Destinations - Ashley Abroad Travel Blog

A Miracle Thanksgiving in France

February 14, 2014December 12, 2012 by Ashley Fleckenstein

Excuse my French, but throwing a Thanksgiving in France was a complete shitshow. For starters, I cook in a tiny kitchen with one oven, no microwave, no freezer and a stove you have to light with a match. On top of that I foolishly gave myself less than TWO HOURS to cook everything. And you … Read more

Meeting my Culinary/Literary Hero, David Lebovitz

February 14, 2014December 5, 2012 by Ashley Fleckenstein

When I read via Twitter that La Cuisine would be hosting a book signing for my favorite cookbook author, I immediately RSVPed for the event. I didn’t care if I had to quit my job; I was going to be meeting David Lebovitz.

My First Parisian Christmas Market

February 14, 2014December 4, 2012 by Ashley Fleckenstein

You know how you picture Paris? The sprawling parks and grand boulevards, the charming mansard roofs and Art Deco metro signs? Well La Defense, Paris’ financial district, looks nothing like that. Okay, maybe the metro sign still looks like that. To be honest, I didn’t like La Defense at all. But the Christmas market certainly … Read more

Saturday Snapshot 9

February 6, 2019December 1, 2012 by Ashley Fleckenstein

Hey guys! So several things happened this week that I never expected to happen EVER in my life.

Paris in the Rain: A Photo Essay in the City of Lights

February 14, 2014November 30, 2012 by Ashley Fleckenstein

Happy Friday everyone! So now that I’ve shown you what I do on a day-to-day basis, I want to show you what I do on my day off. On my days off I can generally be found wandering Paris in the rain. Paris in the rain – yes, an undoubtedly cliché photo subject, but certainly … Read more

A Day in the Life of an American Au Pair in France

February 14, 2014November 28, 2012 by Ashley Fleckenstein

Note: After writing this post I realized that my entire day revolves around food. And to that statement I have no defense; it’s completely true. Today I want to give my readers a glimpse into my very glamorous life here in France. So, ready to find out what the life of an au pair is … Read more

Introducing… My Local Castle, the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Chateau

February 14, 2014November 26, 2012 by Ashley Fleckenstein

Life update! Remember the European to-travel list I shared with you guys a few weeks ago? Well I bought a ticket to Istanbul to visit my cousin who is living there! If anyone has recommendations for what to see/do in Istanbul I would love to hear them. So this week during my copious free time, … Read more

Saturday Snapshot 8

November 24, 2012November 24, 2012 by Ashley Fleckenstein

This week found me wandering around Paris as usual, but this time in my favorite neighborhood ever, Le Marais. I also made some time to check out my town’s local castle, which was built in 1122.

Being my typical indecisive self, I couldn’t pick the my favorite Saturday Snapshot; so readers, will you help a girl out?

Hiking the Cap Gris-Nez in the North of France

February 14, 2014November 22, 2012 by Ashley Fleckenstein

Due to my previous research in Frommer’s, I had read about hiking the Cap Gris-Nez. As the 200-year old apple farm where we were staying was only an hour away, the family and I took a day-trip over to see the fabled and dramatic coastline. On the car-ride to the capes the sweet and elderly grandfather insisted … Read more

Two Days at a 200-Year Old French Apple Farm

February 14, 2014November 20, 2012 by Ashley Fleckenstein

To be fair, I didn’t really spend two days at a 200-year old French apple farm – I spent two days at an apple farm that is at least 200 years old. And despite some editions over the years, the farmhouse itself was built more than 300 years ago. Catherine and Olivier, the couple whose children … Read more