UK & IRELAND

If you're coming from somewhere like Iowa, London in February probably isn't going to scare you temperature-wise. It's not Iowa-in-February cold, but that damp London weather has a way of getting into your bones and making it feel colder than the temperature would have you believe. The key is warm layers and waterproof outerwear—without overpacking. You can handle chilly temperatures, but being cold and wet is an entirely different story.

Stonehenge is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. Some people visit and see, well...a bunch of rocks. I wasn't one of those people.

My fascination with the British royal family started when I was a little girl. I remember watching the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana and being completely fascinated by all of it—the royal family, the traditions, the history, and, of course, the palaces.