State Study: Kentucky and the Kentucky Derby

Pictures from my time at the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs.
Pictures from my time at the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs.

There are few things that can make the bluegrass state of Kentucky more exciting. What could possibly beat bourbon and horses? Pairing them together can do the trick! The Kentucky Derby is one of the biggest horse races in the world, making it “the best 2 minutes in sports”. Each year, the event takes place the first weekend in May with a month of festivities throughout the city of Louisville leading up to it. If you’re going to be in town for Derby, there are a few important things for you to be aware of that most tourists won’t know on how to get the most out of your time in the city.

 

First of all, there is a magnificent thing called the Bourbon Trail. It is basically checking out all of the different distilleries that Kentucky has to offer throughout Louisville, Lexington, and the surrounding areas. There are bus tours that you can go on in order to overindulge on bourbon without worrying about who is going to drive. This is a great way to spend some of your time in Kentucky to get a taste (no pun intended) of something that makes the state so unique.

Another interesting thing that you can do with some free time in Kentucky is to explore all of the nature throughout the state. One amazing thing you can go see while you’re in town is Mammoth Cave, the largest cave system in the world. The good thing is that it’s only an hour or two away from Louisville. There are many other options depending on what kind of nature is your style, such as Red River Gorge, Natural Bridge, Bernheim Forest, and more.

Now, what we have all been waiting for, the insider’s advice about the place where the magic happens, Churchill Downs. The main traits of the Derby are big, fancy hats, loud outfits, mint juleps, and of course, horses. For those not invested in the actual race, you get to socialize with the masses while enjoying some delicious beverages in fantastic outfits. What’s better than that? The real party is located in the center of the track, in the infield. Everyone in this area is there for a good time, but beware that it can get a little wild in there, but the people watching is the best I’ve ever experienced.

Just as fast as the race, your time in Kentucky will be up. Experiencing all of the wonders that the state has to offer is a great way to avoid the influx of people that come in town for Derby. Like most people I know, it only takes one visit to get hooked. You may miss out on the local touristy stuff following this method for your visit, but those are things that you can do when you come back. No one can resist my old Kentucky home.

Traveling and Food: Try it All

(Photos of the food I tried in different countries: afternoon tea in London, fondue in Switzerland, pretzel in Germany with a beer, and crepes in France)
(Photos of the food I tried in different countries: afternoon tea in London, fondue in Switzerland, pretzel in Germany with a beer, and crepes in France)

One of the most exciting ways to experience another culture is through their food. Trust me, it is not always the easiest thing to do, especially with being a picky eater. Opening your palette to foods that look or sound weird can be hard, but traveling and trying everything has helped me to broaden my horizons, and it can do the same for you.

While backpacking for a month in Europe, I met a girl who asked me how she should get her meat cooked at dinner. I was surprised she didn’t know the way that she preferred her meat. However, she let me know that she was a vegetarian before her trip, but didn’t want to miss out on any of the culture, so she was breaking while exploring. You may not support this decision, but I find it very intriguing. If she was willing to eat anything to get the “full experience”, so could I.

I was able to get out of my comfort zone when it comes to food. I went in to it with the attitude that I would try anything, and that is exactly what I did. No matter what it was or how scary it looked, I jumped right in to give it a go. My meals in each country fully demonstrated the cultural fare for the area. I had shepherd’s pie in Ireland, octopus in Greece, veal in Italy, seafood paella in Spain, and I even tried snails in France. Honestly, I loved it all… minus the snails.

When I look back on my trip, the food is just as much in the forefront of my mind as the actual sightseeing and adventures. I was able to get a better understanding and appreciation of the culture, letting go of my fears of things that are different and embrace everything about the destination. This is one of the most important pieces of advice that I can give: be brave and get outside your comfort zone, especially when it comes to food.

One Trip, Many Sights

When traveling to Europe, there are a few key ways to get more of an experience for less money. Getting time off and actually getting over there are the two hardest parts of traveling that far from home. Since Europe is one of the most interconnected continents, it is very easy to get to experience more than just one city throughout your travels. You may think that this would be too pricey for your budget, but the truth is, it’s extremely easy and relatively inexpensive.

