Trips by Camille

Down the Isle Tour: England and Scotland

What this trip is: This is a 10 day ladies only group trip of the capitals and countryside Scotland and Great Britain. We will start the trip with 3 days in London, England, with a day trip to the Cotswolds, before heading north to Scotland, hitting both Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye before heading back to London for our flight home. Our itinerary will include all the classics- walking tours, afternoon tea, and hopefully highland cows.

The target dates are July 10-19, 2026. This trip has a minimum of 5 and a limit of 15 people. The minimum age is 21. The price is $2360 + airfare and food. The registration deadline is March 2, 2026.

Goal: The primary goal of this trip is to explore the culture and history of The British Isles. The secondary goal is to have fun doing it. I cannot promise you that I won’t make any mistakes as a tour guide, but I can promise that I will be responsible to solve it. You can just relax and enjoy the ride! Along the way you can anticipate a millennia of history, towering buildings, cobblestone towns, and clotted cream.

Itinerary: Depart for London, England on July 10 and return home on July 19.

Day 1: Fly and ideally, arrive in London!

Day 2: Half day walking tour to cover all the iconic spots (Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Westminster, Borough Market, and more) and an optional visit to the West End to see Les Misérables.

Day 3: Museum morning- for you to visit the museum of your liking. London has every kind for every flavor. We will spend the afternoon exploring Notting Hill and Portobello Road market, with a detour for a proper afternoon tea.

Day 4: Optional day trip to Oxford and the Cotswolds. If you have any ideals of English cottages, I imagine we can find them here. Or you can spend the day roaming about London as you choose.

Day 5: Fly to Inverness, Scotland- a gateway to the Scottish highlands.

Day 6: Take a day trip to the Isle of Skye, stopping at scenic spots and small towns.

Day 7: Travel by train to Edinburgh and end the day with free time in town.

Day 8: Spend a leisurely day in Edinburgh, following a walking tour of the city. We will catch an evening flight to London for the last leg of our journey.

Day 9: Our last day in the UK will be spent at your leisure. By this point of the trip, we will probably all want to sleep in and spend the afternoon shopping and eating, but if there were any other must sees on your list, this is the day to do it!

Day 10: Fly home and savor the memories as we go.

What to Expect of Scotland and Great Britain in July

Weather: Summers in the British Isles tend to be on the chilly/warm side, with temperatures ranging from 50s to 70s. You can expect it to be wearing layers and pack for a chance of rain. You can also expect long days, with the sun setting between 9 and 10 pm, depending on the location and day.

Crowds: London will be packed. Everything else will be busy, except hopefully the countryside will feel like countryside.

Food: We will be doing our best to enjoy the variety of popular food that each destination has to offer. For this reason, I will not be able to guarantee food allergies or preferences can be accommodated for. Please let me know if this applies to you, but be aware that you may want to bring your own snacks along to ensure you have something you *can* eat at the time when you need to eat.

Difficulty Level: Moderate. We will not be summiting any mountains, but we will be walking in cities, on concrete and up steps. Since we will be relying on public transportation to navigate and learning about our surroundings via walking tours, you can expect to walk at least (probably more) than 7 miles a day, every day.

For this reason, it is essential that:

1. You must have a clean bill of health to travel and be able to keep up with the group.

2. You are physically active before the trip to reduce fatigue as much as possible

3. You pack appropriately. You will never need an uncomfortable pair of shoes. And chafing is a real possibility.

General Safety: While each of our destinations are typically very safe, you still need to be aware of your surroundings and responsible for your belongings at all times. Furthermore, in order to navigate as a group, we will implement a buddy system and limit wandering off to agreed upon locations and times. For more information, you can read the US State Departments’ view on each country’s Safety, especially noting the tab under ‘safety and security’.

What to expect from me: If you don’t know me well, you can read about me here. If you want to learn more about my travel style, click around on my page or find me on instagram @tripsbycamille where I’ve reviewed many of my previous adventures. I have been to 30+ countries and counting, the majority of which I have had a significant role in planning. I do enjoy figuring out the details, but I also love the travel itself. Sometimes things don’t go as planned but my favorite part is when they go better than planned. So I keep planning and going because I love the surprises that travel brings. I’m excited for the opportunity to share these surprises with you and want to thank you profusely for even thinking this is an idea worth reading about.

Side note: This is a new destination for me, so we will be exploring it together! But don’t worry, I’m pretty good at exploring by now.

What I expect from you: I expect that you are adults. For this reason (and my own legal liabilities) you must be at least 21 to join the trip. I am agreeing to coordinate but I’m not agreeing to be a chaperone or a maid. The trip is designed for women over 21, with the physical health needed to participate in the agreed upon itinerary. If you aren’t sure, please check with your doctor. I would love to have you join, but it is a goal of mine to not have to learn the in’s and out’s of any other country’s medical system. I ask that everyone is considerate and responsible, that you ask for help if you need it, chip in where you can, keep track of your own travel documents, and you don’t wander off without telling someone.

My 2 cardinal rules are: 1. You may not die. 2. or get incarcerated.

I always say that travel is a gift. It’s an incredible privilege and my hope is that we can all keep this in mind as we go. Gratitude and grace go a long way about half way through the trip when you find a new toe blister and you don’t know where the nearest bathroom is and maybe your travel coordinator is handling an emergency. So, I am asking that you bring your gratitude and your flexibility because we’ll all be going together.

Luggage Policy: If you haven’t traveled much internationally you are going to be surprised by my next statement, but everyone will be allotted one carry on suitcase and one hand bag/backpack. First, because we will be traveling by public transportation, taxi, and train. Full sized luggage is incredibly inconvenient in these situations. Second, because historical buildings typically do not have elevators, and you do not want to be lugging a full sized suitcase up any narrow, winding stair cases. You will be very thankful for packing light, even if it means you have to decide what you will wear before you get there. In light of this, I will make laundry facilities available to you about half way through our trip, if you need to do any laundry.

Note: Some people in my past groups have opted to carry large backpacks rather than pull a suitcase around. So far, every single one of those people have regretted it, mainly because this results in you carrying that backpack in the summer heat, for an hour or more, depending on the commuting situation. For this reason, I do not recommend it. What I do recommend, is a suitcase with spinning wheels.

Additionally, I recommend that everyone pack a ‘daypack’ sized back pack or crossbody to use for carrying water, clothing layers, etc. A drawstring backpack, while handy, will not be comfortable for all day wear.

Cost

$2360 plus airfare, food, and souvenirs. Should this change, you will be given adequate warning.

What Is Included

Accommodations: We will be staying in double occupancy hotel rooms, allowing for you to share a room, but not a bed. (Although Europe likes to push the twin beds together, which I have no control over, but at least you don’t have to share bedding.) If you are wanting your own room, that is an option for a fee as well. A little more than half of our hotels will include breakfast.

