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Brussels was our arrival city and the first of three Belgian stops — and I’ll be honest with you up front, it ended up being my least favorite of the three. That doesn’t mean skip it. It just means going in with the right expectations, which is exactly what I wish I’d had.
Getting into the city
Our arrival hit a snag at security. There were huge crowds, only a few lanes open, and none of the digital scanners were working — it took us about an hour and fifteen to get through. The silver lining: by the time we cleared it, our luggage was already waiting for us. Because we landed early with five people and a full set of bags, we skipped the train and took an Uber straight to the hotel. If you’re arriving as a group with luggage, that’s the call I’d make again — easier and far less stressful than wrangling everyone onto a train.
What we saw
After dropping our bags, we wandered. The Grand-Place is genuinely show-stopping — the ornate guild houses and the Town Hall are worth the trip on their own. We also stopped by Manneken Pis, which is famous, tiny, and exactly as small as everyone warns you. It’s a fun tick-the-box moment more than a highlight.
My honest take
Brussels leans more touristy than Bruges or Ghent, with more of those souvenir-lined streets. A couple of times it didn’t feel especially safe — we were completely fine, but I stayed more aware of my bag than I did elsewhere. We also stayed near the beer museum, and on the weekend the plaza was a party well into the night. The next morning it was covered in trash with a few disgruntled stragglers still about. The cleanup crews were fast, but it wasn’t quite our pace.
If I did it again, I’d book a hotel a few streets back from the main nightlife squares — you’re still walkable to everything, minus the 2 a.m. soundtrack.
Is it worth it?
Yes — for the Grand-Place alone, and as an easy base for day trips to Bruges and Ghent (both a quick, simple train ride away). Just go in knowing it’s the busiest and most touristy of the three, and plan your hotel accordingly.
Comfort tip: in busier, touristy areas I like a crossbody bag that zips closed and sits in front of me — hands free for photos, and one less thing to think about. The one I carry is the Baggallini Securtex Anti-Theft Daytripper Sling. Honestly, anything by Baggallini does the job — and it’s well worth checking TJ Maxx before you pay full price.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Affiliate Disclosure for details.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through a link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here. · Photography by Abigail Reed Photography (@abigailreedphotography).
Let me be upfront about something: I do not hike.
I am enthusiastically, cheerfully, and somewhat legendarily uncoordinated. Trails with roots, steep inclines, or the phrase “moderate difficulty” are not for me. I am for paved paths, scenic overlooks you can drive to, and places where the view rewards you without requiring you to earn it with your knees.
Oregon, as it turns out, is excellent for people like me. The scenery is extraordinary and most of the best stops are genuinely accessible without any real hiking involved. This is the guide I wish I’d had — honest about what’s worth it, honest about what wasn’t, and written by someone who will never pretend a 600-foot elevation gain is “easy.”
How We Structured the Trip
Arrival evening: Flew into Portland, settled in — didn’t do anything
Day 1: Seattle day trip — Pike Place Market + Seattle Aquarium
Day 2: International Rose Test Garden + Japanese Garden (Portland)
Day 3: Oregon Coast — Cannon Beach, Hug Point, Oswald West, Tillamook Creamery
Day 4: Trillium Lake + Mt. Hood area
Day 5: Columbia River Gorge — Multnomah Falls
Based out of: Portland throughout
🏙️ Day 1: A Day Trip to Seattle
We drove up from Portland for the day — Pike Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium. The whole thing was easy to pull off as a day trip and we came back having seen what we came to see. For the day I brought just my WATERFLY Crossbody Sling — easy to manage in a crowded market, big enough for everything I needed, and a lot less to think about than a full backpack.
Pike Place Market: Absolutely Go
I was not prepared for how much I would love Pike Place Market. The flowers were stunning — full stop. And the fruit stands were extraordinary. I ate some of the best raspberries and cherries of my life that afternoon, standing in the rain, and had zero regrets about it.
The flower stands were the first thing I noticed — and I genuinely could not walk past them. · Photo: Abigail Reed Photography
We also found a dehydrated snack booth that kept us happily munching for the entire drive back to Portland — one of those finds that makes a market feel like a market. The fish section is interesting to walk through (the famous fish-throwing is exactly what it sounds like), and we moved through it fairly quickly. And there were some genuinely lovely handmade items scattered through the market worth browsing if you’re looking for something to bring home.
