EndlessTravel365

March 21, 2018

The Beauty of Tuscany

Florence, or Firenze as the locals call it, was one of our favorite spots in Italy. It stands out as more of a hidden gem, maybe a little less popular, in terms of bigger cities in Italy. We were able to stay in a 4-star, boutique Bed and Breakfast called Residenza Castiglioni at 33% off thanks to our amazing travel membership. This hotel was so quaint, staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the breakfast was delicious!

Once settled in our hotel, we ventured out in the city in search of food. We found this really amazing restaurant called Move On, which is an Italian pub with a record store vibe, right on the Duomo square. It also has an actual record store in the basement.

After recharging and regaining some energy from the pub, we began wandering down the streets of Firenze. We stumbled upon countless shops, castles, and cathedrals, marveling at the architecture and uniqueness of the city. The sunset was equally as incredible to watch from one of the many bridges throughout the city.

As it grew dark, we heard a strange noise in the distance. We started walking toward the sound and it grew louder and louder. We turned the final corner and noticed several grey-ish looking specks in the sky. Lindsay thought they were bats at first, which is terrifying, but as we got closer we determined they were thousands of birds flocking to and from the trees outside a cathedral. They left in groups and returned in groups. All the while screeching through the night. Justin got really close to one of the trees and ended up getting pooped on. The odds were never in his favor.

The next day was Lindsay’s birthday and we decided to take a day trip to Tuscany – a bucket list item now checked off. We went with My Tours on their Tuscany in a Day tour, which included the village of San Gimignano, the Chianti area, the Medieval town of Siena, and the Monteriggioni medieval fortress. Well worth the 50 Euros each.

San Gimignano is a Medieval urban town; in fact it is a UNESCO world heritage site. You will notice dozens of towers in the architecture. We found out that the taller the tower, the more power the family had. We were able to walk up to the top of the tallest tower (55 meters) for an amazing panoramic view of the village.

From there, we hopped on the bus to the Chianti area to Poggio Amorelli for wine, olive oil, and balsamic tasting along with a traditional Tuscan lunch consisting of pasta, cured meats, cheeses and local pastries. We learned that there are certain types of olive oil that you use only after cooking, balsamic should only consist of two ingredients – grapes and vinegar, and if your bottle of Chianti doesn’t have a symbol of a rooster on it then it’s not authentic. We got to try a full spectrum of wines including their specialty – Chianti Reserve. Lindsay says it was the best birthday ever.

After our indulgence, we moved on to the Monteriggioni fortress. Siena and Florence were rivals back in the day and the castle is said to have defended Siena against attacks. It’s very small compared to other fortresses we’ve seen, but still magnificent and eclectic.

Final stop on this tour was Siena. We went on a guided walking tour of the city center. Alice, our guide bought our small group delicious Italian cookies to try as we walked. A nice treat. We learned that the street Via Francigena goes all the way from Canterbury, England to Rome, Italy. We visited the Town Hall in the Piazza del Campo, scenery of the world famous Palio horse race.

After our walking tour ended, we have a few hours to explore on our own. We stopped in a pub overlooking the piazza and imagined the horses rounding the turns while crowds of people were cheering them on. We then wandered into the Duomo di Siena. Now, up to this point on our European tour, we’ve seen several impressive cathedrals, but this one takes the cake. As we mentioned, Italians have a way of trying to one-up each other and Siena really outdid themselves with the architecture of this cathedral. Not one inch was left without detail. The photos don’t even do it justice. Not even close. A bucket list item we didn’t know existed, but glad to add and cross it off all at once.

Enjoy the ride!

Justin and Lindsay

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January 30, 2018

Italy’s Northern Coast

Lindsay’s Aunt Carol live in a small coastal town in northern Italy called Imperia. It definitely has a small town feel, everyone saying hello to one another, local businesses, everything closes when it rains, and WiFi comes on an internet stick that plugs into your USB drive. They just got a McDonald’s a few months ago! About 40,000 residents, but a quick 30 minute drive to Alassio (a popular Italian tourist town) and an hour train ride to Monte Carlo in Monaco.

