Going back to my interest in travel, I present to you the primary moods of Europe.

Note: I’ve never travelled to any of these places. This is based from what I know from online.

1. France, Italy, Spain – The Cuisinier's Delight

This is the Europe that people talk about when they say they want to go to Europe. Here is where you can indulge in a decadent lifestyle, enjoying the best food and wine. Italy no doubt has amazing food. French cuisine is “never second best,” as said in Beauty in the Beast. Spain is also famous for its food. Walk down the cobblestone streets with cute cafes. This is the good life.

2. Scandinavia: Norway, Sweden, Iceland – The Mysterious North

Here is where the myths of Vikings haunt this land. Nothing is more mysterious than Scandinavia, with its cold temperatures, fjords, Northern lights and ethereal landscape.

3. Bavaria: Germany, Austria, Switzerland – The Fairytale Dream

As highlighted in a previous post, this place is a land of fairytales. Coming here will make you feel like you're in the middle of a story, whether that’s a medieval fantasy in Germany, yodeling with the goatherds à la The Sound of Music in Austria or Frankenstein in Switzerland. It never ceases to be a magical place!

Don't forget to enjoy all the cheese and chocolate wherever you go! Which place is your favorite? The cuisinier’s delight, mysterious north or fairytale dream?

That is all.

#travel

Want a quintessential Disney experience, but travel the world instead of going to Disney World or Disneyland? Below are real places that complete the out-of-the-parks Disney experience.

Germany

Germany is the land of fairytales, castles and dreams. It's where the Brothers Grimm first compiled together the very fairytales that would later come to inspire Disney's works.

Fairytale Road

1. Snow White – Bad Wildungen It has a spa too!

2. Rapunzel – Trendelberg

3. Sleeping Beauty – Castle Sababerg Even better, Castle Sababerg now has a hotel so you can sleep where Aurora slept! They also have daily performances in the castle courtyard.

Neuschwanstein Castle

4. Neuschwanstein Castle This castle inspired Walt Disney's castles in the Parks.

Denmark

5. Tivoli Gardens This amusement park was the basis of inspiration for Walt when he was planning the design of Disneyland.

And there you have it! Five places to get out into the world while still feeling like you have that Disney magic with you.

That is all.

#disney #travel

Scandinavia

1. Iceland

2. Norway

Probably because I was inspired by Frozen. In fact, the movie did increase tourism after its release. Norway is grateful to Disney for that fact.You can stay at your own ice castle hotel!

Europe

3. England

Inspired by the 2012 Olympics. With its rolling green hills and classy stuff. As for its art, it doles out many of the world's finest actors from the finest theater schools. Its gorgeous scenery has been featured in many films, such as Pride and Prejudice, Never Let Me Go and Far From the Madding Crowd. With its constant rain, fresh air, and greenery, England is like the cutesy version of the Pacific Northwest.

4. Switzerland

I want to go to Switzerland after reading about it in Frankenstein.

Mediterranean

5. Italy

Perhaps the most iconic travel country in the world. I definitely want to eat spaghetti and gelato and see ancient buildings. Italy's beautiful vista was featured in Letters to Juliet, Eat Pray Love and Lizzie McGuire.

6. Greece

Got to see the Parthenon and remnants of one of my favorite ancient civilizations and experience the warm Mediterranean culture found in Mamma Mia and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

7. Egypt

Gotta see those pyramids before you die.

Other

8. New Zealand

Honorable mentions to other countries I'd like to visit eventually but not dying to go to right now: France to see the iconic Eiffel Tower and Mona Lisa at the Louvre, Thailand for its reputation for being exotic and relaxing, and Turkey.

A pretty picture of the Louvre I found on Tumblr

And of course, there's still so much to explore in Canada and the US. Even though I've lived here my whole life, I'm still biased and believe that North America is the most beautiful place in the world. Oh, Canada...

It's a universal dream among college students to go to Europe and be surrounded by high art, museums and ancient treasures abound in elegant cities steeped in tradition and history. The grass is greener on the other side. Nothing could possibly go wrong when you're surrounded by pasta, gelato, cobblestone roads and the Eiffel Tower!  But just imagine how our European counterparts feel about North America. They probably think cities like New York are fresh and exciting with their gleaming skyscrapers. North America is wide open in space and the most abundant in beautiful, untamed nature. All the mainstream Hollywood entertainment is made here. Let's not forget Hawaii and Alaska (see my post on the Pacific Northwest).

My goal is to travel to beautiful places and capture them through stories in movies. That is my philosophy, which is why I emphasize travel so much in my blog. I'm not a huge fan of CGI when there are so many beautiful places out there that deserve a place in cinema. Wouldn't it be cool to combine the amazing scenery of Lonely Planet with say, an epic storyline of a typical movie?

What countries are on your list?

That is all,

The Blogger

#travel

The world is full of beautiful places, but these three places in particular stand out from the rest.

The only place that I've experienced to a deeper degree is the Pacific Northwest, having lived here for four years and counting. The other places I know only through movies and photos, but through those photos and videos, I determined these places to be more impressive and inspiring than others.

1. The Pacific Northwest

As an inhabitant here, I'm particularly biased. The natural scenery of the Pacific Northwest is truly superior to the rest of the world. When people call Griffith Park (dog poop hill) in Los Angeles “nature,” I just want to laugh in their face. They've obviously never experienced the Pacific Northwest. The pictures I have don't do it justice so I got a little help from the internet.

Once you leave, no other place will ever compare. Nothing can compete with the rich abundance of deep green contrasted against the clear, clean, sparkling blue water. It's gorgeous, even on a rainy day. The lushness found in the Indonesian tropical rainforests combined with the cold, crisp character of the North creates a beauty truly superior to all the forests of the world. One is blown away simply by the immutable strength of the mountains, the abundant evergreen trees in majestic stature and the ground below teeming with life, mosses and ferns. It’s an escapade of mysterious wonder and enchantment. An oasis of untouched nature, a model for what the environment should be like.

One of the few reasons I love Twilight is because it captures the essence of the Pacific Northwest and does it justice. I fell in love with this place. It just grows on you. There's always more to explore. One can never get tired of it.

To me, there’s no place truly as stunning and incredible as the Pacific Northwest. You've got to see it for yourself to believe it. The endless mountains, trees and ocean is astounding. Only those who can withstand the constant rain and cold weather year-round will be rewarded with the full experience of Pacific Northwestern beauty.

2. Iceland

I first learned about Iceland through a video we watched in class. It seemed surreal, like something you only see in movies. Mark my words, one day, Iceland will become a popular shooting spot for future films.

Is this heaven or real life?

I think the Earth was born here.

3. New Zealand

With its mountainous landscapes, it's no wonder New Zealand was chosen as the location for movies such as The Lord of the Rings.

And there you have it. If you can only visit a few places in the world or you're an alien on a short trip to Earth, these are the three must-have visits before you die.

I simply had to make this HIMYM reference where Quinn says “telling yourself that your life is somehow epic or classic or legendary” and when the Karate Kid says “in-wait for it-credible!” I realize that I'm missing classic, but close enough. I would also consider the Pacific Northwest to be classic.

Have a legendary day, The Blogger

#travel