Have your heart on visiting a famously sunny, colorful, and beautiful place in southern Europe… but struggling to choose whether visit Spain or Portugal? If so, then this guide to Portugal vs Spain, travel edition, is for you! I spent a bit over a year living in Lisbon, Portugal, and have visited Spain more times …
A legendary food scene, a gently rolling countryside, surprising cities, world-class art that you may not have heard of, and a distinct lack of crowds: these are just a few things waiting to be discovered as part of a 7 day Emilia-Romagna itinerary! Sandwiched between many of the most popular places to visit in Italy …
Bustling and beautiful, Barcelona is one of Spain’s top city breaks for good reason–but if you want your trip to Catalonia to extend outside the region’s capital, there is a dizzying array of options for incredible day trips from Barcelona! From beach towns to a memorable monastery to a very exciting day trip that leaves …
With its winding cobblestone lanes, colorful buildings, bustling shops, and a plethora of classic Roman restaurants, it’s no surprise that Rome’s Trastevere is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the Eternal City! Set just across the Tiber from Centro Storico (the name “Trastevere” literally translates more or less as “across the Tiber”), visiting Trastevere …
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about putting together the perfect packing list for Europe in spring, it’s to always expect the weather to be both colder and rainier than you hope for… especially if, like us, you hail from a climate where summer temperatures start sneaking into the calendar as early as March or …
If your idea for the perfect European getaway is combining a city break with a beach vacation, then these gorgeous beach cities in Europe are for you! While we love traditional beach towns as much as the next travelers (here are some of the best ones in Italy, Spain, and Portugal), there’s something especially delightful …
Savannah is famous for being one of the most walkable cities in the USA–and there’s no better way to appreciate that than by strolling down some of the prettiest streets in Savannah! Wandering on foot semi-aimlessly through the Historic District is easily one of our favorite pastimes when visiting Savannah, and it’s definitely worth leaving …
Perched high on a hill and far off the beaten path in eastern Portugal, the tiny rock town of Monsanto has been voted the “Most Portuguese Village in Portugal”–and yet, this village is incredibly unique, unlike any other place in the country. Overlooked by the imposing Castle of Monsanto, this beautiful village is famous for …
The gorgeous beach resort town of Cascais, Portugal is a fantastic place to spend a day (or a week)–and since traveling from Lisbon to Cascais takes well under an hour, it’s no surprise that taking a day trip to Cascais is incredibly popular with Lisbon locals and visitors alike. If you’re planning to travel from …
Traveling to Paris for the first time and want to make sure you’re planning the perfect trip? After about 10 trips to Paris (and counting!) we have plenty of tips to offer on planning a trip to Paris for the first time. We count the City of Lights among our favorite cities on the planet, …
Winding cobblestone lanes, artistic haunts, endless cafes, and historic cabarets, all topped off with a basilica that stands proudly on the highest hill in Paris: Montmartre has long captured the hearts of travelers, and with so many wonderful things to do in Montmartre, it’s not hard to see why! Once the home of artists like …
If you’re dreaming of enjoying early mornings among ancient monuments, afternoons by the sparkling sea, and evenings exploring on foot with (yet another) scoop of gelato in hand, it’s safe to say that this guide to spending the summer in Italy is for you! A quick glance at the map is enough to see why …
With incredible access to outdoor adventure, excellent food, a delightful array of breweries, and interesting history, the best mountain towns in Colorado make for incredible vacations. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Colorado enough times to have lost count, visiting cities, small towns, countless hiking trails, and each of the Centennial State’s 4 national parks …
When it comes to the northern Italy vs southern Italy debate, one thing is clear: deciding which region is right to visit is a challenge! Add in beautiful central Italy, too, which we also cover in this travel guide, and the choice becomes an even bigger challenge. If you’re in the beginning stages of planning …
When it comes to enjoying the best of Tuscany, spring has so much to offer. From wildflowers to reduced crowds to the spring harvest, visiting Tuscany in spring is a magnificent experience–and one that we’ve been lucky enough to enjoy many times over! We’ve visited Tuscany repeatedly during March, April, and May, and while it’s …