The first thing you need to do is decide whether you want to explore one country in depth or experience a few in the same region or even if you want to go to two completely unrelated countries. You have to be willing to do a little bit of research, but the amount you could save would be well worth it. You could even use that money for extra fun while you’re abroad.

A magical thing about Europe is the vast number of trains and busses that go throughout countries, connecting multiple places to your original destination. Depending on the size of the country or the distance you are going to travel will determine whether you take a local bus, something like the Mega Bus, or a train, such as the European Rail.

When destinations are further apart or difficult to get to, I would suggest looking at airlines. Sticking to local, European airlines is usually the cheapest option because they regularly conduct flights throughout the area. Many places that you would never think were related can sometimes be, such as Oslo, Norway and Barcelona, Spain. Many people from Norway vacation in Spain during the winter to escape the cold, so surprisingly, flights between the two places are not expensive and occur regularly. Also, it is very difficult to get from parts of Italy to Greece, so flying may be the best option.

Whether you are going to experience one country, a region, or two separate places, there are easy ways to help make the world feel a little smaller. You can start anywhere and end somewhere completely different. Putting in the hours planning will be worth it, I promise you.

Making Friends with the Guides

(A view of the Florence Duomo that I got to witness because of a local guide/friend)
(A view of the Florence Duomo that I got to experience because of a local guide/friend)

The most amazing parts of going to a new place is finding the hidden gems; wondering off of the beaten path of tourism. Most of the time, travelers fall in to tourist traps and not really getting the full experience of the culture, or an even worse travesty, the food, which is one of my favorite aspects of traveling. Having a local guide, or contact, can make all of the difference.

My main example is in the city of Florence, when you’re visiting the Duomo, DO NOT EAT IN THAT SQUARE. It is very Americanized and not a good example of the amazing Italian food the city has to offer. If you walk two to three streets over in any direction, the food is significantly better all around. It’s better quality, more authentic, and often, the most important, it’s cheaper.  

This was one of the best tidbits of knowledge that I gained from going on a tour with a company. Would I have known this fun fact without the help of a local? Possibly, but most likely not. If you’re new to traveling, I would definitely suggest going on a tour where you have an expert, local tour director. They can make your trip go from just the basics to a full experience you wouldn’t have been able to do without their help. It’s also great to not have to plan every single aspect of your day on your own. They handle transportation and touring of the major attractions, while being able to provide you with suggestions for free time.

Once you get comfortable being abroad, navigating the cities, and venturing around on your own, you can totally do it all on your own without the need for an official tour. However, it is a good way to start. To this day, I am still friends with my tour director. If I am going anywhere in Europe, I always check with him on Facebook to see if he has any suggestions. Nothing… I repeat… Nothing beats the knowledge of someone who has spent an immense amount of time in an area.

 

Traveling in Your Twenties

Without traveling, my life would be pointless. Who wants to sit in the same old job doing the same old things day in and day out? Conveniently, or not so conveniently depending on how you look at it, the mundane can become exciting when you know your next big adventure is just around the corner. The reward for working hard is getting to spend the money you make on something you love… For me, that’s exploring.

I have been all through Europe and North America on my own dime, and I’m only 24 with an intense shopping addiction. Heck, I even manage to pay rent and bills just like the rest of you. The most common response I hear from people in their 20s when I announce a big trip is, “I don’t know how you can always afford that! I know I never could.” The truth of the matter is that their statement simply isn’t true. The only thing holding you back from traveling is you.

Often times, I start saving a year out for one of my trips, but then you have something to look forward to. Other times, you’ve got some extra money and make a last minute decision to explore somewhere a little more affordable or closer to home. As long as you’re doing something and not making excuses about why you “supposedly” can’t do it, you’re doing it right. As a matter of fact, seeing the world often helps you grow a bigger appreciation for the little things you have right here at home.

No one is saying that saving is easy, but do you really need to order that pizza? Or go to that bar and buy a bunch of drinks? By no means am I saying not to reward yourself every once in a while. My number one suggestion is to prioritize what is most important to you. Once you evaluate that, you’ll be able to better understand what you can do without to add the wonder of traveling into your life. I know it has made mine all the better, so ask yourself… What’s really holding you back?