We spent $1,105 on the big ticket items on the ground in Finland, and $607 getting in and out, plus a little more on snacks and dinner.
Wilderness Hotel Inari sits on the banks of Lake Inari, one of the largest lakes in Finland and north of the Arctic Circle.
In early October we traveled to Finnish Lapland to try our luck at spotting the Northern Lights on the banks of Lake Inari, a tiny town under the aurora belt.
Lapland experiences a short blaze of golden yellow fall foliage in September; by October only the evergreens are left.
Armenia is full of natural beauty. If you have more time after exploring Yerevan, we highly recommend taking some day trips to see these wonderful landscapes and churches not too far from the capital.
Yerevan has no shortage of concrete block buildings and monuments from its Soviet past, but you’ll also see a snow-capped mountain looming in the distance. This is Mount Ararat, Armenia’s beloved national symbol, which you’ll begin to notice everywhere.
Three years into traveling all over the world, we were incredibly impressed by Vienna’s livability. It’s expensive but you get remarkable value for your money. The city is beautiful, clean, functional, and walkable, with a high density of cultural institutions, green spaces, and exquisite architecture.
The first thing you should do upon landing in Vienna is walk the Ringstrasse, or Ring Road, a circular boulevard around the former imperial center of the city. It’ll lead you to most of the famous buildings and gardens in Vienna.
Dolmabahçe Palace is our favorite palace in Istanbul. It was a recommendation from Aaron’s sister who lived in Istanbul for 4 years. The architecture, grounds, and setting are all stunning, and surprisingly it’s the least touristy historical site in the city.
Montenegro lies on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, full of mountain ranges, clear blue waters, medieval towns, sea view apartments, and an abundance of fresh figs. It’s one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in the world, second only to Iceland within Europe.