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 …
There’s just something about packing for a road trip that never fails to make my heart beat faster. Flights and train rides 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 …
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 …
Ireland is a phenomenal travel destination, 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 extra gear around the Emerald Isle! We’ve now spent more than a month exploring Ireland in-depth …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 the sizzling summer beaches …
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 …
Here’s a not-so-secret fact about us: fall is our favorite time to travel in Europe (and packing for fall in Europe is extra fun, too). 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 …
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 …
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 …
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! …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
The first time we visited New Orleans in January, it was an accident of timing: we found a good flight deal out of the city to our next stop (this was back during our full-time travel days), had been meaning to visit the Big Easy for years, and figured now was as good of a …
In a city where every month brings its charms, November in Paris manages to stand out. With its rainy, short days and notoriously gray skies, November isn’t an immediately obvious choice for an ideal time to visit Paris–but for the right traveler, it can be a delight. It’s a bit unconventional, but truthfully, November is …
From the rocky shoreline of Maine to the soft sand of Miami’s iconic South Beach, it’s safe to say that there is no shortage of beautiful beaches on the East Coast–or fun East Coast beach towns where you can base yourself to enjoy them! Whether you’re looking for a laid-back, kid-friendly town, a glitzy coastal …
If you’re looking to leave Amsterdam behind for a day to appreciate a smaller and quieter, but no less beautiful, Dutch city, consider hopping on a train to take a day trip to Delft from Amsterdam! While Amsterdam is by far the most famous city to visit in the Netherlands, it is far from the …
Malta’s Blue Grotto, with its bright blue water and striking caves, is easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in this small island nation–quite a feat for such a beautiful place! Its name comes from the otherworldly blue hue that illuminates the inside of the cavernous grotto that runs along the southern coast. …
If you’re dreaming of a classic spring vacation in the Netherlands that features colorful tulips, lively streets and markets, and of course beautiful canals, then planning a trip to Amsterdam in April might be right for you! I absolutely loved my spring trip to Amsterdam in April (which, yes, like just about everyone else’s, was …
Traveling to Portugal for the first time and want to make sure that you’re planning the perfect trip? After living in Lisbon as American ex-pats, we have lots of tips (spread across dozens of blog posts and counting) for planning a trip to Portugal! We’ve compiled this simple checklist for planning your first trip to …
Portugal is famous as a winter sun destination with (relatively) warm weather–but what’s visiting Portugal in winter actually like? Here’s a hint: you’ll need to pack a coat… but you’ll also be able to spend sunny days on the beach! We spent more than a year living in Lisbon as American ex-pats, and winter is …
Some cities are just so relaxing, and so downright enjoyable, that visiting always puts a smile on your face–and after spending one day in Munich, we hope you’ll agree that the capital of Bavaria is one of them! Munich always brings to mind the word livable for us: while the sightseeing is excellent, it’s the …