The time I walked from Wales to England.

When I found out that a bridge linking Wales to England less than an hour's journey from my flat in Bristol, I knew it had to be accomplished before my time there came to an end. How's that for a cheeky ice breaker? "I once walked from Wales to England" (which will be particularly handy for people who are terrible at geography).

Cliffs of...Mud.

I only had a quick three days in Ireland but time was not going to get in the way of one of my major bucket list items. With my base in Dublin I could get to just about anywhere in the country and juggled the idea of visiting Cork, kissing the Blarney Stone, and exploring the picturesque Kerry County – but only having enough time for one day trip I knew there was a bucket-list item I just had to tick...

Afternoon in Oxford.

Not too long ago, I met up with a couple of friends I went to university with, one who was visiting England for the first time, and the other who is doing volunteer work near Birmingham. Due to scattered locations and busy schedules we couldn't meet up in our perspective home bases, so I decided to intersect them one afternoon while they were taking a day trip to Oxford.

All Aboard The Hogwarts Express!

2012 - 2014 - 2015

Really slacking in 2013...

Yes, I trotted out to Watford for the third time to pay a visit to all Potterhead's favourite tourist attraction, Leavesden Studios. In my defence, my first visit was when I studied abroad and the studios had just been opened to the public, my second visit was last December when it was decorated for Christmas, and this visit was just in time to see the brand spankin' new Hogwarts Express exhibit. So I've basically had three completely different visits! Yeah we'll go with that.

But in all seriousness, the studio tour never fails to bring out my inner child and not-so-inner Potterhead fanatic. It's impossible to see everything in one go, each prop and set is so incredibly detailed that I find something new to gawk at every time. The staff are all lovely and cheerful, happy to take photos for you and answer any questions.

Aside from the thrill of being at the birthplace of the Harry Potter films alongside my best friends since we were wee little girls lining up at Barnes and Noble at midnight for our copies of the next book, I was most excited about the newly Hogwarts Express section! I had seen a photo or two online but tried to let myself be surprised. I was beyond impressed with the set up and the interactive portions of the room - there's even a separate gift shop hosting some trinkets exclusive from the massive gift shop in the main area.

You're invited to peek at student's trolleys, mosey through the train and breathe in the smoke from the engine...err...okay maybe not that last one. If you're visiting London and don't have time to visit Platform 9 & 3/4 at King's Cross - don't fret! They have one here for all your photo op needs.

You move throughout the warehouses - Studio J and Studio K (see what they did there?) with the outdoor backlot separating the two and providing concessions to enjoy al fresco if the weather is cooperating. On average I spend about 4 hours per visit, depending on how long of a break I take in the backlot. The kiosks sell hot dogs, sandwiches, and various other snacks - but most importantly...

Butterbeer, of course! At the moment there are only two places in the world where you can sip on a J.K. Rowling approved mug of Butterbeer, and this is one of them.

Cheers Leavesden! You never fail to be magical.

Have you ever visited Leavesden?

You Go Glen Coe...Coe.

(I was really proud of myself for this title/Instagram caption.)

Glen Coe is one of the most iconic and beautiful spots in the Scottish Highlands. Additionally, it's been featured prominently as a backdrop in the Harry Potter movies, including Quidditch scenes, Hagrid's Hut, the Forbidden Forest, and many more. Hogwarts is located in Scotland, so I don't think it's terribly far away...

It's one of those places where photos do it very little justice. The mountains, of volcanic origins, are astounding to look at, the perspective of how big they are is really mind-numbing. Even the air feels different as you breathe it in - one of the girls I befriended on the tour remarked how "fresh" it felt, and I agree. It was so pure and quiet and incredible all at the same time.

While Glen Coe is beautiful and peaceful nowadays, it hasn't always been that way. Imbedded in its history is a terrible massacre of the clan MacDonald by the clan Campbell on orders of the King, burning homes and murdering dozens of men, women, and children during a blizzard at 5am. Apparently this massacre was George R. R. Martin's inspiration for the infamous "Red Wedding" scene from Game of Thrones. To this day, there remains a grudge against anyone with the last name of Campbell - even the local inn has a sign on their door banning anyone with the name to stay.

Can't you just picture broomsticks or a dragon popping around the corner?!