2016 Travel Bucket List

Is it just me, or did the new year sneak up on us? It's hard to believe that February is just around the corner. But with a new year comes new adventures, and I have a pretty good feeling about 2016! While I hit most of the cities on my 2015 travel bucket list, there are still plenty of places in Europe (and beyond!) that I absolutely must see before moving back to the States.

Seeing as this will be my last year living in Spain, nailing down my 2016 travel plans has been a rather daunting task. The old cliché of "so much to see, so little time" has never rang so true. I'm starting to feel like I'm racing against the clock (... and my bank account is suffering accordingly). But I'm determined to make the most out of my last six months abroad, so here's what's on the calendar for my 2016 farewell tour!


Interlaken, Switzerland

After my first skydive in July for my 25th birthday, I knew I'd be hooked. I dragged my mom along with me (because she's not a regular mom, she's a cool mom), and afterwards she feverishly insisted, "I certainly won't be doing that again!" I could only respond with a smirk, because I knew it wouldn't be long until I jumped out of a plane again. But I suppose I was mistaken, because this time I'll be jumping out of a helicopter!


Tel Aviv, Israel

photo via

One of the best parts about being a teacher is having spring break, so this March I'll be heading east to visit one of my favorite sorority sisters in Tel Aviv. I'll arrive just in time to celebrate Purim, a festival similar to Halloween that commemorates Queen Esther. Safety permitting, I'm hoping to take a few day trips such as Jerusalem and...


Petra, Jordan

I've dreamt of seeing these ruins for years, and drooling over Jessica's stunning photos only intensified my wanderlust! Seeing Petra in person would be an absolute dream come true, so here's hoping a quick jaunt from Israel is safe and feasible!


Cádiz, Spain

Cádiz, 2010

It's been six years since my disastrous study abroad experience in Cádiz, and I've spent the past two and a half years postponing my return. Before I leave Spain for good, I need a redemption trip. While my semester abroad in Cádiz was less than ideal, its trials and tribulations pushed me to grow and challenge myself in new ways. While living  there wasn't necessarily a good fit for me, it's still a gorgeous city worth visiting. I know returning will bring back a lot of mixed emotions, but at this point I feel ready to face those demons and fully embrace everything wonderful about this charming southern town (... especially the beaches!).


Stockholm, Sweden

photo via

My best friend Meghan is coming to visit me in May (hooray!!!), and while she's on this side of the pond, we plan on popping over to Sweden to visit her cousin. I've been dying to get back to Scandinavia since I fell in love with Copenhagen last spring, so I can't wait to see what Stockholm has to offer!


Croatia

photo via

Before moving to Madrid, I promised myself that I'd make it to Croatia. Twenty-two year old Courtney dreamt of the seemingly endless champagne showers of Yacht Week, but twenty-five year old Courtney knows that eight days on a boat may cause an accidental Dramamine overdose. Land, ho! Though my lack of sea legs prompts me to forgo the party boat experience, my mainland itinerary will hopefully be balanced out with plenty of island hopping.

Paris, France

Paris, 2013

I can't think of a better way to conclude my time abroad than by revisiting the city I love the most (shhh, cover your ears, Madrid). Paris was the first city I ever truly fell in love with, and despite countless visits and a magical study abroad stint, I still can't get enough. This June, I plan on getting in a large dose of French goodness before I go home and have to wait another five years until I can afford it again. (Just kidding... I hope. Please be good to me, grad school loan gods.)


Reykjavík, Iceland

photo via

The cheapest one way ticket home is through Iceland, which is especially convenient considering Iceland Air offers a free stopover for up to seven nights! Since Iceland has been on my bucket list for years, my last European hoorah will include a few days in Reykjavík on my way back to Seattle.