Transportation between cities: Anything that can be booked in advance, including airport transfers from the airport to hotels and trains and flights between cities (i.e. London to Inverness). Spontaneous taxis, public transportation within cities, etc, are not included in the trip price as they are difficult to calculate in advance.

Tours and Experiences: Walking Tours in London and Edinburgh, afternoon tea, day trip to the Isle of Skye are included in the tour.

Trip Planning Fee: Itinerary formation and distribution, tour management, hotel, tour, and transportation bookings, UK ETA application assistance, day of problem solving, daily restaurant selections, and navigation.

What Is Not Included:

Specific Transportation: Your international flights to and from London, as well as public transportation are not included. It is impossible for me to guess how much tickets will cost from each of your homes, or to calculate how many bus rides we will be taking, so I am not able to include that in the price. However, I am happy to help you with booking, if you have any questions, and will be helping you purchase public transit tickets upon arrival.

Meals and food: Most of our hotels will include breakfasts, but not all. The remaining breakfasts, lunches, dinners, coffee shop stops, scones, etc are not included in the price. This is to allow you maximum control over your food budget and preferences. The internet recommends budgeting an additional $45-$80 a day to cover this cost, although I would keep in mind the rising price of food. I am not opposed to getting groceries for breakfast some days, or packing lunches, if the group wants to cut some corners.

Sim cards: The easiest thing most people do is pay their phone company for international calls during their trip. Getting an esim is also a feasible option.

Souvenirs.

Optional Tours: Specifically, the Les Misérables Musical ($130), the day trip to Oxford and the Cotswolds ($130), and any other activities you decide to add as we go.

Travel insurance (including health insurance). Given the events of 2020, I do recommend travel insurance. I have found World Nomad’s Travel Insurance to be reasonable in the past, although I haven’t needed to file any claims yet.

UK ETA fee.

Sign Up

You can sign up by following this link SIGN UP and completing the trip application.

The Payment Plan

If you have read all the way to the bottom of this page, I’m assuming you are pretty interested in this trip. Hooray! If you are ‘in’ and ready to make it official here’s the plan:

Follow the link to Sign up and confirm your spot.
The registration deadline is March 2, 2026 and the registration fee is in the form of a $100 non refundable deposit that will go towards the cost of your trip. If, for some reason, I need to cancel the trip, I will refund the money to you, no cost.
You may choose the pay the entirety of your debt at the time of registration or in installments, half by March 2 and the remainder by April 1.
Pack your bags because…
Summer 2026, we will head out on the adventure of a lifetime!

NOTE: Payments are accepted via check or electronic payment methods. I will share my accounts to receive payment when you sign up. This trip is non refundable and any travel insurances that you wish to purchase will be additional costs to you. Prices are subject to change, with adequate notification to participants.

There! That’s the whole thing!

If you have any questions, email me at: tripsbycamille@gmail.com or contact on my socials.

Sign up here!

Heart of Europe Tour: The Netherlands, Belgium, and France

What this trip is: This is a 10 day ladies only group trip of the heart of Western Europe, including Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Netherlands, Brussels, Belgium, and Paris, France. We will start the trip with 2 days in Amsterdam, Netherlands, before heading to Rotterdam to see the historic Kinderdijk windmills for a day. From there we will continue on to the land of waffles, chocolate, and fries, with a stop in Brussels, Belgium. We will end our trip with 4 days in Paris, giving us time to explore the city or take a day trip to Versailles. Our itinerary will include all the classics- biking, boating, and walking through history. It is sure to include many pastries along the way.

The target dates are July 30- August 8, 2026. This trip has a minimum of 5 and a limit of 15 people. The minimum age is 21. The price is $1660 + airfare and food. The registration deadline is March 2, 2026.

Goal: The primary goal of this trip is to explore the culture and history of Western Europe. The secondary goal is to have fun doing it. I cannot promise you that I won’t make any mistakes as a tour guide, but I can promise that I will be responsible to solve it. You can just relax and enjoy the ride! Along the way you can anticipate a millennia of history, flocks of bikers, and a daily dose of pastry dough.

Itinerary: Depart for Amsterdam, The Netherlands on July 30 and return home on August 8 from Paris, France.

Day 1: Head to the airport and start your flight. Typically, it takes 2 days to get there and one day to get home.

Day 2: Arrive in Amsterdam midmorning/ early afternoon. Once we are checked into our lodging we will head out for an evening canal tour, which will hopefully help us kick some of that jetlag by giving us something to stay awake for.

Day 3: We will start our morning with a bike tour (classic Netherlands’ style) and, Lord willing, the afternoon will include a stop at Anne Frank’s house. As it is a popular museum, tickets are hard to get, but if we manage to win the lottery, it’s well worth it. The rest of the day will be spent with free time to roam the streets and do some shopping.

Day 4: An early morning train ride will get us to Rotterdam, where we will be staying for the night. From there we will catch a river boat to Kinderdijk, a historic region with beautiful windmills to enjoy and canals to walk.

Day 5: Our day will start with another morning train ride, this time to Brussels, Belgium. We will keep our time simple with an afternoon walking tour of the historic city and free time to explore. Chocolate, waffles, and fries are all on the menu.

Day 6: We will start with a slow morning, to catch any last minute sights of Brussels, or perhaps do some laundry, before jumping on an afternoon train to Paris, France.

Day 7: A full morning walking tour will get us oriented to the city and an afternoon river cruise will round out our day well.

Day 8: Another iconic day in Paris, this day will include a visit to the Notre Dame, an afternoon of a museum of your choice (The Louvre anyone?), and an evening summit of the Eiffel Tower.

Day 9: You have a choice- a full day trip to Versailles, or a relaxing day in Paris. It’s up to you!

Day 10: Fly home and savor the memories as we go.

What to Expect of The Netherlands, Belgium, and France in August

Weather: Summers in North Western Europe tend to be on the exceptionally pleasant side, with temperatures ranging from 60s to upper 70s. You can expect it to be wearing layers and pack for a chance of rain.

Crowds: Paris and Amsterdam will be packed. Everything else will be busy, but hopefully not chaotic.

For this reason, it is essential that:

1. You must have a clean bill of health to travel and be able to keep up with the group.

2. You are physically active before the trip to reduce fatigue as much as possible

3. You pack appropriately. You will never need an uncomfortable pair of shoes. And chafing is a real possibility.

So I keep planning and going because I love the surprises that travel brings. I’m excited for the opportunity to share these surprises with you and want to thank you profusely for even thinking this is an idea worth reading about.

My 2 cardinal rules are: 1. You may not die. 2. or get incarcerated.

Cost

$1660 plus airfare, food, and souvenirs. Should this change, you will be given adequate warning.

