4 Essentials For a Weekend in Istanbul

Istanbul Mosque

Last fall I had been itching to go somewhere a little more exotic and different than Western/Central Europe, and was thrilled when I found cheap flights to Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. For a long weekend, I wandered around the city with a friend to explore a place neither of us had been to. Immediately we were in awe, as the city blends the east and the west, evidently seen through the culture and architecture. The people were friendly and the streets were bustling. Since we just had a few days there, we set out on hitting the major must-see attractions, but also walked around plenty in the attempt to stumble upon random shops and cafes. Here are a few must-see things we did that I highly recommend you do if you find yourself in Istanbul:

Galata Tower

Galata Tower View

Head to the top of the Galata Tower for a fantastic view of Istanbul. Once at the top, you slowly make your way around the tower which gives you an amazing panoramic view of the city, the water, and the mosques in the distance. Look down and people watch those walking around the streets or dining at an outdoor cafe.

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi palace

The Topkapi Palace was one of my favorite places we visited. Nestled on a hill, there are spectacular views of the city and the water surrounding the castle. The rooms throughout the palace are covered in bright colored tiles and stained glass windows that add to the grandeur of the former stomping grounds for the Ottoman Sultans. Inside the palace was the jewel room, which I LOVED. You aren't allowed to take photos in the jewel room, so I only have my memories - think swords and other weaponry completely covered in gems, decorative bowls, and large chests with giant, pure emeralds.

Mosques

Istanbul Mosques

The mosques in Istanbul are grand and elaborate from the outside, but even more so on the inside. While we didn't have a chance to go to Hagia Sofia (something to do next time), we did get to the Blue Mosque and the New Mosque. Being inside the mosques was relaxing and peaceful. I instantly felt a sense of calm. Make sure to dress conservatively in the mosques with covered shoulders, knees, and toes, plus a head scarf for women.

Grand Bazaar/Spice Market

Spice Market Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar and Spice Market were two places I weren't very fond of, but nevertheless are interesting to experience. The shop salespeople were mainly men who were very pushy and annoying just to get you to look at their items. The Grand Bazaar was large and there was a ton of selection on Turkish goods, plus some of the typical souvenir stuff. The Spice Market had a ton of spices (of course), and if I were one to cook, I would've stocked up on everything from paprika to cumin to pepper. The Spice Market also had shops with plenty of Turkish gifts to buy, including traditional Turkish foods like baklava. While these weren't my favorite places to go to, I'd still recommend a look around because there is quite a variety of shops.

There is plenty more to do in Istanbul, and these four essentials only scratch the surface - but will definitely make for a trip to remember as part of your weekend itinerary.

Everything Happens For a Reason - Go With The Flow When Traveling

I wasn't originally supposed to go to Ireland. During my study abroad program, I had planned a weekend trip to Barcelona with a large group of friends and was so excited to see one of the cities that still to this day has a spot on my bucket list. We were all flying out of different cities near Florence, like Milan, Bologna, and Pisa. For me and three of the guys, we were flying out of Pisa. Once we were literally about to step onto the plane, the airport was evacuated. Apparently a bomb was found in the airport!

All of the flights were cancelled and a bomb squad came in to take a look. Luckily, the bomb was described as "an ancient not exploded World War II bomb," according to the airport alert monitors, so everyone was safe. Still, we were unable to get out of Pisa that night to Barcelona. We fortunately were able to grab a taxi in the swarm of people outside the airport, and then caught an extremely crowded bus (since the trains stopped running) back to Florence so we'd have a place to sleep. To be totally honest, I was really bummed that I was missing out on the weekend in Barcelona. However, we still took advantage of our weekend in Florence by experiencing some of the local culture and nightlife, as well as a day trip to Siena.

Since I had ended up getting my flights refunded, I had some spare money and a free weekend coming up. Two friends had a trip to Ireland planned and invited me along. It was such a fun weekend! Even though I was originally bummed about missing out on Barcelona, if I had gone, I wouldn't have gone to Ireland the following weekend. Everything happens for a reason. When you miss your train, or your flight gets cancelled, or anything else goes wrong, the best thing to do is simply make the best of it. Barcelona will always be there, and maybe one day I'll get to go. And I had a wonderful time exploring three cities in beautiful Ireland!

