Category: Travel

train with smoke
Posted in Travel

13 Of The Most Breathtakingly Gorgeous Travel Quotes I’ve Ever Read

Posted on by tracydee

Inspiring travel quotes can help stir up the wanderlust everyone has inside of them! If you are looking for some travel quotes to read and share, here are 13 of the most breathtakingly gorgeous travel quotes I’ve ever read.

INSPIRING TRAVEL QUOTES

“If you want to travel, don’t learn what the world needs. Learn what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

– Howard Thurman

The quote implies that living a fulfilling life benefits the world because people who are “alive” in this sense are likely to be more energetic, motivated, and engaged in their work and relationships. When genuinely engaged in our passions, we are more likely to impact the world around us positively.

assorted books on shelf - travel quotes relating to books.
Photo by Ivo Rainha on Pexels.com

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

– Saint Augustine

This quote suggests that traveling and experiencing new cultures and places is vital for personal growth and understanding the world. It implies that those who do not travel miss out on learning about other people’s diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences and only have a limited understanding of the world. Essentially, the quote encourages people to broaden their horizons and seek new experiences to understand the world better.

“To travel is to live.”

– Hans Christian Andersen

This quote means that traveling and experiencing new places and cultures is crucial to fulfilling life. It implies that through travel, one can truly experience and appreciate the world’s diversity, beauty, and all it has to offer. The quote says that traveling genuinely allows us to embrace all life offers.

silhouette of people jumping - travel quotes
Photo by vjapratama on Pexels.com

“A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles.”

– Tim Cahill

This quote suggests that the people you meet and your relationships while traveling are more important and meaningful than the distance you travel. It implies that the friendships and connections you make while on a journey make the experience valuable and memorable.

“There are many things in life that I don’t know, but I do know that I love to travel and I love to dream.”

– Audrey Hepburn

This quote suggests that traveling and dreaming are meaningful and enjoyable aspects of life. It implies that the speaker is open to new experiences and is curious about the world. In addition, the quote suggests that the speaker is unaware of many things in life but that traveling and dreaming provide an opportunity for adventure and excitement.

This is one of my favorite travel quotes because I can relate to it!

“Traveling is like flirting with life. It’s like saying, ‘I would stay and love you, but I have to go; this is my station.'”

– Lisa Stansfield

This quote suggests that traveling is a way to experience new things and explore the world. Still, it also requires a certain level of commitment and dedication. It implies that travel is a way to engage with life and try new things, but it also requires some detachment and the willingness to move on to new experiences. The quote also suggests that traveling is a way to test the boundaries of one’s capabilities and to grow as a person.

“I believe that travel should be a means of broadening the mind and spirit, not just exploring new places.”

– Cherie Blair

This quote suggests that the purpose of travel is to expand one’s horizons and to open oneself up to new ideas and experiences. It implies that travel is a way to gain a broader understanding of the world and grow. The quote suggests that the true value of travel lies in the personal growth and understanding that it can bring rather than just visiting new places for the sake of exploration.

“You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.”

– C.S Lewis

This quote suggests that a person’s essence or being is not their physical body but their soul or spirit. It implies that the body is simply a vessel or container for the soul and that the soul is a person’s true identity. The quote suggests that focusing on and nurturing the soul is essential rather than just the physical body.

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

— Anthony Bourdain

This quote suggests that the experience of traveling is valuable and enriching in a way that material possessions cannot be. It implies that travel can expand one’s horizons, broaden one’s understanding of the world, and create lasting memories and personal growth. The quote says that the benefits and experiences gained from travel are more valuable and meaningful than any material goods one could purchase.

For me, this rings true every time I have the opportunity to visit somewhere new. That is why this is one of the best travel quotes!

low angle photo of building staircase
Photo by Ricardo Esquivel on Pexels.com

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

— Lao Tzu

This quote is a metaphor for the idea that any significant undertaking or goal requires careful planning and sustained effort. Through a series of small steps, no matter how difficult the goal may seem, one can achieve it with perseverance and determination.

