Year: 2026

How to Pick Where to Stay in Zanzibar – Location Matters a Lot

Normally when we visit islands, particularly islands known for their beaches, figuring out where to stay is rather easy. We often find a property we like and can afford on the best beach and go from there.

But Zanzibar is a little bit different. On the beach side, there is no standout winner of “best beach” to us if only because every beach we visited was stunning. Likewise, you’ll be enjoying the island for far more than the beaches with options like exploring the spice farms and historical Stone Town to name a few. As this island is small enough to be explored in day trips but large enough that those trips will take the bulk of an entire day, figuring out a prime location takes on a few more layers than you would otherwise think.

In another post, we discussed how many days in Zanzibar are really needed (and whether to visit the island before or after a safari). So in this one, we wanted to take a different look and discuss the top locations for visitors outright.

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Pros and Cons of Visiting Northern Europe in the Winter

While many travelers like to visit Europe in the summer months (and oh is it busy), we’re starting to travel more and more in the winter months.

Part of this is to enjoy winter activities like seeing the northern lights or other outdoor activities (snowshoeing, skiing, etc.). But another part is because Europe in the winter is often much quieter (apart from select destinations) and gives us a chance to go slower and enjoy a different style than what we were used to in the summer months.

In a way, visiting northern Europe in the winter is like a double-sided coin. On one side, we have perks for traveling in a slower season. On the other side, there is an associated drawback because of the winter season. So while we do love visiting northern Europe in the winter, there are many pros and cons to consider!

Note: We should reiterate that this article focuses on northern Europe in particular over the Mediterranean. Some of these cases may apply further south, but we’re looking at places that are cold, dark, and, depending on the temperature, snowy here!

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Are Heated Gloves and Socks Worth it For Winter Activities?

One thing I really hate when being out in the winter is having cold hands and feet. The rest of my body can deal with cold just fine with layers, but cold appendages, particularly when I’m skiing, are the worst- so much so that I often found myself quitting for the day, not because I was tired or had my fill, but because my hands or feet were far too cold.

So I went for the overkill method of staying warm and acquired a good pair of heated gloves and heated socks to wear while skiing. But I was curious, are these really a game-changer, or are they more of a novelty that only works part of the way?

While I am over-the-moon thrilled with how effective my gloves are, the socks are a different story. Although I’m glad to have both, I want to share some thoughts on each in this one.

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Timberyard Review – Exceptional Fine Dining in Edinburgh

Timberyard in Edinburgh is a Michelin-starred restaurant with creative cuisine emphasizing local and regional ingredients. Set in a 19th-century warehouse, the atmosphere has a farmhouse or Scandinavian vibe with old wooden floorboards and high ceilings with original wooden beams.

As might not be a surprise, given its Michelin status, Timberyard offers tasting menus and optional drink pairings. The full tasting menu has around eight courses, but there is a shorter (and cheaper) four-course option. Both options are available as vegetarian, too. All menus can be paired with either alcoholic or non-alcoholic options; we chose the full regular tasting course with the alcoholic drink pairings.

We instantly noticed how amazing the service was here and how incredibly friendly and helpful all the staff were- everyone from the host to the sommelier to all of the servers. Our experience from the moment we walked in really set the tone for the wonderful evening ahead.

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