Up From the Ashes (Life Lately Recap)

Hi there! It's been a while, hasn't it? My absence has dragged on considerably longer than intended, to the point where I debated whether this space deserved a proper retirement or whether it ought to be resurrected.

I've chosen resurrection -- for now at least!

The Road Goes Ever On

For the times they are a-changin'...

These lyrics from Bob Dylan's iconic song have been our theme for the last few months, and in part, they explain the silence here. Some of you wonderful people who follow me on Instagram have an inkling as to these changes, how it has and will affect our travel, our personal lives, our careers, and aspirations, but for those of you courageous people who eschew social media, this recap is for you!

The Hit List

Almost everyone has a travel wish list. Or bucket list. Or whatever you want to call it. It's just a list of places and experiences that you'd like to see and do before a specified time. I've decided to throw out all my buckets, though, in lieu of something a little more spicy:

A hit list.

So Long & Thanks for All the Fish (2017)

Just one more hour until 2017 makes her final exit. It's been quite the year, and it's been quite the mixed bag, both on a personal level and culturally speaking. But for my part, if 2018 is half as exciting as 2017, it will be a great year.

Travel & Terrorism

Washington (CNN) - The State Department is warning Americans about the risk of potential terrorist attacks throughout Europe as law enforcement waits on heightened alert for possible ISIS-inspired attacks... (Read more here)

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I'd be lying if I said that I'm not nervous about our upcoming trip to Germany this summer.

Since our last visit in September 2015, there have been two major terrorist attacks in Europe, one in Paris and one in Brussels, in addition to the New Years Eve sexual assaults perpetuated on victims all across the continent. While the media toes the line of political correctness and Europeans unhappy with immigration policies are ostracized by the vociferous left, the fact remains that the landscape of European demographics is rapidly changing, bringing a host of concerns and worries for residents and visitors alike.

I'm of the opinion that we should not live in fear. My mind tells me that I'm more likely to be injured in a car accident during my 70 mile round-trip commutes to work than during my annual 14-21 days in Europe. My faith tells me that my life has already been mapped out, which is both a reassuring and at times uncomfortable thought. And my resolve tells me that staying home and giving up travel is letting the terrorists "win."

But I'm also not naive. Traveling to Europe in 2016 will incur risks that have increased since prior visits, especially when using public transit and frequenting high profile tourism locations. And this time, I have a little daughter to think about, too.

So how has the rise of terrorism affected my travel?

For one, it's forced me to have a more heightened awareness when I travel, not just abroad but also within the continental U.S. Skimming through social media while in the train or airport terminal is curtailed so that I can be more aware of my surroundings. Question everything, trust no one. I don't ignore anything that makes me feel uncomfortable. The San Bernadino terrorists may well have been apprehended before they killed all those people if their neighbors had followed their gut suspicions and reported them. I hope I'm never in a situation where I suspect I'm near an individual plotting death and destruction, but if I am, I hope that I'm brave enough to take my suspicions to the authorities. Better safe than sorry.

Secondly, it has demoted a few places on my travel bucket list - at least for now. It's one thing to travel to a place with an elevated risk for an attack in tourist areas (such as Europe); it's another to travel to a country experiencing civil unrest, with a population sympathetic to terrorist activities, or one where active conflict is likely to escalate at any moment. So while there are many wonderful things to see and experience in a place like Turkey, any plan to visit is on indefinite hold. I'll err on the side of caution.

All photos from our May 2015 trip to Paris.

Ultimately, the increased terrorist activity has cemented my opinions on border control, homeland security, immigration reforms, etc. These are all topics I tend to shy away from discussing in the travel blogging community as my convictions generally fall afoul of the majority dialogue, and it's hard to state an opinion without being labeled a nationalist, fascist, or racist - all epitaphs called into play when someone wants to disagree without actually using logical arguments. I want to be proven wrong, but unfortunately the more full-scale attacks and day-to-day assaults and harassment that occur, the more my opinions seem to be proven correct. And these attacks aren't limited to Europe; there have been equally devastating and more horrifically-scaled attacks in Pakistan, Turkey, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and the list goes on and on.


