Blog Posts

22 Feb

One day in Amsterdam: A 24-hour itinerary for a quick visit

If you only have one day in Amsterdam, this is the 24 hour itinerary for you!...

12:57 / Amsterdam / The Netherlands / Jessica C.

Stockholm boat - with the Stockholm Pass

13 Feb

How to spend 2 days in Stockholm with the Stockholm Pass

Stockholm in the summer is one of the most spectacular places we have ever been to. While we were in town, we used the 48 hour Stockholm Pass and challenged ourselves to see how much we could get into and spend 2 days exploring...

15:58 / Sweden / Jessica C.

05 Feb

How to get to Ischia: Ferry from Naples to Ischia

Italy is a fabulous country with so many corners to discover. We haven’t written too much about our trips to Italy because they’ve been mostly personal and there has to be a line somewhere. But now we are here to share with you...

11:55 / Italy / Jessica C.

31 Jan

What to wear in Singapore

Singapore is a great place to go to escape the cold. Its temperatures stay within a pretty narrow margin-- 23°C- 34°C (73°F-93°F) all year round. The humidity can vary, but you can be sure it will probably be humid when you get there...

16:46 / Singapore / Jessica C.

29 Jan

Hawker stall food tour in Singapore

To be a good tour guide, you need to have passion. When you guide people around on a food tour in Singapore, you better have passion about Singapore, history, its people, and food. On this hawker stall food tour in Singapore, we got...

15:50 / Singapore / Jessica C.

24 Jan

Best Amsterdam apps

Let’s face it, our phones probably control us more than we control them. Am I right? Time to make them work a little more for us. The best Amsterdam apps are ones that make life a little easier. Whether you are traveling or...

11:25 / Amsterdam / Jessica C.

22 Jan

The Expat’s Guide: Surviving winter in Amsterdam

There is so much to do when moving to a new place, from finding a rental or buying a home, to getting settled at work, and making a new social network (AKA friendships). It’s easy to miss what you might need for the...

21:52 / Amsterdam / Expat Life / Jessica C.

