Skylar M. Beck

Tips for Healthy Travel

Published on September 19, 2019September 19, 2019 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Paris, France

While traveling, no one seems to think about the toll it can take on our health. Although traveling is inspiring and exciting, it’s important to remember there’s a lot of physical, mental, and emotional drainage that can occur. Over my years of traveling I’ve developed a few simple habits that have really made a difference in the way I adjust to jet lag and maintain good health while exploring a new place. Here’s some healthy tips to keep in mind while traveling:

Stay hydrated.

The biggest tip I have for health while traveling is staying hydrated. It’s so easy to become dehydrated while traveling due to lack of sleep, change in time zone, and jet lag. Staying hydrated will allow the body to adjust quicker to the new time zone and overall make you feel energized for those long days of exploring! I also suggest only drinking water while flying and remember to continue to drink a decent amount of water each day while exploring.

Start the Day with a Meal

Even if you aren’t a breakfast person, starting the day with a nice meal will make exploring so much more enjoyable. It will also be easier to eat healthy balanced meals throughout the rest of the day and eliminate excessive snacking.

Walk as Often as Possible

Typically this is not difficult while traveling! In most European countries, especially, walking is not only the most practical way to see the city, it’s also the most enjoyable.

Grocery Shop

Grocery shopping in a new city will save money and also allow you to keep up with routines you may have at home. Buying simple snacks to have on hand or small items for breakfast is a healthier option throughout the whole trip.

Exercise When Possible

To me, exercise is the last thing I want to stress about when I’m traveling and trying to enjoy vacation time. However, I have found that after a few days of traveling and indulging, it is nice to exercise during some down time. There were times when I was traveling throughout Europe where I had an hour or so in my airbnb and did a quick workout.

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep!

Traveling is fun and exciting and there will be things you’ll want to experience all day and night. But it’s important to get enough sleep. Especially with jet lag, it’s important to listen to your body and get some extra sleep at night or a nap or two during the day.

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Favorite Travel Moments

Published on September 4, 2019September 6, 2019 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Recently I’ve been reflecting on all the incredible places I’ve traveled to over the last couple years. I made a list of my top five most memorable travel moments and experiences. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to look back on photos and moments captured while traveling. Here’s my most memorable travel moments yet:

Basalt Columns

Cinque Terre, Italy

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Iceland, West Coast. I dreamed of visiting Iceland for several years and this past spring I finally made it there for a week long visit. While I was there, I wanted to see as much of the country as I possibly could. One day during my trip, I drove along the West coast. This full day of traveling along the coast was the most memorable day. The scenery from my car window felt unreal, and as cheesy as it sounds, I felt like I was dreaming. It was as if the scenery around me was too good to be true.

Cinque Terre, Italy. When I reminisce on Cinque Terre, the postcard photo of Manarola flashes in my mind. The beautiful colored houses all stacked on top of each other perfectly framing the mediterranean sea. Over the past year I went to Cinque Terre twice. The most memorable moment for me was the day a friend and I decided to have a picnic in the second town, Vernazza. We were determined to find a picturesque view that overlooked the town from above. The spot was along the walking trail towards Monterroso. It took us so long to find the spot and at one point before finding it, I was hot, frustrated, and ready to give up and have our picnic somewhere else. At the last moment, we found the spot and I immediately felt silly for becoming so upset. This is one of my favorite travel moments, It served as a reminder to be more present and focus on things other than getting the prettiest photo. It ended up being a lovely afternoon with a friend, a small picnic, and a stunning view.
Interlaken, Switzerland. Last winter I went to Switzerland with a goal to paraglide over the alps. Paragliding over the town and through the alps will always be a special travel moment of mine. I felt so calm and stable gliding so high above. I truly felt present and aware of what was going around me without any distractions, pure bliss.
New Zealand, Tongario Alpine Crossing. Almost two years ago I traveled throughout New Zealand for three weeks. I made so many incredible memories during this trip but my favorite day is when I went on a ten mile hike. Tongario Alpine Crossing is a stunning hike that highlights several stunning views and landmarks of New Zealand. I felt more accomplished than I had in months when I made it to the top.

5. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland. I still remember the first time I visited Ireland. I was traveling alone and at the time feeling homesick and ready to return home. On one of my last days in Ireland, I decided to take a day trip to see the Cliffs of Moher. Taking this day trip was the best decision I made during my solo travel. The cliffs were beyond stunning and like nothing I had ever seen before. There was a sense of calm air blowing all around the tourists walking along the steep edge. I could have spent hours starring in amazement at the cliffs. So green, tall, and full of mystery. The cliffs reminded me how big and beautiful the world is and it should be continuously explored.

Dublin, Cliffs of Moher, and Galway, Ireland Photo Diary

Published on August 23, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

This is my second time visiting Ireland and it still remains one of my favorite countries I’ve ever traveled to. I only had a couple days in Ireland so I stayed overnight in Dublin and used it as a base. During my time in Ireland, I took a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, and Doolin. In my opinion, day trips are a great way to experience the most of the country. I love being able to relax and admire the stunning countryside while someone else drives. Day trips through a company are organized with various stops for sightseeing and eating which makes it so much easier! If bus day trips aren’t for you, renting a car is another great option to see some of Ireland’s incredible countryside and different cities.

From Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher are about three hours away, and from the Cliffs, Galway is another hour. It’s possible to see both in one day. Next time I visit Ireland, I want to stay overnight in Galway and experience the city in more depth.

Here’s a few of my favorite shots from this green, rainy, cozy country:

Palm Beach, Florida

Published on August 23, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Palm Beach, Florida is one of my favorite vacation spots. It’s a luxurious place filled with wonderful food, fancy shops, and plenty of close by cities to explore. This guide is for a long weekend or a short trip to the beautiful Palm Beach, Florida.

Eats:

Breakfast: Sant Ambroeus, Loic Bakery, RH Rooftop Restaurant

Coffee: Subculture

Lunch: Christopher’s Kitchen, Meraki Juice Kitchen, Field of Greens

Dinner: City Cellar, Grato, Buccan

Sweets: Carvel, Crema, Jupiter donuts

To Do:

* Take a sunrise walk along the beach. It’s such a relaxing and peaceful time to walk on the beach. It’s also great to get out early to beat the heat! Tip: Afterwards, drive to Worth Avenue, it will be completely empty in the early morning.

* Take the high speed train to Miami for the day. West Palm Beach recently added a high speed train that goes to Miami or Fort Lauderdale and it takes about an hour to get to each.

* Take a short drive to Jupiter and rent a boat for the day or enjoy the free beach access. Also be sure to grab some donuts from Jupiter donuts!

* Walk along Worth Avenue and make sure to check out the villas hidden behind all the store fronts.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Published on July 24, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck1 Comment

Edinburgh was an easy city to fall in love with. Every corner was had a unique appeal, from the charming architecture, to the Scottish shops, to the bagpipe players, I knew right away Edinburgh was special. Although I would’ve liked to see more of Scotland’s countryside, Edinburgh was the perfect introduction to the beauty the country offers.

Eats:

* Breakfast/Brunch: Burr & Co, The Milkman

* Lunch: Spoon, Hula Cafe

* Dinner: The Devil’s Advocate

* Sweets: Mary’s Milkbar

* Coffee: Wellington Coffee, The Elephant House

* Harry Potter fix: Magic Potions Tavern

Things to Do:

* Go on a walking tour! Edinburgh offers several walking tours, most are free. If you’re a Harry Potter fan there is a really great free walking tour everyday at 1:30pm.

* Go see the Edinburgh Castle. This is an incredible site in the city and easily visible without purchasing tickets to go inside.

* Hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat. A stunning view of Edinburgh can be seen from this point. The hike itself takes about thirty minutes and it’s just challenging enough but the view from the top is well worth the steep climb.

* If you’re a Harry Potter fan (like me!!) there is a place called the Magic Potions Tavern where you can get a butter beer and Harry Potter treats featured in the books and films.

* Walk along the Royal Mile street. This is a well known street with several Scottish shops and restaurants. It also leads all the way up to the Edinburgh Castle.

* Find Victoria street. This is supposedly the street that inspired J.K. Rowling to create Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books. It’s a beautiful street with fun shops and colorful store fronts.

Tips & Tricks:

* Edinburgh is a small city and very walkable. When looking for a place to stay, I suggest staying on the Old town. The buildings are so charming on this side and it reveals the Scottish side to the city.

* As I mentioned there are several free walking tours. However, the tour guides still expect tips at the end of the tour since this is their full time job so it’s not entirely free.

* Similar to London, the weather in Edinburgh is unpredictable so pack proper rain gear or always have an umbrella on hand.

London, England

Published on July 17, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

London, England was the very first country I traveled to over twelve years ago! Visiting again was a brand new experience for me. London is a fun city with so much to do and see. It’s a much bigger city than I remembered but with public transportation, visiting all the major sites is easy. Here’s a small list of my recommendations for what to do in London.

Eats:

Breakfast: Farm Girl Cafe

Lunch: Homeslice, Wild Food Cafe

Dinner: Redemption

Sweets: Peggy Porschen’s Cakes

Things to Do:

* Spend the morning in Notting Hill. There is so much to do in this adorable neighborhood. I loved walking the streets and finding the beautiful pastel home fronts. There’s also the Portobello Market off of Portobello road.

* Find Neal’s Yard. This is a “hidden” alley spot behind some store fronts. It has several delicious restaurants such as: Homeslice, Redemption, and Wild Food Cafe. It’s a bright colorful spot to hang out in with take out food or a drink after dinner.

* Watch the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. This starts everyday around 10:45am. Be sure to arrive a little earlier if you want a nice view spot, the crowds are heavy!

* Visit one of England’s museums. There are a couple great museums throughout the city such as the British museum and the National Gallery. Bonus: the museums in England are free!

* Walk across Tower Bridge. This bridge is so stunning and walking across is definitely a must do while visiting London.

Tips & Tricks:

* If you’re planning to use public transportation while visiting London, I suggest getting an Oyster card. It’s good towards the tube and the buses. Purchasing the Oyster card can be done at any metro station and you have the option to fill the amount of pounds you want on the card. Once you run out, you can refill the card as well.

* Right Now the Big Ben is under construction so it’s not visible. The area around Big Ben is still nice to explore and the London Eye is visible from this area as well.

* The weather in London was unpredictable. It rained on and off constantly be sure to bring proper clothing and an umbrella!

Berlin, Germany

Published on June 24, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Berlin, what an intriguing city. Full of more culture, history, rebellion, and weirdness than any other city I’ve ever been to. Berlin was a much bigger city than I imagined and a city that still seem to hold on to all of the intense history it once experienced. With only two days, I made the most with my time. Here’s a small guide to the German capital:

Eats:

Brunch & Coffee: Silo Coffee

Lunch/Dinner: BurgerMeister

Sweet: Aldemir Eis

Things to Do:

* Walk to the East Side Gallery. This is a fun area to spend time around and take pictures with a unique background. The East Side Gallery is the longest part of the Berlin Wall that is still interacted and is now an artistic landmark.

* Visit the Berlin Cathedral. This Cathedral is stunning and there are several different spots to capture a beautiful picture. I suggest finding a cafe along the river to properly view this Cathedral’s beauty.

* Go see the Brandenburg Gate. This is a must see site in Berlin, as it symbolizes Berlin’s history.

* Walk along the Berlin Wall memorial. This memorial shows the last pieces of the Berlin Wall and the grounds that were once behind it. It’s another historical site that must be visited.

