Imagine a historical city that's situated on its own yet surrounded by the region of Bohemia in Central Europe with a dynamic blend of dark, gothic architecture, a vibrant atmosphere, cultural heritage, and a modern touch - This city is what we call Prague in the Czech Republic (commonly known now as Czechia)!

When you think of the Pacific Northwest, what do you think of? My hope is that you imagine Washington State with its lush coniferous trees, blue lakes, snowcapped mountain ranges, and opportunities to see wildlife during a fun day of hiking! After recently moving back to the Evergreen State, I shared my 8 reasons of why I love living in Washington and the outdoor experience with all of its beauty alone was put at the very top! It was a no-brainer that I had to next share 12 summer day hikes from Seattle.

​I often am reminded as to why I named this blog Everlasting Voyage - Not only is it about my endless desire for travel, but also about the endless journey I’m on of growing, changing, and experiencing life as it shapes me.

I had a totally different introduction to this entry and I’m here to tell y’all why: This blog post was halfway written and had been sitting in my drafts since the end of last year with the intention of publishing it in early 2026 when I was living in Upstate New York. Originally it was titled “X Reasons I Miss Living in Washington State”, but I can now say that I am publishing this post with a different title because not even 365 days after moving out of Washington, I ended up moving right back to the Evergreen State!

​As life took its course in the last year, I had to pivot and change directions multiple times which ultimately lead me back here on this everlasting voyage of mine. With that being said, I’d love nothing more than for y’all to enjoy reading the 8 reasons why I love living in Washington State!

Some places you'll only visit once, but then there's some places that'll become part of who you are. I would be remised if I returned to this travel blog and didn’t share my own itinerary for my favorite place on the planet: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany or as the locals call it, GAP!

​I didn’t plan this trip – not in the usual, methodical, structured way I tend to approach travel. I really did the thing I wouldn’t typically do; I impulsively booked a $500 roundtrip ticket to Frankfurt International Airport. One quiet morning, I woke up feeling this strong pull to go back where I belong. This year had been an... interesting one to say the least, and I needed to be in a space where I could move my body in nature, gain clarity through stillness, and most importantly, listen to my instincts. A week later, I found myself in the heart of Bavaria, surrounded by misty mountain peaks, and church bells ringing throughout the day in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

We all make mistakes, right? I know I have, and I wish sometimes I could go back to redo some things in life. Particularly, I wish I could go back in time and had done some more research on my travels to either save more money or just be a happier traveler.

I'm sharing with you all the top 5 travel mistakes I've made that I just learned within the last year:

Switzerland has always been the country I said I would visit one time and one time only because it was so expensive. With that being said, it's one of my favorite countries in Europe and I've visited several times despite how expensive it is.

Recently, I returned home from my 7th trip to Switzerland from Germany, and I think I may take another trip or two before the end of this year. Switzerland is just one of those countries you can't leave alone no matter how expensive it gets. As you can tell, I'm hooked! 

Disclaimer: As a former DoD expat, I recommend both military resources and commercial tools. My posts may contain affiliate links that earn me a teeny-tiny commission at no cost to you. ☺

Updated: 7/3/2026

What's not to love about mulled wine, delicious street food, homemade trinkets, and cookies that taste like Christmas (Lebkuchen)? Of course, there are so many more things that go on at a typical Christmas market (Weihnachtsmarkt or Christkindlesmarket) that will keep you wanting to come back for more! Christmas markets are a huge deal in Germany as they encourage just about everyone to get in the spirit when Christmas time rolls around.

A flight diversion, loads of pierogi, delicious craft beers, and education/remembrance of the Holocaust is what my weekend mostly consisted of. I'm talking about Kraków, Poland as I embarked on another short weekend adventure.