Europe

Secrets of the Red Light District in Amsterdam: Etiquette and Hidden Gems of De Wallen

March 24, 2019 by Karen Turner 3 Comments

So many visitors are curious about the Red Light District in Amsterdam. A former resident of Amsterdam, I have quite a bit to say about the Red Light District (known as de Wallen), which is one of the most debated neighborhoods in Amsterdam. This post will include etiquette for visiting the Red Light District, the history of De Wallen, and hidden gems of De Wallen.

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The 10 best Dutch cheeses to try in Amsterdam by a Dutch resident

June 5, 2023 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

The Netherlands is one of the biggest dairy producers in the world and not surprisingly, cheese (known as kaas) is a highlight for the Dutch economy as well as many visitors. This article will focus on the ten best Dutch cheeses in the Netherlands to try written by residents of the Netherlands with tips on finding authentic cheese shops.

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What to do in the Hague: A resident’s guide of unique 30+ things to do in the Hague

July 23, 2023 by Karen Turner 21 Comments

I live in the Hague. Although I’m always telling people about how fantastic the Hague is, I’m hoping that this guide to the Hague will inspire people to take the day trip from Amsterdam to the Hague to experience a bit of what makes it so unique. It’s a beautiful and a bit of a strange city. Keep reading for tips on what to do in the Hague with 30+ unique things to do in the Hague to inspire you to explore the Hague.

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The Best Neighborhoods in Amsterdam to Stay In, Eat In & Explore

February 4, 2016 by Karen Turner 18 Comments

I’ve been living in Amsterdam for a while now and I wanted to show others the Amsterdam that I love: neighborhoods full of regular people, great food, local haunts, and gezellig (cozy) cafes/bars. Most people miss out on these when they visit Amsterdam as they stay in the centre, but I wrote about five neighborhoods worth seeing (or staying in) as well as my favorite sights/food/drinks in each area. Keep reading below the cut for local tips!

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Introductory Guide to Via Ferrata: What to know before your first via ferrata

February 7, 2016 by Karen Turner 25 Comments

Via Ferrata is like rock climbing although instead of using a rope, you are securing yourself to steel cables that are drilled into the rock. This allows you access difficult/isolated mountainous areas that would otherwise require expert climbing skills/ropes or the willingness to climb very steep scrambles without any assurances of safety.

It allows you to also get a glimpse of the isolated, raw beauty of the mountains. For someone who is reasonably in shape, it’s a great way to get off-the-beaten path, work out while on vacation, and have an adrenaline-filled adventure!

In this post, this is a via ferrata guide for beginners with why you should try out via ferrata, the best gear for via ferratas, and where to do via ferrata.

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A local’s complete guide to seeing the tulip fields in the Netherlands

January 23, 2019 by Karen Turner 4 Comments

I am kind of obsessed with the Dutch tulips and every single year that I’ve been living in the Netherlands, I’ve sought out the best tulip fields to visit in the Netherlands. I’ve rounded out the best places to find the tulips beyond the Lisse area to give you some alternatives to the popular Keukenhof area based on my time living in the Netherlands.

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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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15 Beautiful Slovenian Cities That You Have Never Heard Of

February 18, 2017 by Karen Turner 49 Comments

Slovenia is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and there are so many beautiful cities to visit. You’ve probably read why quite a few posts about why you must visit Lake Bled, however the best Slovenian cities to visit for me were the ones where we could sit back with a glass of Slovenian wine—and enjoy the beauty of our surroundings.

Thanks to some other bloggers and amazing readers, I’m publishing the 10 most beautiful cities that you’ve probably never heard of to inspire you to visit Slovenia! (My amazing readers gave me FIVE more in Eastern Slovenia, so keep reading for a few more reader-suggested gems!)

This includes some cute Slovenian cities surrounded by vineyards, overlooking mountains, and nestled next to the sea. Keep reading for the best places to visit in Slovenia if you hate the crowds (or just love beautiful villages in Europe!)

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Game of Thrones in Malta: An Independent Tour Review

April 4, 2017 by Karen Turner 30 Comments

I love Game of Thrones and when I found out that I was going to visit Malta, I knew that I needed to find the Game of Thrones locations around Malta. Since I had limited time, I chose to take the Game of Thrones tour with Malta Film tours after reading the glowing reviews.

This is an independent review of the tour for my Game of Thrones lovers with some additional tips for finding GOT filming locations in Malta! No spoilers beyond season 1, I promise.

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Visit Kosovo: Complete Itinerary of the Best Things to do in Kosovo

August 26, 2017 by Karen Turner 23 Comments

If you’re doing a Balkan trip, you might be passing through Kosovo. Often, Pristina, Kosovo is a transfer point for Balkan buses, but Kosovo is much more than Pristina.

If you only visit Pristina, you’ll miss out on the many other things to do in Kosovo. Kosovo tourism is still developing, so expect friendly locals, cheap hotels, and a lot of beautiful places. Keep reading for a Kosovo itinerary with the best places to visit in Kosovo.…