24 hours in AMSTERDAM

My category 24 hours in… is designed to transform a stay like a layover into a short extra vacation. You’ll see that my itineraries are so attractive and fun that you might postpone your connecting flight just to enjoy the full 24 hours in Amsterdam.

View of the Basilica of Saint Nicholas across the Oudezijds Voorburgwal.
View of the Basilica of Saint Nicholas across the Oudezijds Voorburgwal.

If you have more time to spare in the city, good for you! In my comprehensive post Four Days in Amsterdam, you’ll find tons of places and activities to choose from – the must-sees as well as some hidden gems.

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MURANO – BURANO – TORCELLO: A Self-Guided Island Tour

Sure, there is a lot to see in Venice’s Centro Storico, the historic center, yet, there are also those smaller gems. In this guide, I show you how to visit Murano, Burano, and Torcello, comfortably on a self-guided tour. It’s actually pretty easy and inexpensive to visit these three islands on a day trip from Venice.

Getting to Murano by Vaporetto
Travelling between the islands in the Venetian Lagoon is very easy. Therefore, you can happily visit Murano, Burano, and Torcello on a self-guided tour.
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TORCELLO – a church, a bridge, and 15 residents

If you are going on a day trip to Burano, the colorful gem in the Venetian lagoon, you should definitely spare an hour or two to cross the 150 meters to the island of Torcello. Here, a church, a bridge, and 15 permanent residents are awaiting you.

Chiesa di Santa Fosca on the island of Torcello where you can visit a church and a bridge
Chiesa di Santa Fosca on the island of Torcello.

While the islands Murano and Burano are beautiful yet still not that very different from the main island, the so-called Centro Storico, Torcello is a whole different world with very few landmarks surrounded by meadows and fields.

Enjoy the silence.

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A Day in BURANO: United Colors of Venice

I know, I know: There is so much to explore in Venice’s Centro Storico, the historic center, that adding yet another beautiful place seems crazy. But believe me: If you set sail to spend a day on the island of Burano, you won’t regret it – since it will add some very unique colors to your visit to Venice.

Renata Green on a Day Trip to Burano from Venice
Life in bold colors.
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A Day on MURANO: It’s a Crystalline World

Visiting Venice, you absolutely have to venture out on a day trip to discover the Crystalline World of Murano, located in the dreamy Venetian lagoon.

The Vetreria Ducale, adorned by a sign of Guerrieri pottery, and to the left the Ferro & Lazzarini glass factory. Murano Crystalline World
Some of the best places to shop for glass on Murano island: The Vetreria Ducale, adorned by a sign of Guerrieri pottery, and to the left the Ferro & Lazzarini glass factory.

Most visitors to Venice stay and explore only the Centro Storico, the historic center. However, there is a total of 120 islands in the lagoon of which only 11 are permanently inhabited. Of those islands, Murano is the third largest one – after the Centro Storico, obviously, as well as the Lido di Venezia. As a matter of fact, Murano consists of seven small islands divided by eight channels and connected by bridges.

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VENICE on a budget: when to go, where to stay, what to eat, and much more

Venice on a budget? Is that even possible?
Agreed, visiting Venice can be pretty pricey.
After all, you find yourself at one of the world’s most unique places – and it comes with a price tag.

Italy Venice Canale Grande
Every visitor to Venice will know this sight: The Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo across from the main train station Venezia Santa Lucia, photographed from the Ponte degli Scalzi.

However, if you follow my simple hacks, visiting Venice on a budget is easy and still very enjoyable.

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As Easy As ABC: Island Hopping Between ARUBA, BONAIRE, and CURACAO

Turquoise waters and tropical fishes, swaying palm trees, and pink flamingos – this is what you would expect on a Caribbean island. But where do the Flemish gable houses come from? And why are locals speaking Dutch on tropical islands just north of Venezuela?
Well, the history and fusion of different cultures are surely one of a kind on the so-called ABC islands. Hence, put on some sunscreen, grab your snorkel gear, and join me in my island hopping between Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

Couple on a jetty in Kralendijk in Bonaire,  illustrating the post on Island Hopping between Aruba Bonaire, and Curacao.
Beauty in alphabetic order.
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CURACAO – The Caribbean Island That Has It All

Curacao is an island in the Caribbean that simply has it all: Idyllic coves and secluded beaches, a fascinating history, great contemporary art, amazing food, and a capital city that UNESCO put on the list of World Heritage.

Old Dutch houses in Curacao, The Caribbean Island That Has It All
Old Dutch houses and lots and lots of water – those two icons of the beautiful island of Curaçao.

But Curaçao has also some well-hidden gems that I’m introducing in this guide – and I promise that you will love all of them!

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A Fantastical Visit to the Imperial Cities of Morocco

The four cities Fez, Marrakech, Meknes, and Rabat are the so-called imperial cities of the Kingdom of Morocco. They have in common that at some point in Morocco’s history, each of them used to be the capital of the country as it was ruled by powerful dynasties.
The respective rulers designed’n’developed their capital so magnificently that to this date, a visit to the imperial cities is an absolute must when travelling to Morocco.

Guard on a horse in Rabat, one of the Imperial Cities of Morocco that everyone should pay a visit.
#rabat #fes #fez #meknes #marrakech #imperialcity #royalcity #morocco #maghreb #africa #northafrica #femalesolotravel #byemyself
Back on the horse for King and Country.

I’ve put together individual posts on each of Morocco’s imperial cities, you’ll find the links at the end of this post. In those guides, I’m taking you to the most iconic spots. Also, you’ll get tons of information and tips which will prepare you for the unexpected and make your Morocco trip smooth and fun.

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