Yet, while my love for travel may be somewhat dampened by the threat of terrorism, it hasn't been extinguished, and I would encourage you not to let terrorists win. Travel on, my fellow wanderlusters, but do so with open eyes and listening ears.

How has the threat of terrorism affected your travel (if at all)?

Linking up with Lauren, Van, Isabel, and Marcella.

Linking up with:

 Chris & Heather, 

Justin & Lauren, Ashley, 

Macrae & Carolann, and Amanda & Brian

16 Plans for 2016

We're already two months into 2016, but I'm only just now compiling my wishlist of adventures for the year (having a Christmas Eve baby is a good excuse for being a little bit behind, right?!). Places here in Virginia feature prominently on this year's list! Although we dearly love our trips abroad, adjusting to an infant - both financially and logistically - makes it likely that we'll be focusing on our home turf and backyard touring in lieu of our appetite for foreign adventures. We're so lucky that Virginia has such a diverse array of places and activities, many of which we haven't yet experienced! I think it's high time we became experts on all things travel and tourism here in Virginia.

So without further ado, here are our realistic and unrealistic travels dreams and wishes for 2016!

1. Dinkelsbühl 
We would love to return to Danny's German hometown, Dinkelsbühl, later this year, perhaps in September or October. Baby Gypsy has an aunt, grandmother, and other relatives that she needs to meet. And if we go in early September, perhaps we'll finally be around for the Stadtfest (city festival)!

2. Bavaria's Castle Road
Apparently my favorite state in Germany has a route highlighting my favorite European fixtures - castles! The Burgenstraße, or Castle Road, begins in the German state of Baden-Württemberg and ends in the Czech Republic. While I'm under no illusions that we'll be able to traverse the entire route on our next trip, I'm hoping we can visit a nearby castle or two! (See the full route here.)

3. The Bavarian Chef, Madison, Virginia
Playing off our love for all things German, especially food, we are planning to pay a visit to The Bavarian Chef, a German restaurant about an hour away from our house. I think this would be a good place for our anniversary!

4. Kilmarnock
It's all but certain that we will spend time in Kilmarnock at least a couple times this summer. In our totally biased opinion, it's the most beautiful place in all Virginia!

5. Amish Country, Pennsylvania
My family reunion will be held in the heart of Amish country in Lancaster County, PA, and near Elverson, PA. That part of Pennsylvania always reminds us of Germany (after all, Pennsylvania Dutch is a derivative of German!), and in addition to spending time with the family, we enjoy checking out the quaint and quirky little towns in the area, like the charming town of Intercourse!

6. Niagara Falls
This plan may prove unrealistic, but while in Pennsylvania I'd love to make it an extended weekend in order to drive up to Niagara Falls.

7. Mount Airy, North Carolina
Ever heard of the Andy Griffith show? Well, Mount Airy in North Carolina is said to be the inspiration for the show's town of Mayberry. Our agenda for that weekend would be laid-back and spent looking at buildings that recall various aspects of one of our favorite old-timey shows.

8. #252by2022
While pregnancies may have slowed us down, my friend Brittany and I are still committed to visiting all 252 Virginia wineries by the year 2022. Hopefully this year we'll be able to knock back a few more tastings around the commonwealth and get ourselves closer to the finish line.

9. Shenandoah, Virginia
Second only to our beloved Kilmarnock. Virginia's Shenandoah River and Valley sport some of the most stunning natural beauties in the state. A weekend escape to Luray with our Baby Gypsy may be in order at least once.

10. Manassas Battlefield Park, Manassas, Virginia
Sixty percent or three out of every five Civil War battles were fought on Virginia soil, making our state a mecca for every Civil War buff. There were two battles at Manassas in northern Virginia, and although the site is less than two hours from where I live, I have yet to visit. It's time to rectify that.

11. The Virginia House & Agecroft Hall, Richmond, Virginia
Agecroft Hall is one of my favorite sites in Richmond (shown right, image from Wikipedia). It's an English Tudor house that was disassembled from its original location in Lancashire, England, and transported to Richmond in 1925 where it was erected on a beautiful piece of property overlooking the James River. Tours are available on a daily basis, and during the summer, the estate hosts outdoor concerts, plays, and other events. I'm in love with this house and would love to live in it! I've not visited for many years, though, so I'm overdue for a visit and will also need to pop into the Virginia House, which is located nearby. The Virginia House was also brought to Virginia from Warwickshire, England, in 1929. I have not yet toured the Virginia House so I'm looking forward to learning more about it.

