Travel - Emma Heirendt

November 10, 2019May 8, 2025

14 Highlights from our Babymoon in Spain and Portugal

Having the ability to travel is such a blessing. Everything fell into place to make this trip a reality, a trip I didn’t believe would actually happen. Too good to be true, I thought.

Thankfully, as I reach the 20 week mark of my pregnancy, I’m feeling energized and healthy. My doctor gave us the all-clear to travel, our supervisor’s approved our two-week time-off requests, and we had money set aside for a final vacation before our baby arrives March, 2020!

Below are the 14 neatest things we did during our time in Barcelona, southern Portugal, and Lisbon over our two-week vacation.

1. Quinta da Regaleira

Country Estate established in 1904 in Sintra, Portugal

One word: Magical. During our visit, Michael and I agreed that Quinta da Regaleira was the most beautiful place either of us had ever been, and it ended up being our favorite activity of the entire trip. Quinta da Regaleira includes gardens, a castle, a chapel, underground tunnels, waterfalls, and grottos.

We had no idea what to expect, which is the best way to walk into any attraction. After visiting the picturesque Initiation Well, which looked like something out of a movie, we found ourselves walking down a moss-covered spiral staircase into a maze of underground tunnels that led to a waterfall. Behind the waterfall was stepping stones across a grotto. Seriously, around every corner was another magical surprise. We laughed and smiled the entire time.

More photos from our visit to Quinta da Regaleira >>

2. Fútbol game at Camp Nou in Barcelona

Camp Nou has been the home fútbol stadium for FC Barcelona since 1957

Barcelona loves their fútbol! This was my first out-of-country sporting event and I’d say it’s a must for anyone traveling to Spain. In the United States, sporting events are as much about the food and drink as they are about the game, which means peanut shells on the ground, drunk people in the stands, and 20-minute lines for hotdogs. But at Camp Nou, the lines at the concession stand remained empty, except for halftime. In fact, no alcohol was served at the stadium at all. Instead, it felt like attendees were strictly attending to go freakin’ nuts for FC Barcelona. Pure, joyous fun.

3. La Sagrada Familia

Basilica in Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudí, projected to be completed in 2026

I imagine La Sagrada Familia will remain the single most incredible architectural masterpiece I will have the privilege of visiting in my lifetime. Every inch of the basilica has been planned for, from the juxtaposition of the façades on the exterior to the color of stained class and where it’ll shine as the sun streams in.

One of my favorite tidbits from the audio tour: When the basilica is complete in 2026, the tallest spire will be 560 feet, one metre less than the tallest mountain in Barcelona because Gaudí believed that his creation should not surpass God’s.

More photos from our visit to La Sagrada Familia >>

4. Park and Palace of Pena

Castle first built in the middle ages, reaching completion in 1894 in Sintra, Portugal

I’m a sucker for colorful buildings. Colorful castles? Even better. The Palace of Pena is an Instagram model’s dream, so yeah, this place is full of obnoxious selfie-takers. We were just as guilty. It’s impossible to not take a million photos here.

Shoutout to my Uncle Jeff for suggesting a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra. Though I doubt he took any selfies during his time in Sintra. We could have definitely spent another full day exploring Sintra, because we didn’t even get to Castelo dos Mouros or Sintra National Palace. Sintra was an easy 40 minute train ride from Lisbon, but I recommend studying the website above before making the trip. The advice about the 434 bus was invaluable.

More photos from our visit to the Palace of Pena >>

5. Carmo Archaeological Museum

Remains of a church built in 1389, Lisbon, Portugal

The earthquake of 1755, and the fire that soon followed the earthquake, all but destroyed the church of Carmo in Lisbon. Rather than rebuild, the city decided to leave the ruins as-is, and created Carmo Archaeological Museum, a memorial to the 1755 earthquake.

While the vast collection of artifacts, weapons, and mummies feels a bit random, the underlying theme of, “If it’s broke, don’t fix it, put it in a museum,” is hilariously beautiful.

More photos from our visit to the Carmo Archaeological Museum >>

6. Park Guell

Park system designed by Antoni Gaudí, continually being added to and enhanced

Michael and I learned a valuable lesson during our last trip to Europe. At some point in your travels, you will hit a wall of exhaustion. When this happens, go somewhere beautiful and just be still. Park Guell in Barcelona was exactly the place to do this.

Getting to the top of the park is a good workout. So naturally we grabbed churros con chocolate afterwards to cancel out any calories burned.

7. Praia dos Estudiantes

Beach in Lagos, Portugal

Our voyage to Praia Estudiantes started as a mandatory laundry errand because our hotel laundry was overpriced (literally 4 euro per pair of underwear). But the beach did not disappoint. Praia Estudiantes was a never ending series of surprise beaches. Each beach was bookended with caves leading to yet another beautiful beach. And through the final cave, a beautiful archway that brought my Portugal Pinterest board to life.

If you’re visiting Praia dos Estudiantes, stop at MAR restaurant for lunch afterwards. It seems too good to be true, since it’s located at the top of the beach steps, but the prices were great and the food was even better!

More photos from our visit to the Praia dos Estudiantes >>

8. Fortaleza de Sagres

Southwesternmost point of Europe and a 15th century fortress in Sagres, Portugal

Funny story…I was about to pee my pants because my pregnant bladder couldn’t handle another minute on the road. So we paid 3 euro each for entrance to Fortaleza de Sagres and learned way more than we expected to about the history of Sagres, what was once considered the end of the world – before European’s realized there was more to the world, of course.

