What’s better than traveling Europe? Traveling with a crew! Between hot air balloon rides, gourmet foods, and arguments over Airbnb choices, this family adventure was under budget—$705 to be exact! With plenty of moments overlooking Africa and indulging in pastries, they even shed pounds while soaking up cultures. Winning!

After a narrow escape from a tram and a not-so-graceful fall on Istanbul’s cobblestones, the travel trio indulged in a bazaar of delights: breathtaking mosques, history overload, and enough baklava to sweeten the toughest of tumbles. All while dodging cats, tourists, and the occasional fishing line—just another day in the city of two continents!

We embarked on a merry Madrid madness: five hours, rental juggling, and metro navigation later, we embraced tapas and Christmas chaos. After an epic balcony mishap (trapped, no jackets, and limited snacks), we triumphed with churros and hot chocolate. Spain was fried and fabulous, a tasty grand finale to our Euro escapade!

Laundry anxiety, hot showers, and cozy temperatures—who knew these were missed luxuries? After 89 days of searching, our San Sebastián Airbnb was a dream come true, complete with a dryer! Between sampling pintxos and avoiding acrophobia on a funicular, we barely forgot dinner was a Spanish sport best served at 8 PM.

Embarking on a 100-day European pilgrimage, our travelers trade backpacks for a cozy car, hilariously dodging rain while soaking in histories and gastronomies. They seek warmth in a minimal Airbnb, tackle Asturian cider pouring like clumsy baristas, and savor scallops faster than you can say “scallop shell.” Next stop? Madrid!

Skylar, our heroic chauffeur, drove to the airport and we continued on to Óbidos, where we found a castle, Christmas chaos, and adult elves serving hot cocoa. After dodging giant waves at Nazaré (who knew surfers were so brave?), we indulged in port wine and pastries—perfect fuel for our Portuguese adventures before gallivanting back to…

Meet Noah Hallett, a Sonoma county native turned personal Lisbon tour guide who’s only five months into his and his family’s Portuguese adventure and already giving cardio workouts with all those stairs! From historic fortresses to whimsical gardens and pastry perfection, this family escapade is packed with laughs, misadventures, and a surprise 21st birthday party.…

Thanksgiving 2025 had our adventurous family ditching the turkey in California for a fabulously food-filled trip to the Palácio da Pena in Portugal. Despite the 5,700-mile distance, we navigated wacky Sintra roads, feasted on deliciously unique dishes, and even created a conga line, proving you can celebrate anywhere—even amidst castle madness!

A quirky clan of food-loving family members took a whirlwind trip to Portugal. They battled travel fatigue, bravely navigated unfamiliar streets, and indulged in mouthwatering meals, all while exchanging goofy grins. From cliffside views to epic dining, they turned every mishap into a hilarious adventure—like a reality show but with more bacalhau and less drama!

In Gibraltar, our family channeled their inner adventurers, exploring stunning views, history, and a few infamous macaques. We marveled at limestone cliffs, enjoyed meals worthy of kings, and navigated narrow roads driven by locals who must’ve been stunt drivers. Ultimately, we left with great stories—and a slight rock-induced dizziness!

Adventures come in all sizes, from losing a wedding ring in Barcelona to savoring cod with mysterious “red fruits” in Sevilla. Our hero, now ringless, hilariously laments her ring’s escapades while enjoying Spanish-South American cuisine—because when life gives you a missing ring, at least you can eat well!

As we embarked on a two-day knife shopping marathon in Thiers, culinary delights like crêpes and cassoulet fueled their adventures. With a little detour to the breathtaking Millau Viaduct and the charming streets of Montpellier, they geeking out over Gaudí in Barcelona, where every meal and photo op was a winner—even the fries made their…

Skylar is the stairway superhero who dodges escalators like they’re the plague, but reluctantly joins the elevator elite in Seattle. As we explores Clermont-Ferrand, the we dives into knife-making—because who doesn’t want a blade they made with their own hands? Dinner was a delicious squabble over carbonara, proving family, food, and hilarity are the perfect…

Visiting a cemetery post-Halloween feels just right when you’re not a vampire. Nick and I stumble through family histories, among names and epitaphs, all while trying not to trip on the steep hills—thank you, walking sticks! We also devoured some mind-blowing food. Who knew the dead could lead to such delicious discoveries?

Day 50, and our daring duo is halfway through their whimsically meandering journey! Between attempting to dine according to French customs—oops!—and discovering “Chez Sue” was closed (but hey, “Chez Julie” saved the day), they relish the sights while battling laundry and blogging. Adventures in a beautiful countryside abound, and so do massive portions of kebabs!