12. Outer Banks, North Carolina
Sun. Sand. Surf. Need I say more? I just need to get this post-baby bod back in shape to do some serious relaxing at the Outer Banks!

13. Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee 
The city of Bristol straddles the Virginia and Tennessee state lines and is recognized by the U.S. Congress as the "birthplace of country music." I just need to put on my boots, plaid shirt, and best Loretta Lynn impression to get into the spirit of this town for our visit.

14. Great Dismal Swamp, Virginia/North Carolina
I've always been fascinated with pictures of bayous in Louisiana and have always wanted to visit a swamp with a similar feel. Since I won't be making it to the Deep South anytime soon, the Great Dismal Swamp near Norfolk, Virginia, can help scratch that itch for me! It may not have alligators, but it does have the flooded forest look. My imagination can supply the alligators.

Edit: Apparently gators can come as far north as the Great Dismal Swamp!!! So don't attempt to sneak in a skinny dip there, folks!

15. Historic Triangle, Virginia
Virginia is loaded with history, and the historic triangle of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown is arguably the center of Virginia history. Williamsburg is a particular favorite of mine (check out their Christmas decorations if you're in town!), but I haven't visited Jamestown or Yorktown in years. Time to get Baby Gypsy immersed in American history from a very young age!

16. Buy a House
Many of our travel plans for this year and next will be local and regional adventures as we hope to purchase a place of our own later this year - an adventure in and of itself!

Bonus Destinations:
Monticello, Charlottesville, VA
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

What's on your wishlist for 2016?

Linking up with #WeekendWanderlust!

Countdown to #EurSoGypsy

Let the countdown begin!  Well, to be honest, the countdown began months ago when there were over 100 days left until departure.  Now that we're on the cusp of single digits, the excitement has finally arrived!  With so little time left to procrastinate, I've finally found the motivation to get our packing lists organized and even brainstormed a few hash tag ideas.  Too bad that motivation hasn't extended to getting caught up on household chores yet.

But my mind is already thousands of miles away...

... exploring ancient ruins.

(Photo from Travelling Buzz)

... eating delicious food.

(Photo from Gate to Greece)

... swimming through truly blue water.

(Photo from Some Kind of Wanderlust)

... exclaiming over watery sunsets.
(Photo from Mishfish13)

... celebrating a double-birthday the deutsche Weg.
(From National Beer Day)

... wandering through the City of Love.

(Photo from What Up, Swags?!)

... reuniting with family and loved ones in a fairy-tale town.

(From Bavaria)

... wishing that vacation would come and never end.

(From Sorrento)

Sometimes the anticipation of a trip is sweeter than the trip itself - because for us it lasts longer!

P.S. Happy 200th post to me!

Travel & Personal Goals for 2015

As the Christmas food coma finally wears off and the halls of our house undergo an "undecking" of holiday paraphernalia, it's time to outline our plans for 2015.  We've already announced our big trip of the year - Greece, Paris, and Germany in the spring - but we have a few other goals to settle, both personal and in terms of travel.

For the sole benefit of threatening ourselves with public accountability (we'll see how effective that turns out to be!), here are our tentative goals for the year:

1.  Return to Europe
Obviously, this is already on the books.  This trip will add one more country to our list (Greece!) and at least three new cities/locations.  I would love to plan a second 7 or 8-day trip for the fall, but doing so may conflict with our second goal...

2.  Financial Peace
It's time to start saving.  A LOT.  Since we're currently still "DINKs" (dual income, no kids), we need to seize the opportunity to put aside as much money as possible for future expenditures such as a house, more travels, and increased living expenses when our DINKing days are over.  It's time to focus on where our money is going and how we can become more efficient with our spending.  The biggest culprit lies in our eating habits.  It's just too convenient to eat out for lunch, or order a pizza when you're too tired to cook dinner.  Unfortunately, convenience comes at a price.  Eliminating excessive dining-out will probably save us a surprising amount of money in a year's time.  It's time to take complete ownership over our finances!

