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Our Day Trip to Long Row Lavender Farm

Sometimes you just need a little getaway. Our trip to France in May was canceled due to COVID, and it’s been a long time since this travel-loving gal has set out on an adventure. So when my sisters and I had a free Saturday, we decided to take a day trip to Long Row Lavender Farm in Wright City, MO. And it was the perfect escape I needed. Here’s how you can visit Long Row Lavender and what you can expect from this darling gem in mid-Missouri. How to Get to Long Row Lavender Unless you’re really familiar with...

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13 Best Books Set in France

Once I graduated from college, I had lots of time to myself again. Although I miss the late night girl talk, meetings at 8 p.m., working out in the middle of the day, and rolling out of bed for class — ok, wow that’s a lot — I’m also really enjoying this calmer pace of post-grad life. I’ve been using this time to explore my own hobbies: blogging, exercise and reading. As a girl, I always loved D.E.A.R. time at school, but when life got busy, that was one of the first things to go. But now that I...

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Basic French for Travelers

People like to joke about the French often, but the truth is that France is the most visited country in the world with 89 million tourists each year. And there’s good reason for it. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with all things France and lived in Toulouse for a summer. Knowing a few key phrases for any country you visit is a great practice, and in France, these will come very much in handy. The French are known to be nicer to tourists who at least attempt French. If you’re traveling to France, here’s a quick...

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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...

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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....

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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?...

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The Ultimate Guide to ICE! at Gaylord Texan

You’ve decorated the Christmas tree, made puppy chow and ice skated. As festive as holiday traditions can be, sometimes it’s nice to spice it up with something new. This year I visited a friend in Dallas, and we got tickets to ICE! Featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Gaylord Texan Resort. Sculptors turned more than 2 million pounds of ice into a winter wonderland that’s kept at a brisk 9 degrees. And if you combine all five Gaylord Hotel locations, the amount of ice totals to more than 12 million pounds at these attractions and almost 300 miles...

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How I Turned a Long Boston Layover Into an Adventure

Every traveler knows the purgatory of a layover. You’re not on your way, you have no designated adventures and if it lasts too long, it just feels like a waste of time. Kristin has provided excellent tips on how to take advantage of your layover (tips 7 through 10 are musts for me!), but what if you’re not stuck in the airport? If you still have a few hours before leaving, if your flight is canceled or if you have more than enough time to switch planes, those tips will just scratch the surface of that dead time zone....

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9 Best Coffee Shops in Dallas

You don’t have to be a genius to know that coffee isn’t created equal. And neither are coffee shops. I spent my summer living in Dallas and exploring the best of its coffee scene. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite spots in order of preference. Next time you’re down south, be sure to check out these top 9 Dallas coffee shops: 1 . La La Land Hands down, this Dallas coffee spot took the No. 1 spot in my heart. Not only does it have parking but it’s also in the Lower Greenville neighborhood, which means it’s close...

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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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