Traverse Blog & Shop

18/03/2020

It is not often that I feel surprised by a destination, typically because I spend SO much time researching all of my trips. But during our multi-city trip through central Europe, Sam suggested that we stop in Bratislava for a night or two after a friend of his mentioned it was worth visiting. Sam was looking at it on the map and said “why not? It’s so close to Vienna and we’re already on our way to Budapest. Let’s check it out.” A few clicks on AirBnb later, we booked an apartment and local food tour, and we were off.

Find out why it turned out to be one of our favorite cities in Central Europe and was by far the most underrated destination we visited! https://traverse-blog.com/2020/03/01/underrated-bratislava-slovakia-itinerary/

Because I spend so much time researching and planning my travels, it is rare for me to feel surprised by a destination. Most of the time I prefer it that way, but every now and then I like a good s…

15/03/2020

With everything that is going on with Coronavirus, self-quarantines and social distancing, it feels like a really weird time to be a travel blogger. I was in Berlin just last weekend, and now, I am basically planning to stay at my house for a month. It’s wild how much can change in just a few days…. No one is traveling right now and really, no one should be traveling at this time unless it is essential.

Everything is starting to shut down, from restaurants and sports to entire countries. My school has gone digital and we are being asked only to leave our homes to do essential activities like grocery shop or pharmacy visits.

Sam and I have by choice & by force cancelled all of our future travel plans for the next few weeks. We were supposed to go to Belgium next weekend and back home to the US for Easter, but both have been postponed for the foreseeable future. We had friends and family planning to come visit Germany who have also cancelled. I am looking at the upcoming weeks at home, wondering what I am going to do to stay occupied. Even with meditation and exercise, I am a deeply restless person who needs to stay busy.

In times like these, I normally write. But I write about travel… So, do I keep writing about travel right now? That seems in a way irresponsible. Yet if that is what I need to do for my own mental health, is that then justifiable?

There is so much uncertainty right now and I feel like this crisis is going to get much, much worse, which is one of the reasons I find myself asking a few existential questions, like what is the point of travel writing in this moment? Should I even be posting content during this crisis? Will travel resume and if so, when? This could go on for months and none of us have any way of knowing.

I’m not sure I have answers to any of these questions, but this stream of questions has been rolling through my mind over the last few days as we all begin to grapple with our new realities. How are you feeling? What are you thinking about right now?

13/03/2020

I thought that penguins would be the cutest animals we encountered in South Georgia. Wow, was I wrong. Thousands of these fur seal pups were rolling around the shores of the island, and I wanted to take every.single.one of them home with me. The mother identifies her pup by it's call, so all the pups are meowing and calling to find their moms. It's like if a puppy was trying to make the sound of a cat's meow, and it is literally the cutest thing EVER.

11/03/2020

Preparing for a visit to one of Kyoto’s shrines and temples can be intimidating if you have never experienced Shintoism or Buddhism before. You might be asking yourself what the symbols mean and how to behave appropriately in one of this places. This is everything you need to know about visiting the 7 must-see shrines and temples in Kyoto, Japan!

https://traverse-blog.com/2019/10/14/must-see-shrine-temple-guide-kyoto-japan/

In an ancient city with more than 2,000 temples and shrines, how can you decide which of Kyoto’s Shinto and Buddhist sights you should visit? The neighborhoods surrounding Kyoto is where you’ll fin…

09/03/2020

Coming from a major foodie city like Chicago, my standards for high quality foodie experiences are pretty high; but cities across the country live up to those expectations, thanks to a massive wave of urban (and culinary!) revitalization happening in all regions of the US. These are the most underrated food cities in the United States. You will find some of the most interesting new culinary scenes in the USA!

https://traverse-blog.com/2019/11/11/underrated-culinary-destinations-usa/

Over my 4 years of trying to complete 12 trips in 12 months, I have explored many cities around the United States. Which means… I have eaten many delicious meals in many cities around the USA…

06/03/2020

In an age of perfectly curated Instagram photos, I think it is important to share what the reality of travel experiences is actually like, and no where was the Instagram vs Reality culture more obvious to me than at Iguazu Falls. These are 5 Surprising Things No One Tells You About Visiting Iguazu Falls.

https://traverse-blog.com/2020/02/09/what-no-one-says-about-visiting-iguazu-falls/

Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. These waterfalls are truly a stunning natural phenomenon that draw millions of visitors each year. …

04/03/2020

I expected to enjoy my 5 days of travel in Budapest, but I had no idea how much I would fall in love with the city. It absolutely swept me off my feet! Budapest has a humble vibe about it that I could feel from the minute we arrived. One of the reasons I enjoyed Budapest so much was the palpable commitment to local makers and independent boutique owners in every neighborhood around the city. These are the 12 independent shops and boutiques in Budapest that you absolutely have to visit!

https://traverse-blog.com/2019/10/28/budapest-boutique-shopping-guide/

Plenty of cities around Europe are famous for legendary shopping — Paris, Milan, Stockholm — but I had no idea that Budapest would be one of those cities. Budapest is an awesome city fo…

02/03/2020

We had the pleasure of getting to see a colony of freshly hatched Chinstrap penguin chicks. These little babies were a few weeks old at most and some of the parents still had eggs they were nursing.

