by Mollie Millington | Feb 25, 2022 | sponsored post, travel
Whenever I tell people I am from New York, the response is generally either “I love New York!” or “I have always wanted to go there.” The conversation then turns a bit awkward when I say I have never lived in NYC but am from a city that is a six-hour drive away. I am lucky though that many of my friends from high school have lived in the city, which has allowed me to visit over a dozen times. With each visit, I get to explore a different borough because my friends live all over the place. From Brooklyn, to Bronx, to Queens, to Manhattan, I have been quite blessed. Running the New York Marathon in 2018 meant I was able to tick Staten Island (where the race start line was) of the list too (although my time there was fleeting).
No matter what time of year, I have always enjoyed my time in New York. In case you haven’t been before, I wanted to share some ideas on how to see it all and even get some steps in. Go New York’s Explorer pass gives you about 75 options with how to spend your time in the city. Start off your visit with the one day hop-on hop-off bus tour. I love doing these bus tours when I am in a new city (even though sometimes I doze off). My suggestions is to stay on for an entire loop to get a lay of the land and see what looks interesting. On the next lap, hop off at the spots that looked most interesting and explore.
The Guggenheim Museum is one of the 75 attractions and tours included in the Explorer pass. The first time I visited there, I saw an installation that has microphones listening to ice melt. Mind blown! The building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is beautiful inside and out. The collection is contemporary art with early modern and impressionist too. It is a great option if it is cold or rainy weather and you want to spend some time indoors. It is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and I prefer to call it the Gugg.
If you enjoy art, the Museum of Modern Art (aka MOMA) is another great option on the Explorer pass and is nearby in midtown Manhattan. Here you can see the originals of many famous pieces of art by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Roy Litchenstein, Henri Matisse, Frida Kahlo, and many more names you may recognize. The texture of original paintings will never cease to amaze me (Jackson Pollack’s Full Fathom Five included paint tube caps, cigarette butts, buttons, and nails). If it is allowed, see if you can get up close and have a good look.
Nothing beats the New York skyline (sorry London, but you are too flat!). If you like to see things from up high and the sun is shining, you have a few options to take in incredible views of the city. Traditionally, the Top of the Rock Observatory (70th floor) and the Empire State Building (86th floor or 102rd floor) are where most people go. There is a newer place now too at Edge at Hudson Yards (100th floor). The Edge features a glass floor viewing platform to see directly below you. For an extra fee, you can enjoy a glass of champagne while up there too. If you are like an extreme challenge, check out the City Climb at the Edge, which is the world’s highest open air ascent in the world. You admission fee includes a video of your climb and photos at the top. How many people can say they have done this?
If you like to stay active while on holiday (you know I do!), the Explorer pass also covers several walking tours and bicycle rental options. If you are interested in history, the Secrets of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island walking tour takes four hours and includes ferry rides to both attractions. If you prefer to stay on dry land, you can rent a bike and explore Central Park for the day (pack a picnic). The bike rental includes a helmet, map, lock and basket mounted on your bike to hold your gear. Alternatively, you can rent bikes in Harlem or near the Brooklyn Bridge. Or, if you prefer to refuel frequently throughout the day, the Food on Foot Tours have a lot of choices for locations and cuisines throughout New York City.
I will always encourage people to visit New York City. It is so large, it makes it easy to keep up with your steps while exploring a new area. Just remember that the United States is as big as Europe, and each city has its own culture. You will see that even within New York City, each borough and neighbourhoods has its own personality to it.
What is a favorite place you have found when visiting The Big Apple? How many steps did you hit in a single day as you explored?
This post is sponsored by Go New York.
by Mollie Millington | Dec 16, 2021 | ski, sponsored post, travel
During my childhood, I was lucky enough to spend many winter weekends skiing at a small private club in Upstate New York. As I grew up, I was lucky enough to be able to explore the slopes in New England, the Rocky Mountains, and most recently, the Swiss Alps. My husband and I even got engaged on the way home from a ski trip to British Columbia. It has been a few years since we have been to Verbier, but I am always looking for the next opportunity to follow the snow. Fingers crossed we get to to Copper Mountain in Colorado, USA in January as planned.
