Miles with Mel

Travel blog with destination suggestions, tourist attractions and travel tips. 

[miles-with-mel]

The BEST 5 Things to do in London 

The land of the queen is one of my favorite places I have visited in my many adventures around the world. It was so diverse and rich with the buzz of people of all sizes and ages. One of the first things I wanted to do when I got there was use their double decker buses. It was one of the craziest rides on a vehicle I have ever had, but that is coming from someone born and raised in Georgia with no experience with anything but a car. When I boarded the bus, I almost ran to the top deck, and felt as tall as trees. The ride felt as if we were gliding on top of other cars and at some stops, I genuinely questioned whether or not we were hitting the cars in front of us. With that being said, there are many amazing things to see and do while in London and today I will be telling you some of the things I personally enjoyed when I visited. 

            Apart from the obvious beauty, Westminster Abbey is one of the United Kingdom’s most noteworthy buildings. Westminster Abbey is known for the religious background as well as being the traditional place of coronation. In addition, it became the burial site for both English and British monarchs alike. Throughout a tour of the Abbey, I learned that there are many graves, thousands even, that line the floor, but that there is only one that is protected. Just like we say the Pledge of Allegiance in school, in London, the tomb of The Unknown Warrior is protected as a sign of respect for one of thousands of British personnel that fell in the first World War, but unfortunately were not able to be identified. 

            When I arrived in London, someone told me they could tell that I was a tourist. This was only slightly intimidating, as often that is not said in a positive manner. They proceeded to tell me that it was no big deal, but the reason they chuckled was because I foolishly asked directions towards ‘London Bridge.’ This was when I learned that the nursery rhyme, I grew up singing and most people associate with London was a bridge in Arizona, not London! The famous bridge in London is called Tower Bridge and is coined as the most sophisticated bascule bridge in the world. This is a great place to snap a quick picture and generally overlook the city, but travelers must be weary of the traffic on and around the bridge. I was not confident to get out but a wide view picture out the window was a wonderful memory. It is also known for the neo-gothic architecture and the lifting section of the bridge to accommodate the river traffic below it. 

            While I was in London the Queen was staying at the Buckingham Palace, so a lot of foot traffic was an extreme understatement. Even though everyone was hoping to catch a glimpse of the Queen, I was very excited to see the guards. The guards with their tall, funny hats who are not to move an inch, have always been so peculiar to me. One of the most popular things to see at the palace is the changing of the guards which I would recommend to anyone visiting but be prepared for a lot of standing around and trying not to run into anyone snapping pictures. Finally, another popular tourist attraction which I will admit was totally worth it, was Big Ben. I learned that Big Ben is just the nickname for the bell that is popular worldwide. This grand clock is in the Elizabeth Tower towards the end of The Houses of Parliament. 

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6 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Iceland 

Like many different countries in Europe, there is a wide variety of beliefs that seem like folk’s tales to those of us from the states. There are tales of elves, trolls, fairies, and many more supernatural creatures. Personally, I have always found Norse mythology extremely interesting and the countries that have these beliefs are always so heartwarming when I visited Iceland, this was evident. Many of the Norse beliefs reside in Scandinavia but were written in Iceland. When learning about the different aspects of Icelandic mythology the first interesting thing that caught my attention was that it is actively taught in their modern culture. 

                  In Iceland, Elves are much like people often referred to as “hidden people” and in the past couple of years there have been many stories about the disruption of potential elf habitats. These magical creatures are said to reside in enchanted caves and rocks except when there are special occasions and then a couple people may be lucky enough to find them wandering around. This is like a fun game of hide and seek for the Icelandic people. The special occasions that they are out of their caves are holidays such as New Year’s Eve and Midsummer. In addition to their hidden locations, they are said to be thinner, taller, much more beautiful than any regular person with pointy ears and are interdimensional. The best way that I can describe Elves as per Norse mythology are by the Elves that are in Lord of the Rings.

                  Although Iceland is a place of great fantasy year around, Icelandic children celebrate the Christmas time with more than one Santa Claus, something most children would live for. There are thirteen different variations of Old Saint Nick known as the Yule Lads. The Yule Lads are supposed to be brothers that are descended from trolls. This sounds scary at first, but it is actually very sweet. Unlike trolls, they do not have a ‘troll like behavior’ and instead bring gifts to the children of Iceland. Each of the thirteen Yule Lads have their own names as well as personality every night, for the thirteen days leading up to Christmas day. In the 1700s, stories of these creatures were said to be terrifying and scared children, but have sense evolved into the wonderful Santa Claus of Iceland. Along with the Yule Lads children are also visited by the Yule Cat. The Yule Cat is supposedly owned by the Yule Lads and Gryla, which is their half-ogre, half-troll mother. Unlike the friendly Yule Lads, the Yule Cat is supposed to be incentive for good behavior by threatening children. The Yule Cat is said to devour those children who do not receive new clothes on Christmas day. 

