The Joys Of Visiting Claude Monet's Giverny Gardens In Autumn

31/10/2022

In Giverny, France, Claude Monet's home and gardens are an absolute delight in autumn. Gorgeous colours and smaller crowds create a special seasonal magic.

This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.

Bright red Japanese maple tree next to the water lily pond with people walking in the background.

Claude Monet's home, studio, and gardens in Giverny, just outside Paris, are one of the city's most popular attractions in summer and for good reason. The famous water lily pond, the Japanese-style bridge covered with lavender wisteria, and the flower beds studded with vibrant pastel blooms are the stuff of travel legend, the subjects of a million photos. But those who are truly lucky will bypass Giverny's famous summer scenes (and crowds) and discover a different kind of magic altogether if they visit in late October.

8 Reasons To Visit Lofoten, Norway’s Must-See Islands

12/10/2022

If you love nature and history, you'll want to plan to visit Lofoten, Norway's must-see enchanting islands.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

Visit Lofoten Norway: A cluster of houses on stilts at the water's edge with snow covered cliffs in the background.Picture

When you visit Lofoten, Norway, you're rewarded with views like this. Photo by Johny Goerend on Unsplash

On the northwest coast of Norway, a cluster of islands in the shape of a lynx’s foot are connected by roads, bridges, and tunnels. Or rather, they look like a lynx’s foot to the very creative eye! The Lofoten Islands are named for “ló,” the Old Norse word for lynx. But while the furry lynx may have once called this area home, another mammal is in charge today - humans! The Lofoten Islands, more than 100 miles above the Arctic Circle, are one of the world’s northernmost populated regions. Here are eight reasons to visit Lofoten, Norway’s must-see islands.

After Twenty Years, I'm (Mostly) Saying Goodbye To Hostels

6/10/2022

After more than twenty years of value-focused travel, I'm finally saying a fond farewell to hostels - for the most part. Here's why.

This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.

Vanessa sits up in bed in the lower bunk of a white set of bunkbeds in a hostel.

Even before I had my final hostel stay, I knew it would be my last.

The previous couple of hostels I stayed at brought roller coasters of emotion. One, set in a gorgeous historic location, was clean and friendly but offered bare-bones dorms with whisper-thin mattresses, a single stingy pillow, and squeaky wooden bunk beds. My bunk was positioned in the centre of the room, without a single wall at my disposal for leaning or privacy. The muggy, warm room and back-aching bed made sleep impossible and I cringed every time I moved, fearful my squeaky bed was keeping everyone awake. It was a rough night – and a rough morning as I tried to be as quiet as a mouse, packing up my computer to escape to a nearby cafe for a bleary and bright conference call. While I was waiting for my call to connect, I found clarity in my exhaustion. For the first time ever, I sacrificed my two remaining nights of prepaid bunk accommodations in favour of relocating to a private bed and breakfast room.

I spent an extra $300 I wasn’t expecting but when I finally got to my snug room and sunk into the plush, squeak-free mattress, I nearly wept with relief – and guilt. Who was I, giving up an otherwise great-on-paper hostel just because my bedding wasn’t as sumptuous as I would like?

The Joys Of Visiting Claude Monet's Giverny Gardens In Autumn

In Giverny, France, Claude Monet's home and gardens are an absolute delight in autumn. Gorgeous colours and smaller crowds create a special seasonal magic.

This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.

8 Reasons To Visit Lofoten, Norway’s Must-See Islands

If you love nature and history, you'll want to plan to visit Lofoten, Norway's must-see enchanting islands.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

After Twenty Years, I'm (Mostly) Saying Goodbye To Hostels

After more than twenty years of value-focused travel, I'm finally saying a fond farewell to hostels - for the most part. Here's why.

This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.

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The Joys Of Visiting Claude Monet's Giverny Gardens In Autumn

In Giverny, France, Claude Monet's home and gardens are an absolute delight in autumn. Gorgeous colours and smaller crowds create a special seasonal magic.​This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.

8 Reasons To Visit Lofoten, Norway’s Must-See Islands

If you love nature and history, you'll want to plan to visit Lofoten, Norway's must-see enchanting islands.​​This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

After Twenty Years, I'm (Mostly) Saying Goodbye To Hostels

After more than twenty years of value-focused travel, I'm finally saying a fond farewell to hostels - for the most part. Here's why.​This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.

Post Categories

Posts by Date

Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy

In Giverny, France, Claude Monet's home and gardens are an absolute delight in autumn. Gorgeous colours and smaller crowds create a special seasonal magic.

This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.

If you love nature and history, you'll want to plan to visit Lofoten, Norway's must-see enchanting islands.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, we may get a small commission.

After more than twenty years of value-focused travel, I'm finally saying a fond farewell to hostels - for the most part. Here's why.

This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.