The island of Eysturoy (meaning 'East Island') is located within the Faroe Islands archipelago, which is owned by Denmark. It is the 2nd largest and most populated island in the country, containing the villages of Eiði and Gjógv to the north, the basalt sea stacks Risin og Kellingin, Slættaratindur - the highest mountain in Faroe, and the fjords Skálafjørður and Funningsfjørður.

The island of Streymoy (meaning 'Island of Currents') is located within the Faroe Islands archipelago, which is owned by Denmark. It is the largest/most populated island in the country, also containing the capital city of Tórshavn. Great places to visit include the villages of Tjørnuvík, and Kirkjubøur,, Fossá Waterfall, Tórshavn, Kirkjubøur, Týggjará Waterfall, and the black sand beach at Saksun.

The island of Vágar is located within the Faroe Islands archipelago, which is owned by Denmark. The three largest villages are Miðvágur, Sandavágur and Sørvágur but the highlight of Vágar are its natural features: Tindhólmur and Drangarnir, the Múlafossur, Bøsdalafossur, and Skarðsáfossur waterfalls, Lake Sørvágsvatn, and the Trøllkonufingur and Dunnesdrangar Sea Stacks.

The Lofoten Islands are located in Nordland County in Norway. They are composed of the islands Gimsøy, Austvågøy, Vestvågøya, Flakstadøya, Mostenesøya, and Værøy. These islands are some of the most beautiful in the world and a summertime road trip to Lofoten is a huge bucket list item. My favorite spots were Henningsvær, Reine, Ryten, Nusfjord, Vikten, Offersøykammen, and Eggum, to name a few!

The island of Værøy is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. It is home to roughly 728 people and accessible only by ferry from Mostenes or Bødo. The viewpoint after hiking to Håen is one of the best in all of Lofoten. You can also hike at Nordlandsnuppen, Plantefeltet, and Værøyhornet. A day trip here is all you need to see the southern tip of the Lofoten Islands.

The island of Moskenesøya is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. There are a plethora of hikes to undertake on the island: Reine, Ryten, Røren, Andstabben, and Munken. Some great beaches to check out are also at Kvalvika, Horseid, and Bunes. Lastly, the fishing villages of Hamnøy and Sakrisøy are incredibly picturesque and worth stopping for.

The island of Flakstadøya is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. There are many hikes to undertake on the island: Hustinden, Volandstind, Moltind, and Nubben. There are a number of beaches too at Skagsanden, Rambergstranda, and Flakstad. The town of Vikten is a MUST visit to see the glass blowing at Glashytta Kafé. Lastly, Nusfjord is a charming fishing village you can't miss.

The island of Vestvågøya is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. There are a plethora of hikes to undertake on the island: Mannen, Offersoykammen, Nonstind, Veggen, and Kleivheia. There are a number of beaches too at Uttakleiv, Unstad, and Haukland. Lastly, a kayaking during the midnight sun in Eggum in a must do when here in the summer.

The island of Austvågøya is a part of the Lofoten archipelago in Nordland County, Norway. There are a plethora of hikes to undertake on the island: Fløya, Festvågtind, Matmora, and Djevelporten. Also including the towns of Slovaer and Henningsvaer, the latter is probably one of the best to explore in warmer weather. It is known for its football stadium, built into one of the outer islands of town.

Take a trip to the Tromsø, the largest city in Norway in the Arctic Circle. You can experience the Midnight sun or Polar night here depending on the season! Tromsø is situated across the two islands of Tromsøya and Kvaløya and has plenty of sights to see like Fjellheisen, the Tromsø and Arctic Cathedrals, the Tromsø Gallery of Contemporary Art, among other things! Come see the Northern Lights too!

Kotor is known for its fortified city walls, nestled in a river canyon below limestone cliffs. This city in Montenegro has become a popular destination in recent years and is worth the trip! Be sure to head on over this way to check out Kotor sights like Forts Škaljari, Trojica, Gorazda, and Šanik, San Giovanni Castle, and Church of Our Lady of Remedy and St. Nicholas Church, just to name a few.

I had not seen much of France outside of Paris. I'm so glad I got to see Lille when I visited Brussels (via a short bus journey). The French people were so kind and I loved the sights around the city like Citadelle de Lille, the Grand Palace, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, the park of Jardin Vauban, Saint Maurice Catholic Church, and Bloom Cafe. This last place is a must see cozy spot!

After hearing so much about Bruges, I decided I had to go. I took a bus from Brussels and spend the day in Bruges, walking around and taking in the sites. Some of my favorite places were Saint John’s Hospital, Bruges City Hall, Church of Our Lady Bruges, Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Market Square, the Provincial Court, Spiegelrei, and De nieuwe Papegaai. Do not miss this city when in Belgium!

Sweden has countless castles (or 'slott' in Swedish) from its storied history. Seeing all of them would take ages. I have compiled a list of some of my favorite castles from across Sweden including Uppsala Castle, Kalmar Castle, Kärnan, Borgholms Castle, Gripsholm Castle, Vaxholm Fortress, Örebro Castle, Skokloster Castle, and Carlstens Fästning.

Trakai is a small town of 5,000 people just 28 km west of Vilnius in Lithuania with origins dating back to 1337. The town features a large array of different community nationalities (Karaims, Tatars, Lithuanians, Russians, Jews and Poles). The highlight of the town has to be the Trakai Island Castle on Lake Galvé. Today it serves as a museum as well as a venue for festivals and concerts.

Suomenlinna, situated off the coast of Helsinki, translates to 'Castle of Finland'. Originally built by the Swedes, it has been occupied by the Russians, before being handed over to Finland. Take some time here to explore the Suomenlinna and Military Museums, Cafe Silo, Cafe Vanille, Adlerfelt, the King's Gate and Artillery Battery, Sveaborgs badstrand, and the Jetty Barracks Gallery!

Riyadh, (or Riad) is the capital of Saudi Arabia and is the largest city in the Arabian peninsula. It is considered a global city and hopes to challenge Dubai in attracting much foreign investment. Riyadh can be reached by all modes of transport. but specific places to see include the Kingdom Tower, Tuwaiq Palace, Al Masmak Palace, Murabba Palace, and the King Abdullah Financial District.

Chernobyl is an infamous area, known for the nuclear meltdown it experienced in 1986. The town of Pripyat, just 3 miles away, experienced the devastation of this accident, and to this day is a ghost town. Book a tour of this city and see the abandoned buildings of Hotel Polissya, Prometheus Cinema, and Avangard Stadium. The Duga Radar and Containment Zone are also popular stops.