This actually ended up being a really fun activity, because once again, we walked into it with zero expectations other than the hopes of a working toilet.

9. Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort

Resort in Carvoeiro, southern Portugal

Tivoli Carvoiero was the final push we needed to book our trip to Europe. Their website is sexy. In other words: their marketing absolutely worked on us and convinced us we had to go to southern Portugal. We stayed at this hotel for four nights and really enjoyed our time here. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for ocean-side pool time and a breakfast buffet fit for a queen.

10. Praia da Marinha

A word of caution for anyone trying to find a specific photo-op from Pinterest, you may end up wandering around said location hoping you’ll stumble across the exact vantage point. But hey, it worked for us this time!

Michael had found a photo of a heart-shaped cutout at Praia da Marinha and wanted to stop by before we left southern Portugal. He knows I’m a sucker for this kind of thing. The second we stepped out of the car I was in love, but not because of the beach. At the start of the trail were three beautiful stray cats, all totally willing to be pet by strangers. Freakin’ heaven. After about 30 minutes of, oh my gosh they’re so cute-ing, we went on a short hike trying to find the elusive heart cutout in the landscape. Nailed it. Rewarding and beautiful.

11. Livraria Bertrand

The oldest bookstore in the world, Lisbon, Portugal

Libraria Bertrand was cool in theory, but it looked just like any other bookstore in the world. Regardless, I was still excited to get a stamp that said my book was purchased at the oldest bookstore in the world!

12. Igreja hopping

The act of hopping from one Portuguese church to another, a term coined by me

Is church hopping inappropriate? According to travel expert Rick Steves, as long as you’re respectful, it’s all good. We stopped in to visit more igrejas than I can count, each time saying a prayer for baby-no-name in my belly and marveling at the beautiful architectural details.

13. Belem Tower

Fortification built in 1515, Lisbon, Portugal

If visited correctly, the Belem Tower and Jerónimos Monastery are said to be stunning attractions in Lisbon.

In our case, Belem Tower was a total fail and we didn’t even make it to the monastery. We decided against buying tickets and instead opted to take a few photos outside. It started pouring rain and homeboy (in this case, Michael is homeboy) was wearing flip-flops. We got our photo and ran back to the car. We’ll catch it next time.

14. Flamenco Show

A flamenco show is a must-see in Spain, according to every travel guide. I had high hopes for the Flamenco show we attended, but was ultimately disappointed. If you’re visiting Spain, aim to find a balance between authenticity and quality in the show you attend. We were hoping for an authentic experience, but what we found were talented flamenco dancers in an awkwardly small bar. We were one of four couples at the show, and felt very aware of our chewing between songs.

Overall, our trip was better than I expected it would be. Two-weeks was the perfect amount of time, giving us about four nights in Barcelona, Carvoiero, and Lisbon. Michael and I make traveling a priority because it’s what feeds our souls. We made memories that’ll last a lifetime, and we can’t wait to tell our baby about all of the cool stuff we did while they were in my belly!

Thanks for reading,

Emma

September 13, 2018May 8, 2025

Grape Harvesting and Stomping in Sonoma County

I am continually blown away by the activities available in Sonoma County. It feels like every weekend we have something new and fun to try.

This past weekend, we checked off one of our California bucket list items and joined Old World Winery in their grape harvesting and stomping. If you’re planning a trip to northern California in September, you’re just in time, many wineries are picking and stomping this month. You should have no trouble finding a fun event like this to participate in!

Grape harvesting

If you’re going to do the fun part (stomping) you’ve got to participate in the hard part (harvesting). We got up at 5:15 a.m. on a Saturday to meet a couple dozen strangers at Old World Winery. Darek Trowbridge, the owner, rallied everyone together for a run-down of the day’s events and then we drove over to the vineyard to begin our day.

The sun was rising as we drove to the vineyard, and by the time we got there the lighting was spectacular.

Choose your weapon

Upon arrival, you had a choice to make: Are you going to cut the grape vines with a serrated knife, or use the pruner?

Darek, the owner, explained that seasoned grape harvesters use the knife, but that the knife is a little tricky to work with and even the most experienced harvesters still cut themselves on occasion. I chose the pruner, Michael used the knife.

Three hours of harvesting

We arrived at the vineyard around 7:00 a.m. and were driving back to start the stomping by 10:00 a.m. This will vary, however, based on the winery and the week you participate in harvesting.

Following the harvesting, we were at the vineyard for about two and half more hours, stomping and eating lunch.

Stomping

We enjoyed grape harvesting far more than we expected we would. But the real highlight of the day was the stomping! I was the second person of our large group to hop in, and it was cold.

We learned a few good tips for grape stomping, should we ever come across this opportunity again:

Start in the bottom corner, and smash one layer of grapes at a time. Otherwise the entire batch just settles on top and you pack it into sections, like a triple layer cake.
Hold onto the corner of the tub at all times. It’s slippery in the middle!
Step out occasionally to thaw your feet. It’s about 45 degrees in the bucket.

Clothing tips

If you’re harvesting, wear a waterproof jacket. Everyone left the vineyard wet from the waist up. You’ll also want to wear tennis shoes when walking through the vineyards.

When stomping, you need to wear shorts that are at your knees or higher. I recommend bringing a pair of sandals to change in to.

How much stomping?

After 30 minutes we were all out of grapes and produced something that resembled a sangria.

One attendee remarked that the stomping is really just for the enjoyment of the guests and that no matter what, the vineyard has to put it through the usual production methods. Old World Winery is unique. They use every bit of what we stomped, after cleaning our foot germs out of it, of course.

