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Things To Do in Gouda, Holland (The Netherlands)

Gouda is one of my favorite types of cheeses. What is gouda? The cheese tastes creamy & rich; the soft texture that makes almost melt in your mouth, making nearly irresistible to munch on. It's similar to Havarti cheese in that way.

That's why I was so excited when Gouda, a city in the Netherlands, made its way onto my family's radar during our Europe trip. I made sure we put it on the itinerary because I just had to see where the famous cheese hailed from. There are a few things to do if you're visiting Gouda, Holland.

Things To Do in Gouda, Holland (The Netherlands)

The city of Gouda is a Dutch cheese town. While Gouda is world-famous for its cheese, it's also recognized for smoking pipes & stroopwafels — a waffle sandwich made from two extremely thin layers of baked batter with a caramel syrup filling in the middle aka a gift from the heavens. Stroopwafels were invented in Gouda! How cool is that?! Side note: I ate soooo0oo many stroopwafels on my trip; they're incredible. If you have access to an international market, keep your eyes out for them. Or you can buy stroopwafels online.

Related reading: Amsterdam, the Netherlands in Black & White

Things To Do in Gouda, Holland (The Netherlands)

The Gouda market square has a gorgeous gothic city hall that's hard to miss & beautiful to photograph. You can explore the town, the Gouda market, the shops, & everything in between in a day. Gouda is a relatively small place but there's still plenty of things to do in town. You can appreciate it for a few hours or stay overnight.

Related reading: Veggie Meal Alert! Thrill Grill in Haarlem, Netherlands

Things To Do in Gouda, Holland (The Netherlands)

Munching on local delicacies is one of my favorite things to do in Europe. The Netherlands is particularly known for their apple tarts so I recommend eating them as often as possible. While I was there, the indulgence was real. The apple tart in Gouda had giant chunks of apple. Soft on the outside with a slightly crispy interior. An absolute delight.

Things To Do in Gouda, Holland (The Netherlands)

What is Gouda?

Since Gouda cheese hails from Gouda, Netherlands (duh), you have the opportunity to sample product like you're the queen (or king) of the world. Coconut gouda, pesto gouda, paprika gouda, fenugreek gouda. All the gouda cheese flavors of the rainbow. It's something I still dream about. I tell you what: there's no gouda like the gouda from Gouda. Say that fast 10 times!

Related reading: How to Save $$$ on Flights Using Google Flights

Things To Do in Gouda, Holland (The Netherlands)

If you make it out to the Dutch cheese town of Gouda, be sure to take the time to eat any of the local food.  I drooled at every bakery & cafe & restaurant I walked by. One of the best parts of traveling is tasting various types of cuisine. Eating out can get expensive so it's important to understand how to eat on a budget while traveling abroad. How cute are these fruit-inspired gummy candies?!?

Things To Do in Gouda, Holland (The Netherlands)

Looking for a hotel in Gouda, Netherlands? Here are some options - just put in your check-in & check-out dates to see what's available:


Booking.com

The canals of Holland are magnificent. Each one has its own personality & ranges in every city. Back in the day, the canals were used for water management, transportation, & defense purposes. As the times changed, the canals are normally utilized for recreational activities like canal tours. Gouda continues to use the tradition of canals with some unique cheese-inspired decorations.

My experience in Gouda, Netherlands was delicious but brief. Take a look at the town center or the local shops, & make sure you stop to enjoy a pastry & some cheese. Walk around the Gouda market square. Grab a wheel of gouda cheese to go as your own edible souvenir. Gouda is an old town with a lot of character. It remains fondly in my heart.

Have you visited Gouda? Have you eaten the cheese? :]

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Veggie Meal Alert! Thrill Grill in Haarlem, Netherlands

If you find yourself in the quaint town of Haarlem, Netherlands & if you're looking for a tasty vegetarian meal, go for Thrill Grill. I have to admit there weren't any vegetarian options save for this exact meal, but it was worth it. Thrill Grill is a must-visit place if you want a unique veggie-friendly dish in Haarlem.

Related reading: How to Save $$$ on Flights Using Google Flights

thrill grill

thrill grill

I still dream about the Veggie Falafel Thriller, made with homemade falafel, tomato, pickled cucumber, red onion, & bell pepper hummus served on a toasted organic bun. It was so hearty, filling, & huge. It's not your average falafel either; it's incomparable to any type of falafel I've ever had. Pure delight for vegetarians & non-veggies alike.

