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.

We traveled to the Connecticut capitol and found fun facts
Connecticut Capitol

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 (Tourist Scam)

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    Learn how to beat the shell game in Paris (and NYC, London and more) Don’t fall for this cups and balls tourist scam. It looks easy, but there is a catch. Find out how NOT to lose your money (like I did). Thanks to my experience and subsequent research I will teach you how to…

    The Eiffel Tower in my hands. Learn how to beat this Paris (and NYC, London and more) cups and balls scam. It looks easy, but there is only one way to beat the hustler and walk away with money. Of course, there are many more ways to lose all your money. You will most likely experience this hustle when you travel to Paris. Our knowledge will help you to beat it! Click and learn. #TravelTips #travel #EuropeTravel #ShellGame #Scam #OurCarpeDiem #Paris #France
  • How to Rock Paris on a Budget

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    A family’s budget-friendly trip to Paris involved staying in an Airbnb close to the metro and enjoying mostly free attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, Musee de l’Orangerie, boat trips on the Seine, and visits to iconic landmarks like Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. The girls also enjoyed thrift shopping and affordable fine dining, making the…

  • Oregon State Capitol Unveiled: Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know

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    Located in downtown Salem, the Oregon State Capitol is an interesting Art Deco building. Visible from far away, it dominates the area and has a beautiful park around it. We learned a lot of fun and surprising facts about this capitol when we visited it on our All States Capitols Quest. What do YOU know…

    Minister on a horse at the Oregon State Capitol
  • Awesome Atlantis on a Budget: Top Tips!

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    Top Tips for doing Atlanta Paradise Island, The Bahamas on a budget. This dream vacation doesn’t come cheap, but there are many ways to save money. You even can stay for virtually free if you follow my travel hacking tips. This is a bucket list vacation for sure, where else can you see sawfish and…

    Atlantis Bahamas. How to do it on the cheap on a budget? Is the dining plan worth it? How can you get a free stay at Paradise Island? Dolphins, sharks, rays, lobsters and sawfish. How to get Caesars Diamond status for a complimentary stay in the Royal. Affordable food. The fish fry. What is #Aquaventure? #ThingToDo #TravelDestinations #BudgetTravel. #ComfortSuites #ParadiseIsland #OurCarpeDiem #Atlantis
  • All You Always Wanted to Know about Transatlantic Cruises

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    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…

    Cruiseship on the ocean, all you need to know about transatlantic cruises
  • You Need to Know these Fun Facts about Hawai’i and her Capitol

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    Rhode Island State House: 10 Fun Facts. During New England travel, do not miss this state house. This capitol is one of the grandest in the nation. Cannons, bells, flags, marble, one of the world’s largest self supporting domes and tons of Rhode Island State History. Be awed by seeing the original royal charter on…

    Hawaiian Capitol upside down
  • Explore The Best Of Vermont’s VINS On The Must-See #TreetopWalk.

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    ADA accessible Treetop Walk Vermont Want to get a birds-eye view of the world? Go check out the #treetop #walk in #Vermont at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Look out over the Vermont countryside from the tree house. Shake paws with a giant spider while you relax in a spider web, suspended many…

    Treetop Walk Vermont Want to get a birdseye view of the world? Go check out the #treetop #walk in #Vermont at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Look out over the Vermont countryside from the tree house. Shake paws with a giant spider while you relax in a spider web, suspended many feet above the forest floor. Climb into an eagle’s nest! Learn about other treetop walks around the world. Take the kids on a #forest #adventure #OurCarpeDiem #traveldestinations #hands-on #science #trees
  • Did You Know? Rhode Island State House: Ten Surprising Facts

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    Rhode Island State House: 10 Fun Facts. During New England travel, do not miss this state house. This capitol is one of the grandest in the nation. Cannons, bells, flags, marble, one of the world’s largest self supporting domes and tons of Rhode Island State History. Be awed by seeing the original royal charter on…

    Rhode Island State House: 10 Fun Facts. During New England travel, do not miss this state house. This capitol is one of the grandest in the nation. Cannons, bells, flags, marble, one of the world’s largest self supporting domes and tons of Rhode Island State History. Be awed by seeing the original royal charter on sheepskin, providing the colony with freedom of religion and separation of church and state. #OurCarpeDiem #RhodeIsland #StateHouse #Capitol #traveltips #funfacts #destinations #travel
  • What Are the Most Amazing Experiences in Matera?

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    If you are looking for an off-the-beaten path destination in Italy, go visit Matera. Here are a few things to see and do in Italy’s interesting ‘City of Caves’. The Cultural Capital of Europe for 2019 and a UNESCO World Heritage site, you need to put this on your bucket list! Carpe Diem!

    Top Things To Do in Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Southern Italy. The City of Caves, once considered The Shame of Italy, Matera reinvented itself and now is the 2019 European Capital of Culture. Explore the sassi, learn the fascinating history of Matera. Where to stay and what to eat. Did you know that there is a large colony of falcons protecting the city? #birdwatching #travelguide #Matera #Italy #OffTheBeatenPath #BucketList #Destinations #OurCarpeDiem #ThingsToDo #Europe
  • Unlock the Secret to the Perfect Day Trip from Las Vegas – 100% Success Rate!

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    Would you like to make a bet that you can’t lose? We found and tested the best day trips from Las Vegas. Enjoy Vegas without gambling! Do you have kids with you and are looking for a great day trip? Here are the best day trips to take from Las Vegas. Lots of natural wonders,…