Seattle: My Favorites

What immediately struck me about Washington is how green it is. I could even notice the difference from the plane before we landed; I spent the last 20 minutes or so of the flight admiring the evergreens from the window.  It was my first time on the west coast and I instantly had a good impression.

The lush landscape isn’t the only thing that struck me about the natural beauty of the Seattle area. Only about a half hour from the city sits the Snoqualmie Falls. The Falls, which are giant and surrounded by gardens and walking paths, are simply breathtaking. If you have some extra time and are staying in Seattle, I highly recommend taking a field trip out to Snoqualmie to enjoy seeing the Falls.

Snoqualmie Falls, 2017. c. Leah Putz

However, there is plenty to see in the city as well! Obviously, the first thing that typically comes to mind is the Space Needle, which I saw from the highway as I was coming in to downtown Seattle. It was a particularly cloudy day, and apparently the view isn’t really worth the cost when you can’t see the mountains due to the clouds, so I was content to admire the Seattle staple from afar.

Rather than seeing the city from above in the Seattle, I decided to see it from below, and did a tour of the Seattle Underground. The thing I loved most about the Underground tour was how much history I learned. Going in, I didn’t really know anything at all about Seattle’s history, but the tour taught me all about it’s origins, the fire, it’s time as the ‘gateway to the Eukon’ and much more. The origins of the Underground begin with the Great Seattle Fire that destroyed much of downtown Seattle in 1889. The city was going to have to be rebuilt, and the citizens decided to rebuild the city higher than before to avoid many of the flooding problems they had been having. During the rebuilding process, the Underground was created at the level of the original streets and left open as a sort of underground shopping district before it was condemned in the 1920s, only to reopen in 1965 as a tourist attraction.

View of a skylight from the Seattle Underground, 2017. c. Leah Putz

After coming up from Underground, my aunt, my cousin, and I began heading towards the famed Pike’s Place Market. The walk was only a few blocks, but we passed the Harbor Steps, the Seattle Art Museum, and many other amazing points of interest. The market was just as I’d imagined it- I got to see the workers throw fish, got the enjoy the fresh scent of the sea, and got to admire the beautiful yellow tulips that are planted all along the outside of the marketplace building.

Pike’s Place Market, 2017. c. Leah Putz

Right across the street from Pike’s Place Market the first ever Starbucks still stands! The door has ‘1912’ painted on it which is a bit surreal, as well as the logo being uncensored. Considering how long the line was, I didn’t purchase a drink at this particular store, but I did grab a coffee at the airport on the way home to enjoy a Starbucks coffee on Starbucks’ home turf.

My aunt and cousin outside of the first Starbucks, 2017. c. Leah Putz

The Holy Grail of Scotland- Duone Castle

I’m happy to admit that Scotland is probably my favorite country I’ve ever visited. I’ve loved every trip there and almost as soon as I leave I start looking forward to the next opportunity that will bring me back to it’s rolling green Highlands and magical landscape. And most definitely my favorite site I’ve been to in Scotland is Duone Castle.

Gates of Duone Castle, 2014. c. Leah Putz

You see, I love Monty Python. I mean, I really love Monty Python. The first time I saw ‘The Holy Grail’ my mind was blown, and I was certain I had just discovered the funniest movie in all of human existence. I’m still of this opinion. There is nothing to me that makes me laugh so hard, even after seeing it a hundred times. Just quoting it (and believe me, it’s incredibly quotable) can have my friends and I in stitches. It is without a doubt my favorite comedy, and has been since I was probably about 8 years old.

Knowing this, it’s not a surprise that Duone Castle had me fangirling and squealing with excitement like nowhere ever had before, because Monty Python filmed a majority of the footage of ‘The Holy Grail’ in or around Duone Castle. The comedy group had little to no budget for the film, which featured several different castles in the script. They could only afford to rent out one castle, and thus filmed every castle scene in Doune Castle, simply dressing up different rooms to make it look like a whole different location in the movie. Nearly every room is recognizable for a ‘Holy Grail’ fan, and the Castle gift shop is full of Monty Python memorabilia (including a large bottle of beer cleverly called ‘The Holy Ail’).