Makeup/Beauty Tips For Travelers

If you're like me (or most girls) you probably like to bring your makeup with you on trips. Just because you're not at home doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your typical beauty routine! I've compiled plenty of tips on how to pack your products as well as tips on makeup for traveling.

Packing Your Makeup & Beauty Products

-You don't need to pack your whole bathroom intoyour suitcase. When you're traveling, packing light is key and makes everything easier. Plus, having extra space means more room for goodies on your trip! When you're deciding on makeup and hair products, think: Do I actually use this every day? Will I actually use this on my trip? If the answer is no, leave it behind. Chances are you'll completely forget about it. The last thing you want is to have a giant bottle of hairspray, a ton of extra eye shadow palettes, and full-size shampoo bottles taking up space in your luggage, especially when you don't use them.

- To minimize space, use travel size bottles. I take a tube or two of travel size toothpaste, and if I don't use the whole tube, I throw it out. Since I like to use a certain type of shampoo and conditioner for my hair that doesn't come in travel size, I get the plastic empty bottles from Target for $1 and take the amount I need with me.

- If you're traveling with a friend, coordinate on stuff you can share. Do you both need to bring a flat iron? Maybe one of you brings the flat iron and the other brings the curling iron. Could you share shampoo? Toothpaste?

- Always put your liquids in ziploc bags. The last thing you'll feel like dealing with when arriving to your destination is buying a whole new wardrobe because your pink strawberry scented shaving cream exploded and stained all your clothes.

- Another tip for liquids: put a piece of plastic wrap over the opening of the bottle, secure with a rubber band, and screw the cap on over it. This helps ensure minimal leaks.

- If you're traveling long-term, there's no need to stock up on a huge amount of product before you head over (that is, unless you're totally attached to it and won't be able to find it in your new country). Many countries have Sephora, department stores with beauty sections, or other makeup/beauty shops. Grocery stores often sell similar toiletries like they do in the US. Check before you go so you don't have weigh your luggage down with 10 pounds of lotion and five large tubes of toothpaste.

- Take advantage of pockets or compartments in your suitcase. On my suitcase, I have a small outer pocket that I put most of my liquids in. This makes it extra safe for not leaking onto my stuff, but also makes it easy to take out when I go through security.

Makeup and Beauty Tips for Traveling

- For nail polish, light colors tend to show less when chipping, so you can make your mani/pedi last longer. If you need to do touch-ups, bring your bottle with you - it's small and doesn't take up much space!

- If you got a spray tan before your beach vaycay and you want to stretch the life of the tan, make sure to moisturize daily with lotion. For showering with a spray tan, avoid exfoliating, and when you towel off, pat instead of rubbing to avoid smears and loss of color.

- Protect your face with one less item to bring - if your foundation has SPF in it, then you don't necessarily need to bring a bottle of face sunscreen.

- If you have a long flight, layover, or you just didn't want to use the icky hostel shower to wash your hair, wear a hat. Baseball caps and beanies pack well. Headbands, hair ties, or bobby pins are other alternatives to help on a dirty hair day.

-  For summer trips, bring bug spray. I brought a mini bottle with me to Florence and it saved my skin! (Florence, Italy especially has a ton of mosquitoes in the summertime). If I forgot to wear bug spray out at night, I'd wake up the next morning with over 30 bug bites. I am not kidding - I still have a few scars. One of the best creams I'd always bring for bug bites is a small tube of Cortizone. It helps reduce redness, swelling, and itching, so I use it for bug bites, breakouts, dry skin, etc.

- Instead of my normal face wash, I usemakeup remover wipes when traveling. Luckily, my skin isn't prone to breakouts, so I don't have to use a specific skincare routine. If you're going somewhere (or multiple places) where the water is different than what you're used to at home, then chances are your skin won't be used to it either. Makeup remover wipes clean and moisturize skin sans-water so you can avoid unwanted breakouts.

