Category: Travel
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Tipping in France: When to Tip, How Much, & What’s Expected
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Having moved to France from the United States one of the small but surprisingly confusing parts of settling here was understanding when to tip. How does tipping work here? Is it expected or is it optional? What I have learned is that tipping in France is appreciated but not obligatory.…
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Annecy Venetian Carnival: A Magical Winter Festival
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Living in Annecy, I had the chance to attend the Carnival Festival for the first time,. It is the last weekend of February,. The carnival is a celebration that quietly marks the end of winter and hints that spring is not far behind. The Annecy Venetian Carnival fitting for a…
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French Culture Tips for Expats: Conversation Do’s and Don’t
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Every society has its own etiquette, its own subtle rhythms and unspoken rules when it comes to conversation. What feels perfectly natural in one country can feel slightly off-key in another. After nearly six months of living in France, I’ve come to appreciate the beautiful nuance of the French approach…
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Buying a Car in France as an Expat: Step-by-Step Guide
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Buying a car in France can feel intimidating at first especially as an expat, but it’s a very doable process once you know the steps. From paperwork to insurance, inspection, and even alternative ways to buy a car. Here’s everything I learned when I purchased my used car a few…
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Visiting Lake Como : Italy’s Most Beautiful Lakeside Town
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Arriving in Como revealed yet another facet of Italy’s beauty. Nestled near the Italian Alps about 30 miles north of Milan, the town sits bedside Lake Como. A glacial lake surrounded by mountains that rise dramatically from the water. Visiting Lake Como was a top place on our Italy bucket…
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Venice at Night : Walking Through Italy’s Most Timeless City
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Walking through Venice at night felt utterly magical. I would highly recommend experiencing the city after dark, when the crowds thin and the streets transform into something quieter and more intimate. Each winding alley seemed to hold its own personality, every turn revealing a different version of old-world charm. Tiny…
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Venice at Christmas – A Winter Road Trip Through the Alps to Italy
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When my daughter came to visit for Christmas we had ten precious days together and we fully intended to make the most of them. Rather than staying close to home, we decided that after Christmas would be the perfect time for a few short adventures. Less rushing, fewer crowds and…
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10 Essential Gifts for Expats: Practical Must-Haves
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Moving abroad is certainly an adventure, exciting, beautiful but yet it can feel overwhelming all at the same time. Whether someone is relocating for retirement, work, or a new chapter of life, here are a few simple gifts that can make the transition feel smoother and more welcoming. In this…
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Falling for New Orleans: A Month of Culture, Flavor, and Life Lessons
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This past summer I completely overlooked writing about one of my favorite cities, New Orleans. It feels fitting to circle back and share that chapter, because it marked the first step in my journey toward moving to France. For a month and half, it was just my dog and me…
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5 Things To Know Before Moving Abroad
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If you have ever toyed with the idea of moving abroad you’ve probably imagined the cobbled stone streets, the old world architecture, sunsets looking over terraced mountains dotted with quaint homes. I know I did. But once the dreams settled in reality quickly showed up with a to do list…