Disclaimer: This post contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!

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2020, the gift that keeps on giving. In all honesty, if it weren’t for the trip I planned over these 2 weeks getting cancelled no less than seven times, then I wouldn’t have looked into the sheer beauty and adventure that Croatia has to offer. What 2 weeks are these you ask? Well if you caught my Oman Itinerary, then you saw the original plan for our vacation. Once we found out that Oman was still closed to tourists and Kenya is not letting in Texans, we proceeded to option 2, Hawaii. Hawaii then extended its quarantine requirements. Long story short, here we are planning a fabulous trip to Croatia, which is currently open and accepting US tourists.

In order to go to Croatia, you must have a negative COVID PCR test within 48 hours of entering the country and fill out a form with the government detailing your trip (where you are staying and travel dates). Since I feel like things are changing on a daily basis, I would check the US Embassy’s website on travel to Croatia for the most up to date requirements.

Pro tip: When you are looking for flights into Croatia right now, you will see that the travel time is extraordinarily long. In order to get around that, book a direct flight into London and then take a European airline into Croatia. There are several starting points in Croatia so the destination is up to you!

Below I have outlined a rough itinerary for Croatia. I will follow up with more in-depth posts after we return!

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ULTIMATE CROATIA ITINERARY

Here’s our itinerary :

Dubrovnik (4 nights)

Split (4 nights)

Plitvinc National Park (1 night)

Istra (3 nights)

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Total days: 12

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ULTIMATE CROATIA ITINERARY

DAY 1:ARRIVAL INTO DUBROVNIK

When arriving into Dubrovnik, we booked a private transfer with Octopus Transfers to our nearby hotel. I like to have a set transfer lined up after arriving into a new destination.

Today is super chill after arriving. Head to your hotel and then grab a quick easy dinner nearby.

We booked four nights at Hotel Excelsior. Another hotel that we considered was Kompas. These are two higher end luxury hotels but you can find a range of hotel options for Dubrovnik here or Airbnbs here.

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DAY 2: DUBROVNIK

Spend the day exploring Old Town. If you’re into Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik was the filming location for King’s Landing so there are some great GOT walking tours.

Another option would be to chill at the hotel for day and get over your jet lag 😅.

For dinner tonight, make reservations at Panorama Restaurant and Bar for sunset views of Dubrovnik.

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DAY 3:DUBROVNIK

We booked a private boat tour with Explore Dubrovnik to the Elaphiti Islands for the full day. I am so looking forward to this and can’t wait to report back on our trip!

Dinner at Taj Mahal tonight for some traditional Bosnian cuisine. They have two locations - Old City and Hotel Lero. Their Old City location is currently closed for renovations so we will be checking out their Hotel Lero location.

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DAY 4:DUBROVNIK

Explore the Old City some more today or walk the walls of the city. Get lost on some side streets or shop for some local souvenirs. Whatever you choose, enjoy your last day in King’s Landing.

For the last night in Dubrovnik, make reservations at Above 5 Rooftop Restaurant for a special treat before heading off to Split.

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DAY 5:DUBROVNIK TO SPLIT

We booked an early morning private transfer with Octopus Transfers from Dubrovnik to Split. There are several ways to get to Split from Dubrovnik. We chose to do a private transfer as there is a border crossing with Bosnia on the way and at this moment if you’re driving your own car, then you will not be able to pass through with a US passport. Other options, besides driving, your own rental car and a private transfer, include a short flight or taking a ferry that stops along the way in Hvar. If you have extra time or want to spend a night in Hvar, then this would be the night to do it!

Once arriving into Split, drop your bags at the hotel and explore the city. If you have an extra day, then I would suggest a walking tour with Ivica.

We booked Hotel Park in Split for our stay but you can find other hotels here or Airbnbs here.

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DAY 6: HVAR AND BLUE CAVE DAY TOUR

Full day tour to Hvar and Blue Cave - I hope you’re well rested!

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DAY 7: krka national park

Today is a day trip to Krka National Park where you can currently swim. The Croatian government is talking about discontinuing this next year. Here is the tour we are doing that has a stop in Sibenik on the way to the national park.

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DAY 8: SPLIT TO PLITVINC NATIONAL PARK

Today we are heading to Plitvinc National Park from Split. We are picking up a rental car for the remainder of our time in Croatia. You could also do a day trip from Split to Plitvinc but it is about 3 hours away so that would make for a long day in my opinion.

On our way there, we are making stops in Trogir and Paklenica. We decided to stay right outside the park for an early entry but you could also stay in Zadar or Sibenik as well.

There are several options for places to stay but we choice the Ethno Houses Plitvica Selo Deluxe. You can check out other options here.

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day 9: plitvinc national park

Today we are starting off bright and early. Our park entrance tickets are for 7 am. This is so we can do a hike and then head out for Istra around noon.

