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A Budget-Savvy and Family-Focused 3 Day Paris Itinerary
Planning a trip to Paris on a budget while keeping it fun and manageable for the whole family? That was our mission. I was going to title this a budget-friendly family-friendly Paris itinerary, but two “friendlies” seemed a bit repetitive when discussing Paris, France. Jokes aside, my daughter and husband aren’t exactly as go-get-’em as I am when we travel, so I was determined to avoid spending money on big entrance fees if there was a chance they’d want to leave within an hour. With that in mind, I can confidently say this is the ultimate family-friendly, budget-conscious 3 days in Paris to catch the highlights in a more money…
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Craft Beer In Berlin: Touring Brauerei Lemke
Traveling to Germany and indulging in its world-famous beer culture is practically a rite of passage, and Berlin offers the perfect backdrop for this experience. Determined to dive headfirst into the city’s vibrant beer scene, we made it our mission to explore its iconic beer gardens (biergarten) and seek out an unforgettable brewery tour. Among the city’s craft beer pioneers, Brauerei Lemke stood out as the must-visit destination. This microbrewery, at the heart of Berlin’s craft beer revolution, promised not just a taste but an immersion into the artistry of brewing—the guide was informative, the beer was tasty, and we left happy. Take the time to visit Brauerei Lemke in…
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Aullwood Audubon: Where The Giants Meet The Birds
One of the best things about Dayton, Ohio is the accessibility to nature and one of our favorite places to visit to enjoy it and learn at the same time is Aullwood Audubon. As part of the National Audubon Society, Aullwood focuses on teaching people about the environment, sustainable farming, and how to protect and appreciate the world around us. It’s not just a place to visit—it’s a hands-on experience that sparks curiosity and inspires a love for the outdoors, so of course it’s right up our alley. There are some fantastic things to do in Dayton, Ohio. If you’re in the Dayton area and looking for a fantastic thing…
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Jewish Prague: The Four Synagogues You Must See
Prague is home to one of the oldest and most prominent Jewish centers in Central Europe, making a visit to the city incomplete without a stop in Josefov, the historic Jewish Quarter. From Europe’s oldest functioning synagogue to the haunting beauty of the Old Jewish Cemetery, this neighborhood is rich with history and culture, but you’ll have to know where to look to find it. The Jewish Quarter of Prague, Czech Republic is rich with history and culture. Here is where to go to find it: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to…
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Sanssouci Palace Is The Little Palace I Loved Near Berlin
Sanssouci Palace may be small, but its impact is undeniable. Once a cherished retreat for Friedrich the Great, this stunning palace is just a short day trip from Berlin—and it exceeded all my expectations with its intricate decor and thoughtful design, all done by Friedrich himself. With only 10 main rooms, exploring the palace won’t take up your entire day, but each room is a masterpiece of elegance. And a visit to Potsdam isn’t really a visit if you don’t see see Sanssouci. One of the best daytrips from Berlin, Germany is out to Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage…
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From Ruins to Radiance: The Inspiring Tale of Dresden’s Frauenkirche
We’d joined a walking tour of Dresden and the first stop, just to see the exterior at first was the iconic Church of Our Lady, or Frauenkirche. The surrounding plaza was empty so it was just just us and views of this stunning towering facade. A few hours later as our route circled back and we had learned more about the history of Dresden, Germany, we stepped foot inside. After the stories of sheer destruction we’d heard and seeing the pictures of the rubble of Frauenkirche which sat for 45 years after WWII before being rebuilt to what it is today, the beauty was overwhelming. What a show of hope…
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The Food We Loved In The Netherlands… and Some We Didn’t
Having spent two years exploring the traditional foods in the Netherlands, I can confidently say that Dutch cuisine is not all that exciting. While some dishes like stroopwafels and poffertjes consistently called my daughter’s name and kibbeling had us coming back for more, in general, the fare is kind of boring. But don’t let that discourage you! The Netherlands might not offer the foodie adventure of other places, but it does have some straightforward fare to try. Get ready to eat in the Netherlands from restaurant fare to street food carts, here’s what we loved… and what we didn’t. And, if you can’t take it anymore and need food actually…
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6 Must See Annual Events In Haarlem’s Grote Markt
We’ve called Haarlem, Netherlands home for the past two years and during that time, we’ve grown to love some of the amazing annual events that take place in the historic Haarlem Grote Markt. The city square is gorgeous on a normal weekend, but visit when the tulips are in bloom or The first year we lived in Haarlem, we missed a number of the events because we just didn’t hear about them. So to help anyone new to Haarlem, here are the events in downtown Haarlem you absolutely don’t want to miss. Haarlem Netherlands is host to some great annual events. If you’re visiting Netherlands, get ready to head to…
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Why You Can’t Miss The Christmas Market Haarlem
Looking for the largest Christmas Market, or Kerstmarkt, in the Netherlands? You must visit Haarlem. Not only is Haarlem one of the most picturesque cities in the country, and sure I’m biased because I lived there, but it’s also home to the vibrant Grote Markt which hosts some stunning events throughout the year including a cozy holiday market. The Christmas Market in Haarlem is big, and it can be overwhelming with the crowds, but if you know how to meander, where to take breaks, and what else to do in the area, you can spend a great day in Haarlem. We’ve visited the Haarlem Christmas Market twice and here’s what…
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Discover the Bastei Bridge: The Most Popular Place in Germany’s Saxon Switzerland
I had to look at the map three times to confirm we were in Germany despite being told I was in Saxon Switzerland so many times. Wait, where are we? Headed from Prague to Berlin, we stopped to see the famous Basteibrücke, or Bastei Bridge, in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The mountains, part of the Saxon Switzerland National Park which sits on the border of Germany and the Czech Republic is nowhere near Switzerland, but worth the stop. The Bastei Bridge has the highest number of visitors of all lookout points in Saxon Switzerland (which is in Germany). You won’t be the only one there, but you’ll still be impressed…