A bittersweet return to Seattle

Home sweet home

As ludicrous as it sounds to say out loud, I think I'm finally ready to move back to Seattle. It's time for me to take the next step in my career, I have absolutely no savings and I'm ready to live closer to my family. Leaving Madrid will surely break my heart (alright, more like shatter it to pieces), and I expect my transition back into reality to be particularly gruesome, but I still feel called to come back home and take the next step - whatever that may be. Leaving Seattle after Christmas break was unusually tough this time around. My week at home reminded me of how solid my community is, and I feel a renewed gratefulness for my friends who still make me feel as if no time has passed.

I could very well come home, feel miserable, panic and buy a one-way ticket back to Spain... but I think I have a pretty good feeling about this next move.

So, to sum up the next step in the words of the late David Bowie,

"I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring."

Cheers to an epic 2016, my friends!

What are your 2016 travel plans?

Will you be visiting any of the same destinations?

2015 Travel Highlights

Happy New Year, friends! It's hard to believe that 2016 is already upon us, and a part of me is sad to see 2015 go. Through all of the memories and misadventures, twenty-fifteen has been an incredible year of travel. Last year took me all over Europe, while this year allowed me to explore more of Spain. I've savored some of the most mouthwatering meals of my life, shared laughs with new friends on the road, showed old friends around my home in Madrid, and fallen deeper in love with the Spanish culture (and cuisine!).

Each place I visited captured my heart in a unique way. Seven countries, 25 cities and countless adventures later, it's safe to say that this year has been one of my best yet. Though it's impossible to pick favorites, here are some of my best travel memories of 2015!

Defrosting on the Costa del Sol

Giving Barcelona a second chance

Getting a taste of Valencia

Canary Island hopping in Puerto de la Cruz, Costa Adeje and Las Palmas


Living off papas arrugadas con mojo in the Canary Islands 

Getting drenched in Galicia

Surviving my first TBEX conference in Costa Brava

Learning to love solo travel in Copenhagen

Stuffing my face with gluten-free pintxos in San Sebastián

Discovering my new favorite city in Spain

Being beach bums with my mom in Palma de Mallorca

Skydiving in Seattle for my 25th birthday

Falling head over heels for Porto

Spending Thanksgiving weekend devouring pizza in Florence

Enjoying Christmas markets and family time in Strasbourg and Heidelberg

Today I'm off to Seattle to ring in the new year with friends and family, and I couldn't be more excited to be home again. After a week in Washington, I'll be headed back to Madrid to finish my third (and final) year of teaching English in Spain. But I'll be going out with a bang, so stay tuned to see what adventures are in store for the new year! Bring it on, 2016!

Cheers to a 2016 that's just as epic!

What are your favorite travel memories from 2015?

Gifts from Abroad They'll Actually Love

After my first time going abroad, I hauled countless kitschy souvenirs back for my friends and family: magnets, keychains, figurines, and enough shot glasses to nourish an entire fraternity. While the gesture itself may have counted for something, the truth is that nobody needs any extra junk. It's likely that many of those gaudy trinkets are tucked away and collecting dust, or perhaps they've made their way into storage or the hands of Goodwill.

Looking back, I wish I had spent my money more wisely and brought home gifts that could actually be put to good use. Since moving to Madrid, my new favorite holiday tradition is bringing back presents that I know people can actually utilize and enjoy. So when Annie of MontgomeryFest asked me to take part in her new series The Expat Holidays, I felt inspired to share this newfound tradition. Giving is the cornerstone of the holiday season, and living abroad offers a definite gift-giving advantage! For expats and world travelers alike, here's how to shop for the best Christmas gifts from abroad.

Wine

Can you ever go wrong with Italian wine?

A bottle of quality vino is my go-to holiday gift, because quite frankly, who doesn't love nice wine? (If you don't, I'm probably not friends with you... just kidding. Kind of.) One of the best parts about living in Europe is getting high quality wine for ridiculously cheap prices. Bottles that cost 8€ here in Spain may very well cost over $20 back in the USA. Above all, the selection back home pales in comparison. Spanish wine is having a moment right now, and I am dedicated to taking full advantage of that.