So, you can’t see the original Eiffel Tower from Lyon unless you’re squinting at the wee replica. After trekking through seven centuries of history, dodging beheaded statues, and tackling stairs like a goat on caffeine, our guide Quentin introduced us to traboules—secret passageways that scream “Houdini!” while we devoured quenelles and coq au vin. Who…

A vacation from a vacation? That’s a delightful paradox! In Bordeaux, our intrepid travelers dive into a whirlpool of vin nouveau, pink ribbons, and street parties. Picture antique flea markets, athletic escapades, and culinary adventures, all while dragging luggage uphill. It’s a charming cocktail of culture, camaraderie, and some serious walking with a touch of…

Voting from a medieval castle isn’t as easy as it sounds! Our heroes navigated printers, envelopes, and a FedEx app to cast their ballots while indulging in pedicures and hearty French meals. Spoiler alert: no kings were found, but plenty of gargoyles and a burger worth a royal decree!

Ah, Sundays in France! Picture this: indulging in a breakfast of “pain perdu” while contemplating life’s mysteries—like why one woman turned into stone. Post feasting, it’s a scenic drive to a crater lake, with a sprinkle of volcanic history and a hearty hike. Dinner? A truffade and minty “lava lamp” shot seal the deal. Bon…

In the lofty heights of “upper” Thiers, where roads resemble a rollercoaster and knife-making history is engraved in stone, Nick and a few brave souls brave the steep paths to uncover the glory of the Durolle River. Picture industrious workers biting into their daily grind, quite literally, surrounded by dogs!

Wendy and Nick’s month-long escapade in Thiers, the Cutlery Capital, seems like a culinary rollercoaster! With medieval charm, stunning views, and an unusual abundance of free parking, they embrace local flair, including a farmers market, delightful eateries, and a healthy dose of fish filleting.

In a whirlwind pink parade, our adventurous traveler stumbles upon breast cancer awareness festivities while attempting to navigate the Swiss streets. Between lost car keys and delightful pastries, they rediscover nostalgia in Besançon. Spoiler alert: a cookie from yesteryear steals the show, reminding them that age is just a number… and so is getting lost!

In Strasbourg, Wendy and Nick embarked on an Oktoberfest-themed binge, trading Parisian pastries for pretzels and beer. Amid stunning Gothic architecture and canals, they hunted for culinary treasures while playing “Where’s Nick?” between bites of kid-sized sausages. Ultimately, they decided traveling through Europe is like eating: you can never have too much!

Wendy and Nick are roaming the colorful landscapes of Alsace, reliving their past adventures with family and a drunken driver in a rusty 2CV. They’re savoring the local cuisine, hunting for the best croissant and tarte flambée, while occasionally getting lost in charming towns. Stay tuned for updates from Strasbourg!

On our last day in Beaugency, we balanced exhaustion with leisurely lunches, where the only drama was an epic debate over the Beaugency Bridge’s age. While I wrote about the medieval marvel, the kitchen chef dazzled us like a magician at dinner. The Loire Valley was stunning, but the food? Simply un-bridled delight!

So, we had this awesome hot air balloon ride in the Loire Valley, thanks to Tom’s spontaneous idea. Our funny pilot, Mindaugas, made it a blast, giving us a perfect view of the châteaux and countryside. After a smooth landing, we celebrated with local treats and bubbly, joking about our new duke and duchess titles.

In a quest for Disney magic, our intrepid traveler finds herself among castles and fairy tales, with Nick as her prince charming (or at least stair-climbing buddy). They navigate quaint roads to Château D’Ussé, devour gourmet gas station food, and marvel at stunning art—all while plotting a high-altitude adventure. Who needs a glass slipper?

Beaugency is a medieval town where walking uphill is mandatory, even if it feels like a treadmill gone rogue. With charming views, quirky towers, and chateaux that would make kings jealous, it’s a historical treasure trove. Just don’t expect mountains—flat farmland is the main attraction. Oh, and there’s wine, cheese, and food galore!

So, our hero packed way too much baggage for a Euro trip, blew a tire upon arrival in France, and hilariously embarked on a culinary adventure involving tiny snails and crème brûlée. After heroic tire-changing antics, they embraced history at Mont Saint-Michel and the D-Day beaches, dodging snags like a pro—all while seeking the “best…

While Wendy wrote, Nick hit the laundromat before diving back into Parisian delights—laundry and risotto! They mingled history with culinary adventures, exploring Notre Dame while eye-rollingly enduring the guide’s enthusiasm. After countless steps and tasty crêpes, they toasted with champagne, promising to return, because who can resist the City of Light’s charms?

Wendy dusts off her passport and returns to her Parisian playground after decades. Armed with a must-eat list longer than a baguette, she navigates forgotten memories and pesky metro mishaps. Despite losing a phone, endless mousse, and confusing lamb with mice, she charms her way through delightful culinary escapades and heartwarming nostalgia. C’est la vie!

So, how many steps to burn off a Belgian waffle? Apparently about 15,151, but who’s counting? Our adventurous duo navigated the chaos of airports, indulged in culture, and devoured way too many mussels and frites in Brussels. Spoiler: the only thing faster than their walking was the driver dodging leisurely mud-soaked cattle in Istanbul!