Enjoy guest posts from IGE readers describing their best vacations ever while I’m away on mine! Check out my Italy travel page which I’ll be updating with links to videos, pictures & posts throughout my trip!

Germany

Name: Vala

Who, what, where, when and why: My name is Vala and I live in a smallish city in the Greater Toronto area, Ontario, Canada. I am a happily single gal who currently lives it up while working out and enjoying a vegan based diet. Oh, and I have an insatiable appetite for travel.

I went to Germany for 3 months in 2009 for work. I was located in the city of Stuttgart and during that time, I used every single weekend to travel in and around Germany and Europe.

My favorite part of the vacation was: My favorite part of my 3 month work stint/vacation was being a part of nature and seeing all Germany’s natural beauty. My favorite places were Heidelberg and Füssen, Germany. Oh my gosh. Both places are stunningly pretty, pure and so clean that each time, I became very choked up and emotional at how perfect this part of the world is. Germany and it’s people are amazing and as a result of my months there, I now have many German lifelong friends.

My best travel tip for this location: Go with a very open mind! Germans can look intimidating but they are (for the most part) a wonderful group of people. From my encounters, they are open and friendly. At any biergärten (beer hall), PROST (cheers!) is the word of the day so let lose, talk to people and Prost away!

The thing you MUST do at this location: Have a few pints at the Hofbräuhaus in Munich. Bring a big thirst and lots of enthusiasm.

The thing I want to do next time I return: Visit all of the East Frisian Islands (off the North Sea) in Lower Saxony, Germany. Oh, and live in Germany for at least a year.

Boulder, Colorado

Name, Blog: Ryah Cooley, Svelte Health

Who, what, where, when and why: In August 2008, the summer after I graduated from high school I went off on a a trip to Boulder, CO with my Mom to attend the Aerial Dance Festival put on every August by by Frequent Flyers Productions (An aerial dance company based in Boulder.) I’d been practicing aerial fabric dance for about a year so I was so stoked to learn more and meet other aerialists.

My favorite part of the vacation was: Taking aerial fabric classes from Fred Deb (A famous French aerialist, and one of the first I might add.) I’ve never been more sore in my life, but I loved every minute of it. I also loved being able to ride a bike and walk every where that I needed to go. Boulder is so bike friendly. Also, Boulder is just plain gorgeous! After walking around CU Boulder I seriously thought about applying there, but since I’m a CA resident, tuition would be crazy expensive.

My best travel tip for this location: Rent a bike. It’s part of the Boulder experience and it’s practical. Also, if you’re attending ADF I’d recommend staying at the Boulder Hostel. It’s cheap, clean, has a kitchen, and it’s close to where the festival’s classes are held. Also a lot of aerialists attending the festival stay there, so you really get to know the people you’re taking classes with.

The thing you MUST do at this location: You must take some aerial classes at ADF, Visit the Russian Tea House (So gorgeous with lovely tea and food.), Tour the Celestial Seasonings Tea company (They’re based in Boulder, CO. You get a tour of the factory, all the free tea samples you want, and a trip to “the mint room.” AHHHH. Best smelling room ever. I grew up on Celestial Seasonings and I love tea so this was quite the experience for me. I know: huge tea nerd.), go to The Sunflower Market (awesome grocery store), and crusie Pearl St. (The heart of down town Boulder.)

The thing I want to do next time I return: Go hiking! CO is so famous for its mountains. I also want to take a bungee class at ADF next time and maybe a rope class and an aerial fabric choreography class.