Europe

Where to stay in Brussels for every budget

August 11, 2018 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

Brussels and I have a complicated relationship: I don’t mean to go back, but it just seems to keep drawing me back. As a result, I’ve stayed at various hostels and hotels all around Brussels. To cover a few other places, I’ve asked fellow travel bloggers on their picks for where to stay in Brussels.

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Why you need to visit Mons/Bergen in Wallonia!

September 29, 2017 by Karen Turner 12 Comments

Mons, Belgium is one of the best day trips from Brussels for those seeking culture and history. Mons is one of the many beautiful cities in Belgium and a great introduction to Wallonia (the French speaking part of Belgium).

Although I’ve visited a few cities in Wallonia, I was surprised by the many things to do in Mons and its UNESCO recognized attractions (six!). After a trip to Brussels, it was nice to get off the beaten path in Belgium and discover other things to do in Belgium besides visiting Brussels, Antwerp, and Bruges.

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Versailles Travel Tips: What to know about visiting Versailles from Paris

April 24, 2018 by Karen Turner 17 Comments

Are you planning on taking a day trip from Paris to Versailles? For fans of history as well as Marie Antoinette (the movie), Versailles is something that must be included on your Paris bucket list. Read tips for the best month to visit Versailles, how to avoid the crowds at Versailles, and how to get to Versailles from Paris.

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The perfect day trip from Paris to Provins, a beautiful medieval town

February 26, 2018 by Karen Turner 3 Comments

Visiting Paris and looking for the perfect day trip from Paris? Look no further than Provins, a medieval town that has been recognized as a French UNESCO world heritage site. Traveling from Paris to Provins takes about an hour and a half by train, however it’s easy to spend the day exploring the city. Keep reading for what to do in Provins in one day and where to eat in Provins. There’s a downloadable map with the best things to do in Provins at the bottom.

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What to wear in Muslim countries for female travelers by country

December 25, 2017 by Karen Turner 13 Comments

Let’s get this out of the way: not every Muslim country in the world is the same all around the world; what is appropriate to wear in Muslim countries differs by country and this is your guide to as many Muslim majority regions/countries that I could find advice for. Even within one country, what is appropriate clothing in one Muslim country might vary between the city and the countryside. Keep reading on how to dress appropriately for various Muslim countries for female travelers with tips on what to wear in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa by country….

Covered Passages of Paris: A free self guided walking tour of Paris arcades with map

January 21, 2018 by Karen Turner 20 Comments

If you’re visiting Paris, you might be looking for something unusual to do in Paris besides seeing the Eiffel Tower. Either way, you will not want to miss the arcades of Paris. In my time living in Paris, I loved getting lost in the covered passages in Paris, which retain an air of magic and make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

This free self-guided walking tour through Paris should give you glimpse into the secret Paris that Parisians know, love, and guard with their lives. This walk through the covered passages of Paris includes some of Paris’ most beautiful passages, including Passage Verdeau, Galerie Vivienne, and Passage des Panoramas as well as some off the beaten path attractions.

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Secret Amsterdam: 30+ secret places to visit in Amsterdam by a local

April 22, 2022 by Karen Turner 27 Comments

I’ve been putting off this guide to secret Amsterdam for a while as living in Amsterdam has made me worry about sharing my secret places in Amsterdam where I go to avoid the tourists. However, it’s not nice not to share. In this local’s guide to Amsterdam off the beaten path, you’ll be visiting some Amsterdam secret spots as well as some really non-touristy things to do in Amsterdam.

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How to do a wine tasting in Piedmont without a tour

May 2, 2019 by Karen Turner 5 Comments

For wine lovers, Piedmont is kind of the holy grail as it is the home place of Barolo and Barbaresco. Despite the prestige of these wines, you don’t get the crowds that you get in Tuscany (for now!). After years of hearing about the wine of Piedmont from my husband who lived in Turin, we spent several days driving around Piedmont tasting Piedmont’s best wines, including Barolo. This post will be discussing transportation, tips for making it easier to do wine tastings on your own in Barolo and Barbaresco, how to get winery tours (without spending hundreds), and how to do a tasting of multiple wines at once.

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What to Wear in Amsterdam: Your Ultimate Packing List for Amsterdam by a Local

July 8, 2017 by Karen Turner 31 Comments

This is my third year living in Amsterdam and it’s hard to explain to friends/family who are visiting Amsterdam on what to bring to Amsterdam to be prepared for the unpredictable and rainy weather that defines all but ~3 weeks in summer.

Packing for Amsterdam isn’t easy as it involves planning for the worst, so why not be prepared with a packing list for Amsterdam with what to pack for Amsterdam and what not to pack by one resident?

This includes what to wear in Amsterdam in winter (as well as what to wear in Amsterdam for spring/summer/fall). At the bottom, you’ll find a FREE printable/downloadable packing list for Amsterdam.

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What to pack for Iceland in winter on a budget

September 10, 2017 by Karen Turner 2 Comments

If you’re planning to visit Iceland in winter, you need to plan your Iceland packing list beforehand as Iceland is expensive. We planned a visit to Iceland in winter on a budget. This is what we actually brought on our 10 day Iceland road trip in winter. If you’re wondering what to wear in Iceland in December and what the Icelandic weather in December is like, keep reading for tips for what to pack for Iceland in winter.

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