Old World Winery likes to involve the community in their harvesting and stomping because they say the good vibes from the residents make the wine taste better.

The picnic

After the stomping, Darek invited the group over to the patio to enjoy some good food, good conversation and amazing wine. Next year, what we stomped will be poured into the glasses of those that helped with the 2019 stompings.

I have been raving about this experience to all of my friends. If you’re in northern California is September, grape harvesting and stomping is an absolute must. You can’t beat a day like this. Then again, this seems to be a very typical weekend activity in Sonoma County.

Sign up for the Old World Winery Wine Club to be invited to member events like this one, and be sure to check out their Facebook page.

Thanks for reading,

Emma

September 6, 2018May 8, 2025

California Redwoods Near San Francisco

When we moved to California a couple of months ago, I figured that the famous redwood trees could only be found near the northern border of the state. Imagine my excitement when I discovered Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve just 30 minutes west of our place in Santa Rosa.

To top it off, parking was FREE, the weather was ideal and the hike was simple. Dare I say it was a Hike For People Who Get Bored Easily.

The trees

Yeah, this is a great location to see redwoods, but are they as spectacular as they are up north?

They’re close.

The tallest tree that you will see at Armstrong Redwoods SNR is The Parson Jones tree at 310 feet in height. It’s just a 0.1 mile walk from the park entrance. The tallest tree in California is the Hyperion in Redwood National Park measuring at 379.1 feet.

The oldest tree at Armstrong Redwoods SNR is the Colonel Armstrong Tree, 1,400 years old. This doesn’t come close to the oldest tree in California, estimated at 3,500 years old, and located in Giant Sequoia National Monument. But hey, what difference does a couple thousand years make, really?

The hikes

We were looking for a short hike before an afternoon on the coast, and this fit our itinerary perfectly. If you scroll about half way down this page, you’ll see the full list of hikes. We went on the Pioneer Nature Trail hike (1.7 miles) and it was easy. They have several easy to moderate hikes and then a couple strenuous hikes, up to 9 miles with a 1500’ climb in elevation.

For being such a stunning park, it was incredibly quiet. We were often the only ones in sight and only saw a couple dozen people the entire time. Maybe it was just a unique Sunday.

Getting there

The drive was simple and on level, paved roads the entire way. If you’re coming from San Francisco, you’ll head straight north on US-101 and take River Rd to Armstrong Woods Rd.

We were able to easily grab free parking outside of the main entrance (as described on their website here). We stopped at the restrooms before heading in and spotted our trail with ease. It feels a little wrong visiting such a beautiful park without paying, donations are accepted at the Visitor Center.

If your time in California is limited and you can’t make it from the Redwood Forest, to the gulf stream waters (sorry – I had to), Armstrong Redwoods SNR is an excellent alternative. You’ll see plenty of humongous trees and many, “WOW” moments. Oh, and if you have kids, they’ll really love this place. There’s tons of fallen over trees that are perfect for climbing.

Thanks for reading,

Emma

August 28, 2018May 8, 2025

Burano, Italy is a Colorful Slice of Heaven

The first time I heard of Burano it was on one of those, “Brightly Colored Towns you Have to Visit,” blogs. Today, images of Burano flood Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. Many refer to Burano as an, “Instagrammer’s paradise,” because you really can’t take a bad photo here. Bottom line: this place is touristy. However, if you’re already in Venice, Burano is absolutely worth a day trip.

Read more about our time in Venice here.

What to expect

Lace

Burano is known for intricate lace pieces. Whether or not you’re planning on buying a souvenir, it’s fun to stop in a lace shop and take a look. We almost bought my sister an embroidered handkerchief for her wedding day, but at 40 Euro a piece we decided against it. I regret that – you’re only in Burano once! Go ahead and buy the easy to haul around souvenir!

Seafood

We ended up at some run-of-the-mill seafood restaurant that was stuffy and overpriced. My advice: look into restaurants before you reach the island. If you don’t do any research beforehand, get away from the main corridor for lunch. From what I could tell, the areas with the boldest, brightest colored homes had the highest price entrees.

Cats

If you’re a fan of felines, pick up cat food before you get to Burano. We offered treats to some local kitties (though they seemed well cared for). The cats loved the treats, but disliked being touched. We dropped a treat on the sidewalk and otherwise let them be.

Bright colors

Obviously, this place is colorful. My husband and I got creative and decided to showcase all of the building colors with goofy selfies. We could’ve taken a couple dozen more, but you get the idea!

Getting there

Getting to the islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello is easy, especially by ferry/water bus. I recommend getting an ACTV Water Bus pass the moment you arrive in Venice. We found an ACTV kiosk before we even left the main train station.

From what I remember, the passes were around 20 Euro for 24 hours. It was wonderful having unlimited access to the water buses during our time in Venice. Here’s an ACTV timetable, for reference. The ride took approximately 35 minutes from F.te Nove “A” (where our hostel was located) to the island of Burano.

My husband and I spent a full day in Burano and skipped Murano and Torcello. But I’ve heard that you could fit all islands into one day trip.

Could you live here?

I have a journal entry from Burano that’s all about picturing myself living there. Could I do it?

Imagine what it would be like living on a touristy island. That alone would be a little strange. Now imagine what it would be like having tourists take photos of your brightly colored home.

When we were passing through the alleyways of Burano, my husband and I saw a little girl playing with an Elsa doll from the movie Frozen (I guess the Frozen craze reached all corners of the Earth). When the little girl saw us she said, “Ciao!” as if she was used to people passing by her front door.