Related reading: Cheesing it Up in Gouda, Netherlands

thrill grill

thrill grill

Ask for Thrill Grill's herb fries, made with homemade, fresh-cut fries & mixed with tarragon & chervil, a relative to parsley. Pure greasy perfection that's best washed down with a glass of Heineken, the famous pale lager beer brewed in the nearby city of Amsterdam. I tell you what, Heineken tastes best when you drink it locally.

thrill grill

Sit outside. You won't regret the marvelous views & the immense amount of people-watching potential. Haarlem has a lot of character with its cobblestone streets, gabled houses, & narrow alleys. Thrill Grill is centrally located in the market square with a perfect glimpse of the Grote of St. Bavokerk, an important landmark & church within Haarlem.

thrill grill

thrill grill

My Thrill Grill falafel burger remains one of the top meals during my month-long trip to Europe last year. Perhaps it was the superb taste or even the inspiring views, but the verdict is the same: amazing. Homemade, home cut fries paired with a non-conventional burger & a cold glass of Heineken mesh together to create a pleasant & harmonious meal. Ah, the memories.

How does Thrill Grill sound to you? :]


You may find Thrill Grill:
Oude Groenmarkt 26, 2011 HL
Haarlem, Netherlands
+31 23 202 4047
www.thrillgrill.nl

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Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam

The Anne Frank House is a must to experience if you're in Amsterdam, Netherlands. There's no denying that. The Anne Frank House, also called the Anne Frank Huis, is a humbling reality. Anne Frank is a Jewish girl who went into hiding during World War II to escape the Nazis. You've probably heard about her journal The Diary of Anne Frank & its many other titles.

anne frank house

About Anne Frank
Anne Frank is known for keeping a diary during her time in the Secret Annex. She wrote short stories, diary entries, & favorite quotes from other writers. She wanted her diary to be published as a novel after the war, which was why she attempted to rewrite it. She didn't get the opportunity to finish because her family was discovered & arrested. Anne, her family, & four others hid in the small Secret Annex for two years before being found. 

Waiting in Line
Prepare for a long queue if you want to visit the Anne Frank House. The waiting time ranges. I ended up waiting for 90 minutes, but I talked to a local who said it's not unheard of to wait up to four hours. It really varies per day & depends how long you feel like waiting in line. If you know ahead of time when you're heading to Amsterdam & the Anne Frank Huis, you may buy entrance tickets online, print them out or show them on your smart phone. It gives you a direct entrance. However, these tickets can be sold out months in advance.

anne frank house

Admission & Tickets
You may purchase your tickets in advance or buy them at the door. That just means you have to wait in the queue. Adult admission prices are €9. If you're 10 - 17 years old or have a European Youth Card, it's €4.50. You can learn more about prices, admission, & hours of operation here.

Once You're Inside
Photos, videos, & using your cell phone are not allowed out of respect for other visitors & to preserve the original documents & photos. That said, I have no pictures from inside the building. That's just something you'll have to witness yourself. Once you're inside, you can see the photos that Anne hung up in her room & even the lines on the wall to mark the growth of the children. Throughout the Annex you'll see personal documents from the Frank family & even some videos with background information.

anne frank house

The Overall Experience
The Anne Frank House is a place to learn & understand the history & horror of the past. It's not a palace with enormous chandeliers & gold covered ceilings. But it most certainly is grand. It's magical. It's thought provoking. You will leave the Annex feeling changed, feeling inspired, possibly even feeling somber but grateful.  If you make it to the Netherlands & Amsterdam, absolutely take the time to go to the Anne Frank House. I recommend it to anyone.

Have you been to the Anne Frank House? Have you read her diary? I'd love to learn about your journey too! :]


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Best Places to Stay in Porto, Portugal

Porto sounds like seagulls flying overhead. Porto sounds like water lapping as you sit by the Douro River. Porto sounds like a group of Portuguese middle-aged women chatting to each other on the bus. Porto sounds like car tires clickety clacketing as it drives across cobblestones. 

After booking my flight from La Rochelle, France, I started to research where to stay in Porto, Portugal. I wanted to know the good, bad, & the ugly with the ultimate goal of finding the best places to stay in Porto. Whether you prefer luxury hotels, affordable hotels, or even Airbnbs, you'll enjoy exploring the seaside city. The best places to stay in Porto are within your fingertips!

Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel Best Places to Stay in Porto, Portugal Where to stay travel influencer
The view of Porto, Portugal & the Douro Valley. Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel is the yellow building. 
This is one of the best places to stay in Porto as far as location!