“Traveling teaches tolerance. You see things that are different from your own culture and you become more open-minded.”

― Audrey Hepburn

This quote suggests that the experience of traveling and encountering different cultures can broaden one’s perspective and increase understanding and tolerance of others. It implies that exposure to different ways of life and customs makes a person more open-minded and accepting of differences. The quote says that travel can teach us to be more understanding and accepting of others and their different ways of life.

“Your body is your journal, and your lifestyle is your story. Be mindful of it.”

-Maya Angelou

This quote suggests that our actions and habits are a reflection of who we are and how we choose to live our lives. Our bodies and lifestyles are like a record of our choices and experiences; we must be aware of and mindful of how our actions impact others and ourselves. The quote encourages self-awareness and mindfulness, suggesting that it is vital to consider the long-term effects of our choices on our bodies and lifestyles.

So think about how this impacts traveling and your own journey!

“I love those who yearn for faraway places and dream of touching the sky.”

-Jorge Luis Borges

This quote suggests that there is something special and admirable about people who desire to explore new places and cultures and dream of reaching their goals and aspirations. It implies something unique and inspiring about individuals driven by a sense of curiosity and a desire to see and experience more of the world.

infinity pool near beach
Posted in Manifestation, Travel

11/11 Manifestations – My Wish List for the Year

Posted on by tracydee

I recently saw a TikTok (Haleyhoffmansmith) describing a manifestation exercise of using the power of November 11th to write 111 things that you want to have happen in the year.

Her premise is that instead of having 3 to 5 big manifestations, we focus on a bunch of small wishes. We don’t always know when or how things will happen so the more we put out into the universe, the more something could come to fruition.

My 111 Wish List

I actually found it quite difficult to come up with 111 things. This past year, I really focused on contentment with myself as a person and the reality of the here and now. Sure, I definitely plan out goals and strive for new things, but the process of manifesting true wishes is a work in progress. But I can’t argue with it because I have so many amazing things going on in my life right now.

The easy part of this year’s list stems from the fact that I’m already living a previous manifestation of teaching in Norway for the year. So things like visiting an ice hotel and going ice skating are likely to happen. I even put visit 10 new countries (which up until 6 weeks ago I had only been to 3) and I know it’s a strong possibility.

Right now, I’m sitting here trying to finish my list and this blog post at the same time. I only have 43 items. I guess the question now is how big or how small should my wishes be? I love Christmas and I have no idea where I will be on Christmas because of my European travels. So I guess I can say to take a picture in front of a Christmas tree on Christmas wherever I am!

I have committed myself to the Bergen half marathon in April with the 20-week training plan I created and I the hotel and flight I booked!

Fitting in a Box

As a high-achieving student my whole life, I really want to follow all of the expectations. So some stranger told me on the Internet that I need to come up with 111 wishes for the year. Which sounds great in theory. And I’m sure I have them in my brain. But I just can’t seem to get them all out on paper right now. And part of me feels like I’m failing. But to who’s metric? It’s a guide and I can create my own reality.

And you know what? It is really okay. I make the rules for my life. I’m a little silly and goofy. Some might call me gullible. It’s something that happens when you are generally trusting that people have good intentions. I’ve been working on becoming the best version possible of me, the only me on this planet.

So I will likely fill up my 111 Wish Google Sheet with checkboxes all nice and neat. But for now, I’m still developing that list and letting opportunities come to me. Perhaps when I’m done I’ll share the whole list with the world and we can all track my progress together!

Posted in Travel

Aker Brygge and the Opera House in Oslo

Posted on by tracydee

Because I haven’t started traveling outside of Oslo yet, I still get to spend my free time exploring the sights of the city. Each day I learn a new neighborhood or new way to get from one point to another. For example, today I took the tram for the first time, which was super easy and comfortable. As someone from the U.S., the public transportation system here is simply amazing.