Another odd sight, when you see it through the eyes of the locals, is tourists taking photos of laundry lines. If I lived in Burano, I would be hesitant to hang intimates on the line for the world to see.

I genuinely loved Burano and was so glad we took a full day to explore it, despite it being a little touristy for our taste.

Thanks for reading,

Emma

August 21, 2018May 8, 2025

Sleeping in a French Bubble Hotel

To start, I’ll say that staying in the Attrap Reves Bubble Hotel in Allauch, France was a huge highlight of our trip. It was high on my bucket list when we started planning our adventure and it didn’t disappoint.

This is true “glamping,” or “glamorous camping.” You get to sleep under the stars, wake up naturally to the sunrise and have your morning coffee on a picnic table. However, you still have the comforts of a closed room, bed, air conditioning and full bathroom just a couple hundred feet away.

Privacy

Hmm, a clear bubble…can’t people see into that? Don’t worry, Attrap Reves is strict when it comes to ensuring the privacy of their guests. We stayed in the Zen Bubble and had very clear Zen signs pointing the way to our room. The signs are in French, so upon arrival a tour guide showed us which sign led us to the bathrooms, pool, kitchen and our room. She also pointed out what the signs to other bubbles looked like so we could steer clear of other people’s zones. While there was no lock to our actual bubble or bubble area, we never felt nervous. There’s less than 15 people on site at all times, and it feels safe.

Weather

We visited at the end of June and the bubble temperature was just about perfect, albeit a little warm at 5:00 p.m. when we arrived. The tour guide said that while the bubble heats up a lot during the day, the evenings are just about perfect because the internal temperature matches the external temperature. She was right, we slept like babies.

The bubble hotel is open year around, and as far as I can tell online, no one is hating on it in the dead of winter. There was a small air conditioner in our bubble, I believe it had a heat setting as well.

Inside the bubble

I got a kick out of this: our tour guide explained that if you open the bubble’s outside zipper AND inside zipper simultaneously the entire thing deflates. Boy, were we cautious: opening the first zipper, stepping in the hallway, closing the first zipper, opening the second zipper, stepping in the bubble, closing the second zipper.

The bubble décor was lovely. I just fell in love with the lime green bedding against the forest background. The furniture was purposefully low to the ground to allow optimal 360 degree viewing.

The acoustics in the bubble were pretty funky. My husband Michael and I felt like our ears were popping because of the way sound bounced off of the walls. The bubble itself is made of recycled plastic and feels soft to the touch, like an inflatable pool raft.

Getting there

The hotel is a 30 minute drive from Marseille, France. During the entire drive, we wondered if we were going the wrong way. For starters, Marseille is a big city and for a good 25 minutes of the drive you are still in the city wondering how you could possibly end up in a forested area. Then, for the last 5 minutes of driving, you’re winding through a very narrow residential area. The gate is not labeled and if it wasn’t for our navigation system insisting that we arrived, we wouldn’t have known it was Attrap Reves.

By the way, we totally crashed our rental car as we arrived at Attrap Reves. Be careful turning around on those steep roads, especially with a manual car! Each bubble comes with one parking space, by the way.

Dinner and breakfast

After crashing the rental car, there was no way we were heading back out for dinner. You need to let the hotel know in advance if you want a picnic dinner, and it comes at an additional cost. Thankfully, they had an extra dinner in the back for us, even though we didn’t reserve a plate. The cost was worth it! We ate in our bubble. Everything was delicious.

The next morning, we requested our breakfast at 9:00 a.m. and ate in the dining room area. It always cracks me up how Europeans include an entire loaf of bread with breakfast. My husband loved it. I stuck with yogurt. The cost of breakfast is included in your booking price.

Overall, our stay at Attrap Reves was incredible. We couldn’t get over the gorgeous view from our bed and loved waking up to the rising sun. Surprisingly, after sunrise we were able to fall back asleep until about 8:30!

Even if you aren’t heading to the south of France anytime soon, I encourage you to think outside of the box for your lodging experiences. At around 100 Euro a bubble, the price isn’t that outrageous for a once in a lifetime experience! Next on my lodging bucket list: a tree house. Any recommendations?

Thanks for reading,

Emma

July 18, 2018May 8, 2025

Hidden Gems In Colorado Springs

One last shoutout to the place I once called home

As most of you know, I am no longer a Colorado resident. I have betrayed my fellow native Coloradans and switched over to the dark side….California. Before we moved, I had to pay one last visit to Colorado Springs, the place I called home for all of my college years.

I have written another more comprehensive post titled Top 12 Things To Do In Colorado Springs that is worth giving a look if you’re visiting for your first time. But for you seasoned Colorado Springs visitors, I have prepared a list of the hidden gems. These are the things that don’t appear first on your typical Colorado Springs guide.

Willowstone Antique Marketplace

Willowstone is a giant warehouse full of antique goods from independent vendors. You can find anything from 25 cent postcards to $40,000 couches shaped like dinosaurs. You could spend hours getting lost up and down the aisles of this vintage wonderland.

Marigold Cafe and Bakery

Back in the day, my now husband and I would stop in Marigold to split a homemade crème brûlée. Today, our entire family makes a point to stop in to Marigold for lunch in Colorado Springs. The food is remarkable and the restaurant is just off the beaten path enough to get away from the hustle and bustle of the college crowd.

Paint Mines

Located just 45 minutes east of Colorado Springs is Paint Mines Interpretive Park, an excellent place for hiking. The hike is unlike any other in Colorado — flat, easy, colorful and chalky. Check out my full post to learn more about this awesome place.