What Is Included

Transportation between cities: Anything that can be booked in advance, including airport transfers from the airport to hotels and trains between cities (i.e. Brussels to Paris). Spontaneous taxis, public transportation within cities, etc, are not included in the trip price as they are difficult to calculate in advance.

Tours and Experiences: Boat and Bike Tours in Amsterdam, The Anne Frank House (Lord willing we get tickets), Kinderdijk boat and entrance fee, Walking Tours in Brussels and Paris, Seine River Cruise, and Eiffel Tower ticket are included in the tour.

Trip Planning Fee: Itinerary formation and distribution, tour management, hotel, tour, and transportation bookings, day of problem solving, daily restaurant selections, and navigation.

What Is Not Included:

Specific Transportation: Your international flights to Amsterdam and from Paris, as well as public transportation are not included. It is impossible for me to guess how much tickets will cost from each of your homes, or to calculate how many bus rides we will be taking, so I am not able to include that in the price. However, I am happy to help you with booking, if you have any questions, and will be helping you purchase public transit tickets upon arrival.

Meals and food: Hotel breakfasts are included, but the remaining lunches, dinners, coffee shop stops, scones, etc are not included in the price. This is to allow you maximum control over your food budget and preferences. The internet recommends budgeting an additional $45-$80 a day to cover this cost, although I would keep in mind the rising price of food. I am not opposed to getting groceries for breakfast some days, or packing lunches, if the group wants to cut some corners.

Sim cards: The easiest thing most people do is pay their phone company for international calls during their trip. Getting an esim is also a feasible option.

Souvenirs.

Optional Tours: Day trip to Versailles ($28), Museums in Paris, and any other activities you decide to add as we go.

Sign Up

You can sign up by following this link SIGN UP and completing the trip application.

The Payment Plan

If you have read all the way to the bottom of this page, I’m assuming you are pretty interested in this trip. Hooray! If you are ‘in’ and ready to make it official here’s the plan:

Follow the link to Sign up and confirm your spot.
The registration deadline is March 2, 2026 and the registration fee is in the form of a $100 non refundable deposit that will go towards the cost of your trip. If, for some reason, I need to cancel the trip, I will refund the money to you, no cost.
You may choose the pay the entirety of your debt at the time of registration or in installments, half by March 2 and the remainder by April 1.
Pack your bags because…
Summer 2026, we will head out on the adventure of a lifetime!

NOTE: Payments are accepted via check or electronic payment options. I will share my accounts to receive payment when you sign up. This trip is non refundable and any travel insurances that you wish to purchase will be additional costs to you. Prices are subject to change, with adequate notification to participants.

There! That’s the whole thing!

If you have any questions, email me at: tripsbycamille@gmail.com or contact on my socials.

Sign up here!

Croatia by Car

Let’s just say- it wasn’t what I was expecting.

I thought I had no expectations going into this trip, because I knew so little about Croatia before I went. But, let’s be honest, those hours of itinerary research lead me to believe that I was stumbling across a hidden gem. But Croatia is anything but a hidden gem. In fact, tourism is its largest source of income. It’s just that all the tourists are European, which makes sense that I, an American, knew so little about it.

What we did: My long time friend/travel buddy and I set out by car from Split, to Zagreb (the capital), and then down the coast to Dubrovnik. Split, I have since learned, is a party city. Beautiful, but not my personal vibe.

On our way to Zagreb we stopped at Plitvice Lakes for waterfalls, blue, blue water, and plenty of hiking for us. We did end up walking in a circle, but I guess that’s what all trails are, so it’s fine.

Zagreb is the capital and the most modern of the cities we visited. It still had a beautiful old town and history of rivalry, but not every street was cobblestone. For something random, we visited the Museum of Broken Relationships. It’s a small spot with personal stories of break-ups, alongside artifacts from the relationships. A unique, relatable spot that was worth the visit.

From there we drove west to the sea, stopping at Opatija, Motovun, and Rovinj over the course of a few days. They are each small Medieval villages that are common vacation destinations. Opatija had lots of summer vacation vibes with people jumping in the water right in town.

Motovun is a mountaintop village with a beautiful view from the city wall, but not much else to do.

Rovinj is a bit larger, with lots of old city streets to wander as well as nearby beaches to enjoy. Although, it’s worth noting that most beaches in this region are rocky and water shoes are a must when jumping in.

Our next stop was Zadar, another coastal city with similar history and medieval vibes. We did watch some local guys from our airbnb play laser tag though the parking lot, so we knew the locals were the fun type.

Our last stop was Dubrovnik, which stuck to Croatia’s medieval, ocean-side stereotypes, but still managed to wow us with the magnitude of their walls and the steepness of their stairs.

What I learned: A rough timeline of independence, Ottoman attacks, Vancian rule, post WWII chaos, the struggle to balance tourism with sustainability for residents. Also, I discovered that I preferred staying outside of the old city, in residential areas. Due to the popularity of these areas, they have turned into living museums, with most old towns consisting primarily of hotels and short term rentals. If you want to experience the culture and not just the sites, staying a bit out of town allows you to do this. Plus, the parking is easier.

Best thing I ate: All the Italian food! It’s right across the water from Italy and was ruled by the Venetians of Italy for something like 100 years, which means they’ve picked up a thing or two about pasta and gelato, thankfully.

Favorite City: Dubrovnik. I know, somehow I liked the most iconic one of them all. But the views from the city wall are epic and the tourism felt managed. I also really enjoyed Rovinj. It had a beautiful old town to roam through that was big enough to actually find some streets without people in them. And the beaches nearby made for a beautiful rest day in the middle of the trip.

If you are looking for a European travel destination amongst stone streets, blue, blue waters, and the diversity of Europe around you- add Croatia to your bucket list! It’s the perfect destination for a road trip because the highways are well maintained, the driving is fairly civil, and the distances are manageable.

Scandinavian Skedaddle: Itinerary

Itinerary:

Day 1: It Begins!

Leave your home and head to the airport. Pack a pillow, you’ll probably be flying through the night!

Day 2: Arrive

When you land in Copenhagen, Denmark, you will meet up with the group. Since most flights to Europe fly through the night, it is likely that you will arrive sometime in the morning or early afternoon. I will meet you all at the airport and help you transfer to the city, if we are able to arrive around the same time. We will spend our afternoon trying to stay awake by roaming the streets and Tivoli Gardens Amusement Park, the third oldest operating amusement park in the world. (Walt Disney even visited when he was making his amusement park plans.) Entrance will be included in the tour, but this does not include the cost of the rides. That is an additional $27.

