City Guide

Free Walking Tour of the Cologne Christmas Markets with Map

October 12, 2019 by Karen 14 Comments

Last Updated on October 21, 2019

In 2019, Cologne will have its annual Christmas market from
November 25th to December 23rd. If you’re lucky enough to visit Cologne in winter (just in time), be sure to spend at least a day (if not three days) browsing the famous Christmas markets in Cologne. Keep reading for tips for experiencing the German Christmas markets and things to do in Cologne in December!

Planning to visit Cologne Germany in winter to see the famous Cologne Christmas markets? Tips for visiting the Cologne Christmas markets, what to do in Cologne, and where the Cologne Christmas markets are!

I’ve set up this as a walking tour of five Christmas markets in Cologne with a downloadable map of the Christmas markets in Cologne. (Be prepared that this FREE walking tour of Cologne includes a lot of walking although it covers many major landmarks.) The map of the Cologne Christmas markets is at the bottom.

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Your day trip guide to Hoorn, the Netherlands with the best things to do in Hoorn

April 20, 2019 by Karen 5 Comments

Last Updated on August 19, 2019

Considering visiting Hoorn, the Netherlands? Hoorn is a beautiful Dutch city that is an easy day trip from Amsterdam that is widely considered one of the cutest cities in Holland. The train between Amsterdam and Hoorn takes only thirty minutes. This guide to Hoorn will focus on historical aspects of Hoorn and things to do in Hoorn.

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One Day in Amsterdam: A local’s free self guided walking tour of Amsterdam

December 29, 2018 by Karen 29 Comments

Last Updated on February 12, 2019

I recommend spending more than a day in Amsterdam, however that’s not always possible. I’ve been living in Amsterdam for over two years and this is an itinerary for 24 hours in Amsterdam with insider tips for Amsterdam.

This is a self guided walking tour of Amsterdam by a resident (7miles/11km) or an Amsterdam itinerary for one day with public transit (4 miles / 6km). It includes more than 20 attractions/famous food places in Amsterdam. Keep reading for the perfect itinerary for 24 hours in Amsterdam (starting bright and early). This guide to one day in Amsterdam includes a free downloadable map of your walking tour of Amsterdam.

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First Time Guide to Amsterdam: Three Days in Amsterdam itinerary by a resident

December 8, 2018 by Karen 21 Comments

Last Updated on January 11, 2019

I’ve been living in the Netherlands for nearly three years with most of my time spent living in Amsterdam. I usually recommend that if you’re visiting Amsterdam, three days in Amsterdam is perfect.

I’ve created a three day itinerary for Amsterdam with advice on what to do in Amsterdam based on my time as a resident. As someone who’s spent quite a bit of time in Amsterdam, I cover the famous sights, but I try to focus on showing you some of neighborhoods that make Amsterdam unique rather than the touristy hubs. I include a free map (at the bottom) with the best places to visit in Amsterdam during 3 days.

This is a suggested itinerary for Amsterdam, so I try to give options and I completely understand if you choose to skip something. That said, I’ve carefully crafted this Amsterdam itinerary to minimize walking, public transit, and biking.

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Things to do in Maastricht, the most beautiful city in the Netherlands

December 8, 2018 by Karen 16 Comments

Last Updated on December 11, 2018

Maastricht is one of most charming cities in the Netherlands and it can be easily explored in a weekend. The city is perfect for a slow, romantic weekend away from Amsterdam spent exploring a beautiful cathedral bookstore, strolling the tangled streets, touring historic caves, and eating/drinking delicious regional cuisine at affordable prices. For architecture and food lovers, Maastricht is a city that you will not want to leave off any trip to the Netherlands. Read the best things to do in Maastricht!

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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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Things to do in Turin Italy: A Resident’s Guide to Italy’s Most Underrated City

November 1, 2018 by Karen 2 Comments

Last Updated on May 13, 2019

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Turin Italy (called Torino by the locals), you’ll want to read this local’s guide to Torino written by a resident. This underrated city in Northern Italy has some absolutely amazing things to do, so keep reading for the best things to do in Turin by one very opinionated resident.

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Your one day guide to visiting Utrecht, the most enchanting city in the Netherlands

October 30, 2018 by Karen 5 Comments

Last Updated on December 4, 2018

Have you ever visited a place that you fall in love with instantly? From the moment that I visited Utrecht on a day trip from Amsterdam, I fell in love with Utrecht. This beautiful Dutch city has canals that are two stories, unlike Amsterdam, which only adds to the delightful architecture, slow pace, amazing food, and the few tourists. Keep reading for my one day guide to Utrecht with what to do in Utrecht in one day and a complete itinerary for visiting Utrecht.

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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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One perfect day in Dordrecht, the Venice of Holland

September 28, 2018 by Karen 4 Comments

Last Updated on September 29, 2018

While my mom visited me this summer, we finally visited Dordrecht as a day trip. This stunning city without the crowds of Amsterdam is an easy day trip from Rotterdam, the Hague, or Amsterdam, however the quiet charm of Dordrecht won me over with its beautiful canals, picturesque warehouses, and stunning views.

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