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
The Wild Overland Journey to Shetland Read More »
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 »
It all began with a pamphlet entitled WILD & SEXY SCOTLAND. It was last fall and I was about to leave Edinburgh and jump on a train back to Chester. On my way out of Haggis Hostel, I grabbed several pamphlets to plan my return trip to Scotland. On the way out, the WILD & SEXY
My Next Adventure: Fire, Vikings, and Wild and Sexy Shetland! Read More »
On most days here in England, I somehow end up quoting Family Guy or Anchorman back and forth with my English friends. It’s easy to assume that all of American pop culture translates across the pond. After all, we share a common language, for starters. Most of the films playing at the cinema are American, Comedy Central
Bringing More Cowbell to the UK Read More »
Are you a fan of the Pride and Prejudice BBC miniseries from the 90s? The one when Colin Firth first stepped into our lives and made us swoon as Mr. Darcy, long before anyone knew who Bridget Jones was? Well, this weekend, I went to see one of its filming locations: Lyme Park in Cheshire, England.
Lyme Park: Home of Mr. Darcy Read More »
I had never heard of the Birmingham Christmas Market until fairly recently — and soon learned that it was the largest Christmas market in the UK. That was enough of a reason for me to go! Birmingham, in the West Midlands region of England, is the second largest city in the UK, and you’ll find
A Day at the Birmingham Christmas Market Read More »
Shortly after arriving in Florence for my semester abroad, I met a guy wearing a gold belt buckle shaped like a lion’s head, a pair of boot-cut jeans tight enough to cut off circulation on top, a shirt unbuttoned almost to his navel, and the trendiest near-mullet I’ve ever seen. And he was American. This
Haircuts Around the World Read More »
This weekend, I saw the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing for the first time — also known as the original Dancing with the Stars — and found it nearly identical to the American version. Same exact show format, same set, same theme music, same costume styles, similar array of D-list celebrities, some of the same judges (Len Goodman
In Britain, It’s NOT Okay To Be Obese Read More »
Despite all the stereotypes about British food, don’t be fooled — the Brits do comfort food spectacularly well. It’s all about the weather. On the Northumbria coast and country, far up in chilly, wind-swept northeastern England, do you really think the Geordies crave ahi tuna and avocado salads? Again, it’s Northumbria, not southern California. Of
British Culinary Adventures: Making a Steak and Kidney Pie Read More »