The first 10 places you should travel to get your feet wet

Many travel bloggers write about going to where the locals go, exploring off the beaten path and even calling tourist spots "cliché". In my opinion these cliché attractions are a must for the new traveler. I can only write about what I know, and where I have been. I am not sponsored, being paid or traveling with my own photographer. I am a full time nurse whom saves tirelessly to the point of fault to travel. The first ten places I traveled were cliché and chosen from the heart. I am grateful I chose these places to get my feet wet in the world of travel. They have the advantage of having other tourists to befriend as well as lots of English speaking locals. Yes they can be busy and expensive but you are safer and when you get that cliché picture it makes it all worth while. As an American girl under five feet, traveling alone, I feel these tourist traps are my safest bet. I too crave that Anthony Bourdain experience, however I am not a six foot tall man traveling with a production company. I travel with a group or stay in youth hostels in tourist areas. My advice is to visit any ten places your heart draws you to. With these ten under my belt I am more educated and versed in international travel to start venturing out more on my own. Its such an awesome feeling to see a place you've been looking at in pictures since childhood. Especially if like me, you didn't even leave your state until your late 20's. The ten must see places to get your feet wet are as follows, in no particular order. 1). London England They speak English and the country is full of history. All of us Americans, Canadians and Australians all originally came from London. Making the history especially interesting. England is also central to all the other awesome European destinations. 2). Paris, France. Every girl dreams of going to Paris, the most romantic place on earth.... You learn quickly thy are rude and don't care for the tourists much but still a good experience. Paris was the first place I learned to never admit to being "American". 3.) Rome, Italy: Great food, the Coliseum, Roman Form. What more could you want. 4.) Pisa In the middle of nowhere with nothing else to do. That cliché picture holding up The Leaning Tower is the only reason you go. Fun fact also the best Mc Donalds you will ever eat. Yes its true us Americans love our Mc Donalds. 5.Venice Possibly the biggest tourist trap of them all, however a must see. Gondola rides, Marino glass, and Venetian masks. A story all your friends will be jealous of for sure. 6.)Florence, Italy My favorite city in all of Europe thus far. History, pleasant locals, easy to get around on foot, and don't forget the David and wine!!! 7).Athens, Greece Roman Ruins, Greek Mythology, and the fattest stray animals in the world. Don't forget the infamous Greek islands are only a ferry ride away. 8). Mykonos, Greece Known as the island for the young and the "party" island. Despite the stigma of being a party island its my favorite of all the Greek islands. beautiful beaches and top notch hotels on the water. Its also one of the closer islands to Athens making it easy to get to. 9). Paros, Greece A more laid back and chill island, a bit cheaper than other more popular islands. 10). Santorini, Greece Possibly the most beautiful place I have ever seen outside of my dreams. The sunset is a bucket list must.

The completion of # 9,16 & 20 of my bucket list 35 things before turning 35.

This Christmas I turned the dreaded 32 years young and by new years had three more items checked off my epic bucket list. #9). Ice Skate in Rockefeller Center at Christmas Time: On my first visit to New York city, the main attraction was the Rockefeller Center tree its self and I never ice skated while there. The wait was long and at the time didn't deem it important enough to endure the wait in the cold. Upon coming home I regretted not having the experience of ice skating in such a beautiful festive environment. On New Years day on kind of a spur of the moment thing, my friend and I decided we were going to do it. The wait was longer and colder than expected but well worth it. We made friends with the people in front of us and the little girl in front of them and we all skated together. We skated together hand and hand five people wide with our new friends. The ice skating itself was short lived because its quite hard and painful. non the less we had an awesome time. while skating I took several chances just to look up and take it all in. The clean crisp smell of the ice, and view of the center from the rink, I will never forget. At the end of the trip my friend and I both agreed it was the highlight of the trip. Even if we were hung over and sleep deprived from new years festivities the night before. #16). Ring in the New Year in Times Square, NY.<b> For as long as I can remember its been a secret dream of mine to spend New Years in Times Square. I never dreamed it would ever come true. You hear horror stories about waiting in the cold and I would have to find someone just as crazy as myself to go with me. When I learned my good friend in Australia also had the same vision and had even booked the trip I knew it was meant to be. I booked the same trip that day. It meant a lot to me to see my friend while she was in the states and this was icing on the cake. The trip came with VIP tickets to an open bar, buffet party one block away from the ball drop. The energy of the people waiting all day in the cold was contagious and the confetti flew for days after. The energy could only be described by, energy of the fans at an important game as your team wins. like seeing your team win the super bowl in person. #20). Ride in a helicopter. As long as I can remember I have wanted to ride in a helicopter. The idea exciting but the reality scared the crap out of me. its not the height that scares me its the blades. Comical fear considering I am under five feet tall but a fear none the less. In my field of nursing its a huge selling point to have NICU experience and they are always looking for flight nurses. Once again my fear of the blades chopping my head off kept me from perusing such a career path. I knew it was a silly fear and one ride would cure me and have me hocked. The hours leading up to the flight was tense but the two hour wait in line cured any nerves. The tour flew over the Statue of liberty, and the NYC skyline. What an awesome experience. I am so glad I didn't let my fears keep me back. It wasn't scary at all. #