We are planning to do the C Program on the lake routes. This starts at the north entrance and takes about 4-5 hours to complete. You can check out all the other routes here. Also, don’t forget to purchase your entry permit for the park as well.

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day 10-12: istra

On day 11, spend your time in the Pula are touring some ancient Roman ruins and then head to Cape Kamenjak for some cliff jumping.
Day 12, spend the full day in Rovinj touring the beautiful cobblestone streets and relaxing.

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If you need any help planning your own Croatia itinerary, then send me an email at lauren@thatblondetravels.com.

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Disclaimer: This post contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!

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Let me just start off by saying that this is one of my most anticipated trips for 2020 (assuming that we get to go!). I recently stumbled upon the country of Oman while researching Bolivia. I know this seems super odd right?! Well, I was getting into a wormhole on youtube while watching different travel vloggers, when I stumbled upon Lost LeBlanc. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of him, but his videos are awesome quality! The only thing that I feel is lacking is a detailed itinerary to follow up on these epic trips that he takes. He does, however, have complete guides that you can purchase, which I’m sure are excellent, but unfortunately, nothing on Oman yet.

Anyways, so here I am researching Bolivia to potentially add onto our Peru trip was moved to August of next year, when I stumbled upon a video about Oman. I immediately was drawn to Oman because of the country’s diverse landscape and endless things to do. (Look it up, you will feel like you need more than a month to get everything in!)

Here’s the plan: We are (hopefully!) going on Safari in Kenya in September to see the great migration and then we plan to take a direct flight from NBO to DOH (Doha, Qatar). From there, we will take a short 1.5 hr flight from DOH to MCT (Muscat, Oman) to begin our 8 day journey in the northern part of Oman. I can’t wait for you guys to follow along with us!

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ULTIMATE 1 WEEK OMAN ITINERARY

Here’s what our Oman itinerary looks like:

Daymaniat islands (1 night)

Muscat (2 nights)

Desert Lodge (2 nights)

Jabal Akhdar (2 nights)

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Total days: 8

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ULTIMATE 1 WEEK OMAN ITINERARY

DAY 1:

Arrive into Muscat at 0635. We have a priority pass so I plan on accessing the amazing Primeclass Lounge that is inside the Muscat airport before heading out. They have showers and even beds that you can nap in!

Once we get freshened up, we are heading to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. The Mosque is open to the public everyday from 8 to 11 am, except Fridays. It’s required for both men and women to wear long sleeve tops and long pants to the ankle. For women, bring a scarf to cover your hair. The mosque’s entrance is free but I will link some great tour options here.

After exploring the Mosque, it is time to grab a quick lunch. We are going to try Kargeen based on some recommendations found in other itineraries. It is well located in the middle of the city so perfect for right after a half day city tour of Muscat.

At 1300, we meet Blue Wave Oman at the All Mouj marina for an overnight camping trip to the secluded beaches of Daymaniat islands. While here, we will experience an Omani style BBQ, sunset, and snorkeling - cannot wait!

Image C/O Dive Worldwide

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DAY 2:

We will spend the morning snorkeling in the Daymaniat islands with Blue Wave Oman and they will return us back to Muscat around 2 pm.

Once arriving in Muscat, we are going to make our way to our hotel for the night, Al Bustan Palace. There were several hotels that looked amazing in Muscat, so it was very hard to choose just one. I will link the others under “My Favorite Hotels” down below.

After checking into the hotel and showering, the plan is to head over to Muttrah Soug (check out the guide attached by The Culture Trip), which is one of the local markets. We will explore for a little while and then grab dinner at Biat Al Luban for some traditional Omani food.

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DAY 3:

Today is a super early day as we are heading out to the Bimmah Sinkhole followed by Wadi Shab.

Bimmah Sinkhole is a 90 minute drive from Muscat on the way to Sur. You can do this on your own or you can book a tour here.

Image C/O Bucketlistly

In order to get to Wadi Shab on your own, I would recommend going first thing in the morning for shade and to beat the crowds. You can do this by staying in Sur the night before or leaving extra early from Muscat. I will create a post after our trip detailing how to hike the trail on your own.

In between the Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab, grab lunch in Sur. We are looking at Zaki but will probably ask the hotel if there is another place they recommend. If you have time, you can check out Sur, otherwise, head on to your desert camp hotel for the next couple nights. You can stop by Wadi Bani Khalid and go for a dip if you haven’t had your fill of swimming for the day!

We are staying at Desert Nights Camp for 2 nights. While you can get to the camp with a 4x4, you can also have transfers arranged by the camp that includes a sunset along with dune bashing while you’re on your way to the camp.

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DAY 4:

Enjoy your full day in the desert today. We plan to go sand boarding, camel riding, and have a dinner underneath the stars.

