Europe
One week in Portugal: The Ultimate Portugal Itinerary
Portugal has quickly become one of the most popular destinations in Europe. The promise of exciting cities, a beautiful coastline filled with beaches, good food and wine, and reasonable prices is hard for any traveller to resist. But what if you are short on time? Is it worth it to do just one week in…
How to Best Spend 2 Days in Porto, Portugal
I spent an amazing (though fast) week in Portugal and quickly fell in love. The beautiful cities, affordable prices, and friendly locals made it a fast favourite. Not to mention I felt completely welcome and safe travelling solo in Portugal. However, while I enjoyed the whole trip it was Porto that I liked the most.…
Best Places to Travel Solo: Portugal
Portugal seems to have become an ‘it’ destination over the last years, and having been, I can see why. It’s a gorgeous country with friendly people and lots to see and do. I spent a week travelling solo in Portugal. I went from Porto to Faro; exploring cities, castles, and the wine region of Douro…
The Best Things to do in Eze, France: A Day Trip from Nice
The French Riveria is a beautiful part of France to visit. There’s no shortage of charming coastal towns here and after spending a week based in Nice, I enjoyed exploring a few of them. However, without a doubt, my favourite was the cliff-side village of Eze. I visited Eze as a day trip from Nice…
How to Spend 5 Days in Nice, France
Are you headed to the French Riviera for a few days and looking for ideas of what to see and do? I did this a few years ago and had a great time soaking up the sun and exploring coastal towns while using Nice as my base. With easy access to nearby towns, plenty of…
How to Spend 3 Days in Lake Garda
When it comes to Italian Lakes, Como tends to get all the attention. Granted, it is beautiful, but it’s also quite busy and expensive. So much so that instead of staying there, I decided to go to Lake Como as a day trip from Milan. However, there’s another (even bigger) lake in Italy that is…
The Best of Copenhagen in 1 Day
I didn’t plan on only having 1 day in Copenhagen. But of course, as is often the case when travelling, a lot can happen to throw your plans down the drain. This time it was a majorly delayed flight that saw me spending nearly an entire day in the Dublin airport instead of hanging out…
The Best Pubs in Dublin – According to Locals!
Ireland is my home away from home and holds a special place in my heart and while Galway, which is where I lived, will always be my number 1 I do have a soft spot for Dublin as well. Yes it’s busier and more expensive but its a really great city to explore and has…
The Best Pubs in Galway: Music, Pints, and Irish Craic
Anyone who’s been to Ireland knows that as amazing as Dublin’s pubs may be, the real craic is in Galway. Sure, I may be biased as Galway was once a place that I called home, but I’m not alone in my thoughts. Even the locals agree that Galway’s craic is top notch, with many of…
The Best Castle Hotels in Scotland
Scotland has a ton of charm. From the dark, medieval city of Edinburgh, to the mysterious Loch Ness, and the fairy stories of the stunning Isle of Skye; this small island country is filled with magic. But while the folklore and landscapes are fun to explore, there’s another way to add some magic to your…
How to Spend 2 Days in Edinburgh
Going to Edinburgh was my first real solo backpacking experience. Sure I’d been living in Ireland for a few weeks by then and seen a bit of the country, but I had either been with my parents or close enough to my new home that I didn’t feel that it really counted. I chose Scotland…
The Best of: Amsterdam in 1 Day
Amsterdam is a popular European travel destination and while many come to spend a few days or even a week, it’s also common for visitors to only have one day in Amsterdam. This may be due to a layover, a river cruise, or perhaps just a planned day trip from a nearby city. While I…
Going to a Peep Show in Amsterdam: My Red Light District Experience
What comes to mind when you think of Amsterdam? Is the tulips? Windmills? Cute wooden clogs? Probably not. While these things are associated with Amsterdam, most tourists know it for two other things: marijuana and the Red Light District, or basically, sex. Pretty much anything to do with sex really; sex shops, condom shops, live…
The Best of Riga in 2 Days
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is still considered to be ‘off the beaten track’ for many travellers, especially non-Europeans. When I visited, I was the only North American in my hostel. I surprised a lot of people when I told them I was Canadian which was actually kind of fun. Despite being under the radar, Riga…
The Do’s and Dont’s of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is probably one of the first things you think of when someone mentions Iceland, and it’s easy to understand why. The milky-blue water set in the middle of a volcanic landscape is extraordinary. And the idea of warm soothing heat to help relax and heal your tired body? Well that helps too. Especially…
3 days in Iceland Itinerary: See the Best of Iceland
Ah Iceland. It’s hard to believe that it wasn’t that long ago that very few people considered this country as a tourist destination. Thanks to Game of Thrones and social media, that’s all now changed. But even when I first visited in 2012 people were more confused than interested. Looking back on the Iceland that…
3 Days in Venice: The Perfect Venice Itinerary
I’ve been to dozens of cities around the world and yet Venice remains a favourite. There is something truly magical about this city with its canals instead of roads, gondolas instead of cars, and endless palaces. I’ve travelled solo to Venice three times now, my most recent visit was a week long. While some may…
How to Plan a Day Trip to Lake Como From Milan
Lake Como is one of the most popular places in Italy. Famous for its resort towns and villas, Lake Como has a reputation for being a playground for the rich and famous. Which of course, means that when it comes to travel in Italy, Lake Como has a reputation for being a more expensive destination,…
How to Spend 3 Days in Milan, Italy
Most people dream about visiting Italy, but when it comes to Milan you tend to hear a lot of mixed reviews. As the fashion capital of the world, Milan is a hit with some people. However, others claim that this Italian city is boring and expensive and suggest going elsewhere. I’ll be honest, Milan was…
Best Places to Travel Solo: Venice
Think Venice is only for couples on romantic vacations? I dare you to think again. Venice seems to be a hit or a miss with most people. A lot of visitors downplay this infamous city, claiming it’s too touristic, too expensive, or even too fake. I disagree completely. Venice is one of my favourite cities.…
Things to do in Trieste, Italy
Trieste, Italy wasn’t really somewhere I ever expected to go until I found a cheap flight. I only spent two days in this coastal city and quickly came to appreciate its quiet charms. It may not have as much to do as Rome, be as beautiful as Venice, or have the foodie scene of Bologna,…
Bologna to San Marino: A San Marino Day Trip
Castle-lake towers, winding cobblestone streets, and a crossbow association: this is San Marino. One of the smallest countries in the world and an absolute must-visit if you find yourself in the area. In the blog post I’m sharing how you can plan the perfect San Marino day trip from Bologna. A Little Bit About San…
Things to do in Bologna, Italy: A Bologna Itinerary for Food Lovers
I ended up in Bologna by accident. Well, sort of. I didn’t take the wrong train or anything but it was a last minute decision after my plans in Venice fell through due to flooding. I’ll admit, Bologna was not my favourite city of Italy. I spent 2 full days there but, to be honest,…
How to Spend 3 Days in Malta
How long should I spend in Malta? It was a question I asked several friends and I got varied answers. Some said a couple of days while others told me they could easily spend a month. I settled for a week thinking that even thought I was visiting in November, it would still be warm…
Solo Travel in Malta: Tips, Advice, and Thoughts
When I booked my flight to Malta I didn’t really know what to expect. Some people told me they loved it. Others said it was small and boring and there wasn’t much to do. I heard from many people that the natural scenery was beautiful but others complained about the crowds, especially when cruise ships…