The app gives you the exact times and locations of where to make transfers to get to your destination. I had previously walked to the top of the Opera House on an evening I was already downtown by the central station.

Aker brygge and the opera house

The Opera House is gorgeous, but tickets to shows are out of my price range. However, from the top I got a great view of the new Munch Museum. This is definitely a place where I need to spend a few days visiting. There was some type of DJ or outdoor concert on a big screen right outside, so I stood and listened to some music for a bit.

Aker Brygge

A beautiful area to walk along the water in Oslo is at Aker Brygge. I had not had the chance to explore this area, but walked along just around sunset time. I saw the outline of the buildings a few weeks ago when I took a ferry ride. The area is hustling and bustling with people. There are a lot of restaurants of various price ranges. You can find affordable dinners up to expensive meals in much fancier restaurants.

As the weather gets colder, people still eat outside and the restaurants are set up to accommodate this. Heat lamps are placed outside with blankets and fire pits. It’s kind of cool how Norwegians are so in touch with nature that they have found ways to still enjoy the fresh air even in winter.

At the end of the pier in Aker Brygge, there is a diving board to jump into the water. I saw a couple of people swimming there while I was bundled up in my jacket. Apparently, people will swim all year no matter how cold it is.

There are many events free to public in this area, such as the festival of light art. I can’t wait to check them out throughout this year!

Posted in Travel

5 Awesome Places to Visit in Oslo, Norway

Posted on by tracydee

Are you looking for some places to visit in Oslo, Norway for your upcoming trip?

As an American living in Norway for almost one year, I am excited to share new adventures in Norway.

In this post, I will share my 5 places to visit in Oslo during your stay.

Oslo Public Library

One place to visit is the new main modern public library in Oslo. It is located on the water right next to the Opera House. As you walk in the entrance there is a cafe and escalators to head up to any of the five floors. They have everything you can think of, including music stations where you can play different instruments.

I decided to work out on the mezzanine area for a bit because the inside of the library was extremely crowded. While beautiful, I don’t think this is a place I can work regularly.

Oslo public library - places to visit in Oslo
Sitting outside Oslo public library

Frogner Park

I took a nice long walk one day in Frogner Park, which is the biggest park in central Oslo. Thankfully, it was not crowded that day so I got to get pretty close to the sculptures and take my time walking through. It says on the website that there is a cafe and playground, but the park is so big, I didn’t see that part yet.

Waterfalls by the river

So I discovered the Akerselva River by accident. I knew it was there and planned to visit it someday but just happened to be heading to a Too Good To Go snack pick-up that took me along the river to get there.

I am excited to go back and actually walk the whole length of the river, which is several miles long. However, it was a beautiful day and I got some great pictures on my walk.

Karl Johans Gate

This stretch between the palace and Oslo S central transportation station contains restaurants and shops galore. I have walked it many times and I still see new places to check out.

Holmenkollen

I took a beautiful metro ride out of the center city to get some views overlooking Oslo and the water. The Holmenkollen stop is known for a big ski jump that is a major tourist attraction. I cannot wait to go back up and drink hot chocolate in the lodge while I watch other people ski (not me).

While I walked up the hill, I managed to get some decent shots nearing sundown.

Places to visit in Oslo

These are just 5 suggested places to visit during your stay in Norway. There are many, many more worth checking out!

Posted in Travel

Roaming in Oslo, Norway: Exploring the City

Posted on by tracydee

Well, I’m finally out of quarantine and can go about exploring the city as I wish. Interestingly, things seem relatively normal here because of the strict measures in place over the last year and a half. I haven’t seen anyone wearing a mask, but most of the population is vaccinated now.

The first day out of quarantine wasn’t a whole lot different than the previous days. I did get to meet a friend in person for the first time and I ate a yummy appetizer in a restaurant.

It was refreshing to get out and walk around the city and take in all of the sights. I was surprised at how easy it is to get close to the palace where the king and queen live. It seems to be a big attraction. While I was walking by, they were doing the changing of the guards, which was pretty cool to watch.