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DAY 5:

Today is a super early start! Get up and head back to Muscat to meet for a canyoning expedition! We are partnering with Twenty3Extreme for a canyoning adventure and also via Ferrata. They have several awesome canyoning adventures. It makes me want to stay in Oman for like 5 or 6 more days so I can do them all!

We are looking at doing their Snake Canyon 2.0 or their brand new Jungle Book adventure.

After a full day abseiling, jumping from cliffs, and swimming, make your way to the mountains where your accommodations for the next two nights await. We booked two nights at the Alila Jabal Akhdar Oman. This property is so gorgeous with amazing mountain views. We decided on the half board rate as I’m sure that there are not very many restaurants in such a remote location.

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DAY 6:

Another early morning today as we are heading to Jebal Shams for a hike. There are so many things to do here: via Ferrata, balcony walk, day hikes, canyoning, abseiling, etc. If you have an adventurous spirit, then the world is your oyster!

When you get back to the hotel, have a starlit dinner cliffside to help bring such a wonderful trip to an end.

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DAY 7:

This morning, we plan to either do another hike or sleep in and then head back into Muscat. Once arriving into Muscat, check into your last hotel and do some exploring of things that you missed around the city.

End the night with a sunset dinner cruise around the Omani shores. We will have an early night as our flights leaves at 4 am the next morning!

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MY FAVORITE HOTELS

MUSCAT HOTELS:

Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz Carlton Hotel

Kempinski Hotel Muscat

The Chedi Muscat

Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa

DESERT LODGES:

Desert Nights Camp

Thousand Nights Camp

JABAL AKHDAR HOTELS:

Alila Jabal Akhdar Oman

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Visiting Oman requires a Visa. You can get this on arrival at the airport or you can get one online via this website.

The only vaccine that is required is Yellow Fever and that is if you have traveled recently to countries where the disease is rampant. We will be coming from Nairobi so we plan to bring our vaccine information with us. We had to get one before traveling to Ecuador a few years back so we are covered!

If there are any other questions, be sure to check out the US State Department’s website regarding travel to Oman.

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Before I left for Iceland, I took my planned itinerary and made a blog post about it. If you remember it, then you probably remember that it was a little over-zealous and included a lot of activities!

Here is the updated version of my Ultimate Iceland Ring Road Adventure!

SUGGESTIONS:

In order to see the entire ring road, I would recommend no less than 10 to 12 days. We did the entire ring road, but it involved a TON of driving. We had to cut some stuff out so that we could make it to our next destination before midnight.

Þórsmörk is absolutely breathtaking! You could easily spend 3 to 4 days in this area hiking, snowmobiling on a glacier, or taking a Superjeep Tour (See my post here about our Superjeep adventure with Southcoast Adventures.)

While our Cozy Campers campervan was amazing, I highly recommend splitting up the trip and spending a couple nights in a hotel just to stretch out your legs. While I’m mentioning the campervan, it takes a while to get organized and head out from the campground in the morning. We would wake up, make breakfast, clean our dishes, then shower and get dressed. Depending on the campsite, the showering is sometimes more difficult than at other places.

Do yourself a favor and skip the DC plane - it is a 4 mile walk round trip and there is absolutely nothing to look at during the walk - OR you can pay 2500 kr to take a shuttle bus. It was the biggest tourist trap. I felt like they just placed this plane out in the middle of nowhere and were like these stupid tourists are going to walk all this way to see this - insert evil laugh here.

Hot Springs:

• The Blue Lagoon: Like Disney World for adults (If you go, I would recommend staying at Silfra so that you have your own private hot spring.) Also, VERY IMPORTANT, do not get your hair in the water at the Blue Lagoon unless you have a ton of conditioner in it or your hair will be dry for weeks!

• Grettislaug Pool: There is a campground here! I would recommend camping here overnight so that you can enjoy this amazing hot spring!

• Secret Lagoon: While touristy, this was one was by far my favorite. The bottom is rocky instead of slimy like others and the water does not have a ton of floating algae in it.

Snaefellsnes Peninsula - If you remember back to my full itinerary post, then you will see that this is at the end of our trip. We were exhausted by this time due to all the driving that was involved during our last few days. We had planned to start the next day with the Glymur Waterfall hike but there was a monsoon the night before and morning of so we weren’t able to do it.

These are just a few of my suggestions to changes that I would make to the itinerary that I blogged about a few weeks ago! Updated itinerary Iceland post coming soon!

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You might also like:

ULTIMATE ICELAND RING ROAD ADVENTURE

ÞÓRSMÖRK HIKING AND SUPERJEEP ADVENTURE WITH SOUTHCOAST ADVENTURE ICELAND

ESSENTIAL ICELAND: CAMPERVAN PACKING GUIDE

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ABOUT ME:

I was born in Mississippi but raised a Tennessee girl! I attended undergrad at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where I received my degree in Biochemistry. I then proceeded to go to pharmacy school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center with my last 3 years in Knoxville. (Go VOLS!) 6 years ago I followed my sweetheart to Dallas, Texas, where I have been ever since!