This stop on our trip was welcomed as we got to spend time with family and take a short break from the hustle of our travels. Our first day we walked along the beach and grabbed coffee at Altamarea right on the water. We also walked through the marina checking out all the boats.

The next day, Carol drove us to Alassio where we walked around the pier and all the shops. A really nice town on the water if you’re looking for something lesser known and not as busy.

We drove back to Imerpia in hopes to go through Olio Carli, the area’s famous olive oil museum, but it was closed for restoration. We were able to walk through their store and sample some delicious olive oils, balsamics, and spreads. We couldn’t leave without a few tasty treats, so we bought artichoke spread, tuna in olive oil, and crackers. YUM!

From there we went to Uncle Pino’s house where he had prepared an amazing meal of homemade pasta! A real Italian feast. Justin was in heaven as he bonded with a fellow Sicilian. We had a great time talking with Cousin Marco as well. Hoping he and his girlfriend, Alina pay us a visit in Colorado soon!

Up next was a one hour train ride to Monte Carlo. Even though it was raining we were able to see the shops, the royal residence, Grace Kelly’s tomb, the big port, and of course all the yachts. We had a delicious meal at (English restaurant) and walked through their Christmas market. We found our way up to the famous casino as well. It’s a really nice town and we would love to go back in the summer time!

As we departed Imperia, we hopped on a train to Pisa. Since we were in northern Italy it was only fitting to see the Leaning Tower! We had a blast trying to get the best photos and watching everyone else make their best attempts. We paid to go up to the top of the tower, which was an incredible view. We learned that the tower was closed for 11 years for restoration as it was leaning more and more every year. It has since been corrected so no need to be scared walking on it. Although, it does lean so it feels really weird to walk around the top. Lean with it, rock with it. After that we toured the cathedral, which was equally as amazing as the tower.

Stay tuned for the next blog on Florence and Tuscany! Cheers!

Enjoy the Ride,

Justin and Lindsay

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January 17, 2018

72 Hours in Milan

On the way to Milan we were on a train, a plane, and a bus all before 9am. But that has its advantages because we got an extra full day without having to travel. We were able to check in the Ibis Centro early and hit the ground running.

We went straight to the Duomo square where we had lunch and a glass of wine. The food was good, but it was pricey due to the location. But the view was great. The Duomo is located in the heart of Milan next to all the high fashion shopping. Lindsay had a blast window shopping and looking at all the clothes! We also got swindled by some fellas from Kenya, but we got nice bracelets out of it. Haha.

We purchased tickets to explore all of the Duomo on our website at a discounted rate! We wandered through the inside, marveling at the architecture and all the insane details. We got a headset that guided you through all of the artwork of the building. Great history tour! Our tickets included the archaeological site that stands beneath the Duomo. Old ruins dating back to 387 AD! Very cool to see! We finished our tour with a sunset walk along the roof of this incredible cathedral! The pictures don’t do it justice! We thought the inside was brilliant, but the roof is out of the world. You can see the gothic style up close and amazing views of all of Milan! Plus it’s really romantic. A must do!

From there we stumbled upon Bianco Latte for dinner. It’s off the beaten path and had some of the best homemade ravioli and desserts we have ever had! Also, much less expensive than the city center!

Day two consisted of a day trip with Zani Viaggi Tours to Lake Como, also booked through our website at a discount! Our guide walked us through the market and side streets pointing out a couple of cathedrals and buildings. Next, we took the funicular tram to the top of Lake Como and had the most magical view! We had a lovely glass of wine and then were allotted free time to explore. We went down to the market and got a sandwich with meat shaved right in front of our eyes! Delish! Our ticket also included a one hour boat ride around the lake. To say we got a 360 degree view of Lake Como is an understatement. We took so many pictures because it’s so dreamy. We can’t wait to go back in the summer time!

The next day we used our tickets to the Duomo to check out the Museum of Duomo art and sculptures. All included and good for 72 hours! Such a good deal! From there, we checked out the Sforza Castle! Italians don’t do anything small! Each wall of the castle extends 200 meters! Really amazing architecture! On the other side of the castle is Sempione Park, a great green space with a market and huge Roman archway called Arco della Pace, that we later found out is used both to refer to the gate proper and to the surrounding district, a part of the Zone 1 division, including the major avenue of Corso Sempione, from the 19th century!

