Europe

How to visit Rhine Valley on a budget

May 22, 2016 by Karen 14 Comments

Last Updated on June 18, 2019

Most people think of luxury when they think of Rhine Valley, however it’s possible to visit Rhine Valley on a budget . I absolutely love castles and vineyards, however I don’t have the money for a Viking River Cruise through Germany (I wish!).

This is a guide to the Rhine Valley region visiting the beautiful UNESCO heritage sites of the Upper Rhine Valley without sacrificing thousands of euros for a river cruise.

This is simple: castles, wine, charming towns, and nature. Your trip has gone horribly wrong if you don’t end up seeing at minimum 2 castles while in Rhine Valley.

For wine lovers, the famous German Riesling from close-by Mosel & Rhine Valley is cheap and easily available. The beauty of the region surprised me, and there’s plenty to do outdoors. Lastly, find out how to save money while staying in a castle.

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

February 7, 2016 by Karen 25 Comments

Last Updated on September 4, 2018

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

February 4, 2016 by Karen 18 Comments

Last Updated on November 27, 2018

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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Tips for a Road Trip in Andalucia, Spain

January 16, 2016 by Karen 7 Comments

Last Updated on December 10, 2018

For my birthday, I asked for one thing: a trip. Jacob granted me my wish: a weekend anywhere I wanted (within reason). I had visited Spain during my first backpacking trip years ago and regretted not leaving Seville to see more of Andalucia. Luckily, Jacob had never been to Spain before and it was easy to sell him on tapas and Rioja. More tips for a road trip in Andalucia and the best places to visit in Andalucia Spain!

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