City Guides Archives - Page 3 of 10

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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....

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11 Things to Do in Prague

Oh, Prague. I didn’t know much about you; you weren’t at the top of my bucket list. I’d heard good things but had lots more places to see before I made time for you. But this January, you wowed me. Western Europe is a hotspot for tourists as it should be. There are lots of cool things to see and do, but Eastern Europe is tickling my fancy more and more. France will forever be my second home, but my few days in Prague made me crave more time in Eastern Europe. This small country hasn’t been free for...

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Photo Diary: Christmas Markets in Prague

I’d heard of these Christmas markets and how magical they were, but I had yet to see them for myself until I visited Prague this January. Christmas had been over for more than a week, but Prague’s Christmas markets in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square were abuzz with sweet treats and little trinkets. From puppets to ornaments, notebooks to magnets, these stalls are stacked. If you’re able to walk through these markets without seeing a trdelník or hot wine punch for sale — actually I truly do not believe it’s possible. Trdelníks are churro-like pastries with a large...

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Vlog: How to Pack for 3 Weeks in Europe During Winter

I can usually get away with 30 minutes of frantic packing when it comes to a weekend trip, and it all ends up just fine. But an international trip? A trip that lasts three weeks? A trip during the winter? Hot dang. I might need more than 30 minutes and one run to the store. Today I’m walking you through how to pack for 3 weeks in Europe. I’m headed to the Czech Republic, Belgium, Spain and Italy this winter, and I’m stoked. I’ve never taken any big trips during the winter, so I have to adjust my packing...

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Photo Diary: Chicago at Christmastime

Short but sweet. I was in Chicago for less than 24 hours, but it was packed with activity and a great getaway. And all at Christmastime (with surprisingly good weather for Chicago)! We started our night at the Skydeck in Willis Tower. We paid $24 for each ticket and zoomed up the 103 floors in a speedy elevator. It was a bit dizzying but worth it. Tall buildings are neat, but they’re all pretty much the same, right? Wrong. I enjoyed the Skydeck more than the Empire State Building because you could look right underneath your feet. We had...

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