My husband and I took an amazing trip to Peru this November. We spent about a week in Cusco and the Sacred Valley exploring Inca archaeological sites (including, of course, Machu Picchu!), then traveled to the Tambopata Reserve of the Amazon, where spent an incredible five days spotting wildlife in the rainforest and on lakes and the Tambopata River. Finally, we finished the trip with … Continue reading Peru
We finished up our tour of Peru with a couple of days in Lima. We had less time there than we would have liked, partially because of a delayed flight from Cusco, but still managed to have an enjoyable time! Top Tips for Visiting Lima – Some areas of Lima are not very safe for tourists. We stayed in Miraflores and had no problems at … Continue reading Peru: Lima
After our time in the Andes, we needed a change of pace so we headed to one of Peru’s other famous regions–the Amazon Rainforest. We stayed at a jungle lodge for four days and took wildlife-viewing excursions on foot and by boat everyday… it was an amazing experience! Top Tips for Visiting the Amazon – Weigh your options before choosing your rainforest excursion. There are … Continue reading Peru: Amazon Rainforest (Tambopata Reserve)
After spending a few days in Cusco, we moved on to Machu Picchu, one of the most famous archaeological ruins in the world. To make the most of the trip, we decided to spend two days there, staying overnight at a cheap hostel in Aguas Calientes. Top Tips for Visiting Machu Picchu – The rules are always changing at Machu Picchu, so be sure to … Continue reading Peru: Machu Picchu
We started our trip to Peru in the Andes. We stayed in Cusco and visited several other towns and Inca ruins around the Sacred Valley (including, of course, Machu Picchu!). Top Tips and Advice for Visiting Cusco and the Sacred Valley – Altitude sickness is for real, so plan to take it easy for at least your first day or so! Cusco is at an … Continue reading Peru: Cusco & Sacred Valley
If it’s your first time in one of the most artistic cities in the world, you’re very likely going to be visiting the largest art museum in the world to see arguably the most famous painting in the world: the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. We’ll just say that’s a given. But after you’ve braved the crowds to see the lady’s enigmatic smile and checked … Continue reading Beyond the Mona Lisa: Where to Find Art You’ll Love in Paris
While Amsterdam is definitely one of Europe’s most popular cities, a trip there can add up fast! Here are some tips to help you save some money while exploring some of Amsterdam’s finest offerings. Purchase a Museumkaart Amsterdam has several world class museums, but many of these come with a hefty price tag. Luckily, the city offers several different discount cards for its city attractions, … Continue reading How to Experience the Best of Amsterdam for Cheap
One of my very favorite things about London is that, not only do they have quite a few world-class museums, but entrance to many of them is completely free! Whether you’re interested in science, art, archaeology, or home decor, you’ll be able to find an amazing museum there that you can check out for no money at all. Check out this list of my favorite … Continue reading The 6 Best Free Museums in London
After Paris and London, we continued on to Amsterdam, ready to see the Van Gogh Museum, works by the Dutch Golden Age masters, and the famous canals. I’d never been to this city before, and I was excited to scope it out for the first time with Rebecca! Day 1: Museum Van Loon & the Van Gogh Museum We left Hotel Esmeralda bright and early, … Continue reading Amsterdam for Art Lovers
After a nice introduction to Europe in London, Rebecca and I journeyed on to the artistic capital of Europe – Paris! We had five days there to see all the major attractions and art museums, and we also took day trips to Giverny and Versailles. I didn’t completely enjoy my first trip to Paris, so I was excited to give it a second chance! Day 1: … Continue reading Paris for Art Lovers