No matter where in the world I am going to ski, I will always have to pack my gear ahead of time as the mountains are unfortunately not on my doorstep. I have found that having the right equipment on hand makes my time on the slopes much more enjoyable.
Here are my suggestions on what to have to survive the elements:
1.
Merino base layers and socks– Merino wool helps keep regulate body temperatures by wicking moisture away from your body and doesn’t smell even when you sweat. Cotton will keep wet fabric near your skin and that will get cold quick.
The Ski Thermo Compression socks from CEP combine comfort and performance in a range of Nordic designs.
2. Waterproof trousers– I love these Salomon PROOF LIGHT trousers. These have high breathability with a standard fit, giving you plenty of room to manoeuvre on the slopes. Intermediate to high warmth with 20K/20K fabric and Primaloft Eco 40g insulation means you can stay out on the slopes all day without worrying about being wet or cold. Believe me, no one likes a wet bum from sitting on the chair lift when it is dumping powder.
3.
Sunscreen– The snow can reflect the sun and the cold wind can make your cheeks turn red too. Keep your skin fresh by
applying high-performance sunscreen from Pelotan before you head out in the morning. (Although having a ‘ski google tan’ when you arrive back at the office is priceless).
4. Helmet– It is important to play it safe these days. When selecting a helmet, be sure to get one that observes the CSN EN 1077 European Standard. Also, find one that has enough ventilation holes for you if you tend to overheat when you exercise. If you are travelling with your helmet, try to keep it on you to avoid it being damaged during transit.
5.
Sunglasses– If you are lucky and it is sunny when you are on holiday, you need to protect your eyes. dewerstone have very affordable
polarized sunglasses, such as the Bantham which is made of wood and acetate. What else is cool is that these are plant-based, certified as Climate Neutral, every pair sold plants one tree, and dewerstone gives 1% of their total sales to environmental non-profits.
6.
Gloves– This is another piece of kit that you want to be waterproof. Consider it an investment into your long-term happiness out on the slopes all day. It also needs to be breathable so your hands don’t sweat. I recently received a #gifted pair for
SealSkinz Waterproof All Weather Gloves for winter dog walks and paddleboarding. I don’t see why these gloves wouldn’t work on the slopes as well.
7.
Something cozy for by the fire– After getting first tracks, my favorite part of the day is
après ski. Relaxing with friends around a fire, surrounded by gorgeous views, is not a bad way to end the day. If I am in
The North Face ThermoBall Tent Mules from Ellis Brigham, I am even happier as my feet are toasty warm and not at risk of getting wet from melted snow on the floor.
These are just a few suggestions from my personal experience out in winter conditions around the world. What can I say? I like to be warm and dry. What essentials would you suggest to someone going to ski or snowboard for the first time? Let me know in the comments below.
by Mollie Millington | Sep 17, 2021 | travel
One of the hardest things for me about Covid is not being able to travel. While there is a traffic light rating system in the UK, which lets you know which countries are low risk for Covid-19 infection, it is still worrying to me. People in London barely wear masks or social distance, so I cannot imagine sitting on a plane with recirculating air for hours on end or being somewhere where a language barrier prevents me from communicating how I feel (whether I need more space or am developing symptoms). I wanted my summer to be one of staycations, both with different cultural themes in London and also exploring new areas of the UK.
I was so excited to be invited to the Korean Tourism Organisation’s (KTO) Korean-themed tour of London, which was co-hosted by the Korean Cultural Centre (KCCUK). Although my brother-in-law lived in the Seoul suburbs for a few years, we never made it over for a visit. The country and culture are not ones I am very familiar with so I was keen to learn more without having to travel there (yet). Most of the people on the tour had an interest in Korea, some has lived there, some had visited several times and a few even spoke the language. It was very cool to see people passionate about Korea and want you to be just as excited as they were a bout what we were about to learn.
We met on the Embankment at the Korean War Memorial (Learn more about the Korean War by watching free films.) It is a beautiful park with views of the river. We learned that Seoul has a large river, the Han, that the city is built around, similar to the Thames in London, providing ways to transport goods and people through the city.
