![Meet Seattle Dredge!
She’s a 001 Country Per Year challenge taker, geographer, photographer and travel blogger currently living in Toronto, Canada. Today she’s posting her favorite photos from traveling to 11 countries!
2011 DESTINATION: Iceland
TRAVEL TIPS FOR ICELAND: It’s probably best to save more money than you would for an average trip, but it is still possible to do it on a budget. I would highly suggest going at the end of August to attend Reykjavik’s annual Menningarnótt (Culture Night festival). The celebrations goes all night, and Icelanders know how to party ;]
A few nights in Reykjavik are essential, but you should spend the majority of your time exploring the rest of the island. Climb a glacier, hike a volcano, ATV along the mountainside, spot puffins on a rocky beach, dive into the Blue Lagoon, whale-watch on the North Atlantic ocean, explore lava caves, and white water raft down a glacial river. Iceland is probably the greatest country on Earth for adventure, so take advantage of it while you’re there.
TRAVEL GOALS: My bucket list is entirely too long to list, but I would like to set foot on all 7 continents and visit as many countries as possible. I plan to take a year-long RTW (‘round the world) trip within the next few years, and simultaneously undertake my second 365 day photography project. 2012 will bring even more crazy adventures, with trips to Finland, Russia, Hawaii, Morocco and more.
COUNTRIES VISITED: Canada, USA, Italy, Germany, England, Wales, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Iceland
Are you a world traveler and want to be featured on 001 Country Per Year? Email us at 1cpy@flight001.com!](http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/flight001/17766825027/1/tumblr_lzh1ltfadg1qbui2x)
Meet Seattle Dredge!
She’s a 001 Country Per Year challenge taker, geographer, photographer and travel blogger currently living in Toronto, Canada. Today she’s posting her favorite photos from traveling to 11 countries!
2011 DESTINATION: Iceland
TRAVEL TIPS FOR ICELAND: It’s probably best to save more money than you would for an average trip, but it is still possible to do it on a budget. I would highly suggest going at the end of August to attend Reykjavik’s annual Menningarnótt (Culture Night festival). The celebrations goes all night, and Icelanders know how to party ;]
A few nights in Reykjavik are essential, but you should spend the majority of your time exploring the rest of the island. Climb a glacier, hike a volcano, ATV along the mountainside, spot puffins on a rocky beach, dive into the Blue Lagoon, whale-watch on the North Atlantic ocean, explore lava caves, and white water raft down a glacial river. Iceland is probably the greatest country on Earth for adventure, so take advantage of it while you’re there.
TRAVEL GOALS: My bucket list is entirely too long to list, but I would like to set foot on all 7 continents and visit as many countries as possible. I plan to take a year-long RTW (‘round the world) trip within the next few years, and simultaneously undertake my second 365 day photography project. 2012 will bring even more crazy adventures, with trips to Finland, Russia, Hawaii, Morocco and more.
COUNTRIES VISITED: Canada, USA, Italy, Germany, England, Wales, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Iceland
Are you a world traveler and want to be featured on 001 Country Per Year? Email us at 1cpy@flight001.com!
Meet Aileen Siroy!
She’s a 001 Country Per Year challenge taker and photographer currently living in Makati City, Philippines. Today she’s posting her favorite photos from traveling to 7 countries!
2011 DESTINATION: Indonesia
TRAVEL TIPS FOR INDONESIA: When in Jakarta, visit the Indonesia Miniature Park, the National Monument, and the Old Town Jakarta. Try their cuisine. Grab some coffee buns. Take home some Mi Goreng instant noodles. And since you are already in Jakarta, head off to Bali!
In Bali, surf, wait for the sunset, walk around town, talk to the locals, buy art, get a balinese massage. Interesting places to visit? Go to Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana, Pura Luhur Ulu Watu, Museum of Fine Arts. Also visit Kuta Bay and Seminyak Beach.
Don’t forget to visit Ubud. And while in Ubud, have lunch at Ibu Oka’s Babi Guling, shop at the Ubud Market (haggle!), drop by the Tagalalang Rice Terraces, visit the Ubud Palace and the Monkey Forest.
Most of all, relax, take lots of pictures, and have fun!
TRAVEL GOALS: I would love to go to every place in the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die. There’s so much out there to see, experience, and learn. I would also like to explore more of my own country. We have so many beautiful places here.
COUNTRIES VISITED: China, France, Indonesia, Japan, Switzerland, Singapore, Thailand
Are you a world traveler and want to be featured on 001 Country Per Year? Email us at 1cpy@flight001.com!