Practical notes: It was a rainy late May day and still very crowded — I can only imagine how busy it gets in peak summer. Parking was completely fine when we arrived around 10:30am but very full when we were leaving. Get there early.
Seattle Aquarium: Honest Take
If you’re visiting with children, yes — the Seattle Aquarium is worth it. For adults traveling without kids, I’d go in with tempered expectations.
The sea otters, river otters, and sea lions were genuinely excellent — energetic, active, and entertaining in the way that big charismatic animals always are. The jellyfish exhibit was the real highlight — actually stunning. But the other animals seemed slow-moving and there wasn’t quite the volume or variety of exhibits that justified the admission price for adult visitors on their own.
If aquariums are your thing as a destination, the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky is a much more impressive experience and worth the comparison. Seattle’s is fine — just not exceptional for the cost if you’re an adult going without kids.
Overall: the day trip worked well, we saw the main things we wanted to see, and the drive was easy in both directions. If you’re based in Portland for a few days, Seattle as a day trip is absolutely doable.
🌹 The International Rose Test Garden: Better Than I Expected
I went in with modest expectations and left genuinely impressed. The Rose Test Garden in Washington Park is free to enter, easy to walk through on paved paths with gentle slopes, and in late May it is absolutely spectacular.
What struck me most was the sheer volume and variety — over 10,000 rose plants representing hundreds of varieties, all in bloom at once. But what really impressed me was how meticulously maintained it all is. Every bed was pristine. The amount of ongoing work required to keep a garden that size looking that good is staggering, and whoever is responsible deserves enormous credit.
Hundreds of varieties in peak late-May bloom. · Photo: Abigail Reed Photography
Photo: Abigail Reed Photography
Photo: Abigail Reed Photography
We also walked through the Japanese Garden nearby. It’s genuinely beautiful and worth seeing — but if I had to pick one, I’d pick the Rose Garden. The scale and color in late May is just extraordinary. If time is limited, do the roses first.
Practical note: Washington Park parking can be genuinely confusing. Budget extra time, especially on weekends. The gardens themselves are well-signed once you’re in.
🌊 The Oregon Coast: Cannon Beach to Tillamook
The Oregon Coast is genuinely one of the most dramatic coastlines I’ve seen. It’s not a beach-and-sun situation — it’s rocks and fog and scale, in the best possible way. We drove south from Cannon Beach through to the Tillamook area and every pull-off was worth stopping for.
Cannon Beach + Haystack Rock
Haystack Rock is iconic for a reason. It rises 235 feet out of the sand right on the beach and you can walk right up to it at low tide — no climbing, no trail, just flat sand. The town of Cannon Beach is charming and walkable with good shops. This was one of the easiest “worth it” stops of the whole trip.
Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach — 235 feet of rock, zero hiking required. · Photo: Abigail Reed Photography
We also stopped at Hug Point, which has easy beach access and a small waterfall right at the base of the cliffs that you can walk up to from the sand. And Oswald West State Park — stunning views, short walk from the parking area. None of it required a trail.
Tillamook Creamery: Absolutely Do This
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a self-guided cheese factory tour. The answer: it’s genuinely excellent, and the gift shop and ice cream alone are worth the stop.
The self-guided tour walks you through the cheesemaking process from an elevated walkway with views down into the production floor. It’s free (or very low cost), takes about 30–45 minutes at your own pace, and is interesting even if cheese isn’t your thing. The gift shop is legitimately well-stocked — good Oregon-specific items and things you actually want to bring home. And the ice cream is as good as you’ve heard. Get a scoop. You’re in Tillamook.
🔝 Trillium Lake: The Best Stop of the Whole Trip
I want to be very clear: Trillium Lake was the single best stop of the entire Oregon trip, and it would not have been on my radar if my sister hadn’t insisted on it.
The lake sits at the base of Mt. Hood. On a clear day, the snow-capped mountain reflects in the water and the whole scene is genuinely breathtaking. The path around the lake is paved and well-maintained — the kind of walk that feels easy, with minimal elevation and nothing technical. Most people can do the full loop in under an hour. It’s exactly the kind of place that makes me say “this is why I travel.”
