City Guide

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

January 6, 2020 by Karen 16 Comments

Last Updated on January 6, 2020

Maastricht is one of the 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!

…

Belgium in 4 days: Beer, Chocolate, & Castles

December 16, 2019 by Karen 9 Comments

Last Updated on January 15, 2020

The beginner’s guide to Belgium’s best sights! Includes travel tips and top 5 sights for visiting Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges. Includes chocolate, beer, and castles! Read more for the best tourist sites to visit in Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges as well as travel advice for visiting Belgium in a quick 4-day itinerary.

…

20 Things Nobody Tells You About Visiting New York by a native New Yorker

November 4, 2019 by Karen 113 Comments

Last Updated on November 20, 2019

I’m a proud New Yorker who was born and raised in New York City. When someone asks me what they should know when visiting New York for the first time, I don’t always know where to start as there’s so many things to do in New York. I’ve decided to take a different approach here with some NYC local secrets to help you navigate your trip better.

Expect some humorous tips for first time visitors to New York (although those on their fifth trip to NYC might find this travel advice helpful). I sincerely hope that these New York travel tips come in handy and help you avoid some of the mistakes that people make on their first trip to New York. 20 Insider tips for New York under the cut.

…

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.

…

What to do in the Hague: A resident’s guide of unique 30+ things to do in the Hague

July 15, 2019 by Karen 17 Comments

Last Updated on January 23, 2020

I live in the Hague. Although I’m always telling people about how fantastic the Hague is, I’m hoping that this guide to the Hague will inspire people to take the day trip from Amsterdam to the Hague to experience a bit of what makes it so unique. It’s a beautiful and a bit of a strange city. Keep reading for tips on what to do in the Hague with 30+ unique things to do in the Hague to inspire you to explore the Hague.

…

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

April 20, 2019 by Karen 8 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.

…

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

December 29, 2018 by Karen 31 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.

…

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

December 8, 2018 by Karen 25 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.

…

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.

…

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.

…