After an amazing time at Up Helly Aa — from the parades and bar singalongs to the festival of fire to the epic all-night party, it was time to head back to mainland Scotland with our Haggis Adventures crew. We finished our Up Helly Aa experience with a final hazy day in Shetland, exploring the […]
Road Tripping Down Scotland’s East Coast Read More »
Up Helly Aa is all about the explosions of fire and burning torches, the parades and Viking songs. What is less known is that it’s ALSO about some legendary after-parties. After the burning of the galley, there are 10 official Up Helly Aa parties around town. These parties last from 9:00 PM to roughly 9:00
Up Helly Aa: The Epic After-Party Read More »
After a day of Vikings, parades, and traditional music, it was time for the main event: Up Helly Aa, Shetland’s Viking Fire Festival! Fire, torches, parades and glory! It began at 5:00 PM with the children’s Up Helly Aa. Did you know that the kids get an Up Helly Aa of their own? Just like
Up Helly Aa: The Viking Festival of Fire Read More »
While the fire-filled festivities of Up Helly Aa take place in the evening, the festivities begin with parades during the day. Shortly after we arrived off the ferry in Shetland the day before, our Haggis Adventures guides Tony and Dougie took us to see the galley being built for Up Helly Aa 2012. It would
Up Helly Aa: The Day Festivities Read More »
In Paris, two islands fill the Seine: Ile de la Cite and Ile Saint-Louis. The former gets all the fame: it’s the geographical center of Paris, and today is home to Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chappelle. No matter how you get to Paris, flying via Flybe, train, or by car, you WILL end up on Ile de
Ile Saint-Louis: The Other Island in the Seine Read More »
If it weren’t for Up Helly Aa, never in a million years would I have gone to Shetland in January, of all months! Between the cold and the darkness (Shetland is even further north than Stockholm!), I would have gladly waited for a summer visit. But by visiting in January, I was rewarded with a
The Raw Beauty of Shetland Read More »
When your end destination is somewhere as far-flung and strange as Shetland, you know the journey there will be interesting. Our journey to Shetland began with a road trip from Edinburgh to Aberdeen. Traveling with Haggis Adventures on our unmistakable WILD & SEXY bus, we made stops long the way: To Braemar, home of the
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I just got back from a five-day trip that I will never forget — ever. I traveled with Haggis Adventures to the remote Shetland Islands, northeast of Scotland, to experience Up Helly Aa, the Viking Fire Festival held in Shetland every January. This may have been my best trip…EVER. Seriously. I am still reeling from
Up Helly Aa in Shetland — Possibly My Best Adventure Yet! Read More »
A few weeks ago, I contributed to the “Sh*t Travel Bloggers Say” video, put together by the incredibly talented Cailin O’Neal of the Travel Yourself TV show. If you’ve seen the videos spun off by the popular “Sh*t Girls Say” video (my favorites: Sh*t Boston Girls Say, Sh*t Asian Girls Say, Sh*t Southern Gay Guys
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When I first visited Paris in 2001, Montmartre was easily my favorite neighborhood. The artists in Place du Tertre, the tiny cafes, the remnants of the bohemian life, the view of Paris from the top of the city — to me, it was pure magic. Less than a month later, Moulin Rouge hit theaters —
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