Trillium Lake. The path around it is paved and one of the most beautiful walks I’ve ever taken. · Photo: Abigail Reed Photography
The most important tip for Trillium Lake: go on a clear day. Mt. Hood hides in clouds constantly. Check the forecast before you commit the drive, and if Day 4 looks overcast, swap it with another day. The payoff when it’s clear is extraordinary. It was the highlight of the trip.
💧 Multnomah Falls: Worth the Tourists
Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, every tour bus in Oregon stops here. It’s still worth it.
Multnomah Falls drops 620 feet in two tiers and is genuinely dramatic in person. The view from the base is excellent on its own — you don’t need to hike to see the full thing. There’s a short, paved walk to the bridge partway up that gives you a great vantage point, and if you’re feeling ambitious you can continue to the top. I did not feel ambitious. The view from the bridge was more than enough.
Multnomah Falls — 620 feet, two tiers, and you can see all of it without hiking a step. · Photo: Abigail Reed Photography
Go early if you can — parking fills fast and the crowds build quickly after 9am. Oregon has dozens of waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge area. I did Multnomah and had zero regrets about skipping the rest. You don’t need to see all of them to feel like you’ve seen Oregon.
🏙️ Portland: My Honest Take
I’ll be direct, because I think you deserve an honest answer: I did not love Portland.
Our hotel was well-located, very safe, and served as a great base for all of the day trips — and that’s largely where my enthusiasm for Portland proper ends. In the evenings, parts of the city felt uncomfortable to walk through. There was a visible drug presence that made my sister and I choose to stay close to the hotel once the sun went down rather than explore freely. This isn’t a political statement — it’s honest reporting from two women traveling together who wanted to feel comfortable.
The hotel was slightly outdated but clean, secure, and centrally located. I’d stay somewhere similar again for the access. Portland as a standalone destination I probably wouldn’t do again. Portland as a base for the Rose Garden, Multnomah Falls, Trillium Lake, and the coast? Completely worth it.
My recommendation: book somewhere with secure parking that you feel comfortable returning to after dark. Plan to fill your days with the day trips and don’t count on a lot of evening wandering. The daytime experience is genuinely pleasant — the concern is after dark.
🌧️ What to Wear and Pack for Oregon
Late May Oregon meant full sun at Trillium Lake and overcast mist at Multnomah Falls — sometimes within the same day. Layers and waterproofing aren’t optional here.
The Bag That Made This Trip Work
I borrowed my mom’s BAGSMART 35L Travel Backpack for Oregon and it was exactly right. The fanny pack detaches for day use — perfect when you’re moving between a beach stop, a waterfall, and a city garden in the same day. Big enough to hold what you need, light enough to not wreck your shoulders. I’m upgrading to the Bagsmart Blast Pro for my Europe trip based on how much I liked this system.
Shoes
Comfortable walking shoes with a non-slip sole for most stops. For the beach, waterproof boots make a real difference — the Sperry Women’s Saltwater Duck Boot handled everything the coast threw at us without issue.
Rain Jacket + Umbrella
Bring a real rain jacket — waterproof, layerable over a sweater. Oregon will use it. The SY COMPACT Travel Umbrella is worth having for the moments the jacket isn’t quite enough.
Trillium Lake — the single best stop. Go on a clear day, walk the loop, take all the photos.
International Rose Test Garden — free, beautiful, paved paths, peak bloom in late May is extraordinary.
Pike Place Market — the flowers and the fruit alone are worth it. Get there early.
Cannon Beach — Haystack Rock is genuinely iconic and the town is lovely to walk.
Tillamook Creamery — the self-guided tour and gift shop are worth the detour on their own.
Multnomah Falls — crowded but genuinely worth it. Go early.
Hug Point — easy beach access, a waterfall right there, less crowded than Cannon Beach.
🤔 Would Approach Differently
Seattle Aquarium — worth it with kids, more mixed for adults. Go for the sea otters and jellyfish; temper expectations on everything else.
Portland evenings — plan your days full and stay close to the hotel after dark. The daytime experience is pleasant; the concern is evening.
