Party Like a King: 5 Tips for Celebrating King’s Day in Amsterdam

It’s that time of the year again – the whole of Holland is turning orange. No, I’m not talking about the world-renowned Keukenhof gardens or the famous tulip fields – I’m talking about King’s Day. What is King’s Day? Well, as the name suggests, it’s a day dedicated to the current Dutch King Willem-Alexander (until… Continue reading Party Like a King: 5 Tips for Celebrating King’s Day in Amsterdam

Postcards from Phu Quoc, the tropical island boasting Vietnam’s best beaches

Have you heard of Phu Quoc, the tropical palmtree island famous for spectacular sunsets, the best beaches in Vietnam and, since this year, the longest cable car ride in the world? Don’t worry if you haven’t – I hadn’t either, until my boyfriend decided to take me there to celebrate my birthday (I know – he’s… Continue reading Postcards from Phu Quoc, the tropical island boasting Vietnam’s best beaches

Monthly Roundup: February 2018

I’m typing this listening to Katy Perry’s Hot n Cold, which seems very appropriate: from record highs (in California) to snowstorms (in the UK), February was full of contrasts. I started the month soaking up the sun in San Francisco and ended it watching snow cover the pretty streets of London. In between, I had… Continue reading Monthly Roundup: February 2018

Get your skates out: There is ice on the canals of Amsterdam!

Brouwersgracht has partially frozen over, February 2018

Breaking news from the Netherlands: there is ice on the canals of Amsterdam! I repeat: there is ice on the canals of Amsterdam! This is huge: if the freezing temperatures continue – and if we’re very very lucky – the ice might get strong enough for people to get on it. Can you imagine walking or… Continue reading Get your skates out: There is ice on the canals of Amsterdam!

The gorgeous Tallinn and three other reasons to visit Estonia in 2018

Palju õnne Eesti ja eestlased! Estonia, one of my fatherlands and my home country during my toddler years, celebrates its 100th birthday today. Here are four reasons why you should join the celebrations and visit Estonia in 2018. Visit Estonia? But where is Estonia? I thought you might ask – I’ve actually heard this question quite… Continue reading The gorgeous Tallinn and three other reasons to visit Estonia in 2018

Monthly Roundup: January 2018

I’m sitting on a park bench. It’s 4pm and sun has just set behind the hills of San Francisco, yet it’s still warm enough for me to chill outside wearing nothing but a short summer dress that I got this afternoon for 3 dollars (we didn’t pack summer clothes as we definitely did not expect… Continue reading Monthly Roundup: January 2018

JUMP Bikes – Testing Out the Newest Electric Bikeshare in San Francisco

There’s a new kid on California’s bike share block – and this one’s electric! Studying the World trialled JUMP Bikes, San Francisco’s first dockless e-bike scheme, on a cycle trip over the Golden Gate Bridge. Read all about it here. Hello from San Francisco! We got here a few days ago, and the weather has… Continue reading JUMP Bikes – Testing Out the Newest Electric Bikeshare in San Francisco

Meeting Her Majesty the Queen and Other Travel Highlights of 2017

It has become a tradition of mine to dedicate a couple of days around the turn of the year for looking back on the travels of the previous 12 months. Many of us travel so often these days that it can almost start feeling mundane, so it’s good to take time to appreciate that traveling is,… Continue reading Meeting Her Majesty the Queen and Other Travel Highlights of 2017

Monthly roundup: December 2017

Amsterdam in December

December was a month of celebrations, beginning with Finland’s independence festivities and culminating in Christmas. It started in Helsinki with ten days filled with fieldwork and fun, continued in Amsterdam where I got to admire the picture-perfect city in its winter plumage, and concluded in London with a glorious firework display that we managed to… Continue reading Monthly roundup: December 2017