Our next stop on the tour was the Korean Cultural Centre, which a short walk from Trafalgar Square. You can visit the centre for brochures on Korean events, shops, and restaurants in London, as well as info on Korea itself. The building is currently working on reduced hours and is open Monday through Friday. The centre also has an exhibition space and their summer exhibit, Royal Palaces of Joseon, had just opened when we stopped by. Unfortunately, it is just closed at the end of August and the next one is called Round and Round. This is an audio-visual project that will take visitors through the modern history of Korea. The film lasts 90 minutes so there are recommended arrival times to see it in its entirety.
In London, there is a block on Charing Cross Road between Leicester Square and Cambridge Circus where several Korean eateries and shops have starting opening up. The group divided into two, each taking one side of the road. I went into Nature Republic and purchased one of their amazing facial masks. Next door was Bunsik, which serves corn dogs on a stick. This area is good for an afternoon visit but if you want to spend an entire day immersed in Korean culture, try visiting New Malden in South London where there is a large Korean neighbourhood.
London has many free museums (donations accepted upon entry), which I think is brilliant as everyone, no matter what their economic situation is, is able to access them. The British Museum has an extensive Korean Gallery which is why our tour stopped outside the gates. Unfortunately, we arrived too late to enter so I need to go back to see the famous ‘moon jar’ and other unique pieces of art. Sometimes, I get so caught up in living my day-to-day life, I forget that I have these incredible tourist spots to visit in the city. If you don’t live in London, here is a virtual tour of the Korean gallery.
I am embarrassed to say that my first time eating Korean food happened on this tour. Dinner was at HanKang, a small but modern Korean restaurant near Tottenham Court Road. I was a little nervous but it was a lot of fun learning from my tablemates what everything was and how a Korean BBQ worked (luckily, the staff managed most of the cooking for us). Both of them had visited Korea and were knowledge about what each dish on the table was. They even coaxed me into trying kimchi which can come in a variety of flavours and strengths (not just as cabbage either). Normally, my palette is set for sweet things, never bitter or sour. I tried them all and found them to be not as bad as I had thought they would be!
After the tour, I am completely inspired to visit Korea myself one day. There is so much more for me to learn about the country and culture and we are fortunate that KTO and KCCUK are making that happen throughout the UK. I recommend following KTO on Instagram, as well as KCCUK, to stay up to date on events happening through the UK and tips for planning a trip to Korea. With my goal to run a race in every country I visit, I am now eyeing races in Korea. On the tour, I learned that Korea has an incredible mountain range and lots of outdoor activities to try. It would be amazing to stay off the beaten path a bit while exploring the peninsula (after I run my race of course). While in Korea, I would love to go for a hike, try Taekwondo (after all, I did Muay Thai in Thailand), visit the beaches of Busan, and eat fried chicken and beer. I might even be tempted to register for the Jecheon Winter Half Naked Marathon if I were to visit Korea in the winter for some skiing. It seems like there are numerous outdoor activities to try in Korea which makes it the perfect destination for me.
If you want to learn more about the London tour itself, check out my Instagram highlights.
Inspired to learn more about Korean culture? Attend one of these upcoming events:
Festival of Korean Dance: Starts this weekend! 17-24 September at The Place WC1H 9PY
Online cooking class: Learn to make kimchi via the Korean Tourism Organisation’s Facebook Live on 22 September
K-music festival: 6 October – 11 November, venues all over London
Korean Culture Month at Foyles: Visit the Foyles on Charing Cross Road during October 2021 to meet many exciting and accomplished authors from Korea.
London Korean Film Festival: The dates for this year’s film festival were just announced. Join us from 4-11 November 2021 here in London. Keep an eye on the website to see what films will be shown this year.
Thanks to Korean Tourism Organisation for the tour invite and some of the photos included above. All views are honest and my own.
by Mollie Millington | Aug 3, 2021 | relax, sponsored post, travel
How is it already August? I have no idea where 2021 has gone. Sadly, our upcoming trip to Wales was cancelled so now we are scrambling to plan another staycation. At this point, all I want to do is relax outside in the sunshine. James is opposed to international travel due to Covid while I would prefer to fly to Malta and sit on the beach. We have been going back and forth on what we should do and if we should even go somewhere for our four days off. Maple is booked in to the kennel, which means even if we stay home, we will still be able to relax.
Luckily, I have several things I can rely on if we do indeed decide to stay in East London. These range in price from free to a few hundred pounds. While I may find the following things relaxing, you might have something else you prefer. Be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you suggest I should try.