Standing in the kitchen where Monty Python filmed many of the ‘Castle Anthrax’ scenes, 2014. c. Leah Putz

Since I visited back in 2014, the castle has become even more popular with tourists, attracting not only Monty Python fans, but fans of Game of Thrones (some Winterfell scenes were filmed there) and the Starz series Outlander, in which the castle portrays the MacKenzie home of Castle Leoch.

Duone Castle courtyard, 2014. c. Leah Putz

Television and movies aren’t the only reason to visit Duone Castle, though. In remarkable condition for a building that over 800 years old (thanks to Historic Scotland), the castle gives visitors a glimpse into medieval life, and was formerly a hunting lodge for Scottish monarchs. One of the most striking aspects of the castle is the fully restored Lord’s Hall, which now appears just as it would have when the castle was inhabited nearly a millennium ago.

View of the serving room from a high staircase and Castle toilet, 2014. c. Leah Putz

So whether you’re a fan of Monty Python, Outlander, Game of Thrones, or Scottish history, you must put Duone Castle on your bucket list.

Top of Duone Castle and the Scottish countryside, 2014. c. Leah Putz

Top 10 Things to do in London for First Timers

London Bridge from the River Thames, 2016. c. Leah Putz

River Cruise with Afternoon Tea

Taking a river cruise on the Thames is a great way to get another view of London, as well as learning a bit of her rich history. It provides excellent photo open opportunities as well as the chance to sail beneath the famous London Bridge. Book a tour that provides afternoon tea as well to get a taste of British culture.

 

Tower of London, 2016. c. Leah Putz

Tower of London

Built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, ‘The Tower’ is one of the oldest buildings in London. From its perch upon the Thames, the Tower has witnessed history for almost 1000 years, from the murders of two young princes, to the imprisonment and beheading of a queen, and much more!

 

Trafalgar Square, 2016. c. Leah Putz

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is a large public square in Central London that is within walking distance of many major attractions, including Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus. There are many public sculptures, museums, and restaurants off the square as well, which makes it an excellent stopping point.

 

Side Entrance of Westminster Abbey, 2014. c. Leah Putz

Westminster Abbey

Fans of the royal family can’t miss Westminster Abbey, where most recently Prince William and Duchess Kate had their nuptials. The Abbey is also the burial place of many well-known royals, including Queen Elizabeth I and her half sister Queen Mary (better known as ‘Bloody Mary’). The Poet’s Corner is also interesting to see as it’s the resting place of many of England’s literary greats, such as Charles Dickens and Geoffrey Chaucer.

 

St. Paul’s Cathedral facade, 2015. c. Leah Putz

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral to see and climb one of the highest domes in the world. The cathedral has held the funerals of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, the jubilees of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, and the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

 

View of the Houses of Parliament from the London Eye, 2014. c. Leah Putz

London Eye

The London Eye is one of the newest attractions on this list, having been just built in 2005. As Europe’s highest ferris wheel, the London Eye offers excellent and fare-reaching views of London.

 

British Museum, 2014. c. Leah Putz

British Museum

Two million years of human history from all over the globe is housed at the British Museum. World-renowned artifacts held there include the Rosetta Stone, the pediment from the Parthenon in Athens, and much more!

 

Buckingham Palace, 2014. c. Leah Putz

Buckingham Palace

What better way to take part in British culture than to see the home of the Queen? See the famous Royal Guards and tour the palace to get a glimpse of what life in the royal family might be like.

 

Hyde Park, 2014. c. Leah Putz

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is perhaps the largest and most well-known park in London. It’s home to the Princess Diana Memorial Walk, as well as numerous beautiful gardens. It’s also home to the Marble Arch.

 

Tower Bridge, 2016. c. Leah Putz

Tower Bridge

Often mistaken for London Bridge, Tower Bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks in London. Built in the late 1800s, the Bridge has a Tower Bridge Exhibition to be seen in the engine rooms for a small fee, or you can stroll across the bridge free of charge!

Edinburgh- a Haunted City

If you’re intrigued by the paranormal and love traveling to places with a dark and ghostly history, look no further than Edinburgh, Scotland! The Scottish capital has a reputation for being one of the most haunted cities in the world. The city’s history is full of violence and tragedy, from wars, to an infestation of the black plague, and many more, so it’s not surprising that Edinburgh is rumored to have paranormal energies.

