DISCOVER
"TRAVELING – IT LEAVES YOU SPEECHLESS, THEN TURNS YOU INTO A STORYTELLER."
Ibn Battuta
PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE
Here are some destination spotlights to get ideas for your next adventure.
ICELAND AT NEW YEARS
Bonfires and Fireworks
What to expect on New Year's Eve in Iceland
Fireworks! Lots and Lots of Fireworks! You have never seen a display quit like that the Icelanders put on. You will be surrounded by fireworks everywhere you look. This isn't the only thing to expect, the night's festivities start off with bonfires around the city at designated spots. These are large bonfires that locals and tourists alike come out to gather around. New Year's Eve is a huge celebration here, and the people take it very seriously.
What to do in Iceland in the winter
The first thing you will notice, besides the cold, is the dark. Sunlight is at it's shortest at the end of December with only a few hours each day. Expect to not see the sunlight until around 10 am and it will be dark again by 4. If you get to see the sun, you will also notice that it stays low in the sky. What this will allow for is some amazing star gazing in the countryside and possible northern lights viewing.
Winter is an amazing time to visit glacier lagoon and diamond beach. The pieces of ice that have calved off are big, and you can walk among them on the beach. Winter is also the only time you can walk under the glacier!
Most tourist locations are still accessible in the winter, but remember to bring something for gription on your shoes.
Tips for Planning
Book early. This is a very popular time to visit and hotels and tours tend fill up quickly. Dinner recommendations are also strongly recommended.
New Year's Day is a national holiday and many things won't be open. Tourist places will likely be open, but be mindful that a lot of shops and restaurants might be closed. My recommendation is to book time at the Blue Lagoon. It is a great way to relax after the previous nights fun.
Most US based airlines do not fly to Iceland in the winter. Iceland Air flies year round, but out of limited US airports. Flight planning may be a bit tricky with multiple segments booked separately.
Photo Credit: Guide to Iceland
Machu Picchu
Sacred Valley and Cusco, Peru
Machu Picchu
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu rests in the Andes mountains in a lush tropical forest. Walking through the stone structures you get a glimpse into Incan life and architecture. Additionally, you will be in awe of the mountains that surround this hidden city in the clouds.
How to get there
Machu Picchu is visited by 1.5 million people every year. You can only visit by tour and tickets and sell out months in advance. You can get there by day trip from Cusco, staying in Aguas Caliente, or hiking the Incan Trail or Salkantay Trail. The day trip is an all day trip that starts early in the morning, includes a bus and train ride to Aguas Caliente where you will take another bus to Machu Picchu. The hiking trails are multi night hikes (nights vary on tour and trail). The Salkantay trail goes over the Salkantay pass and is for those that are into challenging and scenic hiking trails. The Incan trail follows the path of the Incans and enters Machu Picchu thru the Sun Gate. it should be noted that horses and mules are not allowed, so porters will be carrying your bags on the Incan Trail and you will be camping in tents. The Salkantay Pass allows the animals, which lowers the cost, and many spots have various glamping sites including glass dome huts.
Cusco and the Sacred Valley
The gateway city to Machu Picchu is Cusco. Cusco was one of the main cities for the Incan Empire. There are still many remanence of the Inca's that can be explored in and around the city. Most popular is the Sacred Valley with multiple sites including Maras Moray, Salinas de Maras, Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo, and others.
To get to Cusco, the easiest way is to fly from Lima. Most excursions from Cusco are generally all day and start very early in the mornings.
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