Day 3: Day in Copenhagen

For our first full day of adventure, we will starting with a two hour bike tour to give us the highlights of Copenhagen. Denmark is one of the world’s most bikeable countries, so putting our feet to the peddles will be a great way to truly experience the city. We will have the afternoon to enjoy the many cute shops, cafes, and colorful streets. A pastry while in Denmark, is a must. There’s no danish like a Danish danish, I always say.

Day 4: To Stockholm

Just like that, we’ll be on the train to Stockholm. The nearly 6 hour ride will allow us to see the countryside of these Scandinavian destinations and maybe squeeze in a nap or two. Upon arriving, we will join a walking tour of Stockholm’s scenic old town to give us a little history and orient us to our new country.

Photo of Stockholm, Sweden, by Raphael Andres on Unsplash

Day 5: Royal Stockholm

We will spend several hours of our day exploring Stockholm’s Royal Palace, one of the largest palaces in Europe and home to Sweden’s sitting royalty. This will give us the afternoon to explore any sights that have been calling to us during our time there.

Day 6: Fly to Bergen

Day six of our journey will include a short flight to Bergen, Norway. Depending on the time of our flight, we will either having a relaxing morning in Stockholm before we depart, or a relaxing evening upon arrival.

Photo of Bergen, Norway, by Andrei Ionov on Unsplash

Day 7: The Fjord Life

Bergen is called the capital of the fjords and we will spend our time in the city with a walking tour and a ride on the funicular for scenic views below.

Day 8: The Mountains Are Calling

This day is sure to be an epic adventure! We will join Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ for a 2 day excursion from Bergen to Oslo, by fjord cruise and train. The first leg of this journey will be on a fjord cruise on the Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord. We arrive in Balestrand by noon and plan to stay the night. This is our chance to experience the countryside of this rugged nation and even get in some hiking. Full discloser, I’m not a person who loves to hike, but hiking is available for those who do.

Day 9: The Scenic Route

For our last full day in Scandinavia, we will complete our journey to Oslo via the scenic Flåmsbana, the Flåm Railway, and on Bergensbanen, the Bergen Railway. We will arrive late in the evening in Oslo. Sadly, we will have run out of time on this trip to explore Oslo, but you are welcome to extend your time if you feel the need to explore more.

Photo by Nadzeya Matskevich on Unsplash

Day 10: Home Again, Home Again

All good things must come to an end, even trips. We’ll pack our bags, share our photos, and head to the airport.

Special Note: This is the proposed itinerary for the Scandinavian Skedaddle 2025. Everything is weather and safety permitting and flexible according to the preferences of the group. For more details of the trip, follow thScandinavian Skedaddleis link. Or you can sign up here!

Eastern Europe Experience Itinerary

Itinerary:

Day 1: It Begins!

Leave your home and head to the airport. Pack a pillow, it’s going to be a long flight! Fly to Prague, Czech Republic and meet up with the group. I will meet you at the airport and help you transfer to the city, if we are able to arrive around the same time.

(Note: I highly recommend that you choose a flight that has you landing in the evening in Prague. This will save you a lot in jetlag. Either way, your flight needs to arrive on August 1st. If you end up with a flight that lands in the morning, make sure it’s the morning of the 1st, and not the 2nd, or you will miss a day of our tour.)

Day 2: Day in Prague

To start us off, we will join a guided walking tour of Prague, taking us through Old Town for all of Prague’s most iconic sights, including the Astronomical Clock, Old Town Square, and Charles Bridge. We will end our day roaming through Prague Castle, the world’s largest castle, and catching sunset views.

Day 3: Modern History or Make Your Own Way

You will have a choice of joining a half day tour of Terezin Concentration Camp or free time of your own to roam the city. Either way, you will be given the afternoon to explore the eateries and cute shops of Old Town Prague that we were forced to plow past on our tour the day before.

Day 4: Into the Woods

For a break from city roaming, we will move our wandering to the forest, specifically the Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland National Park, that bridges Germany and Czech Republic. Our day will include trees and rocks and about 5.5 miles of moderate hiking. Fun fact, parts of The Chronicles of Narnia were filmed here!

Day 5: Medieval Český Krumlov

We will bid farewell to Prague and head to the medieval city, Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic. We will have free time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage City and enjoy a Wooden Raft River Cruise before finding our lodging for the night.

Day 6: Train to Austria

Day six of our journey will include a train ride to Vienna, Austria and an afternoon run to the laundromat. This will be a bit of a down day, so we can regroup to finish out the trip strong (and with clean clothes). You have the option of attending a live classical music concert in the evening.

Day 7: Mixing with Royalty

As Vienna was the home of Habsburg Family, who ruled swaths of Europe for six centuries, we will make a trip to their former summer home at Schönbrunn Palace. Beautiful, sprawling gardens and ornate home interiors make this a must-see place on our list. After wearing out our legs covering the palace grounds, we will jump into a vintage style e-car for a speed tour of the sights of Vienna.

Day 8: The Mountains Are Calling

This day is sure to be an epic adventure! We will join a tour for a long drive to the west of Austria. Our main destinations will be Hallstatt and Salzburg, both nestled in the Austrian Alps. Some highlights from Hallstatt will be views from the observation deck and a boat ride on the deep, blue waters. The day will end with a few hours in the beautiful Salzburg, Austria.

Day 9: Choices Choices

The cheap and easy option is to spend the day exploring Vienna. An UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital city of an massive monarchy, Vienna is full of shops, museums, cafes, and architecture to enjoy. The adventure option is to spend the day on a guided tour of Bratislava, Slovakia, and Budapest, Hungry. The choice is up to you!

Day 10: Home Again, Home Again

All good things must come to an end, even trips. We’ll pack our bags, share our photos, and head to the airport.

Special Note: This is the proposed itinerary for the Eastern Europe Experience 2025. Everything is weather and safety permitting and flexible according to the preferences of the group. For more details of the trip, follow this link. Or you can sign up here!

Eastern Europe Experience

This trip is fully booked and is no longer accepting applications.

What this trip is: This is a 10 day group trip of the Czech Republic and Austria, with a few day trips along the way. We will start the trip in Prague, Czech Republic and end the trip in Vienna, Austria. Our itinerary will include day trips to Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Terezin Concentration Camp, and the medieval city of Český Krumlov, all in the Czech Republic. From there were will spend a few days soaking in the history and culture of Vienna, Austria, complete with palaces, cafes, and classical music. The tour will also include a day trip to picturesque Hallstatt, in the Austrian Alps, and Salzburg. Your last day will be a choice between a day trip to Slovakia and Hungry, or relaxing in the beautiful city of Vienna. The target dates are August 1-10, 2025. The target group size is 8-10 people. The tour is designed for women, aged 21+. The price is $1800 + airfare and food. The registration deadline is February 1, 2025.

