Do you get a thrill out of finding a totally unique item for bargain prices? Does the idea of finding one of these pieces in a foreign country make the idea even more appealing and the piece even more sentimental? If so, then you might have been Googling, “thrift stores in insert city here.” This works…
I was stranded in Italy! (Not an Average Moving Vlog)
My move home was anything but uneventful. As if spending 54 hours of my life to get home wasn’t enough, my bus broke down, I had to rebook my plane, and my new flight was even delayed! It honestly felt like the world was working against me those couple of days. They say a picture…
What it’s REALLY like to Write your Master’s Thesis
I think a lot of people have some sort of preconception as to what it’s like to write a thesis or conduct some big research project. Whether it resembles reality is another question. While many may never get the opportunity (or wouldn’t ever want the opportunity cause let’s face it… it ain’t fun), and while…
Why I’m Moving Back Home
If you are not following me on social media then it might come as a surprise that my time here in Europe is coming to an end; at least for the time being. If this all seems sudden — don’t worry — it is. I had been exploring the possibility for about a month now…
6 Things you Might Forget to Pack for your Trip
We’ve all been there. Halfway to our exciting destination and the sinking feeling that you forgot something suddenly comes to an epiphany when you realize you left something super important at home. Even worse! You are in the middle of your trip, digging through your bag for something until you finally come to terms with…
Backpack Italy with my 10 or 14 Day Itinerary
Italy is a must-see destination for a lot of people but because there are so many amazing places and sites to see, it can feel a bit intimidating. I know that when I was planning my trip there was a lot of pressure to “not miss anything.” For some this may be possible, but for…
Exploring Naples, Sorrento and Everything in Between
I managed to have the most perfect timing in regards to weather during my entire trip. I watched, feeling very lucky, as a massive thunderstorm descended on Rome while my bus pulled out of the city. The last stop on my Italian tour was Naples and the surrounding villages lining the Gulf of Naples. I…
Visiting the Smallest Country in the World
My last full day in Rome was dedicated to the Vatican City. I pre-booked a tour of the gardens to start off the day and I’m so glad that I did. The gardens are actually over half of the entire state at 57 acres/23 hectares (the state itself is only 110 acres/44 hectares — that’s 1/8 the…
When in Rome
I arrived in the capital city at about 6 pm after concluding my Tuscan adventures in Siena and checked into the fanciest hostel of my life. I quickly put my stuff away, filled my water bottle and headed off to cross one of the smaller “must see’s” off my list. I started with the Spanish Steps…
Exploring Tuscany by Train
Using Florence as my home base, I decided to get a feel for some of those iconic Tuscan villages nearby. While my drivers license is no longer valid in Europe to be able to do the classic “rent a car to drive from village to village” thing, I still had an amazing experience by rail….
My Way of Everything 