Confession: a big part of why we decided to travel to San Marino is not because we were excited about learning about the microstate, but because we wanted to add another country to our list of those we have visited. I know, I know–that’s so terribly uncool to admit. But, as travelers who very clearly …
Planning a trip to Savannah and eager to add a bit of souvenir (and/or gift) shopping to your to-do list… but not sure exactly what to buy in Savannah, GA? You couldn’t pick a better city to browse in! Shopping in Savannah is an absolute delight, and my souvenirs from Savannah have been cherished for …
If you’re dreaming of blooming flowers, dripping Spanish moss, delicious food, and comfortably walking around outside in December, January, or February, it may be time to plan a winter trip to Savannah! Nestled in the Lowcountry near the Georgia coast, Savannah shines in the winter months. Winter is one of my favorite seasons to visit …
Stained glass windows, a spiral staircase, a picturesque wood stove, and thousands of books: these are just a few things that will draw your eye immediately upon entering Leakey’s Bookshop in Inverness. As a self-proclaimed bibliophile with a love of seeking out beautiful bookstores (like this one in Venice and this one in Porto, for …
Hoping to commemorate your Scotland travels with a souvenir or 3, but not sure what to buy in Scotland? We can help! While I’ve long loved collecting items from around the world that remind me of my travels, I’ll admit that I was particularly focused on shopping in Scotland during our recent trip. Blame it …
Dreaming of spotting Nessie during your trip to Scotland… or perhaps just of enjoying some scenic views of castle ruins and of one of the most iconic lochs in the country? If so, a Loch Ness cruise might be right for you! We knew when we were planning our trip to Scotland that we wanted …
As the Capital of the Highlands, the gateway to Loch Ness, and the city located right next door to Culloden Moor, it’s safe to say that when it comes to exploring the culture, legend, and history of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness is a marvelous place to start! Like many travelers, we decided to visit Inverness …
If you’re a foreigner like me, and you close your eyes and picture an idyllic version of the English countryside, you’re probably going to imagine Bourton-on-the-Water, AKA the “Venice of the Cotswolds”… even if you’ve never seen it before. With its warm stone houses, winding river, low-lying stone bridges, and whimsical attractions, Bourton-on-the-Water (also written …
Drifting off as a train rocks you gently to sleep in a warm, cozy bed, only to wake up having magically been transported between England and Scotland overnight: that’s the pitch of the much-lauded Caledonian Sleeper train–but does it live up to the hype? As unabashed lovers of both train travel and of making the …
Narrow cobblestone streets, legendary wine, and sweeping views of vineyards tumbling over the Italian countryside are just a few things you’ll find when visiting La Morra, Italy. What you generally won’t find, though? Crowds. Nestled in the Langhe wine region of Piedmont, La Morra’s neighbors include incredible towns like Alba (home of the legendary White …
Rome is iconic, Florence is beautiful, and Venice is one of the most unique cities on the planet… but Italy is far more than its most famous locations, and these underrated cities in Italy can show you a whole different side of the country! If you’re dreaming of a trip to Italy where you can …
If you’re not familiar with this quirky small town before arriving, there’s a good chance that you’ll sum it up in one word after exploring the best things to do in Eureka Springs: surprising. This gorgeous Arkansas town is nestled in the Ozark Mountains, and is regionally famous for everything from its spas to its …
Dreaming of immersive decor, collections of wooden chalets in a town square, the smell of sugar in the air, and the feel of a steaming mug of glühwein between your hands–perhaps all enjoyed in a place overlooked by a castle? If so, it’s time to put together a European Christmas market itinerary that you’ll never forget! …
Planning a day trip to Plymouth from Boston (AKA one of the most iconic small towns in US history) and wondering what to expect? If you’ve heard exactly one thing about visiting Plymouth in the 21st century, it’s probably that Plymouth Rock is disappointing–but don’t let that keep you from planning a Plymouth day trip! …