Meet Elyse Pasquale!
She’s a 001 Country Per Year challenge taker, traveler, writer, and foodie who’s currently in New York, New York. Today she’s posting her favorite photos from traveling to 56 countries!
2011 DESTINATIONS: India, Italy, United States, Honduras, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Western Sahara, Cape Verde, Canary Islands, Ethiopia, Turkey, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Ukraine, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, United Kingdom
TRAVEL TIPS FOR DENMARK: Don’t miss an afternoon Smørrebrød feast! This Danish staple consists of buttered rye bread with a wide range of delicious toppings like smoked salmon, herring, roast beef and crispy bacon-topped pate. These toppings are served with a selection of homemade sauces and remoulades. I sampled the open face sandwiches at Copenhagen’s Puk restaurant, where I quickly learned that Smørrebrød is best washed down with a strong glass of aquavit.
TRAVEL GOALS: I’m currently on an extreme culinary adventure with a goal to fly 100,000 miles in 1 year for 100 amazing meals around the world. I severely injured my knee ligament while skiing and eating my way through Italy’s Dolomites. I had to put my travel goals on hold for reconstructive knee surgery during the first week of January 2012. The Foodie International adventure will resume in early March 2012 with trips to Costa Rica, Spain, Ethiopia (volunteering in Addis Ababa), Italy, Georgia, Croatia, Chile, Finland and New Zealand!
COUNTRIES VISITED: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mali, Madagascar, Mexico, Monaco, Mozambique, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City, Western Sahara, Canary Islands, Mayotte, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Are you a world traveler and want to be featured on 001 Country Per Year? Email us at 1cpy@flight001.com!
Meet Gina Monastiere!
She’s a 001 Country Per Year challenge taker, traveler, designer, writer, photographer, and coffee lover currently living in New York, New York. Today she’s posting her favorite photos from traveling to 10 countries!
2011 DESTINATION: Canada
TRAVEL TIPS: Tips for Canada? Take a train through the beautiful countryside and eat Poutine. Oh, and try Canada’s Icewine. It’s absolutely amazing! Tips for travel in general? Enjoy every moment, let go of your comfort zone, try something new, expand your knowledge of different cultures, embrace all experiences (good and bad), and don’t ever let anyone tell you that “you can’t”. Being a young female traveler, I’ve heard this too many times, and I’ve always responded with a “Yes.. actually, I can”, a wink, and a smile! Travelers, as long as you have some knowledge of where you’re going and confidence in yourself, the world will always be on your side.
TRAVEL GOALS: To gain more perspective on the world, learn more about myself, grow as a world citizen, have amazing new cultural experiences, and write about it! My next big travel plan is to backpack solo throughout Europe for two months straight in 2012 with nothing but my backpack. My biggest travel goal is to become a “digital nomad” full-time traveler with writing, designing, volunteering/helping others, and living for travel!
COUNTRIES VISITED: United States, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Grand Cayman, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, Germany, France.
Are you a world traveler and want to be featured on 001 Country Per Year? Email us at 1cpy@flight001.com!
Meet Colleen Choi!
She’s a 001 Country Per Year challenge taker and photographer currently staying in San Francisco, California. Today she’s posting her favorite photos from traveling to 21 countries!
2011 DESTINATIONS: Hong Kong, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos,Malaysian Borneo, Indonesia, Spain
TRAVEL TIPS FOR ASIA: I’ll pass along the best advice given to me before my trip to Asia: toilet paper. Carry a roll of toilet paper with you like it’s your security blanket and you’ll come out ok!
This past year, I spent 5 months backpacking through southeast Asia. Of the many countries I visited, Laos stole my heart. My advice is to explore beyond the popular backpacker’s route and travel the way the locals do: slow and steady, with great patience and a light hearted spirit. Take a boat through the Nam Ou river to gaze at layers of mountains, watch the playful butterflies dance around, fall asleep in a hammock in Meung Ngoi (my favorite village) where time stands still, flag down a local bus even if the only seat left is a bag of rice, laugh when yet another buffalo or goat crosses the road, play games with the smiling kids, motorbike the loop to Khong Lor cave, zip line through the jungles in the north, swim (or shower) in the Mekong river, and above all, take a moment in your travels to feel the love and warmth the country offers. Oh yeah, don’t forget to ask the locals for their Lao-Lao (home made whiskey).
