4 Top Travel Destinations I've Always Wanted To Visit, And Why You Should Visit Too

4 Top Travel Destinations I've Always Wanted To Visit, And Why You Should Visit Too

Underrated trips that you'll wish you were going on this summer.
Shawnna Davis
Shawnna Davis Feb 8, 2018
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Traveling is an adventure that everyone should consider going on. When I travel, I am able to break the repetitive cycle of my everyday life and fly off to a new place with its own unique vibe and history. The destinations in this article are different from the everyday vacation spots that we see advertised all the time on TV. These places incorparate stunning views of the natural world around us and excuting activities to do in different countries. Below is a list of the most unique and amazing places I hope to travel to someday and reasons why you’ll want to go to.

1. Isle of Skye

Skye is an island in Scotland with mountains, fields and terrain that will take your breath away, and the scenery and gardens are picturesque. In addition, you can even view the Aurora Borealis from there, which is a must-see display of nature’s night lights. The Northern Lights are already a spectacle and getting the chance to view them from the stunning hills of Skye is more than enough reason to go. I would love to go during the peak viewing seasons of the Northern Lights because that is something I could only truly appreciate after viewing it with my own eyes.

2. Angel Falls

Located in Venezuela, Angel Falls is the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world. The water fall is positioned directly off of the Churún River, and it towers at a height of over 3,000 feet. This grand land form is even taller than the renowned Niagara Falls. It is a sight worth taking unforgettable pictures of to save the memory of this natural beauty. The serene atmosphere created by the calming sound of the water is the primary reason I want to travel here.

3. Rick's Cafe

Rick’s Café is a restaurant on the gorgeous island of Jamaica in Negril, but it’s not like your average café. Here you can eat, hang out, listen to music and jump off a cliff. The café is located just beside the ocean, and its cliffside diving is what makes it so popular. People who are brave enough to jump off the edge and into the water go for both thrilling and chill atmosphere (not to mention the dreamlike view of the sunset from there).

4. Harding Icefield Trail

For those of you interested in hiking or simply enjoy a glimmeriing view that you don't get to usually see in your day-to-day lives, Haridng Icefield Trail is the prefect spot to visit. The trail is not the easiest but that adds to the excitement and feelings of accomplishment that you'll have when you finally reach the top after hours of hiking through this icy expanse. In the winter the trail is covered in snow and becomes a sort of winter wonderland of steep slopes and a refreshing challenge for hikers to take on. Up to a thousand feet of elevation can be gained within just one mile of hiking. These factors are what make the Harding Icefield Trail an unforgettable uphill journey in a national park that contains valleys, stream and budding vegetation that create a very peaceful and serene atmosphere for those who have the pleasure of experiencing the trail for themselves.
Cover Image Credit: maxpixel
Shawnna Davis
Shawnna Davis Feb 8, 2018
At Alpharetta, Georgia
At Alpharetta, Georgia

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9 Reasons Why Topsail Island is the Best Beach in NC

North Topsail, Surf City, South Topsail, it’s all part of the best beach in North Carolina.
Allie Link
Allie Link Mar 14, 2016
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1. The sunsets.

Topsail has the best sunsets out of any beach in North Carolina. Hands down.

2. The shark’s teeth and seashells.

You can always find a large amount of cool shells and shark’s teeth every beach trip. I have found that it is not like this at every beach, only at Topsail. Shell hunting tip: check out the point on the south end of the island every morning for the best shell selection. You might even come across a hidden mailbox with notes in it while shell hunting down there.

3. The food.

From Max’s pizza with the pepperoni under the cheese to the seafood at Breezeway and even having the experience of eating outside at Sears Landing, Topsail has some of the greatest restaurants any beach in NC has to offer. The best part about the food in Topsail is that the restaurants are all local. Also, there is a brand new doughnut shop in the Surf City part of the island...what could be better than doughnuts and the beach?

4. The Fourth of July.

Every year Topsail and neighboring town, Holly Ridge, rotate between who does fireworks on the fourth and who gets to do them on the fifth. Basically this means two whole days of celebrating our great nation at the beach. The Fourth is also fun in Topsail because the beach is full of people decked out in red, white, and blue, blaring country music, and playing cornhole and swimming all day. Some parts of the town even have mini Fourth of July block parties (okay maybe that's just my family and our neighbors but it’s still pretty fun).

5. The small town atmosphere.

Topsail is a small island which gives it a small town, everybody knows everybody kind of feel. It’s really easy to make life long beach friends here because you have the opportunity to see the same people out on the beach every summer.

6. The ice cream.

Growing up, we went out to get ice cream EVERY single night and admittedly we still do. It often feels like the whole island has the same idea because the lines are always out the door at every ice cream place on the island. Don’t let this discourage you though. It’s an unspoken rule to wait in the line no matter how long it may be because ice cream always tastes better at Topsail.

7. The best of both worlds.

Because Topsail is an island, in most cases you can see both the ocean and the sound from wherever you are staying. This is pretty awesome because you can watch the sunrise over the beach and the sunset over the sound without having to go too far. You also can go from playing cornhole on the beach to jet skiing in the sound without having to walk too far so you really do get the experience the best of both worlds.