We finished our time in Milan with a 6 hour spa afternoon at QC Teremilano. We got 25 minute massages, explored every type of sauna they had including a converted trolley car, sat in the hot pools outside staring at the old Roman arches, explored the earth/salt/rain/fire rooms, took a short nap in a “nest” to recharge, relaxed under a waterfall, soaked in a chromeotherapy tub, multiple steam rooms with aromatherapy salts, and all the food and wine you could want. They also give you robes, towels, and flip flops to use. A truly amazing experience and all for under $100 per person – all through our website! Highly recommended and we can’t even describe it well enough to do it justice.

Stay tuned for our next blog on the northern coast of Italy!

Enjoy the Ride,

Lindsay and Justin

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December 26, 2017

The Netherlands Part Two – Rotterdam

We arrived in Rotterdam just in time for dinner. A short walk from Hotel Rotterdam (which we got a discounted rate from our travel membership – EndlessTravel365@gmail.com for more info.) was a modern area full of restaurants and shops. We had the plan to eat at FG Restaurant which is the 5th best in Netherlands, but they were full so we walked to the end of the building and found Opporto. Amazing seafood!

The next day we walked to the Cube Houses. Featured on HGTV, these houses are an architectural wonder and are very famous. You have to see them when in Rotterdam! There’s one that’s open to the public for a €3 tour. The houses are 3 stories and have all kinds of crazy angles. The top level was our favorite because of the windows looking out at the other cube houses and the loft style of the room. There are a lot of modern style buildings in Rotterdam due to having to rebuild after World War II while still holding on to the charm and history.

Next, we found the Markthal! The best market we have ever been to! It’s inside this crazy dome building that’s open in the middle with businesses circling around. So many colorful foods from around the world that satisfy all the senses! Our favorite was the sampling of different olive oil and balsamic! You can buy lunch from most any style and some of the booths have a loft space upstairs that you can sit and eat while watching the whole market below you! Their motto is “Eat Well, Every Day!”

Getting up early has its perks because we had time after the cube houses and Markthal to visit the Maritime Museum! For only €12.50 you can spend hours going in and out of the marina, climbing on ships, and learning how to tie different knots. And that’s just the outside! The inside of the museum is full of interactive spaces. Our favorite was the simulation of being on an oil rig in the middle of the ocean. Great experience and fun games you get to play. We loved trying to land a helicopter via virtual reality! The inside also has several exhibits with lots of history and artifacts to see and learn about. A great museum!

After the museum we walked along the water admiring the statues and the Erasmus Bridge. A beautiful site to see! From there we found our way to the Cool District which is full of shopping and dining. A really “cool” area if you will. We had dinner at Scharrels en Schuim. Amazing chicken, cheap drinks, and live music.

Between Amsterdam and Rotterdam we fell in love with The Netherlands! A must for your travel list! Easy to get around, friendly people, lots of things to do and see, and delicious food! We will be back and we can get you there – email us via the “Contact Us” tab at the top of the page!

Enjoy the Ride,

Lindsay and Justin

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December 21, 2017

The Netherlands Part One – Amsterdam

The city of bikes is an understatement. We’ve never seen so many in one space. Be careful when crossing the street, they may not stop. Be careful riding a bike, watch out for cars, especially when in a small side street. The cars may hit you with their mirror – thankfully Lindsay wasn’t knocked off her bike or injured. We found that Green Budget Bikes was the least expensive, only €9 for 24 hours. They have a few locations in central Amsterdam, so it’s really convenient. It truly is the only way to get around.

After riding through the city, admiring the buildings, bridges, and canals, we stopped at the Hash, Marijuana, and Hemp Museum to learn about the history, different uses, science behind farming the plant. It’s an interesting process and definitely worth checking out since it’s such a part of Amsterdam’s culture. We live in Colorado so we totally get it.

We landed next at Dam Square, a beautiful open area with some amazing architecture and shopping! Lots of street performers, but our favorite was the lady with the bubbles of course! Different than the London bubble man because she was making hundreds of bubbles at once instead of a couple big ones. We ran through the bubble walls like kids, giggling and snapping photos. We also stopped in a couple shops to feed Lindsay’s shopping addiction. Only bought one sweater – gotta fit in that backpack!

