There’s just something about packing for a road trip: flights and trains can certainly be exciting, but road trips signal, perhaps more than any other mode of transportation, that an adventure is coming–and it all starts with putting together the perfect road trip packing list and carefully loading the car. Road trips are one of … Read more
Nothing says summer like a classic trip to the beach–but before you can hit the road (or head to the airport, as the case may be), you have to decide what to bring. That’s where this complete beach vacation packing list comes in! We’ve rounded up all the beach vacation essentials you will need, covering … Read more
Ireland is an absolutely phenomenal place to travel, but its famously temperamental weather and the sheer variety of available things to do can make putting together the perfect packing list for Ireland a bit tricky–especially if you want to avoid lugging around extra gear! We’ve now spent more than a month exploring Ireland in-depth over … Read more
Growing up, I never thought of myself as someone who liked winter in the slightest–but then we packed our bags for Europe in winter and headed off to a world of Christmas markets, mulled wine, and snowy villages, and I realized that winter might just be one of my very favorite seasons. Putting together a … Read more
Beautiful beaches, fashionable cities, epic national parks, blooming flowers: there’s a lot to love about summer in Europe, but when it comes to planning a packing list for Europe, summer weather can make things a little difficult! The good news? No bulky coats required. The bad news? Scorching weather, multiple countries with different standards of … Read more
South Africa is one of our new favorite countries in the world: its landscape is nothing short of incredible, the adventure activities available could rival anywhere on the planet, the wildlife is magnificent, and the food delicious. South Africa is also enormous (about twice the size as Texas or France, and about the same size … Read more
Putting together a packing list for Italy can be a daunting task–especially for a first visit! Italy is one of the most fashionable countries in the world, it’s full of gorgeous views that you’ll likely want to be photographed with, and–to complicate things a bit–the weather and topography vary dramatically, from sizzling summer beaches in … Read more
Lounging on stunning Caribbean beaches, taking on mountainous hikes, exploring the muddy Cocora Valley, chasing waterfalls, exploring the nightlife in the fashionable “city of eternal spring” in Medellin… Colombia’s list of attractions is a mile long, but the sheer variety of things to do and climates to experience means that deciding what to pack for … Read more
Here’s a not-so-secret fact about us: fall is our favorite time to travel in Europe. Crunching leaves, changing colors, the wine and olive oil harvests, dissipating crowds, cozy clothes, and cooling temperatures: traveling to Europe during autumn is absolutely fantastic, and you couldn’t ask for a better time to plan a trip. Heading off on … Read more
Considering a trip backpacking Mexico? If you are–and especially if you’re American like us–here’s why you should plan a trip to one of our absolute favorite countries in the world. I originally wrote this blog post on backpacking Mexico after our first 6-week trip there–and we’ve since returned again, falling even more in love with … Read more
I remember so clearly putting together our first packing list for Central America and Mexico. We were simultaneously afraid to overpack and afraid to under pack, afraid to forget something important, afraid of getting tired of hauling everything around, afraid of losing essential items… Suffice it to say, we’re a lot more confident in our … Read more
Looking for the best souvenirs from Portugal to shop for on your trip? We’ve got you covered! There are near-limitless fun things to dream about and budget for when gearing up for a trip to Portugal, and planning what to buy in Portugal is definitely among them! Portuguese souvenirs are a fantastic way to bring … Read more
Drenched in American history, architectural charm, and a delicious food scene that is all its own (hello Philly cheesesteaks and whoopie pies!), spending a long weekend in Philadelphia makes for an excellent short trip. In some moments, Philly is reminiscent of both Boston and New York, but ultimately, the “City of Brotherly Love” and first … Read more
Featuring gorgeous architecture and even better views, visiting the small but delightful Pienza, Italy is a fantastic addition to any trip to Tuscany. Located in the famous Val d’Orcia, Pienza is known as the “Ideal Renaissance Town” thanks to the vision of Enea Silvio Piccolomini (later Pope Pius II), who was able to influence the … Read more
From redwood forests in the north to vast deserts in the south, a stunning coastline in the west to the craggy mountain peaks and alpine lakes in the east, the sheer diversity of the most beautiful places to visit in California is mind-boggling. With more national parks than any other state in the USA and … Read more