Packing Tip: Since the mere thought of a having a bottle break in my suitcase is enough to give me a full-on panic attack, I never travel without several WineSkins. (You can find these ingenious creations at Total Wine, specialty wine shops or select wineries.) It's also possible to make due with Ziplock bags, Scotch tape and an obscene amount of bubble wrap.

Local culinary delights

Cheese from Spain's Basque Country

As a self-proclaimed foodie, I tend to surround myself with fellow food-lovers. So unsurprisingly, most of the gifts I bring home tend to be edible. I try to seek out local specialties that you can't find elsewhere, or that would otherwise cost a small fortune. For example, good olive oil is exorbitantly priced in the States, but the good stuff here in Spain costs a mere fraction of the price. Quality Spanish olive oil is consistently one of the most popular gifts that I bring home. (And for me, it's also one of the most economical!)

Packing Tip: Due to the extreme pressure and temperature changes on an airplane, it's better to transport olive oil in tins as opposed to glass bottles. The only thing worse than a bottle of red wine exploding in your suitcase is a bottle of greasy olive oil...

A colorful assortment of German mustard

I've learned not to leave holiday shopping until the last minute, since some of the best gifts can come from earlier trips. For example, last month I took a spontaneous trip to Florence. While I was browsing through an upscale Italian supermarket to kill time before dinner, I realized that it would be the perfect spot to pick up some unique presents. As I stuffed my cart with everything from Limoncello to truffle salt, I felt like a true Italian Santa Claus.

Packing Tip: The USA has a strict ban against bringing in any sort of meat. Sadly, this means no Italian prosciutto or Spanish jamón and chorizo. You can try sneaking it in if you have the cojones, but be prepared to face a hefty fine if customs catches you.

A classic trio of Spanish treats: wine, extra virgin olive oil and saffron

Christmas ornaments

Ornaments at Heidelberg's Christmas market

No matter where they're from, travel themed Christmas ornaments make for great gifts. Decorating a Christmas tree with unique pieces can be a daunting (and not to mention, incredibly expensive) task, so ornaments with a story behind them always seem to be the most special. When picking up ornaments for friends and family members, I usually treat myself to one as well (even though I still don't have a tree of my own! Why not start the collection early...) 

Packing Tip: When packing glass ornaments, you can never use enough bubble wrap. I tend to wrap breakable ornaments two or three times around with bubble wrap, tape the ends together, and then wrap it in a bulky scarf or sweater. Better safe than sorry!

Dessert

Chocolates from Germany

Need I say more? We've already deduced that edible treats make for the best presents, and sweet gifts truly take the cake. (See what I did there?) Rich German chocolates? Check. Spanish cookies made by nuns? Check. Traditional French candy? Check. Crumbly Spanish turrón? Check, check, and check.

Going beyond the traditional souvenir

Spanish pottery in Toledo

When you look past the gift shops catering to tourists, some of the most useful and enjoyable gifts can be found. I try to find local pottery, which is usually a big hit with moms, aunts and female relatives. I also look for locally made artisan soaps and candles that put their overpriced counterparts from Anthropologie to shame. When shopping for the fellas, Cuban cigars are my favorite thing to smuggle in. (I'm not sure if that's totally legal, but I have yet to get in trouble for it... knock on wood.) 

Packing Tip: You can find Cuban cigars at any Duty Free shop in the airport, but it's better to go to a specialty tobacco shop and hand pick them out. If you don't have a humidor, store them in a sealed Ziplock bag. Once your gift is given, make sure your cigar aficionado puts them in a humidor so they can freshen back up.

Some souvenirs sure are pretty, but how often will your friends actually use them?

If you look past the kitschy souvenirs and junky collectibles, you can easily find Christmas presents from abroad that are sure to impress. Not only can your loved ones actually utilize and enjoy your gifts, but they can also share in some of your incredible memories and experiences from abroad.

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?
What gifts from abroad do you typically bring back for your family and friends?