Goal: The primary goal of this trip is to explore the culture and history of Eastern Europe. The secondary goal is to have fun doing it. I cannot promise you that I won’t make any mistakes as a tour guide, but I can promise that I will be responsible to solve it. You can just relax and enjoy the ride! Along the way you can anticipate 600+ years of history, cobblestone streets, tasty sweets, and a new perspective on this unique region of the world.

Itinerary: Arrive in Prague, Czech Republic on August 1 and depart from Vienna, Austrian on August 10th. Along the way we will explore the capital cities of Prague and Vienna and take many side quests, including day trips to Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Terezin Concentration Camp, and the medieval city of Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic, and the Alpine cities of Hallstatt and Salzburg, in Austria. Specific details, including optional tours and daily itinerary will be found here.

Note on the flight: You will be responsible to get yourself to Prague, Czech Republic by August 1st and leave on from Vienna, Austria on August 10th.

What to Expect of Eastern Europe in August

Weather: Summers in Eastern Europe tend to be on the mild side, with temperatures ranging from 60s to 80s, you can expect it to be warm, but not sweltering.

Crowds: What you can expect are crowds of tourists, especially in touristy areas, as we are not the only people who will be taking advantage of the nice weather and school breaks to explore.

Food: We will be doing our best to enjoy the variety of popular foods that each destination has to offer. For this reason, I will not be able to guarantee food allergies or preferences can be accommodated for. Please let me know if this applies to you, but be aware that you may want to bring your own snacks along to ensure you have something you *can* eat at the time when you need to eat.

Difficulty Level: Moderate. We will not be summiting any mountains, but there will be at least 1-2 days of mountain hiking involved. In addition, we will be walking in cities, on concrete, and up steps. Since we will be relying on public transportation to navigate and learning about our surroundings via walking tours, you can expect to walk at least (probably more) than 7 miles a day, every day.

For this reason, it is essential that:

1. You are physically active before the trip to reduce fatigue as much as possible

2. You pack appropriately.

3. Above all else, you must have a clean bill of health to travel.

Side note: While I have not personally experienced every part of the itinerary of this tour, I have been to Prague, Vienna, Hallstatt, and Salzburg in the past and can assure you, they are beautiful, visit worthy destinations!

What I expect from you: I expect that you are adults. For this reason (and my own legal liabilities) you must be at least 21 to join the trip. I am agreeing to coordinate but I’m not agreeing to be a chaperone or a maid. The trip is designed for women over 21. I only require that you have the physical health needed to participate in the agreed upon itinerary. If you aren’t sure, please check with your doctor. I would love to have you join, but it is a goal of mine to not have to learn the in’s and out’s of any other country’s medical system. I ask that everyone is considerate and responsible, that you ask for help if you need it, chip in where you can, keep track of your own travel documents, and you don’t wander off without telling someone.

I always say that travel is a gift. It’s an incredible privilege and my hope is that we can all keep this in mind as we go. Gratitude and grace go a long way about half way through a trip when the sun is beating down and you don’t know where the nearest bathroom is and maybe your travel coordinator is scrambling to pull the group together. So, I am asking that you bring your gratitude and your flexibility because we’ll be growing together.

Luggage Policy: If you haven’t traveled much internationally you are going to be surprised by my next statement, but everyone will be allotted one carry on suitcase and one hand bag/backpack. First, because we will be traveling by public transportation, taxi, and train. Full sized luggage is incredibly inconvenient in these situations. Second, because historical buildings typically do not have elevators, and you do not want to be lugging a full sized suitcase up any narrow, winding stair cases. You will be very thankful for packing light, even if it means you have to decide what you will wear before you get there. In light of this, I will be adding a laundromat stop about 6 days into our trip, if you need to do any laundry.

Cost

$1800 plus airfare, food, souvenirs, and optional tours. Should this change, you will be given adequate warning.

What Is Included

Trip Planning Fee: Itinerary formation and distribution, tour management, hotel, tour, and transportation bookings, day of problem solving, daily restaurant selections, and navigation.

Transportation between cities: Anything that can be booked in advance, including airport transfers from the airport to hotels and trains between cities (i.e. Prague to Vienna). Spontaneous taxis, public transportation within cities, etc, are not included in the trip price as they are difficult to calculate in advance.

Accommodations: We will be staying in double occupancy hotel rooms, allowing for you to share a room, but not a bed. If you are traveling with someone who you would be willing to share a bed with, let me know and I will calculate a discount for you. If you are wanting your own room, that is an option for a fee as well. About half of our hotels will include breakfast.

Tours: Prague City Walking Tour, Prague Castle, Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland, National Park Day Trip, Český Krumlov Wooden Raft Ride, Schönbrunn Palace Tickets, Vintage Style e-car Tour of Vienna, and Hallstatt and Salzburg Day Trip. You can find more details here.

What Is Not Included:

Specific Transportation: Your international flights and within city public transportation. It is impossible for me to guess how much tickets will cost from each of your homes, or to calculate how many bus rides we will be taking, so I am not able to include that in the price. However, I am happy to help you with booking, if you have any questions, and will be helping you purchase public transit tickets upon arrival.

Meals and food: Some of our hotels will include breakfasts, but not all. The remaining breakfasts, lunches, dinners, coffee shop stops, cakes, etc are not included in the price. This is to allow you maximum control over your food budget and preferences. The internet recommends budgeting an additional $45-$65 a day to cover this cost, although I would keep in mind the rising price of food. I am not opposed to getting groceries for breakfast some days, or packing lunches, if the group wants to cut some corners.

Sim cards: The easiest thing most people do is pay their phone company for international calls during their trip. I recommend doing this, especially since we will be in more than one country, and buying sim cards for each country can be a hassle.

Souvenirs.

Extra tours or excursions. These tours are optional as I realize they may not be everyone’s idea of a good time. You can review the itinerary for more details.

Terezin Concentration Camp ($67)
Live Classical Music Concert ($37)
Day trip to Bratislava, Slovakia, and Budapest, Hungry ($198)

Sign Up

You can sign up by following this link SIGN UP and completing the trip application.

The Payment Plan

If you have read all the way to the bottom of this page, I’m assuming you are pretty interested in this trip. Hooray! If you are ‘in’ and ready to make it official here’s the plan:

Follow the link to Sign up and confirm your spot.
The registration deadline is February 1, 2025 and the registration fee is in the form of a $100 non refundable deposit that will go towards the cost of your trip. If, for some reason, I need to cancel the trip, I will refund the money to you, no cost.
You may choose the pay the entirety of your debt at the time of registration or in installments, half by February 1 and the remainder by March 1.
Pack your bags because…
Summer 2025, we will head out on the adventure of a lifetime!

NOTE: Payments are accepted via paypal, cashapp and venmo. I will share my accounts to receive payment when you sign up. This trip is non refundable and any travel insurances that you wish to purchase will be additional costs to you. Prices are subject to change, with adequate notification to participants.