I am currently a practicing Inpatient Pharmacist with a love for traveling. I love to get off the beaten path and go places/do things that are not the normal “tourist” thing to do. I love hiking and adventure travel!

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Follow me: @thatblondetravels

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For our Ultimate Ring Road Adventure, we rented a campervan from Cozy Campers. I have NEVER been camping before (not tent, not campervan, not motorhome), so I knew that this was definitely going to be an experience that I would never forget.

Just before we go into this packing guide, I want to talk about how disastrously we packed for this trip. First off, due to no fault of ours, the airline lost my husband’s bag and we didn’t get it for 5 days. This was even with taking a direct flight from DFW to Reykjavik. We couldn’t believe it! Just a heads up, if the airline loses your bag, make 100 percent sure that you grab some underwear and socks before you leave Reykjavik otherwise you will be SOL. Seriously, we did not find underwear for him until night four, when we finally found some at a local grocery store in the small town of Höfn. This sucks, especially if you’re planning on doing a lot of daily hiking and you’re staying in a campervan at campsites that either don’t have washers/dryers or they’re not working. (This is the problem that we ran into. The campsites would have washers but no dryers or they just were not working at all. -sigh)

We packed two HUGE suitcases! I’m talking, I brought my Away medium suitcase and my husband brought a large duffel that had rolling wheels. Not only did we have two large suitcases, but we had also rented a grill. We rented the Cozy 5, which looks huge online, so I thought that we would have a ton of room -WRONG! Along with the suitcases and grill, we also brought a duffel that was filled with food, as well as 2 backpacks. Bear in mind, when you’re getting ready for bed, you have to move all of this stuff to pull out the bed and to have room to move. Every night before we went to bed, we had to move all of this stuff. Mostly, it went into the front of the van to then again be pulled out in the am, but some had to stay in the back due to space limitations.

Bottom-line: If you’re renting a campervan, don’t be like us! Pack light and be intentional with your packing! If you can fit everything into a carry-on, then I highly recommend this, but if not, then I would recommend some soft-sided luggage that is easily malleable to fit the confined space.

TIP: If I had one piece of advice for you, then it would be to get organized before heading out on the road.

Spacing issues aside, Cozy Campers was awesome! I was very nervous about this experience since I’ve never been camping or even glamping before. The first two nights were pretty rough to be honest just due to getting used to the van and getting organized. If I had to give you one piece of advice, then it would be to get organized before heading out on the road. Once you get on the road, it will be non-stop sightseeing and you will not want to waste time re-organizing all of your things on a daily basis. Around night three of our trip, however, the campervan began to feel very comfortable and homey and I really enjoyed sleeping in it (and cooking in it, and dressing in it, etc. -HAHA).

Some more food for thought as far as the campervan goes, I would recommend getting the 4x4 so that you can hit up the F-roads! This is where all the remote spots are located for some great hiking, views, and possibly a secret hot spring.

The packing list below are the necessities for a trip to Iceland. The weather is unpredictable in Iceland and changes daily, if not hourly, so I recommend to pack in layers to be most comfortable.

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bags

• Duffel Bag or Travel Backpack

  • This carry-on bag from Lo & Sons is very nice and can fit so much!

• Day Pack

• Packing cubes

• Reusable bags - For grocery shopping (you have to pay for all plastic bags in Iceland) or carrying your wet clothes after exploring a hot spring.

• Reusable plastic Zip-lock bags

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clothing

• Thermals (Base layer) - I like Thermotech or Hot Chilly’s

• Waterproof Jacket and Pants (I like this Northface Gor-Tex but Frogtoggs are the cheapest, most economical option.)

• Mid-layers

  • Fleece Pullover

  • Hot Chilly’s Half-Zip Pullover

• Outer-layers

  • Warm Vest

  • Jacket

  • Hat (Preferably fleece-lined) and gloves

• Hiking Pants (I like these Columbia ones or these Eddie Bauer ones)

• Hiking Socks (My absolute favorite! They are double-layered to prevent blisters.)

• Hiking shoes (Great resource for hiking boot reviews here)

  • Timberland Women’s Mt Maddsen Mid Leather Waterproof Hiking Boot

  • Merrell Moab 2 WP Low Hiking Shoes - These are my personal favorites, although, they are very heavy.

• 2 x swimsuits - There are a TON of hot springs so I would bring 2, so while one is drying you have a dry one available.

• 1 x Jeans (These Agolde ones are my favorite!)

• Sunglasses

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toiletries

• Hanging Toiletry Bag

• Micro-fiber towels

• Refillable Water Bottle - This one is nice because it has a clip to clip to your bag and also it compresses so packs down easily.

• Flip-flops for the shower (Old Navy has some great ones for super cheap!)

• European Blow Dryer

• Biodegradable wet wipes

• Coola Sunscreen - My fav!