We took off for the Museum Quarter, actually riding through a Museum. There was a tunnel for bikes! We found the IAmsterdam sign and took some staple Amsterdam photos. There are so many brilliant museums in this area like the Van Gogh and Stedelijk Art Museum and the architecture to match. From historical to modern. Great green space as well, with a park, ice skating, cafes, benches, and lovely landscaping.

We headed back toward our hotel through Vondelpark. Another really awesome 116 acre green space in the heart of the city. Pathways, ponds, wildlife, statues, parks, and more! We rode around the whole loop. By the way, Sara’s Boutique Hotel was so cute and lovely. Definitely recommend it!

It started raining, so we dropped off our bikes at the hotel and got ready for dinner. Amsterdam is a melting pot of culinary delights. You can find anything and everything within a short walk. So many options and when you’re hungry from biking all day it’s hard to decide. We ended up in Rancho and glad we did because this was amazing Argentinian food. A plethora of steak, lamb, ribs, salad, corn on the cob, and bread awaited us!

After dinner we walked around the Red Light District, because, well it’s Amsterdam. No comment.

Then next morning, we rode our bikes to the love lock bridge, but found no locks. We later read that they periodically cut them off to help save the integrity of the bridge. Those locks get heavy!

After returning our bikes we had some time to kill before our train to Rotterdam so we took the advice of our cab driver and hopped on a free ferry over the water to Amersterdam Noord. There are three ferries that depart from Central Station, one the goes left, one that goes right, and one that goes straight across. We recommend the one that goes straight across – less time and puts you right next to the A’Dam Lookout.

We noticed movement up in the sky from the ferry and when we got closer it was a swing ride about 200 feet in the air at the top of the A’Dam Lookout. Of course we had to go check it out. It was €35 to the top with 2 beverages each and a souvenir photo. The elevator is quite the “experience” (as the staff calls it). They instruct you to look up as flashing lights and music hit your senses. We stepped out on the open air platform and were speechless. A beautiful 360 degree view of Amsterdam. There are telescopes you can look out, platforms to stand on to get a view above the fence, a horse statue you can sit on, and of course the swing ride we saw from the ground. For only €5 you can swing out over the edge.

Amsterdam we love you and we can’t wait to come back to visit! Stay tuned for Part Two of our Netherlands blog on Rotterdam! You can book your trip through our Book Travel tab at the top of the page or email us at EndlessTravel365@gmail.com!

Enjoy the Ride,

Justin and Lindsay

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December 12, 2017December 29, 2017

Antwerpin’ in Belgium

We only had time for one stop in Belgium and most would think Brussels would top that list, but we heard so many good things about Antwerp and wanted to check that out instead. We were not disappointed. It’s called Antwerpen in Belgium so we made the joke we were Antwerpin’ the whole time we were there.

First off, the Central Train Station is literally one of the most amazing buildings we’ve ever seen. So much detail and it’s huge!

At the end of the train stations noticed something called Comics Station, an indoor amusement park! We dropped our things at our hotel (which was in the diamond district – a whole other story), and headed back to the train station. We found out the amusement park closed at 5:30pm and it was already 4pm. The lady at the ticket office gave us entry for €12.50 each as there wasn’t much time left, but she also looked at us like we were a little loco because it is a “family” place. We said no worries since we are big kids and went right on in. Thankfully the place wasn’t that busy at all. We found Europe’s tallest slide inside which took 15 seconds from top to bottom. Lots of other fun rides and activities like a fun house, bumper cars, and a saloon where you can horse race. We were surprised to find a ride that drops you three stories inside a small door, but not for that reason. The ride came with a story on the inside where you are traveling up the three stories of a house as the ride raises. The second floor is a woman in the bathtub – hardly family friendly haha. We had a good laugh.

After our fun in the amusement park we found Antwerp’s oldest bar, Quinten Matsijs, est. 1565. Amazing food and it’s Belgium so the beer is some of the best! On our walk back to the diamond district we stopped in Bier Central for a night cap. They have over 300 types of beers and you need their encyclopedia to decipher all the options.

