It can be hard spending spring break at home while photos of your friends in different countries pop up on your Facebook feed. Even though there’s only a days left of break, it’s not too late to do something exciting right in our city. Check out the weekend preview for some inspiration. However, if you’re still looking to satisfy your wanderlust while at home, why not get a leg up in the game and create a list of things you want to do on your future travels? Read mine here and make sure to stay to the end for an exciting announcement about upcoming content on YAA!
5. Explore Central Park
I’ve heard enough about how breathtaking New York City is from friends who have traveled there, so how could I not be curious? Though there are a plethora of landmarks, the beauty of a massive park smack in the middle of the busiest city on Earth provides a juxtaposition that is unmatched by any other and makes for a scene I’d love to see in person.
4. Experience traditional living in Japan
The rich culture and fascinating history of Japan places it on my list. As a history and culture fanatic, to experience the many traditions and practices any country has to offer is a no-brainer for me. Anything from partaking in a traditional tea ceremony, dressing in traditional clothing, visiting historical sites, and eating authentic Japanese food (did someone say sushi?!) sounds worthwhile to me!
3. Take a canal tour of Amsterdam
The cinematography of The Fault in Our Stars may or may not have influenced this decision… However, the liberal views of the Dutch, the abundance of waterscapes and beautiful architecture in the Netherlands greatly attracts me to it. The intrinsic and extensive canal systems in its capital city of Amsterdam is a great way to experience Dutch culture whilst getting to know both the geography and the sights the city has to offer. Other must-see locations to see include the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum.
2. Hike in Iceland
Over the recent years, Iceland has proven popular with the adventurous traveler (and what traveler isn’t adventurous?). This is understandable as the rugged landscape of the country provides infinite opportunities for exploration. Like many other places in Europe, Iceland is filled with history, scenic landscapes, and beautiful architecture. Though these points are all valid, the abundance of natural wonders has to be what places it number 2 on my list. So much of the country remains untouched and that’s something you don’t really see anymore. Great hiking locations like the Gullfoss waterfall and Litlanesfoss are just a fraction of what this country forged from fire and volcanic activity has to offer and what I would like to see.
1. Take part in a homestay in Denmark!
And for the first on my list and an exciting announcement! From April 1st to 11th, me, as well as fellow blogger Katja will be travelling to Denmark to participate in a homestay cross-cultural experience offered to students from Western Canada High School and Robert Thirsk. During the course of our trip, we will spend 3 days in Copenhagen and the rest with our homestay families, where we will also be attending school on the town of Støvring. Homestays provide a unique traveling experience in which travelers get the opportunity to experience culture up-close whilst living with a welcoming family. It will be very interesting to see the lives of those who live in what has been dubbed “the world’s happiest country” and to be able to better understand the differences in culture between Denmark and Canada. I will be documenting our travels on YAA for the duration of the trip and will hopefully be able to reflect on the differences between Canadian and Danish culture in an afterward.
Denmark has a rich history that goes back to the last ice age and we will be visiting many museums while we are there. The country is also famous for its food and that will definitely be reflected in my upcoming posts. There are so many activities to partake in and locations we will be going to that I can’t possibly list them all, so check back in the week of April 1st to see our adventures in Denmark!