Recently, I really started to noticed all the waste we produce unintentionally. I write this post not to preach, blame, or get on a soapbox. I write this post on zero waste travel to get you thinking about whether making some small changes to create less waste is something you want to do. The thing I’ve noticed about the zero waste movement is that, for the most part, it’s not all about being perfect and creating ZERO waste. That’s virtually impossible. With everyone making small changes, a big difference can be made in the world. These are the small changes I’ll be making throughout this year. They are simple swapouts and typically will save you money in the long run. Packing with less waste for the bathroom Do buy GoToobsDon’t buy the little travel bottles of your favorite shampooIf you’re like me, you might take advantage of sales and have a stockpile of shampoos and such that you need to get through. GoToobs have been my go-to for years now to fill with the bottles I already have. I love them because they are easy to pack, easy to fill, and easy to clean. I recommend going for the 2.5 oz bottles or less for regular travel. I have never gone through a 3 oz bottle of anything when traveling for a week. Do take shampoo/conditioner barsDon’t use bottles at allThis is the next step if you’re up for it. Since I still need to go through my bottles, I’m not here yet, but I’ll be trying the shampoo and conditioner bars from Lush once I get there. I’ve heard great things about their shampoo bars and mixed reviews about the conditioner bars, but once I use them for a while, I’ll let you know how they work for me. There have been rave reviews of J.R. Liggett’s shampoo bars as well. Do some research and see which you like best. Do buy bar soapDon’t buy shower gel in plastic bottlesSean’s always done this. You can wrap it in a washcloth when you travel or get a travel case for it. This will be a new one for me, but between the bottle of gel and the plastic in body puffs, I decided a bar of soap is best. Bonus points for a no package bar from a market or speciality store, but let’s be real, that’s not the easiest thing to find. Baby steps. Do take a washclothDon’t use body puffsI just mentioned this above, but washcloths last so much longer and are so versatile where the body puffs are not usually made well and get trashed quickly and typically made of plastic. Do get a bamboo toothbrushDon’t get a plastic toothbrushThis might just be the easiest swap. Even if you don’t have a compost to dispose of the bamboo toothbrush in when it’s finished, it’s still a better option. Bamboo is a highly renewable resource as it grows super fast and it takes less energy to produce than plastic. I figure it’s still a step up if you have to toss it. Daily items to use when traveling to reduce waste Always have a reusable bagAvoid one time use plastic bagsOnce you get in this habit, it’s super easy. We started using reusable bags in the U.S. I bought one for every family member (I’m not sure any of those get used!) and we got ourselves one just to get used to taking it. Then a friend gave me one for my birthday 2 years in a row. I think she forgot, but we still use them, so we’re happy about it :) The bags I bought were recycled from old plastic bottles. Easy to pack and throw in any sized bag. Of course, if you have a million fabric/canvas totes from conference like me, they are perfect if they are big enough! We have to pay for bags here, so it’s an easy habit to get into :) Check prices on reusable shopping bags. Take a reusable water bottle everywhereAvoid single-use plastic bottlesThis isn’t always possible, but it’s about taking small steps to reduce waste. I’m not in the habit of remembering my bottle, but when I do, it pays off! I had it in my backpack side pocket when we got snacks from the airport and the women noticed it. She asked if I wanted her to fill it up before we got on the place. YES! Brilliant idea! I use a stainless steel bottle right now, but I used to use and may buy again, a Camelback bottle. If you want super safe drinking water in places you’re unsure if you should drink it, try a Lifestraw bottle. Make homemade snacksAvoid a ton of wrappersDid you catch the story above? We bought snacks at the airport. I hate doing that because I know it’s expensive and causes unnecessary waste. But it happens. I do prefer, however, to have a prep evening the night before a flight to make something homemade to take with us. I’ll be getting these kinds of silicone baggies to take as well so we can keep reusing them. Right now it’s regular plastic baggies and I feel so bad about it. It’s on the next Amazon list! Take reusable utensils/strawsDecline plasticware/plastic strawsSean was given a set of bamboo utensils in the U.S. in a little pouch and adored them. Used them all the time at work. I just asked him whatever happened to them. Turns out, he is still using them! Proud wife :) Now, I need to get a set! We both just got stainless steel straws, as well. Though, straws are a big thing here. Take away cups with straws isn’t a big thing and you don’t always get them in restaurants, but we’ll still take them if we get a soda (which is rare!). In the U.S., however, they would really come in handy. I'm thinking this full set would be perfect! These are some small steps we have made or are going to be making in our lives to impact the planet just a little less. The smallest of efforts, if done by many, can make a big difference! I’m happy to be doing my part. What is your favorite thing to do to have the environment? Wishing you joy and travels!

17 Jan

Zero waste travel: Packing using less packaging

Recently, I really started to notice all the waste we produce unintentionally. I write this post not to preach, blame, or get on a soapbox. I write this post on zero waste travel to get you thinking about whether making some small changes...

16:57 / Travel Tips / Jessica C.

15 Jan

Things to do in Amsterdam Noord: A guide for Amsterdam North

There are different kinds of travelers, the kind that need to check off the to-dos and must-sees, and the kind that wander around to see what they can get into. To be honest, we do a bit of both. Getting off the tourist...

18:01 / Amsterdam / The Netherlands / Jessica C.

Tropenmuseum of World of Culture-Rob van Esch-Redactioneel

10 Jan

Uncovering Amsterdam Oost: The Amsterdam East neighborhood guide

I friggin’ love Amsterdam but we are getting so many tourists nowadays! My biggest tip when visiting Amsterdam is to get out of the center. There is so much to this incredible city, but you have to get away from the crowds to...

12:39 / Amsterdam / The Netherlands / Jessica C.

One day in Amsterdam: A 24-hour itinerary for a quick visit

How to spend 2 days in Stockholm with the Stockholm Pass

How to get to Ischia: Ferry from Naples to Ischia

What to wear in Singapore

Hawker stall food tour in Singapore

Best Amsterdam apps

The Expat’s Guide: Surviving winter in Amsterdam

Zero waste travel: Packing using less packaging

Things to do in Amsterdam Noord: A guide for Amsterdam North

Uncovering Amsterdam Oost: The Amsterdam East neighborhood guide

Stockholm Foodie Guide: 25 Best Restaurants, Cafés & Bars

The Ultimate Carry-On Only Travel Gift Guide

Amsterdam in December: Magical Winter Things to Do & Festive Experiences

Fall in Amsterdam: The Best Things to do in Autumn

What to Wear for a Fall Trip to Amsterdam