Europe
Innsbruck Christmas Markets (2022): Everything You need to Know About Innsbruck at Christmas
I’m a sucker for Christmas markets and when it comes to Christmas markets in Austria I’m always quick to head to Vienna or Salzburg. However, after several times in each, it was time to switch it up so I chose Innsbruck- somewhere I had never been before but figured would be fun and festive and…
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8 Festive Ways to Experience the Magic of Vienna at Christmas (2022)
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! At least I think so. Christmas time to me is magic, and even though I live in a Canadian city that pretty much guarantees a white Christmas, it’s no secret that during the holiday season, Europe is my favourite place to be. European Christmas markets are my…
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The Salzburg Krampus Run: A Unique Christmas Tradition
When I was travelling around Europe for the Christmas Markets I expected to see plenty of Santas and maybe a few elves and reindeer. What I didn’t expect to find was a giant, hairy, devil-looking creature known as Krampus; essentially a Christmas demon who has his own celebration called Krampusnacht or Krampus Run. This event…
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Christmas in Cologne, Germany: Everything You Want to Know About Cologne Christmas Markets (2022)
Europe’s Christmas markets are my happy place. The lights, the decorations, the gluhwein, the ornaments. I absolutely love them and have been five times over the past 8 years. Each year I try to visit somewhere new and while I have yet to be disappointed some European Christmas markets make an impression and Cologne, Germany…
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The Ultimate List of the Most Magical Christmas Markets in Europe
Whoever sang ‘Where are you Christmas’ should have looked to Europe because if you can’t find the holiday spirit at the Christmas markets in Europe then you, my friend, are a lost cause. Christmas is my absolute favourite time of the year. I basically turn into the female version of Buddy the Elf (minus eating…
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45 Magical European Fairytale Towns
There’s something about Europe’s old villages that just scream ‘magical’. The historic buildings, colourful houses, cobblestone streets, and local folklore. Add some bright flowers in the spring, or festive market stalls during the holiday season and I always feel like I’ve left the real world and stepped into the pages of fairytale storybook. There’s no…
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The Best Things to do in Lisbon
Lisbon is a fun city to explore, but with so many options, it can be difficult to figure out the real must-dos; especially when some of the best bits aren’t super obvious. With one week in Portugal, I only spent three days in Lisbon. And while I crammed those three days as full as I…
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Prague with Air Canada Vacations: A Perfect Choice for Independent Travellers
This post was written in partnership with Air Canada Vacations and the tourism board of the Czech Republic. As always, all opinions are my own. What’s preventing you from trying independent travel? Is it all the planning involved? The daunting task of trying to figure out where to stay and in which neighbourhood? Maybe you…
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My Santorini Photoshoot with Localgrapher
Disclaimer: My Santorini Photoshoot was sponsored by Localgrapher “Are you Hannah?” I nodded and smiled nervously as I shook hands with Dimosthenis, my professional photographer for the next hour. Yes, that’s right. I had a photo shoot in Oia, Santorini. Which sounds incredibly extra and not like something I would normally do. I’m not the…
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Irish Fairy Tales Come to Life at Ashford Castle Estate
Picture this: a historic castle located in the woods beside a lake. The front of the castle has a stone bridge, spanning the rushing river below and protected by small towers. Once past the bridge, visitors are greeted by a grand entranceway, guarded on either side by statues of Irish wolfhounds. On the lakeside, there…
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Viking River Cruises Review: Why Viking is the Best Pick for First Time Cruisers
Cruising is something that a lot of people are on the fence about. The idea of travelling by boat and exploring several destinations in a relaxing manor is enticing. However, it also comes with a few fears; boredom from being on the water too long, being to slow-paced, or even being too fancy. At least,…
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Girls Getaway: European Christmas Market Cruise with Viking River Cruises
Christmas is my favourite time of the year, and my mom’s too. We’re both Christmas crazy and go all out during the festive season. Both of us love the bustle of holiday crowds, the Christmas songs, and of course the lights and decorations. And while neither one of us would trade our (normally) white Christmases…