Amalfi Coast and Lake Como: Why Winding Roads Are Worth It

The Amalfi Coast - Go Seek Explore

Not all the beautiful places in the world are easily accessible, but in most cases, they're definitely worth the effort. I've had the pleasure of visiting two of my favorite places in Italy, the Amalfi Coast and Lake Como. Lake Como (northern Italy) and the Amalfi Coast (near Naples) are only accessible by taking a bus or car through narrow, winding roads on hills or cliffs.

The Amalfi Coast

In Amalfi, the pastel houses and hotels are built into the cliffs, and I definitely recommend driving down during the day so you can appreciate the beauty. As you wind into Sorrento, you'll see the houses, the cliffs with the fog/clouds hovering above, and the gorgeous beaches. One of the funniest memories from my study abroad experience (the first time I went to Amalfi) was when our bus got wedged next to another bus going the opposite way. We were literally stuck, with the drivers backing out and backing back in dozens of times to squeeze through. Meanwhile, Italians were honking their horns and shouting behind us (their anger was well-understood).

Lemon Groves in Positano

When I went to Lake Como with a friend last year, we took an hour-long bus ride from Como up to Bellagio, the center of the lake. (The lake is shaped like an upside-down Y). We were both still really jet lagged so being on a bus definitely didn't feel the best for our queasy stomachs, however the view driving up was absolutely incredible. I will never forget the adorable houses lining the water from looking out the window on our way up. It was one of the highlights from the trip and I'm glad we went up to Bellagio instead of staying at the bottom of the lake in Como.

lake como - go seek explore

bellagio - go seek explore

If you find yourself in Italy during the summertime, I highly recommend these two locations - they are even more breathtaking in person.

8 Majestic Time Lapse Videos: World Cities

Last week, I featured eight majestic time lapse videos from US cities. Today, we're going outside America to view eight more cities all over the world, through time lapse. 1. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

This one is AWESOME. Trust me.

2. Paris, France

The charming city of light in time lapse.

3. London, United Kingdom

I always wonder what the guards are thinking when people take photos with them...probably something like "Get away from me." Haha.

4. Moscow, Russia

A little eerie at times, but definitely gorgeous.

5. Rio de Janerio, Brazil

The sunrise at 0:40 is incredible.

6. Accra, Ghana

A cool video of the city with narration, too.

7. Cape Town, South Africa

Stunning views of clouds hovering at the top of Table Mountain.

8. Guangzhou, China

Cool intro shots with people/local culture. The time lapsing starts around 0:50.

The Ultimate Travel Guide For Seattle

This is your ultimate guide to the must-see attractions you'll need to check off your Seattle bucket list. If you're headed to Seattle soon, you've probably taken note of the typical sites to see, like the Space Needle or the original Starbucks. Already been to the city or want to get away from the tourists? Scroll down halfway to hit off-the-beaten-path gems I recommend as a Seattle native. The Main Attractions:

Space Needle

The Space Needle is the most iconic Seattle landmark and is nestled just a smidge off the downtown skyline in order to make it stand out from the crowd. You'll notice it driving south along I-5 on your way into the city, or peeking out from the buildings as you wind around the exit leaving I-90. Ride up to the top of the Space Needle to get the best panorama view of the whole city.

The Original StarbucksAny Starbucks fan must make a pilgrimage to the original shop that started it all. Right in Pike Place Market you'll find the original Starbucks, in all its glory, back from when it first opened in 1971. Though it's often crowded with tourists, you'll get to be at the original shop that spawned the 23,000+ locations worldwide. (Know what's crazy? I get Starbucks every single day, though I haven't been to the original shop, ever, in my 17 years of living in the Seattle area. Why? Well...there literally is a Starbucks everywhere you turn, so I don't really need to. I know, shame on me for not being a better Starbucks fan.)

Pike Place Market

Now if you're headed to the original Starbucks, you're already in Pike Place Market, so you might as well explore the rest of it. Pike Place is the downtown farmer's market with local produce, inexpensive but beautiful flower bouquets, and lots of fish. The fish even fly. Locals often wander around playing music on saxophones or guitars, which adds to the overall ambiance of the market.