There! That’s the whole thing!

If you have any questions, email me at: tripsbycamille@gmail.com or contact on my socials.

Sign up here!

Scandinavian Skedaddle

What this trip is: This is a 10 day group trip across the Scandinavian capitals, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo, with a side quest to Bergen, the capital of the fjords. We will start the trip in Copenhagen, Denmark, traveling by train to Stockholm, Sweden and by plane to Bergen, Norway, before ending in Oslo, Norway. Our itinerary will include city walking tours, iconic train rides, and a fjord cruise. The target dates are July 11-20, 2025. The target group size is 8-10 people. The tour is designed for adults in their 20s to 40s, but the minimum age is 21. The price is $2200 + airfare and food. The registration deadline was February 6, 2025 and is officially closed.

Goal: The primary goal of this trip is to explore the culture and history of Scandinavia. The secondary goal is to have fun doing it. I cannot promise you that I won’t make any mistakes as a tour guide, but I can promise that I will be responsible to solve it. You can just relax and enjoy the ride! Along the way you can anticipate 600+ years of history, towering mountains, the longest daylight hours of your life, and don’t get me started on the cinnamon rolls.

Itinerary: Depart for Copenhagen, Denmark on July 11 and return home from Oslo, Norway on July 20. Along the way we will explore the capital cities of Copenhagen, Stockholm, Bergen, and Oslo, with scenic transfers by train, plane, and ferry between our destinations. Specific details, including optional tours and daily itinerary will be found here.

Note on the flight: You will be responsible to get yourself to Copenhagen, Denmark by July 12th and leave from Oslo, Norway, on July 20th.

What to Expect of Scandinavia in July

Weather: Summers in Scandinavia tend to be on the chilly side, with temperatures ranging from 50s to 70s. You can expect it to be wearing layers and pack for a chance of rain. You can also expect 16 to 18 hours of sunlight, with sunset around 11 pm, depending on your location!

Crowds: Compared to most of Europe, the crowds in Scandinavia will feel minimal.

Difficulty Level: Moderate. We will not be summiting any mountains, but hiking will definitely be an option and we will be walking in cities, on concrete and up steps. Since we will be relying on public transportation to navigate and learning about our surroundings via walking tours, you can expect to walk at least (probably more) than 7 miles a day, every day.

For this reason, it is essential that:

1. You are physically active before the trip to reduce fatigue as much as possible

2. You pack appropriately.

3. Above all else, you must have a clean bill of health to travel.

Side note: While I have not personally experienced every part of the itinerary of this tour, I have been to Copenhagen, Denmark and can assure you, this trip is full of many beautiful, visit worthy destinations!

What I expect from you: I expect that you are adults. For this reason (and my own legal liabilities) you must be at least 21 to join the trip. I am agreeing to coordinate but I’m not agreeing to be a chaperone or a maid. The trip is designed for adults in their 20s to 40s. I only require that you have the physical health needed to participate in the agreed upon itinerary. If you aren’t sure, please check with your doctor. I would love to have you join, but it is a goal of mine to not have to learn the in’s and out’s of any other country’s medical system. I ask that everyone is considerate and responsible, that you ask for help if you need it, chip in where you can, keep track of your own travel documents, and you don’t wander off without telling someone.

I always say that travel is a gift. It’s an incredible privilege and my hope is that we can all keep this in mind as we go. Gratitude and grace go a long way about half way through a trip when the wind is blowing and you don’t know where the nearest bathroom is and maybe your travel coordinator is scrambling to pull the group together. So, I am asking that you bring your gratitude and your flexibility because we’ll be growing together.

Luggage Policy: If you haven’t traveled much internationally you are going to be surprised by my next statement, but everyone will be allotted one carry on suitcase and one hand bag/backpack. First, because we will be traveling by public transportation, taxi, and train. Full sized luggage is incredibly inconvenient in these situations. Second, because historical buildings typically do not have elevators, and you do not want to be lugging a full sized suitcase up any narrow, winding stair cases. You will be very thankful for packing light, even if it means you have to decide what you will wear before you get there. In light of this, I will be reserving lodging with washing machines about half way through our trip, if you need to do any laundry.

Cost

$2200 plus airfare, food, and souvenirs. Should this change, you will be given adequate warning.

What Is Included

Trip Planning Fee: Itinerary formation and distribution, tour management, hotel, tour, and transportation bookings, day of problem solving, daily restaurant selections, and navigation.

Transportation between cities: Anything that can be booked in advance, including airport transfers from the airport to hotels and trains and flights between cities (i.e. Copenhagen to Stockholm). Spontaneous taxis, public transportation within cities, etc, are not included in the trip price as they are difficult to calculate in advance.

Tours: Tivoli Gardens Amusement Park Entrance Ticket, Copenhagen Bike Tour, Stockholm Walking Tour, Stockholm Royal Palace Entrance Tickets, Bergen Walking Tour, Bergen Funicular, and Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ fjord cruise and train rides. You can find more details here.

What Is Not Included:

Meals and food: Some of our hotels will include breakfasts, but not all. The remaining breakfasts, lunches, dinners, coffee shop stops, Danishes, etc are not included in the price. This is to allow you maximum control over your food budget and preferences. The internet recommends budgeting an additional $45-$65 a day to cover this cost, although I would keep in mind the rising price of food. I am not opposed to getting groceries for breakfast some days, or packing lunches, if the group wants to cut some corners.

Souvenirs.

Optional Tours: specifically a ride ticket at Tivoli Gardens Amusement Park and any other activities you decide to add as we go.

Sign Up

You can sign up by following this link SIGN UP and completing the trip application.

The Payment Plan

If you have read all the way to the bottom of this page, I’m assuming you are pretty interested in this trip. Hooray! If you are ‘in’ and ready to make it official here’s the plan:

Follow the link to Sign up and confirm your spot.
The registration deadline is February 1, 2025 and the registration fee is in the form of a $100 non refundable deposit that will go towards the cost of your trip. If, for some reason, I need to cancel the trip, I will refund the money to you, no cost.
You may choose the pay the entirety of your debt at the time of registration or in installments, half by February 1 and the remainder by March 1.
Pack your bags because…
Summer 2025, we will head out on the adventure of a lifetime!

There! That’s the whole thing!

If you have any questions, email me at: tripsbycamille@gmail.com or contact on my socials.

Sign up here!

Peru 2024 Itinerary

Itinerary:

Day 1: It Begins!

Leave your home and head to the airport. Pack a pillow, it’s going to be a long flight! But don’t worry, you should be able to do it all in one day. Fly to Lima, Peru and meet up with the group. We will spend our first evening gathering ourselves and getting dinner. Please arrive by 5 pm if you’d like my help to transfer from the airport to our lodging.