From climbing pyramids to learning about life in Mexico hundreds (or even a thousand) years ago, visiting the many incredible ruins in Mexico–with the Mayan and Aztec ruins being the most famous–is a fascinating experience. Sure, there are world-famous Mexico ruins like Chichen Itza (and they’re certainly worth a visit), but dive off the beaten … Read more
Thundering waterfalls, soothing geothermal springs, glistening glaciers, and snowcapped peaks: these are just a few of the otherworldly things to see on a 10 day Iceland Ring Road trip itinerary! Iceland’s landscapes absolutely blew us away: this magnificent island is home to some truly awe-inspiring scenery and wildlife. Add in easily accessible adventure activities like … Read more
Soft white sand, glittering turquoise water, and picturesque palm trees: if you’re looking for a Caribbean paradise, the best beaches in the US Virgin Islands have you covered. Add in 12 months worth of sunshine, a relatively short flight from the mainland, and access to Virgin Islands National Park, and it’s easy to see why … Read more
If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, there’s a very good chance that you’ll need to travel from Lisbon to Porto at some point, whether that’s by train, bus, or taking a drive! As American expats who live in Lisbon and adore visiting Porto, we’ve had the opportunity to travel between the two cities several … Read more
With their long histories, excellent food, distinct cultures, and often whimsical (to put it nicely) layouts, the most beautiful East Coast cities easily rank among the best weekend getaway destinations in the USA! From the beaches of Miami to the lighthouses of New England, there is no shortage of variety when looking for unique East … Read more
With its beautiful 18th-century architecture, dripping Spanish moss, delectable food, and variety of things to do, there’s no doubt that spending one day in Savannah, GA, is always worth it. No matter how long or far we travel (50+ countries and counting!), we will always rank Savannah among our favorite cities in the world, and … Read more
From the dramatic coastline of the Algarve to the stunning terraces of the Duoro Valley, and from the quaint charms of Obidos to the otherworldly palaces of Sintra, there is no shortage of amazing places to visit on a Portugal road trip. Nestled in the southwest corner of mainland Europe, driving through Portugal offers a … Read more
Nestled amongst the iconic vineyards of southwest France, discovering the best things to do in Saint-Emilion is a feast for all the senses. From its underground church carved of stone to its bell tower that we had to lock ourselves into to climb, and from its world-famous wines to its quiet corners, Saint-Emilion, France (also … Read more
As the second-oldest town in North Carolina and the first capital of the state (however briefly), it’s no surprise that there are plenty of incredible things to do in New Bern, NC. From charming brick sidewalks leading to quirky local shops to interesting museums and delicious restaurants, there are lots of New Bern activities to … Read more
There are so many things to love about visiting Jordan, from the majesty of Petra to the otherworldly landscape of Wadi Rum to the fact that with even 5 days in Jordan, you can craft a Jordan itinerary that you’ll never forget! Jordan’s small size and ease of travel make it a fantastic introduction to … Read more
Trying to decide whether to visit Lisbon or Porto on your next trip to Portugal? You have your work cut out for you! As an American who lives in Lisbon and has flirted with the idea of moving to Porto many times, I know exactly how difficult it can be to decide which of Portugal’s … Read more
Arguably the most famous bookstore in Portugal, Livraria Lello is devastatingly beautiful and one of the most popular places to visit in Porto. With (loose) ties to Harry Potter, a staircase that looks like it was ripped right out of a fairytale castle, and an easy-to-access location near the popular Igreja do Carmo in central … Read more
From the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains to the sandy beaches of the Lowcountry, and from the music of Nashville to the food scene of New Orleans, there is no shortage of wonderful options when looking for the best southern USA road trip itineraries. I’ve been taking road trips in the south for my … Read more
Magnificient, multi-colored, and imposing, the dramatic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore deserves its status as one of the most iconic buildings in Italy–but in order to get the most out of visiting the Duomo in Florence, you’ll need to do more than simply step inside! Thanks to the many things to do there, visiting … Read more
Magical desert sunsets, the sensation of velvety sand slipping underneath your toes, and a night sky so packed with stars that you can’t stop marveling at it: if these experiences are on your Jordan bucket list, camping in Wadi Rum is a must during your trip! With its majestic rock formations, seemingly never-ending stretches of … Read more