WHERE: Vilnius, Lithuania
WHEN: April 2018

A piece of trivia: book smugglers in Lithuania have long been regarded as heroes. Credit Russian Tour.

2. SWING BY THE GOLDEN GATE

Of all the instagrammable spots in the USA, the lone swing looking out onto The Golden Gate Bridge is by far one of the most recognized. This little corner of the world is Kirby Cove, and while it’s not the only swing near the Golden Gate Bridge, it’s definitely the most popular. Getting there involves a lot of climbing up and down rocks so it’s not the easiest place to get to, but that shot makes the hike worthwhile! For a weekend itinerary in San Francisco, click here.

WHERE: San Francisco, California, USA
WHEN: February 2018

The Kirby Cove swingset is not the only swing, but it’s the most popular one! Credit Katie St John Blog.

3. SURVIVE A TAPAS CRAWL

Tapas is so popular in Spain that they have an actual verb for the activity, tapaer, meaning “to go to tapas.” Before heading to Spain, I thought tapas simply meant bite-sized servings but to my surprise, tapas is a smorgasbord of various nibbles, from montados (canapes) to revueltos (dishes made with eggs) to raciones (small portions of larger entrees) and conservas (preserved foods in tins,) that come together to form a complete meal. COMPLETED 1/5/18: I hardcore “tapeo-d” all around Barcelona all thanks to my lovely employer, who rented out the Mercat Princesa food hall for my colleagues and I during our work trip so we could try infinite amounts of tapas for free. Needless to say, I’ve left Spain a little softer around the edges but happy to have mastered the art of tapaer.

WHERE: Barcelona, Spain
WHEN: January 2018

Tapas are bite-sized servings of Spanish favorites. Credit Telegraph UK.

4. MOVE TO THE BEAT OF FLAMENCO

When I think of Spain, I think about flamenco dancing and paella and my two priorities in Madrid were to 1) learn the secrets of making paella and 2) see a flamenco show. Flamenco is actually a four-part production comprised of baile (dancing), toque (guitar playing), cante (singing) and palmas (handclapping). There’s also a whole lot of fingersnapping and cheering going on too. COMPLETED 1/6/18: My Madrileno friends got tickets for me to the Teatro Madrid located in the Malasana neighborhood where if you come early enough, you get to sit in the front table of this small theater and be close to all the action. We were so close that you had to dodge being pelted by the sweat bullets from all the furious dancing occurring on stage but on the plus side, we captured some great dance shots from our seats.

WHERE: Madrid, Spain
WHEN: January 2018

A male ‘baile’ performing with castanets. Credit Mark Armstrong.

5. SCOPE OUT A CITY DIFFERENTLY

Fun fact: Stockholm was built over fourteen islands so one of the best ways to get around Stockholm is to soak it in by sea. There are quaint canal tours, tourist-friendly hop-on-and-off boats, and even a 3-hourlong brunch cruise featuring an authentic Swedish smörgåsbord. I’d like to venture beyond the city’s shoreline into the rawness of the Swedish archipelago where 30,000 islands brimming with incredible wildlife await and it seems there’s only one route into the thick: via RIB speedboat, a high-speed thrill ride traveling at 45 knots or 60 miles per hour! For a Top Five Things to Do in Stockholm, Sweden, click here.

WHERE: Stockholm, Sweden
WHEN: April 2018

Seeing Stockholm by boat is on every must-do list! Credit CemsClub

6. ZIPLINE THROUGH THE JUNGLES

I got my first taste of ziplining in India soaring across an ancient fort and I’ve been dying to get my next adrenaline rush. I’ve heard that Costa Rica is THE place to go ziplining with cable lines zigzagging across the canopy spread, over waterfalls and thick tangles of tropical vegetation. And the cables apparently span miles and miles, meaning hours of fun. Most zipline tours are over 10 rides long, and usually include rapelling and walking across questionable suspension bridges, so it seems like a worthy, adventure-ridden investment. For a list of the Top Five Things To Do in Jaco, Costa Rica, click here.

WHERE: San Jose, Costa Rica
WHEN: December 2018

Zipline over waterfalls and the rainforest canopy. Credit unknown.

7. PAY HOMAGE TO FRIDA KAHLO

I not only idolize the late Frida Kahlo as a feminist icon, but also for her promotion of color theory. As an anthropology student and graphic designer, I adore her intentional choice of colors inspired by indigenous Mexico. When I visit Mexico City later on this year, I would love to make a pilgrimage to the Caza Azul (The Blue House) to dive into the private world of Frida Kahlo. Her old residence has been turned into a museum, providing a rare look into the life of one of the most popular artists in history.

WHERE: Mexico City, Mexico
WHEN: May 2018

The once home of Frida Kahlo is now a museum of her dearest treasures. Credit Estigo Tours.

8.GREET THE SUN IN CHICHEN ITZA

I’m on a quest to see all seven new wonders of the world and Chichen Itza will be world wonder number four (I’ve visited Peru’s Machu Picchu, Rome’s Colosseum, and Agra’s Taj Mahal.) The centerpiece of Chichen Itza, an ancient Mayan city, is the 75-foot-tall Temple of Kukulkan. The Mayans were masters of astrology and this monument is actually a three-dimensional calendar marking the occurrence of spring and autumn each year. During equinox, the sun’s rays cascade down the pyramid’s main stairwell, linking with the serpent heads at the base of the steps, to create an illusion that celestial serpents are slithering down from the heavens.

WHERE: Mexico City, Mexico
WHEN: December 2018

You cannot climb the stairs of the pyramid anymore after a death in 2006. Credit International Traveller.

9. GO BUNGEE JUMPING

The thought of bungee jumping is terrifying in and of itself. Now imagine adding an extra layer of terror when your launchpad is a tiny cable car that’s suspended in midair! The unique springboard (ie. the cable car) is not the only novel thing about the Sigulda bungee jumping experience. You jump out towards a massive lake surrounded by lush forest, giving you a spectacular view of Latvia’s natural offerings. If the view below doesn’t inspire you to jump out of the cable car, I don’t know what will.

WHERE: Sigulda, Latvia
WHEN: April 2018

This is a year for conquering fears! Credit unknown.

10. SPEND A NIGHT WITH GHOSTS

When the sun goes down, that’s when Tallinn’s Old Town truly gets interesting. Almost every property within Old Town is allegedly haunted. The most pervasive of hauntings is the story of the Devil’s Wedding. Down Rataskaevu Street, near the so-called Cat’s Well, you’ll see that building number 16 has a bricked-up window. Legend has it that the Devil himself hosted a wedding in that very room, now a guestroom I’m attempting to spend a night in. Centuries ago, a cloaked stranger walked into this former inn offering a king’s ransom to rent this room under the condition he be given total privacy. But the overly curious innkeeper was prompted to peep through the keyhole when he heard thunderous noise coming from the room. The next day, the innkeeper fell deathly ill and shared on his deathbed that he had witnessed the Devil’s unholy matrimony. For a photo essay of Tallinn, Estonia, click here.