The next day was Sunday and Antwerp was somewhat deserted. But we walked around the city center, stumbling on a old church founded in 1614. We made our way down to the water where they were setting up a Christmas market complete with a giant Ferris wheel. From the Ferris wheel you could see the Cathedral of our Lady that Antwerp is famous for. Made for some great photos. We wandered up and down the water, dreaming of owning an apartment there. Great views and location. We also came up to Het Steen which is a medieval fortress in the old city center. Bonus, you can walk through for free! We heard the mussels were the best so we had some (and beer of course) for dinner. And of course had to grab some chocolate for dessert at the store next to the restaurant. Only €7 for a small box with a mixture of chocolates! Delicious!

The next day we stopped at the smallest waffle shop in the world for breakfast. Literally 25 sq ft maybe smaller on the side of the main shopping street in Antwerp. We went to the big cathedral and took a bunch of photos. It was brilliant to look from every angle. Wandering the cobblestone streets is magical and there’s so much to do and see. Lots of old architecture and statues as well.

We headed back toward our hotel only to find the zoo behind the train station was all lit up with their China Lights display. Really bright colors and shapes that were so fun to look at. They also had nice fire pits outside the gate to keep warm.

Loved hanging in Antwerp for a few days!

Enjoy the Ride,

Lindsay and Justin

P.S. Next adventure is Italy so stay tuned! Put your email in below to subscribe!

December 6, 2017

Piccadilly and a Palace

London is like the NYC of Europe. A city that never sleeps and there’s more to do than our mere day and a half allotted for. We always take to the streets and do as much walking around the city as possible.

Our first stop was Buckingham Palace with hopes to see the new princess to be. No such luck as they were out of town. The Palace, however, is beautiful. Giant golden gates, details down to the inch, guards with the tall furry hats, and plenty of photo opportunities. The Queen Victoria statue sits out front of the Palace and is quite the site as well. Lovely stone statue with a gold angel on top.

We took a stroll through St. James Park admiring the wildlife and the people walking through, ending up around the Parliament where Big Ben awaited us. Unfortunately, the clock tower was covered in scaffolding due to restoration efforts, but still a bucket list item to see. We, of course, had to take a photo with our terrible towel and shout out the Steelers on IG, which they ended up reposting! So cool!

Across the bridge was the Eye. A giant Ferris wheel overlooking all of London. We didn’t take a ride, but plan to next time. We walked past the eye and found a gentleman making bubbles as tall as Lindsay! Fun to watch. Just past our bubble making friend was a quaint Christmas market. We saw a sign for a Cider Lounge and headed right in. We grabbed a few pints of cider and relaxed on a couch. We noticed some food stands outside on the way into the lounge and decide to give Mac to the Future a try. Best decision ever because Mac n cheese is life and a Back to the Future theme is even better. We had the Great Scott and it was DELISH!

We made our way back through town to Piccadilly Square which is equivalent to Times Square. Huge tv screens with advertisements playing, street performers, and all the shopping a shopaholic should never be around. Had to take the obligatory red phone booth photo too!

Our friend Kristen recommended Gordon’s wine bar so we gave it a go. The entrance is on a side street and you go downstairs to a cave like underground experience. Delicious cheese selections and oh my goodness the wine! You know it’s a good place when the sign says “don’t ask for beer or spirits, this is a wine bar”. We sat at a small table in the corner of the cave enjoying and relaxing. On our walk back to the hotel, we walked through Apple Market admiring the booths and the Christmas tree!

The next morning we spent in a lovely Italian cafe (amazing pasta) working on some things for our travel agency and blogs. We wish we had more time in London, but that just means we will have to return soon!

Enjoy the Ride,

Justin and Lindsay

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December 4, 2017

Penarth, Our Way to Cardiff.

We decided to take a short detour to Cardiff for a bucket list item. We found out the Wales rugby team was playing the New Zealand All Blacks! When we were in New Zealand a couple years ago, it wasn’t rugby season so we weren’t able to catch a match, unfortunately. So we jumped on the chance to see the famous Haka!

