• Central Park lake
    NYC,  Travel Guides,  USA

    The 30 Best Free Things to Do in New York City

    Start spreading the news … New York City was recently named the best city in the world! This comes as no surprise to those of us who have lived or spent much of our time here. However, it is a well-known fact that the greatest city in the world is also THE MOST EXPENSIVE.  While many of us who have called this city home have become immune to paying $15 for a salad or $20 for a drink (not even kidding, guys), the over 5 million visitors who make their way to New York City on vacation each month are not.  Fortunately, there are so many things visitors can see…

  • City of Cascia from the top
    Europe,  Italy,  Photo Summaries

    My Miracle at St. Rita’s Basilica

    High in the mountains of Cascia, Umbria, a beautiful sanctuary provides a peaceful place of prayer and contemplation to followers of the patron saint of impossible cases, Saint Rita. The sanctuary is a 3-hour bus ride from the center of Rome. The catch? Staples There is only one bus per day that takes you directly to the sanctuary and only one that makes the trip back to Rome. THAT’S IT.   The total trip is 3 hours long but makes 3 stops along the way, only to change buses warning! there are no bathroom breaks. Once in Cascia, you have 5 hours to explore as the return bus picks everyone up promptly at 3:30PM in the exact place…

  • citta alta venetian walls city in distance
    Europe,  Italy,  Photo Summaries

    Citta Alta: Bergamo’s Best Kept Secret

    Tucked away at the foot of the Alps, bordering Switzerland, Milan and a mere hour drive to Lake Como, you will find the small but beautiful city of Bergamo. Recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, Bergamo is one of the most interesting, yet underrated cities in all of Italy. Among the many things to see and do in this historic city, my absolute favorite place to visit is a hidden gem called Citta Alta. Ironically, the only “hidden” thing about this city is that, for the most part, it is devoid of tourists – especially in comparison to the amount of people that swarm the main cities you…

  • sunset antwerp mas museum
    Belgium,  Europe,  Photo Summaries

    Discovering Antwerp in One Day

    In my quest for a new fashion adventure, I came across a must-see museum in Antwerp, a small city in Belgium known for fashion, diamonds and The Antwerp Six. The Antwerp Six are a group of six avant-garde designers graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp including: Walter Van Beirendonck, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs and Marina Yee – who put Antwerp on the map within the fashion world. Coming from Amsterdam, Antwerp was the perfect stop on the itinerary on my way to Brussels. I bought a train ticket on Trainline, my go-to train ticketing site, and planned a short 24-hour stay on…

  • Girona, Spain Temps de Flors
    Europe,  Photo Summaries,  Spain

    The Best Things to Do in Girona, Spain

    There are few places in the world that can take you back to the times of medieval wars by way of powerful structures and historically rich buildings while also completely taking your breath away. Girona has a way of doing all this and more. Known for having one of Spain’s last surviving Jewish Quarters, spectacular yearly flower festival – Temps de Flors, and most recently for portraying the mythical city of Braavos in a little TV show called Game of Thrones, the city is packed with some of the most interesting things to see and learn about in all of Spain. Only an hour and a half drive from Barcelona and about a 30-minute cab…

  • map money camera compass cactus
    Tips,  Travel Hacks,  Travel Planning

    How To Save Hundreds When You Travel By Avoiding These Simple Mistakes

    As an avid traveler and travel writer, I am often overjoyed to hear about places and experiences other people share with me – especially if it’s somewhere I have yet to visit that is on my list. Unfortunately, there are times when hearing these stories make me realize people are spending a lot more money than they need to simply because they are making travel mistakes. During a recent family gathering, my cousins had just come back from a summer vacation in Aruba with their parents and were telling me all about it. Rather than go on about the beauty of the island or the activities they participated in, they…

  • trento italy mountains scenic view
    Italy,  Travel,  Travel Guides

    A Travel Guide to Trento, Italy: The Most Beautiful City You’ve Never Heard Of

    Discovering Trento: Italy’s Most Beautiful Secret City A TRAVEL GUIDE Have you ever heard of Trento? Before making my way to this breathtaking little city in Italy, I hadn’t either. While I have marveled at the beauty of other Italian cities like Citta Alta and Cascia, visiting Trento was an experience on a whole new level. The city is packed with activities for the likes of every traveler, whether you’re an adventure seeker or simply want to relax and take in the beauty all around. As a travel writer and curious explorer, I am often eager to share my experiences of places I have been to in the hopes of…

  • Desk cell apps planning travel
    Tips,  Travel Essentials,  Travel Planning

    The Best Free Apps Every Traveler Needs For Their Next Trip

    Technology has made it possible for us to get virtually anything we want with the touch of a button or the swipe of our phones. Groceries, clothes, movies, dates. The possibilities are endless. While things like cell phones, tablets and laptops have taken over our lives served as excellent social tools, the majority of people aren’t taking advantage of all the things technology truly has to offer while traveling. The problem is not necessarily that people aren’t aware travel apps exist – it’s that there are just too many. It seems that everyday a new app is put on the market that promises to do everything for you, causing oversaturation in the…

  • venice, italy at sunset canal water buildings
    Europe,  Italy,  Travel Tips

    My Suitcase Was Stolen: How I Got $700 Insurance Reimbursement From Trenitalia

    My travel adventures as a solo backpacker ironically started after my suitcase was stolen off of a train in Italy during the second week of my very first 3-month solo trip around Europe.  My stolen suitcase fiasco was a combination of trusting the train conductors to keep my stuff safe and really, just being too trusting in general/not knowing better. However, as common as these stories are, it definitely doesn’t make them any less traumatic as they are happening. For many people, one of the hardest things to do when something bad happens and you’re on your own is think clearly. This is especially true when it’s something you never…

  • Virtual Tours Taj Mahal Covid19
    Travel,  Travel From Home,  Virtual Tours

    Virtual Tours of the World: Travel From Your Home

    All around the world tourism has declined in the recent weeks, leaving the travel industry with a massive loss and very few options to consider. Fortunately, many organizations have stepped up to provide a front row seat to their incredible experiences through virtual tours. This, undoubtedly, to boost morale during these difficult, uncertain times while helping to satisfy our wanderlust until we’re able to get out there and travel once again.    As the itch to get out of the house and travel grows, these tours will provide an escape from reality as well as an opportunity to learn new things and even involve the family in your adventures. The…