-
Costa Rica with a Toddler: La Fortuna & Playa Hermosa Itinerary
Earlier this year, my husband and I wanted to plan a getaway toward the end of winter or early spring. We picked a handful of places that could be nice to visit around the timeframe we had in mind and then checked flight prices to help us decide. In the end, we found ridiculously cheap flights to Costa Rica at the tail end of the dry season (mid-December to April). Costa Rica has been high on our bucket list of places we’d love to visit, so we were really excited to finally make the trip. There are so many cool regions to explore that we were debating a few different…
-
Bratislava Day Trip: What to See and Do
While working as a Teaching Assistant in France, I took a two-week trip through Central Europe and visited four new countries! In researching my trip, I learned that Bratislava, Slovakia is very close to Vienna, Austria and decided to make a day trip during my stay. Bratislava is Slovakia’s capital, a compact city on the Danube River that sits right near both the Austrian and Hungarian borders. It’s known for its hilltop castle, a colorful walkable Old Town, and quirky bronze statues scattered through the streets, making it easy to see the highlights in a single day. Bratislava is just about an hour from Vienna by train or bus, only…
-
2-Week Central Europe Itinerary: Budapest, Vienna & Prague
While working in France as a Teaching Assistant, I got two weeks off every couple of months! I often took advantage of the cheap transit options in Europe to frolic during my holiday breaks. During one holiday break, I took a solo trip through Central Europe to Budapest, Vienna, and Prague! It was the perfect opportunity to see several incredible cities in one trip while traveling at my own pace. I added four new countries to my visit list this trip, exploring a region I’d never been to before! This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I more or less knew…
-
Lisbon Layover: Exploring the City on Foot
On one of my trips to Morocco, I saw some cheaper flights with layovers in Lisbon and decided to make a one day layover into a mini solo adventure! I was flying home from Morocco earlier than my husband, and spent the day walking around exploring Lisbon. I was tickled to add a new country to my list that I’ve visited and was really impressed by the stunning city. I would 100% do it again and explore some more! Lisbon (or Lisboa) is Portugal’s colorful capital, with winding streets, historic neighborhoods, and iconic yellow trams. Built across hills overlooking the Tagus River, Lisbon has lively energy with old-world charm. I…
-
Glamping with the Tuaregs in Zagora, Morocco
One of my most memorable experiences from my trips to Morocco is hands down glamping in the desert in Zagora! On one of my visits before having my daughter, we drove a loop around Southern Morocco and stayed at a campsite in Zagora hosted by Tuareg. The Tuareg are traditionally nomadic indigenous Amazigh people of the Sahara, across North and West Africa. They sometimes are called the “Blue People of the Sahara” nicknamed after the men’s traditional indigo clothing and veils. They have strong tradition of storytelling and music, and it was such an amazing experience to learn about their culture at this campsite. Camel Ride In the tour that…
-
Agadir Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Morocco’s Coastal City
Although we haven’t always made it as far south as Agadir on each Morocco trip, this city is one that I always look forward to visiting when we can. My husband went to high school here and considers this city to be his hometown. Located along Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Agadir has a very different feel from cities like Marrakech and Fes. While Marrakech draws visitors with its historic medina, colorful souks, and palaces, Agadir is a modern seaside city known for its long sandy beach, waterfront promenade, nearby mountains, and strong Amazigh culture. Whether you’re adding Agadir to a Southern Morocco road trip, looking for a relaxing few days by…
-
Marrakech Highlights: What Not to Miss in the Red City
Marrakech was the first city I visited in Morocco, and it’s the one I have spent the most time in consistently each visit. Although I love visiting the coast, Marrakech is definitely one of my favorites because it is such a vibrant city – both day and night. Experiencing the energy of Jemaa el-Fnaa, wandering through the colorful souks, and soaking in Marrakech’s lively nightlife never gets old. The first thing that struck me about Marrakech was the crazy traffic! The roads are pure chaos but somehow it works. It’s a bit surreal to witness expensive sports cars sharing the roads with mules and families piled onto small motorbikes, all…
-
The Ultimate Southern Morocco Itinerary: Desert, Beaches, & Culture
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Morocco many times now, exploring various regions of my husband’s home country. Exploring with locals is really the best way to learn about the culture, and my husband has made sure we visited different areas so I could appreciate all Morocco has to offer. I’ve enjoyed visiting Southern Morocco especially, from bustling Marrakech to the Sahara and popular surf destinations like Agadir. I’ve put together my ideal two-week itinerary exploring all the best of Southern Morocco. If you’re visiting closer to a week to 10 days, then I’d skip the desert part and do a shorter loop from Marrakech to Agadir, Essaouria, and back.…
-
Traveling with a Baby: Everything You Need to Know for Your First Trip
Traveling with a baby seems so intimidating, but it’s absolutely possible with the right preparation. In fact, I think it’s much easier than traveling with a toddler once they are more mobile! I recently wrote some tips for traveling with young toddlers, so I figured I would expand and share some tips and lessons learned for traveling with younger babies (less than a year). This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Accommodation Details When seeking accommodations for a family with a young baby, it’s important to know what details to check. Not all accommodations include cribs – which can be a…
-
Avignon, France: A Guide to the City of Popes
When my mom visited me while I was studying in Paris, we wanted to explore another region. Avignon seemed like a great destination to check out and it was easy to travel there by train! I included Avignon in my post about the perfect Southern France itinerary because it is an easy addition to any trip through Provence or to the French Riviera. Known as the “City of Popes”, Avignon is a medieval city situated along the Rhône River. It’s a walkable city with rich history, iconic landmarks, and a charming old town. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. If…