3.  Health & Wellness
In 2013, I quit smoking.  In 2014, I cut back my caffeinated beverage consumption from 24 to only 8 ounces per day.  In 2015, I'd like to get back into shape.  Although I may look like an athlete, gone are the days where I could run a mile or perform my karate katas for an hour non-stop.  I can hardly walk up a set of stairs without heavy breathing.  Embarrassing!  After all the "get into shape" new years resolutioners give up on their gym memberships, I'll move in with my own resolution.  There are three gyms within 5 minutes of my new job and a park within walking distance.  Our eight days of nonstop walking in Italy last summer almost killed my feet and my endurance.  I want to be in better shape for this next trip!

4.  Breaking the Social Media Addiction
Undoubtedly, this will be the hardest goal for me.  My morning routine has developed into checking e-mail, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter in between my numerous alarms.  Throughout the day, I'm constantly checking my personal accounts and the accounts for the blog, too.  This compulsion can't be healthy, and I need to find a balance between maintaining my blog's social media accounts and losing myself in the interwebs.

5.  Develop a Bucket List for Virginia
Virginia is the best state in the union (although I'm not biased in the least!).  I've spent the majority of my life in this state, explored many historical sites in her borders, experienced a plethora of events and festivals, and enjoyed her ever-changing scenery.  However, we've barely scratched the surface.  It's time to develop a concrete bucket list and start seeing more of what this beautiful state has to offer!

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What are your 2015 goals?  If you've written about them, please share a link in the comments below!  And if you have any suggestions or tips for my stated goals, do share!

And the Winner Is... (2015 Travel Plans & Giveaway Winner!)

Top: Source.  Bottom Left: Source.  Bottom Right: Source.

The moussaka is officially out of the bag - we're going to Greece, y'all!

After brainstorming various destination possibilities back in October, we finally made a decision and booked our flights to Athens and Thira island (commonly known as Santorini) for a spring trip.  We'll begin in Athens, explore the Parthenon and a few museums, then jet out to Santorini for caldera sunsets and island living.  As always, we won't be spending nearly as much time there as we'd like, but as our giveaway theme stated, "All Roads Lead to Bavaria", and there our Europe trip will continue with birthday bashes in Stuttgart, a weekend excursion to Paris with our German BFFs, and back to Dinkelsbühl and Bavaria for eight days with family, friends, castles, and plenty of wurst and spaetzle!  My sister-in-law is also flying into Germany for twelve days, marking her first visit in nearly ten years, and I'm excited to create some memories with her in her German hometown!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our giveaway contest to guess our travel destination!  Julie of Alone With My Tea and Joanna of Me and My Itchy Feet both correctly guessed that we're wandering our way to Greece.  Way to go, ladies!  I'm excited that two bloggers I've been following so closely over the last few months were the ones to correctly deduce our new destination, and I'm pleased to introduce them to you below:

Joanna & her family in Cinque Terre, Italy (October 2014)

Joanna of Me and My Itchy Feet
Born, raised, and living in Poland, Joanna and her itchy feet have been wandering across the world since 1994 and documenting their experiences (in both English and Polish) on her blog since 2012.  Joanna's easy manner of writing and ability to draw the reader into her family's adventures is particularly engaging.  I'm constantly inspired by her and her husband's desire to "pass the passion" of traveling on to their children - and to readers through her posts!  Check out her recent descriptions about a day in Florence or visiting the leaning tower of Toruń in Poland!

Julie & her husband

Julie of Alone with My Tea - the Giveaway Winner!

"I began alonewithmytea when I had to take a year-long break from Grad school, due to health issues. I spent most of my days home alone, drinking tea, and working on some sort of art or musical project. I realized that being alone with my tea inspired creativity. I spent time reflecting, practicing various art techniques, and just enjoying life. While this blog began as an outlet for exploring and displaying my creative attempts, it has since morphed into a travel and lifestyle blog, especially when my husband and I moved from California to Rio de Janeiro and then to the deep south (Alabama)! Follow along as I document all the adventures we find here and abroad!
XO, Julie -alonewithmytea@gmail.com "

Julie is the winner of our "All Roads Lead to Bavaria" Giveaway and will be receiving a scratch-off map to create a unique picture of the world based on their travels!  Give her blog some page-view lovin' with her posts about random conversations with taxi drivers in Rio, the Cathedral in Petropolis, or 5 Tips for Moving to Brazil.  Congratulations, Julie!