America The Beautiful Park

For as outdoorsy Colorado Springs is, they sure do lack open grassy parks. If you’re looking for a spot to spread out a picnic blanket and chill, head on over to America The Beautiful Park. You’ll know you’re there when you reach the giant circle statue which is also a water feature you can play in.

Bristol Brewing Company

To this day, Bristol Brewing Company remains the coolest brewery I have ever been to. Bristol is located inside of Ivywild School, which is also home to a coffee shop, office space and bakery. Bristol has gone along with the school theme and incorporated composition book menus and clipboard check holders. Grab a spot on the patio for a sweet view of Pikes Peak.

Manitou Springs Incline

The Manitou Springs Incline is hardly a hidden gem at this point, because it is becoming so well known. Nevertheless, it’s worth mentioning because it should make your list of non-touristy things to do in the city. This hike is not for the faint of heart, as it’s over 3,000 steps up to the top, but the view is great and the locals cheer you on each step of the way.

Gold Camp Road

Yeah, it’s haunted… but this hike is perfect for those that get bored easily! If you’re looking to park closest to the collapsed tunnel, use the upper lot past Helen Hunt Falls on Cheyenne Canyon Road and head northwest down Upper Gold Camp Road. This hike is a little dangerous due to the loose rock and ghosties.

I’m really going to miss being a short drive from Colorado Springs. It’s such a fun town with so much to explore. I’m thrilled that Colorado Springs is becoming more of a tourist destination, and that people are journeying away from Denver to see more of beautiful Colorado. Enjoy your journey!

Thanks for reading,

Emma

July 16, 2018May 8, 2025

What I Packed In My 40L Travel Backpack

You don’t need nearly as much as you think you need

When my husband and I began planning our 35 day European excursion, one thing was clear, we needed to pack light. Not only does a light pack help when getting on and off the public transportation systems, it’s required for traveling on RyanAir or other budget airline flights.

So how did I, a girly girl who is known for having a “mowing the lawn outfit” and a “getting the mail outfit” fit everything she needed for 35 days into a 22 lb backpack? Let me tell you, it was not nearly as hard as it sounds and I am never going back to rolling luggage.

Choosing a backpack

If you’re planning on traveling abroad and need to pack in what I’ll refer to as a “budget airlines approved” bag, you’ll need to focus on the dimensions. For most budget airlines, your main piece of luggage must not weigh more than 10kg and cannot exceed baggage allowance size of 55 x 40 x 20 cm. My husband and I both went with Osprey’s 40L backpacks that measure 21 x 14 x 9 inches.

Our bags may seem small, but our bags typically weighed 8-9 kg, and we would juggle items between bags to stay under the weight limit. Now, here’s something that others won’t tell you about budget airline travel — the airlines seldom check your dimensions and weight if you are carrying a 40L backpack. For 4/5 flights we boarded without being stopped, while passengers who had rolling luggage were asked to check their bags.

I LOVED my backpack by the end of the trip and was so happy with the decision we made.

Packing smart

One of the best decisions we made was packing our clothes in vacuum seal bags. I recommend these ones. The name is deceiving, you just fill up the bag, sit on it and zip it up. We became such pros at packing these things and they saved us tons of space.

Originally, I had purchased a toiletry bag that I thought would save me room and keep my makeup organized. BIG MISTAKE. My advice: If it weighs more than a zip lock bag and provides the same function, ditch it. I switched to a gallon zip lock three days in and left my toiletry bag behind at an AirBnb.

For everything else in my bag, I organized them into gallon zip locks: Electronics, documents and things I needed on hand during flights/train rides. I packed my bag according to what I would need the soonest, with toiletries at the top for easy access in security lines.

In my bag

Below is a list of everything I packed, the things I didn’t need are in red while the things that were lifesavers are in green.

What I didn’t need

Jeans

First and foremost, I would avoid bringing jeans to Europe in the summer at all costs. My husband and I regretted it everyday. A pair of leggings did the trick for me on the very few cooler days. Jeans will be your heaviest item and you so seldom need them.

Cable locks

We stayed in very few hostels so we never used our cable locks. Well, I take that back, we left our luggage in one hotel lobby and my husband locked up the pocket where he kept the tablet. I guess if you’re a paranoid traveler, having one cable lock will do the trick.

Baby wipes

“Keep them handy!” they said. “You’ll use them all the time!” they said. I was literally never in a situation where my hands got sticky and a sink wasn’t in walking distance. I’m sure baby wipes can be used in a myriad of other ways, but you catch my drift, we didn’t use them.

Sleep mask

If you don’t use one at home, you won’t use one while traveling. It’s that simple.

Electronics converter

WARNING: READ THIS PART CAREFULLY. Yes, you will need an electronics converter while in Europe. We brought two from the United States and NEITHER of them worked (one was from REI). We bought one in Italy for 6 Euro and it worked perfectly. Wait to buy your converter!

Maps/directions

Unless you plan on going completely off the grid electronically, you do not need to bring travel maps to Europe. We opened ours once and quickly realized the scale was far too big for our needs. Do yourself a favor, download Google Maps offline and skip the print maps.

What I did need

To clarify: everything that isn’t in red I used frequently, but the items in green were heavy hitters that saved our lives on more than one occasion.

Collapsible daypack

This Matador collapsible backpack was the MVP of our Europe trip. My husband wore this thing every single day and it carried our water bottles, jackets, wallets, sunglasses, cameras, etc. On our big travel days, it folded up into a pocket sized bundle and added virtually no weight to our luggage. This thing is strong and incredibly comfortable to wear all day long.