Greyfriars Kirkyard, 2014. c. Leah Putz

Greyfriars Kirkyard has been proclaimed the most haunted cemetery in the world. Established in the 1560s, the cemetery is home to thousands of graves, and countless restless spirits. The entrance to the graveyard is marked the by headstone of Greyfriars Bobby, a dog who slept on his master’s grave in the cemetery for 14 years in the 1800s, until his own death. The cemetery itself is made up of vaults, tombs, and mausoleums. Many of the graves have mortsafes (iron cages) to deter grave robbers, who had become a serious issue in the early 1800s. The cemetery has many notable residents, but the most notorious is Sir George MacKenzie, who has become the MacKenzie Poltergeist. For those who dare to enter the cemetery and the MacKenzie mausoleum after dark, beware, for many have reported leaving with scrapes, bruises, and sometimes worse, all at the hands of the MacKenzie poltergeist.

Greyfriars Kirkyard, 2014. c. Leah Putz

But not just the cemeteries in Edinburgh are ghostly- beneath the buildings in the Old Town sits Mary King’s Close, which has had a reputation for being haunted since as early as the 17th century. According the legend, the hauntings began with plague victims being quarantined and left to die in the Close. The Close is now a tourist attraction, presenting an accurate representation of Edinburgh as it was from the 1500s-1700s.

The Edinburgh Vaults have generated such buzz that  they’ve been visited by the show Ghost Adventures! The Vaults were built under the South Bridge arches in 1788, and functioned for a period as taverns and storage spaces, and became Edinburgh’s slums. Today, most of the vaults are closed. The few that are left open are used for ghost tours, concerts, and private events. I toured the Vaults with a Ghost Tour, and though I didn’t myself have any paranormal experiences, many visitors have reported strange sounds, cold patches, and there are countless eerie photos from the area.

Orbs in the Edinburgh Vaults, 2014. c. Leah Putz

TIME magazine has ranked Edinburgh Castle #3 on their list of Top 10 Most Haunted Places. In 2001 when a large scale paranormal investigation of the castle took place, over half of the participants reported experiencing some sort of paranormal phenomena. The castle, having been built in the 12th century, has seen its fair share of war, executions, and death. Today, it is Edinburgh’s most visited tourist attraction, and many of those visitors report paranormal experiences, including seeing apparitions. Greyfriars Bobby is a regular sighting, as well as a headless drummer boy, and a piper.

Edinburgh Castle and Princes’ Street Gardens, 2014. c. Leah Putz
So if you’re feeling courageous, head to Scotland, and brave the haunted streets of Edinburgh. Who knows, you might meet someone from another century!

6 Reasons a Fairy-Tale Fan Should Visit Germany

As a lover of the Grimm Fairy Tales, my time spent in Germany was wrapped up in imagining I was inside one of their stories. Marburg and Kassel are to this day some of my favorite cities I have visited, and I look forward to going back to Germany one day to explore more of the places I’ve compiled on this list. Without further ado, here I present 6 reasons that a Grimm Fairy Tale fan must travel to Germany!

Marburg, 2013. c. Leah Putz

 

6. Neuschwanstein Castle

If Neuschwanstein Castle looks familiar to you it’s not surprising, as Disney used the castle for inspiration when building Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty castle. The castle’s opulence, as well as its high position overlooking the beautiful countryside, make it easy to imagine you’re inside a fairy-tale! If you don’t have a chance to visit Neuschwanstein specifically, it’s okay. West Germany is covered in castles, and any one of them is a magical experience to tour.

5. Marburg

Nestled in West-Central Germany sits Marburg, the city where the Grimm brothers collected many of their stories. Both Marburg and the brothers left a lasting impression on one another. Jacob and Wilhelm studied at Marburg University, where their appetite for literature and culture was awakened.

Me in Marburg, 2013. c. Leah Putz

 

4. Rapunzel’s Tower

Jouney to Trendelburg to stay at Hotel Burg and see Rapunzel’s Tower! Rumor is that Rapunzel was locked away in the very tower that stands connected to Trendelburg Castle today, and you can climb to the top and catch a far-reaching view of the German countryside. The castle doubles as a hotel as well, complete with a restaraunt and spa, making it a complete package of all you could ever want!

