Mapgirl Adventures

05/29/2026

Montenegro completely surprised us.

From the ancient stone streets of Kotor and the peaceful hillsides of Savina Monastery to wine tasting above the Bay of Kotor and cruising across wild Skadar Lake, this small Balkan country quickly became one of our favourite travel experiences.

What stayed with us most wasn’t just the scenery; it was the feeling of discovering a place where history, culture, mountains, and sea all still blend naturally into everyday life.

Tucked along the Adriatic coast, Montenegro is one of Europe’s youngest countries—yet its story stretches back thousands of years. Gaining independence in 2006, Montenegro is, on paper, just 20 yea…

04/12/2026

Fire on the Water: Delting Up Helly Aa

Fire, community, and a tradition that burns brighter every year 🔥 We thought we knew what to expect at Delting Up Helly Aa… we were so wrong. From a quiet morning to a night where over 200 torches lit up the dark, this wasn’t just a festival—it was something truly unforgettable. Come experience the magic, the people, and the fire 🔥 ...

Fire, community, and a tradition that burns brighter every year 🔥 We thought we knew what to expect at Delting Up Helly Aa… we were so wrong. From a quiet morning to a night where over 200 torches …

04/07/2026

We finally made it to the Shetland Islands—and it didn’t disappoint 🌊

From the wild cliffs of Sumburgh Head to wandering through 4,000 years of history at Jarlshof, every stop felt like stepping into a story. We followed in the footsteps of Jimmy Perez, found hidden corners, and even had our plans change—leading us to the quiet beauty of Yell.

Shetland isn’t just a place you visit—it’s something you feel.

✨ Our latest blog is live, come explore it with us!

We finally made it to the Shetland Islands—and it didn’t disappoint 🌊 From the wild cliffs of Sumburgh Head to wandering through 4,000 years of history at Jarlshof, every stop felt like stepping in…

03/29/2026

Some places don’t just offer a view—they tell a story.

Our walk to Loch Skeen began at the mysterious Giant’s Grave and led us past the powerful cascade of Grey Mare’s Tail—through a landscape shaped by glaciers, steeped in legend, and once used as refuge during Scotland’s darkest times.

And just when we thought we’d seen it all… Scotland gave us one last surprise in the form of wild, fast-changing weather on the way down.

It’s places like this that remind us—travel isn’t just about where you go, but what you feel along the way.

Come along for the full journey.

Our walk to Loch Skeen, following the Tail Burn and the cascading Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway, began at a place that immediately made us pause—the Trail Burn For…

03/20/2026

Who recognizes this place? Tell me who lives here and what is the show in the comments.

03/13/2026

Sometimes the best travel discoveries are the places you didn’t plan for.

When Keith and I boarded a train north from Paris toward Lille, we had no idea how much this region would surprise us.

Over the next few days we wandered through beautiful Flemish squares in Arras, stood on the quiet beaches of Dunkirk where one of WWII’s most dramatic rescues unfolded, explored the medieval walls of Bergues, and even crossed the border for a day in charming Kortrijk.

What we found was a region full of powerful history, vibrant markets, peaceful streets, and small travel moments that stay with you long after the journey ends.

Northern France may not always top the travel bucket lists—but it absolutely should.

If you love discovering places that mix history, culture, and authentic everyday life, this part of Europe might just surprise you too.

Have you ever discovered a place that completely surprised you?

Click on the link to read all about our experience.

There’s something exciting about the moment one journey ends and the next begins. After saying goodbye to our niece at the airport in Paris, Keith and I turned our attention north. With our bags in…

03/05/2026

Paris has a way of revealing itself slowly—one cobblestone street, one café, one quiet moment at a time.

In our latest blog post we wandered the hilltop village streets of Montmartre, watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle over the Seine, sheltered from the rain inside the Petit Palais, sat quietly inside Notre-Dame, and ended our Paris stay with a step back in time in the medieval town of Provins.

Some moments were grand, others were unexpectedly quiet—but together they created the kind of travel memories that stay with you long after the trip ends.

If you love travel stories, hidden corners, and the feeling of being somewhere new, come along with us for the journey.

Read the full story on the blog.

Our niece surprised us by asking if we would take a trip with her over Spring Break. We were secretly thrilled that she wanted to hang out with us “old people,” so it didn’t take much convincing. A…

02/11/2026

The Azores: An (almost) A–Z of Island Magic Part 3

This is the third and final part of our (almost) A-to-Z guide which captures the highlights, surprises, and small details from our time exploring Sao Miguel island that made our Azorean adventure so memorable. If you missed Part 1 (A-F) you can view it here, and Part 2 (G-N) can be viewed here. O – Ocean Pools Tucked along the rugged Atlantic coastline of Sao Miguel are the natural ocean pools at Caneiros and Melo Nunes—places where volcanic geology meets the endless blue of the sea....

This is the third and final part of our (almost) A-to-Z guide which captures the highlights, surprises, and small details from our time exploring Sao Miguel island that made our Azorean adventure s…

02/02/2026

The Azores: An (almost) A–Z of Island Magic Part 2

This is the second part of our (almost) A-to-Z guide which captures the highlights, surprises, and small details from our time exploring Sao Miguel island that made our Azorean adventure so memorable. If you missed Part 1 you can view it here. F – Furnas Valley Nestled in the heart of Sao Miguel, the Furnas Valley is one of the most fascinating places in the Azores, and one of Europe’s most active geothermal areas....

This is the second part of our (almost) A-to-Z guide which captures the highlights, surprises, and small details from our time exploring Sao Miguel island that made our Azorean adventure so memorab…