I DON'T KNOW?!?!-an impromptu trip to Vancouver

Though a fear of the unknown can put a few butterflies in your tummy, not knowing can be a way to release your inner travel self. Taking risks and trying new things is a key component to a weekend destination. Expect a few letdowns and open up to new adventures (And try your best to pack for every climate).

After a few travel plans have finally gone kaputz, we decided to close our eyes and choose a designation from the departure screen. We did have to take into consideration the rush weekend travel due to President's day holiday. Everyone is travelling this weekend... which is bad news for us standbyers.

The verdict was not delivered until the day of, after our original plan to Miami went down the drain. Cyn and I decided that we'd meet at the airport at 9am and figure out where to go.

And the verdict was??????

BAM! You guessed it. An easy 2hr plane ride away from home, but still a foreign country. Soooo. Whats next? What are we gonna do? Where are we gonna stay? What are we gonna eat?

Well...the theme for this trip is "We don't know".. We'll wing it.

This was a good destination for our "I don't know" mentality. We hop off the plane with our luggange in tow (no check in luggage) and hit the ground running. FIrst things first: get through customs & immigration

[Note to self: Never let customs agents in on your "I don't know" joke. They won't like it. Or they'll question you for suspicion]

On our way out we stop by the information desk. The nice lady at the desk points us in the direction of a few cool attractions/places to stay. Cyn grabs a million free brochures to look at while we're on the train.

Vancouver has a cheap and efficient transportation system. The Skyrail connects you to the major stops and buses run throughout the city. You can buy a $9 day pass. And the route map is dummy-proof. So easy, a caveman can do it.

Well, maybe not for me... I always get lost.. which is why I have Cyn, my human GPS system. Her specialty: transit systems.

We choose a hostel for $30 a night called the Cambrie Hostel in Gastown, located a few blocks from the beautiful waterfront area in Northern downtown area of Vancouver. Came with free coffee/muffin breakfast and free storage for our bags. Total score on that end. Only downside is the public bathroom/shower situation that we weren't to fond of. But hey, its pretty good for $30 bucks a night.

So we drop off our bags and grab a bite at the cafe/bar in the downstairs lobby of our hostel. It is a total college-style hangout with arcade machines, cheap pints of beer, and a whole lot of fried foods to curb your hangover...just saying.

Can't say no to comfort food. Or yam fries. Nom nom nom nom!

Cyn contemplating our next move at the hostel cafe. This cool app I have on my iphone allows me to edit pictures on the spot. Check out Instagram at the appstore.

So what IS our next move? Yea yea, "We don't know".. but we kind of DO know... start exploring and take pictures!!

As usual, Cyn finds something to climb. (This time she didn't get yelled at by a security guard)

And I find somewhere to run around in.

Viola! Our indecisiveness ended up being a great advantage. Who needs travel plans anyway? All you need is an idea.

PARIS ISN'T THE ONLY PLACE FOR LOVERS- Our top 10 picks of the most romantic destinations we’ve been to

In lieu of Valentine’s Day, we decided to list our top 10 romantic destinations that we’ve been to; we hope to add more places as we continue our travels.

1. Paris, France
The romance capital of the world…Any list of romantic places just wouldn’t be complete without Paris. Everything about the City of Light, from its Parisian culture, architecture, sidewalk cafes, promenades, grand monuments, cathedrals, fashion, art, and cuisine, embodies the idea of romance.

2. Venice, Italy
That’s amore…Venice was made for lovers and dreamers alike. It’s a city like no other, built on stilts on top of a hundred islands, where gondolas replace cars, navigated by Venetian men serenading their riders with Italian love songs that echo through the narrow passageways. It gives the illusion that it’s floating above the mists, and adds a bit more magic to the already hypnotizing allure of the city.

3. Santorini, Greece
It’s as pretty as a picture…The small crescent shaped island of Santorini has one of the most stunning landscapes in the world. This picture perfect island located in the South Aegean Sea, and its beautiful sunsets, white washed houses and distinct blue domes, attracts visitors from all over the globe. The islands connections to the mythical Atlantis helps add to the allure Santorini.