 

3. “Talking Mirror” in Lohr am Main

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” Any fairy tale fan would recognize this signature line from ‘Snow White.’ According to legend, the story of ‘Snow White’ stems from the real-life relationship between Maria Sophia Margaretha Catherina von und zu Erthal and her strained relationship with her ‘wicked’ step-mother, Claudia Elizabeth con Reichenstein. Claudia owned an ornate mirror from Lohr, who’s mirror’s have the reputation of always speaking the truth. The mirror worked it’s way into ‘Snow White’ as the magic mirror on the wall. This mirror, known as the “Talking Mirror,” is available to be seen at the Spessart Museum in Lohr am Main.

Kassel, 2013. c. Leah Putz

 

2. Kassel

Kassel is the epicenter of all things Grimm. The brothers lived there and worked at the Hessen State Library for many years. Today, there are many reminders in Kassel marking the city as the Grimm hometown, including a Brothers Grimm Monument, guided Grimm and fairy-tale tours, and the Bruder Grimm Museum, which houses an original copy of the Fairy-Tales, which is annotated by Jacob and Wilhelm.
1.Fairy-Tale Road Trip

Rent a car and hop onto the road to follow a 370 mile route running from Hanau, Germany to Bremen, Germany, covering a large chunk of Western Germany. The route is dappled with historic sites from the lives of Jacob and Wilhem Grimm, as well as sites that may have served as inspiration for their collection of Fairy-Tales. If you coast along this path, you’ll be able to see not only the fairytale gems on this list and many more, but the beauty of the German countryside as well!

Kassel, 2013. c. Leah Putz

A Historic Gem: Stirling

Stirling, Scotland, otherwise known as ‘The Gateway of the Highlands,’ has a history stretching all the way back to the Stone Age. It’s position at the border between the Lowlands and the Highlands of Scotland made it an desirable point of conquest, attracting both the Vikings and the English over the course of history. The most well-known battles taking place during the Wars of Scottish Independence at Stirling Bridge in 1297. The film Braveheart may come to mind, and rightfully so, as in Stirling nearby in the village of Bannockburn William Wallace and Robert the Bruce attacked the English.

River Forth, Where Many Battles of the Wars of Scottish Independence were Fought, 2014. c. Leah Putz

One of the most wonderful things about Stirling, to me, is that this rich history hasn’t been forgotten over the course of so many hundreds of years. I came to Stirling intending to just pass through and head further north immediately, but when I got a sense of where I was, I decided to stick around and explore for a bit before continuing on. From my experience the citizens are eager to share what Stirling has to offer with tourists. On the way into Stirling from the nearby village of Duone, my cab driver pointed to the river near Stirling bridge and said “There’s the spot where William Wallace ambushed the English army.” He also pointed out the Wallace Monument, which holds William’s sword, and mentioned that there’s a statue that bears “striking resemblance to Mel Gibson” of Wallace near the monument.

Wallace Monument and the Highlands, 2014. c. Leah Putz

Speaking of the Wallace Monument, a hike up to the top of Stirling hill, where the Stirling Castle is perched, lends a breathtaking view of both the Monument and the surrounding jagged hills that are so characteristic of Scotland. Stirling Castle itself is also a thing of majesty, being one of the largest and most historically significant castles in all of Scotland, and is considered a Scheduled Ancient Monument by the U.K. Among the events that have occurred at the castle are the crowning of Mary Queen of Scots in 1542, and a failed attempt to take the castle from the English by Bonnie Prince Charlie toward the end of the doomed Jacobite Rising in Scotland in 1745.

Stirling Castle and cemetery, 2014. c. Leah Putz

I found my time strolling aimlessly through Stirling incredibly enriching and well spent. Just down from the castle the heart of the Old Town (called locally Top of the Town) survives, giving Stirling a distinct and medieval look. I also stopped by the Church of the Holy Rude, which has stood near Stirling cemetery since 1129. I tried to take everything in, admiring how much history was beneath my feet, and still standing.

