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Your perfect South of France itinerary with cost-cutting tips

July 12, 2019 by Steve Leave a Comment

Last Updated on July 12, 2019

Having taken my first trip to Europe over four decades ago, in numerous trips since, I have learned that many famous destinations are overpriced, or disappointing. The South of France (Provence) exceeds all expectations for its Joie de vivre (joy of living), beauty, food, people, and sites. After two trips in the past two years, I am counting the minutes until my next trip to this magical place. This guide to the South of France includes practical tips for visiting the South of France with an itinerary based on multiple trips and budget tips within each city!

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How to visit the South of France on a Budget: 10 cost-cutting tips

July 9, 2019 by Steve Leave a Comment

Last Updated on July 11, 2019

Considering visiting the South of France on a budget? Experienced French traveler Steve has some helpful tips for visiting Provence on a budget for first-time visitors. We include tips on how to find cheap accommodations in the South of France, budget eating tips, and how to avoid the crowds in the South of France.

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How to see the Manhattan skyline by boat for less than $3

July 6, 2019 by Karen 1 Comment

Last Updated on July 6, 2019

You’ve probably heard of the Staten Island ferry, the free ferry that runs between Manhattan and Staten Island. This ferry for tourists and locals is a great way to see the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan, but there are far more ferries than this line. This post will be introducing you to the New York Ferry system, the ferries with the best views, and why you should definitely take a boat ride to enjoy the Manhattan skyline.

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Is New York City worth visiting? A native New Yorker’s opinion!

July 4, 2019 by Karen 1 Comment

Last Updated on July 4, 2019

One of the best things about being from New York is meeting people from all over the world who are curious about visiting New York City. They always want to know what New York City is like and whether it’s worth visiting New York City as a tourist (or if it’s just all hype!). As a native New Yorker now living elsewhere, I have a few things to say on this topic!

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Flushing, Queens: The NYC neighborhood that you must visit

June 27, 2019 by Karen 1 Comment

Last Updated on June 28, 2019

One of my favorite neighborhoods in New York City has to be Flushing, Queens. This incredibly diverse neighborhood is at the heart of Queens’ Chinese community, a favorite place of the late Anthony Bourdain, and an incredibly historic place. This guide to Flushing, Queens will include the best things to do in Flushing, Queens, where to eat in Flushing (an incomplete list, but a start!), and a brief history of Flushing’s Dutch/English past. I could not be prouder to be from Queens!

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A perfect 10-day itinerary for Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris

June 26, 2019 by Karen Leave a Comment

Last Updated on June 26, 2019

As an American who has lived in Paris, briefly Brussels, and Amsterdam, I know that one of the popular routes for first-time travelers (as well as experienced travelers) is to spend a week (or 10 days) traveling from Amsterdam to Brussels to Paris. This is a great route as there are great train and bus connections between all of these cities. I’ll be doing an overview of what to do in each city along with some helpful tips for planning your itinerary!

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15 best places to shop in New York on a budget by a New Yorker

June 23, 2019 by Karen 1 Comment

Last Updated on June 24, 2019

Shopping in New York is truly a classic activity. As someone who is pretty budget conscious, but who loves a nice statement piece, I went big when I visited my parents recently. I went to a lot of my favorite places to shop in New York as well as some new places that I hadn’t yet been to.

I’ve tried to only discuss limit this post about the best budget shopping in New York City to places that have quality items for a reasonable price, e.g. designer clothes/shoes for 50-70% off retail and stores that simply carry good quality without charging you insane amounts. I also include secondhand shopping, which is a passion of mine. I also include some money-saving tips!

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Your perfect Netherlands itinerary by a Dutch resident

June 19, 2019 by Karen 7 Comments

Last Updated on June 19, 2019

After over three years of living in the Netherlands, I’ve been asked a lot about how much time to spend in the Netherlands. A lot of people speed through the Netherlands only stopping for one day in Amsterdam, but I’d recommend enjoying at least 7 days in the Netherlands if you have the chance. I’ll be covering the highlights of the Netherlands and tips for getting around the Netherlands in this Dutch itinerary.

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The best things to do in Asti, Italy for independent travelers

June 18, 2019 by Karen Leave a Comment

Last Updated on June 18, 2019

One of the most famous towns of Piedmont, Italy has to be Asti. This charming town is world-renown for its wine, however, Asti offers far more things to do than just enjoy wine. This smaller city offers the charm of bigger cities without the crowds, some notable museums, and some beautiful churches. Follow this guide to Asti to discover the best things to do in Asti, Italy!

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14 insider tips for visiting the Statue of Liberty by a New Yorker

June 14, 2019 by Karen Leave a Comment

Last Updated on June 14, 2019

One of the most majestic places to visit in New York is the Statue of Liberty. This iconic American sight is the symbol of New York and even as a New Yorker, I had to revisit Lady Liberty on my recent trip. I’ve included some insider tips for avoiding lines when visiting the Statue of Liberty, tips for getting reasonable tickets for the Statue of Liberty (including climbing the crown), and general travel tips for visiting the Statue of Liberty for the first time.

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