I always assumed that you had to know someone or be involved with the United Nations to visit the International Criminal Court, but visiting the ICC is surprisingly easy. This post will discuss a bit of the history behind the International Criminal Court, things to know before you visit the International Criminal Court, and a…
Europe
Five reasons why you should visit Arles, Provence’s surprising gem
When I asked my late 97-year-old Father-In-Law about his years of military service in Europe during WWII, his most interesting memory was visiting Arles and Southern France. I had never heard of Arles prior to this point. After research, I discovered that Arles has been visited by Julius Caesar, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Pablo…
One day in Blankenheim, a beautiful half-timbered town near Cologne
Blankenheim is a charming medieval town in Germany not far from Cologne that is full of gorgeous half-timbered buildings. This gorgeous city is about an hour drive from Cologne and you might pass through it when driving through the Eiffel National Park region This guide to Blankenheim covers the best things to do in Blankenheim,…
Your perfect Paris itinerary for four days in Paris by a former resident
After living in Paris, I have been asked quite a few times for my Paris itinerary recommendations. I’ve put a lot of thought into what do to do in Paris and how long to spend in Paris, so I’ve assembled this itinerary for four days in Paris (with an additional day trip to Versailles) for how long…
Secret Delft: 15 hidden spots in Delft that you must see
I regularly visit Delft, which is one of my favorite cities in the Netherlands. My husband works in Delft, so I’m often on the look-out for places that aren’t the same tourist attractions (no matter how lovely they are). Keep reading for my favorite hidden spots in Delft to discover Delft off the beaten path.
The Hague Market: The best food & street food market in the Hague
One of my favorite weekly rituals of living in the Hague is visiting the Haagse Markt. The Hague Market claims to be the largest market in Europe although it’s one of the best places to get a bit off the beaten path in the Hague, buy affordable fruits/veggies, eat street food, and shop for household…
Why you must experience the Floating Christmas Market in Leiden
I’m almost too late, but I finally visited the lovely floating Leiden Christmas Market along the canals this weekend. This charming Christmas market in Leiden has something for everyone, especially foodies. Keep reading about the annual Christmas market in Leiden!
A perfect 10-day itinerary for Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris
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…
Off the beaten path Rome: Your guide to Monti (and beyond) by a local
One of my favorite parts of visiting Rome was certainly just walking. There’s so much history and so many neighborhoods in Rome. Although most tourists stick to the areas near the Colosseum, local Annalisa is here to show you the off the beaten path neighborhoods near Esquilino Hill and Monti that many tourists miss. You’ll get…
The Hooglandse Church, a Gothic church in Leiden
One of the most beautiful buildings in Leiden is easily the Hooglandse Kerk (translation: Highland Church). This Gothic church is hard to miss while wandering around Leiden and I always love walking past it whenever I’m in Leiden. Unlike many churches in the Netherlands, it is still in use. This article will discuss the interesting…