A little different from my typical post, this is an extended version of my entry into the World Nomads 2017 Writing Scholarship–detailing my trek up Mt. Batur to catch the sunrise. I’ll win next year, but no reason not to share :)! The guttural cry of the alarm clock jolts us from sleep. 2:15 AM. Through our hotel window, a pitch…
Author: Wanderfull Explorer
Hi! My name is Lauren -- an East Coast transplant with a base in Venice Beach, CA. I have a very unfortunate and fortunate addiction — exploring. This planet carries such beautiful secrets and is far too vast to stay put in one place. Through bright cultures, vibrant landscapes, and lively experiences. After 30+ countries, I feel like it’s a disservice not to share my journeys–the peaks AND the valleys. My hope is to help any other explorers (whether they are on a weekend whirl or a backpack bender) to magnify and escalate their adventure in the cities they hit the tarmac in.
Sintra: How Do You Say Fairytale in Portuguese?
Just a short trip from the bustling capital of Lisbon and you’ve entered the fairytale city of Sintra, Portugal. A varied history of conquests has led this region to collect a motley assortment of reminders from the past, offering an intriguing blend of eras everywhere you turn; Renaissance, North African, Gothic, Roman…the list goes on. A quick look around and it’s no…
Zurich: Rich in
History, Funds, & Fondue
When planning a visit to Zurich, one might ask: what can be sexier, glitzier than the Finance capital of the world?! And then one might answer…welp, many things out-dazzle the seemingly straight-laced world of fiscal affairs. Well, let’s kill this stereotype because Zurich does sport a rebellious side. Yes, you will pass more UBS branches than you…
The Autumn Glow of the Bernese Alps, Switzerland
The Bernese Alps is like no other. A ride on a cog railway through this majestic and adventure-ridden region will quite literally drop your jaw. At the start, the emerald waters of Lake Thune will dazzle you. Chugging through narrow stretches of valley, you’ll pass quaint villages dotted with charming swiss chalets that don vibrant,…
Oktoberfest:
12 Rules for the
World’s Greatest Festival
The energy of Munich is absolutely transformed by the rich Bavarian tradition of Oktoberfest; with businesswomen commuting to work decked out in intricate dirndls, storefront windows showcasing lederhosen on every street, and thousands of heart-shaped Lebkuchen cookies that seem to hang from the sky. The world’s largest annual folk festival, Oktoberfest attracts over 8 million people from around the world. Inside these…
Pooches of the World
There’s only one thing I love more than traveling…and that is pups. When these two forces collide, I’m pretty sure it feels a lot like attaining enlightenment. This could be a wild idea, but I feel like I am not alone in this sentiment…which is exactly why I put together a melt-worthy compilation of 11 pooches from across…
Venice:
A Guide to Italia’s
Historical Disneyland
Venice is a labyrinth of narrow streets and unique bridges that flow through a tight-knit family of 118 mini islands. This unparallelled scene is a magical place for one to wander; through secret passageways and bustling piazzas that are oftentimes perched on the edge of the winding and shimmering canals that pour through the city. Strict conservation regulations have freed the architecture to…
Dolomites in the Fall:
Land of Italian Giants
When you arrive in the land of Italian Giants, you are instantly in awe. Everywhere you look, lush green trees naturally flow into spectacular rock formations that tower above. Each uniquely enormous mountain tells it’s own beautiful story of erosion. The myriad of colors that slope down from these natural creatures range from the whitest…
Ljubljana: Clean Charm with a Side of Dragon
Countries within Communist Europe and the war-torn Balkan area all seemed to have climbed out of their respective despair with very distinct scars. But not Ljubljana…she is different. Seemingly unscathed by the cold side of history, the past is conveyed with grace—through a charming cobblestoned Old Town awash with seriously splendid architecture. Heritage abound, this…
Bled, Slovenia:
A Natural Fairy Tale
Let’s talk about fairy tales. Imagine a shimmering emerald lake absolutely surrounded by lush green trees. These trees continue on in all directions, healthily dotting magnificent mountains that cascade up into the bright blue sky and pierce fluffy, white clouds. Now, in the middle of that lake is a tiny island that holds a church…