4. Bali, Indonesia
The ultimate island…Bali is a perfect example of a far away exotic island that everyone dreams of visiting. It’s unspoiled beaches, volcanoes, waterfalls, rain forests, ancient temples, terraced rice paddies, and pleasant villages makes experiencing Bali the equivalent of experiencing bliss.

5. Maui, Hawaii, USA
So this is the real Hawaii…The second largest Hawaiian island, the sun-drenched island of Maui is the opposite of the faster pace of Waikiki. Have a life style change for your vacation and live the island way of life. Find a hammock for two overlooking the beach, enjoy the ocean breeze, and experience how good it feels to just do nothing in this tropical paradise.

6. Rome, Italy
What movies are made of…Rome has held its place in the hearts of hopeless romantics around the world. The Eternal City’s energy is so undeniable that you can’t help but imagine that your in a classic romance movie, whether its riding into the sunset on a Vespa, like in Roman Holiday, or dancing around in the breath-taking Trevi fountain like in Fellini’s La Dolce Vita…there’s something about Rome that just makes you feel more passionate.

7. New York, New York, USA
A rose in a concrete world…Get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, and find New York’s green gems that are perfect for a little bit of romance. Whether it’s dining at an ultra chic restaurant or riding a horse drawn carriages in Central Park, this city won’t fail impress.

8. Prague, Czech Republic
Old world romance…Almost untouched by the destruction of WWII, Prague lets off the centuries old type of romance, where chivalry was prevalent and the city becomes the base of what fairytales are made of. Prague’s winding cobblestone streets, gold-tipped towers, churches, bridges, and its large ancient castle complex makes it an ideal romantic storybook setting.

9. Aruba
Way down in Kokomo…The Caribbean has always been a top destination for romance seekers. With sunny year round weather that averages 82 °F, Aruba looks even more attractive because it falls outside the hurricane belt. So visitors can rest easy and enjoy the beach, greenery, and desert habitations that all coexist on this small island.

10. Seattle, Washington, USA
Rain or shine…The Emerald City's dramatic natural beauty, attractions, and waterfront restaurants make it a great romantic destination. With Seattle facing the waters of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, Lake Washington and the Cascade Range behind it, and Mount Rainier to the south, it’s hard not to get fascinated with this city and its surroundings.

FAIRYTALES AREN'T JUST FOR KIDS-a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

On top of a hill in the Bavarian Alps, overlooking the Hohenschwangau valley, sits the “Fairytale King’s” castle. King Ludwig II started construction on what is now called Neushwanstein Castle in 1869, and its sole purpose was to become the King’s new residence. Neuschwanstein means “New Swan Stone,” derived from one of the famed Richard Wagner’s opera character, the Swan Knight. Ludwig dedicated the castle to Wagner, whose operas inspired most of the castle’s rooms. The castle has a 2-story Byzantine styled throne room but ironically no throne, and only 14 rooms were finished and decorated before the King’s sudden and mysterious death in 1886. Ludwig also only slept in the castle for a mere 11 nights. Even though Neuschwanstein resembles a medieval castle, it had state of the art technology of its time with automatic flushing toilets and an air heating system for the whole castle.

 

The fairytale castle has sparked the imagination of many people who have seen it, including Walt Disney, who fashioned his Magic Kingdom to be similar to Neuschwanstein. If you’re a Disney nut like I am you would have recognized that it bears a huge resemblance to the castle of a classic Disney masterpiece, The Sleeping Beauty. The charming castle attracts over 1.3 million visitors a year and has become the most visited castle in Germany. It’s a must see for any visit to Bavaria, and it also makes a great day trip from Munich. It's quite a hike up to the castle but horse-drawn carriages are available and on non-icy days they have a bus that will take you to the top. We opted for the hike uphill, and a run back down (due to getting sidetracked at the souvenir stands) to try to catch the last train back to Munich. Unfortunately no photos are allowed inside the castle but it doesn’t make it any less stunning. With the gorgeous Bavarian Alps as its backdrop and the pleasant little town of Fussen at its foot, one can’t help to think that they’re in an actual fairytale themselves.