Like other species of penguins, one parent goes out to feed while the other incubates the fledgling, and then feeds the chick when they return. We even got to see some of the parents switching in the nest! The fledglings will stay with the parents through the summer and winter season before they are strong enough to go out on their own as adult Penguins!

28/02/2020

On your first visit to Budapest, a stop at one of the city's 9 thermal baths is an absolute must-do activity. They don’t call it the City of Spas for no reason! There are some cultural practices and customs that you should know before visiting to make the most of your time at Budapest’s thermal baths, which I am sharing in my actually useful guide!

https://traverse-blog.com/2020/02/23/budapest-thermal-bath-travel-guide/

There are a lot of things that I loved about my experience in Budapest, but one of my top highlights was visiting a few of the city’s famed thermal baths. If you’ve been following this blog for a w…

26/02/2020

I am passionate about sustainability and environmental preservation, which stands in the direct opposition to many of my choices. Long-haul international travel is one of the most environmentally taxing activities an individual can do, especially if done using an airplane or cruise ship.

I have tried to balance the cognitive dissonance of these two passions for a long time, but the roar of that duality is drowning out most of my other thoughts, to the point that I can no longer ignore my personal responsibility in the climate crisis. Find out how I am trying to change and make better choices in 2020.

https://traverse-blog.com/2020/01/19/carbon-offset-for-travel-2019/

2019 was defined by travel for me. Working as the social media coordinator for Semester at Sea’s spring voyage took me to 10 different countries across 22,000 nautical miles. Following that, Sam an…

24/02/2020

Just your average 18 dish asado lunch in Argentina! Find out where this delicious meal was along with my other top 11 meals in Buenos Aires!

https://traverse-blog.com/2020/02/02/12-best-restaurants-for-foodies-in-buenos-aires-argentina/

22/02/2020

I've seen glacier calving on nature documentaries and shows before, but I never thought I would have the opportunity to see it in person. But then suddenly during our family trip in, Antarctica, it happened.

We had spent about 30 minutes on the continent when we heard this thundering roar of ice breaking. It was so much loader than I expected, and I immediately whipped my head around to see a chunk of this glacier falling into the sea. I didn't catch the event on camera, but needless to say, it was spectacular and haunting all at once.

I know that calving is a natural process, but given the rate and speed at which it happens now due to climate change, there is an extra layer of sadness and wonder when watching it. It gave me all sorts of feelings. Have you ever seen a glacier or a glacier calving before? What did it make you feel?

21/02/2020

One of the things that I surprised me most about Buenos Aires was the incredible street art. I had no idea how prevalent it would be! Around nearly every street corner, you might spot a large mural or a tiny street art stencil, creating this colorful backdrop to such a lively city. These were my 20 favorite street art murals in Buenos Aires, Argentina!

https://traverse-blog.com/2020/01/26/street-art-guide-buenos-aires/

More than most cities I’ve visited, Buenos Aires is a city that embraces and enjoys street art. You’ll immediately notice murals on buildings, tunnels, and overpasses all around the city, creating …

19/02/2020

Today marks 6 months living in Germany with Sam Steinbrecher. I can't believe it! It's been such an adventure so far, and we've honestly be loving every minute. I have experienced a lot, learned a lot, and reflected a lot, all of which you can read about on today's post!

https://traverse-blog.com/2020/02/16/what-ive-learned-during-my-first-6-months-living-in-germany/

February 19th marks my six-month anniversary of living in Germany which has got me reflecting on what it has been like to call the heart of Europe my home. Living abroad has been an aspirational go…

17/02/2020

Welp... it's been 5 months since my last Facebook post. Whoops! Clearly a lot has happened in life over that time since I was too busy to post on this page. Sorry!

A few accomplishments come to the top of my mind: I finished my first semester of graduate school, I drank a ridiculous amount of gluhwein at Christmas markets in Germany, I traveled to my 7th (!!!!) continent in Antarctica, I did a road trip with Sam Steinbrecher in Northwestern Argentina and I learned about the traditions of parmesan cheese making in Italy.

I have posted a lot on my blog and on Instagram, but I'm planning to catch up here on Facebook over the next few weeks. For today, here are some photos of my favorite memories from the last few months :)

17/10/2019

Month 2 in Germany is in the books! We continue to feel reaffirmed with our decision to move here, discovering lots of delicious restaurants in Köln, making new friends and exploring nearby regions.