Aromatherapy
Scentered is a fantastic eco-conscious company that uses your olfactory system to help adjust your health and wellbeing. With their products, you can sleep, de-stress, get happy, feel the love, and/or escape. As you can guess, I am looking to escape from my normal day-to-day work and life stress while on our mini-break. Scentered kindly sent me their ESCAPE travel set. It contained a beautiful candle and aromatherapy balm inside a lovely box. The set is small enough to pack in a suitcase or to use at home. It would also make a lovely gift for someone who also needs to get away from it all.
I have been using the balm on my wrists and neck on Fridays when I get home from work. Scentered’s balms come in two different sizes (regular and mini). The minis are perfect keep in your pocket or bag for a quick fix. The candle I have been saving as a back up for our trip because so many of our holiday plans have been cancelled this year. Good thing I did!
Both the balms and candles are refillable and Scentered packaging is recycling. If you love the planet and want to protect it, Scentered is a fabulous brand to support! They also have a range of gift sets that include face masks, dressing gowns, or weighted blankets. Not only do they create the balms and candles as a source of aromatherapy but you can also find the scents that fit your mood in body wash, shampoos and lotions. I encourage you to use Scentered products to transform the space you are in to take you away from the day-to-day stress.
Order takeaway from someplace different
At first, I was going to write “don’t cook” but you might find that fun and/or relaxing. If you are staying home for your holiday, why not go to a new restaurant or order takeaway from a place you haven’t tried yet? During lockdown, I tried to break up the monotony of cooking three meals a day while the pubs and restaurants were shut. We are not huge foodies and tend to cook all our meals even when things are “normal” (except take away once a week) but cooking was getting boring. To mix things up, I ordered a high tea from Cutter and Squidge. It included scones, cakes, brownies, and of course, tea! To compliment this, I also picked up fancy sandwiches from Marks and Spencer’s. As you can see, I even brought out a table cloth to give the meal a bit more ambiance.
Book with Urban
Once thing that I love but rarely indulge in is a relaxing massage. I tend to get sports massages quite a bit, which are not always pleasant. Urban is a way to have a massage therapist come to your home. Surprisingly, the price is not that much more that going to a clinic. It saves so much time and stress from not having to travel to and from your appointment. You can use my affiliate code RMOLLI1A to receive £30 off your treatment. Not only does Urban offer massages, but also physiotherapy, beauty and grooming, fitness, osteopathy, and hair services. You can plan an entire spa day at home using Urban. A manicure something I would do before an actual holiday anyways, so why not keep this part of the traveling ritual? With my skin allergies, I cannot paint my nails that often which means it is saved for special occasions. Urban offer a variety of massage and manicures so have a look and see what suits you best.
Cool off with a cocktail
We have had a few very hot weeks in London this summer which has left people scrambling to find a way to feel some relief. There are a few rooftop lidos in London, as well as outdoor pools. We happened to have a small kiddie pool for Maple (which she refuses to go into). With a cocktail in hand, I enjoy cooling my feet off when the weather gets to be too much. Of course, you could just make the same cocktails that you were meant to enjoy on your trip. Treat yourself to high quality spirits and new glasses. After all, you are saving lots of money by staying at home! Tickle your taste buds and be transported away.
Stay in a hotel
Get out of the house by staying somewhere else for the night. There is nothing like the clean sheets and uncluttered space of a hotel. Order room service, use all the free toiletries, and sleep until check out. Basically, just spend the entire day and night in bed. That sounds idyllic to me! If you feel adventurous, try booking a hotel you have never stayed in or in a part of town you haven’t been to in a while (if ever!).
Explore a new neighbourhood
Living in London, my husband and I tend to avoid travelling more than one hour to do something. Anything farther just seems like a big effort and now with Maple, we can’t leave her home alone for too long. Because of this time limit, we don’t go to neighbourhoods on the other side of town, or south of the river, very often (which is one of the reasons why I suggest booking a hotel somewhere you don’t often visit). We also don’t regularly visit London tourist attractions. When my family comes to visit, I am lucky enough to have a nudge to visit all the places I have been meaning to- Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Churchill War Rooms, Portobello Road, and Greenwich.
