refreshing. Better yet, grab a group and order a Brewzooka – a 100oz. beer tube, and your table can pull their own pints from the comfort of their seat.

Favorite Dance Club: Moon

While the prevalence of house music in clubs today signifies this techno beats’ popularity, personally I still prefer a varying beat I can dance to. So if you need a reprieve from the repetitive “unsk, unsk, unsk” and teasing remixes that change just at the exact moment you think you’ve finally recognized a song and rhythm … then head over to Moon. This penthouse nightclub occupies the top floor of the Palms’ Fantasy Tower and is only an escalator ride away from the Playboy Club.

Favorite Brunch: Brio Tuscan Grille

Check out their menu here – ‘nuff said.

Favorite Dessert: It’s a tie! – Serendipity 3 & Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man

This one is truly a toss-up. Serendipity’s frozen hot chocolate, served in one of their Goliath-sized glasses, is a sweet tooth’s haven. Alas, this Serendipity does not have the same cramped, kitschy feel and Tiffany-lamp-studded-décor of the original in NYC. So if I HAD to choose, I would opt for Max Brenner, where you can cozy up to a Hug Mug of one of their signature hot chocolate concoctions. Their gastronomical offerings are ideal for chocolate purists and connoisseurs.

Photo courtesy of tradetosuccess

Guest post by Krissy

I am not a snow girl. I am a California girl, born and bred. I tried snowboarding once and it was a disaster. I know I should give ski lessons a try and maybe on my second trip to Colorado I’ll actually give it a shot, but on my first trip to Colorado to visit one of my closest friends I was content to ride snowmobiles. We drove the two hours or so from downtown Denver to Vail, a picturesque ski resort dressed in white. My friend found a deal offered by Travelzoo for a guided snowmobile tour by Nova Guides. Our guide was really good to us as we followed him on trails through the tallest trees and up hills that revealed stunning views of the bluest sky above and layers of snow below. We stopped at a lodge for cider and hot chocolate to warm us up but I was still freezing. It didn’t matter though because it was the most beautiful scene – white, pristine, and quiet, and I would do it all over again.

I forgot to mention I wore an oh so stylish snow suit.

My friend Caitie and I

Snow angle action

Cider break with Caitie and Liz

Downtown Vail

A history lesson in front of Berlin Cathedral

Do you cling to your copy of Frommer’s, Fodor’s or Lonely Planet guidebook while traveling in a new city or do you just wing it? I’ve done it both ways but never really thought about it until I read Franz Wisner’s funny and vulnerable memoir, Honeymoon with My Brother. Fed up with out-of-date information and being led to restaurants packed with tourists, Wisner pleads that ditching the guidebook offers a more authentic experience while traveling. I have to say I agree with him as I have converted from a guidebook devotee to a girl who wings it and I think I did it unconsciously.

Before I moved to London in the Fall of 2007, I bought a Rick Steves’ London book because I wanted to see absolutely everything the city had to offer. When my two friends and I arrived and settled into our home and jobs, we used Rick to help us make a list of all the attractions we wanted to see and it was a long list. So at the start of every weekend we would pick two or three things that we wanted to do and spend Saturday and Sundays accomplishing our goals, using the book all the while for hours, locations, and prices. I had the best time with my friends throughout those six months that make me miss London so badly.

Flash forward to my solo trip to Scandinavia this past spring and there was not a guidebook in sight. Instead, I read all my favorite travel blogs, asked friends of friends for recommendations, and luckily I had friends in both Stockholm and Copenhagen who were able to take me to restaurants, bars, and neighborhoods I never would have discovered on my own – places that were devoid of tourists.

Like in London, I did make a list of the things I wanted to do in Stockholm and Copenhagen but unlike London I didn’t do everything on the list. There was no guidebook to guide me so I made sure to guide myself. I chose to do only the things I wanted to do. I didn’t rush from attraction to attraction and I deviated from my list when I felt like walking down a different street. I opened myself up to hostel mates to hear what they were discovering and sometimes followed in their footsteps.

I don’t regret a thing about London but what local truly traipse from tourist site to tourist site all weekend long? I was born and raised in San Francisco and went to Alcatraz for the first time last year after 25 years and there are a handful of other things besides that prison that I would recommend a San Fran newbie experience first – undoubtedly something more authentic.  It’s perfectly fine if you are more comfortable traveling with a guidebook because we all travel differently, but I’ve lived the tale to tell it – you won’t get lost if you leave the book at home. If you open yourself up to others and trust their advice, you could find something far better than you could ever ask for.

The Presidio is one of my favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco. Once inside the gates of this national park, I don’t feel like I live in the city mostly because it’s so quiet.  It has everything you would expect from a park – hiking trails, bike paths, beautiful green, and stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts and Alcatraz. However, it has become so much more since it was a military post from the late 1700s to the early 1990s. The park is now home to not only San Francisco residents but also the well respected Walt Disney Family Museum and Lucas Film Ltd. as well as many other businesses plus the area boasts a golf course, gym, bowling alley, and locals’ dining gem, The Presidio Social Club. Basically, you could take a day-trip out of San Francisco without actually leaving San Francisco and in my opinion, the Presidio is a worthwhile destination.

Presidio Golf Course

Presidio cemetery

Adapt to change

Palace of Fine Arts

Golden Gate Bridge

LucasFilm Ltd.

For more information about the Presidio, visit the Presidio Trust site.

I knew that traveling solo for the first time would open up opportunities to meet new people but I also knew there would be moments of alone time and Lonely Planet’s The Kindness of Strangers was the perfect companion in those instances. The anthology is edited by much loved travel writer Don George and features essays from greats such as Rolf Potts, Pico Iyer, and Tim Cahill but also features new and talented writers like Fran Palumbo, Sarah Levin, and Laurie McAndish King.

No matter the resume of the writer, each of their unique stories remind travelers that there are many good people in this world, especially when things turn sour. Douglas Cruickshank lost all of his money in a British cab, but before he knew it a fellow drinker at a pub knew the cabbie and tracked down the cabbie’s family to get the money back. Amanda Jones decided to take an evening stroll in the Sahara only to become lost in the pitch black night. She came across a Wodaabe tribesman and despite the fact that they had no common language between them and significant cultural differences, he guided her safely back to her camp.

We shouldn’t be deterred by these incidents in our quest for travel because they are few and far between. However, it is nice to know that someone will come into your life when you really need him or her and their small but significant gesture of kindness can make a world of difference.

While I fortunately did not experience any mishaps on my solo journey, I had friends and strangers alike show me kindness that were ever more apparent since I was reading The Kindness of Strangers at the time. In Copenhagen, my cousin’s boyfriend, who I had never met before, rearranged his work schedule to come into town and walk me around all day showing me the sites.

And in Stockholm, a group of Swedes were staying at my hostel for a ladies weekend and offered me a glass of champagne and to join in their “Cheers” after I had come back from a long day of walking around the city. Just minutes before the drinks, I read the following passage in The Kindness of Strangers that made me appreciate the seemingly insignificant moment with the ladies even more. I think it sums up the important message of this wonderful book:

“Here’s what I love about travel. Strangers get a chance to amaze you. Sometimes a simple day can bring a blooming surprise, a simple kindness that opens a chink in the brittle shell of your heart and makes you a different person when you go to sleep – more tender, less jaded – than the one you were when you woke up.”