Dear Reader,

Do you long to go farther than your home country? To board a plane and fly for hours over the seas that keep us from the rest of the earth? Do you dream of setting foot in another world, being immersed in a foreign language, and really, truly exploring this wild, wonderful world? 

If you feel wanderlust, then this is written for you.

London, England

“I saw in my mind fairy lights through the mist…

…I left all I knew, you left me at the house by the Heath…

…I loved this place for so long…

London…”

Before the plane touched down at Heathrow Airport, these foggy whispered words from Taylor Swift’s “So Long, London” were all I knew of such a place. A place where clock chimes rang out, blanketing the entire city like heavy snowfall. Where slate skies and drizzling rain were part of the dreary, dreamy landscape, and fairy lights coiled between the buildings, stretched taut like telephone lines.

Some of this is true, and some of it isn’t. But that’s what makes London the overly romanticized, famed trope that it is today. It’ll be everything you’ve heard and all that you expect…if you let it.

Possibly one of the most English pastimes is High Tea. You can schedule tea at hotels and restaurants, or you can plan your own. Traditionally, tea is served with dainty sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, jam, a splash of milk, and a lump or two of sugar.

Other authentic food options include fish and chips, steak-and-ale pie, toast with orange marmalade, Victoria Sponge cake, sticky toffee pudding, and trifles. 

If you want the real scoop on city food, then Borough Market is your place. This well-known food stall hot spot serves up delicious fare with unique twists, such as lavender honey and cake with Madigascian vanilla cream.

Don’t forget some souvenirs! Harrods, a luxury store known for designer labels and fine goods, is synonymous with shopping in London. In the Harrods gift shop, you can buy Harrods-themed treats to indulge yourself, such as fine teas and masterfully curated hot chocolate. 

Of course, if you’re going to England, you’re going to need to know the lingo. Chips are called crisps, and french fries are called chips. A family-favorite phrase is the British way of saying: “If you see something, say something”. Before departure, the intercom on a London train will remind you, “You say it, we’ll sort it. See it, say it, sorted.” We still can’t stop using this phrase!

Even city lovers can get fatigued by the endless stream of sensory overload in busting places. Thankfully, there are secret gardens tucked away in London’s corners where you can recharge and seek solitude. You’ll find pleasant shade trees, inviting benches, historical monuments, and tranquil fountains. 

London is known for its attractions like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Tower of London, West End, Hyde Park, and Changing of the Guard. However, some lesser-known gems lie just a short ride outside the city, such as the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, which are found in the South Downs National Park, and the Cotswold sheep villages.

Brighton, a popular seaside town with brightly colored houses, is also a must-see. It’s the Coney Island of England, with a pier that extends over the water. Even though Brighton draws crowds, it’s still a relatively peaceful place. With the sea breeze, the whispery sound of the waves washing up on the shore, and the looping outline of roller coasters in the distance, this town has a tucked-away, hidden feel. (Bonus: If you’re a fan of the show Free Rein, the oceanside view from this town looks almost exactly like the setting from the show!)

Travel tip:

• England can be chilly and rainy, so be sure to pack raincoats, waterproof boots, and umbrellas.

Niagara Falls, Canada

Water roars, mist rises, and the rush-and-plunge makes your heart race, even though you’re safe behind a guard rail on solid ground. Come nightfall, the chutes run red, purple, green, and blue. Fireworks pop and combust, shattering the sky and raining down in a dazzling display of pyro. 

This is Niagara Falls.

It’s debatable whether the falls are most stunning at sunrise or sunset. Early in the morning, a golden glow embraces the crescent ledge as the fiery orb spills over the horizon. When the sun dips down, the sky bleeds red and the water takes on a dusky, almost ashen look. 

If you want to really feel the thunder of Niagara, you should take a ferry tour. The boat will bring you so close to the falls,  you’ll feel like you’re directly underneath the plunging cascades. Heads up, though: you’re going to get misted (and by mist, I mean torrential downpour, so bring ponchos!) 

Niagara-On-The-Lake, a lesser-known spot than the famous Falls, is also worth visiting. This town near Lake Ontario is home to a variety of shops, cafes, and quaint little nooks and crannies. Sample artisanal cheeses from professional connoisseurs purchase breathtaking photography of Canadian wildlife, and maybe even find your new favorite, cozy, old-timey bookshop. On the half-hour drive back to the falls, check out a local roadside supermarket and pick up some crisp, fresh maple syrup or a bag of ketchup-flavored potato chips!

Travel Tip:

• Canadian winters can be less than pleasant in terms of temperature, but the views of the Falls surrounded by ice and snow are incredible!

Germany, EU

Lavender heather heaths, romantic half-timbered houses, fresh mountain air from the Bavarian Alps…

Germany is the cleanest, healthiest country I know of, with a strong mind for conservation and the general welfare of the planet. In fact, many Germans don’t even own cars. Instead, they bike to work, to the grocery store, and throughout cities. There is also a rising stork population in certain small villages. In years past, this population fell, but now many homeowners have set up nesting places on their roofs for the graceful birds to shelter.

No matter what, you can’t visit Germany without setting foot into a Bäckerei. If you don’t, then did you even go to Germany at all? Some of the best-baked goods include warm, fresh bread, fruit tarts, and pretzels straight out of the oven. Some other must-have treats are Bavarian cream, Apfelstrudel (apple strudel), Pflaumenkuchen (plum cake), and Sommertraum (a specialty dessert that incorporates layers of mango). 

Because you can’t live off strudels and pretzels the whole time you’re on vacation (you’ll wish you could), here are some (almost as delicious) dining options. Spätzle (“little sparrows”, which is a kind of egg noodle), potato pancakes with applesauce, and Schnitzel (chicken cutlets) are perfect for sampling.

As for sights that should be on your list, the Berlin Zoo is a gorgeous attraction because the enclosures are spacious, clean, and pleasant. What’s more, some of the animals’ shelter structures are built in the style of miniature cottages, brightly painted and decorated. Get ready to enjoy close-up views of hippos, giraffes, elephants, and even exotic species like the “mouse deer”, just to name a few.

The Glockenspiel (a giant, musical cuckoo clock) at Marienplatz in Munich is also a novel sight, as well as the bustling marketplace, where you can find everything from traditional trachten (authentic German clothing) to real wooden board games. 

Just a day’s trip away is Rothenburg, the charming fairytale village. This quaint medieval town is full of history and beauty, from beautiful half-timbered houses to gardens overlooking the Tauber Valley. There’s so much to explore, including cobbled streets, a plethora of small-town shops, as well as bakeries, bookstores, and chocolate shops. 

Also, a day’s drive from Munich, the castle Neuschwanstein is a glorious, magnificent sight. Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, just shy of the Austrian border, this gallant castle was Walt Disney’s inspiration for the one shown in Sleeping Beauty. Unleash your inner fantasy and roam the castle grounds, the surrounding wooded trails, and the icy cool, crystal clear Alpsee lake, nourished by the towering mountains and fed from the streams of melting snow running down the topmost peaks, even in the height of summer.

Travel Tip:

• Take the time to learn some German words and phrases before you visit. While many Germans do speak English very well, it’s always helpful to know the basics of the language, especially when you need to ask for directions or when you want to buy something.

Credit for all the images goes to “Pexels”.