As we rev up our excitement over our Greece trip with documentaries, travel shows, and perusing blogs about other people's experiences, we'll share more details of our travel planning.  Hotels are booked, but we haven't nailed down specifics of our itineraries yet.  Any suggestions?  We're all ears!

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Have you been to Athens or Santorini?

Linking up with A Brit and a Southerner for #WeekendWanderlust!

"All Roads Lead to Bavaria" Giveaway

As mentioned previously, we have purchased airfare for a return trip to Europe this spring!  Excitement doesn't even begin to describe it.  The second half of our trip will be spent in Germany (because for us, all roads lead to Bavaria!), but the first half will be spent in ...

You didn't think I'd give our destination away that easily, did you?

In honor of our fifth return to Europe in as many years, instead of just announcing our new destination, I want you to guess it!  And to give you a little bit of an incentive, I've compiled a give-away gift for one lucky winner!

A Luckies of London Scratch Map of the World! (Approx. $25 value)

Let's face it, as travelers we love to show off all the places we've been, whether in list form, our travel photos on the wall, or souvenir magnets on the fridge.  What's cooler than a map on which you can scratch off all the places you've visited for your own unique picture of the world?!  I'm hoping to throw in a few packs of German chocolate as well if the shipping costs are conducive.

So here's the deal: I'll provide three small clues to our new destination below, and you leave your best guess for our destination in the comment section.  A winner will be randomly drawn from the correct guesses, and if my hints are terrible and no correct guesses are made, a winner will be drawn from all participants!  To increase your chances of winning, follow our Instagram and Twitter accounts and leave your usernames in the comment.  I'll follow you back - it's a win-win situation for you!  The contest will close on Christmas Eve, and I will announce a winner on January 1st!*

Here are your clues...
1:  This country is on our bucket list.
2:  This country is located in Europe.
3:  The amount of international tourists visiting this country per year outnumbers the country's entire population.

These clues are vague, but a quick search through my blog should afford you at least two decent guesses.  Besides, I'm looking forward to seeing all the guesses - right or wrong!

This spring our road will lead us to Bavaria, but where are we going first?  Leave your guess in a comment below and be sure to follow our social media accounts!

Facebook   ~   Twitter   ~   Instagram   ~   Pinterest   ~   Bloglovin'

*If your comment doesn't provide a link to where you can be contacted but you still wish to participate in the giveaway, either check back here on January 1st to find out if you won or send your contact info to thriftygypsytravels@gmail.com!
 
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Linking up with Bonnie Rose, Courtney, Cynthia, and Yalanda for #TravelTuesday!

Linking up with A Brit and a Southerner  every Friday for the #WeekendWanderlust!  Check out the other great travel bloggers in the link-up!

Mapping My Month: December 2014

ONLY 25 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!

Yes, I am one of those overly enthusiastic Christmas nutters.  I've been listening to Christmas music on the sly since early November, and I bought the first gift way back in July.  I'd planned to be completely done with my shopping by this time so I could just kick back and enjoy the season, but I'll be out there braving the crowds with everyone else.  'Tis the season!

Because of holiday festivities, November's and now December's travels were and will be confined to local destinations.  Although, in spite of a little snow, we did travel to Pennsylvania for a white Thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family.  It's the first time my immediate family has all been under one roof since my brother's wedding in June!

A photo posted by The Thrifty Gypsy's Travels (@thriftygypsy87) on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:39am PST

November Recap:  Berlin Wall at the University of Virginia, walking down "memory lane" at Charlottesville's Downtown Mall, touring the grounds of Virginia Tech while visiting my sister, experiencing the new tasting room at Midnight Brewery, trying the new BJ's Brewpub in the west end of Richmond, talking for 12 hours non-stop with a friend recently returned from Southeast Asia, driving through the snow-covered battlefield of Gettysburg, and traveling to Amish-country in eastern Pennsylvania.