Top 5 Things to do in Cork City

5. Old English Market

 

The best sausage I’ve ever had in my life was at the Old English Market in Cork. The sausages alone are reason enough to visit, let alone all the other foods and history (two of my favorite things). The market is best known for its fresh meats, buttered eggs, spiced beef, and other delicious treats.

Though the current building was built in the mid-1800s, a market had stood on site since as early as 1788. The market has since drawn many visitors, including Queen Elizabeth II and has won a gold medal from Europa Nostra!

The River Lee, Cork, 2015. c. Leah Putz

 

4. Cork City Gaol

 

If you want to visit a building with a grim, but fascinating history, look no further than the Cork City Gaol. Now a museum, the Gaol operated as a prison for nearly 100 years, having opened in 1824, and saw Cork through a lot of turmoil, including the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War.

After closing the prison in 1923, the Gaol operated briefly as a radio station, but stood empty for almost 50 years before reopening as a museum as recently at 1993. Today, you can tour the Gaol and witness the history of the prison firsthand, not to mention the beautiful 17th century architecture., for an adult admission rate of only €8,00.

 

3. Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral

 

Speaking of architecture, Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral is a magnificent work of it. It was built in the 1800s by William Burges in the French Gothic style, and is marvelously imposing. If you’re a religious Catholic, it may be interesting to see the burial places of bishop William Lyon and archbishop Richard Boyle, who were both laid to rest here. Saint Fin Barre himself was supposedly buried in a graveyard at the east end of the Cathedral after founding a monastery on site in 606A.D.

Tours of the Cathedral are only €5,00- a very low cost for the opportunity to explore such a beautiful building.

View of Cork City from the Shandon Tower, 2015. c. Leah Putz

 

2. Shandon Tower

 

Connected to the Church of St. Anne is the Shandon Tower, which consists of the clock tower and the bell tower of the church. The tower stands tall over the city and is a striking and famous landmark. The clock, which is known as the ‘Four-Faced Liar,’ shows a slightly different time of each of its four faces. Atop the tower is a salmon-shaped weather vane painted in gold leaf, symbolizing how important fishing industry was to Cork.

For only €5,00, you can climb to the top of the tower, ring the church bells, and witness an incredible 360 degree view of the city from above.

The Shandon Tower, 2015. c. Leah Putz

 

1.Visit pubs

Sitting down in the pub, listening to live traditional Irish music, and having a pint of beer is a staple of Irish culture. During my time in Cork, I visited many of the pubs including Mutton Lane and the Sin e. The Sin e is considered by many to be one of the best pubs in Ireland, and was voted one of the best places in the world to spend St. Patrick’s Day!

My favorite thing about the pubs in Cork is the atmosphere. Rather than having electric light bulbs, a lot of pubs had empty liquor bottles with long lit candles in the neck scattered throughout the bar, and fairy lights. This creates a relaxing aura and, coupled with the traditional Irish music, there is no mistaking that you are in Ireland.

First Guinness in Mutton Lane, 2015. c. Leah Putz

Florence: A City of Art

As an art lover myself, I feel confident in saying that Florence is a dream city for those who love art. It’s rich history has produced the likes of Michelangelo, da Vinci, Botticelli, among others. There is hardly a name from the Italian Renaissance that doesn’t have the stamp ‘Made in Florence’ on it.

Statue of da Vinci in a Piazza, 2011. c. Renee Brown

One of the most important names in Florentine history is the name of Medici. The Medici were a prominent banking family that rose to power in the 13th century. They not only had their hands in the banks, but politics, art, and religion not only in Florence but in Rome as well, have put into place no less than 4 popes during their 300 year reign. Under Cosimo de Medici, who rose to power in 1434, and his son and then grandson Lorenzo the Magnificent, the arts in Florence thrived. The Medici supported artists such as Brunelleschi, da Vinci, and other household names of the Renaissance. The palace of the Medici, the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, is now a museum that can be toured. I saw the building, but didn’t have a chance to go inside. Considering the importance of the Medici, I’ll be sure to visit when I go to Florence again someday.

