europe

How to visit France on a budget: Thirteen cost-cutting tips for travel in France

May 25, 2019 by Steve Ertrachter 12 Comments

If you’re visiting France, you might be wondering how you can afford your trip between the food, the hotels, and the attractions. However, it’s definitely possible to visit France on a budget.

These are tips that I’ve perfected via my time living in Paris, traveling in France, and my dad’s recent trip around France. Traveling on a budget isn’t always about surviving on a shoestring, but cutting back on unnecessary expenses to splurge on the experiences that matter to you. I wrote this blog post together with my dad based on his recent trip to Provence and my travel around France. This post has been recently updated based on a recent trip. (April 2019).

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What to Wear in Amsterdam: Your Ultimate Packing List for Amsterdam by a Local

July 8, 2017 by Karen Turner 31 Comments

This is my third year living in Amsterdam and it’s hard to explain to friends/family who are visiting Amsterdam on what to bring to Amsterdam to be prepared for the unpredictable and rainy weather that defines all but ~3 weeks in summer.

Packing for Amsterdam isn’t easy as it involves planning for the worst, so why not be prepared with a packing list for Amsterdam with what to pack for Amsterdam and what not to pack by one resident?

This includes what to wear in Amsterdam in winter (as well as what to wear in Amsterdam for spring/summer/fall). At the bottom, you’ll find a FREE printable/downloadable packing list for Amsterdam.

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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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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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Free Walking Tour of the Cologne Christmas Markets with Map

October 12, 2019 by Karen Turner 14 Comments

In 2019, Cologne will have its annual Christmas market from
November 25th to December 23rd. If you’re lucky enough to visit Cologne in winter (just in time), be sure to spend at least a day (if not three days) browsing the famous Christmas markets in Cologne. Keep reading for tips for experiencing the German Christmas markets and things to do in Cologne in December!

Planning to visit Cologne Germany in winter to see the famous Cologne Christmas markets? Tips for visiting the Cologne Christmas markets, what to do in Cologne, and where the Cologne Christmas markets are!

I’ve set up this as a walking tour of five Christmas markets in Cologne with a downloadable map of the Christmas markets in Cologne. (Be prepared that this FREE walking tour of Cologne includes a lot of walking although it covers many major landmarks.) The map of the Cologne Christmas markets is at the bottom.

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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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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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Durbuy Belgium: The most beautiful day trip from Brussels

November 9, 2017 by Karen Turner 9 Comments

Durbuy, Belgium is a beautiful Belgian city in the province of Luxembourg in Wallonia (the southern part of Belgium). Before seeing a photo of Durbuy online, I had never heard of this picture perfect Belgian city, however, when I took a road trip through Belgium, we hightailed it to Durbuy to ensure that we had time to explore this beautiful Belgian town. Keep reading for the best things to do in Durbuy, Belgium, one of the most beautiful places in Belgium!

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A free self-guided walking tour of the best chocolate in Brussels

November 1, 2019 by Karen Turner 17 Comments

If you’re figuring out what to do in Brussels and you’re a chocolate lover, you must try Belgian chocolate—and do a chocolate tasting in Brussels. Here’s some advice for finding the best chocolatiers in Brussels on a self-guided chocolate tour in Brussels, including their addresses!

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17 beautiful cities in Belgium besides Brussels that you won’t want to miss!

December 10, 2017 by Karen Turner 11 Comments

If you’re visiting Belgium, you’ve definitely heard of Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp, and Bruges…but there’s way more beautiful cities in Belgium. This post is focused on beautiful cities in the Wallonia region, which is the French speaking part of Belgium.

Wallonia Belgium is often ignored by travelers, which I don’t understand as someone who has traveled in Wallonia and Flanders. It’s full of beautiful Belgian cities with few other tourists and delicious food (WAFFLES!). Keep reading for the most beautiful cities in Belgium besides Brussels and lots of beautiful photos of Belgium’s Wallonia region.

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