Laundry detergent

This was hit or miss. Most laundromats required liquid detergent which we did not have, so we were charged extra. However, the powder detergent came in handy when we needed to do a couple of items in the sink on the go. At the end of our trip, my husband knew I would be tossing the detergent bag and jokingly labeled it “Bag O’ Cocaine.” Admittedly, the bag of powder looks suspicious to those who wouldn’t know it’s detergent.

Stain remover

If you spill gelato on your pants, a Tide To Go stick will save you a trip to the laundry. This will keep you from crying in an Amsterdam airport…I’ve heard.

External hard drive

You will take too many photos for your tablet to handle. Bring extra storage and load your pictures onto it during long flights.

Driver’s License

Nope, not your United States license. (Although, you should keep that with you while you travel, too.) If you plan on driving a rental car abroad, you’ll need an international driver’s permit. Stop and grab another passport photo and head to your nearest AAA store for a $20 driver’s permit. Most countries would not let us rent a car without one.

When it comes to packing for a month abroad, you need to remember that each item you bring is one less souvenir that you get to bring home. We packed our bags to the brim and couldn’t bring home more than a handful of postcards.

Only bring the necessities. You’d be shocked how quickly a 40L backpack fills up!

Thanks for reading,

Emma

June 28, 2018May 8, 2025

Looking Back On Our Past 35 Days In Europe

It’s our last day in Europe.

As you might remember, our first day in Europe was a disaster. Read more about that hot mess here. Don’t worry, things got better, a lot better! We had a nearly perfect trip and made memories that’ll last us a lifetime. It’s hard to believe all of the cool things we’ve done in the past month. After hiking the Meteora Monasteries, my husband said, “When we have kids, we can say, ‘Listen, your parents are hella dope. You are lucky to have parents this hella dope.’”

Kidding, of course.

In the coming months I’ll post about the experiences we had and places we saw, but for now here’s a sneak peak of our thoughts on the trip as a whole. My husband and I answered the questions independently so our reflections wouldn’t influence each others.

Reflections

My reflections are noted with an “E:” and my husbands with an “M:”

What was one touristy attraction that you thought would be lame, but was actually very cool?

E: Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. I always thought they were just ‘add ons’ to the Roman Colosseum tour, but they were actually a remarkable piece of history so wonderfully preserved in the middle of the city.

M: The Trevi Fountain. I thought, ‘Eh, it’s a fountain.’ In person, it’s so much more spectacular. It’s huge, and full of little sculpted details.

roman forum full day in rome — Palatine Hill, Italy

trevi fountain in rome — Trevi Fountain, Italy

Which country do you already want to go back to?

E: Italy. I feel like I only saw a small piece of Rome, just barely scratching the surface of what is a really incredible city.

M: The Netherlands. I’m still shocked by how friendly everyone was! The weather was amazing and Amsterdam was beautiful. It was great.

The Vatican gold room rome — The Vatican, Italy

amsterdam architecture the netherlands — Amsterdam, Netherlands

What was one of your biggest ‘WOW’ moments?

E: Kissing Michael under the Eiffel Tower. It was a bucket list item I had written in my journal shortly after Michael and I started dating 7 years ago. I just couldn’t believe all we’ve been through and that we actually made this trip a reality.

M: I remember a moment in Kalambaka, sitting on a cement wall overlooking all of the monasteries and thinking, ‘Is this really happening?’ I didn’t think I’d ever see a more beautiful view.

eiffel tower photo paris — Eiffel Tower, France

view from kalambaka monasteries — Kalambaka, Greece

Could you see yourself living anywhere that you visited?

E: Uitgeest, Netherlands or a similar small town. I loved the architecture, the people and the surrounding attractions. I felt very at home there.

M: Uitgeest, Netherlands. It’s close enough to Amsterdam, a beach and quiet countryside villages.

Nieuwkoop small town netherlands — Netherlands countryside

What was your favorite hotel, hostel, or AirBnb?

E: The SAS Attrap’Rêves Bubble Hotel in Allauch, France. Hands down the coolest place I’ve ever stayed in my life. It was a really unique experience that I’m so glad we splurged on.

M: We_Croceferi Hostel in Venice, Italy. I wasn’t expecting much from a hostel, but entering in to a large courtyard and sleeping in what used to be a monastery was really cool. Plus, we had a private room, which I wasn’t expecting.

Bubble hotel Attrep Reves Allauch France — SAS Attrap’Rêves Bubble Hotel in Allauch, France

we croceferi hostel venice — We_Croceferi Hostel in Venice, Italy

What was the best meal you had?

E: The steak at ZoetWater Hotel in Nieuwkoop, Netherlands.

M: The 4 € slice of Philadelphia cream cheese and mushroom pizza I had at Pizza Florida, a hole in the wall spot under our hotel in Rome. We didn’t take photos of it, you’ll just have to trust me that it was awesome.

ZoetWater Hotel steak the netherlands — ZoetWater Hotel, Netherlands

Do you feel like there were any unnecessary splurges, or areas where we could have saved money?

E: Breakfasts! A couple of times we went to the supermarket and bought granola bars or yogurts to hold us over for the mornings, I wish we would have done that the entire trip. Europe breakfasts aren’t like back home — they’re usually a loaf of bread with meat, cheese and jam. It just felt like a waste of calories and money first thing in the morning.