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other ESSENTIALS:

• Portable battery charger

• USB car adapter

• Waterproof phone case

• Headlamp

• For ultimate comfort: Your own pillow

• Extra pillowcases

• Camera

• Go-Pro

• DJI Mavic Pro

• Extra SD Cards

• Instant coffee

• Thermapen

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What do you think about my packing list? Anything that I left out or you feel is an essential? Let me know in the comments below!

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ABOUT ME:

I was born in Mississippi but raised a Tennessee girl! I attended undergrad at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where I received my degree in Biochemistry. I then proceeded to go to pharmacy school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center with my last 3 years in Knoxville. (Go VOLS!) 6 years ago I followed my sweetheart to Dallas, Texas, where I have been ever since!

I am currently a practicing Inpatient Pharmacist with a love for traveling. I love to get off the beaten path and go places/do things that are not the normal “tourist” thing to do. I love hiking and adventure travel!

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Follow me: @thatblondetravels

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Disclaimer: This Iceland Packing List contains Affiliate Links for services and products I’m using on my travels – therefore I can highly recommend using them. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees but support me to keep this site running!

ICELAND - the land of FIRE and ICE. When I first starting looking into going to Iceland, I was entranced by it’s natural beauty and the idea of being in a remote area and having it all to myself.

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ICELAND ROAD TRIP ITINERARY:
DAY 1: Arrive into Reykjavik + Golden Circle
DAY 2: Fimmvörðuháls Hiking Trail
DAY 3: Seljalandsfoss + Skogafoss Waterfalls
DAY 4: Svartifoss + Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
DAY 5: Lake Mytvan
DAY 6: Dettifoss + Husavik + Godafoss
DAY 7: Kolugljúfur Canyon + Snaefellsnes Peninsula
DAY 8: Glymur Waterfall + Reykjavik + Blue Lagoon
DAY 9: Leave Iceland for home

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DAY 1:

Arrive into Reykjavik and head to pick up your camper van at Cozy Campers. Grocery shop at the local Bónus. Once you’re loaded up and comfortable, head out to begin your roadtrip!

TIP: It is recommended to get to know your camper van and rest before heading out on the Ring Road. We had limited time to explore so we headed out immediately.

Begin your week long Iceland adventure with the Golden Circle Drive. Along the way, you will check out Flosagjá fissure, Öxarárfoss Waterfall, Geysir - Geothermal area, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin). This drive takes about 4 to 6 hours to complete.

End day one with the Reykjadalur hike - ~45 min to 1 hr hike that ends in a hot spring river!

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DAY 2:

This morning drive to Seljalandsfoss/Gljúfrabúi base for the Fimmvörðuháls Hiking Trail (25 km trail; 15.5 miles) if you’re feeling up to it with Southcoast Adventures. If hiking isn’t your thing, you can do one of their superjeep tours thru Þórsmörk.

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DAY 3:

Get up early this morning and beat the crowds to see Seljalandsfoss. While there, continue north to the waterfall Gljúfrabúi, which is found partially hidden behind a rock face. The rest of the morning is spent sightseeing - Seljavallalaugh Swimming Pool, Skogafoss, Solheimasandur Plane Crash, Loftsalahellir Cave, Dyrhólaey, and Reynisdrangar.

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After all the beautiful sights, head into Vik to have a yummy lunch at Halldorskaffi.

Continue on from Vik, stopping at Laufskálavarða, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon (3 km round trip hike), and Systrafoss.

End the day at Skaftafell campground, which is the perfect location to begin tomorrow’s adventure!

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DAY 4:

Today starts bright and early in Skaftafell National Park with a 3.4 km hike to Svartifoss (Black Falls) and Sjónarsker viewpoint.

TIP: If you have time to burn, then spend an entire day in Skaftafell National Park. There are tons of hikes in this area!

Svartifoss

After your hike, head to the town of Hof to get some groceries and then continue to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach.

Next is the town of Höfn for lunch at Pakkhús Restaurant and stop at Hoffell hot tubs if you have time.

After lunch, take Scenic Fjord Route 92 towards Egilsstaðir. Along the way, you will see, Djúpivogur (Lighthouse), Breiðdalsvík, and Litlanesfoss/Hengifoss (40 min detour for a 2.5 km hike).

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DAY 5

Starting off over half way around the Iceland Ring Road today! Head over to the Lake Mytvan area for today’s sights!

LAKE MYTVAN SIGHTS:
Leirhnjukur Lava Fields and Geothermal Area
Krafla/Viti Crater
Myvatn Nature Baths
Grjotagja Lava Cave and Geothermal Spring
Dommuborgir hike to Hverfjall Cinder Cone and Crater
Dimmuborgir Lava formations and “The Church”
Skutustadir Pseudocraters

DAY 6

This morning head to Dettifoss, which is said to be the most powerfull waterfall in Iceland.