About Carmen

Hi, bonjour, bom dia. My name is Carmen. What do I know about travel? I’ve visited 22 countries. I’ve worked as a content producer for TripSavvy, the #4 largest site in the ad-supported Travel Information category. As a blogging coaching & social media consultant, some of my clients are travel influencers, travel companies, tourism boards, & more. Learn more about my blogging & career background. Keep reading to discover the best places to stay in Porto.

* Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. It is no extra cost to you but helps maintain website fees and maintenance. Learn more on my disclaimer page.




Best Places to Stay in Porto, Portugal Where to stay travel influencer
Hanging out on the balcony of our Airbnb in Porto, Portugal.

Booking.com

Planning Your Trip to Porto

If you’re considering where to stay in Porto, Portugal, first ponder about what you want to do while you’re visiting. Porto tourism continues to grow, so there may be some crowds depending on the time of year.

Create a list of 10 or more things to do in Porto. How far are you from those things? Ideally, I try to be within a 30-minute transportation ride away from the bulk of my to-do list/what I want to do; the occasional outlier is fine. Ultimately, you don’t want to be commuting for an hour each way every day- that’s a waste of precious time. 

What Are Some of the Best Places to Stay in Porto? 

Decide if you’re more of a hotel person or an Airbnb person. Porto tourism means there are plenty of choices. I have options for both, so read them all or scroll down to find what you’re looking for. Based on actual reviews, these are some of the top-rated, best places to stay in Porto.

Homes with a view of the Douro River.

Best Hotels to Stay in Porto

These are some of the top-rated hotels throughout the city of Porto, according to Google reviews, TripAdvisor reviews, and more. Take a look at each hotel & decide where to stay in Porto, Portugal.

InterContinental Porto - Palacio das Cardosas – Stare at the beautifully restored interiors. InterContinental Porto Palacio das Cardosas overlooks Liberdade Square. You can find the famous Livraria Lello bookstore & São Bento station within a close walk of the hotel.

Pestana Palácio do Freixo, Pousada & National Monument – Pestana Palácio do Freixo has gorgeous views overlooking the Douro River. The 18th-century palace was built by Nicolau Nasoni. Pestana Palácio do Freixo is part of the "The Leading Hotels of the World." This is easily one of the best places to stay in Porto.

Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa – Reviews show that past Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa guests appreciate the hospitality, the rooms, & the amenities (sauna, fitness center, Wi-Fi) but felt as though it might be out of the way for the average tourist. It's modern decor & facilities make it a popular choice.

Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel – Eat breakfast with waterfront views of the Douro River at Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel - World Heritage Site. The Pestana hotel building & location date back to the 16th century. This is a seriously stunning area if you're wondering where to stay in Porto, Portugal!

Infante Sagres – The Hotel Infante Sagres is a historic luxury hotel. It underwent renovation & reopened in April 2018. Notable decorative features of the Infante Sagres include ironwork, carved wood detail, & stained glass panels.

Spot Apartments Porto – The hip, cool rooms at Spot Apartments Porto feel homey, unlike your a boring, sterile hotel room. Spot Apartments Porto guests seem to love the location, clean and spacious apartment, & the friendly staff.

There are so many hotels & accommodations in the area. Scroll down to search the map to find where to stay in Porto, Portugal.
Blue and white azulejo tiles in Porto Portugal Best place to stay
Blue & white azulejo tiles in Porto - if you look closely, these are all individually painted tiles!

Search for Hotels in Porto

Search for where to stay in Porto, Portugal with this handy dandy map. Type in the date of your travel & it'll give you a list of options.

Booking.com

Consult my guide on how to save hundreds of dollars on flight tickets. I paid $350 for roundtrip tickets to London & $420 for roundtrip tickets to Paris! Browse through these tips on how to eat on a budget while traveling abroad without depriving yourself. Scroll down & read comments from readers to learn their tips too.

Best Places to Stay in Porto, Portugal Where to stay travel influencer blogging coach
Best places to stay in Porto, Portugal - Hotels, Airbnbs, & other accommodations. 

Airbnb Accommodations

Sign up for Airbnb with my link & get $40 off your booking. That could be a free night's stay somewhere! I stayed in Airbnbs in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Oslo, Norway; Tijuana, Mexico, & manyyyyy more cities/countries.

Other Sources of Information on Porto

Visit Portugal - Information on Porto tourism & Portugal.
Visit Porto & the North - News, events, things to do, & information on Porto & the area north of Porto.
Visit Porto - Information on Porto Card transportation, trip planning, entertainment in Porto.

Do you prefer hotels or Airbnbs? Where do you think are the best places to stay in Porto?

