Tag: hidden gems
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A Slow Day Wandering in Leiper’s Fork {Tennessee}
Tucked into the rolling hills of Tennessee, Leiper’s Fork feels like the kind of place that encourages you to slow down a little. The small village is known for its local shops, art galleries, live music, and quiet countryside charm, making it a popular day trip from nearby Nashville and Franklin. We visited on Mother’s…
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Going Home: Family, Memories, & Meaningful Moments {Utah & Idaho}
We made our annual visit home to Utah for Spring Break. The days were filled with a mix of memories of growing up here and experiencing it now with my own family. It was returning to the place that quietly shaped most of my life. The people, the food, the culture, and especially the mountains…
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An Ode to the Mother Road: Driving Route 66 One Stretch at a Time
This year the road of all roads — the Mother Road — celebrates an incredible milestone: 100 years of U.S. Route 66. What I love about Route 66 is that it began as something fairly simple — a highway created to help travelers move between Chicago and Santa Monica. But over the decades it has…
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Five Favorites : Lesser Known U.S. National Parks
As a family, we love visiting national parks across the country. We carry our annual park pass everywhere, tuck our national park book into backpacks, and never miss a chance to collect stamps and stickers. You could say we’re committed. Over the years, we’ve explored quite a few parks, and each one leaves us in…
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Power, Faith, & History – Prague Castle {Czech Republic}
We had intentionally set aside a large portion of a day to visit Prague Castle, knowing it wasn’t something to rush through. Calling it simply a “castle” hardly does it justice. What rises above the city is an immense complex — a place where centuries of history have layered themselves one upon another, shaping not…
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Unexpected Christmas Delights in Cullman {Alabama}
On our weekend trip to Alabama, we made our way to the small town of Cullman to experience their charming Christmas market. With the area’s deep German heritage, it seems only natural that Cullman would create its own festive Christkindlmarkt for locals and visitors to enjoy. Over the past few years we’ve fallen in love…
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Fairy Tales & Alpine Coasters in Oberammergau {Germany}
You may remember our visit to Mittenwald a few days earlier. After a sudden bout of heat exhaustion sent us ducking into a small grocery store for air conditioning and water, we ended up talking with a lovely couple for over an hour. What began as a necessary break became one of those unexpected travel…
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3 days in Innsbruck: Exploring Mountains, Palaces, & City Streets {Austria}
Discover the best of Innsbruck with this 3-day itinerary featuring colorful Old Town streets, breathtaking Alpine views, historic landmarks, and practical tips to help you make the most of your visit.
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Historic Sites Around the Shoals {Alabama}
When we planned a last-minute trip to northern Alabama, our original goal was simple: visit Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller. But as soon as we started exploring, we realized the Shoals—this collection of towns along the Tennessee River—was full of surprises. From historic landmarks and quirky local sites to musical milestones, there’s so…
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River Walks, Olympics & Painted Houses: Christmas in Garmisch-Partenkirchen {Germany}
On our last day in Germany, we boarded the train and headed toward the alpine resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. As we passed snow-covered mountains and icy rivers, it immediately felt like stepping into the kind of winter landscape you imagine when you think of Christmas in Europe. There is something about snow in the mountains…