Need a little reflection or meditation time while in Seattle?  Visit the Compline Service at Saint Mark's Cathedral.  The service takes place every Sunday night at 9:30p.m. lead by the all-male Compline Choir.  An average audience of 500 packs the Cathedral for this Seattle tradition.   The reason I love this service is people from all walks of life, young and old, religious and non-religious attend.  It's very non-formal.  People sit in the pews, but you can literally sit just about anywhere you want.  The front of the Cathedral is usually filled with college and high schoolers who claim spots on the floor (many people even bring blankets and pillows).  I lay on the floor staring up at the massive ceiling, letting the stress of the week float away with their hauntingly beautiful voices.  It is the perfect way to start (or end) a week. The cathedral itself is beautiful and well worth a visit. 

Queen Victoria is a living, breathing, crazy, fun, and sometimes overwhelming market, and a must see for anyone visiting Melbourne. Someone could literally spend an entire day, even a week, and not see all the various stalls and venders that call the Vic market home.  It has something for everyone--fresh foods, clothes, shoes, toys, handmade crafts, and for tourists, an amazing array of souvenirs ranging from authentic Australian crafts such as boomerangs and didgeridoos to little key chain koalas and kangaroos.  Perfect for little presents to bring home for friends and family. 

So brilliant I've been there twice and nearly peed myself both times! Mary King's is one of many closes hidden beneath the current streets of Edinburgh.  Instead of tearing down the old buildings, they just built right over the top of them.  Visitors go underground and walk through various building, apartments, and closes hearing stories about the plaque and various residents that lived in this particular close.  One of its most famous residents is little Annie--the ghost of a little girl who lived in the close.  Tourists bring toys and money to leave for Annie (these are eventually donated--Annie has raised over 10,000GBP for a Edinburgh children's hospital)  Mary King's Close has made it on many lists for the World's top haunted places...if you enjoy the history of Edinburgh and being scared silly, this place is for you! 

Revolutions is my favorite coffee house in Seattle.  The baristas are awesome...friendly, personable, and beautiful coffee creators:)  yum!  It doesn't take long to become a regular and part of the Revs family.  Delicious bakery goods--bagels, cookies, scones, and other treats fresh everyday.  The owners are three brothers-Scot, Phil, and Damon-and they are awesome.  Great atmosphere with comfortable chairs, couches or tables.  Free WiFi and great tunes filling the small shop.  Revs features local artists so the decor is always changing .  Perfect for studying, a catch up coffee chat with friends, or for a quick pick-me-up after a run around Green Lake. 

This was by the far one of the best hostels that I have ever stayed at. The staff was so personal, welcoming and helpful. We felt more as if we were being welcomed into a family then a hostel. Location was amazing! Just a few steps away from the Alcazaba, only 10 minutes from the beach, and five minutes from the Picasso's Museum. Many yummy restraunts and fun shops are located nearby. Highly recommended! Book far in advance as this place is so amazing it fills up fast!  I booked at hostelworld.com which is a fabulous website.

This is the place to go for a true Seattle experiance.  It is one of those amazing little hole in the wall places that only locals know and love.  Beth's is known for its greasy cruisine.  That and the fact that it is open 24 hours makes it a premiere place to head after the bars have closed when those late night munchies hit.  Beth's was also made famous when it appeared on the Travel Channel for its 12, yes 12 egg omelet.  One of my favorite parts of Beth's is its decor--years of people's drawings taped to the white walls.  Ask for a piece of paper and crayons to add your two cents to one of Seattle's best kept secrets:)  Beth's is located near Green Lake, on highway 99 (also known as Aurora Ave).  It's usually pretty busy, but weekends the line is always, always out the door.  And a tip, they absolutly won't sit you unless your whole party is present. 

Almost everyone that visits Seattle knows about the world famous Pikes Place Market.  Few people know about the Fremont Sunday Market except for locals.  The market was established back in 1990 and has evolved ever since.  The market hosts 150+ stalls and venders selling a variety of treasures including antiques, collectibles, art, world imports, bygones, retro, vintage and original fashion, estate sale treasures, tools, and deluxe junk.  There are usually flower venders as well depending on the time of year.  The market also hosts lots of yummy street food venders.  The market is located north of the space needle at the north end of the Fremont Bridge, an easy 10 minute ride from downtown Seattle or the waterfront. Fremont itself is a wonderful escape from the usual touristy Seattle housing many unique shops and boutiques, fabulous restaurants (including my favorite Thai place in Seattle: Jai Thai), and the famous Fremont Troll.  Fremont also has a night scene that rivals downtown with numerous bars and clubs.  The market is open year round.

Summer season: April-November 10-5        

Winter season: Nov-April 10-4

I lived one block from Green Lake, and it was one of my favorite places in Seattle.  It has a 2.8 mile paved loop around the lake which is perfect for walking, running, biking, skate boarding, etc.  There are paddle boats and kayaks for rent as well as a nice swimming area complete with sandy beach.  During the summer, there are vendors selling treats like hot dogs and snow cones.  All around the lake there are great grassy areas for sunbathing, frisbee, or picnics.  Other facilities include tennis courts, basketball courts, play ground, fishing, children's wading pool, soccer fields, and a little golf course.  The trail is great for people watching (I once saw a lady out "walking" her cat in a man-made buggy), but the path can get quite busy especially during the summer months.  Serious runners often stick to the unpaved trail that runs near the road, not right by the lake. Spring is fun because of all the wildlife (baby ducks!) and there is a log famous for sunbathing turtles (I once counted over thirty).  It is a great escape in the middle of the big city :)

The Melting Pot can be a bit expensive if you go and get a full meal--cheese, meats, and desert.  Great date place though...fun and intimate atmosphere.  However, they have an absolutely amazing happy hour.  You can get a pot of cheese for under $10, and each pot will easily feed three people.  Happy hour runs 4:30-6:30pm and 9:00-11:00pm seven days a week.  Make sure you get there early on weekends because the bar area is small and happy hour is quite popular.  The deserts and selection of cocktails are to die for as well.  Some people dress casual but its a fun place to get a bit dressed up for a night out.  Highly recommended:)  Yum yum. 

Cathedrals are by far one of my favorite things to visit when in other counties.  They simply boggle my mind with their massive size and yet unbelievable detail.  I’ve seen some amazing Cathedrals such as Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome (monstrous!)  and Notre Dame in Paris, but I have never, ever seen anything like La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.  Not only is it one of my favorite Cathedrals, but it is one of my favorite sites I’ve seen in all my travels.  I felt as if I had left the world behind and entered into a cartoon (ok, that sounds weird but I mean it in a good way).  It is very open inside, incredibly colorful, and in true Gaudí fashion, full of amazing light, shapes, and textures.  Someone could literally spend a week studying both the inside and outside (and though unfinished) would still find something new.  Every part of the design of La Sagrada Família is rich with Christian symbolism, but even if you aren’t a Christian it is impossible to not admire Gardi’s ambitiously beautiful vision.  My favorite part was the Nativity façade, an intricate sculpture scene of the birth of Christ carved into the back of the Cathedral.  Also, a trip to the top is not to be missed as it offers not only a more up close and personal view of the Cathedral itself, but offers some fantastic views of Barcelona. The craziest part….the Cathedral isn't even close to being finished!  His vision is slowly taking shape through donations.  No trip to Barcelona would be complete without a visit to La Sagrada Familia, and no trip to Spain would be complete without a trip to Barcelona.