Sustainable Tourism

11 easy ways to meet locals while traveling with stories!

June 4, 2019 by Karen Leave a Comment

Last Updated on June 4, 2019

If you’re traveling solo (or with friends), one of the best moments of trips is making a local friend who will show you the ropes of a city. There’s nothing like walking around with a knowledgeable local, hanging out all night learning about the local culture/food/language, and knowing that you have someone to meet up with next time you’re back in town. I’ve made a lot of great friends while traveling and I’ve rounded up more than 10 ways to meet locals while traveling with real stories from travelers!

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

May 23, 2019 by Karen 25 Comments

Last Updated on October 22, 2019

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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Ransdorp: A taste of the Dutch countryside within Amsterdam

January 22, 2019 by Karen 1 Comment

Last Updated on January 22, 2019

For those looking for an easy bike ride from Amsterdam, I recommend visiting Ransdorp. Although you might not believe it, this scenic village is actually part of Amsterdam although you’ll feel a world’s away when you visit. This tiny village of about 300 residents will give you a nice taste of the Dutch countryside without leaving Amsterdam proper over a scenic bike ride that should take up part of an afternoon. Keep reading for more information about visiting Randsdorp and the best things to do in Ransdorp.

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One day in Haarlem: A perfect itinerary of things to do in Haarlem

December 1, 2018 by Karen 2 Comments

Last Updated on December 13, 2018

If you’re visiting the Netherlands, you must head from Amsterdam to Haarlem, a typically “Dutch” city. Haarlem is a very easy day trip from Amsterdam, only fifteen minutes on the train. This iconic Dutch city with pretty canals, fewer tourists, a laid-back vibe, and gorgeous architecture is a must-see for people who have limited time in the Netherlands. Keep reading for what to do in Haarlem with a complete one day in Haarlem itinerary (and map). At the bottom, there’s a more complete list of things to do in Haarlem.

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A perfect weekend in Amersfoort, the Netherlands

November 9, 2018 by Karen 5 Comments

Last Updated on November 14, 2018

One of the things that I love most about living in the Netherlands is how easy it is to travel around the Netherlands. Amersfoort is a charming city just thirty minutes from Amsterdam (and only 15 minutes from Utrecht) with a stunning medieval center. Although I’ve been to Amersfoort briefly before, this past weekend gave me the chance to explore this beautiful Dutch city. Keep reading for your perfect weekend itinerary for Amersfoort, the Netherlands!

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The Rietveld Schröderhuis: the iconic building of De Stijl

October 30, 2018 by Karen 1 Comment

Last Updated on October 30, 2018

As someone with a keen interest in architecture who has traveled to some of the most famous architectural masterpieces in the world, I was excited to visit the Rietveld Schröderhuis, one of the iconic buildings of de Stijl.

What is striking about architecture is that it’s not just a work of art to be admired, but also one to be used. Although some architecture is built to fulfill the architect’s whimsies, the Rietveld Schröderhuis was built specifically to suit the needs of its owner.

Beyond the history behind this iconic house, the interior of the Schroder house is extremely striking yet functional. This post will discuss the history as well as the architecture behind the home. (There are many photos of the interior as well as the exterior of the Rietveld Schröderhuis!)

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Why you should visit Eastern Kentucky

October 26, 2018 by Karen Leave a Comment

Last Updated on October 26, 2018

Travel is not just about going somewhere new, but also coming back to somewhere familiar. I’m an unlikely proponent of visiting Eastern Kentucky as someone who was born and raised in New York City and who had never set foot in Kentucky until I met Jacob. However, Jacob helped me find the charm of this oft-forgotten region of the United States even if he doesn’t always see it himself.

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Where to find the best vegan food in Amsterdam by locals

October 25, 2018 by Karen Leave a Comment

Last Updated on October 25, 2018

As someone who has to skip Dutch cheese due to my IBS, I eat vegan quite often, however I’ve somehow never written about my favorite vegan places to eat in Amsterdam. I was recently in touch with Desmond and Karim, two Amsterdammers passionate about vegan food, and we’ve put together a helpful guide to the best vegan restaurants in Amsterdam.

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An introduction to Surinamese food in the Netherlands

October 23, 2018 by Karen 2 Comments

Last Updated on June 19, 2019

Due to Dutch history, there is a large segment of the population with roots in Suriname. I wanted to do something different here as a way of introducing my readers to Surinamese food, its history, the best Surinamese dishes to try, and most importantly where to find good Surinamese food in the Netherlands. However, I’m not from Suriname and it is important to let others’ voices be heard, so I’ve interviewed an expert.

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Catspotting: A crazy cat lover’s guide to cats in Amsterdam

October 17, 2018 by Karen 20 Comments

Last Updated on July 21, 2019

I love cats. This is a detailed guide to my beloved Amsterdam with the best places to meet cats in Amsterdam, officially and unofficially, with my favorite cats. If you’re a fan of Catspotting, you’re going to love this guide to Amsterdam. I’m a crazy cat lady and meeting cats when traveling is one of my favorite hobbies.

While living in Amsterdam, my husband and I hunted down the locations of cats in Amsterdam because we are that cat crazy. We found cats living at one of the cat cafes in Amsterdam, roaming the halls of a historic canal house/cat museum filled with cat art, cozying up to potential owners on de Poezenboot (the Catboat), sleeping in various shops, or even breaking into museum gardens.

This also includes coffeeshops with cats…. That said, I was not successful in petting them all. Keep reading for our favorite cat locations in Amsterdam with a map.

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