Idyllic coastal towns, 17th-century historical sites, and even several cities in other New England states (!) make the list of top Boston day trip options–but with a city surrounded by so many incredible places to visit, how do you narrow down the very best day trips from Boston for you? The answer is a bit …
With its waterfront location, famous festivals, and status as the launchpad to the Crystal Coast, it’s safe to say that there’s a lot to love about visiting Morehead City, NC! Growing up, pulling into Morehead City for the first time each summer was always an exciting moment, as it meant that we were about to …
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Hoping to come home from your trip to Tuscany with a few new treasures, and wondering what to buy in Florence? We’ve been lucky enough to take 10+ trips to Florence, and the things I’ve bought there vary wildly, from dresses to leather boots to cookies to home decor! Whether I look into my closet, …
The first thing I should tell you about this guide to the best things to do in Florence is that it used to be much longer. I originally published this blog post years ago, when Jeremy and I had wrapped up a magical month-long stay in the Cradle of the Renaissance. It was a wonderful …
Florence may be one of the most popular cities to visit in all of Italy, but even in the highly-touristed Cradle of the Renaissance, there are still plenty of (semi) secret spots and hidden gems to discover… which is extremely helpful considering that Florence is more crowded with visitors than ever! Florence has been one …
Nestled in central Italy and well-connected as the capital of Tuscany, Florence is arguably one of the best bases for day trips in all of Italy–and as you’ll see, the best day trips from Florence are incredibly diverse! We’ve been lucky enough to spend months in Florence over the course of 10+ trips to the …
It’s hard to imagine a smaller town with a bigger number of roadside billboards encouraging you to stop by than Wall, South Dakota, home of the (in)famous Wall Drug. As you hurtle down I-90, the billboards for Wall Drug beckon what seems like every few minutes, breaking up a drive that can be, quite honestly, …
When it comes to appreciating the wildlife and wide open spaces of the American West, there’s nothing quite like taking a South Dakota road trip through the Badlands and Black Hills! With two national parks, stupendous sunsets, quirky small towns that call to mind the gold rush(es) of the not-so-distant past, roving bison, and otherworldly …
Considering an NYC babymoon and curious about the reality of visiting New York City while pregnant? As someone who spent her entire pregnancy living in NYC, from the moment I first decided to take a test to a very memorable Uber ride down 1st Ave while in the throes of active labor, I truly experienced …
Planning to visit New York City for the first time and feeling a bit overwhelmed? After visiting New York more times than we can count and then living in NYC for about a year and a half, we have lots of thoughts about how the plan the perfect first trip to New York City! From …
Want to bring something special home from your upcoming trip to Charleston, but not sure exactly what to buy in Charleston, South Carolina? This guide to the best souvenirs from Charleston will give you plenty of ideas, whether you’re shopping for yourself or are looking for the perfect gift from Charleston to bring home for …
With far-reaching views of the Italian countryside, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a beautiful town center, and an enviable list of things to do, Tivoli is enchanting to visit–and you can very easily take an incredible day trip to Tivoli from Rome! Most famous for its 3 villas (which are a bit more diverse than …
Planning a trip to Florence and wondering whether to climb its famous dome, its beautiful bell tower, or both when visiting the Duomo? We can help! After climbing both Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower, I walked away with a personal favorite… but also some notable pros and cons for each climb. Here’s what to …
As we explored the best things to do in Perugia, one thought kept crossing our minds: “Why is this place so uncrowded?!” And, considering that we were visiting Perugia for the first time directly after the most crowded trip to Florence that we’ve ever experienced, we were very much in the mood for Perugia’s more …
Hoping to take a day trip to Pisa from Florence on your upcoming trip to Italy? If so, we wrote this guide for you! As one of the most famous towers in Italy, the Leaning Tower of Pisa draws crowds from all over the globe–and while Pisa is one of the simplest day trips to …