Tag: Europe

Belgium, Destinations, Travel

Beyond the Basics: A Weekend Travel Guide for Brussels, Belgium

Alyssa and Michael in Brussels City Center

Brussels was the city I was least excited to visit on my recent trip to Europe: I’d heard the city was crowded and dirty, and that it has a reputation for being a bit dangerous. I might have even only trekked in for a day trip or skipped it entirely, were it not for the …

Belgium, Destinations, Travel

Like a Fairytale: A Day Trip Guide to Bruges, Belgium

The Bruges Belfry in the sunlight

Sharing a day-trip guide to Bruges, Belgium Bruges (or Brugge) is indeed, as you may have heard, like a fairytale. Located in Flanders, just 25 minutes by train from Ghent, the historic center of Bruges has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval architecture and is well worth a day trip. …

Belgium, Destinations, Travel

The Ultimate Travel Guide for Ghent, Belgium

View of Ghent from Gravensteen

My top picks for a weekend in Ghent, Belgium – including all the best places to eat, drink, and shop!

Belgium, Food, Recipes

A Recipe Inspired by a Trip to Belgium: Sugar-Studded Liege Waffles

A tray of liege waffles

While in Belgium recently, I can’t even begin to tell you how much time Michael and I spent hunched over our phones, searching for “Best Liege waffles in *current Belgian city*,” which is probably good because it would really be an embarrassing number calculated in hours, not minutes. All in search of an ultimately elusive …

Destinations, Luxembourg, Travel

36 Hours in Luxembourg City

Luxembourg

I think I got off on the wrong foot with little Luxembourg. My journey by train from Amsterdam was met with sudden route changes, extending my transit time from the better part of a morning to a full seven hours – which meant I was filled with a bit of regret before Michael and I …

Destinations, Netherlands, Travel

Dutch Day Trip Guide for Delft and The Hague

Alyssa stands in front of a canal in Delft

Tell someone you’re heading to Delft and they’ll immediately conjure up either: mental pictures of scenic canals and swimming patterns of blue and white pottery, or a faintly hidden look of confusion. Delft is tiny yet has been established on the tourist trek – but if you’re willing to give a wide berth to the …

Destinations, Netherlands, Travel

Rotterdam Day Trip + Visit to Kinderdijk

A windmill at Kinderdijk in The Netherlands

The Netherlands’ second city doesn’t get nearly the amount of attention it deserves – which makes it a great day-trip destination. The city’s industrial and young, cool vibe provides an alternate view of the Dutch – one you might miss if you only stay in Amsterdam. Yet, its proximity to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage …

Destinations, Netherlands, Travel, Travel Tips

Getting from A to B: What You Need to Know About Public Transit in Amsterdam

Tram lines in the sky at sunset in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a city best explored on foot or by bicycle as it is compact, well-organized, and features plenty of walking and biking lanes. That being said, there are times when it makes more sense to travel across the city via a faster method: when you’re in a hurry, when you are heading clear across …

Destinations, Netherlands, Travel

Retail Therapy: The Amsterdam Stores That Are Worth Your Time and Money

Alyssa shops in Amsterdam at Charlie + Mary

Shopping no longer holds the key to my heart the way it once did – and as such it no longer holds a strong spot in my travel itinerary, either. However, there is something so fun about responding, “Oh this? I got it in Paris/New York/Amsterdam/wherever,” when someone asks you about your outfit. A recent …

Destinations, Netherlands, Travel

The Ultimate First-Timer’s Guide to Amsterdam’s Top Sights and Attractions

Alyssa stands near bicycles along a canal in Amsterdam

Like London (or as I most recently discovered, Mexico City), Amsterdam has no shortage of museums and other sightseeing opportunities. From the awe-inspiring and profound to the fun and quirky, you won’t find any complaints of boredom in the city. I covered a lot of ground in Amsterdam recently, spending a week based in the …