I finally got the chance to check out some stores and buy a few items that I hadn’t packed to bring with me. I picked up an extra blanket, slippers, and a hair straightener.

Prices Compared to the U.S.

A lot of people warned me that things here would be more expensive. So far, I am finding the prices to be fairly comparable to most of the places I lived in the U.S. Food and drink prices at restaurants are about the same, but tipping is not required in Norway. I even had one server try to give me the tip back saying that it’s not customary and they make a living wage, unlike the U.S.

My grocery bill was not much different than I would expect to pay at home. You can search for good deals and sales. Just like in the U.S., there are certain times and days when stores run promotions or deals on items.

The coolest app that I learned about a couple of days ago is called Too Good To Go. It looks like some of the big cities in the U.S. are starting to use it as well.

Essentially, you pay a discount price, typically a few dollars, for a surprise bag from a store or cafe. The pick-up window is between 10 and 15 minutes before the store closes. It helps reduce waste so they don’t have to throw as much away. For $10, I have enough sandwiches and baked goods for my breakfasts and lunches this week. One cafe gave a salad, hummus wrap, and arugula sandwich in the surprise bag.

Travel in Oslo

For around $100, I purchased a monthly pass to travel around the city using rail, metro, buses, and ferries. That is fairly comparable to a pass in NYC, which is $127 for the month.

Interestingly, there are no stations preventing entry onto the metro platforms. It is super easy to just walk right on from any stop. I tried to scan my phone on the train the first time I got on, but nothing was happening. I asked someone and apparently, it is all done on the honor system. So basically anyone can ride public transportation. They do random checks with hefty fines to prevent people from taking advantage of the system.

The monthly pass even allowed access to the ferries. So yesterday, I decided to take a ferry ride to the different fjords.

I start officially working this week, so I will be sure to make more Productivity posts. This will be important as I transition from a vacation/self-care mode back into organization and travel.

For further travel outside of Oslo and throughout Europe, I’ll look at Trainline for affordable options!

Posted in Travel

Week 1 in Norway: Quarantine Edition

Posted on by tracydee

Well, I arrived in Norway on Saturday to a very efficient Covid testing protocol. I retrieved my bags, got my nose swabbed, and left after 15 minutes with my negative test results.

I am benefiting from the new guidance of quarantining for only 3 days. However, on the third day you have to get a PCR test, and it is day 5 and I still don’t have my results.

Thankfully, I can go on walks to get out of the house. Yesterday, I went to the park and walked around the statues. The day before I wandered throughout the city until I got tired and made it home just before it poured. It rains a lot here so far!

Food Options

I am impressed with the amount of food options in this city. Oslo is truly an international city and I can pretty much get any type of food I want here. When I got the Covid test done, the attendant gave me a suggestion on where to get a Philly cheesesteak ALMOST as good as Philly itself. So, I definitely plan to try that.

Food Delivery

Saturday afternoon, I was super tired from the 35 hours of travel leading to my arrival. Since I couldn’t go out, I used an app called Foodora to place a dinner order for delivery. It is very similar to Uber Eats or Door Dash.

I ordered Indian food and it was at my door within 30 minutes. It was piping hot and delicious. The delivery people pick up the food and deliver it on scooters in an insulated bag attached to the back of their scooter.

Another app I haven’t tried yet is Wolt, but I’ll be sure to check it out.

Grocery Delivery

After dinner, I placed an order for grocery delivery Sunday morning. I ordered groceries from Oda, which was convenient, quick, and fresh. On their website it says they have over 7,000 items to choose from. Truly, they did have a lot of choices! It was kind of overwhelming in my exhausted state.

I did pretty well for my first grocery haul, only making a couple small errors, such as ordering two bunches of bananas instead of 2 bananas.

So far, I cooked every meal since Sunday to save money. Also, I’m ready to treat myself when I finally get that green light from my Covid results and I can leave quarantine.