M: Dinners. We didn’t need to eat nice meals out as often as we did. In each country it felt like we said, ‘We NEED to go out for [insert food here] because the country is known for it!’ Most times the food was just like what you’d find anywhere else in the world.

What was something you are glad you can say you got to experience?

E: Swimming in the hot spring of the Nea Kameni volcano in Santorini. The ocean water goes from cold to warm and the sand is a rusty orange color.

M: The Dult Festival in Regensburg, Germany. It was cool to attend a local, authentic Oktoberfest and dance on tables yelling, “PROST!”

Santorini Greece Sunset cruise volcano swimming — Santorini, Greece

Germany Dult Festival — Regensburg, Germany

What was the hardest day of the trip for you?

E: Probably the 2nd or 3rd day of our trip when we were in Germany. Almost everything that could have gone wrong did. I truly felt like throwing in the towel, quitting my blog, and ceasing to travel outside of my comfort zone. It was a hard day.

M: Our Santorini to Rome travel day was the worst. First, we missed our bus. Then, the Santorini airport was a hot, crowded, disaster. When we arrived in Rome, our hotel was closed (no 24 hour reception) so we had to scramble to find a new hotel room, paying double the price for lodging. Our computer and phone were dead, and I had to leave Emma alone in a restaurant with no way to contact her. When I got back with the good news of a booked hotel room an hour later, Emma was in tears thinking that something had happened to me because I had been gone for so long. It was the hardest day by far.

travel from santorini to rome — Travel day from Santorini to Rome, before the chaos

Was there anything you think we should’ve spent more money on?

E: Hotels. We were so budget conscious when booking and chose some really crappy AirBnbs and hostels. The last thing I wanted to do at the end of a travel day was share space with fellow stinky travelers or go sleep on a stranger’s dirty mattress.

M: Audio guides or guided tours in English. We saw so many cool things, and didn’t know the context behind half of it.

What town/city would you be content with never visiting again?

E: Regensburg, Germany. Loved the town! But it was our first destination and we had enough energy to see everything on our list. I feel confident that I saw the best of the town.

M: Regensburg, Germany. We had the most time there for how small of a place it was. We were able to see the best of it.

Regensburg Germany view from bridge museum — Regensburg, Germany

What stands out as the best day of the trip?

E: ATVing through Santorini. Laying out on the Perissa Black Sand Beach. Finishing the day with a romantic dinner overlooking Oia.

M: It’s almost impossible to say. Probably the day we rented ATVs in Santorini. We were scared to drive it on the busy roads at first, and ended up cruising all over the island, in and out of traffic with huge smiles on our faces.

santorini atv rental full day — Santorini, Greece

perissa black sand beach Greece — Perissa Black Sand Beach, Greece

What was one thing you did that you wish you could’ve given a little more time?

E: The Cat Sanctuary in Rome. I felt such a sense of purpose there, and realized it was a calling of mine to volunteer at a Cat Sanctuary. If I could, I would’ve spent a full day playing with the stray cats, just loving on them.

M: I would have cliff dived in Manarola. I wish I would’ve had my swimsuit, or had the guts to just dive in my underwear.

cat sanctuary in europe — Cat Sanctuary, Italy

manarola cinque terre italy — Manarola, Italy

We’ve been away from home for 35 days, and it sure feels like it. Sometimes vacations go by too quickly and in the blink of an eye you’re back home again. This trip has been quite the opposite. I feel like my days in Denver were a lifetime ago!

Tomorrow, we catch a flight back to the United States and three days later we move from Colorado to California. Some would call us crazy, and to those people I say, you’re abso-freakin-lutely correct.

Thanks for reading,

Emma

May 29, 2018May 8, 2025

Most Instagramable Places in Denver

Did you even visit Colorado if you didn’t get a sweet Instagram photo?

Denver is full of iconic landmarks. The Mile High City has many places to snap a photo that screams, “DENVER.”

Below are a few places that I’d recommend if you’re looking for good Instagramable photo opportunities. If you want a great shot of the city, check out one of my latest blogs Where To Go For The Best Views Of Denver’s Skyline.

Articulated Wall

The Articulated Wall is visible by more than the neighboring buildings within the Denver Design Center complex at 595 South Broadway. The sculpture transforms a driver’s view heading northbound on I-25. Visitors gawk at the bright yellow sculpture, which looks especially eye-catching against a bright blue sky.

Sports Authority Field at Mile High

Schedule a private tour of the Broncos stadium or go on a group tour of Sports Authority Field at Mile High. For an Instagramable photo opportunity like this — call (720) 258-3000.

Colorado Wall

This is a hidden gem along East Colfax in Denver near Tattered Cover Book Store. Stop by and take a photo that literally says, “Colorado,” no Instagram caption needed.

Coors Field

You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for a great photo from Coors Field. I took this picture after paying for $4 seat tickets and heading up to Coors Field rooftop bar. The beer is great and the views are spectacular.

16th Street Mall

Taken from the 3rd floor of the Denver Pavilions, this photo captures the 16th Street Mall when it’s at its most magical — nighttime. Insider tip: Parking at the Denver Pavilions is free when you see a movie at UA Denver Pavilions Stadium 15. Park in the parking garage below and validate your parking stub in the theatre.

Punch Bowl Social

An Instagramable spot on South Broadway is Punch Bowl Social, a large bar featuring lawn games, arcade games and a bowling alley. As you round the corner to head upstairs, you’ll come across this sweet mural and bright red chair. Search “Punch Bowl Social” on Instagram and you’ll find others who have snapped a shot at this iconic spot. Read more about the new location in Stapleton here.

