travel tips

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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The Insider’s Guide to the US Open by a fan attending for 30+ years

September 1, 2019 by Steve 40 Comments

Last Updated on September 2, 2019

This week is a guest post from a reader who happens to be my dad. Steve is a native New Yorker who has been going to the US Open for the past 35 years. He attends for three days every year. The most that he has ever spent on one day was $3 for a pretzel (other than tickets). Some days have been totally free. He is proud of this accomplishment.

This is an update for the 2019 US Open with corrections and other important developments from last year’s blog. It still contains insider tips to the US Open with advice on how to visit Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on a budget, what to bring to the US Open, what to wear to the US Open, and other travel tips for the US Open 2019. Remember to enjoy the Day.

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How to visit France on a budget: Thirteen cost-cutting tips for travel in France

May 25, 2019 by Steve 10 Comments

Last Updated on August 1, 2019

If you’re visiting France, you might be wondering how you can afford your trip between the food, the hotels, and the attractions. However, it’s definitely possible to visit France on a budget.

These are tips that I’ve perfected via my time living in Paris, traveling in France, and my dad’s recent trip around France. Traveling on a budget isn’t always about surviving on a shoestring, but cutting back on unnecessary expenses to splurge on the experiences that matter to you. I wrote this blog post together with my dad based on his recent trip to Provence and my travel around France. This post has been recently updated based on a recent trip. (April 2019).

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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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The Best Souvenirs to Buy in the Netherlands by a Dutch Resident

January 1, 2019 by Karen 6 Comments

Last Updated on February 20, 2019

If you’re looking for the best souvenirs to buy in the Netherlands, we got you covered. Jacob and I have lived in the Netherlands for several years now and we’ve sent a lot of gifts from the Netherlands to family members! We include lots of tips for buying great gift ideas as well as souvenirs from the Netherlands for yourself!

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25 Essential Travel Tips for Amsterdam From An Amsterdam Resident

December 31, 2018 by Karen 41 Comments

Last Updated on March 13, 2019

I lived in Amsterdam for over three years. These are my tried and tested tips for visiting Amsterdam based on advice for my friends and family visiting me. I’ve structured in the form of 25 tips including some Do’s/Don’ts.

Although I have plenty to write about living in Amsterdam, I’m most often asked for tips about visiting Amsterdam by friends and strangers. I hope that these tips help you plan your Amsterdam trip!

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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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Amsterdam Beer: The best craft beer & best beer bars in Amsterdam

December 24, 2018 by Karen 8 Comments

Last Updated on February 12, 2019

This is a list of the best beer in Amsterdam from our time living in Amsterdam. If you’re visiting Amsterdam for a stag-do or just a normal visit, this is a list of the best breweries in Amsterdam. Before you say Heineken, this is about Dutch beer besides Heineken and where to drink craft beer in Amsterdam with our favorite craft beer bars from Amsterdam breweries with a free map! Proost.

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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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Where to eat in Buffalo: A resident’s guide to the best places to eat in Buffalo NY

December 1, 2018 by Karen 7 Comments

Last Updated on February 5, 2019

I spent a couple of years living in the Queen City (Buffalo, NY). A lot of people aren’t impressed by Buffalo at first and that’s because Buffalo is the kind of city that you need to take the time to explore by car. Sometimes you feel like a detective standing in a strip-mall parking asking yourself if this really the amazing donut shop that you heard about.

That’s the thing: Buffalo is about the people and the food. You need to talk to locals about where to eat in Buffalo as the food is spread out all over the city and luckily, I have some friends who have been keen to introduce me to the best places to eat in Buffalo, New York.

This is not so much a guide to “fancy” restaurants or the newest restaurants, but a guide to the classic food in Buffalo that you’ll want to try along with some affordable yet delicious restaurants in Buffalo. I promise that there’s some vegetarian options here. Map at the bottom. 🙂

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