How to Spend Halloween in Paris
While Halloween isn’t typically celebrated in Europe, we Americans living here still know how to make the most of it. We also know that it’s more than just a day — it’s a full season, or at least a weekend, long.…
Bruges, Belgium
After an *extremely* difficult nearly three full weeks of teaching 12hrs/week, obviously it was time for a vacation! Traveling is always my big highlight of my vacations from TAPIF. I wanted to kickstart it a bit early this time around with…
Munich Oktoberfest 2022
When I road-tripped from Paris to Munich for Oktoberfest in 2018, I looked back on the trip fondly yet a bit in awe, saying that it was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.” Looks like I was wrong about that! This year, once again,…
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Following Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and Ljubljana/Bled, I finally (somehow) made it to the final destination of my backpacking trip: Dubrovnik, Croatia! The trip getting here wasn’t easy, but after two (very long) FlixBus rides and even a few country border crossings,…
Ljubljana & Bled, Slovenia
After visiting Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna, my winter break trip continued with a visit to Slovenia. While in Slovenia, I saw both a large metropolitan city, Ljubljana, and a small, nature-filled town, Bled. While these places may not be the world’s…
Vienna, Austria
After a tiring and slightly nauseating FlixBus ride from Budapest to Vienna, I was ready to start a new adventure! On day 1 in Vienna, Austria, I walked to my hostel, took a long nap, searched for and devoured a plate…
One day in Bratislava, Slovakia
Almost as soon as I made it from Budapest to Vienna, it was time for the next stop on my Eastern European adventure: Bratislava, Slovakia! I woke up in my Vienna hostel with bus tickets to and from Bratislava ready to…
Budapest, Hungary
I had a wonderful time spending the start of my vacation in Paris with friends, but once that was over, it was time for some travel! About a month ago, I looked at a map and noticed the many destinations in…
Paris Staycation
Once the Vacances d’Hiver officially began in Paris, I had plenty to look forward to! I had already planned and booked an ambitious backpacking trip, but before I would embark on that adventure, I got to experience some fun a bit…
Montmartre Top 10
Often referred to as a charming village within Paris, Montmartre is one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon. The scenery, attractions, and general vibes are somehow different from the rest of the city that surrounds it. Whether you’re checking…
Jan/Feb Day Trips From Paris
While Paris is full of museums, shops, sights, and experiences galore, there are also many easy day trips to take part in in the surrounding area. Personally, I’m a big fan of la carte Navigo, the unlimited transportation pass for Paris…
Visiting the Père Lachaise Cemetery
As one of the most famous cemeteries in the area, the Cimetière du Père Lachaise is a popular destination for Parisian tourists and locals alike. Because it’s on the other side of the city from where I live and spend most…
Le Havre, France
After a stressful week, sometimes, you just need to get away from the pressure and spend a few days somewhere different. Thankfully, I have friends in other parts of France who will quickly welcome me to spend a spontaneous weekend with…
Christmastime in Paris
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year… Especially when you live in Paris! Lights, markets, garlands, and window decor galore line and dot small and large neighborhoods alike all over the city and into the suburbs. Needless to…
French in France & Spanish in Spain
During my recent fall break trip, I decided to spend some time traveling around Spain (Córdoba, Sevilla, Madrid, and Barcelona). One of the driving forces that made me want to explore Spain was that I could practice some of the Spanish…
Brussels, Belgium Day Trip
What can I say… I caught the travel bug again! During my trip to Brussels, I finally crossed off my 15th country, and I also enjoyed numerous sights, new experiences, and foods galore. The plan that began as a girls’ weekend…
Frenchified Thanksgiving Traditions
Thanksgiving is one of the most American holidays you can possibly think of, so being in another country can make it feel strange and even a bit difficult to celebrate. This isn’t the first time I have spent Thanksgiving in France,…
Escape to the Château de Versailles
Just a short train ride away from Paris is one of the true crown jewels of the region, the Château de Versailles. Also known as the Palace of Versailles, this structure holds a rich cultural and historical significance. Plus, it’s absolutely…
Barcelona Halloweekend
After visits to Amsterdam, Sevilla, Córdoba, and Madrid, as well as a very long eight hour bus ride over night, Riana and I finally made it to Barcelona! We were excited to get the weekend started, but if you remember, this…
Madrid, Spain
After Amsterdam, Sevilla, and Córdoba, the next stop on our great Spanish adventure was Madrid! While I know many people who have studied abroad or worked here and have great things to say about the city, I didn’t know much of…
Sevilla, Spain
Every six weeks, the French school system gives students (and teachers!) two full weeks of vacation. For the my first vacation, the Vacances de Toussaint, I wanted to check out some new parts of Spain with friends and practice the Spanish…
Day trip to Córdoba, Spain
Since studying it in my Cross-Cultural Analysis class during my sophomore year at Tulane University, I have dreamed of exploring the city of Córdoba, Spain, and specifically, the Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba. While spending a few days in Sevilla, I found that…
17 Hours in Amsterdam
I almost always try to avoid layovers, as long as the locations (and, of course, the price) are right. When we looked into the flights from Paris to Sevilla for the Vacances de Toussaint, however, this didn’t seem to be an…
Parisian Café Culture
Block after block, no matter what part of the city you stumble upon, quintessential Parisian cafés are ready to welcome you with open arms and your choice of caffeine or a cocktail. A significant piece of Parisian culture is taking a…
Weekend in Ireland
So I may have arrived in France one day before my visa began, which, according to French bureaucracy, messes everything up when activating and confirming the visa… Time to take a trip outside the Schengen Zone and get a new entry…
Taste of Paris Festival
The two most “French” things I can think of are French food and the French language. Sound about right? Naturally, for someone hoping to learn more about French culture, a day that successfully combines both of these things is a dream.…
Paris Bucket List
One list can not come close to representing everything there is to do in Paris, but here is a list of my must-see/must-do experiences in Paris! Picnic by the Seine Macarons (Ladurée and Pierre Hermé) Palais Royal Walk down Blvd St…
Lisbon & Sintra, Portugal
Lisbon was one of my favorite cities of the semester, and the few days I had there were a great mix of adventure and relaxation… Day 1 When Daniella and I arrived to the Lisbon airport (after our Barcelona weekend) we…
Robin Round the World 