Essaouira is a beach town located about 3.5 hours outside of Marrakech. The hustle and bustle of Marrakech can be overwhelming at times, so we decided to head out to Essaouira for one day and night. We thought walking the tight alley ways and venturing through markets was where the hustle and choas of the city was centered – but arriving at the public bus station gave us a whole new perspective of chaos. We had to dodge moving buses … →

Morocco is not a “check-list travel” destination. Day time itineraries don’t start with a “must-see” monument, then move into a “have-to-try” local cusine and wrap up with a “can’t miss” museum. No, Morocco is all about soaking up the atmosphere. Wandering. Getting dirt underneath your nails. Squinting through sandy winds. Suffocating in crowded markets.  Summiting mountains. Listen to daily prayers, to shopowners yelling, to donkeys neighing – traveling Morocco is all about the sights, smells, foods and people. On April 6 … →

A sea of orange flooded the streets of Amsterdam on April 30th as all of the Netherlands took to the streets in celebration of the abdication of their new king – King Willem-Alexander. For the first time in 123 years, the Netherlands will be welcoming a male monarch to the throne. Koninginnenacht (Queensnight) and Koninginnedag (Queensday) is known as one of the biggest street parties in the world, and I was there proudly wearing orange and celebrating the peaceful transition of power. … →

After a full day of hiking outside of Dresden, Annie and I were thrilled to reach our hostel. Walking down the long avenue towards our accommodation we passed small independent theaters, vegan restaurants, sisha lounges and all sorts of vintage shops. The overall feel of our neighborhood in Dresden was very “cappuccino, candlelight and Kerouac” if a metaphorical alliteration description will do! During WWII Allied Forces bombed and destroyed Dresden on the night of February 13-14, 1945. Before WWII, Dresden … →

Trip planning is a tedious process but one I find enjoyable and rewarding. Yet, I’ve become exhausted from skimming through Ryanair flights, reading Travel Advisor hostel reviews and checking train schedules. During the exam period, I realized my schedule allowed for an extended weekend of travel. My days were filled with academic obligations and while I wanted to travel that weekend, I was on a time crunch and did not have the mental capacity to study for exams AND book a … →

TEFAF: the world’s most glamorous art fair! Held in Maastricht every March, The European Fine Art Fair welcomes the world’s most demanding and sophisticated art collectors for a no-expense-spared celebration of culture…and I was there! Determination always pays off. I’m ashamed to say that the TEFAF event in Maastricht didn’t fully grasp my attention until I read that Kanye West was in Maastricht for the event. KANYE WEST IN MAASTRICHT?! I couldn’t believe my favorite rap artist traveled all the … →

Please visit The Water Project Shots for a Cause donation page to donate to a clean water fund for my birthday! My goal was $100 and donations still fall short. Thanks!  I had the perfect birthday weekend – and credit goes entirely to my amazing “new” friends here in Maastricht. I’ve known people here for less than two months but through shared experiences they have come to quickly be some of my best friends. And, for my birthday weekend, they … →