If you are interested in getting paid to visit these kind of places, there is a new app, called NaviSavi, that will reward you for visiting tourist attractions, restaurants, clubs, and more (just not shops). Use my affiliate code PTMOLLIE to register today and use your staycation time at home to explore. For each location you visit, you can upload up to four 10-30 second videos to showcase different aspects of the venue, such as the entrance, ambiance, food, and outdoor seating for which you will be paid $1 per video. The idea behind NaviSavi is to put truth into travel by allowing app users to show you exactly what a location looks like at the moment to let others decide if it is somewhere they want to go. NaviSavi also wants to support small businesses by allowing them to create a profile for free. Pretty cool, huh?
NaviSavi has a Scavenger Hunt feature that tells you what locations they need videos for. Upload videos for one of these and get paid $2 per video. This app is global so I recommend logging in wherever you are and trying to find those locations that pay a bit more while taking you outside your regular haunts. You might end up discovering a new favourite place! The scavenger hunt may not be completely relaxing but it will get you out somewhere new, which is one of the things that appeals to me when traveling. Without the usual time limit of work and other commitments, take advantage of your staycation to learn more about your city.
If you follow me on Instagram, you will soon see where we end up for our rescheduled staycation. I will hopefully be able to incorporate a few of the above tips to help make it a bit more enjoyable. It is frustrating not to be able to travel but I also accept it is for the greater good. If it helps keep Covid-19 from spreading, then it is absolute it worth it.
If you have a staycation planned, let me know what you did in the comments below. Did you Netflix and chill? Clean the house? Go to the cinema every day? I can’t wait to read all about it.
This post was sponsored by Scentered.
This post contains affiliate links from which I receive a small fee and does not cost the buyer anything additional.
by Mollie Millington | Apr 21, 2021 | outdoors, travel
With staycations part of the new normal during last summer’s lockdown, we decided to take a week to explore some of the Southwest of England in August 2020. It was our first proper camping trip and to make it more fun, we brought our puppy, Maple. We had no idea how she would do in a tent, in the rain, at the beach, and/or with others at the campsite. While some people (including the people on the pitch next to us) enjoy sitting at their campsite all day while admiring the view, I prefer to stay moving and active. Devon seemed the perfect place to allow for all sorts of options- paddleboarding for me, cycling for James, walks in the woods for all of us, and hopefully restful nights of sleep.
James made an extra effort to find a campsite with somewhere close for me to paddle. Our trip started in Bristol at my in-laws and then we stopped in Seaton on the way to our campsite in Slapton. It was my first time paddling in the sea and it was so different from paddling in the London Royal Docks (a protected quay). The water was much more active and the wind was intense. I also struggled with the large pebbles that were wedged into my sandals as I walked from the land to the water’s edge. It was a similar issue when I paddling at the beach by our camping site but the rocks were a little bit smaller. I don’t know much about paddleboarding kit, so my board might not be best suited for the open ocean. This is something to consider if I want to keep traveling with my board. Many other people enjoyed the beaches too with swimming, surfing, body boarding and walks along the beach.
Dorset has numerous sites to visit courtesy of the National Trust. We would have loved to have visited one the properties but didn’t manage to find the time. You don’t need to be a member to explore the grounds but may have to pay a fee to park or enter premises. I know many people have joined the National Trust this year as international travel doesn’t seem likely in the foreseeable future and many families enjoy planning days out with the kids with a National Trust destination as the highlight.
One thing I always do when I am near water is look for fish (blame my degree in marine biology). Not that I can usually tell what they are as they dart around, but it makes me happy to spot them. If I am ever walking by someone who is fishing, I will probably ask what they are aiming to catch. In Devon, I was surprised to see lots of families with strings on the edge of the harbour walls when we were in Dartmouth. Turns out crabbing is a summer activity that visitors try. In all the tourist shops, you can buy a plastic contraption to catch crabs. Of course, you need to find your own bait (raw chicken seemed to be a popular choice), but the people I saw were having great success. One family had an literal bucket full of crabs. I asked what they were going to do with their catch and they replied 1throw them back’. I would imagine fishing from the shore and by boat are very popular activities for people living in and visiting Devon too.