                  Sea monsters are yet another mythical creature that roam Iceland but instead of the land they roam the seas. Since the Vikings, people have traveled across the Artic seas in hopes of a safe return home. A good place to learn more about sea monsters in Iceland is the Monster Museum in Bildudalur within the Westfjords. Since the 11th century, tales of the terrifying creature that takes the people deep into the sea is the Fjorulalli. Many a fisherman have come home telling tales of the creatures they fought off at sea, but no definitive proof has ever been recorder to this day. 

                  My personal favorite tale in Iceland involves the beautiful little fairies. Much like Elves in that they are said to live cohesively with humans they also entertain the idea that fairies do similar day to day activities as the Icelandic people. In addition, they also are known for having a helping hand when the humans need it. 

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Top 4 Hidden Gems of Greece 

Greece is a place of great wonder and natural beauty that is known on for the gorgeous white sand beaches, ancient temples, and countless islands. There are many places that are high in the list to visit when it comes to Greece such as Santorini and Mykonos. These two islands are two of the most popular islands visited in Greece and even though they also have their own attractions to tourists, such as the whitewashed villages, they are also considered some of the most overcrowded cities. For example, Santorini is where many of the perfect social media posts come from. Today I will be talking about some of the hidden gems of Greece, where you will find less tourists, and more adventures. 

The first place you must adventure out to when in Greece is the Melissani Lake Cave which is a lake cave on the island of Cephalonia. This gorgeous cave is surrounded by forests of trees but once you enter the cave, you enter crystal clear waters. Though there are many areas and beaches in Greece that allow tourists or visitors to swim Melissani Lake Cave is not one of them. In order to preserve its natural beauty, people are only allowed to have a quick boat ride through. This cave is also known as the Cave of the Nymphs in Greek mythology. In addition, it is considered a local attraction that is only open from May to October.  The view from inside the cave is truly magnificent with plenty of light shining from above, only illuminating the blue water. 

Another location that is a must see in Greece is the Mani Peninsula that is located between the Laconian and Messenian Gulfs in Peloponnese.  Most of this terrain is considered a mountainous region of rocks and cliffs that roll into the turquoise water below them. Apart from the terrain, this is one of the locations that one can find some of the most authentic and traditional experiences in Greece full of culture and history, much like the rest of Greece. Within their society they value the importance of family always trying to ensure the survival of the family name and legacy which is the explanation for all of the tower houses. In the past the tower homes were used for protection during invasions and feuds because of the constant pressures of warfare and threats from pirates. 

The Vikos Gorge is one of the well-recognized canyons of the Greek people and often compared to the United States Grand Canyon. This gorge holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s deepest gorge at 3,300 ft deep. There are off beaten paths local people hike and this jaw dropping, eight-mile trail is considered one of the best hikes in Greece and recommended to everyone looking for scenic view and a workout. This hike is considered a point-to-point hike meaning that you will begin the hike in one location and end the hike in another location, in this case you can hike the gorge south to north or vice versa. 

Finally, there is a wonderful pebble beach on the island of Alonissos known as Tourkoneri beach. This beach is a little hidden, as you must travel all the way down a dirt road and across some rocks that surround it. There is also a pine forest behind the beach making this the perfect naturistic location. This forest is one of the sights that most intrigue people at this location as the pine forest literally ends inside the sea. There are also many other little beaches surrounding that you can visit while in the area. 

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Backpacking Italy: Travel Guide 

Italy is a European country most often recognized by its unique boot like shape and many wonders to explore. Some of the major cities include Rome, the capital, Florence, Venice, and Milan. In the heart of Rome, is the gorgeous, Apostolic Palace, home of the Vatican and Pope. During my journey through Europe, I definitely ate my way through Italy. Their Gelato, and pasta filled my stomach, and I was overjoyed. In the states, I personally love ice cream, but when in Italy, devour gelato! Although all of Europe is filled with amazing food, architecture and culture Italy has been my favorite to visit because of the people. The people who live in Italy are some of the kindest and welcoming people I have ever met. 

