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One day in Sergiev Posad, the perfect day trip from Moscow

July 6, 2018 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

Moscow is a stunning city, however culture lovers cannot miss the stunning Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius in Sergiev Posad. This stunning Russian UNESCO recognized monastery is an easy day trip from Moscow and perfect for those interested in learning about the Russian Orthodox Church. Keep reading for tips on visiting Sergiev Posad from Moscow….

Russian travel tips: 30 things to know before visiting Russia for the first time

September 1, 2018 by Karen Turner 7 Comments

Earlier this year, I was invited by a Russian friend to spend New Year’s Eve with his family. I realize that my experience traveling to Russia may be atypical for other travelers as we spent the trip with friends, however I hope that my experience helps you prepare to visiting Russia for the first time.

Seeing Moscow and the surrounding areas with my friend gave me the opportunity to see a side of Russia that many tourists don’t get to see as well as some of the main tourist attractions in Moscow. I’ve included a number of Russian travel tips as well as a few things that surprised me about traveling in Russia.

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A no-nonsense guide on how to get a Russian visa for Americans

January 12, 2018 by Karen Turner 7 Comments

Getting a tourist visa to visit Russia as an American was not easy. I say this as someone who has traveled to a lot of countries, however I’m so glad that we visited Moscow this winter. When researching how to get a Russian visa, I encountered a lot of websites that are written exclusively by the vendors themselves and a lot of bad advice/advice intended for other nationalities, so I decided to write about my experience doing the Russian visa process and getting a invitation letter for Russia in order to get a single-entry Russian visa (similar for multi-entry Russian visa). The process on how to get a visa for Russia varies A LOT by country, so I’m focusing on the process for Americans.

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Rainbow Springs State Park, the most beautiful day trip from Orlando Florida

February 21, 2018 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

My grandparents live in Orlando, Florida, so I’ve gone countless times to the theme parks in Orlando. Sometimes, you’re looking for something a little different. On my last trip, I took a day trip from Orlando to Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, Florida.

As much as I love my family, there’s something about being out in nature away from the parking lots, strip malls, and real estate developments that define so much of Florida. As soon as I reached the crystal-clear water of Rainbow Springs, I felt a sigh of relief amidst all the greenery. Keep reading for the best budget day trip from Orlando.

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10 Paris scams to avoid and 10+ tips for avoiding pickpockets in Paris

April 4, 2018 by Karen Turner 16 Comments

Paris is a fantastic city to visit, especially for first time visitors to Europe, however you’ll need to be aware of your surroundings as there are quite a few scammers in Paris. My husband has personally been scammed in Paris and I’ve been on my best behavior while living in Paris to avoid pickpockets in Paris….

Hopefully, these tips for avoiding pickpockets in Paris and knowledge about popular scams in Paris will help you avoid being scammed in Paris. This post includes tips from other Parisian residents as well as travelers on scams in Paris that they’ve encountered.

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Your complete packing list for two weeks in Europe (or longer)

May 31, 2018 by Karen Turner 3 Comments

Trying to figure out what to pack for two weeks in Europe? As a veteran of European backpacking trips (3!) and now three years living in Europe, I like to think that I have some tips on what to pack for Europe for two weeks. I’ve tried to ensure that this packing list fits into a carry-on, so this packing list for Europe should be easy to adjust for one month in Europe if you’re only traveling around Europe with a carry-on. Keep reading for my carry-on friendly packing list for two weeks (or longer).

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10 things to know before visiting Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island

September 24, 2018 by Steve Ertrachter 12 Comments

What can you say about a place with tremendous culture, history, music, food and beauty? A visit to Nova Scotia Canada, including Cape Breton Island, will surprise you in the best way possible. Keep reading for Nova Scotia travel tips to help you plan your journey to one of the most beautiful provinces in Canada.

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Money in Europe: What you need to know about getting cash in Europe

February 11, 2019 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

As an American abroad, one of the most common questions that I’m asked by visiting friends and family what is the best way to get cash out in Europe. It depends a bit on your country, but this post will discuss European currency, what you need to do before your trip, best practices for getting cash out at the best rates, whether you need to carry around lots of cash, using ATMs in Europe, how to get the best exchange rates, and some tips for various European countries.

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17 things to know before celebrating King’s Day in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

February 15, 2020 by Karen Turner 3 Comments

If King’s Day in Amsterdam is not on your radar, you need to put this Dutch holiday on your bucket list. One day a year, the Netherlands becomes a street party of massive proportions; Amsterdam is the epicenter of this party. Tourists and locals alike take to the canals to drink, dance, and buy/sell goods from the street. This post is full of helpful tips to know before your trip to Amsterdam for King’s Day.

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Wadi Rum Camp in Jordan & Wadi Rum Jeep Tour

February 19, 2016 by Karen Turner 28 Comments

The most magical part about Jordan by far was experiencing true Bedouin hospitality and the vastness of the Wadi Rum Desert in all its sparse beauty. In this post, I explain the lessons I’ve learned about modern Bedouin life, what you should know before visiting a Bedouin family, discuss camping out in the middle of the Wadi Rum desert, and show some incredible views of the desert. Read more & see more incredible photos under the cut!

Want to experience Jordan's unique culture and beauty? Learn about the modern Bedouin lifestyle & what you need to know before you visit a Bedouin family. Photo Inspiration for camping out in the Wadi Rum desert luxury-style!

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