Long before arriving in Berlin, I knew it was a city for hipsters. But Berlin is a gargantuan place — several times the size of Paris. Just where was the hippest neighborhood of all? I started researching and saw people say that both Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg were very cool places to live. But they […]
Living it Up in Hip Kreuzberg, Berlin Read More »
What took me so long? I’ve been living in Europe for the past year and a half, traveling to Europe for a decade before that, and I only just made it to the wonderful city of Berlin. The secret’s out. This place is BEYOND fabulous. I fell in love hard and fast with Berlin, and
Berlin: City of Hipsters, City of Entrepreneurs Read More »
At 18, you’re a legal adult. But does that mean you’re old enough to travel the world on your own for a few months or longer? This might seem outrageous to my American readers — but in other countries, Australia in particular, it’s not uncommon for 18-year-olds to backpack long-term. This week’s question examines age
Ask Kate: Is 18 Too Young To Travel Long-Term? Read More »
Of all the emails I get, a good portion of them are from readers wanting to know there is to do in a certain destination — but definitely not any touristy stuff. Well…isn’t that the point? I get it. You’re a traveler. You’re refined. You want to differentiate yourself from other tourists. You don’t want
It’s Okay to Be a Cheesy Tourist Read More »
I’ve wanted to pay my respects at the World Trade Center Memorial since it opened, but it has eluded me up until now. Visiting requires booking a visitor pass in advance, and when I had tried, it had been sold out for weeks at a time. Maybe that was just because it was the summer,
Visiting the World Trade Center Memorial Read More »
With this week’s #FriFotos theme of trees, I thought this would be a great opportunity to share some of my favorite tree photos. It didn’t occur to me until I started that I’ve visited quite a few near-treeless places in the past year! Iceland is mostly treeless, as are the Faroe Islands and parts of
Trees Around the World Read More »
This week’s question is about planning. Just how far should you plan ahead when you travel? Hi Kate! I’ve been thinking of taking some time off my job to backpack across Europe & Asia for several months. I came across your blog while doing some research, and it has been so inspiring! Really confirms that
Ask Kate: How Far Should I Plan Ahead? Read More »
Arriving in Lyon, I only knew three things about the city: that it was the second-largest city in France after Paris (if you include the metro area), that it was France’s culinary capital, and that it was home to an amazing lights festival. Lyon’s Fete des Lumieres was one of the most spectacular things I’ve
Meet Lyon: France’s Second City Read More »
Hostels have played such a huge role in my travels and my life — especially party hostels. If I added up the happiest memories of my travels, hostels would be responsible for quite a few of them. Most of my closest travel friendships began in hostels as well. At the same time, though, I’m getting
My Favorite Hostels Read More »
This week’s question is one that I get asked quite often. If you bring your phone on your travels, how do you make calls abroad? I was wondering what cell phone and carrier you use? I have a centro and I’m with sprint but have never used my phone outside the USA. I’m going
Ask Kate: Should I Get An International Phone Plan? Read More »