One of the places I visited while in Italy was the famous Roman Colosseum. This grand architecture was built around A.D. 70 and 72 and was previously used as an amphitheater that was popular for gladiatorial events. Through the tour of the Colosseum, I learned that another name for this theater is the Flavian Amphitheater because it was built during the rule of the Flavian Empire. This was like gigantic, ruined maze with a mass number of stones much to my surprise. When I first arrived, I was anticipating more of a restored interior, but was happy to see that most everything that was not considered dangerous was well preserved. 

            Another popular attraction I visited was the Fontana di Trevi that had the most intricate artwork in the city all located on this famous fountain. Though the fountain was really more of a photo opportunity to the many people who surrounded it at all times of the day, there is a lot of historical meaning attached to it. For example, the Trevi Fountain is one of the oldest water sources of Rome. Originally, the saying went that a glass of water from the fountain would bring good fortune and a fast return to the Eternal City. Now, you will find everyone throwing in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters in hopes of ensuring a return to Rome. It is a lot bigger than I anticipated and though I was happy to see that no person was allowed the privilege of a close up with the fountain I cannot say that an equal part of me was disappointed I could not take in all the details from up close. 

            Yet another great staple of Italy is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This tower was built starting in August of 1173 though it was interrupted by many different financial issues, and wars and was not finished until mid-1300s. Much like the rest of the fabulous architecture, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has a great story attached to its history. As a result of the delays and shifts in the ground the tower began too slowly lean. The builders found that by the time they reached the third story of the building the foundations were unstable. After all this time, architects and engineers have found that the building has been falling at a rate of 1.2 millimeters every year. 

            Finally, the Duomo di Milano is a Catholic church located in Milan, Italy. This cathedral is one of the most beautiful and intricate pieces of art created. In fact, the Duomo di Milano holds the title of the second largest cathedral in the world. One of the reasons it is so unlike any other, is that it was created over the course of many centuries and includes a variety of different designs and styles. The breathtaking structure makes all the sense with Milan being a fashion infused city. 

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Happy and Abroad 

Traveling is defined as going to different places instead of staying in one place or to go on a trip or journey. There are many ways to interpret this phrase but the one I want to discuss is the beloved one. Traveling should include new adventures around the world for relaxation and fun. Though there are so many places to visit, it may be impossible to reach every corner of the world in one lifetime. One thing we know for sure is that no matter where we go there are different cultures, traditions, and expectations. Personally, traveling has always been one of my favorite things to do and I have had the great privilege to have already, at my very young age, to have gone all over Europe and throughout the Caribbean.  

As Americans we have failed by limiting our travel abilities to the corporate standard of two weeks out of the year that is if people are even able to acquire this amount. In many countries of the world particularly in Brazil and Finland people get a month of paid vacation that gives people the time to rest as well as refresh their systems. Researchers have found ample research that proves that traveling abroad have physical, emotional, and mental health benefits. For example, studies have found that women who vacation at least twice a year have been found to significantly decrease their risk in suffering a heart attack than those who only traveled once every couple of years. In addition, the reason that most people travel is to have a nice and relaxing time and for this reason traveling is most known for decreasing stress and enhancing your creativity. A professor at Columbia Business School explained that “foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought.” 

When traveling there are also different safety precautions to consider. There are some places that are considered more dangerous and some where you may feel safer. The top three countries that have been coined as the safest in the world include Iceland, Switzerland, and Denmark. One of my favorite places that I traveled to when I was in Europe was Switzerland so today, I will be sharing my experience throughout my time here. 

Switzerland is home to some of the best tasting chocolate, best quality of living and amazing views, with some of the bluest water I have ever seen in my life. One of the places that was most memorable was the Chateau de Chillion where I learned the castle in the film ‘The Little Mermaid’ was based off! This castle was almost entirely surrounded by the stunning water from Lake Geneva. The part of the tour that really was burned into my mind wasn’t until the very end where we reached the cellar portion. Here we learned that they kept prisoners and punished them as well. There was one area that had metal bars, much like you would see in prisons, where we were told following prisoners or traitors’ punishment they were thrown out into the water below the castle. You can only imagine the horror in everyone’s faces after we had just been staring in awe of the gorgeous surroundings to the castle. 

Another adventure of mine during my time in Switzerland was the Bern bear pit attraction. Entering this park, there is a bridge where we saw many people jumping into the water below them as if it were a swimming pool. I only wish I would have followed suit, though I was instructed not to do so as the current from the natural waters was extremely hard and would sweep me away if I was not accustomed to it. Once in the park, we got to see to brown bears up close swimming, napping, eating and learn the interesting history of the bears. All in all, Switzerland was one of my all-time favorite places that I have travelled to and would recommend it to anyone looking to travel to Europe!