Local Guides

Secret Amsterdam: 30+ secret places to visit in Amsterdam by a local

April 22, 2022 by Karen Turner 27 Comments

I’ve been putting off this guide to secret Amsterdam for a while as living in Amsterdam has made me worry about sharing my secret places in Amsterdam where I go to avoid the tourists. However, it’s not nice not to share. In this local’s guide to Amsterdam off the beaten path, you’ll be visiting some Amsterdam secret spots as well as some really non-touristy things to do in Amsterdam.

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Virtual Netherlands Tour: Visit 30+ places in Holland from your couch

April 14, 2020 by Karen Turner 2 Comments

How often can you say that we’re living through a moment that will be remembered in history books for ages? I’ve been hunkered down at my apartment in the Netherlands and yes, I’m well. As a small way of entertaining you all at this stressful time, I’ve decided to pull together as many online and virtual museum experiences in Holland and beyond in the Netherlands so that you can imagine that you’re traveling through the Netherlands even if it’s only via online. I hope that you all enjoy and you’re all healthy!

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Your neighborhood guide to the 14th arrondissement of Paris

March 20, 2018 by Karen Turner 3 Comments

I often write about travel, but travel is often about enjoying your surroundings. For most of my time in Paris, I lived in the 14th arrondissement. Although this arrondissement isn’t famous in the same way that other arrondissements for its attractions, there are many things to do in 14th arrondissement as well as some fantastic food. I hope that this neighborhood guide to the 14e arrondissement inspires you to stick around to explore a bit of this local neighborhood in Paris.

Shortly after moving to Paris, we found a charming apartment in a historic Haussmannian building in the 14th. It was small and I wasn’t sure what it would be like in the 14th arrondissement. Given how crazy the apartment market in Paris is, we took it although the apartment wasn’t exactly what we thought it would be (“CLEAN ME” written into the blinds). That said, I instantly fell in love with the neighborhood. Most people only visit the 14th for the Montparnasse Tower or the Paris Catacombs, however hopefully this little guide inspires you to find some good food after visiting the catacombs.

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Day Trips from Brussels: Vincent Van Gogh in Belgium & the Borinage

October 6, 2017 by Karen Turner 14 Comments

Have you heard of the Borinage region in Belgium? The Borinage region has a fascinating history, a beating heart of the Industrial Revolution. Its industry was part of the reason why Vincent Van Gogh was so attracted to the Borinage. If you’re interested in the letters of Van Gogh and Van Gogh’s influences, it is hard to disentangle the history of the Borinage from the history of Van Gogh. Keep reading to learn about Van Gogh’s life in Belgium.

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Things to do in Maastricht, the most beautiful city in the Netherlands

January 6, 2020 by Karen Turner 16 Comments

Maastricht is one of the most charming cities in the Netherlands and it can be easily explored in a weekend. The city is perfect for a slow, romantic weekend away from Amsterdam spent exploring a beautiful cathedral bookstore, strolling the tangled streets, touring historic caves, and eating/drinking delicious regional cuisine at affordable prices. For architecture and food lovers, Maastricht is a city that you will not want to leave off any trip to the Netherlands. Read the best things to do in Maastricht!

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The best way to get from JFK Airport to Manhattan step-by-step

June 9, 2019 by Karen Turner 2 Comments

As a native New Yorker, I encourage people to take the Airtrain and LIRR trains when arriving into JFK. This guide will walk you through how to get from JFK Airport in Queens to Manhattan step-by-step with photos as there are a few steps involved. This is the best and fastest way to get to Manhattan from JFK airport as you avoid traffic that you’d hit if you took a cab.

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Tips for visiting the Mauritshuis museum in the Hague for the first time

April 8, 2019 by Karen Turner 2 Comments

One of the gems of the Hague has to be the Mauritshuis. This Hague art museum is one of my favorite museums in the Netherlands. As a Hague resident, these are my tips for visiting the Mauritshuis for the first time with some notes about the exhibitions not to miss along with some tips to avoid the crowds at the Mauritshuis.

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Where to stay in Amsterdam: 15 affordable hotels by a resident

August 12, 2019 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

As someone who has lived in Amsterdam, I’ve been asked frequently for recommendations on where to stay in Amsterdam. I’ve created a neighborhood overview with affordable hotels in Amsterdam worth visiting with the advantages/disadvantages of each neighborhood in Amsterdam. I’ve also asked fellow bloggers for their previous stays at hotels in Amsterdam. I hope that this insider guide helps you find the perfect Amsterdam hotel within your budget!

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A local’s guide to the best things to do in Glasgow, Scotland

January 29, 2019 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

When fashioning the ultimate Scotland itinerary, there’s no better place to launch your travels than Glasgow. While its close neighbour of Edinburgh, just an hour east, is the undeniably prettier of the two cities, Glasgow’s where the heart of modern Scotland beats.

What makes Scotland’s biggest city so intriguing isn’t that it’s chock-loaded with typical tourist sites (that’s Edinburgh’s thing), but that it’s ever-evolving from its rich historical past to express the present & future of the Scottish nation. Ready to discover this quirky and often underappreciated Scottish city? Get started with this quick city guide to Glasgow with the best things to do in Glasgow, Scotland.

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Catspotting: A crazy cat lover’s guide to cats in Amsterdam

October 17, 2018 by Karen Turner 21 Comments

I love cats. This is a detailed guide to my beloved Amsterdam with the best places to meet cats in Amsterdam, officially and unofficially, with my favorite cats. If you’re a fan of Catspotting, you’re going to love this guide to Amsterdam. I’m a crazy cat lady and meeting cats when traveling is one of my favorite hobbies.

While living in Amsterdam, my husband and I hunted down the locations of cats in Amsterdam because we are that cat crazy. We found cats living at one of the cat cafes in Amsterdam, roaming the halls of a historic canal house/cat museum filled with cat art, cozying up to potential owners on de Poezenboot (the Catboat), sleeping in various shops, or even breaking into museum gardens.

This also includes coffeeshops with cats…. That said, I was not successful in petting them all. Keep reading for our favorite cat locations in Amsterdam with a map.

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