Category: Travel

What’s in our Bag? Our Favorite Carry-On Travel Essentials

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For my last few trips, I have tried refining my absolute necessities and favorite things to pack on trips – short and long! I keep a list in my Notes app that includes items from self-care to photography to basic necessities. I’m always seeking to save space and bring as few items as possible, which I’m sharing with you today. I’d also love to hear what your recommendations are! I’m always looking to revamp my style and bring what makes the most sense!

1. Monos Carry-On Pro in Terracotta – Our Favorite Carry-On Suitcase

  • We both have the same roller carry-on suitcase and we love it. The Monos Carry-On Pro has a special compartment for laptops that we both find so useful. It also glides easily throughout the airport and the size fits for all carry-on requirements across airlines.
  • If you aren’t up for splurging on a Monos suitcase, here is a similar one on Amazon in a variety of pretty colors. I like the yellow and green ones!
Alice & Olivia Duffle and Monos Carry-On Pro in Terracotta

2. Alice & Olivia Duffle

  • A duffle bag or a backpack are best to bring as “personal items”. I prefer duffle bags that I can just throw over my shoulder or place on my carry-on suitcase when gliding through the airport. Myles and I both have this Alice & Olivia Duffle, which has been a great size for traveling.

3. Glow Recipe Pink Juice Water Gel Face Moisturizer

  • Glow Recipe Pink Juice is my everyday moisturizer, and now I always travel with it too. Glow Recipe’s oil-free moisturizer has hydrating hyaluronic acid and is a radiance booster. It’s adapted from long-lasting Korean skincare and is great for oily skin. I always have the standard size with refills at home and travel with the smaller 25ml version, pictured below

4. Supergoop! Sunscreen

  • Always start your day with sunscreen! I like this Super Goop option because it serves as a great make-up primer and has a smoothing effect. It is matte and oil-free, which prevents extra shine on the face.
From top to bottom: Summer Friday’s Lip Butter Balm, Supergoop Matte Sunscreen. Noshinku Hand Sanitizer, Salt & Stone Deodorant

5. Summer Friday’s Lip Butter Balm

  • I keep vanilla lip butter balm on hand, but I also love the bright colors for tropical and warm destinations.

6. Noshinku Refillable Pocket Hand Sanitizer

  • Traveling on a plane or train requires sanitizing your station to prevent getting sick and cleaning the areas. I discovered this brand not too long ago and it’s my new favorite. I love the clean, botanical scents.

7. SALT & STONE Deodorant (2.6 oz)

  • With natural deodorants, I can get irritation and hadn’t yet found one that worked for me, but I’ve been using this for six months and have had no issues. It’s long-lasting and smells as good as a cologne. This one is a natural deodorant for Women & Men that is aluminum-free with seaweed extracts, shea butter, and probiotics. It’s free from parabens, sulfates & phthalates with 24-hour protection. And did I mention it smells heavenly! My favorite is the Bergamot and Hinoki, but they’re all refreshing, natural scents.

8. Holga 135BC 35mm Bent Corners Film Camera

Holga 35mm on left; Instax Mini 12 on right

9. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera

  • While I love the Holga, you do have to wait to see your photos when you develop your film. I recommend an Instax if you want that instant gratification from a Polaroid. It’s like a little present every time you snap a photo and free souvenirs! The mini polaroids are perfect for journaling during any trip. I love bringing both my Instax and Holga together.
  • Don’t forget film for this one either.

10. Portable Charger Built-in Cables and AC Wall Plug

  • Finding outlets, and finding working outlets in general can be difficult when traveling. For backups, I always like to bring a portable charger. This one is pretty compact and also cute.

11. Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Time Off Sneaker

  • Another matching item for both of Myles and myself. We LOVE our Dr. Scholl’s sneakers. They have a subtle platforms style, and are so comfortable. It’s like walking on a cloud, which makes long travel lines, tours, and standing around much more bearable.

12. Super Soft Adult EarPlanes® Ear Plugs or Alpine Fly Fit Earplugs

  • We both have issues with our inner ears since one flight we took in Alaska long ago. Since then, we always travel with decongestants and Earplanes or Alpine Fly Fit Earplugs (if you have smaller ears) to help prevent painful air pressure changes.

13. Beats Studio Pro – Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones

  • Noise-cancelling headphones on airplanes are a game-changer. Once you start using them, you won’t be able to go back to regular earbuds. I recently got the Studio Pro version and I love them so much.

