Wanderlust

Ever since I returned from Europe I've had the worst case of wanderlust. And, because I've been lacking in sartorial inspiration lately, I thought I'd share some of my dream destinations.

Dubrovnik. Croatia via Pinterest 

Budapest, Hungary via Pinterest

Paris, France via Pinterest 

Santorini, Greece via Pinterest 

Machupichu, Peru via Pinterest

Iceland via Pinterest

Reykjavik, Iceland via Pinterest

If you could pick-up and go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

To see more of my dream destinations, check out my I Want To Go To There board on Pinterest.

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Travel Diary: Moscow

For two cities located just 632.59km apart in the same same country, St. Petersburg and Moscow could not be more different.

While St Petersburg had an air of history and elegance, Moscow felt like communism, or at least what I believe communism would feel like: expansive streets, ominous tall houses looming over you wherever you looked and police everywhere. As a Canadian, it wasn't something I ever expected walking into the capital of the world's biggest country. But, I rolled with the punches. By the end of our three day stay I was used to walking through metal detectors and showing the contents of my purse to police to access to public places, like the Kremlin. 

Even with the police presence throughout the city, we were still able to fill our days with sightseeing (although sadly we couldn't get into Red Square, which was closed; therefore denying me the chance to see Lenin's Mausoleum), museum visits, and guided tours of statue park (where communist statues are kept) and of the Moscow subway, complete with communist era propaganda mosaics.

Not at all what I was expecting, but cool nonetheless.

One of Moscow's seven tall houses

The Kremlin walls

Gardens outside the Kremlin

One of the many police security lines I went through during my stay

St. Basil's

As close as I could get to Red Square,
which was closed all three days we were in Moscow

What I Wore

For our night out in Moscow we had VIP service at Pacha nightclub, and for this I thought there was no better time than to pull out the purple jeans.

Moscow was ready for purple jeans!

Top - Aritzia; Jeans - Forever 21; Heels & Clutch - Aldo

Now, I'm not normally a club girl; I used to be, but have grown out of that stage. But, that didn't stop me from dancing, singing and laughing until 5 am. It made for a very long last day in Moscow, but it was certainly one of the nights I will never forget.

Much like this entire trip!

I hope you've enjoyed my Travel Diary this week.
I'm now taking suggestions on where to travel to next - the travel bug has bitten and it's bitten hard!

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Travel Diary: St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg was definitely the highlight of my time abroad. We spent three action-packed days exploring all that the city had to offer; from Peterhof Gardens to the Hermitage (the Romanov Winter Palace) to Peter and Paul's Fortress (where all the Czars and Czarinas are buried) to the Leningrad Memorial, we saw it all. And drank a lot of vodka (when in Rome, right?!) 

Peterhof Gardens

Peterhof Gardens - looking out onto the Baltic Sea 

 

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood 

The Hermitage (Romanov Winter Palace)  

St. Issac's Cathedral

I even climbed the 262 steps to the top of the Colonnade at St Isaac's Cathedral to get a birds-eye view of the city. It was absolutely terrifying to be up so high, and I didn't let go of the railing the entire time, but to see St. Petersburg that way was unbelievable, especially since it happened to be during one of the rare times that the sun was shining during our stay. Totally worth the crippling fear I felt the whole 15 minutes we were up there.

St. Petersburg as seen from the Colonnade of St. Isaac's

St. Petersburg as seen from the Colonnade of St. Isaac's

The Ballet

 Alexandrinskyi Theatre Sankt

As a huge Russian history nerd (and secret Doctor Zhivago fan) I can't tell you how incredible it was to be in St Petersburg, a city with so much history, and a city that is still so beautiful after all this time (having 24 carat gold all over the statues and buildings doesn't hurt). Too see all the sites that I've been reading about for years, and to walk through the Romanov Palace; it was three days I'll never forget.

What I Wore

For our big night out in St. Petersburg (it seems we had one big night out per city) we went to the ballet and then off to a nightclub, so I had to wear something that would be appropriate in both of these very diverse settings. While finding an outfit that would fit both venues would be difficult on a normal day, it was extra difficult trying to do so when living out of a suitcase - damn me for not packing my ball-gown!

With limited options I decided to go Vogue Paris chic with skinny jeans, heels and confidence - I figured if I walked with confidence I could get away with anything - and I did! Or, maybe it was just that we were at the ballet on a Wednesday and the dress code wasn't as strict, but I'd like to think my confidence played a part.

Sweater - Zara; Tank & Necklace - Smart Set; Jeans - H&M;
Wedges & Clutch - Aldo  

Turns out it was the perfect ensemble; but then again, when has Emmanuelle Alt ever steered anyone wrong?!

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Travel Diary: Minsk, Warsaw, Berlin

For the last week of my adventure (we're jumping ahead a few days, trust me, it's for the best...) my time was split between Minsk, Warsaw and Berlin. 

Minsk

Minsk was not a place I had ever thought about visiting, and honestly, had the tour not stopped there I never would have gone, but I am so glad that I did; Minsk was stunning. Although we only spent one night in Minsk, I had a blast exploring the city, bowling and taking in the local entertainment.

Brest Fortress

Warsaw

The day we spent in Warsaw was one of the most beautiful of the trip. The sun was shining, the breeze was warm; it was perfect for exploring the Polish capital. After spending the morning on a bus tour, which took us to all the key sights and drove us through the Warsaw Ghetto (that was very surreal), we enjoyed a delicious perogi lunch before settling in for an afternoon of beers and people-watching along Warsaw's main street. It was absolutely glorious day!

Berlin

By the time we arrived in Berlin, the travel plague had firmly taken hold; I was sick and just getting sicker. Although I'd been a little sick through most of the trip I was able to push through and keep exploring, that did not happen in Berlin. I spent one day touring the city and that was it. The last day of my trip I spent quarantined in my hotel room drinking tea and watching old documentaries on CNBC (the only English channel I could get). 

Even though the end of my stay in Berlin wasn't great, I'm so glad I spent my one semi-healthy day by taking in a walking tour of the city. I can't tell you how surreal it was to see so many historic sites that I've read about for years, like the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial and what remained of the Berlin Wall. 

The Brandenburg Gate

Holocaust Memorial

The Berlin Wall (what remains)

What I Wore

Although I wasn't able to frolic through Europe's cobblestone street in my sundress, I did have the chance to wear it a few times throughout the trip. Whether it was due to distance (700km+ Minsk to Warsaw), border delays (Belarus to Poland) or crazy Russian traffic (pretty much everywhere in Russia), there were more than a few days where we spent at least six hours on the bus - and on those days I broke out the sundress. Cute enough that when we did get off the bus I didn't feel like a schlub, but comfortable enough that when we finally arrived in Moscow after 11 hours I didn't feel absolutely horrible. 

Sweater - Zara; Dress - Old Navy; Sandals - Zellers

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