Exterior and Interior of the Duomo, 2011. c. Renee Brown

Perhaps the most famous landmark in Florence is the Duomo, or the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiori. Construction began on the cathedral in 1296 and took 140 years to complete, and for the majority of this time it stood dome-less. The creation of the dome was a problem for the medieval architects constructing the Cathedral. The domes in Rome had been built by the Romans, and the measurements and skills required had been lost during the dark ages, so no one knew how to build a dome, let alone one of the size and weight required for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiori. That all changed when the Medici commissioned Filippo Brunelleschi. He took on one of the most difficult projects of the Renaissance, and he completed it in only 16 years. To this day, the Duomo is, to me at least, the most impressive and awe-inspiring landmark in Florence. One of my favorite things I did in Florence was climb the 463 steps through a narrow, twisting corridor to the top of the Duomo to catch a bird’s eye view of the city and the surrounding Tuscan landscape.

On top of the Duomo, 2011. c. Leah Putz

Close by the Duomo lies,  the Baptistery of Saint John. This octagonal building was constructed between 1059 and 1128, making it one of the oldest buildings in Florence. This alone makes it worth visiting, but when you consider the doors of Ghiberti as well, it becomes clear that you can’t visit Florence without visiting the Baptistery. Lorenzo Ghiberti won the opportunity to design the doors of the Baptistery in a competition in 1401. In the next 21 years after winning, Ghiberti created his masterpiece- gilded bronze doors with 28 panels detailing scenes from the New Testament, as well as the Four Evangelists and the Church Fathers- The Gates of Paradise. The Gates of Paradise on the Baptistery now are copies so as to preserve the originals, but they are no less magnificent.

The Gates of Paradise by Ghiberti, 2011. c. Renee Brown

A visit to Florence isn’t complete without stopping in at least one of it’s many museums. The Accademia Gallery and the Uffizi Gallery are two of the most well-known of these, and for good reason. I was forced with the decision of choosing which to go to as I didn’t have time to visit both, so I made my way to the Accademia Gallery to see one of the most famous statues in history, David by Michelangelo. The Accademia has many other masterpieces by Michelangelo and others to be seen, but it is most well known for housing David. No photos were permitted in the Gallery, but I can tell you David stands tall, mighty, and overwhelming under a skylight in the center of four converging halls in the museum.

The Uffizi Gallery is just as marvelous as the Accademia. Some of the most famous Renaissance paintings are displayed in the Uffizi, including The Birth of Venus and La Primavera by Botticelli, Venus of Urbino by Titian, Bacchus by Caravaggio, and Judith and Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi. With a compliation this fantastic, the Uffizi is a must-see even for those who aren’t in love with art.

Florence stands as one of the mightiest cities in history. It’s rich contributions to western culture and art have shaped the world as it is today. This ancient city holds some of the most world-renowned works of art in European history, and it’s impossible to stroll through its streets without feeling this richness of its history and culture.

Ponte Vecchio and Arno River, 2011. c. Renee Brown

Into a Magical Forest: Puzzlewood

Have you ever felt the desire to step into a fantasy land? Where magic and fairies and wonder seem possible? Look no further than a special section of the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, England known as Puzzlewood. Maze-like pathways were built into the forest in the 1800s, allowing tourists to witness the ancient trees and moss-covered rock formations that are unique to Puzzlewood.

Pathway in Puzzlewood forest, 2014. c. Leah Putz

Upon setting foot in this enchanting forest, it feels like you’re walking into Middle-Earth, or some sort of magical fairy land. The twisted roots and trees, growing moss covered over nearly everything, and the centuries-old pathways make it a very whimsical place to wander through.

Puzzlewood forest, 2014. c. Leah Putz

The best thing about the forest, to me, though, is the fact that it was often visited by my favorite author, J.R.R. Tolkien. His descriptions of Fangorn Forest, the Old Forest, and even Mirkwood are a bit reminiscent of Puzzlewood, and it’s easy to believe that the Forest of Dean may have been an inspiration for him. I like to believe that because while inside Puzzlewood, it’s easy to imagine you’re in the depths of Fangorn Forest, half expecting an elf to pop out from behind a tree or an Ent to spring to life.

