Author:

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Published on: May 22, 2016 | Updated on: October 8, 2023

Karen Turner

How to visit Rhine Valley on a budget

May 22, 2016 by Karen Turner 14 Comments

Most people think of luxury when they think of Rhine Valley, however it’s possible to visit Rhine Valley on a budget . I absolutely love castles and vineyards, however I don’t have the money for a Viking River Cruise through Germany (I wish!).

This is a guide to the Rhine Valley region visiting the beautiful UNESCO heritage sites of the Upper Rhine Valley without sacrificing thousands of euros for a river cruise.

This is simple: castles, wine, charming towns, and nature. Your trip has gone horribly wrong if you don’t end up seeing at minimum 2 castles while in Rhine Valley.

For wine lovers, the famous German Riesling from close-by Mosel & Rhine Valley is cheap and easily available. The beauty of the region surprised me, and there’s plenty to do outdoors. Lastly, find out how to save money while staying in a castle.

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7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Living Abroad

April 18, 2016 by Karen Turner 19 Comments

Before we begin, let me say moving abroad is not easy and although everyone loves to write about the benefits, it’s not a fairytale. It’s especially hard if you’re moving to a country unemployed like I did, but whether you can get a job depends on a lot on your field, qualifications, visa, language skills, and the country itself. These are the seven things that I wish someone had told me a year ago to make moving abroad easier. …

Road Tripping Israeli Style: A complete Israel road trip itinerary

March 13, 2016 by Karen Turner 36 Comments

People always talk about epic road trips around the US, but why not around a country full of incredible natural beauty, history, and modern cities? Luckily, Israel isn’t too big, so an road trip around Israel can be shorter.

If you follow this trip, you’ll visit Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, snorkel in the Red Sea, explore Roman ruins, swim in the Mediterranean Sea, explore old caves, hike in the Negev, see wild ibex, and experience the spiritual side of Israel.

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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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Introductory Guide to Via Ferrata: What to know before your first via ferrata

February 7, 2016 by Karen Turner 25 Comments

Via Ferrata is like rock climbing although instead of using a rope, you are securing yourself to steel cables that are drilled into the rock. This allows you access difficult/isolated mountainous areas that would otherwise require expert climbing skills/ropes or the willingness to climb very steep scrambles without any assurances of safety.

It allows you to also get a glimpse of the isolated, raw beauty of the mountains. For someone who is reasonably in shape, it’s a great way to get off-the-beaten path, work out while on vacation, and have an adrenaline-filled adventure!

In this post, this is a via ferrata guide for beginners with why you should try out via ferrata, the best gear for via ferratas, and where to do via ferrata.

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The Best Neighborhoods in Amsterdam to Stay In, Eat In & Explore

February 4, 2016 by Karen Turner 18 Comments

I’ve been living in Amsterdam for a while now and I wanted to show others the Amsterdam that I love: neighborhoods full of regular people, great food, local haunts, and gezellig (cozy) cafes/bars. Most people miss out on these when they visit Amsterdam as they stay in the centre, but I wrote about five neighborhoods worth seeing (or staying in) as well as my favorite sights/food/drinks in each area. Keep reading below the cut for local tips!

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Couchsurfing: How to Make Local Friends Without Staying Over

February 3, 2016 by Karen Turner 34 Comments

Everyone has their opinion of couchsurfing I like to use Couchsurfing while still having my own place to stay to meet locals in a city that I’m visiting, hear some interesting stories, try some local favorites, and most importantly, have an experience that makes me want to go back.

I go through some Couchsurfing safety tips as well as specifics on how to find awesome people to meet up with on short notice as well as when/what to message to find someone who will show you around the city you’re visiting!

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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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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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Expat Advice: Moving Overseas for a relationship

January 6, 2016 by Karen Turner 12 Comments

If you’re considering moving overseas for a relationship, you might be wondering is this a good idea? Read this expert expat advice on if you should move overseas for a relationship and if you’ll be happy when moving to a new country for love.

Doing your research is quite important when considering moving to a new country with a Significant Other. These are the questions I thought most about prior to moving and the ones that were most important in my decision to come along.

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