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The Legend of Dracula & more of Romania’s Monsters
It was a dark and cloudy day in Transylvania as I climbed the hill approaching Bran Castle; home to the legend of Dracula. The centuries old fortress jutted out on the rocks overlooking Bran; it’s stone walls ominous and foreboding. There was a definite chill in the late September air and I could imagine myself as…
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Learning to Surf in Ireland
The cold wind whipped the Atlantic waves into a frenzy as I watched from the safety of the shoreline. Nearly every wave was capped in white foam as they crashed against the empty beach below. I huddled further into the hood of my rain coat as I watched. Not only was the wind bound and…
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Girls’ Getaway to Iceland: A Wintery Weekend in Reykjavik
With winter in full swing it’s normal to fantasize about getting away. Most people choose to escape to the Caribbean islands; sunshine, turquoise waters, and tropical drinks. Others head to popular ski destinations; choosing to spend their days on the slopes and their nights in snow-topped chalets. Or you could be like us, and choose…
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The Non-Hiker’s Guide to Climbing Kotor Castle for Sunset
Standing on the walls of old town Kotor, I eyed the pathway from town to the top of the nearby hill and San Giovanni Castle, aka Kotor Castle on top . Towering over the bay it promised beautiful panoramic views and, if I left in about an hour, I knew I could be up there…
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Stepping Back in Time with Walks of Italy
The morning sun shone on the recently washed walls of the Colosseum as I waited for my tour to start. Having a habit of getting lost I arrived early, but was greeted with a smile and checked in by the Walks of Italy representative who informed me my tour would start in about 15 minutes.…
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Two Castles in One Day with Bucharest City Tours
Do you dream of amazing castles, love chasing legends, and adore beautiful scenery? If you have been following me for any time, you know I do. Which is in part why I wanted to go to Romania. Famous castles, vampire legends, and beautiful mountains? Sign me up! Of course, like with everywhere else, I was…
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In Search of the Gift of Eloquence: The Legend of the Blarney Stone
Even if you don’t know much about Ireland, you have probably heard of the Blarney Stone; a stone of legend, with rumoured powers and a mysterious history. Some claim the rock to be a section of the Stone of Destiny, which was gifted to the King of Munster after he sent his men to support…
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Traditional Irish Folklore Part 1: The Legend of the Leprechaun
I’m a sucker for stories, especially anything to do with legends, myths, and of course, fairy tales. My love for these tales is part of why I originally wanted to go to Ireland and also part of why, after 3 months living in Galway and three visits to the Emerald Isle later, I still want…
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Hunting for the Krakow Dragon
I quickly fell in love with old town Krakow as I walked under the arch of the wall that led to Rynek Glówny, the Main Square. Enchanted by anything old-world and medieval, Krakow had me at every turn. There was the magnificent cathedral, the imposing city wall, and of course the castle on the hill off…
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Tallinn to Helsinki: A Day Trip with Tallink Silja
When I asked the owner of my hostel for directions to the port he drew a quick route on my map. “Ten minutes max” he promised me, “Twenty if you get super lost. But you won’t; the ships are huge so you will see them a mile away.” I gave myself the 20 minutes figuring…
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The story of the Irish Claddagh Ring
“Excuse me Miss, I saw your ring. I’ve read if it’s pointing out it means that your heart is available- are you single?” A little shocked I looked down at the offending ring on my hand. I had bought my Claddagh Ring over a year ago when I lived in Ireland, and wore it every…
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Legends of the Isle of Skye
Like every other little girl I grew up on fairytales. Any story with a magical creature, princess, mermaid, or fairy had my complete and utter attention. And if you want the truth, even now at the age of 24, very little has changed. So you can imagine how excited I was when I read that…
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Mask Making Class in Venice
I have always loved Venetian masks. From the traditional beaked styles to modern designs that look more like fairytale creatures than anything else, there is no shortage of masks to choose from. I knew that I’d be buying at least one as a souvenir, but when I found out that I would actually take a…
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