Sign at Puzzlewood, 2014. c. Leah Putz

The beauty of the forest hasn’t been missed by Hollywood or the BBC, either. If any of my photos from Puzzlewood look familiar, it may be because you’ve seen it on film. The forest has been featured in Doctor Who, Merlin, and most recently Star Wars: the Force Awakens. After I had visited I made it a game to try to find Puzzlewood in the Star Wars movie (hint: when Rey and Kylo Ren are fighting there about halfway through the film) and in the Doctor Who episode ‘Flesh and Stone.’ I don’t blame directors for choosing Puzzlewood as a filming location- of my dozens of photos I took during my hours of ambling through the 14 acres of wood, I didn’t have a single bad shot.

Puzzlewood Forest, 2014. c. Leah Putz

After about a two hour train journey from London to Lydney, and then a taxi from the Lydney train station, I arrived at Puzzlewood on a slightly rainy day in August, but even though the weather wasn’t ideal, the forest and the surrounding areas were still incredibly lovely. The entrance to Puzzlewood is adorned with an adorable cafe (called Puzzlewood Cafe) and farm animals including Highland cattle, ponies, sheep, ducks, and goats. There are also numerous outdoor and indoor play areas, making it a very family-friendly outing.

 

Hawaiian Travel Tips

While I don’t have a ton of experience in tropical areas (Mexico, the Bahamas, and Florida are pretty much the extent of it), after this weekend I can say with confidence that Oahu, Hawaii is so far my favorite tropical locale. I have a lovely friend who showed me around for the short period of time I was on the island, and we packed a lot into the day and a half I was there. After my experience in Oahu, I compiled some tips on how to make the most out of a short (or long) period of time on this beautiful island.

Be Adventurous with Beach Activities

The beach is usually the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of Hawaii, myself included. My favorite thing to do at the beach is relax and admire the view (which is exactly what I did in Kailua at Lanikai Beach). However, there are numerous  more audacious activities at the countless beaches in Oahu. Snorkeling, surfing, kite-surfing, and paddle boarding are just a few exciting beach endeavors you can partake in whilst in Hawaii.

Lanikai Beach, Kailua, 2017. c. Leah Putz

 

Explore the Waikiki Strip

Waikiki is the main area in Honolulu that tourists tend to gravitate to, and understandably so.  I decided to check out the International Marketplace- which turned out to be more like a mall filled with high-end shops such as Saks Fifth Avenue. What struck me about this ‘mall’ though was that it had pavilions and trees in the middle of it and everything was open air. A lot of the shopping centers and buildings in Hawaii are built like this, winding around nature rather than building right on top of it. Complete with a large beach, copious shops and malls, restaurants, and tourist shops, there isn’t much to be missed in the main strip next to the beach in Waikiki.

Inside the International Marketplace on the Waikiki Strip, 2017. c. Leah Putz

 

Go Hiking

It’s difficult to choose which hike to go on in Oahu, considering there are a mulitude of them and they all have something unique to offer. If I had had more time in Hawaii, I would have done a different hike every day. Some of the most common hikes on the island are the Lanikai Pillboxes hike, the Diamond Head hike, and the Koko Crater Arch hike. My friend and I did the Waimano Trail hike, which I loved because it felt like I was in ‘Lost’ or something on a trek through the jungle. We didn’t have enough time to complete the hike (I had to start heading to the airport), but what we saw was strikingly beautiful and it made me want to go back to finish that hike and try some of the many others that the island has to offer.

On the Waimano Trail, 2017. c. Leah Putz

 

Rent a Car

I was lucky enough to have a friend that was able (and willing) to drive me around the island, but I you don’t know anybody who lives in Oahu I would highly recommend renting a car. Simply driving around the island and admiring the scenery is a wonderful experience. We drove from the Leeward (west) side of the island to the Windward (east) side to visit Kailua and the drive through the mountains was nothing short of incredible. From the lowest valley to the highest peak, everything was covered in the riches of green, creating a landscape that felt like it came right out of a movie. Renting a car would allow you to travel through the mountains and see what I’m talking about, as well as making it a lot easier to access the many beaches and hikes I mentioned earlier. Overall, it will allow you to see and experience the most of what Oahu has to offer.

Entering the Mountains on the Highway, 2017. c. Leah Putz