I’m a massive fan of tourist passes, so when I visited Salzburg, I wondered, “Is the Salzburg Card worth it?” The answer is yes. It is one of the best tourist passes I’ve ever used! Having used it during my visit to Austria, for major attractions like Hohensalzburg Fortress and Hellbrunn Palace while navigating the city…
You’re trying to pack for your upcoming adventure, but you’re stressing about forgetting something, especially those items that might be impossible to find abroad or cost a fortune overseas. Having perfected my packing routine through countless trips ranging from two-week European adventures to month-long journeys, I’ve curated this budget-friendly list of 43 female travel essentials…
Before you even get to the Guinness Storehouse, Buckingham Palace, or the Palace of Versailles, on your epic European adventure, you’ll need to know how to pack light for 2 weeks in Europe. You don’t want to drag a heavy suitcase around with you. Especially up cobblestone streets and hostel stairs! To pack efficiently for…
Packing for Finnish Lapland in winter feels like preparing for an Arctic expedition when you’ve never experienced temperatures below 32°F, let alone -20°F. You’re probably wondering if your regular winter coat will suffice, whether those expensive Merino wool socks are worth it, or if you’ll end up looking like the Michelin Man while still freezing…
Thinking about taking your first solo trip but feeling paralyzed by the “what ifs”? It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous about your first time traveling alone. I’ve been traveling solo since middle school—yes, really—and have explored everything from the temples of Thailand to the castles of Sintra all on my own. What started as a…
One of the things people ask me when I tell them that I usually solo travel is, ‘How am I not lonely?’ To be honest, it can get lonely sometimes. But other times, it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet other travelers! It forces you to get out of your comfort zone. So, you may be…
I’ll be honest with you. When I first started traveling to Europe, I brought a crossbody bag and a clutch. Back in 2013, I was somehow convinced I would need both, find myself somewhere ‘fancy,’ and desperately need the clutch in addition to my day bag. Save the space; you only need one bag, and…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
Ever stood at airport check-in only to discover you won’t make your flight because you chose poorly when deciding how to get there? International travel involves dozens of details that seem obvious in hindsight but are easy to miss when you’re caught up in the excitement of planning. From checking your credit card details (I…
The problem is that most ‘movies set in Europe’ lists are stuffed with films shot on Hollywood soundstages (looking at you, the fake London sets in Mary Poppins), even though you’re searching for that perfect blend of travel inspiration and entertainment. Movies that don’t just show you beautiful locations but make you feel like you’re…