The Japanese Garden — beautiful, but the Rose Garden is more impressive in late May. Do the Rose Garden first if time is limited.
Waterfall chasing — I did Multnomah and had zero regrets about skipping the rest. You don’t need to see every waterfall to feel like you’ve seen Oregon.
Photography throughout by Abigail Reed Photography (@abigailreedphotography). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Affiliate Disclosure for details.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through a link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
Scotland was one of those trips that surprised me in ways I didn’t expect.
I knew it would be beautiful. I knew the weather would be unpredictable. I did not anticipate how much I would love it, how much the right gear would matter, or how the black cab day trips from Edinburgh would become the highlight of the entire experience.
This guide is what I wish I’d had before I went — practical, honest, and built around comfort-first travel for someone who wants to actually enjoy the trip rather than just survive it.
Edinburgh Castle — one of the most dramatic approaches you’ll see anywhere in Europe.
Edinburgh: The Perfect Base
I stayed in Edinburgh for the duration of my trip and used it as a base for all my day trips. This turned out to be exactly the right call. Edinburgh itself is beautiful and very walkable — the Old Town and Royal Mile are full of things to explore on foot, including some unexpected gems.
The city’s Harry Potter connections alone are worth a morning. Edinburgh’s streets and alleyways were part of what inspired J.K. Rowling when she was writing the series, and you can feel it walking around. The officially licensed Harry Potter shop on the Royal Mile is worth a visit — three floors of merchandise in a genuinely atmospheric old building.
The officially licensed Harry Potter shop on the Royal Mile — three floors and genuinely worth the stop.
I also did an islander bag-making experience while in Edinburgh, which I’d recommend to anyone who likes crafts or wants a break from sightseeing. It was a fun, cozy afternoon and a nice contrast to the outdoor day trips.
The Day Trips: Black Cab Tours Are the Answer
I cannot recommend Edinburgh Tour Guides enough. These are black cab drivers who are also licensed tour guides, and the combination makes for day trips that are genuinely excellent — comfortable, informative, flexible, and nothing like a generic coach tour.
You’re in a proper black cab with a driver who knows the history, knows the roads, and can take you to places a big bus simply can’t reach. They can adjust the route based on weather or what you’re most interested in. I booked all my day trips through them and every single one was worth it.
Stirling is one of Scotland’s most historically significant cities, home to Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument. It’s about an hour from Edinburgh by road. A 9am pickup gets you there early before the crowds build, which makes a real difference at the castle. This tour is great if you want a solid mix of history and scenery without covering too much ground in one day.
Day 2: Loch Ness + Glenfinnan Viaduct (8am Pickup)
This was the longest day and genuinely one of my favorites. An 8am pickup is important here — you’re covering a lot of ground and you want the maximum time at each stop.
Loch Ness is as atmospheric as you’d expect. The water is dark and the hills come down right to the edge — it feels ancient in a way that photos don’t quite capture.
The loch — darker and more dramatic in person than any photo I’ve seen.
The Glenfinnan Viaduct stop is a must, especially for Harry Potter fans. This is the bridge the Hogwarts Express crosses in the films, and it’s genuinely beautiful in person. When we arrived, the maintenance crew was working on the viaduct — workers in orange suspended on the stone arches. It was one of those authentically unscripted travel moments that you can’t plan for and that makes a trip feel real.
The Glenfinnan Viaduct — normally you see it with a steam train. We got the maintenance crew instead. Still spectacular.
Day 3: The Highland Experience — Glengoyne, Loch Lomond, Glen Coe + Hagrid’s Hut
This tour covers a lot of ground and every stop is worth it. Glengoyne Distillery offers a 10:30am tour that’s genuinely interesting even if whisky isn’t your thing — the setting alone, with the hills right behind the distillery, is worth stopping for.
Loch Lomond was stunning — calmer and more accessible than Loch Ness, with an easier shoreline walk. The Drover’s Inn is a historic pub stop with a character that takes some people by surprise (taxidermy everywhere, but very atmospheric). And Glen Coe is dramatic in a way that’s hard to describe — the scale of the valley is genuinely breathtaking.
The location used for Hagrid’s Hut in the Harry Potter films is in this area — a highlight for fans and worth the stop even if you’re not.