Stretch your legs on a 5.5 mile hike to see Hafragilsfoss and Ásbyrgi Canyon both located in Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon or Vatnajökull National Park.

Stop in Husavik for lunch and a whale tour if you have time.

After lunch, head to Godafoss via scenic route I-85 (~40 min off the ring road).

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Once you leave Godafoss, you will head to the town of Akureyri where you can spend some time exploring Akureyrarkirkja church.

Last stop of the day is Sundlaugin á Hofsósi (Hot pool by the ocean) for some relaxation.

C/O SKAGAFJÖRÐUR

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DAY 7:

C/O ICELAND LAGOONS

Begin the morning with a short drive to Grettislaug Pool, then spend some time relaxing and enjoying your last day on the ring road!

Once you’re good and relaxed, head over to Kolugljúfur Canyon for some breathtaking views.

Snaefellsnes Peninsula is your next stop and where you will camp out tonight.

SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA SIGHTS:
Gerðuberg Cliffs
Búðakirkja
Budhahraun
Arnarstapi
Snæfellsjökull
Londrangar
Djúpalónssandur beach
Saxhóll Crater
Kirkjufellsfoss
Kirkjufell
Berserkjahraun

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DAY 8:

Today is your last day in Iceland and we are going to make the most of it! Leaving the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, head towards Glymur Waterfall (~2 hour drive) for a short waterfall hike.

Grab lunch and head out to Reykjavik. If you have time, why not do a free walking tour of the city. If not make sure to check out these well-known sights: Sun Voyager Sculpture, Harpa Cultural Center, and Hallgrimskirkja Church.

TIP: Don't miss the hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur! They are world famous!

Finally, drop off your trusty van and head out to the Blue Lagoon. Why not treat yourself after spending an entire week in a campervan? Tonight, we are having dinner at the Moss Restaurant, which was recently recommended by the 2019 Michelin Guide, followed by a stay at the Silica Hotel.

Your stay includes entrance into the Blue Lagoon as well as a mud mask. Treat yo-self!

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DAY 9:

Say your final goodbyes to Iceland and head to the airport for home today.

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This is the itinerary that I have planned for my husband and I’s trip to Iceland at the end of August. If you have any suggestions as to anything that we MUST see or do, please leave them in the comments below! I know that this is an over-zealous itinerary so I will let you know how it goes!

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ABOUT ME:

I was born in Mississippi but raised a Tennessee girl! I attended undergrad at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where I received my degree in Biochemistry. I then proceeded to go to pharmacy school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center with my last 3 years in Knoxville. (Go VOLS!) 6 years ago I followed my sweetheart to Dallas, Texas, where I have been ever since!

I am currently a practicing Inpatient Pharmacist with a love for traveling. I love to get off the beaten path and go places/do things that are not the normal “tourist” thing to do. I love hiking and adventure travel!

—

Follow me: @thatblondetravels

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HOW TO PLAN AN ULTIMATE THAILAND ITINERARY

www.thatblondetravels.com

Written by: Lauren Bailey

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If you have any suggestions for can’t miss places to see or places to eat, please leave them in the comments below!

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When I was in school, I spent an amazing 5 weeks in Thailand learning about their hospital system and pharmacy practices. It was such an amazing 5 weeks that I have been dying to go back ever since I left. The people, the food, the scenery were all so amazing and all came together to make an ever-lasting impression on my mind and heart.

Outlined below is my version of the ultimate Thailand itinerary with some can’t miss stops along the way.

PROPOSED 11 DAY/10 NIGHT ITINERARY

Here’s what a typical 11 day Thailand itinerary looks like:

Bangkok (2 nights)

Chiang Mai (3 nights)

Chiang Rai (1 night)

Phuket (4 nights)

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Total days: 11

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BANGKOK

Where to stay:

Riva Surya Bangkok

Anantara Riverside Bangkok

Grand Hyatt Erawan

What to do:

Bangkok Highlights: City, Temples and Klong Tour:
In the morning, visit two of the most impressive sights in the city. The Reclining Buddha at Wat Po is an enormous Buddha covered in gold leaf, lying majestically on its side. The Grand Palace has no equal and is a must-see for every visitor to Bangkok. Built by King Rama I in 1782, it was the centre of power for more than 150 years; today it is Bangkok's most celebrated landmark. Within the compound is the Temple of The Emerald Buddha - Wat Pra Kaew - which houses Thailand's most precious image of the Lord Buddha.

In the afternoon, travel along the picturesque Chao Phraya River through the klongs (canals) of Thonburi. Observe and photograph the serene family homes and temples along the waterways which gave the city the name Venice of the East. Finally, pay a visit to one of the city's most photographed sites, the shimmering Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). The majestic shrine has a pagoda of 79m high. It is decorated with glazed ceramic pieces that reflect the sun's rays and give the temple its name.

