City Guide

Toronto on a Budget In Summer by a Torontonian

October 9, 2016 by Karen Turner 18 Comments

Toronto is a fabulous, multicultural city that offers visitors cultural, natural and gastronomical adventures. It’s possible to explore this dynamic city on a tight budget with a few insider tips courtesy of Toronto native Lauren from Global Locavore! Here are six of her favorite summer activities both on and off the beaten path. Stick around until the end advice about getting around!

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

July 23, 2023 by Karen Turner 21 Comments

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.

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Visit Kosovo: Complete Itinerary of the Best Things to do in Kosovo

August 26, 2017 by Karen Turner 23 Comments

If you’re doing a Balkan trip, you might be passing through Kosovo. Often, Pristina, Kosovo is a transfer point for Balkan buses, but Kosovo is much more than Pristina.

If you only visit Pristina, you’ll miss out on the many other things to do in Kosovo. Kosovo tourism is still developing, so expect friendly locals, cheap hotels, and a lot of beautiful places. Keep reading for a Kosovo itinerary with the best places to visit in Kosovo.…

Madrid on a Budget: Insider tips for cheap things to do in Madrid

April 17, 2018 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

Considering visiting Madrid? Read insider tips from a resident on the best cheap things to do in Madrid and tips for visiting Madrid on a budget! This guest post by Perri, an expat in Madrid, covers some insider tips for Spain’s capital on a budget.

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’][/author_image] [author_info] Perri recently relocated from London to Madrid. Seeking the Spanish Sun is a travel blog all about her exploration of Spain in search of the perfect place, to rest her itchy feet and finally call home. She shares what she sees along the way and travel tips and advice for anyone visiting Spain. [/author_info] [/author]

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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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Insider’s Guide to Penn State with the best things to do in State College PA

July 11, 2018 by Karen Turner 16 Comments

My husband and I are Penn State grads who met while we were students at Penn State. (WE ARE!). This is an insider’s guide with tips for things to do in State College, best things to do at Penn State (Main Campus), where to party in State College, where to get an adult drink in State College away from the undergrads, where to stay in State College, where to eat in State College, awesome day trips from State College (things to do in Centre County).

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

June 7, 2023 by Karen Turner 34 Comments

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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One perfect day in Dordrecht, the Venice of Holland

July 28, 2020 by Karen Turner 12 Comments

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

December 1, 2018 by Karen Turner 7 Comments

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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19 Best Cities to Visit in the Netherlands Besides Amsterdam by residents

February 13, 2020 by Karen Turner 46 Comments

As a Dutch resident, I’ve been lucky enough to see many of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands that aren’t as well known to tourists as well as the Dutch countryside.

Although you’ve probably heard why you should visit Amsterdam, the prettiest Dutch cities to visit are often peaceful, less crowded, and more memorable. Keep reading for the 19 most atmospheric and beautiful cities/towns in the Netherlands that will help you discover more of the Netherlands.

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