🌧️ What to Pack for Scotland
Scotland’s weather is genuinely unpredictable. It rained on multiple days, was beautiful on others, and shifted significantly within the same day. The gear you bring either solves this problem or it doesn’t — there’s no middle ground.
Waterproof Footwear — Non-Negotiable
I wore my Sperry Women’s Saltwater Duck Boots on every outdoor day and I’m very glad I did. These are genuinely waterproof (not water resistant — actually waterproof), comfortable for a full day of walking, and stable on wet cobblestone. If you’re going to Scotland, you need waterproof boots. These are mine.
I also brought a pair of walking shoes with a good grip for cobblestone — something supportive with a non-slip sole. The Old Town streets in Edinburgh are beautiful but uneven, and the wrong shoe will end your day early.
Rain Jacket — Also Non-Negotiable
A packable, waterproof rain jacket is essential. Not a water-resistant shell — a real rain jacket. Scotland will test it. I’d suggest one you can layer over a sweater because the temperature shifts too, and you’ll want that flexibility throughout the day.
Travel Umbrella
The SY COMPACT Travel Umbrella came with me and it earns its space. Windproof, compact, and actually reliable. In Scotland specifically, you want one that handles wind without turning inside out — this one does.
Packing System
I used the BAGSMART Compression Packing Cubes and the BAGSMART Large Hanging Toiletry Bag for Scotland, same as every other trip. The toiletry bag is especially useful in Scottish B&Bs and smaller hotels where bathroom space can be limited — the hanging hook is genuinely practical.
✈️ The Long-Haul Flight: What Actually Helped
The transatlantic flight to Scotland is long, and I was glad I came prepared. Here’s what made a real difference:
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
Worth every penny. Active noise cancellation on a long overnight flight is genuinely life-changing — the engine drone alone is exhausting over 8+ hours. These are the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and they’re what I reached for from the moment I sat down. IPX4 water resistance, USB-C charging, and up to 8.5 hours of playtime. They were on my ears for most of the flight.
Sleep Mask + Head Pillow
The Albatross Sleep Eye Mask blocked light completely — it’s designed for side sleepers and doesn’t press on your eyes, which matters when you’re trying to rest in a seat. The SARISUN Airplane Head Strap Travel Pillow actually kept my head from dropping forward, which is what kills me on overnight flights. Blanket from TJ Maxx, because the airline ones are never enough.
Compression Socks
Wearing COOLOVER Copper Compression Socks on every flight over three hours is now non-negotiable for me. Your legs will thank you. I arrived in Scotland less puffy and more rested than on previous long flights where I skipped them.
Motion Sickness + Jet Lag Kit
Bonine for motion sickness (non-drowsy, works for flights, ferries, and winding Highland roads). Boiron Jet Lag Relief Kit for the time shift. Allclair Nausea Inhaler for any queasiness without needing to swallow anything. Chimes Ginger Chews as a natural backup that also just tastes good on a plane.
Medication + Tech Organizer
The MyTagAlongs Cloud Rectangle Double Detachable kept everything I needed during the flight — earbuds case, meds, passport, lip balm, charging cable — in one accessible place. Find it at Ulta or Nordstrom Rack.
What I’d Do Differently
Slow down and do a little less. Honestly — I was so excited about everything that I packed a lot into this trip, and I loved every single stop. But if you’re visiting Scotland for the first time, I’d recommend picking fewer destinations and giving yourself more time at each one. A lot of the Highland day is genuinely beautiful driving, but it adds up. Consider building in a slower Edinburgh day between tours so you can actually absorb what you’re seeing instead of going from cab to attraction to cab.
Pack a proper rain jacket from day one. Don’t assume you can get away without one. You can’t.
Book Edinburgh Tour Guides early. Availability fills up, especially in summer. Book before you go.
Plan for weather changes within a single day. Layers aren’t optional in Scotland — they’re how you stay comfortable when the weather shifts mid-afternoon.
Give yourself at least 4-5 days. Three day trips plus Edinburgh exploring is genuinely the minimum to feel like you’ve seen it. More is better.
Bring good walking shoes with cobblestone grip. The right sole makes a meaningful difference on wet stone streets.
Practical Cozy Travel 