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CHIANG MAI

Where to stay:

Akyra Manor

Siripanna Villa Resort and Spa

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

What to do:

Chiang Mai City Tour:

Your afternoon tour takes you around the famous city for an up-close and personal look at some of its most notable temples, as well as stops at its old city walls, gates, and moat. The highlight of this trip is Wat Pan Tao, built in the typical wooden northern-Thailand architecture, with exquisite fine carving on the eaves and door. Proceed to Wat Jet Yod with its seven spires and incredible architecture commemorating the year 2000 of the Buddha era. Then drive up to Doi Suthep to visit Wat Phra Dhat Doi Suthep (built in A.D. 1384). Wat Doi Suthep is the most sacred temple in northern Thailand, containing a holy relic of Lord Buddha.

Elephant Nature Park:

This tour begins by picking you up at your hotel in a private vehicle. Once you arrive, you will have a quick safety briefing and then you will be taken across the river to meet the magnificent elephants. These elephants have been rescued from distressing situations all over Thailand. The team at the park have worked hard towards building trust with the animals by showing them love, respect and care as many of the elephants have experienced harsh mistreatment from humans in the past. Because of this, riding the elephants is not allowed at the sanctuary.
As you meet the elephants, you will be taught basic language and signals to help to communicate and interact with the elephants throughout the day. After the group takes a break for lunch, continue practicing your elephant communication skills and walk them to the nearby river.
If time remains, you will go the Elephant Kitchen before departing from the Elephant Nature Park. In this kitchen food is prepared for the elephants. Many of the elephants that live here don't have strong digestive systems, so special food must be prepared for them.

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CHIANG RAI

Where to stay:

The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa

Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

What to do:

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai: On the way, visit Hot Spring Baan Pong Nam Ron. Visit Wat Rong Khun or the "White Temple". This temple is unique from other temples in that it has been constructed entirely in a radiant white color with sparking reflections from mirrored glass mosaics embedded in the white plaster. Continue on to take a long-tailed boat cruise approximately 1 hour to visit Karen hill tribe village.

Chiang Rai to Phuket: Drive through the Golden Triangle area where the mighty Mae Khong and Ruakrivers meet, forming a natural boundary between Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. Visit the Opium Museum before moving on to the old city of Chiang Saen (A.D.1260), where you can marvel at the magnificent ancient ruins and temples. Drop off at Chiang Rai Airport for flight to Phuket

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PHUKET

Where to stay:

Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas

Paresa Resort Phuket

Angsana Villas Resort

What to do:

Phi Phi Island Tour by Join Speedboat:

Take a speed boat to Phi Phi island. Enjoy a swim/snorkel stop at its beach. Drive to Phi Phi Ley, famous for its birds nests.

Depart for Maya Bay and Phi Phi Island. Relax at Maya Bay (where The Beach was partially filmed). Snorkel and swim in clear water at Loh Samah and Pileh Cove. Visit the Viking Cave, now home to nest producing swallows. Feed the local inhabitants at The Monkey Beach. Appreciate the magnificent marine life at the Hin Klang (Great Coral Reef). Lunch will be served at Phi Phi Natural Resort (Private beach). After lunch, explore Bamboo Island, a flat beautiful island blending white sand and very clear water. Relax on the beach or swim and snorkel. There is also a nice coral reef near the beach.

Thai Cookery School from Phuket:

Learn how to prepare your ingredients, how to portion the herbs and even a little about the effects of certain herbs.

Phang Nga Bay and Khai Island from Phuket by Speedboat:

This special full day trip offers you the excursion for exploring Phang Nga Bay and visit Khai Nai Islandby speedboat. The discovery of Phang Nga Bay will make you excited with lot of fascinating islands and limestone outcrops.

Along the bay you will enjoy with the scenic views of fauna and flora at Panak Island and and visit the amazing limestone mountains at Hong Island by canoes. This trip also offer you the visit to Tapu Island also known as James Bond Island. Afterwards go to through Mangrove swamp and pass Tham Lod Noi and Lod Yai.

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FAQS

What time of year is best to visit Thailand?
Dry season is typically between the end of November and the end of April. While Thailand's rainy season typically begins after July and runs through October, it isn’t unlikely for major storms to arrive as early as May. April and early May are considered the “hottest” season in the hot, hotter, and hottest classification of Thai climate. Temperatures can surpass 104 degrees, so if you can’t handle the heat, plan your trip for a few months earlier. [T+L]

What was your favorite city in Thailand?
My favorite city in Thailand was Chiang Mai! I loved all the night markets and delicious food. Also, it helped that it was one of the cheaper cities amid the tourist destinations in Thailand.

How long do I need for a trip to Thailand?
If you really want to experience Thailand and the culture, then I wouldn’t go for less than 10 nights. You can definitely fit in a lot in a short amount of time but you will need a vacation from your vacation when you get home!