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rain Things To Do

100+ Things to Do on a Rainy Day for Adults

There are so many things to do on a rainy day. When we see rainy days in film, we often watch characters cuddling under a cozy blanket and giggling romantically with a partner; you can do that and so much more! 

* Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

These rainy day activities include some low-key options as well as some fun things to do outside of the house. These great ideas will keep you entertained through all seasons where you find a bit of rain. If you have kids, there are a lot of things on this list you can do with kids too.

Collage with photo of rain day and text that reads "100+ Things to Do on a Rainy Day for Adults"

Whether you opt to stay inside or outside, these 100+ things will keep you busy in the pouring rain. No need to stay bored!

100+ Fun Rainy Day Activities

  1. Host an indoor picnic
  2. Pick up beers from a local brewery and have an at-home taste test 
  3. Go to a winery for a glass of wine
  4. Do an at home beer tasting with a few different beers.
  5. Have a video game tournament
  6. Eat hot dogs or hamburgers
  7. Sip on hot chocolate 
  8. Have tea or coffee at a coffee shop
  9. Eat a meal at a fancy restaurant
  10. Make the first recipe you see on TikTok, Instagram Reels, etc.
  11. Make a fancy mocktail with whatever you have at home (sparkling water, soda, juice, fruits, syrups, cinnamon, etc.)
  12. Bake dessert (chocolate chip cookies, cake, bread, loaf, muffins, etc)
  13. Make kombucha. Here are 85+ flavor ideas if you need inspiration.
  14. Make yourself a solo meal and then do 3 things on this list
  15. Go grocery shopping
  16. Meal plan and come up with meal ideas for the next few days. 
  17. Head to the local pub, sometimes they have karaoke, dancing, line dancing, etc
  18. Take cooking classes or do an online cooking lesson. A cooking class not only gives you additional life skills but it's fun and tastes good too.
  19. Invite a friend or sibling or bestie over for a sleepover. 100+ Things to Do at a Sleepover.
  20. Buy a book from a local bookstore and spend the day reading
  21. Read a short story
  22. Go roller skating at an indoor rink
  23. Golf at an indoor driving range
  24. Create a super fun indoor obstacle course 
  25. Go window shopping at your local mall
  26. Go people-watching somewhere popular (the mall, downtown, etc)  
  27. Spend the day binge watching tv. Some streaming services have access to live tv or local channels if you don't have cable. 
  28. Invite friends over for a movie marathon. Take turns watching movies that each person recommends or you can pick one series and watch each film.
  29. Spend the afternoon learning magic tricks 
  30. Take turns recommending a YouTube video to watch with your friends, family, partner, roommate, etc.
  31. Start embroidering. You can get an embroidery kit from Amazon and jazz up old tote bags, jeans, etc.
  32. Do an art project. Whether you use items you already have at home or you have to make a Michael's run, there are so many crafts, projects, and fun things to create.
  33. Go to an art gallery 
  34. Go to a museum
  35. Go bowling
  36. Go to an aquarium 
  37. Play laser tag. They also have laser tag kits on Amazon if you want them delivered to you.
  38. Go ax throwing
  39. Watch a movie in the movie theatre
  40. Watch a play or live performance
  41. Sign up for a library card
  42. Go to the library and check out a book or two
  43. Host a trivia night. You can pick a theme and make it up yourself. or play something like Ultimate Trivia, Volume 1: 800 + Fun and Challenging Trivia Questions. View it on Amazon here.
  44. Try to make your way out of an escape room
  45. Plan out your dream vacation 
  46. Plan a scavenger hunt indoors
  47. Jump the day away at an indoor trampoline park
  48. Let your creative juices flow and make a vision board 
  49. Do an indoor treasure hunt. This is perfect for adults and anyone who needs entertainment.
  50. Sign up at your local gym
  51. Take a workout glass or exercise class
  52. Spend a few hours learning a new language. You can communicate with more people and challenge your brain too.
  53. Buy a sudoku book and do as many sudoku puzzles as you can.
  54. Buy a newspaper and read the whole thing
  55. Do a crossword puzzle
  56. Play charades 
  57. Play card games. You could go for Go Fish, Solitaire, Old Maid, etc. You can play a few rounds. Play cards!
  58. Play board games. Play a board game or two with friends, family, or roommates (Monopoly, Clue, Catan, Candy Land, Sorry!, etc.)
  59. Can't pick just one game? How about a game night where you play card games, board games, and play video games like Mario Kart. Play games all day.
  60. Write a letter to your future self
  61. Write a letter to your past self
  62. Write a letter and sent it in the mail