We didn’t plan too many structured activities as the weather could change at any moment. Plus, Maple’s behaviour was (and still is) a bit unpredictable as we were in a place she was unfamiliar with. While I love that the majority of the UK is dog friendly, we were worried about what we could do with her if it rained. Cinemas and museums do not allow dogs and there is only so much time you can spend in a pub, so before we left home, we researched indoor activities we could do if it rained all day. On the Wednesday, it was already pouring when we woke up. We ended up booking a steam train and harbour cruise excursion with Dartmouth Steam Railway. The biggest selling point was that they allow dogs. We had to drive to Paignton, where we caught a steam train to Kingwear. From there it was a quick ferry ride to Dartmouth. We had some time to kill in Dartmouth before our harbour cruise. Unfortunately, with the downpour, everyone was seeking shelter from the rain, making it impossible to find a place to grab some food and drink with our dog. Long story short, Maple wouldn’t nap which made her uncontrollable. We had to take the ferry back to Kingsmear and then a taxi to our car. Of course, she instantly fell asleep in the taxi once she couldn’t see any of her surroundings. The weather was pretty terrible so I am not sure the harbour cruise would have been as much fun as if it were sunny out. Even now, I don’t think Maple would nap when out so this is something we need to keep in mind if we ever planning a rainy day activity again.
With marathon training, I had a few nice runs during our week away while the sun was out. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a good paved path along the seafront near our campsite. My options were either the car park or sandy paths. I tried running along the shoulder of the road but it just wasn’t wide enough to have an even surface for both feet. The local woods had a few trails which I explored but trail running sometimes irritates my Achilles tendinopathy so I was cautious. A few portions of these trails were also shifting sand, which brought back memories from my week of running in the Jordan desert. Maple and I retraced my steps later in the day. She loved all the different smells but was afraid of the water. This fear is a little frustrating as we would love to take her paddleboarding some day (I even have a life jacket for her in our shed). Recently, she has started walking through puddles so maybe by this summer she will be up for a swim.
Cycling seemed to be the most popular activity if you counted the amount of bikes in our campsite. The gated paved site was a small loop, allowing all the children to cycle around while Mom and Dad cleaned up after meals or packed the car for the day. James packed his cyclocross bike and took it off-road, finding some muddy gravel paths (probably due to all of the rain we got). These paths are also good for hiking or walking, with or without a dog, of course. If you prefer road cycling, the area around Slapton is hilly so the area might be better suited for adults rather than kids if you wanted to take the bikes off of the campsite.
Of course, you can’t go to the British coast without sampling the fish and chips. Our campsite was a nice 20 minute walk to a few seaside shops and pubs. While I don’t eat seafood (I have worked with fish for too long to eat them), James was happy to have his traditional holiday food on the beach while sitting in the sun with a beer by his side. It is funny how good weather can have such an impact on your trip. Good weather means great memories. Wet weather can bring funny stories to share later. Unfortunately, we ended up packing up camp a day early as more rain was forecasted. We didn’t have the patience to sit in a tent with an eight month old deaf puppy while cold and soaking wet. On the days it was dry, there was loads to do outdoors in and around Slapton. However, with Maple, it limited what we could do indoors. If you don’t have a dog or perhaps a better camp set up to deal with rainy weather, I would highly recommend exploring Slapton. With the UK lockdown restrictions easing, I imagine there is even more things to do there this summer.
Have you ever camped with a dog? Leave a comment below with your tips on how to make it more fun for everyone. We definitely need some advice!
by Mollie Millington | Nov 17, 2020 | outdoors, ski, travel
The wanderlust is brewing deep inside me. Mind you, I would always rather be traveling (even when there isn’t a global pandemic keeping me home). In fact, I will go just about anywhere. There is so much to learn from other people in different places- so much to see, to hear, to smell, and possibly even taste (although I am not so adventurous when it comes to food). Living in the UK for the last ten years has opened up much of Europe to me, for both short city breaks and longer holidays away. We have even made it to a few different continents too and try to pack in as much as we can when abroad.
While it has been nice to explore England a bit more this year, I am ready to get out there again. I am waiting with bated breath for possible trips to Italy to go ahead in February (for skiing) and March (to run the Rome Marathon). Tokyo Marathon has been rescheduled for October 2021, meaning all my fingers and toes are crossed for me to cross the world and land safely in Japan. I have even booked a cruise to Antarctica for 2022, so it might be safe to say that I have been in denial a few times lately when booking these trips.
