I moved to Amsterdam at 24 to run away from a life on autopilot. Ten years later, I’ve realized that finding your foundation is the only way to build a future you actually want. Here’s what I’ve learned from living abroad after 10 years in Amsterdam. This one gets personal. The 10 Year Itch, or […]
Scurek Vineyard in Goriska Brda
After an introduction to Slovenia in Ljubljana, a four-day hiking adventure at Triglav and a short stint at Lake Bled, I was ready for an even slower pace… and some wine. Goriska Brda is the perfect place for that. The takeaway: If you’re looking for the “Tuscany of Slovenia” without Italian crowds (or prices), this […]
Is One Day At Lake Bled Enough? My Honest 24 Hour Guide
I visited Lake Bled with friends immediately after hiking Triglav in early July. I’ll be honest: I worried one day wouldn’t be enough to see it all. The takeaway: One day is actually the perfect amount of time. Since the “to-do” list isn’t overwhelming, it’s the ideal spot for a slow-travel reset after a high-energy […]
One Day In Ljubljana | The Perfect Introduction To Slovenia
Before we headed off to hike the mountains of Triglav and explore the vineyards of Goriška Brda, we started our trip with one day in Ljubljana. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to expect and wasn’t overly enthusiastic, but one day in Ljubljana was surprisingly refreshing. The takeaway: Ljubljana is a totally walkable city. […]
The Best Pizza in Amsterdam: A Local’s Guide, Neighborhood by Neighborhood
I don’t know about you, but I eat pizza at least once a week. A week without pizza is almost as bad as a week without sunshine – and we get a lot of those in Amsterdam. Lucky for me, rain or shine, this city has plenty of delicious pizza. As a local, I’ve done the […]
Cusco Culinary Review: The Best Cooking Class in Cusco?
In October I traveled to Cusco and took a cooking class with Cusco Culinary before setting out on the Salkantay Trek a couple days later. Here’s my honest review of our visit to the market and the cooking class. I love to take cooking classes when I travel, my favorite so far has been Anita’s […]
Where to Eat in Ollantaytambo: The Best Restaurants & Cafes
Most travelers treat Ollantaytambo as a stop over, a quick train ride away from the bucket-list destination we all came to see, Machu Picchu. But I ended up staying in Ollantaytambo for three nights, and I am so glad I did. The town has an ancient, magical rhythm, and as I discovered, an incredible culinary […]
Why you Should Acclimate in Ollantaytambo instead of Cusco
Visit Ollantaytambo Here’s a fact I learned the hard way: Cusco, Peru sits at a staggering 3,399 m (11,152 ft), while Machu Picchu is actually a lot lower at 2,430 m (7,972 ft). I had no idea. I thought I was doing the right thing by acclimating in Cusco for a few days before the […]
Are Huacachina & Paracas Worth It? An Honest Rating of What to Do (And What to Skip)
Let’s get right to it: Are Huacachina and Paracas worth visiting? Short answer: Not as the main event. But, if you are passing through on the bus between Lima, Cusco, or Arequipa, then yes, definitely. A day or two here can be one of the highlights of your trip, if you know what to do […]
Skip Ballestas Islands: Do This Authentic Paracas Scallop Tour Instead
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. The most fun, and most authentic thing you can do in Paracas isn’t the crowded Ballestas Islands Tour – it’s this. A local family in Paracas took me and two others out on their fishing boat the other morning for the most authentic experience in Paracas, […]



