The #1 question people ask me is if it was dangerous being a solo female traveler. I never felt in danger. I believe that in this world, you are never alone. If you trust yourself, the world finds a way of taking care of you. Unless of course you do something stupid. (just kidding)
TRAVEL GOALS: To live life as one big vacation! I want to find a way of integrating travel with work and my art (or visa versa). I let my creative process in designing jewelry guide me to my next destination. By the looks of it, my next destinations might be South America and Russia. Let’s get lost!
COUNTRIES VISITED: United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, England, France,Italy, Croatia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia,Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo, Indonesia
Are you a world traveler and want to be featured on 001 Country Per Year? Email us at 1cpy@flight001.com!
Meet Ben Lilly!
He’s a 001 Country Per Year challenge taker and and photographer currently living in Santa Cruz, California. Today he’s posting his favorite photos from traveling to 14 countries!
2011 DESTINATIONS: Israel, Czech Republic, Germany
TRAVEL TIPS FOR ISRAEL: Israelis are called “sabrot”, after the desert cactus fruit, the sabra. It means they’re prickly on the outside and soft on the inside. If you want to be taken seriously, cut in lines, don’t take crap from anyone, and get rid of your filter. The thing about this society is that people have no barrier of politeness, but when you really have a reason to go beyond small talk they’ll decide if they like you instantly and be truly warm and friendly without boundaries. There is no awkwardness in Israel. It was hilarious going from Israel directly to Germany, a land of pale skies and pale people where politeness is king. On the train from the Frankfurt airport a woman dropped her luggage on a man in a suit and went into frenzies of apology: “Entschuldigung! Entschuldigung! Entschuldigung!” “Bitte, bitte, bitte,” he said quickly, and they both avoided eye contact like it was the worst thing that had ever happened to them. I couldn’t help but snort back a laugh - and through the lens of the white Western culture I’m used to, suddenly I realized how much I had loved Israel after the fact.
One of the upsides of this is that Israelis are not afraid to discuss politics. If anything gives me hope that there will be peace, it’s that. Explore. Ask Israeli Arabs about racism. Ask Israeli Jews about the religious right-wing, the haredim. Ask anyone about the IDF and their compulsory military service. They’re all proud to serve their country, but that doesn’t mean that they necessarily like the army or agree with what it does. Above all, realize that everyone here wants peace.
TRAVEL GOALS: To use my travels to learn how to make my everyday life better. When I go to a party at a hostel bar and try to interact with strange people speaking foreign languages, I learn things about myself that will make me more sociable at the next 10 parties I go to. As much as talking about my travels is a great party line or whatever, travel isn’t a hobby in and of itself. It’s a mirror. It makes you realize what you want to be doing, and inspires you to do it more when you get home - so that next time you travel, you’ll be happier with what you see in the mirror. (There are always a few useful pop hits that I promise myself I’ll learn on guitar after a missed jam session opportunity.)
“And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” -T.S. Eliot
COUNTRIES VISITED: United States, Jamaica, Mexico, Canada, England, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Israel, Egypt
Are you a world traveler and want to be featured on 001 Country Per Year? Email us at 1cpy@flight001.com!
Meet Emily Kate Merrick!
She’s a 001 Country Per Year challenge taker and an aspiring documenter of life’s curiosities and intricacies currently living in Århus, Denmark. Today she’s posting her favorite photos from traveling to 15 countries!
2011 DESTINATIONS: Germany, Denmark, Turkey, Egypt
TRAVEL TIPS FOR TURKEY: This year we spent three weeks in Turkey with two weeks on the road headed east, and nothing was as valuable as a journal, face wipes, a good guidebook and a change of underwear. After a few days in the height of summer, you somehow manage to acclimatise to waking up clammy and stuck to the sheets of your cheap hotel, and you begin to love it.
We skipped the tourist-headache that can be the Agean Coast in July and headed south east from Istanbul over 2 weeks. Taking the long haul buses/coaches is the cheapest option but make sure you book a couple of days in advance to popular places like Cappadocia or anywhere along the Black Sea coastline. At the rest stops, make sure to ask the driver or hostess how long you will be stopping for before you wander off and come back with no bus waiting for you!
The ruins of the city of Ani, on the Turkish border with Armenia were a history lover’s crumbly dream: towering churches split in half, bullet-ridden frescos and locals herding cows across what once was a powerful city.
Van (recently rocked by huge earthquakes) was a chilled out fusion of Kurds, Turks and students, situated right by a huge freshwater lake. Lazy days wandering around the bazaars and drinking tea with welcoming locals in dingey cafes full of old men and backgammon boards.