The food here is unbelievably fresh! Even the shredded cheese tastes like it was just grated right before it was delivered. The grapes are crisp and the avocados arrived in perfect condition ready to eat.

I made myself a yummy salmon dinner the first night with actual Norwegian salmon.

General Observations

The people are pretty nice. Literally, every car stops to let you cross the street even if they are the only one there and really you could walk right after they pass. It is very much a bike and pedestrian friendly city.

Interestingly, parallel parking seems to have no rules. Cars are parked on the street facing both directions so I guess it doesn’t matter which side you are on.

I have not seen a single person wearing heels, which is probably because of the cold weather and that you have to walk everywhere.

I passed this discount grocery store called Extra, but upon further examination, I realized that the prices were the same as Oda. So, it might just be easier for me to keep ordering groceries and have it delivered.

They take recycling and trash seriously here. I have to separate my food trash items into a green bag and all of the plastic wrappings into a blue bag. Then, plastic and glass bottles are recycled along with cardboard. Plain shopping bags are for generic trash. I’m getting used to that. I don’t like having the little bags on my counter, but I haven’t figured out what else to do with them yet.

I’m a little scared of my electric bill. The washing machine takes forever and you can’t even fit that much in it to begin with. And the dryer also takes a long time. I think I’m going to start hanging out my clothes. I see a lot of people doing this outside.

Productivity Level

If you have been following along this blogging journey, then you know I like to stay productive and keep up with my to-do lists. Being in quarantine sort of forced me to take some downtime, which turned out to be much needed. I read a lot of books, took walks, and adjusted to the time change.

I had a couple of meetings, but most of my time was for me. I thought about using it to complete some online jobs for extra money to help me with my debt reduction goal, but I decided rest and relaxation was best before things get really busy with travel and work.

My workshops are in review and orientation is not until next week. It’s rare that I get downtime like this!

So, I’ll be sure to pick back up on my time management tips and suggestions for moving toward goals soon!

Posted in Travel

10 Amazon Must Haves for Travel, Technology, and Luggage

Posted on by tracydee

Must haves for travel: Well, I just finished my 35 hour trip from the US to Norway where I will be living until Summer of 2022. There were some bumps along the way. One bump was my luggage sent to my layover in Portugal instead of my final destination. After 2 hours of working with the gate agents, I ended up just paying again to have it sent all the way to Oslo. I will worry about contacting United later.

I wanted to share some of the travel items I used along the way. Also, some items I wish I purchased to make things a bit easier.

  1. Collapsible water bottle – This was great because I hooked it to my backpack or my purse when I wasn’t using it. I filled it up in the airport and also at the hotel on my way back to the airport for the 3rd flight.

2. Travel backpack that opens like a carry-on – Now, this was handy because I had two checked bags that I needed my hands for. However, I did fill my backpack a little too heavy and my shoulders and back were hurting pretty bad by the time I reached my final destination. This particular model had 3 mesh bags that I used for dirty laundry when I changed between flights.

3. Plug travel adapter – This was a last minute purchase thanks to my grandpa doing some research online. I knew at one point that I needed this, but it slipped my mind to order it in advance. I’m glad I had it with me and didn’t have to purchase anything at the airport.

4. Liquid travel bottles – I got the ones with labels so I would remember the difference between my face cleanser and my shampoo. This was great for the hotel between Portugal and Norway. I had no issues getting through security in any of the three airports.

5. Neck pillow and travel kit – Now, I brought just the basic plain neck pillow. I wish I had purchased this one that had eye covers and a machine washable outer part.

Must Haves for Travel: Technology Needs

6. Airpods travel case – I am always losing my Airpods case in my purse, so I wanted to get something easier for me to find. This carrying case also held my back-up headphones in case my Airpods needed to be charged.

7. iPad pro case with stand – I used this in the plane with my Kindle Unlimited to read books during my flight.

Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans

Must Haves for Travel: Items I Wish I Purchased

8. Travel makeup and jewelry organizer – I used small bags I had and split everything up. However, I am going to purchase an organizer that keeps it all together.