This diversion wasn’t part of the original plan, but thanks to our amazing travel business we were able to find affordable flights from Dublin to Cardiff and a lovely bedroom in a 3 story townhouse in Penarth, just a 10 minute train ride from Principality Stadium for the rugby match. The tickets were sold out, but we were able to find some (not so affordable) on a resale website. Totally worth it though!

When we arrived in Penarth, we were greeted by our gracious hosts who walked us through the town to the train station, but not without stopping for a pint first.

Penarth is an amazing suburb of Cardiff. Lovely shops, pubs, and restaurants. It’s a small area where everyone knows everyone. Our host was saying “hello neighbor” and “where are you going to watch the rugby match?” To practically everyone we passed on our walk.

After our pint, we hopped the train to the stadium. You wouldn’t believe the amount of people – over 70,000 attending the rugby match and countless others watching in nearby pubs! A good mix of Wales and New Zealand fans wandering up and down the closed off streets (too many people for cars!) stopping at souvenir shops and getting a quick bite and pint.

Once inside the stadium, we felt like we were at the Super Bowl! Such a fun atmosphere and all the fans were very nice despite the fact that we were sporting All Blacks gear. We should note that each person it allowed to purchase 4 alcoholic beverages at once, which makes carrying those and your hot dog all the more difficult.

We watched as the fire canons went off as team Wales entered the field. Everyone cheering and chanting to get pumped up! Then came New Zealand. They got in a triangle formation and began the Haka. A true treat and totally intimidating. Wish we could’ve seen the faces of team Wales (they’re back were to us). Although we imagine them with “game faces”, but shaking on the inside. Haha. You can see the video of the Haka on our Instagram – @endlesstravel365.

The match began. The first half was a great site, each team going back and forth scoring. Rugby is a pretty crazy sport to watch live. Especially since they don’t wear pads or helmets. The fans are equally as crazy, chanting “WALES! WALES! WALES!” and singing a traditional song to keep the players energized. The second half was all New Zealand. Final score 33-18.

After the match we let the crowd disperse a bit then made our way down to the field as all the players were heading into the locker rooms. Justin even managed a selfie with one of the All Blacks! Lindsay was too short to get in the pic, but did get a high five!

We made our way back to Penarth and met up with our hosts back at the pub. We hung out for hours discussing the match, laughing at our similarities as couples, and learning about Wales culture. What was a trip to a rugby match turned into an excellent two days with new friends. A true gem and we would’ve loved to stay longer, but we will be back for sure.

Enjoy the Ride,

Justin and Lindsay

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November 29, 2017November 29, 2017

Ireland – Bangers and Mash, Pints, and Dancing!

Ireland is tops! We had a meaningful few days there because we are both part Irish.

Our first question to a Dublin local was “Where can we get traditional Irish food and dancing?” The answer was O’Neill’s, which was a short 5 minute walk from our hotel in Temple Bar (super touristy area, but full of tradition and fun!). This bar is incredible. It’s very easy to get lost as it’s a huge place. We found a cute corner table right next to the bar where we had a delicious corned beef meal and local pints of cider and red ales. About 9pm, we headed upstairs where a table right next to the band was waiting open! We listened to Raglan Trail play some wonderful Irish music and were treated with traditional Irish folk dancing (River dance what?!). Lindsay got pulled on the dance floor – see video on our IG page.

Our next day we grabbed a bus with Finn McCools Tours (which you can book on our website through the Book Travel tab at the top of the page) for the Cliffs of Moher. Tara was our guide and she was awesome! It takes about 4 hours to get to the Cliffs, so Tara filled our drive with historical information. We learned that all the small rock walls or fences are a result of the last famine in Ireland. People traded the labor of building the walls for food. It’s hard to imagine a time without enough to eat and for that we are thankful. Tara also told us about Michael Collins who was a hero in helping Ireland become independent. There are so many statues and structures that we saw dedicated to Collins that we were beginning to wonder who he was.

We were also treated with a stop at a 13th century monastery. The old stone church or “Kil” and the leaning bell tower (a mini version of Pisa) were rich with history. Glad we got to stop and explore the area for a short while.

