round trip travel and lifestyle blog

City Guides

Best Beaches to Visit in Marseille, France

Chances are if you’re visiting Marseille, you want some sun. I’ve been living in Marseille for more than two years now and am head over heels for this Mediterranean port city’s 300 days of sunshine. Being the second largest city in France, Marseille is certainly urban, but what I love about this city is that you can have both big city and stunning nature. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly beach or a beach where you can jump off cliffs, I’ve got you covered. If you’re heading to Marseille and want to enjoy some time on the beach, I’m...

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City Guide: Copenhagen, Denmark

Living abroad has its pros and its cons. Pros: I get to live out my dream of doing life and working in another culture and country. Cons: seeing friends and family is hassle and few and far in between. So when my college friend Mimi texted me saying she was coming to France in a few months, I was delighted. Moving to France during Covid meant I’ve had few visitors. She said she’d be spending some time in Paris and then flying over to Copenhagen. As much as I love Paris, I adore exploring new places. I said, I...

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How to Take a Day Trip to the Calanques from Marseille

There are few places in the world that simply take our breath away and make us feel small in the most magnificent way. There are places that make us feel like we’re living in a postcard and perhaps we’re looking at a green screen. The calanques in Marseille are truly some of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in my life. The calanques refer to the majestic rock formations jutting in and out of the Mediterranean sea. It’s the perfect place to take a hike, picnic or swim. There are multiple calanques in southern France. If you’re headed to...

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City Guide: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Like many, I’d always dreamed of traveling for work to glittering destinations. In June, I started a new job for a company specializing in student exchange programs, and thanks to this internationally minded position, I’ve had the chance to live out this dream of traveling for work. Most recently, our company headed to Amsterdam for our annual staff retreat. When we weren’t in meetings or giving presentations, we explored the tranquil city of Amsterdam. From biking to exploring museums, here are some of the best things to do in Amsterdam. This article may include affiliate links. Full disclaimer. An...

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Island Guide to Maui, Hawaii

When you’re invited to a Hawaii destination wedding, you go. My cousin recently had her wedding on Maui, and given my relocation to France, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make it. If you look at France on the map, Hawaii is literally on the other side of the globe. I mean, c’mon! But I can’t turn down getting invited to a Hawaii wedding and having the opportunity to enjoy time with the whole extended family. So, we made quite the adventure of it, especially given the wild state of airport cancelations and delays. But...

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City Guide to Nîmes and Aigues-Mortes, France

My dad always said, “It’s not what you know but who you know.” And when it comes to travel, it’s no different. In September 2020, I moved to Marseille, France, to teach English and have enjoyed exploring France’s gems from Bordeaux to Nice. But France has a geographically rich and diverse country with thousands of corners to explore. And thanks to my teaching program, I know several other assistants in France whom I can visit. My university friend Nandi is teaching in Nîmes, and although this town wasn’t at the top of my bucket list, I’m always down to...

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Where Did Emily in Paris Travel in Season 2?

Love it or hate it, people are talking about Emily in Paris and its second season on Netflix. The series follows a young professional who moves from Chicago to Paris to work in marketing and just so happens to find romance and adventure along the way. I watched the first season, and although cliché, the show still tickled my fancy with its lightheartedness, edgy fashion and vibrant soundtrack. When Emily in Paris season 2 came out, I downloaded all the episodes and watched them on my trip back to Marseille. I was disappointed by the flagrant infidelity and rampant...

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How to Take a Day Trip to Versailles, France

Castles, queens, boujee chandeliers and royal gardens beckon in France. And it’s no secret that out of France’s many castles, the Palace of Versailles ranks as one of the most popular. Being only 13 miles southwest of the City of Lights’ center, Versailles makes a great day trip from Paris. My friend Robin and I spent the weekend exploring Paris and devoted a solid half-day to our Versailles detour. (You most certainly could spend more time here!) From how to get there to how much it costs, here’s your guide on how to take a day trip to Versailles,...

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18 Things to Do in Madrid, Spain

I dreamed of a life where I could casually take off to somewhere in Europe for a couple days. After seeing Monte Carlo with Selena Gomez in the 8th grade, I was hooked on traipsing around Europe. And years of watching House Hunters International made me drool over the lives these people were living. And it’s crazy to say that I am living that life in Marseille, France, as an English teaching assistant. Because when my friend Robin who lives in Paris proposed a trip through Spain, I said, “Sure, why not?!” I quickly booked flights, we found an...

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Bienvenue

Hey there, I'm Kristin, a Missouri girl living and working in southern France. I love planning weekend trips, sharing my best expat tips and sipping iced coffee.

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