Antakya (Hatay), right by the Syrian border, was a crazy mash-up of Arabic and Turkish culture and had the best baklava bar none. The hospitality of strangers was overwhelming: once as we sat on a curb in the bazaar, wondering what to do and munching on some fresh bread, the local store keepers came round and gave us tea. No sales pitch, no conversation, just a firm nod and a quick smile, and he was back to his shop. We tried to pay him and he refused, pressing our hands with a firm and comforting handshake.
If you are in Turkey, remember to drink Raki at dinner and çay any time. Whenever you get a chance to eat, drink, smoke shisha or dance with the locals, do so, and it will make your trip.
TRAVEL GOALS: Go, explore, learn, and document it with words, photos and video!
COUNTRIES VISITED: England, Ireland, France, New Zealand, Thailand, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Turkey, Egypt.
Are you a world traveler and want to be featured on 001 Country Per Year?
Email us at 1cpy@flight001.com!
Meet Jonathan Khoo!
He’s a 001 Country Per Year challenge taker and photographer currently living in Fremont, California. Today he’s posting his favorite photos from traveling to 34 countries!
2011 DESTINATIONS: South Africa, Cambodia, Japan
TRAVEL TIPS: My smartphone was indispensable on my trip to Japan. Being a solo traveler who doesn’t speak Japanese, Google Maps (for walking and transit directions, since streets and addresses are not clear), a Tokyo Subway app, Hyperdia (which gives you train schedules), and a Japanese dictionary were lifesavers. These apps are free, although some of them require a data plan. Don’t leave South Africa without trying biltong and melktert! And in Cambodia, pass on that happy pizza or happy shake. Trust me.
TRAVEL GOALS: For a long time I was primarily Eurocentric and have only recently (in the past two years) begun exploring Asia. Top on my list is either Tibet or Bhutan or Nepal, or maybe all three!
COUNTRIES VISITED: United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, France, England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Vatican City, Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Slovenia, Hungary, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, India, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan
Are you a world traveler and want to be featured on 001 Country Per Year?
Email us at 1cpy@flight001.com!
Meet Lisa Scholz!
She’s a 001 Country Per Year challenge taker, graphic designer and photographer currently living in Brooklyn, NY. Today she’s posting her favorite photos from traveling to 15 countries!
2011 DESTINATIONS: Austria, Italy, Spain
TRAVEL TIPS FOR ITALY: I recommend traveling through Italy by car. I drove down from Germany in only a few hours, stopped in Salzburg/Austria on the way, which is definitely worth the detour. The ride through the Alps is breathtaking and driving is just a wonderful way to see the beautiful countryside of Italy. I had some camping gear and a tent in the trunk, some maps and an Idea what I wanted to see so I just went until something caught my eye. I usually stayed for one or 2 nights and moved on. This way you get to meet many interesting people and see so many different parts and aspects of the country. The tiny villages and churches, the mountains, the beach, the wine country and so on.
I have never had better Pizza in my life, slept under olive trees and witnessed the most beautiful sunrise above Lago Di Garda in the middle of the Alps. Fantastico!
TRAVEL GOALS: I want to take a world trip over several month to set foot on most of the 7 continents. Just with a backpack, some plane tickets, a camera and good music on my Ipod.
COUNTRIES VISITED: Andorra, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Namibia, The Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Spain, United States
Are you a world traveler and want to be featured on 001 Country Per Year?
Email us at 1cpy@flight001.com!
Meet Alessandra Delmonte!
She’s a 001 Country Per Year challenge taker and photographer currently living in Madrid, Spain. Today she’s posting her favorite photos from traveling to 13 countries!
2011 DESTINATIONS: Spain, United Arab Emirates, Argentina
TRAVEL TIPS FOR ARGENTINA: I believe that the best way to get to know a city is in their food. In this case, it is vital to indulge in the many types of Malbec wine and Parilla, Argentian meat cooked on an open fire. Once one has had their fair share, one must dance Tango. My favorite nights have always ended in a Milonga, a place where you both learn and dance Tango. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Become nocturnal. Everything in Argentina starts late. That means you begin dinner at sometimes 12:00 at night and enter your favorite dance club at 3:00 am.
My favorite neighborhood is San Telmo. If your a sucker for thrift stores and antiques, San Telmo is your ideal neighborhood. It’s streets are filled with amazing cafes, bookstores, trendy clothing stores and affordable Parilla restuarants. If you visit on a Sunday, you’ll find yourself within one of the best Ferias, or markets in all of Buenos Aires.
TRAVEL GOALS: To conquer Spain — or at least be confident that I have conquered it’s Tapas!
COUNTRIES VISITED: Colombia, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro, England, United Arab Emirates, United States
