Category: Travel
Discovering the world one step at a time. Travel stories, pictures, and travel hacking. Be a globetrotter on a budget!
Life is short and the world is big. We share our love of travel by taking beautiful pictures and recommending the top things to do at destinations all over the world.
One of our quests entails visiting every single capitol building in the USA. Working slowly, we have done 9 out of 50 so far. Read all about it on our Visit all Capitols page.
Travel to Europe
Since Karen was born in the Netherlands, and one of our daughters lived in the UK for a few years, we tend to travel to Europe fairly frequently. Here are some of our tips and tricks for Europe travel:
- How to beat the shell game in Paris After I fell for this tourist scam, I researched and found the best way to win
- How to do Paris on the cheap. A few years ago, we treated two of our daughters to a Paris vacation, so we figured out a way to keep our travel within budget.
- Would you like to see Monet for free? Every time we go to Paris, we try to visit l’Orangerie. Last time we found out how to do it for free!
- Of course you can’t visit Paris without eating good food! Did you know that there are affordable Michelin restaurants in Paris?
- Have you read the book “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt? Where is the actual goldfinch painting?
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How to Beat the Paris Shell Game Scam: A Tourist Safety Guide
How tourists lose money in seconds in Paris and how to walk away untouched. A real cautionary tale about the Paris shell game scam, where it happens, why smart travelers fall for it, and the only reliable way to avoid losing cash on the streets of Paris. How to beat the shell game.
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Hilton Honors Points Guide (2026): How to Use, Buy, and Maximize Free Nights
Hilton Honors points are one of the most flexible and beginner-friendly hotel loyalty currencies available. In this guide, we explain exactly how Hilton Honors points work, how much they’re worth, and how to earn and redeem them for free hotel stays worldwide. Drawing from years of real-world experience, we share strategic ways to maximize value,…
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How to See Monet’s Water Lilies for Free at l’Orangerie Paris
This guide explains how to visit the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris for free, including first Sunday access and eligibility for young and disabled visitors. It highlights Monet’s Water Lilies, permanent and temporary exhibitions, and practical tips for enjoying one of Paris’s most peaceful museums on a budget.
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Coffee, Chocolate & Cloud Forest Magic: Don Juan Coffee Plantation, Monteverde
Don Juan Coffee plantation in the Monteverde cloud forest in Costa Rica is a must-see. Or maybe we should call it a must-experience, taste and smell. A holistic tour getting you intimately acquainted with coffee, chocolate and sugar. Go find out!
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EU Flight Delay Compensation: How a Cancelled Flight Earned Us $1,600
Important: Award flights absolutely count. Being delayed on a flight is never fun. However, if it happens in Europe, there is a silver lining. Thanks to a European regulation called EC261/2004, airlines may owe you cash or travel vouchers when flights are significantly delayed or cancelled. We learned this the hard way — after a…
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All You Always Wanted to Know about Transatlantic Cruises
Have you ever wondered how it would be to travel slowly? Not taking the fast road (or flight) but relaxing and having lots of time to yourself? Let me tell you all about Transatlantic cruises and why you should consider one. Intro to Transatlantic Cruises After we took our first cruise, it didn’t take long…
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Surfing with MS, Don’t Be Afraid of a Challenge!
Can you still surf after you get diagnosed with MS? A longtime MS warrior tries surfing with MS at Waikiki beach, shortly after her initial diagnosis. Come join her in her journey!
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Find the Best Fall Foliage in New England
Fabulous Fall Foliage in New England New England has harsh winters, but also find the best fall foliage. October, when the leaves are turning, is the month that tends to attract the most “leaf peepers”. Find out the best places to visit #NewEngland ‘s #FallFoliage. Trees are turning, pumpkins and corn mazes are everywhere. Take…
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Don’t Miss These Fantastic Fall Colors Photos!
Travel Pictures: Fall Colors. Wanderlust and travel photography go together well. Ideas for pictures with a theme, Instagram worthy and fabulous images from all over the world. Birds, predators, beaches, California, and a rare sun halo. Go check out the best travel pictures from travel blogger #OurCarpeDiem Get new inspiration for your travel photography.
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Waldorf Astoria New York: Step Inside NYC’s Legendary Luxury
Fascinating history of the Waldorf Astoria New York, a hotel that started with a family feud. Presidents, explorers and more in this iconic hotel! Did you know that this hotel was way ahead of its time in the way it treated women? Where was it located before it moved to Park Avenue? Which famous people…
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