Day 2: The Extremes of Nature

For an adventure like no other, we will head to the coast, board a boat, and tour the “poor man’s Galapagos,” (The Ballestas Islands) complete with penguin sightings, if we’re lucky. We’ll then head inland, to a desert oasis (Huacachina), for an epic dune buggy ride and sand surfing adventure for sunset in the desert. It will be a long day, but our trusty tour guides will handle the details, and we can nap on the bus!

Photo by Alex Azabache on Unsplash

Day 3: Sabbath in the City

We will spend our Sunday in Lima, find a church service to attend for part of the day, and spend the other half on a walking tour, familiarizing ourselves with Peru’s modern capital.

Day 4: Going Up

We will bid farewell to Lima and head to Cusco, Peru, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire. As the elevation is quite high, all guides suggest taking it easy to adjust to the altitude. We’ll spend our first day in Peru doing just that, exploring or relaxing as we feel so led. And eating, of course.

Photo by Adrian Dascal on Unsplash

Day 5: Day is Cusco

I’ve added a day here for us to enjoy the city and gather our lungs about us. Food, shopping, and sight seeing are all on the list. To give us some guidance, you will have the option to join a market and food tour for the afternoon.

Day 6: Sacred Valley Tour

On day 5 we will start out on a 2 day small group guided tour of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Day one of the tour includes stops in Chinchero, Moray, the Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. The tour also includes upgraded train tickets on the Vistadome Train, complete with 360* windows for scenic views.

Day 7: Machu Picchu

Day 2 of the tour will be spent exploring Machu Picchu before returning to our lodging in Cusco. I don’t have much to add as I think Machu Picchu speaks for itself.

Day 8: Choices Choices

The cheap and easy option is to spend the day exploring Cusco. An UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital city of an ancient empire, Cusco is full of shops and architecture to enjoy. The adventure option is to spend the day on a guided hike of Rainbow Mountain. I have my own personal preferences on the length of a hike, so I will not be joining this adventure, but I wanted to make it available to you as it is highly recommended, if you enjoy a challenging hike. Between the altitude and the vistas, the tour is sure to be breathtaking.

Photo by Gabriel Silva Suares on Unsplash

Day 9: The Descent

It’s time to come back down. We will spend this day traveling, mostly by plane, to Peru’s modern capital, Lima. Known for its foodie culture, we are sure to find something tasty to complete the day.

Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash

Day 10: Home Again, Home Again

All good things must come to an end, even trips. We’ll pack our bags, share our photos, and head to the airport.

Special Note: This is the proposed itinerary for the Peru Group Trip 2024. Everything is weather and safety permitting and flexible according to the preferences of the group. For more details of the trip, follow this link. Or you can sign up here!

South Korea 2024 Itinerary Update

Itinerary:

Day 1: A Trip’s Beginning

Leave your home and head to the airport. Pack a pillow, it’s going to be a long flight!

Day 2: Arrive in Seoul, South Korea

We will use the first day to gather ourselves and explore. Seoul is a massive city, larger than any in the US. We will take it slowly and just find the highlights, starting with a walk in our neighborhood for some food.

Day 3: Modern Seoul

Our morning will start with a guided tour into the DMZ, the Demilitarized Zone. I have been on this tour and really enjoyed it as I thought it was very informative and not too scary. You will not be crossing any borders into North Korea, but you may be able to see little people walking around through telescopes, if the weather is good. If you would prefer not to take this tour, you can stay back with me in Seoul (I will not be taking it again) and I will deduct it from the price of your trip. In the afternoon you will have the option to visit Namsan Tower, Seoul’s Iconic high point, for iconic views. We will end the evening with a guided food tour of a local market. Korean food is full of varieties and flavors and a guided tour is an excellent introduction.

Day 4: Historically Seoul

We will continue our time in Seoul with a historical perspective, renting a Hanbok (traditional Korean clothes) for a free ticket to Gyeongbokgung Palace. From there we will visit the Korean Folk Museum, Bukchon Village, and Insadong, hilly neighborhoods with Hanok style buildings and countless small shops and eateries. We will end our day with with a classic Han River picnic Mapo Bridge Park, complete with a lights and water show and street food, weather permitting.

Day 5: Off to Gyeongju

We will start our day with a train to Gyeongju, visiting its UNESCO heritage sights, including the ancient Silla tombs (from 600 AD), roaming the Hanok lined streets, and enjoying the night views of Wolji pond. We will then take our turn at staying in a Hanok (traditional) house, complete with sleeping on the floor. (It’s not as bad as it sounds, I promise!) If you are certain that you are in need of a bed, we can accommodate, but I want you to at least have the option. Korean homes were historically warmed with floor heat by placing heated rocks, and then coals, under the floorboards of the house. This has resulted in a culture of floor sleeping and sitting. Koreans will often opt to sit on the floor, even using the couch as a back rest rather than a chair. This is your opportunity to experience it for yourself!

Day 6: Off to Busan

Busan is South Korea’s second largest city and the only city that wasn’t overtaken by North Korea during the Korean war. We will make our way to the coastal city by train in the morning and spend the afternoon exploring Amnam Park, complete with hiking trails, views of the city, and a cable car. In the evening we will jump on an optional yacht ride for iconic night views of Busan’s skyline.

Day 7: Explore Busan

We will join a local tour guide for the expedited views of Busan, with stops at the unique coastal temple of Yonggungsa, Gamcheon culture village, and a seaside suburb for Busan’s specialty, seafood. Depending on our energy levels, we will spend our evening at Gwangalli Beach and/or Hwangnyeongsan Mountain (views here are amazing!).

Day 8: Bullet Back to Seoul

We will head back to the capital to finish out our time in South Korea. This day will be mostly a breakfast, travel, dinner day, but if you’d like, we can make it back in time for a market tour and cooking class. In the evening we will explore Hongdae, a college neighborhood in Seoul, known for its small shops, eateries, karaoke rooms, selfies booths, and street performers.

Day 9: Nami Island, Garden of the Morning Calm, and Rail Bike Day Trip

If you select the 10 day trip option, this will be your last full day in Korea. We will spend it on Seoul’s most popular day trip option, visiting Nami Island, the Garden of the Morning Calm, and catching a rail bike ride. Nami Island is a land of whimsy and our day will be filled with curated nature and art.

Day 10: Two Paths Diverge in the Woods (or Sky)

If you select the 10 day trip option, your itinerary will involve breakfast and flying home.

If you select the extended trip option, your itinerary will start with a morning flight to Jeju Island, South Korea’s Hawaii. Known for its volcanic soil, waterfalls, beaches, and sunsets, Jeju is a popular vacation spot for tourists and locals. Upon arrival, we will pick up a rental car and head to our lodging. My main goals for this day are to find a stellar sunset view and black pork bqq, a Jeju specialty.