8. Outdoor movies.

On certain nights of the week Topsail this has cool thing called “Summer Movies in the Park” where they play movies on a big blow up screen at a park that sits on the sound. The best part about this is that the movies are FREE. Tip: if you are vacationing at Topsail with bae, I highly suggest going to an outdoor movie together, even if it is Cinderella and even if you have seen it 100 times already you should still go. But, if outdoor movies aren’t your thing then I suggest going roller skating or playing a game of putt-putt.

9. The memories.

Whether you go for a week or a weekend, I promise that you will make some great memories with the people you love at Topsail Island. After spending 19 summers on the island, I know I sure have. From Fourth of July block parties, running into friends from all over NC, adventuring with cousins and swimming during hurricanes, I can honestly say that spending my summers at Topsail Island has been one of the best things ever.



North Topsail, Surf City, South Topsail, it’s all part of the best beach in NC and I highly recommend planning your next beach vacation to Topsail Island.

Cover Image Credit: http://www.topsailnewsonline.com/?p=9478
Allie Link
Allie Link Mar 14, 2016
At East Carolina University

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Solo Travel As An Extrovert Is Not Easy

Traveling alone, I can choose to view it as a difficult separation from other people or a journey of learning more about myself.

Mandi Sit
Mandi Sit Aug 14, 2018
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Life has a funny way of revealing itself and after my mom ditched me on our mother-daughter trip to Taiwan, I found myself on a plane headed to a country I had never visited where I didn't know a soul. (Disclaimer: I have relatives in Taiwan but had never met them prior to the trip.) I was excited for the adventure that awaited, fear not setting in of how difficult it would be not to just travel in a foreign country where I didn't speak or read any Mandarin beyond the very, very basics (Literally my vocabulary consisted of 10 simple words/phrases, one of which was the word for "apple" which isn't that helpful for getting around. I have since picked up a few more phrases.), but also be alone with just myself for company.

So much of who we are is influenced by the people around us. A large part of our identity comes the communities we choose to be part of and how we interact with others. But who are we when no one's looking? Who am I without the pressure of other people around me?

I am an extrovert. I get my energy from being around other people. It's not that I can't spend time by myself; I just prefer to be in the company of others even if we aren't always interacting the entire time. My best friend and I will even do independent activities together. (Once when we were hanging out, she was knitting and I was doing a puzzle. I swear we don't act like grandmas all the time.)

Although an extrovert, I'm still a pretty independent person who doesn't like to rely on others for help. But traveling alone in Taiwan, I don't have much of a choice. I'm forced to learn to navigate public transport myself and somehow survive with the basic English that Taiwanese locals know.

Learning to travel alone has been an emotional and difficult journey as this is the first time I've been on my own for this long. Although lonely at times, I've realized that loneliness is a mental state of mind. There is the Sanskrit saying, "Mana eva manushyanam karanam bandha moksayoh" which translates to "As the mind, so the person; bondage or liberation are in your own mind." My mind determines my emotional state of being and perspective! Traveling alone, I can choose to view it as a difficult separation from other people or a journey of learning more about myself.

Through solo travel, I am slowly learning to be comfortable with my own company which has been the biggest challenge. I was never an only child, I've always had a roommate in college, and even when I study, I go to public spaces like coffee shops so I can be surrounded by people. I don't know what to do when it's just me and my thoughts all the time. (Especially during meals. Should I appear busy on my phone like all the other single people around me?)


Because when you're traveling alone, you're in charge. You have control. You can change the itinerary from moment to moment without anyone's approval. No one's holding you accountable. Spontaneity? Let's go. You can build barriers but you can also tear them down. It's fun, it's exhilarating. But it's also scary. And unpredictable.


Would I go on another solo expedition in the future? Preferably not as traveling is way more enjoyable when you have someone to share the experience with. It's the people, not the place who make all the difference on a vacation. Yet I do believe solo travel is an experience that everyone should embark on at some point in their life (to grow and learn more about yourself).


This trip has taught me to find spontaneity in the fear and excitement and I've learned to embrace discomfort and unpredictability. To travel with not just my mind and logic but my heart. There are so many unique experiences, if you overthink too much, you'll lose your chance.

I've found that when I am alone, I become more vulnerable and open to meeting new people and having more offbeat experiences. I say yes with zero hesitation. Certainly, there are friends I made, hikes I climbed, streets I meandered, and epiphanies I had that wouldn't have transpired had I been with my mom or a group of people.


Traveling alone, I am now more confident in myself and am ready for the next wave that life throws me. Because I've learned that once you overcome the fear of being by yourself, getting lost (which you will), or accidentally eating meat as a vegan because you didn't understand the signage (I'm sorry!), the world in all its vast infinity can be pretty great. And there are some things that you can only learn on solo travel.

Mandi Sit
Mandi Sit Aug 14, 2018
At Santa Clara University

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