Over the past 6 years, Missy and I have loved traveling together and picking trips based on where each of us have wanted to go, as well as taking the “wow that’s a cheap flight, may as well book” trips. We have loved each of our destinations, but there are differences in what each of us prefer. I’m in love with Europe, particularly the Alpine areas and Missy loves the Mediterranean. I have my eyes on the Baltics or seeing the Northern Lights in Scandinavia, whereas Missy wants to explore South American wine country. Missy would like to be emersed in Moroccan culture, where I would like….you get the picture. What’s great about this is endless travel options, opening each other’s eyes to one’s taste and really falling in love with something you wouldn’t have expected to like. So, we thought it would be fun to rank our Top 3 travel destinations and why. We wrote this separate from each other so going into this, we aren’t even sure what each of us is picking.
Jack #1: The heart of German, Austrian Alps
There’s a social media trend that I see pop up every now and then that asks the now “age-old” question of if you had choose a vacation destination for the rest of your life, would you pick Mountains or Beaches? I’m team mountain every single time. I’m not bashful in saying I’m obsessed with the Alps. I know there’s a crowd that rolls their eyes or others that say, “there are mountains in the States.” Yes, and those are unique, gorgeous and whether you’re in Colorado or Wyoming the experience is going to be vastly different, but it’s just not the same. I love the Alpine culture and heritage. It’s something that has been cultivated and lived for hundreds and hundreds of years. This includes a truly underrated cuisine that isn’t globally recognized, but absolutely should be. The pristine vistas throughout all the Alps cannot be replicated anywhere on earth and of course the unlimited options of outdoor recreation, which is really one of my favorite things to do during our vacations.
Okay that’s enough fawning, but it does beg the question, why on earth do I want to travel back to this area for the 100th time? Truthfully, despite it being my top destination for years, I’ve never taken the opportunity to explore the Alps in German and Austria. So, to get that experience, I think it’s best to snake through the mountains, hitting key destinations along the way. First place to go is Berchtesgaden in the southernmost part of the Bavarian Alps. Berchtesgaden has been a top Alpine retreat for Bavarians and Austrians for hundreds of years and infamously holds The Eagles Nest which was Hitler’s summer retreat. As a World War II history lover, it’s one of the top attractions I do want to see and with it being part of the Berchtesgaden National Park, exploring, hiking, and traversing this natural beauty and the little village it resides in is a must.
After several hikes, liters of beer and plenty of sausage, it’s probably best to move south into the western Austrian state named, Tyrol. It is in the heart of the Austrian Alps, filled with folk tradition. The first stop in Tyrol would be the ski village of Kitzbuhel. Kitzbuhel is home to the world famous Hahnenkamm World Cup Ski race. A life goal would be to visit during that race weekend. It’s a huge party and sleep seems to be optional throughout the festivities. Besides the race, and world-famous skiing, the town is a picturesque Alpine village, filled with festivals throughout the summer, plenty of outdoor exploring and food and drink to enjoy. After getting our fill of skiing or hiking, we will pry ourselves from the beauty of Kitzbuhel and finish the trip in Innsbruck, the capital city of Tyrol. Innsbruck is centrally located and a beautiful Germanic Alpine city. You could make a week of travel solely to this area with plenty of day trips accessible to other Alpine resort villages like Soelden and Saint Anton am Arlberg or stay centrally located and hike, ski, eat, drink your way around Innsbruck. A great part of traveling to this area is you’re able to go most months of the years. Late Spring, Summer and Fall is beautiful for hiking and enjoy wonderful temperate weather. Winter, of course for the snow and the skiing and snowshoeing, but unlike Wisconsin, they don’t normally get the subzero (F) temps which allows you to experience the best of winter. If you can make it work, Christmas time in this region is special. Winter, summer, has everything I’m looking for in a trip.
Missys #1: Rio Negro Region of Argentina
I don’t know my fascination with Argentina, but for as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to go. Maybe it’s the architecture, or the dancing (Argentine tango is such a passionate dance to watch), its museums, or the rugged and varied wilderness once you leave the big cities, but Argentina has always captivated me. As much as I would love to go to Buenos Aires, I think that would serve as more of a stop over to the main destination, Rio Negro.
Argentina has such a diverse wilderness with mountains, ocean side, grasslands and valleys, that I would love to explore it all…. and the fact that they produce some amazing wines doesn’t hurt either. 😉 After much research and looking at countless photos, Rio Negro stood out to me from the others. I think it’s because it’s situated in Patagonia, another place I have always wanted to go (two birds with one stone) and that it’s an up-and-coming wine region and not necessarily as well-known as say Mendoza (no hate, I’m currently drinking a delicious Malbec from Mendoza). I think there’s a certain mystic that also draws me, it’s not somewhere that I’ve personally heard a lot of people venture to.
