On a rainy day in Glencoe, we set out by car to experience the rugged beauty of Scotland’s Highlands. Our journey included the scenic 12-mile drive along Loch Etive, where dramatic skies and misty landscapes created a quintessential Scottish atmosphere. Along the way, we stopped to hang out with a herd of iconic Highland cows before continuing to Fort William, where we spent time exploring this charming Highland town.

On our second day in the Highlands, we hiked the famous Ben Nevis hike. This hike, spanning over 10 miles, involves an elevation gain of more than 4,400 feet, with nearly all of it occurring within the first 5 miles. Therefore, get ready for a continuous climb all the way to the summit. This well-known hike is often crowded, so we began our trek at 7:00 a.m. After completing this epic hike, we participated in a classic Scottish ritual of Whisky drinking by taking a tour of B

This 7.3-mile hike can be quite challenging, especially if you encounter high winds and rain like we did. The total elevation gain is about 3,100 feet, which wasn't too difficult, but the ridge line is relentless when the winds increase. Despite this, the views from the top are stunning, and now that it's over, we look back on it more fondly as one of those wild adventures we had in the UK. After the hike, we enjoyed a peaceful evening in the charming town of Keswick, in the

The Helm Crag hike in England's Lake District is a beautiful, approximately 6-mile trek of moderate difficulty that every hiker should think about undertaking when in the area. Even a heavy rain couldn't spoil the day, as it led to a stunning display of rainbows. Our day in the Lake District first started with a train from London to Manchester. From there we drove to Grasmere to pick up some world famous Grasmere Gingerbread.

This long but rewarding detour was inspired by our older son, who had visited Belfast a few months earlier and strongly recommended the Black Cab “Troubles” tour, describing it as one of the most impactful experiences of his trip. Although the Troubles officially ended with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, their legacy still shapes daily life in Belfast. Physical barriers continue to separate Protestant and Catholic neighborhoods, with gates that close each evening.

On this day of the Ireland portion of our journey, we traveled from Kenmare to Kilkenny, making our first stop in Cork. We rang the bells at St. Anne's and sampled delicacies from the English Market in Cork before spending the remainder of the day in Kilkenny, the Medieval City. In Kilkenny, we explored Kilkenny Castle, strolled along the Medieval Mile, climbed the Round Tower, and had some pints in an Irish pub while enjoying traditional Irish pub music.

The Ring of Kerry is a 111-mile scenic drive is located in southwest Ireland, where the coastline is occupied by tiny picturesque villages and breathtaking views from dramatic cliffsides. The drive can be done all in one day with time left over to see the Muckross House in Killarney.

Driving the Dingle Peninsula is a "must do," in Ireland. True, we had perfect weather, but it is hard to imagine a more beautiful part of the Country. From Galway, we made our way down to the Dingle Peninsula where we made five stops in total: Clogher Head (Ceann Sraithe), Donquin Pier, Coumeenole Beach, Dingle Sheep Dogs (experience), and the Town of Dingle.

Our first day in the Irish countryside involved a scenic drive from Dublin to Galway. Upon arriving in Galway, we took a delightful walking tour through Galway's Medieval Old Town, where the vibrant streets were filled with colorful shopfronts and lively street performers. After exploring the town, we treated ourselves to the best fish and chips of the whole trip. We next drove out to see Ireland's famous Cliffs of Moher. The dramatic cliffs, rising majestically over the Atla

Having heard so many great things about Ireland's countryside and tiny villages, we decided to stay just one day in Dublin. To make the most of our limited time in Dublin, we stayed within walking distance of Temple Bar and all the other sites we visited that day, including St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College, Marsh's library, and Dublin Castle. In the evening, we ordered pints and listened to live music - the first of many similar nights in this joyful country.

Founded in the 12th Century, Bern is the capital of Switzerland and features a central district recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For an easy hike close to central Zermatt, opt for the 5-lakes trail, which includes charming mountain goats that graze along the way.

Our favorite day in Switzerland was climbing Breithorn mountain at 13,600 feet with Zermatters. This is great for beginner mountaineering.

We drove from Interlaken to Zermatt, with a stop in Adelboden. In Zermatt, we explored the central district and Mountaineers' Cemetery.

We hiked from Lauterbrunnen, ascending 3000 feet to reach the Swiss mountain village of Mürren, then made our way to Gimmelwald, and Wengen

Grindelwald, a quaint village renowned as the starting point for experiencing some of Switzerland's iconic mountain vistas.

On this day, we rented mountain bikes from Flying Wheels and attempted the 23-mile loop around Lake Brienz in Interlaken, Switzerland.

The city of Lucerne is known for the Chapel Bridge, a 14th Century covered bridge, its historic architecture, and beautiful Lake Lucerne.

24 hours in Zurich: free walking tour, a walk along Lake Zurich, shopping, clock and watch museum and of course, fondue!

After flying in from Stockholm, we made just two stops to see Christiansborg Palace and then the National Museum of Denmark