• about
  • City Guides
    • Europe
      • Czechia
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Scotland
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
    • Canada
    • Caribbean
    • Middle East
    • New Zealand
    • USA
      • Atlanta
      • Chicago
      • COMO
      • Dallas
      • Destin
      • Kansas City
      • Los Angeles
      • NYC
      • Orlando
      • San Francisco
      • Seattle
      • St. Louis
      • Waco
      • South America
  • Tips + Tricks
  • Lifestyle
    • Blogging
  • shop

round trip travel and lifestyle blog

Europe

  • Latest in
  • Brussels
  • Czech Republic
  • France
  • Germany
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • London
  • Monaco
  • Scotland
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Switzerland

I’m Moving to France

Currently still in shock. I started my application to teach English in France last October. It has been nearly a calendar year of many anxious months waiting to hear back from TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France). COVID has delayed these decisions several times, but yesterday I got the email: I’m moving to the Académie d’Aix-Marseille in southern France to teach elementary schoolers English. And I’m over the moon excited! If you know me personally, you know that these past few months have been rough. Results were supposed to arrive in early to mid April, and the virus kept...

view the post
0
19 Comments

How to Plan a Motorcycle Trip Through Europe

For Mandy Manley, there’s something enchanting about motorcycle travel. Sure, she loves traveling by train and car, but when she’s traveling by motorcycle, there’s nothing between her and the stars, she says. “When it rains, you’re wet. When it’s windy, you get blown around. You smell all the smells and can touch and taste things to really experience your environment in a way that you never could behind glass,” she says. I had never heard of motorcycle travel; I didn’t know you could book motorcycle tours. Until I chatted with Mandy L. Manley, who has taken several motorcycle trips....

view the post
0
2 Comments

The Beginner’s Guide: How to Plan a Trip to Europe

I had the great privilege of traveling to 11 different countries before I even turned 21, and most of these countries are in Europe. Getting a French degree and running a travel blog, I love traveling to Europe. This May, I’ll be headed to France for the fourth time! So, if you’re wanting to learn how to plan a trip to Europe, you’re in the right spot. This is one of the questions I get most. How do I plan a trip to Europe? What do I need to know? How do I get there? What do I pack?...

view the post
0
2 Comments

The Ultimate Guide to Florence, Italy

From a taking a class on Tuscan wines to planning happy hours for her internship, Annika Meyer jam packed her six weeks of study abroad in Florence, Italy. It’s safe to say that I was drooling over this sorority sister’s Instagram. And I asked her to share her Florence travel guide. I chatted with her about the best Florence finds, day trips and key Italian phrases. Q: If I’m headed to Italy, what things should I be sure to add to my Florence travel guide? Piazza del Michelangelo This is one of the most beautiful overlook views of Florence...

view the post
0
3 Comments

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to Italy

A summer in Milan spent studying fashion design, image and styling isn’t swinging for the fences; it was a reality for Kaitlin Sheppard.  Most days of the week were spent in class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but her weekends took her to Lake Como, Cinque Terra, Rome, Florence and Belluno.  I asked Kait her pro tips on how to travel Italy, and she dished all the deets: Q: How did you save money? A: Money was a bit of a challenge. I had been saving up for quite some time, but I still had a limited amount...

view the post
0
6 Comments

15 Things to Do in Rome

I’d been to Rome once but wasn’t wild about it.  I preferred Florence and small town Assisi, but my second time to Rome redeemed it once and for all.  The first time I went, apparently I was too tired and overheated, but this January, I returned and absolutely loved it! If you’re headed to Rome, here’s 15 things you must tick off your to-do list: Trevi Fountain It’s a classic, but it’s still so stunning.  Our group stopped by the Trevi Fountain at least four times, and the architecture truly is breathtaking.  It’s smushed in the middle of a...

view the post
0
9 Comments

11 Things to Do in Brussels

Welcome to the land of gourmet chocolate, warm fries and musician Stromae.  I was naturally drawn to Belgium for its French influence because it’s French, y’all.  It’s an interesting mix of both French and Dutch cultures, both the romantic and practical architecture.  Although this isn’t my favorite destination of all time, there were some moments spent I’ll cherish for a long time.   Here’s your city guide to Brussels, Belgium: 1. Mannekin Pis Why a little dude taking a piss is a tourist attraction, I’ll never be able to wrap my mind around.  But this fountain of a small...

view the post
0
10 Comments

10 Things to Do in Barcelona

Cue the Cheetah Girls and a dreamy guitar boy.  That’s your hint that I didn’t know much about Barcelona even though I took seven years of Spanish in grade school — of which I retained nada.  No se?  It was January, and our group had just been to Prague, Brussels and Paris so we were jazzed about the warmer weather in Barcelona.  (If you’re going somewhere cold, dress accordingly; otherwise, it will ruin your trip.) Barcelona is so much more than a Disney Channel original movie, and here’s several things you need to check off your list: Eat paella...

view the post
0
14 Comments

How to Spend A Day in Paris

I know what you’re thinking. It simply can’t be done. Pas du tout ! Listen here: if a day is all you have, take it and don’t look back. I was on a Europe tour, and France wasn’t on the list. Being the wannabe francophile I am, which shouldn’t come as a shock, I squeezed in a quick trip to the country I consider my second home. We left Brussels in the morning and made it back to our hotel later that night. Here’s a run down of how we saw the City of Lights in about 12 hours....

view the post
0
19 Comments
  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Next Page »

About

Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
learn more about my story

Want free access to my 30-minute travel budgeting course?

