I love a quirky hotel. On my last night living in Amsterdam, I stayed at Hotel Not Hotel. This review of the hotel is not sponsored and I paid for my stay myself. I hope this review helps you judge if Hotel not Hotel is for you…or not.
The Hague on a budget: 15 Free things to do in the Hague by a local
As a proud resident of the Hague, I can tell that there are countless things to do in the Hague for free. I’ve mixed this list of budget activites in the Hague with more interesting tourist activities that are all possible without spending a dime with some of my favorite places to relax in the…
Money in Europe: What you need to know about getting cash in Europe
As an American abroad, one of the most common questions that I’m asked by visiting friends and family what is the best way to get cash out in Europe. It depends a bit on your country, but this post will discuss European currency, what you need to do before your trip, best practices for getting…
De Burcht (Leiden Castle): A free and historic park worth visiting
One of my favorite places to read in Leiden or relax in Leiden is the De Burcht. This castle turned fortress in Leiden has a fascinating history. Today, it’s free to visit this stunning park in Leiden. I’ll include some tips for visiting De Burcht and a bit of de Burcht history!
The Pieterskerk in Leiden: a historic church worth seeing
When visiting Leiden, it’s hard to overlook visiting the Pieterskerk, one of the many iconic churches of Leiden. This church dates back to the medieval ages and can be visiting for a few euros (or viewed for free outside). If you’re a history lover, it’s worth visiting the Pieterskerk and I include a few tips…
The Sweat Room in Leiden: A unique place worth seeing
One of the most lovely universities in the Netherlands is Leiden University. This university, which was founded in 1575 was the first university in the Netherlands (as the border is now set). Within the university, on the second floor, you’ll find a unique room full of signatures that is only open a few times in…
Izmailovsky Market: a fun and kitschy market in Moscow for souvenirs
One of my favorite parts of my trip to Moscow was visiting the Izmailovsky Market in Moscow. This flea market is a favorite of both visitors and locals who love to browse for a good deal. Keep reading for tips for negotiating, how to visit the Izmailovsky Market independently, and what to look for as…
The Pilgrims in Leiden: History and Must-see locations
As an American living in the Netherlands, it’s been fascinating to discover the key locations for the Pilgrims in the Netherlands. Although not everyone realizes that the Pilgrims lived in Leiden, you can visit many of the key locations relevant to them. I include some history of the Pilgrims in the Netherlands as well as…
Avoid looking like a tourist in Europe by an American living in Europe
As an American living in Europe a couple of years, one of my biggest tips for those traveling in Europe for the first (or fifth) time is to avoid looking like a tourist in Europe. This can be done in a couple of ways that might run counter to common travel advice (e.g. travel vests),…
5 Dutch cheese markets: A cheesy day trip from Amsterdam
If you’re planning your trip to the Netherlands, you might want to visit one of the famous Dutch cheese markets to see where Dutch cheese is made. In this guide to cheese markets in the Netherlands, I’ll be detailing the various cheese markets in the Netherlands, the history of cheese in the Netherlands, and my opinion…