Russia 2018 World Cup Roundup – Travel Edition

32 countries competed in the just concluded 2018 FIFA world cup. I’ve never been to a World Cup, but I’m going to Qatar 2022. As a fan of the beautiful game, and in honor of the 2018 FIFA world cup, I’m sharing some favorite memories from time spent in 10 of the countries represented in Russia 2018.

Germany:

Best Christmas markets EVER, so much so they have a full Christmas market at the Munich airport. Definitely made my transit enjoyable last December (until my flight was cancelled). Unexpectedly, Germany left the World Cup in the first round this year.

Tip: If you only go to Christmas markets in one country, pick Germany!

 

Iceland:

I visited Iceland with 11 friends in November 2016. Highlights were seeing the northern lights, eating shark, chasing waterfalls, and visiting the blue lagoon. As we waited on the northern lights, we ended up conversing with a number of Icelandic gentlemen, one of whom raised/trained horses, I think he may have raised a famous racing horse. Except for when they played Nigeria, I was totally rooting for Iceland at the World Cup! I love how this small nation has THE BEST fans!

Tip: When you visit Iceland, take some snacks as it gets expensive, and renting a car is the best way to see the country. See here from my post on Iceland.

 

Switzerland:

Visited in March 2018 and wrote about it here. It was expensive but not as expensive as I expected based on all I’d heard. We stayed in the cutest Airbnb with views of the Swiss Alps. Our Airbnb host made us a simple but beautiful breakfast spread every morning. My favorite memory has to be seeing my friend totally crash while snow tubing, I’m terrible and she will read this at some point!

Nigeria:

My heart, my home! A favourite recent memory from Christmas 2017 in Lagos is one where we met the collector and played dress up at the Nike Art Gallery, read all about it here. At the world cup, we played with so much heart in our game against Argentina, but they scored in the last few minutes and shut us out of the round of 16. I’m still and always #proudlynaija. ICYMI, for what it’s worth we were named most stylish team.

Mexico:

March 2015, after a specifically rough season at work, I decided a getaway to Tulum was necessary. T, my travel buddy from Thailand, and Portugal decided to come along at the last minute. We saw ancient ruins, and swam with huge turtles. Mexico was the only country from North America in the world cup. They lost to Brazil in the round of 16.

Tip: With a US visa, you can travel visa free to Mexico. Tulum is perfect if you want history, beautiful beaches without the Cancun crowds.

 

Peru:

I visited Peru in August 2011! I’d been introduced to Peruvian food previously and was so excited to try Lomo Saltado, Ceviche, and have a Pisco Sour in Lima. I took a nap at Macchu Picchu (one of the World Wonders), went dune bugging in Huacachina (a desert oasis), and was offered cocaine in Cusco, Peru (I declined). I left my friend at the airport in Lima, and I miraculously got a visa to enter Bolivia in Cusco Peru at the very last minute. Although Peru did not go past the initial round at this world cup, it has a special place in my heart as my first stop in South America.

Tip: Don’t miss out on the food scene in Lima. Try llama, ceviche, and empanadas and have a pisco sour! While you’re there, go beyond Machu Picchu!

 

Portugal:

June 2016, I met up with my Thailand travel buddies for a week in Portugal and shares images here. We stood in the square in Lisbon, and watched as Ronaldo missed the penalty for Portugal in Euro cup. On this same trip, I woke up to the news of Brexit, and I wanted to cry! I think Portugal is incredibly underrated as a destination, so much to see and do! Portugal did not make it far in Russia, everyone appreciated Ronaldo’s hat trick in the game against rival neighbor, Spain. Tip: Go to Portugal sooner rather than later!

 

England:

I visited the UK for the first time in December 2011 when my niece was born. I remember walking Oxford Street, shopping at Primark, and enjoying the views of St. Paul’s Cathedral at night. Since then, I’ve moved across the pond and spent a lot of time on everyday adventures there. Most recently, I took my now 6-year old niece on a date day to the zoo and she decided we should wear matching dresses. Why not? The English team made it to the Semi-Finals of the world cup but Croatia destroyed any dreams of playing in the finals! Tip: I wrote a blog post on what to expect when you move to the UK, and 15 things to do on your next UK visit.

 

Croatia:

Game of Thrones Land! Ancient town walls, and beautiful coastlines are all over this country and I only saw a small portion of it. I’d love to go back to Croatia and go sailing with friends for a few days. In Dubrovnik, I took a Game of Thrones walking tour and it was fun to hear that most people in the city are connected to the series in one way or another (working on the set, acting as extras, etc.). Croatia made it to the World Cup finals as the underdog. The country (and its football team) is underrated! I love how their Prime Minister supported the team too!

Tip: Don’t go to Croatia in the peak of Summer as it gets packed. Shoulder months like May, early June and September provide best value and great weather.

France:

I went to France three times between July 2016 and November 2017. While I haven’t done most of the ‘must do’ things in Paris, I’ve visited the Eiffel Tower on every visit. During my first time in Paris, I had a picnic under the Eiffel Tower. When my friend arrived we thought it was funny that we were having wine and cheese in Paris. Most recently, I went to Paris with two friends in November 2017, crashing their trip and checking out the Christmas markets.

 

After all the African teams were eliminated, France had my full support (check out their line-up to guess why). Now how about the France national team at the world cup, winning the whole darn thing? Did you know Mbappe (19-year old breakout star of the French national team at Russia 2018) is donating all his world cup bonuses to charity? Pretty cool isn’t it?

Tip: Be like Mbappe and the rest of the guys challenging the narrative on being from the banlieues (shi**y housing projects of Paris) or if that’s too much, how about actively contributing to our societies?.

What’s Next?

The world cup season is always an exciting one and this is my official goodbye. I have visited 15 of the 32 countries that played in Russia and I can’t wait to witness the next one and visit more of these countries. Now, over to you. Which of the 32 countries have you visited (or are you from)? What is a favorite memory from the most recent world cup participant that you visited?