europe

Why you need to visit Mons/Bergen in Wallonia!

September 29, 2017 by Karen Turner 12 Comments

Mons, Belgium is one of the best day trips from Brussels for those seeking culture and history. Mons is one of the many beautiful cities in Belgium and a great introduction to Wallonia (the French speaking part of Belgium).

Although I’ve visited a few cities in Wallonia, I was surprised by the many things to do in Mons and its UNESCO recognized attractions (six!). After a trip to Brussels, it was nice to get off the beaten path in Belgium and discover other things to do in Belgium besides visiting Brussels, Antwerp, and Bruges.

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What to pack for Iceland in winter on a budget

September 10, 2017 by Karen Turner 2 Comments

If you’re planning to visit Iceland in winter, you need to plan your Iceland packing list beforehand as Iceland is expensive. We planned a visit to Iceland in winter on a budget. This is what we actually brought on our 10 day Iceland road trip in winter. If you’re wondering what to wear in Iceland in December and what the Icelandic weather in December is like, keep reading for tips for what to pack for Iceland in winter.

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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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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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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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The Ultimate 10 Day Itinerary for Iceland Winter Road Trip

September 16, 2018 by Karen Turner 29 Comments

If you’re visiting Iceland in winter, it’s possible to road trip in Iceland and drive all of Ring Road! This is a complete 10 day Itinerary for Iceland in winter. Despite what you may have read about road trips in Iceland, you can drive Iceland’s Ring Road in winter and Iceland in the winter is absolutely beautiful.

If you’re planning your Iceland road trip and you’re an experienced winter driver, we recommend doing your Iceland road trip in winter as you can expect lower prices, fewer people, and incredible nature.

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15 books about Amsterdam that you’ll want to read!

February 23, 2018 by Karen Turner 6 Comments

One of my favorite things to do is to pick up a book about a destination before I get there. I’ve been living in Amsterdam and these are my favorite books about Amsterdam. I’ve also included some favorite books about Amsterdam from friends of mine….

20 tips on how to survive biking in Amsterdam by a resident

March 6, 2018 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

One of the most common questions that I get about the Amsterdam is about biking. Bicycling in Amsterdam is the best way to get around, however biking can be terrifying for people who are used to leisurely bike rides in the park who haven’t done city biking before.

Keep reading tips from a Dutch resident on what to know about biking in Amsterdam, without a tour, before your trip to the Netherlands! This guide to cycling in Amsterdam includes Amsterdam bike rules to know prior to biking in Amsterdam for both tourists and residents.

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The Best Souvenirs to Buy in the Netherlands by a Dutch Resident

January 1, 2019 by Karen Turner 9 Comments

If you’re looking for the best souvenirs to buy in the Netherlands, we got you covered. Jacob and I have lived in the Netherlands for several years now and we’ve sent a lot of gifts from the Netherlands to family members! We include lots of tips for buying great gift ideas as well as souvenirs from the Netherlands for yourself!

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25 Essential Travel Tips for Amsterdam From An Amsterdam Resident

December 31, 2018 by Karen Turner 43 Comments

I lived in Amsterdam for over three years. These are my tried and tested tips for visiting Amsterdam based on advice for my friends and family visiting me. I’ve structured in the form of 25 tips including some Do’s/Don’ts.

Although I have plenty to write about living in Amsterdam, I’m most often asked for tips about visiting Amsterdam by friends and strangers. I hope that these tips help you plan your Amsterdam trip!

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