14. TESSAN Universal Travel Adapter, International Power Adapter with 4 USB Ports (1 USB C)

  • A universal adapter is a travel must. This one is great because you can switch the settings depending on where you are.

15. Bonine Non-Drowsy Motion Sickness Relief – 32 Chewable Tablets with Meclizine HCL 25mg

  • Motion sickness is also not our friend, but Bonine helps us cope and doesn’t make me as groggy as other travel medications might.

16. Passport Holder / Luggage tags

17. Last but not least, a cute travel journal

  • I’m always on the hunt for cute journals to document my trips. I use them as a pseudo-scrapbook, photo album! It can also be fun to pick one up wherever you are traveling to, but I will do this then save it for my next trip!

Happy traveling!

❤ Natalie Anne

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Howth and Ireland’s Eye: Easy Day Trip from Dublin Spent on the Coast

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Two years ago I went to Belfast and Northern Ireland for my Master’s program where I conducted research with a team for an amazing organization, Widows Against Violence Empowered (WAVE). WAVE is a trauma support center that provides assistance for those impacted by the Troubles and surrounding conflict in Northern Ireland. It was an enduring, but inspiring project that informed my academic concentration in International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. I won’t forget the people I met, and tangible impact WAVE has on the victims and survivors across Northern Ireland. After almost two weeks of conducting interviews, attending group sessions, and conducting research, I was ready for a solo break to reflect and decompress. I had 24 hours to myself before I headed back home to Washington, DC and decided to spend it in the coastal town of Howth after a friend recommended the area to me.

If you are interested in booking an easy half-day tour to Howth from Dublin, I recommend this one. I traveled on my own, but I’m sure a tour reduces some of the stress!

On my last morning in Belfast, I took the Aircoach bus down from Belfast to Dublin, arriving at the train station. From there I took a Bolt ride (similar to Uber) to my hotel. It was around $25, but it was worth it for the ease. I ended up staying in Sutton on the outskirts of Howth because the hotels and inns in town had already been booked out. My hotel was the Marine Hotel Sutton. It’s a historic waterfront hotel that provided a dose of seaside quaintness.

After I checked in and dropped my bags off, I took a short walk to the Sutton train station and hopped on a short train ride down to Howth.

When I arrived, I decided to do some exploring among the shops and restaurants along the harbor. It’s an easy place to people-watch and just enjoy this cozy corner of the world. I had fun taking photos and popping into some of the cute shops. Similar to my previous Amsterdam post, I brought my 35mm Holga camera with me for unique film shots and am sharing a few black and white photos in this post.

Holga photo

I hadn’t planned to take a boat ride, but there were a few tours offering bookings on the spot that departed every hour. Since it was a foggy day, the captain recommended that I head to Ireland’s Eye, since the coastal tour would be too cloudy to see anything. I took his word for it and was so happy I did. If you’re interested in booking a boat tour ahead of time, see here on GetYourGuide for a few options. You can’t go wrong!

When I boarded the boat, I could see fog in the distance which we headed straight toward. Before I knew it, we were surrounded by fog and I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. Mystical indeed! The fog opened quickly and the island appeared before our small tugboat. We off-boarded and were able to roam around at our leisure. There were small beaches and lots of birds, like kittiwakes and guillemots. It was fun to take photos and enjoy the serenity of this little island. I took some time to sit on the beach before the next boat came to take us back to Howth.

Holga photo
Holga photo
Holga photo

After going back through the fog and arriving to shore, I spotted two adorably ugly Irish grey seals. I couldn’t help but giggle and snap a few photos as they bobbed along in the harbor.

My original draw to visiting Howth was to take the hike up on the cliffs and see the lighthouse. I followed my GPS and the pathway along the eastern coastline. There were so many gorgeous spots to take photos and I had only wished my sister was with me so we could have photoshoots!

I spent a couple of hours walking along the coast and its cliffs, taking in the sights and sounds. There were so many birds nesting and cawing along the cliffs and nesting. It was truly stunning. The fog had settled in though, which added to the magic of the day, but also made it difficult to see the full views. I didn’t make it down to the lighthouse because the fog was too thick, but the trail was still striking. The pathway was well-maintained and easy to follow. The photos don’t do the views quite justice and the cliffs were higher up than they even appear!

