Our Carpe Diem

Seize the day! Make mistakes, get messy!

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:

  • 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

  • New York State Capitol: Ten Fun Facts

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    New York State Capitol: 10 Fun Facts An expensive boondoggle, the New York State Capitol in Albany also has been called the most beautiful building of the country. What is its connection to a Dutch Queen? Is there indeed a ghost? #haunting Learn more about the #EmpireStatePlaza . Did the staircase indeed cost a million…

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    New York State Capitol: 10 Fun Facts An expensive boondoggle, the New York State Capitol in Albany also has been called the most beautiful building of the country. What is its connection to a Dutch Queen? Is there indeed a ghost? #haunting Learn more about the #EmpireStatePlaza . Did the staircase indeed cost a million dollars? Find out more fun facts! #OurCarpeDiem #NewYorkStateCapitol #NationalHistory #TravelGuide #ThingsToDo

  • All You Always Wanted to Know about the Alaska Capitol

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    Alaska Capitol Fun Facts Going on an Alaska cruise? Go visit the Alaska state Capitol! in Juneau! It is a free shore excursion. Save money and have fun. Find out interesting facts about the Capitol and learn fascinating history Did you know that the first civil rights law in the country was in Alaska? Do…

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    Alaska Capitol Fun Facts Going on an Alaska cruise? Go visit the Alaska state Capitol! It is a free #ShoreExcursion. #SaveMoney and have fun. Find out interesting facts about the Capitol and learn fascinating #history Did you know that the first civil rights law in the country was in Alaska? Do you know who first settled in Alaska? The Russians arrived late. Become the next Jeopardy champion! #OurCarpeDiem #AlaskaCruise #AlaskaNatives #juneau

  • Kwek’s Amazing Alaska Adventures! Flat Stanley FTW

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    Flat Stanley Kwek goes on an Alaska Cruise and has amazing adventures! Join her on her fun trip!

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    Rubber ducky Flat Stanley watching a breeching whale statue in Vancouver BC

  • Invasive Nuisances! The Best Beginner’s Guide to Birds of Hawai’i

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    All you need to know about the birds you see in Hawai’i. Why are there so many invasive species? Which common birds are native to Hawai’i?

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    Did you know that most of the common birds in Hawai’i are introduced by humans and now are invasive pests. Sure, they might look fabulous and colorful. Yes, they have melodious bird songs. But their main activity is killing off the native Hawaiian birds by competing for food and living space. Find out the sordid details and discover the native birds that hung on for dear life and can be easily observed! #Hawaii #birding #OurCarpeDiem #InvasiveSpecies-

  • Gigantic Glaciers: One Of The Reasons For An Alaska Cruise!

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    Alaska Cruise Review: Yes, do it! Detailed itinerary of our Holland-America Alaskan cruise out of Seattle. There are eagles galore, gigantic glaciers, historical happenings, good food and aquatic vehicles! Go read and enjoy!

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    Alaska Cruise Go see gigantic glaciers before it is too late! Detailed itinerary and best things to do during our Holland-America Alaskan Cruise. Visit a faraway capitol with a bear, see a jubilee of eagles, find out about the Tlingit, and much much more. Have you been to Glacier Bay National Park? Where did the Russians sell us Alaska? What ports of call on an Alaska cruise? #OurCarpeDiem #AlaskaCruise #NationalHistory #nature #biosphere #HollandAmericaCruise

  • Discover Amazing and Fun Facts about the Connecticut Capitol

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    Facts about The Connecticut Capitol in Hartford! Did you know that Connecticut has a state heroine? And a possibly fake Civil War relic? Do you know who protects the Connecticut people? Find out where the expression “Sleep tight!” originated. Click on these fun and interesting Connecticut Capitol facts!

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    Facts about The Connecticut Capitol! You too can be a winner at Jeopardy by learning all these interesting facts about the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford. Did you know that Connecticut has a state heroine? And a possibly fake Civil War relic? Do you know who protects the Connecticut people? Find out where the expression “Sleep tight!” originated. Go and read these ten fun and interesting Connecticut Capitol facts! #travel #connecticut #capitol #funfacts #capital #OurCarpeDiem

  • The Enigma of the Liberty Bell Locked Up in Massachusetts!

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    Discover the history behind the locked Liberty Bell replica in Massachusetts and find out how to visit it. Spoiler: It is not easy… Go find out!

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta

  • 9 Surprisingly Fun Facts about the Quebec Parliament Building

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    The Quebec Parliament Building in Quebec City, Canada is home to their National Assembly. Truly exceptional architecture and a rich, long history show the ingenuity of the Canadian spirit. Did you know even nowadays the Queen is still involved with their democracy? Have you heard about Batisse, the goat? Find out the fascinating details!

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    The Quebec Parliament Building in Quebec City, Canada is home to their National Assembly. Truly exceptional architecture and a rich, long history show the ingenuity of the Canadian spirit. Did you know even nowadays the Queen is still involved with their democracy? Have you heard about Batisse, the goat? Find out the fascinating details! #CanadaTravel #QuebecCity #OurCarpeDIem #FreeThingsToDo #QuebecParliament

  • Flaming Mexican Coffee: A Spectacular Drink in Mexico

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    Flaming Mexican Coffee Have you ever had flaming coffee? Setting liquor on fire, making for a spectacular show. You have to experience this at least once (or twice or more 🙂 when you travel to Mexico. Enjoy this cocktail with tequila and kahlua in a fiery show. Find out where to get this in Baja…

    Written by

    Karen Lanzetta
    Do you dare to order flaming Mexican coffee? Liquor on fire, creating a spectacular show. Experience this when you travel to Mexico. Do not miss out on this cocktail with #tequila and #kahlua which includes a fiery show. Where to get this in Baja California. We had no idea what a treat we were in for and enjoyed every moment! #thingstodo #OurCarpeDiem #bucketlist #MexicanCoffee #CocktailHour #AfterDinnerDrinks #BurningDessert