Europe

My Perfect Day in Paris

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My perfect day in Paris doesn’t involve the Eiffel Tower. It doesn’t involve croissants. And it definitely doesn’t involve gruyère cheese. What does it involve? Wandering. Taking pictures. Stopping for steak frites. Enjoying the rare and beautiful blue skies. People-watching. And discovering beautiful little details all over the city. Which picture is your favorite?

A Sibling Trip to Portugal

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So once upon a time in 2008, the summer I took my first backpacking trip through Europe, I decided I wasn’t ready to come home just yet- so I ended up inviting my brother to backpack Spain and Portugal for two and a half weeks. That may sound fairly kosher, but we were both laughably … Read more

Finding My Perfect London Neighborhood

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So, here’s an itty-bitty confession- I kind of want to move to London after my time in Paris is up. In nearly every way, it’s the perfect city for me at this point in my life: large, vibrant and nightlife-filled, located in Western Europe, and oh, yeah- I could get a real job due to the common language thing. Plus… boys with posh English accents live there. Love.

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My Favorite London Moments

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Though I’ve heard mixed reviews about London, for me it was nothing short of a very drizzly heaven. After months of feeling like I have no personality (my poor French reduces me to a shy but sweet, whimpering version of myself), it was such a blessing to socialize in my native language.

Escaping from France aside, there was so much to love about London, and I spent three days pocketing little moments of joy across the city. Here are a few of those moments.

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10 Unique Things to Do in Istanbul

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“A lifetime isn’t enough to discover Rome” is an expression that also applies to its fellow former Roman capital, Istanbul, a city I found nothing short of magnificent.

I wanted to finish off my Istanbul coverage by recapping some activities that I strongly advise you not to miss. And while I hate the guilt that the word “must-see” tends to ascribe, here are some things to do in Istanbul that I really loved.

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Saturday Snapshot 22

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Hey everyone! Please excuse me for the week-long blog hiatus- I have not yet mastered the art of blogging while traveling. In fact I didn’t even bring my laptop to London which is where I just spent several blissful and sunny days. (Yes, sunny, warm London weather in March. Can you believe it?)

While I journeyed to London briefly in 2010, this was my first time really exploring the city and I have to admit I kind of fell in love. And took hundreds of pictures, of course.

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Blue Mosque Dreaming

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Ever since visiting the Alhambra Palace in Grenada, Spain, when I was 16, I’ve had a serious soft spot for Arabic or Moorish architecture. I find myself fawning over the horseshoe arches, the intricate, geometric patterns, the swooping Arabic calligraphy… and there’s no better place to bask in the beauty of Arabic architecture than at … Read more