Holga photo in Howth

After I arrived back into town, I was eager to get to my dinner reservation at 30 Church Street. It was such a cozy restaurant to relax in with a glass of wine after a long day. I indulged in the beet and goat cheese salad and the Supreme of Corn-Fed Chicken. I had a wonderful window seat with views of Saint Mary’s Abbey ruins next door. The lovely end to a day on the coast before I headed back to the hotel for the night.

I recommend this beautiful day or weekend trip next time you’re in Ireland! Reminder to book here if you want a day tour!

❤ Natalie

Review of the Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken Bus Tour in the Netherlands | Travel Tips for Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Amsterdam was a beautiful city that I could have spent many days exploring during my trip last Spring. We stayed at the lovely Sir Albert in De Pijp neighborhood and loved every minute – if you want more information about our time in Amsterdam, see our Top 10 in Amsterdam blogpost here.

But, my husband and I also wanted to see the Dutch countryside and leave the city for the day. I researched a few weeks before we left for our trip and found the perfect tour that gave us a glimpse into the quieter villages in the Netherlands. The GetYourGuide Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken Bus Tour ticked everything on my list and more. We booked the tour and are so happy that we did!

A few things about why this tour was a good pick for us. First, I love to travel, but often get stir crazy and a little motion sick on bus rides that are too long. This tour was perfect because we boarded a bus and headed outside the city with each stop being 30 minutes or less from each other along the way. It made the day seem jam-packed with exciting activities and new sites to see without wasting time traveling on a tour bus. Second, it can be fun to explore new locations via rental car or train, but this tour allowed us to learn more and provide insight into the historical and cultural context for each village without having to worry about parking or transportation schedules. Third, we had some free time in the cheese factory, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans to explore on our own. This allowed my husband and I some time to grab lunch, do some shopping, take photos, and relax! All of this for under $40 each, it was a great deal and so worth it.

For photos and fun, I brought my red 35mm Holga toy camera with us. My husband gifted it to me a few years ago for Christmas, and I’ve loved traveling with it ever since! I’ve included a few photos I took during our tour noted in the captions.

Now, some more information on each stop on this tour:

Once we booked the tour we were given a clear location of where to meet our group, just a couple metro stops from our hotel. It was organized when we arrived at our departure point, and it was easy to find our bus. Already stress-free!

Our first stop was Marken, a tiny town in North Holland where we got off the bus and had a short walking tour. It was picturesque with a few small shops and boats in the harbor. We took this tour in mid-May and – word to the wise – it was chilly in the morning. We ended up each purchasing a cozy sweatshirt at a shop here because we were so cold! But we didn’t mind since we love a good keepsake.

Holga photo in Marken
Holga photo in Marken

Next up we had a cheese tasting at Henri Willig, a cheesemaker since 1979. The cheese factory gave us a short demonstration and tour, then lots of cheese tasting! They offered a great variety of flavors such as truffle and garlic & herb. I’m a big fan of Gouda, so it was heavenly. The site had a great gift shop and lots of cheeses to buy. These made lovely souvenirs that we took home for friends and family!

Our third stop was at Volendam where we had another short tour, and then a bit of free time to meander. We grabbed lunch at a quaint pub-style spot right in the harbor called De Lunch, which was recommended by our tour guide. We strolled the harbor and did some shopping before heading back to the bus.

Holga Photo on Volendam’s Boardwalk

After lunch we stopped in Edam. This is a canal-style town that was cute to take photos and stroll along. We had a short walking tour here before heading to our last stop.

Holga double exposure in Edam
Holga photo in Edam
Holga photo in Edam

Lastly, it was off to Zaanse Schans, our final, and debatably, most beautiful destination of the day. This is where we saw and experienced the iconic windmills. We had free time here to explore, take photos, and carefully climb up one of the windmills. It was a bit scary, but exciting to see one operating up close. We learned from the shop keeper that the working windmill grinds down raw materials into paint pigments. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience! We grabbed some hot cocoa and had a snack outside, taking in the views before heading back to the bustling city of Amsterdam. For those interested, there is also a wooden clog making demo and small museum at Zaanse Schans as well.

Holga photo in Zaanse Schans

If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam or the Netherlands, I hope you consider booking the tour here. Also, if you want a more detailed look at recommendations for Amsterdam, see my previous post: Top 10 Travel Tips for your first time in Amsterdam, Netherlands!