I'm sure December's weekends will fill up with holiday parties, family gatherings, and Christmas shopping.  Realistically, we won't be doing any traveling this month (although I'd dearly love to sneak up to D.C. to see the Magna Carta while it's on display!).  Maybe we'll be able to do something special for New Year's Eve.  But you know what?  I'm okay with not going anywhere.  Not just because I feel like being close to home and family for the holidays, but also because (drum-roll please)...

We bought plane tickets to Europe!!!

That's right!  We'll be making our way back across the Atlantic in the spring for 17 days of traveling, exploring, visiting family, and making new memories with some dear friends.  It goes without saying that the last leg of our trip will be spent in Germany, but the first six days will be spent in a country we've not yet visited.  Stay tuned for a promo giveaway in a few weeks when we announce our travel destinations and plans!

Where did you go in November?  Got any plans for December yet?

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Linking up with Chasing the Donkey and other travel bloggers for the #SundayTraveler!

Selecting the "Perfect" Hotel

As a thrifty traveler, my requirements for hotels can be condensed to just three things: clean rooms, accommodating staff, and a safe location.  We cram so much into our itineraries that our hotel rooms are little more than a place to rest and recover before another packed day of sightseeing.  And until we can afford to stay at such specialty lodgings like the Hotel de Glace in Quebec City or the over-water hut hotels such as the Four Seasons in Bora Bora (in which case, the accommodations are an attraction in and of themselves!), we are more than happy to stay in budget to mid-level hotels to save a little money.

Sad about leaving London... and the Club Quarters Hotel

After we've settled upon a destination but are still in the early stages of brainstorming a trip, I begin perusing sites like Trip Advisor and Hotels.com to compile a list of hotel choices.  I skim the reviews for the good, the bad, and the ugly of hotels within our price range, keeping in mind that some negative reviews are written by people who simply cannot be pleased and are looking for the slightest provocation to write a bad review.

With TripAdvisor on one screen and Google Maps on another, I begin ranking hotel potentials.  While all of them must meet my three basic requirements, I also prioritize hotels based on amenities such as free breakfast, free WiFi, proximity to attractions, price, and the enthusiasm with which reviewers recommend the establishment.  And unless I'm looking for lodging in the U.S., I almost always avoid chain establishments.  I just can't bring myself to travel halfway across the world just to stay at a chain hotel like a Best Western!  (No offense, B-dubs.)

The Riverside Mamaison Hotel in Prague

With this method, even if my top choice hotel is booked, I have at least a few more options available up my sleeves thanks to my list compilation.  Generally, I try to reserve and book directly through the hotel.  While third-party sites such as Hotels.com or Orbitz may purport to offer the best prices, I've found that hotels actually tend to be cheaper when booked directly and save the establishment from ponying up some of their profits to the third-party website.

So what does an example of my list look like?  Here's the short-hand list I made when deciding where to stay in Rome:

Relais Forus Inn                                
$105/night                                        
Near Termini; affordable price; mostly good reviews                                    


Maior                                                  
$124                                                    
Rave Reviews; over budget          

Cesare Balbo Inn                              
$110                                                    
Hostel; good location                      

Hotel Andreotti
$72
Near Termini; good reviews; pretty rooms

Ultimately we decided upon Hotel Andreotti and were very glad we did (see my review here).  But there were many hotels that could've potentially been a "perfect" hotel for us, and it's important to note that what worked really well for us may not necessarily fit your traveling style or needs.  If you're looking to keep a reasonable budget without sacrificing amenities or location, sticking to mid-level hotels (like we do) and using our listing process may help you find your own "perfect" hotel (inn, guest house, or hostel!) for your travels!

Mamaison Hotel

How do you choose the "perfect" hotel for your travels?

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Linking up with Bonnie Rose & other travel bloggers for #TravelTuesday!

WOW Air Wants to Wow Transatlantic Travelers with Cheap Airfare

Ever dreamed of flying from the United States to Europe without having to sell an arm and a leg?  Iceland-based airline WOW Air wants to make it happen.

According to an article published four days ago on the Washington Post, Wow Air plans to fly between Boston and Baltimore to Reykjavik for as little as $99 each way, starting March 2015.

Am I the only one jumping for joy at the mere thought of such low prices?!

Click here to read the Washington Post article in its entirety...
 

Linking up with Bonnie Rose, Camila & other travel bloggers for #TravelTuesday!