I would prefer to go to Rio Negro in late summer/early fall as to avoid winters as I’ve heard they’re harsh. I would love to be there for harvest time in some of their vineyards, such as Bodega Miras or Humberto Canale. I think San Carlos de Bariloche would be our main hub…. If anything, to appease Jack with its Swiss-like atmosphere and breweries… they also tout chocolate boutiques, like Mamuschka, Benroth or Rapa Nui, so I guess there’s something for both of us 😉. We could go hiking at the Catedral Alta Patagonia or Cerro Campanario or Cerro Catedral…. or skiing if we went in the winter.
Jack #2: Hong Kong, I’m Dying to go Back
Hong Kong, might be a bit of a surprise, but Hong Kong is truly spectacular. When Missy and I went to Thailand for our Honeymoon we flew a Hong Kong airline, Cathay Pacific which had a natural lay over in Hong Kong. Since we were already in Asia we figured, hey let’s take a 24-hour layover on the way back and explore. That exploration was such a great experience, but it went by so quickly we craved for more. So yes, we’ve taste tested Hong Kong but now I want to jump feet first and immerse ourselves into the culture and cuisine. What are we looking to do in Hong Kong? Number 1 thing is to spend a couple days trying all sorts of different cuisine. Street food in the number of different public markets is top of the list. By our experience, this is one of the best ways to be around locals, eat like locals and experience culture, through cuisine. The amazing thing about Hong Kong gastronomy its global due to the influences of colonial times, with a mixture of Chinese roots, European techniques and other Asian cultures sprinkled in. From the devilish spice of Sichuan, to the traditional Cantonese cuisine roots, to the vast variety of fresh seafood, you will not be disappointed. The best way to experience the cuisines is to check out the neighborhoods. I love exploring neighborhoods. Walking the streets and stumbling across gems that you don’t find on guided tours or in heavily tourist trafficked area. The top areas I would plan to visit would be the Mong Kok district that is well known for its food markets and the neighboring Jordan district. The Jordan district is surrounded by endless skyscrapers but has kept its traditional Hong Kong charm. It’s filled with plenty of local eateries, vendors and crowded streets. After exploring and eating my way through Mong Kok and Jordan, I wouldn’t mind ending in the Lan Kwai Fong district. This is a very party type neighborhood filled with endless bars for all types packed with locals, expats, tourists, which in the very least makes for amazing people watching. Lastly if time permitted, I would love to take a day trip to Macao. Macao, like Hong Kong is an autonomous, self-governing region in South China. Unlike Hong Kong, it was colonized by the Portuguese for over 400 years and not the British until 1999. Portuguese culture permeates through Macau. You’ll see it immediately in the architecture. Now Macau is known as the Las Vegas of the East, but there is more to cities than just gambling. I also know very little about Macau and that’s one of the main reasons I’d like to take a ferry over an explore if time permits. Now it’s time to plan a trip back sometime between September and December to get the best weather and experience all that Hong Kong has to offer. I can’t wait to go back.
Missy #2: Seoul, Korea and eating our way through town
I will unabashedly say that the #1 reason that I would love to visit Seoul is to eat. When I was in my mid-twenties working in the restaurant industry, one of my close friends started working at the restaurant I was sous chef and pastry chef at. I later found out that she was born in Korea and spent her childhood there before moving around Asia, Europe and then eventually coming to the US. Thanks to her I learned about Korean cuisine. She is a huge foodie, and after meeting her family it seems like it might be a Korean thing? With her help I very quickly discovered my love of Korean cuisine. When I visited her in NYC and went to Koreatown (KTown) and tried all the wonderful restaurants, Korea went immediately on my travel list. One of the first things Jack and I made together after we started dating was Budae Jjigae, or Army/solider stew. It’s this mind-blowing fusion of Korean and American foods that shouldn’t go well together, but they do! Like American cheese slices, spam and kimchi. If you have never had it, you’re not living.
My ideal food tour through Seoul would be going to Noryangjin Fish Market, which is one of Korea’s biggest seafood markets and you can get Korea’s infamous dish of octopus sashimi. I love octopus, I’ve never eaten it raw, but what better place to try it? You can also bring your purchased seafood upstairs to one of the many different restaurants and have them prepare it for you. Han Chu Korean Fried Chicken & Beer is also on my list, because KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) is incredible, what more can I say? I think it’s also interesting how Korea is getting into the microbrew game and would be interested to try some of theirs. Yeontabal BBQ Restaurant for Korean style BBQ would be another stop. I’ve had Korean style BBQ with my friend and her family in Chicago and loved the bulgogi and all the accoutrements that come with it, so of course a BBQ restaurant would be on my list. For those that don’t know, Korean BBQ isn’t like what we think of with American BBQ, there is no smoking or meats covered in sauces. Instead, you’re seated at a table with a charcoal grill in the middle and you grill up your own meats and eat them with all the tasty sides that are brought out with it. Gwangjang Market is one of the oldest traditional markets in South Korea and I love food markets, it’s a one stop shop and I’m all for efficiency when it comes to eating. Jeonju Yuhalmeoni Bibimbap, because when you’re in Korea you need to get bibimbap. This restaurant has been open for about 40 years and is described to be one of the most authentic bibimbap’s in all of Seoul, so naturally it has to be on my list. And lastly, Myeongdong Food Street would round out my eating itinerary. Jack and I love street food, as it’s usually very reasonable and incredibly delicious.