Beaches, monasteries, small towns, palaces, and even islands: there is truly no shortage of incredible day trips from Lisbon, Portugal! After spending more than a year living in Lisbon, I’m convinced that it offers more variety and beauty in its day trip options than most capital cities in Europe (which is quite the high bar). …
With its tantalizing maze of small streets, quirky museums, and unique neighborhoods, seeking out all of the incredible secret spots in Lisbon is a delight! While a couple of decades ago you could easily argue that the city of Lisbon itself–not to mention Portugal as a whole–was a hidden gem, today, travelers need to work …
When it comes to exploring our backyard, there’s no kind of trip that Americans hold nearer and dearer to our hearts than the delights of summer vacations in the USA. There’s an exhilarating freedom that comes with hitting the open road in the US in June, July, and August, no matter how many years it …
From admiring the Eiffel Tower to exploring world-class art in the Louvre to buying your first croissant in a true Parisian boulangerie, there are countless wonderful things to be excited about when planning a trip to Paris–and that includes shopping for the best Paris souvenirs! The City of Light is synonymous with fashion, art, and …
Iconic, imposing, and beautiful, there’s no doubt that visiting the Arc de Triomphe is one of the best things to do in Paris, whether or not you choose to climb to the top! We’ve been lucky enough to visit the monument enough times that we’ve stopped keeping count, and have had the chance to climb …
Situated along the banks of the Tagus River, it’s safe to say that the many beautiful views and exciting attractions in Belém, Lisbon, make it one of the top places to visit in the city! The neighborhood of Belém is incredibly significant to the history of Lisbon, and–thanks to being spared during the infamous 1755 …
Stand along Venice’s famous Riva degli Schiavoni, staring out over the Venetian Lagoon, and you’ll quickly notice something enticing about this unique city: the dense historic center is only one of many islands in Venice. Technically, the historic center itself is made up of many Venetian islands, but islands that are so tightly knit that …
Planning a European getaway for two and looking for the most romantic cities in Europe? We’ve rounded up the most exciting options here! For years now, we’ve been traveling Europe as a couple extensively, visiting most of the continent’s countries and countless cities, towns, and regions along the way. And, as a result, we’ve compiled …
Nestled in central Europe and dominated by the Alps, the best places to visit in Switzerland are downright sublime. When it comes to jaw-dropping landscapes, quaint small towns, and enchanting cities that perfectly blend the past, present, and future, nowhere does it quite like Switzerland. Many people (us included) put off planning trips to Switzerland’s …
The laid-back city of Parma, Italy may be most famous for its cheese and ham (hello, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma!), but that only scratches the surface of the fun things to do in Parma that make this city so special. Set along extremely convenient train routes in Emilia-Romagna, you’ll find Parma about 60 miles/100 …
Planning an overseas trip soon and curious about finding and using toilets in Europe? If you’ve been researching for a trip, odds are that you’ve heard plenty of rumors about European toilets, especially that you have to pay to use them! If you’re hoping to separate rumor from fact when planning your first trip to …
Tiny, beautiful, and firmly off the beaten path for most travelers visiting Italy, Castell’Arquato is a gorgeous medieval town that makes a fun addition to a trip to Emilia-Romagna! Dominated by its castle perched at the top of the town’s hill, Castell’Arquato (also sometimes written as Castell Arquato or Castel’Arquato) doesn’t take long to explore–but …
I have been dreaming of visiting the jaw-dropping Ravenna mosaics for years–and I still managed to underestimate just how absolutely magnificent they are to admire in person. Tucked away in the eastern part of Emilia-Romagna, Ravenna sees far fewer visitors each year than hotspots like Rome and Florence, and yet, it’s home to some of …
The secret is definitely out: visiting Lisbon, Portugal is an absolute delight! While this sunny, colorful capital city may have been under the radar a decade or two ago, today it is deservedly popular with travelers near and far. As beautiful as Lisbon is, though, there are definitely some quirks to keep in mind when …
If you’re planning your first trip to Spain and are hoping to sample a variety of what makes this sun-drenched country special, we designed this 10 day Spain itinerary for you! Spain has had a special place in our hearts ever since we landed in Madrid for the first time when kicking off our supposed …