travel tips

Maximize your Vacation Days with Working Full Time

November 14, 2016 by Karen Turner 30 Comments

I’m an American working a 9-5 job. I know you don’t have enough vacation days off to travel. Instead of saying quit your job to travel, this post is about how to travel more with a job. Working 9-5 often means dreaming of vacation days, but this is how to travel more often by maximizing your vacation days out of the office. Keep reading to see how I managed to swing visiting 12 countries in 12 months with a full-time job.

Traveling is not always about traveling for days…but it’s about going to where you’ve dreamed of visiting, no matter how long you have. Keep reading for easy steps to travel more with a full time job!

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Your Osaka Travel Guide: Two Days in Osaka Japan

March 4, 2018 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

If you’re considering visiting Osaka during your trip to Japan, you might find that two days in Osaka is the perfect amount of time to cover many of the attractions in Osaka without rushing through this Japanese metropolitan city. This Osaka travel guide covers the best things to do in Osaka, foods to try in Osaka, and general travel tips for Osaka. Thanks to Alyse from the Invisible Tourist for her insights into traveling to Osaka.

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Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik Iceland

October 13, 2017 by Karen Turner 5 Comments

Reykjavik is one of the best cities in Europe to celebrate New Year’s Eve in. If you’re considering celebrating New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik, I definitely have to write that it’s been one of my favorite New Year’s Eve celebrations so far. Experiencing the bonfires in Reykjavik are a unique Icelandic tradition that make celebrating New Year’s Eve in Iceland truly special.

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Insider’s Guide to Singapore On a Budget: Your complete guide to cheap Singapore

August 19, 2017 by Karen Turner 10 Comments

This is an insider’s guide to Singapore by locals. Fun fact: I lived in Singapore for a hot summer on a broke student’s budget. However, I have written this up to date guide with tips for Singapore together with Brooke and Alaine.

Singapore is not considered to be a budget destination, however it is possible to visit Singapore on a budget. With insider tips for Singapore, you’ll find things to do in singapore on a budget, cheap food in Singapore, and where to stay in Singapore on a budget.

The city-nation of Singapore is truly a traveler’s paradise: Everyone speaks flawless English, public transit is fantastic, the streets are clean of gum, there’s even Michelin starred food stalls, and there’s sunny weather year-round. Keep reading for more!

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Israel to Jordan and the Incredible City of Petra

January 31, 2016 by Karen Turner 16 Comments

Ever since seeing Indiana Jones, I’ve wanted to see Petra. In this post, I cover basics of traveling in Jordan, getting there from Israel and Petra, how much time to give yourself to enjoy Petra, including what not to miss! ****Post was updated February 16, 2017 as the border crossing has changed in 2017.***

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Tourist Guide to Amsterdam: What you need to know before your first trip to Amsterdam by a local

March 14, 2018 by Karen Turner 36 Comments

Amsterdam is a city to RELAX in. I’m not talking about the abundant coffeeshops, but about the gezellig (cozy) atmosphere that you’ll find in this city.

Take your time to sit back to enjoy the passing bikes, unique architecture, and beautiful canals among the many things to do and delicious things to eat. I’m a proud Amsterdam resident and this is an ultimate guide to Amsterdam with all the questions that I feel like I’ve been asked most often.

Find out how many days to spend in Amsterdam, get advice on what are the “must-sees”, where to stay in Amsterdam, what to eat in Amsterdam, which museums to visit in Amsterdam (and skip!), what to do before you arrive in Amsterdam, how to get from the airport to the city…and more!

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How to Use Google Translate Offline Without Wifi or Data

June 17, 2017 by Karen Turner 33 Comments

I love challenging myself to visit new places where I’m out of my comfort zone, whether it’s Kosovo or Japan, however the reality is that I’m a cheapskate when it comes to paying for data and I have dietary restrictions. I often travel in areas where people don’t speak English fluently and sign language is not cutting it.

This means that you’ll want a good offline translator app, preferably a translation app that is free. This is a step-by-step guide on how to use Google Translate offline for iPhones, which means that you can instantly get translations without wifi and Google will pronounce difficult words for you.

Keep reading for my most used features from Google Translate, tips for using Google Translate like a pro, and how to install the best translation app you’ll find.

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The Insider’s Guide to the US Open by a fan attending for 30+ years

September 1, 2019 by Steve Ertrachter 42 Comments

This week is a guest post from a reader who happens to be my dad. Steve is a native New Yorker who has been going to the US Open for the past 35 years. He attends for three days every year. The most that he has ever spent on one day was $3 for a pretzel (other than tickets). Some days have been totally free. He is proud of this accomplishment.

This is an update for the 2019 US Open with corrections and other important developments from last year’s blog. It still contains insider tips to the US Open with advice on how to visit Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on a budget, what to bring to the US Open, what to wear to the US Open, and other travel tips for the US Open 2019. Remember to enjoy the Day.

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Tips for a Road Trip in Andalucia, Spain

January 16, 2016 by Karen Turner 7 Comments

For my birthday, I asked for one thing: a trip. Jacob granted me my wish: a weekend anywhere I wanted (within reason). I had visited Spain during my first backpacking trip years ago and regretted not leaving Seville to see more of Andalucia. Luckily, Jacob had never been to Spain before and it was easy to sell him on tapas and Rioja. More tips for a road trip in Andalucia and the best places to visit in Andalucia Spain!

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20 Tips for Eurorailing Around Europe for first time backpackers

April 29, 2017 by Karen Turner 34 Comments

As an American who did my first Eurotrip after graduating college AND now a European resident, I’ve learned a lot lessons about train travel in Europe.

These are tips for traveling around Europe by train for first-timers considering buying the Eurail pass, which is available to non-European citizens.

Non-European citizens living in Europe can also buy the Eurail pass, but you cannot use it in your country of residence. (Interrail is only for EU Citizens, so interrailing does differ in some ways. However many of these tips for European train travel might still be useful!)

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