What’s the best way to get around in Thailand?
In the city, the best way to get around is either walking or getting a Tuk-tuk to take you form A to B.

From city to city, you can take an overnight bus for very cheap. We did this to go from Chiang Mai to Bangkok for the weekend and it was super cheap! We even upgraded to first class and watched Bridesmaids in Thai.

Otherwise, flying is also available for a very reasonable price via local airlines!

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This is just one example of an ultimate adventure to Thailand! There are so many places to see and so many foods to try that it is hard to put everything on a list in one place!

If you’ve been to Thailand before, leave a comment below about what your favorite thing that you did was and why!

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About me:

I'm a full-time pharmacist that loves to travel whenever I get the chance.

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Follow me: @thatblondetravels

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Need help planning and booking your own Thailand Adventure? Send me an email!

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HOW TO PLAN YOUR OWN ANDALUSIA SPAIN TRIP

www.thatblondetravels.com

Written by: Lauren Bailey

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If you have any suggestions for can’t miss places to see or places to eat, please leave them in the comments below!

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When you think of Spain, what is the first place that you imagine? Is it Barcelona? Is it Madrid? Or could it be an island such as Ibiza?

All of these places came to mind when I was working on our 9 day/8 night Spain itinerary. I ultimately thought about what I value when I travel, beautiful scenery, less crowds, adventure, and good weather, to determine the locations that we would travel to. In this post, I am going to share my planned itinerary for our trip to Spain and some of the resources that I used while planning it!

PROPOSED 9 DAY/8 NIGHT ITINERARY

Here’s what our 9 day Southern Spain itinerary looks like:

Mallorca (3 nights)

Seville (2 nights)

Granada (2 nights)

Madrid (1 night)

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Total days: 9

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MALLORCA

Mallorca (pronouced "Mah-YOR-ka") is the largest of three tiny islands off the coast of Spain known as the Balearic Islands.

How to get here: Direct flights are available from Madrid International Airport into Palma at multiple times per day for very cheap! I think our flight was ~30 euro on Ryanair.

What we’re doing: This is still tbd but I would love to eat at some local restaurants that feature Michelin Star chefs and do plenty of hiking and relaxing!

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SEVILLE

Seville is the capital of southern Spain’s Andalusia region. It is well-known for flamenco dancing and the Alcázar castle that was built during the Moorish Almohad dynasty.

Where we’re staying: Hotel Rey Alfonso X

What we’re doing: Once we get into Seville from Mallorca, we are doing a free walking tour of Seville with Hello Sevilla Tours.

After lunch, we will make our way to The Real Alcázar de Sevilla.

Dinner at sunset at the Metropol Parasol, followed later in the evening by the Flamenco Show at Casa de la Memoria.

The next day we plan to do a day trip to either Cadiz or Arcos de la Frontera. - Will keep you updated on our decision! :)

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GRANADA

Granada is a city in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It's most famous landmark is the Alhambra that dates back to the Moorish occupation.

Where we’re staying: Hotel Hospes Palacio de Los Patos

What we’re doing: When driving from Seville to Granada, we plan on driving through the Sierra Nevada mountains and stopping in Rhonda and then proceding to do the Caminito Del Rey hike.

We plan to visit the Alhambra of course and then a couple free walking tours as well.

Mostly I’m excited about our hike in Caminito Del Rey (It looks magical!).

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MADRID

Where we’re staying: Catalonia Plaza Mayor

What we’re doing: While in Madrid, we will be doing two city walking tours and possibly a tapas tour. If you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments below!

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FAQS

What time of year is best to visit Southern Spain?
The best time to visit Spain is typically in the spring (March to May) or during the fall (September to November). At these times, you'll likely find fewer crowds, cheaper accommodations, and the best weather (even for hitting the beach!). [Trip Savvy]

What was your favorite city in Southern Spain?
TBD! Come back in November for the answer to this question!

How long do I need for a trip to Southern Spain?
Well this question is pretty subjective. We have 9 total days (including travel) and I had a VERY hard time deciding between the cities that I wanted to visit and stay in vs doing day trips to. In the end, I decided to go to Mallorca, Seville, Granada, and Madrid. When driving from Seville to Granada, we plan on driving through the Sierra Nevada mountains and stopping in Rhonda and doing the Caminito Del Rey hike. I feel like if you wanted to see the whole Andalusia coast, then you would probably need around 14 days. I will report back once we return!

What’s the best way to get around in Southern Spain?
This questions depends on the time and money that you have at your disposal. We are flying from Mallorca to Seville and then renting a car for day trips and to drive to Granada. We were going to take the bus back from Granada to Madrid, but the flights were so cheap that we booked one of those instead.

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About me:

I'm a full-time pharmacist that loves to travel whenever I get the chance.

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Follow me: @thatblondetravels

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Need help planning and booking your own Southern Spain trip? Send me an email!