I’ve admired da Vinci for a while, but not because of his famous paintings, rather because of his work as an inventor, engineer, musician, and urban planner, far ahead of his time. On my 3rd visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition, I got to see life-sized reconstructions of…
Tired of the same generic tourist traps? Want to find nerdy things to do in Los Angeles instead? While everyone else is recommending the Hollywood Walk of Fame for the millionth time, you’re searching for something different—themed bars where you can actually geek out, pop-up experiences that transport you into your favorite fandoms, and places…
We’ve all been there. 45 minutes into scrolling on Netflix with nothing to show for it. You’re likely annoyed by vague descriptions of travel movies on Netflix that don’t tell you if a film will actually showcase gorgeous locations or just fall flat with fake Hollywood sets. Having spent countless hours watching movies to satisfy…
Dreaming of following in Claire and Jamie Fraser’s footsteps but can’t make it all the way to Scotland for an Outlander filming location tour? Don’t worry, you don’t have to! There’s one in North Carolina that’ll immerse you in Diana Gabaldon’s world (she also conducted research here three times!) As both an Outlander book reader…
Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it, or are you better off buying individual tickets? As someone who’s tested city passes in Rome, Vienna, Stockholm, and Paris, among others, over the last decade, I’ve discovered which ones deliver real value and which ones are a waste. With over 50 museums and monuments included—from the Louvre…
Wondering if Pompeii: The Exhibition is worth your time and money? With over 150 authentic artifacts from the Naples National Archaeological Museum—not replicas, but actual 2,000-year-old treasures preserved in volcanic ash—this traveling exhibition promises an immersive journey into one of history’s most tragic moments. As someone who’s explored several Roman ruins, everything from the Colosseum…
For those of you who watched Reign, this is your chance to see where Mary truly reigned. Offering sweeping Highland views, perched atop Castle Hill, I adored visiting Stirling Castle, a royal stronghold where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned. I explored Stirling Castle on a solo last-minute day trip from Glasgow, as I was…
Struggling with picking a destination? Or just feeling lazy and want to experience the magic of Europe from your couch? As someone who’s explored Europe extensively (25 countries and counting) and fallen in love with travel destinations through both screens and real-life experiences, I’ve curated a list of TV shows set in Europe that don’t…
Looking for affordable accommodation in Glasgow that doesn’t feel cheap? With half a dozen hostels spread throughout Glasgow, it can be difficult to determine which one is worth booking. Having stayed in over 15 hostels across Europe, and this specific Glasgow accommodation, I’m here to share my honest experience at Glasgow Youth Hostel (formerly SYHA…
Tired of costly language apps that promise fluency but just make you memorize phrases like “the cat is purple” instead of teaching practical skills like ordering food or asking for directions? I’m looking at you, Duolingo! After testing its competitor for three months before my trip to Austria and Germany, I can share exactly how…
Wondering how to tackle the Colosseum without getting overwhelmed by endless ticket options or confusing tourist passes, or—most importantly—missing out on must-see areas like the underground chambers? Having spent an entire day exploring every corner of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill after visiting the Colosseum in Rome while solo, I know the frustration firsthand….
I bought the Omnia Card for my Rome trip expecting significant savings and convenience, but my actual experience was more nuanced. If you’re trying to figure out whether the Omnia Card is worth the €149 price tag, you’ve probably already noticed the problem: the official site only sells it, it doesn’t help you do the…
Planning your first visit to Rome and wondering if climbing St Peter’s dome is worth the effort (especially in the heat of June)? Maybe you’ve heard mixed reviews about the narrow staircases, worried about dress codes being enforced, or questioned whether the 551-step climb (or 320 with the elevator) is manageable. Having dealt with the…
Planning your European adventure but worried about how you’ll accomplish your itinerary with just a smartphone? During my first solo trip in 2013 through Ireland, England, and France, I arrived completely unprepared with just WhatsApp. I also quickly discovered that Wi-Fi wasn’t as abundant as expected, making offline options essential for me going forward. Over…
Aside from the crowds and mandatory reservations, the biggest challenge of visiting the Vatican Museums is prioritizing when you have limited time but limitless options—70,000 works of art spread across 54 galleries. After spending five hours solo exploring every accessible gallery during my visit, from the mesmerizing Gallery of Maps to the surprising Moon dust…