We welcomed our first visitors to Germany this month too! Angie Williams, Skip Sociable and Amy Buzzard Arzbaecher came to visit, and we had a blast showing off our new area! Here are a few of my favorite highlights from our last month in Germany

14/10/2019

It's no secret that I am obsessed with vintage clothes and shopping secondhand. It started with my mom when I was young, and has only grown since then. In 2017, I decided to go 100% secondhand with my wardrobe, and thankfully I lived in a city like Chicago that has a plentiful bounty used clothing. I put together a guide of my favorite shops for finding used clothing! https://traverse-blog.com/2019/10/07/chicago-vintage-clothing-thrift-store-guide/

A guide to the best vintage clothing stores and thrift clothing stores in Chicago, IL from local sustainable fashion blogger.

11/10/2019

The Blue Lagoon looks pretty dreamy in photos, right? Who wouldn’t want to soak in those milky blue waters, washing away all of your worries and stresses? Well, the in person experience is a littttttle bit different.

There are 5 Things No One Tells You About Visiting the Blue Lagoon That You Need to Know Before You Book This Trip

20/09/2019

Mexico City, the largest city in North America, has recently exploded onto the tourist circuit, thanks to high profile features in major travel publications proclaiming the wonders of the art, design, and modern cuisine scenes here. I have had a string of friends and family heading to Mexico City recently for long weekends who have been asking me for advice. That’s when I knew it was time to write a post about all of my tips for first time visitors!

https://traverse-blog.com/2019/09/16/mexico-city-long-weekend-travel-guide/

Spend 3-4 days in Mexico City with this travel itinerary which takes first-time visitors through some of CDMX’s highlights!

18/09/2019

I love hosting guests in my home. I always have, and it has been even more fun for me to host since moving to an attractive city like Chicago. We regularly have visitors hoping to explore the Windy City with us, which means that I have done lots of the touristy activities in Chicago over… and over… and over. I’m sharing my 5 Actually Cool Chicago Tourist Activities —Plus 5 Touristy Things To Skip.

https://traverse-blog.com/2019/09/09/actually-cool-chicago-tourist-activities/

I love hosting guests in my home. I always have, and it has been even more fun for me to host since moving to an attractive city like Chicago. We regularly have visitors hoping to explore the Windy…

15/09/2019

Last year for our anniversary, Sam and I splurged on a major Chicago bucketlist item -- dining at Alinea! It was so fun for us to revisit the memories with this video, remembering all the delicious and creative dishes we tried there. I'm salivating just watching this!

13/09/2019

I am fascinated by urban revitalization and gentrification in the Midwest, and I have written about major Midwestern cities such as Kansas City, Milwaukee and Detroit that are experiencing big changes. Cleveland is another city to add to the Midwest destination list! Spend 48 hours exploring the best of Cleveland, Ohio with this helpful 2 day itinerary.

https://traverse-blog.com/2019/08/30/cleveland-48-hour-itinerary/

Cleveland Ohio is an up-and-coming city destination in the USA. With delicious food and excellent art, this 48 hour travel itinerary will help you see the best that Cleveland has to offer!

10/09/2019

3 years of marriage and I still smile like this when I see you. You're still my favorite human. You're still the best travel buddy. You're still the human who I trust with everything. You're still my biggest support system. You're still the love of my life. Being married to you is the best part of my life. Happy anniversary my love ❤️

08/09/2019

It has been 3 full weeks of living in Germany and Sam & I couldn't be happier with our decision to uproot our lives for this new adventure. For the curious minds out there, the transition has been great! The cats adjusted super quickly, our new apartment is perfect, school is challenging but fun, and we're already starting to make some new friends.

Most of our days consist of exploring our new neighborhood, learning how to cook German dishes, and soaking in the slower pace of life we have here. Here are few snapshots from our days in Cologne!

16/08/2019

Colorado is a state that I visited more times than I can count. Typically I head straight to the mountains to stay at my family’s vacation home in Breckenridge or I will stay in Denver where multiple close family members live. It wasn’t until my recent 6 week stay in Colorado for my Semester at Sea training that I actually started to branch out from my normal routines, discovering lovely places like Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.

I am so thankful to have experienced other corners of Colorado and I was inspired to develop a 1 week Colorado travel itinerary! https://traverse-blog.com/2019/08/12/1-week-itinerary-colorado/

05/08/2019

I’m married to a man with a perpetual sweet tooth so over our last 5 years in Chicago, we have discovered some of the best spots in the city for dessert. From ice cream to cakes to doughnuts, Chicago has a delectable assortment of must-try restaurants to indulge a sweet craving. Where to Find the Best, Must-Eat Dessert Restaurants in Chicago!

https://traverse-blog.com/2019/07/29/chicago-dessert-guide/

I’ve said this once and I’ll say it again — Chicago is a city for food-lovers. We know good food and we aren’t pretentious about it. Our appreciation for delicious food spans all meals, all styles …

01/08/2019

TBT to spending time in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico! I miss all the delicious tacos and cheerful street music in this adorable city. I've got 14 tips to help travelers prepare for a visit to San Miguel on the blog with updated photos! https://traverse-blog.com/2018/04/29/san-miguel-travel-tips/

29/07/2019

I'm not ready to leave my neighborhood yet.....

https://traverse-blog.com/2018/11/29/neighborhood-guide-logan-square-chicago/