Destinations
Real guides for real trips β what to prioritize, how to get around, and what nobody tells you before you go.
πͺπΊ Europe
My Europe focus is on countries that reward slow, comfortable travel β places where you can walk everywhere, eat well, and not feel rushed. These guides are built for women traveling with carry-on only, with a strong emphasis on comfort, practical logistics, and realistic expectations.
πΊοΈ Start with the full itinerary
Twelve days across five countries, mostly by train, with a private driver for the longer country-to-country legs. If you want the whole route in one place β where we stayed, what we skipped, and what I’d repeat exactly β start here: A Summer Grand Tour of Belgium, Luxembourg, Alsace & Switzerland: Our Day-by-Day Itinerary.
π§πͺ Belgium
Three cities, three very different days. Brussels is the busiest and most touristy of the trio β worth it for the Grand-Place and as an easy train base β while Bruges and Ghent are where the trip really opened up. All of it is walkable, and all of it is easier than people expect.
π±πΊ Luxembourg
Luxembourg City is compact, gorgeous, and very walkable β and most people skip it entirely. It makes an excellent base or day trip stop between Belgium and France, with one of Europe’s prettiest clifftop walks running right through the middle of it.
π©πͺ Germany
Trier is Germany’s oldest city and one of the easiest day trips you can make from Luxembourg β Roman monuments, a beautiful market square, and far fewer crowds than you’d expect.
π«π· France (Alsace)
Alsace sits right on the French-German border and feels unlike anywhere else in France β half storybook village, half grand medieval city. Strasbourg and Colmar are both easy to reach and very walkable, and the French pharmacies are worth the suitcase space.
π¨π Switzerland
Switzerland’s train system is one of the best in the world and completely worth planning a trip around. The scenery is extraordinary and very accessible for comfort-focused travelers β including the day up Mount Rigi, which was the single best day of our trip.
π² Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful and underappreciated corners of the US. This guide focuses on comfort-first exploration β waterproof gear for unpredictable weather, good shoes for mixed terrain, and honest advice about what’s worth the trip.
π± Oregon
Oregon rewards travelers who come prepared for weather and terrain that changes fast. From the dramatic coast to Mt. Hood to the Columbia River Gorge β a non-hiker’s guide with real photos from the actual trip.
π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ Scotland
Scotland was one of my favorite trips β dramatic, beautiful, and genuinely unlike anywhere else I’ve been. It also requires serious preparation: waterproof everything, long-haul flight support, and a willingness to embrace weather that changes by the hour.
Not Sure Where to Start?
The Start Here page organizes everything by what you need β whether you’re planning a Europe trip, packing carry-on only for the first time, or just looking for gear that actually works.