travel tips

A perfect day trip to Delft: Interesting things to do in Delft

July 9, 2020 by Karen Turner 18 Comments

I used to think of myself as a big city girl, but after moving to the Netherlands, I fell in love with the smaller quieter cities in the Netherlands. One of my favorite cities in the Netherlands, which is an easy day trip from Amsterdam, is Delft. I’ve been living in the Hague for some months now and I routinely visit Delft each month.

Delft has one of the most prestigious universities in the Netherlands, so despite the history, Delft feels like a young town if you know where you’re looking.

This itinerary for Delft is a mix of historic sights and new modern shops/restaurants, so you get to experience both sides of this beautiful city. Keep reading for things to do in Delft in a compact one day itinerary for Delft.

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How to see the tulip fields near Amsterdam for free by a local

November 1, 2018 by Karen Turner 26 Comments

I’m obsessed with tulips and one of my favorite parts of living in the Netherlands is going to the tulip fields in Holland each year. I include tips for seeing the tulip fields near Amsterdam for free!

Although most people visit Keukenhof, it’s very easy to see the Dutch tulip fields without a tour or a bike. You can easily visit the fields on a budget, so read for tips on how to see the tulip fields in the Netherlands for free two different ways.

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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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First Time Guide to New York City 5 Day Itinerary by a native New Yorker

January 7, 2020 by Karen Turner 83 Comments

I’m so proud to be a native New Yorker and I love to help first timers plan their first trip to New York City. I’ve made a five day itinerary for NYC with advice on what to see and eat mostly in Manhattan for all budgets.

This is a local guide, so although I cover the famous sites, I encourage you to see the smaller neighborhoods/places that make New York special. The Big Apple has so much to offer year-round, so most of these tips can be also used over the holidays. There’s a FREE downloadable map with all the best places to see in New York City in 5 days.

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20 Things Nobody Tells You About Visiting New York by a native New Yorker

November 4, 2019 by Karen Turner 119 Comments

I’m a proud New Yorker who was born and raised in New York City. When someone asks me what they should know when visiting New York for the first time, I don’t always know where to start as there’s so many things to do in New York. I’ve decided to take a different approach here with some NYC local secrets to help you navigate your trip better.

Expect some humorous tips for first time visitors to New York (although those on their fifth trip to NYC might find this travel advice helpful). I sincerely hope that these New York travel tips come in handy and help you avoid some of the mistakes that people make on their first trip to New York. 20 Insider tips for New York under the cut.

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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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Insider Tips for NYC on a Budget by a New Yorker

October 25, 2023 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

I was born and raised in NYC. This post is for anyone who wants to visit New York on a budget ($10 or less) and would like to benefit from insider tips from a real New Yorker. Some things mentioned here are meant to be crowd-pleasers, but I want to show you the undiscovered New York.

I’ll explain how to get to NYC on a budget, how public transportation works in NYC, where you can stay in NYC on a budget, and what cheap activities await you in NYC. Discover the best things to do in New York City on a budget like a local.

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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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Singapore’s coolest neighborhoods: Off the beaten track Singapore

January 14, 2018 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

If you’re planning a trip to Singapore, you’ve probably read about the Gardens by the Bay and other things to do in Singapore a million times. Don’t worry; this guide written by a Singaporean resident focuses on off the beaten path Singapore with unusual places to visit in Singapore for embracing your inner hipster (or just having some great local food/drinks).

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