9. Packing cubes – I prefer these packing cubes over the compression bags. I had to be careful not to go over 50 pounds on my luggage. It’s easy to do that with compression bags because you can fit more items in your suitcase.

10. Rolling under seat bag – This is going to be my next purchase. The backpack is great, but I need to put the heavier items in something that rolls. Most places allow you a carry-on and a personal item, so I can bring both.

Posted in Travel

One Way or Another: It Will All Get Done … Or It Won’t.

Posted on by tracydee

Things that have pressing deadlines typically get done even when sometimes we have no idea how to make that happen. Even with procrastination, there comes a point where the panic monster sets in due to an upcoming deadline. You may not like the process of staying up all night or feeling rushed, but eventually, it gets done.

However, for me, I have found that method to be extremely stressful and anxiety-producing. I prefer to plan in advance and know my schedule using time management techniques and blocking my calendar. But sometimes, things just sneak up on you.

I moved in May 2020 into my parent’s house with the anticipation of leaving the country in several months. At that time, there were limited options for me to drop off donated items because many places in PA were still closed.

So, I boxed everything up and then brought it with me. Now, many of my items are still in boxes, and I have been meaning to go through them this past year. However, it wasn’t a priority and I didn’t have a deadline to get it done. I was more focused on finishing up my dissertation and working to pay the bills.

Now, I finally got the green light to move to Norway and I’m searching through boxes to find my winter clothes. I cannot find my heavy winter jacket anywhere. So, maybe that’s a sign that I just need to get one once I get there and not weigh down my luggage anymore.

In order to make sure that the things get done that you need to or want to, it’s important to prioritize early and often. Setting weekly or quarterly goals with a detailed action plan can help get you to the finish line.

The reality is, that we figure it out when it comes to the important things. The question is, how do we feel along the way? Are we stressed, frustrated, or focused? Only you can answer that question. For me, it truly depends on the task and type of goal I am trying to accomplish.

Posted in Travel

Preparing for an International Move: What I’m Doing Now

Posted on by tracydee

*Note: I will update this post with advice I’m receiving!

I’m preparing for an international move. Wow, it’s finally happening. I’m moving to Norway in less than a month. Even though I’ve been waiting for the official approval, I thought I would have more time to prepare. So now, it’s time to buckle down and think through my list of to-do items. I think I’m going to start with a brain dump of all the things I can think of and then prioritize what has to happen first.

preparing for an international move
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

As I think through my list, I know that I need to get my car cleaned and ready to store temporarily. I have to get a 2 piece luggage set that is durable for international travel. Here is the set I’m thinking of buying:

In the time of covid, I don’t just have to worry about residency permits and passports, but also proof of vaccination and any quarantine requirements. I’m waiting to hear from the agency on some guidance about what to expect once I arrive.

Preparing for an international move: As I’m sitting here thinking, this is what I’ve come up with to do so far:

  1. Buy flights and look into luggage costs
  2. Buy luggage set
  3. Clean out car and set up park insurance
  4. Decide whether to cancel expensive U.S. health insurance plan while I’m gone (benefit of going to a country with universal healthcare)
  5. Make a list of all essential items to pack
  6. Make a list of items I’d like to pack if there is space
  7. Purchase bulk of anything that would be easier to get here like contacts, medicines, toiletries that are cheaper here
  8. Look into international purchases – set up banking there and autopay for bills here

I am sure there is so much more that I’m not thinking of at the moment as I’m preparing for an international move. Thankfully, the organization provided an arrival guide to help upon entry to the country. I just want to make sure I tie up my loose ends here as best as I can.

While I have been waiting to leave for 14 months, life has continued to happen around me and I’ve thankfully had time to reflect and spend with family.

Any advice is appreciated and I’ll be sure to share any helpful travel tips I learn along the way!

Advice for International Travel

Collapsible water bottle – travels well and takes up less space in your luggage

Undercover travel bra pouch to keep important IDs and cash

Travel pouches to help with packing