Why is being present so hard?!🙈Double tap if yo Why is being present so hard?!🙈Double tap if you agree!

It's so easy for me to get stuck in the past or focused on the future — so much so that I made this quote my lock screen for a looooong time. It's funny how forgetful we are as humans: We long for the future, but once we're there, we crave the past.

🌍I love how travel reminds me to be present. When you've saved up, planned and dreamed about a trip for so long, OF COURSE you want to savor each moment. But it's a great lesson for our everyday life, too.

❓How do you keep yourself in the present? I like keeping a gratitude journal. Tell me in the comments!

 #blogginglife #dametravel #dametraveler #blogger #girlswhotravel #travelquotes #quotes #inspirational #bloggerunder5k #bloggerlifestyle #bloggersofinstagram #bloggervibes #bloggersgetsocial #travelblogger #instablog #microinfluencer #microinfluencers #quotable #eze #ezefr #tapif #assistantdelangue #tapifusa
Not to be dramatic or anything, but those nine day Not to be dramatic or anything, but those nine days truly changed my life😍 About 7 years ago, I was taking AP European History and heard about a summer trip to Europe with my high school. London, Paris, Florence and Rome.

Yep, we were that group of students walking around Europe with our lanyards and headsets. I got those jitters when I saw Europe in its glory for the first time. And I still do.

If you would’ve told me then that I’d move to France during a global pandemic, I’d tell you you’re complètement fou.

But here’s the thing: that trip with @EFtours stirred something inside of me, and it has yet to settle. It was a longing to see and experience the world with my own two eyes. And it inspired me to start my travel blog, to continue with my French studies, to study abroad and to move to France.

This ain't sponsored (but I sure wish it were!), and I mean with my whole heart those few days in high school set me onto this path. And for that, I am beyond grateful.

🤔What about you? Can you point to a specific moment or experience that set you on the path you're on today, all these years later? Tell me about it⬇️

@ef #eftours #efabroad #educationfirst #inspo #inspiring #efgapyear #efexplorer #completementfou #expatlife #whereicamefrom #expat #expatdiary #microinfluencer #microinfluencers #bloggersunder5k #bloggersunder2k #bloggersunder10k #francophile
One thing you rarely hear about life abroad: so mu One thing you rarely hear about life abroad: so much dang paperwork and many complicated processes🙈

💰I have several bank accounts in the U.S. and France. I'm paid in euros, but I still have recurring subscriptions on my American credit card. I'm also all about growing my savings and getting those credit card points on my American account.

What👏to👏do?👏

❌I tried sending money directly from my French bank account to my American credit card bill. It worked, but there was bigger fee. And it was only to pay off charges, not grow savings.

✅But then a friend introduced me to @TransferWise and now I am set! I can easily transfer between my different checking accounts for the lowest rates I ever did see. Plus,  I'm still able to grow my savings and investment accounts in America.

❓OK but what is it?! @TransferWise is a third-party site that transfers money between accounts from all over the world. They price compare their rates with other companies. Their site is super easy to use and explains the whole process. And the rates were crazy low and not as high as the transfer I made directly through my banks.

🔗Bop over to link in bio for the link to get a free account and the other 5 things every expat needs.

#expat #expatlife #americanabroad #americansabroad #assistantsdelangue #eslteacher #teflteacher #tefl #esl #englishteacher #americaninfrance #americansinfrance #bloggersunder5k #bloggersunder2k #bloggersunder1k #microinfluencer #wanderlust #tapif #tapifusa @tapifusa @assistantsdelangue #albi #albifrance #france
Have you ever had one of those “it’s a small w Have you ever had one of those “it’s a small world” moments?🌏

☀️Back in 2017, I spent a summer in Toulouse. One weekend, my friends and I went on a road trip to a slew of villages in southwestern France. They were truly some of the best days of my life: we stayed in my friend’s castle🏰(casual), we swam in the river + sunbathed, we drank wine + played games, we explored idyllic villages.

One of my favorite spots with the sweetest of nostalgic memories was in a small village called Laguépie. Population: ~600. Whenever people asked me my favorite place in France, nobody ever knew where I was talking about. It wasn’t in the magazines or travel blogs. (Ahem, it’s on mine!)

➡️Fast forward to 2020. I’m preparing to leave for France and am keeping a close eye on my teaching program’s Facebook page. An American girl posted in the group about her time in Marseille, and we began messaging. She helped me with a million and one things during my move to France, and we’ve stayed in touch and become good friends.