Day 11: West to East

For our first full day in Jeju, we will cross the island by car, stopping at a tea plantation, waterfalls, and coffee shops.

Day 12: Island Life

This will be a day of your choosing. You can spend it on the beach with pure relaxation, or you can jump in for more adventure. My favorite option in this area is a half day trip to Udo Island, just off the eastern coast of Jeju. It’s a fun little island known for peanut ice cream and scenic views. You can join the masses by renting a little car, or you can catch a bus. Sunrise Mountain is also nearby. It’s a short hike for beautiful views of the island.

Day 13: Back to the mainland

We will wrap up the vacation time of our trip with brunch before heading to the airport and back to Seoul. For our last full day, we will fit in as much of the city as we can (or want to). A few options include: a guided hike along the historical city wall and through the Ihwa Village murals, visiting the Cheonggyecheon Stream and Dongdaemun Design Plaza, or crossing Seoul’s largest river, the Han River, to explore the other side, including the COEX Mall in the neighborhood of Gangnam (of the infamous ‘Gangnam Style’ song). The mall houses many great stores, an aquarium, and a beautiful library. We will choose one or two things to round out our time.

Day 14: Fly home, from Seoul

It’s our last day! Breakfast and flights are what is in store for us.

Special Note: This is the proposed itinerary for the South Korea Group Trip 2024. Everything is weather permitting and flexible according to the preferences of the group. For more details of the trip, follow this link. Or you can sign up here!

First Stop: Seoul

Traveling to the other side of the world will take some planning. As I said last week (here), South Korea is a good place to be spontaneous, but I always find it helpful to have a bucket list to get me started.

If you go to South Korea, you will almost assuredly spend some amount of time in Seoul. Seoul literally means, “capital,” which it is. It ranks among the world’s largest cities, but as a city dweller myself, I find it to be surprisingly quiet. If Seoul is your only stop in Korea, you can still get a good variety of Korea’s history, politics, culture, and trends with just a few days here.

For a short list of recommendations I’d say:

1. Visit a palace. Gyeonbokgung is the largest, Changdeokgung has a secret garden that’s very pretty (a tour is required), and Changgyeonggung is open the latest, if you want some royal night views. There are 2 more, but they are much smaller. Pro tip: if you dress in hanbok (traditional Korean clothes) you get in for free. For this reason, there are countless hanbok rental shops near the palaces that give you the chance to enjoy this experience. I will say, it’s pretty fun, even on a hot summer’s day. Plus, it gives the palace authentic vibes to have most of the guests in traditional clothes. It makes us part of the history and not just tourists.

2. Explore some neighborhoods. There are hundreds in Seoul, but Ikseondong is at the top of my list. It’s a neighborhood of short buildings and winding alleys. Great food at every step. Many cute shops that are great for unique and traditional souvenirs. And countless selfie photo booths to capture the night. I like to stay in this neighborhood as it’s a good place to come back to for dinner after a day of exploring. My second place is probably Hongdae, although I’m probably getting too old for it! Hongdae is close to Hongik University, so there are countless college kids roaming the streets until all hours of the day and night, especially on the weekend. But I like it for it’s plethora of food options, street performers, people watching, and access to the airport train. It’s a great neighborhood to stay in if you only have a night or two and have an early morning flight. If you are feeling a little adventurous, I recommend jumping into a ‘Coin Karaoke Room.’ It’s basically private karaoke, where you get to belt out your favorite pop songs through an autotuned mic, with just your friends. Don’t worry, they have English options as well. Some places even offer food options. Just look for 노래방 (Noraebang) on the signs.

Other popular neighborhoods include: Gangnam (the inspiration for ‘Gangnam Style’) which is popular for shopping and plastic surgery. I recommend Coex Mall as it has more mid-priced options, a beautiful library in the middle, and a very well done aquarium if you are looking to kill some time. I haven’t dabbled in plastic surgery yet, but I did take a pottery class in the area that I highly recommend, just ask! Myeongdong is another popular shopping destination, but has more street shopping and less malls. It’s a good place to go for street food, as vendors line the street every night. Itaewon is known to be Seoul’s most ‘foreigner friendly’ neighborhood, which I think means that local expats gather here. It’s a neighborhood built into a mountainside, with steep (Did I say steep?) winding roads, lots of good food, and shops. Similar to Hongdae, it tends to gather a younger crowd I think.

3. Go somewhere scenic. Seoul is a city of mountains so you won’t have to go far to have a nice view. Seoul Tower and Lotte Tower (the world’s 6th tallest building) are both great options for towering skyline views. I also recommend a walk along the city wall in Naksan Park, a walk along Cheonggyecheon stream, or an evening along the Han River if you want some nature mixed in. The Banpo Bridge Park offers evening street food and a water and lights show, if you’re not sure where to start. If you are feeling especially adventurous, hiking Namsan Mountain or Bukhansan are both excellent options.

4. Visit the DMZ- if you dare. South Korea’s neighbors to the north are closer than you think! But also, not that close. 🙂 The DMZ, or demilitarized zone, between North and South Korea is 2.5 miles thick and entrance to it is well chaperoned. At this time I don’t think you can actually cross into North Korea, but the tours are very, very interesting, helping to wrap your head around the juxtaposition it is to be at war, passively, for 70 years. One part that really stuck with me was seeing into North Korea and watching distant people get in their cars, drive around, and go about their day.

5. Take a day trip. There are so, so many interesting destinations within an hour or two of the city, by train. Maybe I’ll write a post about that one day? For now I’ll say, Suwon Fortress and Nami Island are probably my favorite I’ve done so far.

6. Eat. Some of my favorite foods ever are Korean foods. So much of their flavor palate is comforting and light. I’d say bbq (table side grilled meats served with veggie sides and sauces) is a must- especially since it’s WAY cheaper there than in the US, if you like beef- the galbi is a must. Bibimbap (rice, meat, and veggie bowl), pajeon (savory pancake), and Korean beef are also high on my list. I also recommend street food, especially ‘kimbap‘ (seaweed wrapped rice, veggies, and meat), ‘tteokbokki‘ (spicy rice cakes), ‘mandu‘ (dumplings) and Korean corn dogs (served with sugar). They also do brunch and pastries really well. And similarly to Japan, convenience stores abound, making quick food and drinks available almost anywhere. In Korea it feels like, no matter what I eat, I will eat well. Bonus: Korea has a no tip culture, which I find makes eating out more fun!

In summary, there is more to do in Seoul than you’ll have time for, so I recommend picking a few things from each category to get a full picture of the city.

If this post has inspired you to travel, let me know what other topics I should cover! If you think traveling with me sounds like your jam, check out my summer 2024 group trips! If you think traveling with me in Korea sounds even better, I’d love for you to join me!