So, I know we can’t solely eat in Seoul on our trip, so there are other things I would like to do as well to fill in the gaps. I would like to experience Bukchon Hanok Village to see a more traditional version of Korea. Bukchon Hanok Village is a group of preserved neighborhoods, it’s said to take you back to 600 years ago in Korea…. That seems pretty whimsical. Gyeongbokgung Palace is another historical place I would like to visit while in Seoul, being one of its largest palaces. And Bongeunsa, a Buddhist temple that was built in 794(!!!!!) looks too beautiful to pass up. Then we would go to Jingwansa Temple, Bukhansan National Park to hike and attempt to burn off all the calories from the massive amounts of food we would consume.
Jack 3 – Scotland and the home of golf
My first two picks are two places that I’ve been too, so a change of pace here, and to the Scotland we go. Scotland may not be the sexy choice for most of you out there. The stereotype of cold and rainy and gray are boring aren’t fair, well maybe the rain, but Scotland offers a lot in things I love to do, namely being outside in beautiful countryside, golf and maybe tasting the local spirits. Oh, and how could I forget, the highland games.
Despite that I’m not making the PGA tour any time soon, much less struggling to win $20 off a buddy, golf is a leisure activity that I love and playing in the country that created the game is a bucket list item for me. Being able to play some of world’s most famous courses like St. Andrews, Royal Troon or Royal Carnoustie and walk grounds that some of the most famous golfers have played, would be a dream come true. This selfishly would make for a great guy’s trip, play several rounds, get some competition brewing and leaving with laughs and memories that will never be forgotten.
Now there’s more to Scotland than golf. Hiking is one of our mutual loves. Famous areas throughout the Scottish Highlands would be an amazing site to see. The Highlands have small villages like Glencoe in the heart of the highlands with endless mounting hiking and peaks to explore. Then you have the Isle of Skye, with peaks littered with medieval castles and coastal views that few places on earth have. I could easily make a trip out of getting out into the middle of nowhere, hiking all day only to end at a small pub and do it all over again the next day.
Scotland has a unique culture I really want to experience as well. The top things to see would be the highland games. Some of you may scoff, thinking it’s just large burly men chucking a stone or flipping a giant log in a kilt and even though that is a key part of the highland games, it’s really a sense of pride and a important and cherished part of the Scottish culture. These individuals are representing their clans, villages, and country. It’s a celebration of the Scottish people more than anything with armies of bag pipers, highland dancers, and comradery.
Lastly, I will be all over the local fare. Haggus being the famous national dish of cubed up animal bits stewed in grain and makes some weak kneed. Not I, and I’ll be ordering more than one portion. I also think testing the local fare includes finding local pubs, enjoying the food and drink and stumbling into a conversation with the locals. That is the best way in my mind to immerse yourself in a culture. Finally, a sampling of the impressive Scotch distilleries is a must. America has its bourbon boom right now, but I have an appreciation for Scotch. When this trip happens, a visit to the Laphroaig, Glenfiddich or Talisker will be added to the to do list.
Missy #3: Aran Islands, Ireland
I like millions of other Americans have some Irish ancestry. My maternal grandfather is very proud of this fact and has gone to Ireland many time with my grandma. As kids growing up, my siblings and I would watch slide shows every summer in their basement with photos of all their travels. This is how my fascination with Ireland began. I still want to go and kiss the Blarney Stone, stop in Dublin and go to County Cork, but after researching more about Ireland, the Aran Islands are now at the top of my list. The Aran Islands have this out of worldly beauty with their rugged cliffs and countryside. Plus the fact that these islands seem most authentically Irish is something that captivates me. Whenever possible while traveling, Jack and I try to get the most authentic experience possible, and I think this would be Ireland at its truest form. And lastly, I would ideally love to take baby Fuller to all the different places she has ancestry from. It’s a LOT as Jack and I have quite a mix, but then that ensures we have plenty of places to see.
While in the Aran Islands I would ideally like to just explore nature. Go hiking and biking along the cliffs and discover all the religious sites. St Benan’s Church in particular caught my eye, not only because it’s from the 7th century (!!!!!) but also it looks like it has spectacular views. Also, just being in pubs with locals would be such a treat for all of us. We all love Irish music, especially baby Fuller who cries in excitement whenever Finnigan’s Wake by the High Kings comes on, and all the native Irish people I’ve have been the friendliest, kindest, and funniest people I’ve ever met. The Aran Islands seems like a well-kept secret as there isn’t a lot of information out there about the different things you can do, and I think that also draws me to them.
There are some similarities where we want to go and what we both like to do but being able to travel and see each other’s fascinations has been a recipe for success over the past 6 years. We will keep enjoying our trips, the top 3 destinations with continue to evolve and the memories will only grow.