Seahawks, Mariners, and Sounders Games

If it's sports season, find yourself rooting for the pro teams of Seattle. Cheer on the Hawks (2014 Super Bowl champs, I might add) and the Sounders at Century Link Field, or for the Mariners at Safeco Field. Lining the streets by Safeco are snack stands with hot dogs and kettle corn, but inside holds the true fan favorite: garlic fries. Just make sure to bring a breath mint - or three.

Experience Music Project

EMP is the museum of every music buff's fantasies. I've been a few times and it's pretty cool. Some of the current exhibits include Nirvana and Jimmy Hendrix.

Sculpture Garden & Seattle Art Museum

For the modern artists. Personally, I haven't been to the SAM but have heard great things about it. I have been to the Sculpture Garden a few times though. One of those times included a school field trip in the pouring rain. Needless to say, I did not enjoy it at all. However, the sculptures are unique and if you're into it, then it might be a place to add to your list.

For a More Local Feel:

Local Coffee Shops

Seattle is known for its coffee, but not just because of Starbucks. Find one of the many indie coffee shops around town and you're sure to not be disappointed.

San Juan Islands

The San Juans may not be "lesser-known," but not as many people venture out to the islands in the Puget Sound since they're only accessible by ferry. However, Bainbridge Island is so close that you can still see the skyline from it. Whidbey Island, Friday Harbor, and Roche Harbor are popular summer spots for all kinds of summer activities.

Lake Washington

Take a boat out on Lake Washington in the summer when it's sunny and I guarantee you'll have a good time. On a clear day you'll get the best view of Mt. Rainier. Your Instagram uploads will be so #nofilter they'll rival any others in the feed. You can also rent canoes by the hour through the University of Washington.

Snoqualmie/Cascade Mountains

Drive a little east to the mountains and you'll have plenty of skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing options in the winter. Hiking or camping in the summer is great too with spectacular views from the top.

Dick's Drive-In RestaurantHow could I not include Dick's Drive-In on this list?! Dick's is THE iconic, local fast food restaurant of Seattle where you can get a greasy (and delicious) cheeseburger for only $1.65 all day/night until 2am. (We stopped by for late night food after my high school prom, so you know it's good. Oh, the memories.) There are five locations throughout the Seattle area. Burgers, fries, and milkshakes await as you sit in your car like a classic drive-in, or eat on a bench outside. (Oh, and it is way different than the Dick's in Spokane, WA which is owned by a different person.)

 Lake Chelan

Drive east past the mountains to Lake Chelan in Central Washington, a popular summer spot. Great for lounging in the summer sun, spending some time on the lake, or wine tasting at the vineyards. It's a small town so if you're not there in the summer, there's really not much to do.

Craft Breweries

For beer fans, check out the craft breweries and alehouses from the northwest. There are plenty to choose from, and the Seattle Alehouse (home to Pyramid) is right across from Safeco Field, giving you a great opportunity to cheer on the Mariners game from their beer garden.

Alki Beach

For the BEST views of the Seattle skyline, head to Alki Beach on Lake Washington. It's sandy so it's great for the summer, but sunsets and city views are stunning all year round.

10 Non-Cliche Travel Quotes

I recently posted 10 Cliche But Inspiring Travel Quotes - the typical "Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer" and "Not all who wander are lost" sayings. While I believe that those quotes are very inspiring and get me amped up to travel, I want to feature some more that are aren't as well-known (or at least all over Pinterest!).

1. "If we were meant to stay in place, we would have roots instead of feet." - Rachel Wolchin

2. “Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.” - Unknown

3. “When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money." - Susan Heller

4. “To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson

5. “The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it.” – Rudyard Kipling

6. “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” - Aldous Huxley

7. “I met a lot of people in Europe. I even encountered myself.” - James Baldwin

8. “Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you traveled.” - Mohammed

9. “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” - Scott Cameron

10. "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” - Mark Twain