  63. Spend the entire day doing, trying, eating things you've never tried before. Doesn't have to be fancy. If you've never tried sushi or eaten a fig or had a martini, today's a good day. If you've never worn overalls, go to a store and try one on in the dressing room. How does it look? You get the picture.
  64. Go to an ice skating rink
  65. Write a list of productive things you can accomplish this week
  66. Have a dance party. You can go by artist, album, playlist, vibe, genre, etc. There are so many options because there is so much music out there.
  67. Listen to records, CDs, Spotify, whatever music device you have
  68. Have a spa day or self-care day
  69. Hang up your laundry
  70. Organize the pictures on your phone. Delete, put them in albums, see what's there.
  71. Create a budget for the month
  72. Stay home and invite your friends over. Do as many things from this list as you can! 100+ Fun Things to Do at Home with Friends.
  73. Find a photo booth and take a photo! Perfect for a rainy day date!
  74. Call a friend or relative. Catch up, ask how their day was, and say that you were thinking of them.
  75. Turn off your phone, tablet, tv, and spend the day without social media or the internet.
  76. Organize your closet, garage, cabinet, under the sink, etc.
  77. Mend any clothes that need fixing. Sew on a fallen button, repair a hole, etc.
  78. Dress up in your finest clothes and just feel fancy for the night
  79. Pick out some items, books, clothes, dishes, etc. to donate.
  80. Journal, write in a diary, process your thoughts. If you need inspiration, 100+ Morning Journal Prompts: 100 Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery. Read here.
  81. Make a collage
  82. Do a DIY project
  83. Make your own candles with a DIY candle-making kit
  84. Rearrange the furniture
  85. Rotate your plants
  86. Take a bubble bath
  87. Buy some new plants
  88. Build an indoor fort
  89. Recycle your cans, glass, and aluminum. See if there's a recycling center near you where you can exchange the recyclables for a bit of cash.
  90. Delete and organize photos if you have any printed out
  91. Delete and organize your emails
  92. Organize that drawer in your home that has all the junk you don't know what to do with
  93. Practice learning an instrument
  94. Play in a puddle
  95. Dance in the rain
  96. Go on a rain walk
  97. Watch the rain from indoors
  98. Camp in your backyard
  99. Look up Halloween costume ideas such as Cher Horowitz or Laney Boggs from She's All That Prom Dress.
  100. Have a fancy date night with your partner or by yourself
  101. Have a personal favorite day where you do everything you love. Eat your favorite food, order your favorite drinks, go to your favorite spot in town.
  102. Try new cocktail recipes
  103. Play a drinking game
  104. Play poker
  105. Play Candy Crush
  106. Play truth or dare
  107. Start a scrapbook. Put photos, knickknacks, tickets, movie stubs, and other things you've collected into the scrapbook.
  108. Make a time capsule
  109. Relax, meditate, and let the rain act as a personal white noise machine.
  110. Take a nap
  111. Take photos of flowers
  112. Plan your next trip. Look up flights, train tickets, transportation, hotel, Airbnb, etc.
  113. Do 5 things on this list
  114. Do 10 things on this list
  115. Do as many things on this list as possible before midnight
  116. If it's rainy for a few days, see if you can cross off everything on this list of things to do on a rainy day for adults!
Photo of a rainy day in Amsterdam, Netherlands from Carmen Varner.

A List of Rainy Day Activities

Hopefully, this list gives you endless inspiration on how to make it through the rain. You can do these fun rainy day activities alone, you can do them with friends, you can spend time with the entire family, there's a lot of variety. You can customize it as needed.

In films, a rainy day seems so romantic. You always see the movies of people dancing in the rain and hugging and kissing and having a good time. The rain gives a different ambiance, a completely different atmosphere. There's the wetness and dampness, the clouds, the grey skies. If you’re looking for a great rainy day date idea to do with your partner or some things to do with friends, this list is for you. This list will get you through the rainy season. You can have so much fun whether it's just you stuck inside or whether you invite a family member over. You can spend the rainy day playing your favorite games, watching YouTube videos, and learning a new skill.

Rainy Day Date Ideas

There are heaps of things to do on a rainy day for adults! A rainy day for adults has so much more possibility than it does when you were a kid. Now you can do whatever you want. Consider this list if you need rainy day date ideas. From going to a brewery to working out to dancing in the rain, there are plenty of fun rainy day activities. You can customize this list to do with your partner for an unforgettable experience. Rainy day dates just got better!

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