Once we arrived at the Cliffs of Moher we could hardly contain our excitement and practically ran to the trails! This place MUST be on your bucket list. It’s absolutely breathtaking! The cliffs stand 702 feet at the highest point and plummet straight into the Atlantic Ocean. Lindsay’s pink silicone wedding band is pictured below. We left a piece of our Irish hearts behind at the cliffs for good luck. We got lucky and were able to see them crystal clear with no fog. A true blessing as the fog rolled in as we were leaving.

On the way back to Dublin, we got to stop in Galway for an amazing fish and chips, exploring an old Spanish arch built in 1584, and some shopping. Also stopped at the “baby cliffs” as the locals call it and the Leprechaun’s castle or smallest castle in Ireland.

Once returning Dublin we made our way down Cook Street to The Brazen Head – Ireland’s oldest pub, circa 1198. Amazing bangers and mash, pint of course, and music. We welcomed a group of 6 Norwegians to our table and proceeded to laugh the night away. Favorite part of the night was one of the guys attempting a dance with every woman in the bar.

Next morning was Thanksgiving and we spent on the hop on hop off bus. Great way to see the city of Dublin. Stopped off at the Little Museum of Dublin and had a free tour with our bus pass to learn even more of Ireland’s rich history. They also drove us through Phoenix Park which is over 1,700 acres and houses the President of Ireland along with several other monuments, sports fields, and the zoo!

After lunch, we hopped a train to Howth, a lovely port and fishing town located on a peninsula about 30 minutes from Dublin. We strolled the pier looking at all the boats and were even greeted by a group of seals! We stopped off for an amazing seafood dinner on the pier (straight off the boat)! After that we found Howth Castle! We also stumbled on St. Mary’s church where the first tombstone was with the sur name “Cooke”. Can’t help but wonder if we’re related. There are so many brilliant architectural achievements in Ireland that you have to see and can’t miss as they are everywhere!

Ireland is a true gem and we can’t wait to get back to explore even more!

Enjoy the Ride,

Lindsay and Justin

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November 26, 2017November 26, 2017

Scotland – Wee Drams and Hairy Coo

From the 8th floor of our hotel room, we noticed a market going on down the block. We immediately got ready to head out for the evening and made our way to Buchanan Street – a place filled with shops, lights, restaurants, nightlife, and this amazing Christmas market. We wandered around admiring all the booths, drooling over the food, and listening to several street performers. One such duo of singers captured our attention with their medley of Chainsmokers songs. We listened to these guys for at least 30 minutes, dancing and singing along. Splendid – only wish we caught their names.

Once we left Buchanan Street, we stumbled upon the city square, which was all fenced in with lines of people waiting to get in. We asked a gentleman what was going on and he told us it was their Christmas Lights Switch On ceremony complete with fireworks, music, food, and fun. He said make sure you #GlasgowLovesChristmas on social media. And boy do they ever love Christmas. We got lucky with a table at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant right next to the event and were able to pop outside in the middle of our dinner to witness the countdown, lights, and fireworks. Truly magical and the best kind of happy accident (right place right time for sure). To end of first evening, we stopped in MacSorley’s for some pints and live music.

Wondering how the next day could top the Christmas spectacular, we hopped on a Rabbies tour bus for Stirling Castle, the Troussachs National Park (where the Highlands meet the Lowlands), Loch Lomond, and the Glengoyne whiskey distillery. This trip does take about 9 hours, but well worth the time and fee. You also get discounts for the castle and distillery. Stirling Castle is a 12th century castle where several famous battles took place and we were able to get a private history lesson from Andrew, one of the castle employees. He pointed out the William Wallace monument (“They may take away our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!”) in the distance and told us stories of Scotland’s past. We also learned the Braveheart isn’t entirely accurate – lots of misrepresentations of that era, not that it broke our hearts and sorry if it breaks yours. The Troussachs park is a lovely drive to see the countryside and how different the high and low lands actually are. They look like 2 different countries. And we learned the Scotland forestry service plants 3 trees for every 1 they cut down! (Shout out Madera – the outdoor company we are ambassadors for!) Loch Lomond is an impressive lake at 24 miles long. It was foggy when we arrived and the lake looked very spooky. The Glengoyne distillery is a great way to end the trip with a tour and lesson on how they make their whiskey and a wee dram to quench your thirst.