❤ Natalie

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Top 15 Things to See & Do On Your First Trip to Japan

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1. Sensō-ji Temple (Asakusa – Tokyo)

Sensō-ji Temple is a stunning ancient Buddhist Temple (the oldest in Tokyo) located in the Asakusa District and surrounded by shopping, restaurants, and beautiful photo ops. There is so much history here and you could truly spend an entire day wandering around and looking at the architecture. I’d recommend doing a walking tour like this one of the temple and the rest of the Asakusa district. It’s a great way to start your trip in Japan!

2. Robot Restaurant (Shibuya – Tokyo)

I mean. You can’t go to Japan without visiting the famous Robot Restaurant. You can catch a glimpse of the crazy action in my YouTube video here! Make sure to stop by the Cat Cafe in Shibuya before the show too. 🙂

3. Shibuya Scramble (Shibuya – Tokyo)

You’ve probably heard of the “Shibuya Scramble” or the Shibuya Crossing, a popular pedestrian intersection where you can watch thousands of people “scrambling” through Shibuya. I’d recommend watching from above at the Shibuya Skydeck. Shibuya is sort of like the Times Square of Tokyo, with bright lights, endless restaurants, and lots of people visiting from all over the world.

4. Harajuku District (Tokyo)

No visit to Tokyo is complete without visiting the Harajuku district. This is where you will witness the incredible fashion, shopping, food, and younger culture of Japan. It’s bright, energetic, and busy. There is so much to see and do in this part of town so make sure to set aside time to wander and shop!

5. Fushimi Inari Shrine (Kyoto)

The Fushimi Inari Shrine is probably one of the most memorable spots from our trip. It is a Shinto shrine filled with hundreds of bright red gates. You can wander the paths for hours, or you can take the steep 2.5 mile hike to the top. We only made it about halfway to a viewpoint of the city of Kyoto, which is where most people decide to stop and turn around. But go for it if you want to say you climbed to the top! I definitely recommend going on an early morning tour like this one to avoid crowds!

You can check out my YouTube video about our visit to the Inari shrine here!

6. Gion District (Kyoto)

The Gion district, or “geisha district”, is an extremely old and historical part of Kyoto. It’s filled with wooden structures, izakayas, and teahouses. You’ll find travelers and locals alike wearing traditional kimono. It was an incredibly beautiful and magical part of our trip. We stayed in the Kyoto Inn Gion The Second hotel and absolutely loved it.

7. Chion-in Temple (Kyoto)

This temple actually wasn’t originally on our list to visit, but it was close to our first hotel we stayed in, the The Kyoto Hana Hotel, and we couldn’t take our eyes off of it. There is a LOT to see here and so many places you can sit and meditate, photograph, or admire. This walking tour includes the Chion-in Temple, as well as a few other famous landmarks in Kyoto, so it might be best to be pushed along a little so that you can use your time wisely. 🙂

You can check out our visit to the Chion-in Temple in my YouTube video here!

8. Kyoto Gyoen National Garden (Kyoto)

This was another place we stumbled upon while wandering through Kyoto. We were on our way to Honke Owariya, the oldest restaurant in Kyoto, Japan, established in 1465! They are known for their handmade soba noodles. On our way there, I looked at the map and saw a giant park called Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. There were so many beautiful plants, flowers, buildings, and gardens here. The Kyoto Imperial Palace was especially stunning! This morning walking tour of Kyoto will take you through this park if you’re interested!

9. Owakudani Mountain (Hakone)

Owakudani Mountain is a truly magical place. It’s known for it’s “black eggs” that are boiled right there in the hot natural spring water. It’s known to bring you 7 years of good luck if you eat one! There is a cute visitors center at the top of the mountain and a gorgeous view of Mount Fuji if you’re lucky enough to have a clear day. As a photographer, I loved seeing the volcanic steam rising from the mountain. The black eggs weren’t too bad, actually, but the curry bun we got at the visitor’s center was delish! If you take this tour of Hakone, you get to take the cable car up the mountain to Owakudani.

Watch my YouTube video about our day at Owakudani Mountain here!

10. Hakone Open-Air Museum (Hakone)

The Hakone Open-Air Museum really sticks out in my mind because it was such a peaceful and inspiring place. We went on a rainy day so it was super quiet and meditative. There is a foot bath with natural running spring water that we rested our weary feet in for at least an hour. It was so nice and much needed. This tour includes the Open-Air Museum, as well as Owakudani Mountain mentioned above. We also stayed in a gorgeous guesthouse called Irori Guesthouse Tenmaku, which was incredibly memorable and unique, in the best way.