Now that autumn is here and the leaves are changing, I am starting to think of the mountains. Much of my childhood was spent skiing at a local mountain while my dad was on ski patrol. Over the last 10 years or so, I have made it to even higher mountains, sometimes on skis and sometimes on foot. I thought I would take you back to a few of my favourite trips to the mountains in case you are looking for travel inspiration.
Seward, Alaska, USA, 2007
In the summer of 2007, as part of my master’s degree program, I was an intern at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. The photo above is one of the first outings our intern cohort took. We were somewhere on the Kenai Peninsula in dry suits and rafts. We were all in awe of the majestic beauty around us (I am pretty sure we just floated down the river with our mouths hanging open at the views). I was definitely no longer in the Midwest. We spent lots of time hiking, looking for glaciers, having campfires, and dancing in the Seward Alehouse. It was an amazing summer and I am so glad I went there.
Seward itself is on the sea but has a large mountain next to it (which you are meant to run up if there is a tsunami). For my running readers, Seward has a famous 5K race up Mount Marathon on 4th of July in which you run/scramble to the top (over 3,000 feet) and back down again. It is very hard to get entry to and a super tough race. Perhaps you can cheer the runners after the parade is over if you aren’t lucky enough to gain entry next year.
Red Mountain Resort, British Columbia, 2010
James and I flew from Michigan to Spokane, Washington where our friend, Jamie, picked us up. We drove into Canada, where Jamie lived at the base of Red Mountain resort. Our first night, we snowshoed through fresh powder to a little shelter on the mountain for a cup of hot coffee before heading back down. I had to borrow powder skis from Jamie but still couldn’t quite figure out how to manoeuvre through the fluffy snow. I guess I am more comfortable on ice.
This trip sticks out for me because James proposed in Spokane the night before we flew back home. It was along the river, rather than in the mountains, but a lovely memory just the same.
Verbier, Switzerland 2011
One of James’s uni friends owns a chalet in the Verbier resort area. Their gang used to go on a ski trip every year, but now many of the couples have kids and work full-time, so it is much more challenging to get nearly 20 people all in the same place at the same time (sadly the chalet doesn’t fit us all either). Apres ski has been replaced with nap time and we don’t quite get out the door as early to hit the slopes. However, every trip as a unique memory, from dance routines, trips to the local spa when the snow was rubbish, and even late night whiskey tasting when the kiddos are asleep. In this case, I think the people around you are what make the memories, not just the view.
Cape Town, South Africa, 2017
When a colleague invited me to her wedding in South Africa, I could not resist a trip to this beautiful coastline. Two weeks during the British winter in the Cape Town sunshine literally changed my life. I had a week on my own, with a few days in Stellenbosch before heading to Cape Town, where I spent all my free time near the water. When James arrived, we took the cable car to the top of Table Mountain to enjoy the views. It was very hot and windy while we were there, so we were lucky we could get to the top as the cable car was shut most of our stay. We also cycled up Chapman’s Peak, meaning we were able to see the peak from another side of the bay.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 2018
In case you missed it, I summited Mount Kilimanjaro on International Women’s Day in 2018. You can read all about my trip to Africa’s highest point here. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done and I am not sure I would do it again. I have toyed with the idea of hiking to Everest Base Camp but there is no way I would want to go any further. There is a lot of training, preparation, and the whole “risk of death” puts me off. I like a little bit of work, a little bit of fun on my adventures. Kilimanjaro was a nice balance as you had long days of walking to talk to people, time at camp to relax or keep chatting, and plenty of time to sleep (which I am a big fan of).
Morzine, French Alps, 2021?
Aside from a passion for travel, I also enjoy winning freebies (who doesn’t?). Usually, I excel at ones that don’t require skill or knowledge. That is why I am feeling good about winning a complimentary week at AliKat’s Mountain Holidays in the French Alps. This post is my entry and I can’t wait to visit the Alps and Morzine in the summer of 2021 with 10 friends to stay at their new Chalet Harmonie (pictured above). What do you think of this view? In America, hot tubs are an essential part of apres ski so I might have to visit this resort in both the summer and winter so make best use out of their ski and boot room too.
Which mountains are your favourite to climb?
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