Our Carpe Diem

Seize the day! Make mistakes, get messy!

Category: Europe

Karen is originally from the Netherlands, and Tom has lived in several countries in Europe. This means that we have enjoyed quite a lot of Europe travel.

Find out how we took two of our girls to Paris on a budget. Do you know how to get into Paris museums for free? Or how to find affordable Michelin restaurants for your dinner?

Did you know that Passau is also known as the Pittsburgh of Germany?

And if you are a reader, you should check out where to find the painting from Donna Tart’s book “The Goldfinch”

The good thing about travel in Europe is that you actually can get paid if your flight is delayed or cancelled. We got $1600 travel credit.

We are constantly updating our Europe travel stories, so stay tuned for more amazing adventures!

  • 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…

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    Cruiseship on the ocean, all you need to know about transatlantic cruises

  • 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!

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    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

  • How to Rock Paris on a Budget 2024

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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…

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta

  • Dutch Golden Age Luxury At The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam

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    The fascinating history of the Dutch Golden Age merchants who ruled the seven seas and built canal houses to match their status.. Now you can stay right where the Russian Emperor Alexander I and Dutch kings visited! Even if you can’t afford to stay, enjoy the award winning restaurants and soak up the long history…

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam Fascinating history of the Dutch Golden Age which culminated in the construction of luxury mansions right at the Amsterdam canals. The Waldorf is at the Herengracht (Gentlemen’s Canal) and is a #bucketlist destination for sure. Explore the award winning restaurants, find out how we managed to stay for free and travel back in time with all the modern comforts. #OurCarpeDiem #WaldorfAstoria #HiltonHotels #Travelguide #AmsterdamNetherlands

  • How to Explore Passau (Pittsburgh of Germany) with Ease and Enjoyment

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    Passau Top Things To Do | The Pittsburgh of Germany | An UNESCO World History Site; Learn more about this interesting city and why it is just like Pittsburgh. Take a walk along the river or attend an organ concert. Visit St Stephen’s Cathedral

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    Passau Top Things To Do when you visit | The Pittsburgh of Germany | A brand new UNESCO World Heritage Site! Top Things to do in Passau. From salty towers to executioners. From the world's largest organ to the road to hell... Learn more about this interesting city and why it is just like Pittsburgh. Take a walk along the river or attend an organ concert. Visit St Stephen’s Cathedral | HollGasse | Largest organ in Europe #OurCarpeDiem #Germany #Passau #UNESCOWorldHeritage

  • 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…

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    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

  • Is the Goldfinch Painting Real? Where Is It Now?

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    Where can you find the Goldinch painting that inspired the Donna Tartt book?

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    Where is The Goldfinch painting now? After you read The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Naturally so you wonder what happened to the painting? Where do you go and admire it? Did you ever see the painting? Does it look like a goldfinch or more like a different bird? Read and find out where you can go to see The Goldfinch by ​Fabritius (and The Girl with The Pearl Earring by Vermeer) #OurCarpeDiem #art #TheGoldfinch #booklover #museums

  • All You Need to Know: St Peter’s Basilica in Oudenbosch

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    Did you know that there are TWO copies of the St Peter’s Basilica in a tiny town in the Netherlands? How did Oudenbosch end up with such a foreign and imposing architectural feat in Calvinistic Holland? What does the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran have to do with it all? Which architect designed the Oudenbosch…

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    Did you know that there are TWO copies of the St Peter's Basilica in a tiny town in the Netherlands? How did Oudenbosch end up with such a foreign and imposing architectural feat in Calvinistic Holland? What does the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran have to do with it all? Which architect designed the Oudenbosch Basiliek? Are there other copies of the St Peters and if so, where are they? #OurCarpeDiem #architecture #StPeters #OffTheBeatenPathTravel #TheNetherlands #RomanCatholicChurches

  • Discover the Best Off The Beaten Path Destinations in Zeeland

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    Looking for somewhere to go that’s off the beaten path? Check out our list of the best off the beaten path destinations in Zeeland! Follow us for more!

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    Looking for somewhere to go that's off the beaten path in Zeeland, Netherlands? Check out our list of the best hidden gems in this scenic Southern province. Don’t miss out on valuable #TravelTips and ollow us for more! #OurCarpeDiem #Travelguide

  • Michelin Bib Gourmand: Affordable Restaurants in Paris 2023

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    When you travel to Paris, you would love to eat at a Michelin restaurant, but we all know that they are very expensive. This article will introduce you to Bib Gourmand restaurants in Paris, a way to get an affordable haute cuisine meal for a good price. Find out what this bib gourmand means and…

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    When you travel to Paris, you would love to eat at a Michelin restaurant, but we all know that they are very expensive. This article will introduce you to Bib Gourmand restaurants in Paris, a way to get an affordable haute cuisine meal for a good price. Find out what this bib gourmand means and where to find these upscale restaurants. Make your choice from the best restaurants in Paris! #travel #france #paris #OurCarpeDiem #savemoney #budget #traveltips