11. Onshi Hakone Park (Hakone)

If you’re in Hakone, you absolutely need to catch a glimpse of Lake Ashi at some point. I’d recommend a tour like this one so you can take a ride on the epic pirate ship that coasts around the lake. As a photographer, I loved wandering around Onshi-Hakone park and taking photos of all of the beautiful plants, flowers, and views.

12. Nara Deer Park (Nara)

If you google Nara, Japan, the first thing you’ll see is wild deer everywhere. It’s so fun to feed them and it is super memorable. I’d plan to walk through Nara Park on your way to Tōdai-ji Temple, mentioned below. Or, take a walking tour or bike tour of Nara to make sure you don’t miss anything!

You can watch my YouTube video about our day in Nara here!

13. Tōdai-ji Temple (Nara)

Tōdai-ji Temple is gorgeous, and a must-see if you’re in Nara. There is also a lovely view of the city from the area around the temple. The temple also houses the largest bronze Buddha statue in the country! My husband was amazed by the building because it’s also the largest wooden structure in Japan! The walking tour or bike tour will bring you to the Tōdai-ji Temple too. 🙂

You can watch my YouTube video about our day in Nara here!

14. Kōtoku-in Buddhist Temple

The Kōtoku-in Buddhist Temple is located in the quiet and peaceful town of Kamakura. I loved this temple because you can actually walk around INSIDE the giant Buddha. I had a very memorable moment while visiting this statue and I’ll never forget it. This half-day walking tour will bring you to Kōtoku-in, as well as a few other key stops in Kamakura.

Make sure to watch my YouTube video about our day in Kamakura here!

15. Kamakura Zaimokuza Beach

I couldn’t visit Japan without visiting a beach. Kamakura Zaimokuza Beach was beautiful and it was a perfect way to end our trip. The half day walking tour I mentioned above will also bring you to this beach. We stayed at the Kamakura Prince Hotel, which had a stunning view of the ocean. I’d also recommend Moana Makai if you’re looking for a restaurant!

Make sure to watch my YouTube video about our day in Kamakura here!

I hope these travel tips give you some insight into the magic of Japan and everything it has to offer. I’m hoping to visit again next year! Feel free to leave any thoughts, comments, questions. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned in my travels. 🙂

You can read a more detailed post about these landmarks on my photography blog here. Or check out my YouTube channel to see all of our travels!

❤ Myles Katherine

Top 10 Travel Tips for your first time in Amsterdam, Netherlands

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  • 1. Stay in De Pijp – Staying at the Sir Albert, of course! De Pijp is a down-to-earth neighborhood that is easy to stroll and not quite as noisy as the city center. It is filled with lovely restaurants and has great streets and canals to meander. It’s also a 20-30 minute walk to the city center and red light district or a quick metro ride!
A little duck fancied himself a ride on our vessel
  • 3. Visit the Tony’s Chocolonley Headquarters – Tony’s Chocolonley is a Dutch chocolate company that was created to combat the exploitation in the cocoa manufacturing industry. Not only is its mission important, its chocolate is amazing. Conveniently, its headquarters are based in the heart of Amsterdam. The company has creative flavors, bars, and snacks to choose from. But if nothing on the menu tickles your fancy, then you can actually make your own chocolate bar – amazing, right?!
Blueberry Deluxe with a scoop of saffron ice cream. Heavenly.
  • 6. Try bitterballen. If croquettes and beef stew had a child, it would be a fried baby bitterballen. You simply cannot leave Amsterdam without trying one. We ordered them at cafe t’Smalle, and they were so delicious!
  • 7. Check out a museum – We opted for the Van Gogh museum. You can purchase tickets ahead through the museum’s website. If you prefer to enter through a guided tour, you can purchase tickets and the tour here. While we didn’t do a tour this time, I recommend booking your tickets ahead of time for the day and time slot you want to go. I would set aside a minimum of two hours for the Van Gogh museum. If you’re short on time, the Kattenkabinet (cat museum) is quirky and cool with a lovely gift shop! It only takes 45 minutes to an hour to explore.
  • 8. Enjoy a cocktail date night – The Flying Dutchman was a perfect date spot, but be sure to make reservations! It had an inspiring menu showcasing classic cocktails throughout the ages and a robust whisky collection.

Til next time

❤ Natalie

(This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links.)