You have decided to embark on a new adventure, your mind is full of checklists, you're merely hoping you won't forget something. I get it. A trip can be stressful which is ironic considering it’s about vacating your life right? Here's how to distress, kick back, and relax on a holiday.

I am missing London! It's so dreadful wearing bikinis in the middle of winter on a coastal island in Queensland, Australia. Seriously though. In all seriousness though I miss actually being cold for winter. Last week I experienced ONE day of coldness, several days this winter I have nostalgia for the cold, dreary days where I could swing on my scarves, coats, beautiful knee-high boots, and darling beanies. All the while I know my UK friends and loving the heat and extended sunshine. To share my love of both winter and summer in the UK I bring you, The Top 10 Things of Summer you wish you'd remembered in Winter. Enjoy!

London in Summer is glorious! Here are 12 ways to ensure you enjoy your weekend right up to the last ray of sunshine!

My journey in Europe and the UK has come to an end. It has been an epic adventure, one I'm not sure I will ever fully be able to verbalize the depth of its impact on me. I have met many people, witnessed a myriad of cultures, experienced delights, a few pitfalls, and yet again gained a thirst for exploring more of this amazing world of ours.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to visit the Colosseum in Rome. It was stunning. The history poured out of it like the blood would have run out of the contestants whose fate once stood with the emperor of Rome. It took mere seconds for my mind to awaken to an imagined cheering, an eerie fear, and a cocky disposition of leaders who played God on a regular basis. The underground tunnels shocked me with the elaborate depths that were taken to create an 'entertainment' that's cost was a human life. It was then that I became flooded with thoughts of what stories the walls, cells, and corridors of the Colosseum hold- if only walls could talk.

My journey to Split began like a scene out of a Bridget Jones film running to my gate bum cheeks most probably flashing hundreds of fellow passengers as my chambray jumpsuit not so eloquently rode up. Still, I luckily made it to my gate with a flurry of worried expletives, what turned out to be 15 minutes to spare, time for a coffee, and the purchase of some crisps. Needless to say, it was exactly the kind of start that created an icebreaker for getting to know fellow down to earth travelers. It was almost like I planned it.

Whenever I travel there are a few traits that become inexplicably clear to me almost instantly as you arrive at a new location- people's manner, the culture in the air, usually born of people's manner, and the pride the people have in their culture and history. Throughout the past 3 weeks, I've traveled to 9 countries, many amazed me and some I could see myself living in but no other city made such a significant impression on my heart than Germany and particularly the city of Berlin. This is the city you don't want to miss.

With a bouncing stride in my step, I headed towards Union Square and twirled around to see Macy's, Saks on Fifth, Tiffany's, and the Westin. It was like a film of my own and on a day when all of my colleagues were hitting the books with the students..the best. This would be a holiday to remember- my first as a writer, the first where I had taken a leap of faith on myself and went all in.