Colorado Convention Center

Arguably one of the most iconic spots in downtown Denver, The Big Blue Bear is a must-see for Instagramable moments because of it’s enormous stature. Located outside of the Colorado Convention Center on 14th Street between California and Stout, the blue bear has hundreds of visitors a day. Read more about the bear here.

International Church of Cannabis

You wouldn’t think a church would be Instagramable, but this one definitely is. The International Church of Cannabis consists of a group of people known as Elevationists. Members join together in the church to smoke marijuana in a safe environment. No one under the age of 21 is permitted in the building. Learn more here.

Little Man Ice Cream

Little Man Ice Cream feels like summer. As a result, the place is always packed with a line wrapped around the building. Stop by for an ice cream cone and stay for the atmosphere and photo opportunities. Many nights, a live band will play on the Little Man Ice Cream patio while visitors dance the night away.

RiNo District Street Art

Denver’s RiNo District is known for their incredible street murals and literally thousands of Instagramable spots. Wander up and down the district alleys to see beautiful works of art that change each year during the Crush event.

Stanley Marketplace

One of the newest (and cutest) attractions in Denver is Stanley Marketplace. A photo outside of here says, “I visited one of Denver’s greatest hidden gems.” Stanley Marketplace is still somewhat unknown to out-of-state visitors, so you will probably be ahead of the curve when you post a photo to your feed.

Red Rocks Ampitheatre

Arguably the most noteworthy place near Denver, Red Rocks is visited by millions every year and is consequently a bucket list item for the majority of Coloradans. A visit to Red Rocks is a must, and a photo that documents your visit is practically required.

Union Station

Union Station may be the most iconic Denver landmark, as Denver visitors are sure to see it while exploring the LoDo area. A picture outside of Union Station from Blake and 17th is always a big hit, as is a photo inside of Union Station under the terminal sign.

As a Colorado native, I’m kind of obsessed with the Big Blue Bear. So obsessed, in fact, that I’m planning on buying this bear statue for my new office in California, just so I can have a piece of the city with me.

What is your favorite Denver landmark or Instagramable location? Let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends planning a trip to Colorado!

Thanks for reading,

Emma

May 15, 2018May 8, 2025

Where To Go For The Best Views Of Denver’s Skyline

There are a million places to get a good view of the Denver skyline. You can even get a nice view heading south on I-25 near Confluence Park, but snapping a photo from the highway is not realistic.

Below are some of the best places to get a view of Denver’s skyline, and they are far more enjoyable than standing in the middle of the road at 17th and Market, snapping shots of Union Station and the surrounding city buildings.

Ale House Denver

2501 16th St, Denver, CO 80211

Ale House Denver is an American bar and grill offering an incredible selection of beers on tap. These guys know their beer, and can recommend something that’ll pair well with your food selection. Visit their website to see what tasty bites they have to offer.

Downtown Denver Ale House at Amatos — Photo Courtesy of Ale House at Amatos

Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox

1215 20th St, Denver, CO 80202

While this is not a traditional view of Denver, it certainly shows that photos of Denver’s skyline do not only need to be taken from rooftop patios. This photo was taken outside of Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox downtown on our way to dinner.

Avanti

3200 N Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211

The upstairs patio at Avanti features this panoramic scene of the Mile High City. A similar view can be seen at Linger, a neighboring restaurant. At sunset, this scene is especially breathtaking. I recommend a reservation for two on the patio for a romantic date night.

Prost Brewing Company

2540 19th St, Denver, CO 80211

If you’re looking for a laid back evening with a rad group of people, consider Prost Brewing Company. This joint has massive tables, excellent beer, board games and views of Denver’s skyline. What more could you possibly need?

Prost Brewing view of Denver — Photo courtesy of Prost Brewing

El Five

2930 Umatilla, Denver, CO 80211

El Five offers a practically perfect view of downtown Denver and is one of the hottest Instagramable spots in the city. Stop in for tapas and dessert and take in the beauty of the city. I recommend going on a warm summer evening and asking for a seat on the patio — you won’t regret it!

El Five view of Denver — Photo courtesy of El Five

Ramada Denver Downtown

1150 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80218

If you’re looking for a view of the city without actually going into the city, head on over to the Ramada Inn. All you need to do is cross the street to capture a gorgeous view of Denver, but their rooms offer pretty incredible views as well. If you’re looking for a place to stay near Denver, consider Ramada Denver Downtown!

Tap Fourteen

1920 Blake St, Denver, CO 80202

Located just a half a block from Coors Field, Tap Fourteen is one of the best places in downtown Denver to have a nice cold beer on a rooftop patio, overlooking the cityscape. If you’re already in the heart of the city, stop here for a good time.

Tap Fourteen Denver view — Photo courtesy of Tap Fourteen

City Park

2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205

One of the most iconic views of Denver can be seen from City Park. Head to the back of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for this shot. This photo was taken just outside of the museum, but shots can also be taken from inside of the museum by walking through the Wildlife Exhibits on the 2nd or 3rd floor.

54thirty

1475 California St, Denver, CO 80202

A new spot in Denver for sweeping panoramic views is 54thirty, a rooftop bar and Denver’s highest open-air patio. This seasonal bar at Le Méridien Denver Downtown offers delicious cocktails and fun bites, and is a great place to bring out of town guests this summer!

54thirty view of Denver skyline — Photo courtesy of 54thirty

If you’re looking for additional views of Denver’s skyline and the Rocky Mountains, check out this article from Westword. Their list contains more areas outside of downtown Denver.

Thanks for reading,

Emma