Earlier this month, I visited Albi to see her along with her French boyfriend, who’s from a small village. He never told me the name, but as we were sipping wine and eating saucissons, he said something about Laguépie.

“WHAT?! Did you say Laguépie? I’ve been there and fell in L O V E!” He said, no, we can’t be talking about the same place, no one ever goes to my hometown😂 But after showing him my photos, including ones the village’s castle @chateau_louvielcastel reposted, it was one and the same.

Can someone queue “Invisible String” because what a small world this is that we’re all connected. Do you have any wild stories like that? Tell me in the comments⬇️

#laguepie #laguépie #viaur #franceprofonde #lafranceprofonde #microinfluencer #tarn #garonne #occitanie #frenchvillage #vivelafrance #stmartinlaguepie #bloggersunder5k #bloggersunder2k #bloggersunder1k #bloggersunder10k #itsasmallworld #smallworld #jaimelafrance #patrimoine @occitanietourisme
What do you like searching for on Pinterest?📌 What do you like searching for on Pinterest?📌

✈️I love finding travel destinations + itineraries, easy recipes and decorating ideas. My guess is that you've found some blogs and ideas you love through this site. 

😍I'm even more obsessed with how @pinterest serves to grow my blog and brand.

Currently kicking myself for not getting on the Pinterest for Business train sooner because this site is truly a game changer. I went from a personal account with a wedding board and gluten-free board with recipes I’d never tried to a bustling business board with more than 400,000 monthly visitors. And most of that is not from advertising.

📈I took a free @jennakutcher webinar on how to use Pinterest for Business and saw massive growth. And the best part? You can schedule out content for an entire week in just 30 minutes to an hour. 

⏩Pinterest is my top driver of traffic, and if you want to upgrade your blog like a pro, this is where you need to invest your time, hands down.

Want to learn how you can use Pinterest to grow your blog, brand or biz? Head over to link in bio for my best blogging tips💯

#bloggergirl #blogginglife #blog #blogger #girlswhotravel #bloggingtips #bloggingadvice #getrich #sidehustle #sidegig #monetize #monetizeyourblog #bloggerunder5k #bloggerlifestyle #bloggersofinstagram #bloggervibes #bloggersgetsocial #travelblogger #instablog #monetizeyourbrand #monetizeyourpassion #cassis #france #cassisfr
Best day trips from Nice No. 4: Èze🏰 This med Best day trips from Nice No. 4: Èze🏰

This medieval village enchanted me so much so I almost teared up as we left because I just didn’t want to go. If there are castles, sea views and charm, I’m so there. And Èze checks all these boxes✅ 

😍This medieval village is a labyrinth of cobblestone and windy paths, but the steps are worth it. There are shops and restaurants along the way to the top where you get sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea. 

🌵Once you make it to the top, you have to pay to enter the Jardin Exotique d’Èze, and I can't recommend it enough. (Be sure to ask about the combo deal that includes both the garden in Èze and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild nearby.)

🚗🛤️Distance from Nice: 30-minute drive or 15 minute train ride

Craving more photos + day trip ideas from Nice? Head over to link in bio ❤️

#nicefrance #nicefr #nice #southernfrance #eze #èze #ezefr #ezefrance #ezevillage #medievalvillage #seaside #seasidedining #seasidelunch #mediterraneansea #mediterranean #oceanviews #microinfluencer #tapif #tapifusa #assistantsdelangue #assistantdelangue #tefl #esl #eslteacher #teflteacher #teachabroad #teachabroadfrance #jardinexotique #microinfluencer
How's your sense of direction?↪️🗺️I am th How's your sense of direction?↪️🗺️I am the queen of getting lost — and not on purpose😂

When I lived in Toulouse in 2017, I took a day trip to a nearby town to visit a friend. Wanting to get the best deal, I booked the 6 a.m. train. Unfortunately, I didn't think it all the way through🙃

I left my apartment on time, but when I got to the metro, it hadn't started running yet. I was nervous about getting to the train station on time, but if I hurried, I could make it.

Alas, I made it to the metro stop where I was supposed to switch metro lines. I had one job, and I failed🙈

⚠️I went the wrong direction, and once I realized it, I quickly got off the next stop and ran up to the street. I was unbelievably lost, and the sun hadn't even come up. Eventually, I made it to the train station but had completely missed the train.

And defeated, I sat down in the bakery, cried and FaceTimed my mom. Some kind French girl saw my tears and approached me to help me book a new train.

Since then, I've gotten lost many more times😆 But it's taught me to not be so hard on myself because getting lost is part of the journey. (And if it's not a good time, it's a good story, eh?😜)

 #blogginglife #dametravel #dametraveler #blogger #girlswhotravel #travelquotes #quotes #inspirational #bloggerunder5k #bloggerlifestyle #bloggersofinstagram #bloggervibes #bloggersgetsocial #travelblogger #instablog #microinfluencer #microinfluencers #quotable #eze #ezefr #tapif #assistantdelangue #tapifusa
Copyright © 2021 round trip
Theme by SheShoppes