* Visit the Holocaust memorial. It’s an indescribable feeling.

* Enjoy a German beer and a pretzel!

Tips & Tricks:

* The metro system seems intimidating at first, but once you take one or two rides it gets easier. It is definitely the cheapest option for transportation around the city and it also saves a lot of walking time.

* There are several restaurants and shops that only accept cash. Luckily, the city is full of ATM’s on almost every corner, but be sure to have cash on hand.

A Day in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Published on June 21, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Amsterdam has to be one of the greatest cities I’ve ever visited. It’s a city full of amazing energy, delicious food, and beautiful canals. While I was visiting Brussels I decided to take a three hour train ride up to Amsterdam for the day. There’s a lot to see and do in Amsterdam but if time is limited, a day trip is definitely possible.

Eats:

Brunch & Coffee: Pluk Amsterdam

Stroopwafel: Van Wonderen Stroopwafels

Dutch Pancake: Pancakes Amsterdam

To Do:

* Walk around the city and enjoy the canals. Personally, I think Amsterdam’s canals are prettier than Venice’s and it’s much less crowded. Walking along the canals is the best way to enjoy the incredible energy within the city.

* Take a canal tour! I did this on my first trip to Amsterdam a couple years ago and I still think it’s a great way to enjoy the canals from the water.

* Enjoy the wonderful food. You can’t go to Amsterdam without trying a stroopwafel or a traditional Dutch pancake!

* Visit one of the many museums. I love the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, but there are also a couple others such as the Anne Frank house, Rijksmuseum, and the Moco museum. Be sure to purchase tickets online in advance.

* Walk by the Floating Flower market, also called the Bloemenmarkt.

* Rent a bike. I didn’t have time to do this but it’s something I’d love to experience on my next visit.

Tips & Tricks:

* There are several cute cafes throughout the city, not to be confused with a “coffee shop” which sells legal marijuana. During my first visit to the city, I was worried I’d get these two different types confused. Rest assured, a “coffee shop” looks like a bar (also the smell is a big giveaway).

*Dutch pancakes are a bit different than traditional American pancakes. A traditional dutch pancake is big, flat, and thin. They can be made sweet or savory depending on what you’re in the mood for.

* Tickets for museums such as the Van Gogh and Anne Frank are required ahead of time with a specific time slot.

Brussels, Belgium

Published on June 11, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Belgium has always been a place in Europe I’ve wanted to visit but never seemed to make it a priority. I recently spent two days in Brussels and I can now say I wish I would’ve visited sooner! Brussels is a small city with stunning architecture, rich history, and amazing food…I could write a whole post based on the food alone. If Brussels has ever been in the back of your mind, I highly suggest visiting!

Eats:

* Waffles: Maison Dandoy

* Frites: Cafe Georgette

* Chocolate: Elisbeth, Le Comptoir de Mathilde

* Brunch/Lunch: Peck 47, The Sister Brussels Cafe

* Dinner: Cafe Georgette

Things to Do:

* Walk around the Grand Place. This square is full of stunning architecture and gold detailing. The Grand Place square is also a great place to sit and eat a waffle or frites and people watch.

* Eat, eat, eat. Brussels is home to the most amazing waffles, frites, and chocolate!

* Take a day trip. Brussels is located close to other parts of Belgium and close enough to Amsterdam for a convenient day trip.

Tips and Tricks

* There are two types of Waffles to pick from: Belgium and Leige. The Belgium waffle is long, fluffy, and crispy. The Leige waffle is thicker, a bit sweeter, and chewier.

* There are several waffle places around the city but after tasting a couple different places, Maison Dandoy was my favorite. There is also the option to add toppings such as whip cream, fruit, chocolate, but the traditional way to eat a waffle in Belgium is plain with just powdered sugar.

* There are a few different train stations in Brussels, so be sure to know where you are staying in relation to the station.