advice

30 Things to do in Quarantine

Published on April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Hi everybody! Long time no post. I think we can all agree 2020 has been one of the strangest years. The only comforting part about this whole situation is that everyone is going through the same thing. We are all trying our best to social distance, stay at home, and keep up with our health during this uncertainty. Although my blog is primarily a travel blog, during this time I thought it would be fun to share things to do and ways to see the positive side of this temporary situation!

Here’s 30 things to do in quarantine:

Have facetime dates with friends and family. My family has been using zoom, the video quality is amazing and you can zoom up to 100 people!
Create and listen to a mood boosting playlist. Music has really been my saving grace during this. Here’s the playlist I made on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JeJosg5uRd733Wrowf1cX?si=wtLMRc2ERqS0Kp2U1CTF1Q
Spend time outside! One of the positive outcomes of this pandemic is everyone seems to be spending more time outdoors. Fresh air can do wonders when you’re stuck inside all day.
Take rides! Another solution I’ve been taking advantage of to change up my scenery.
Journal. This is a once in a lifetime event that could be interesting to read back on years from now.
Clean. Clean. Clean. This is the time to finally declutter that spot in your closet or a box of random stuff that’s collected over time, we all have something. Now’s the time to tackle it!
Catch up on some new shows. Lately I’ve been enjoying The Tiger King, The Good Place, and I hope to watch The Morning Show next.
Try out some new recipes. I’ve been baking more than usual and it’s been fun having new treats in the house.
Do a home workout. Just because the gyms are closed doesn’t mean you can’t get a nice workout in at home. I’ve been taking advantage of home workouts on Youtube. I recently finished Heather Robertson’s 12 week workout challenge, it was amazing!
Go through clothes and shoes and donate! Now more than ever people are in need of clothes and shoes.
Boost immune system. I’ve been making ginger shots and taking one a day to help my immune system. I will share the recipe on instagram soon!
Read. Now’s the time to start a new book. If you’d rather listen to a book, right now Audible is offering any book for free, worth taking advantage of!
Make a list of things you can’t wait to do once the stay at home orders aren’t in place.
Support local businesses. Local places need the most support right now and most offer curbside, delivery, or take out options. Also be sure to tip!
Have a game night. Break out the board and card games.
Swap your winter and summer clothes out. By the time this is over, the warm weather will be here.
Start a blog or another creative outlet!
Take naps. This pandemic is a reset for the world and all of us experiencing it. Take the time to rest.
Practice self care. Paint your nails, give yourself a facial, deep condition your hair, go makeup free for a week.
Keep a routine. This is probably the hardest thing to keep doing when all you can do is stay inside. But, waking up and going to bed at similar time is good to continue to feel some normalcy.
Pick a home project to do. Paint a room, organize the cabinets, clean out the basement or garage.
Watch a motivational video. Despite all the negativity circling the internet during this pandemic, there are positive things to watch as well. This will help you feel good and stay optimist about the situation.
Go through old pictures. I have so many pictures to organize and go through. It’s also fun to look back on old photos.
Have a movie binge night. Watch all eight Harry Potters!
Learn a new language.
Take creative indoor photos. Document what you’re doing in quarantine through photos.
Cook a fancy meal. A friend of mine made a thanksgiving spread just because!
Build a fort out of blankets and pillows.
Have a picnic in your backyard.
Go technology or social media free for a few days or a week.

Europe Travel Tips

Published on November 8, 2018January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck5 Comments

There are so many beautiful places to see while traveling through Europe. Although traveling in Europe is wonderful, especially for a first timer, while planning a trip there may be things you don’t know about a new country. Throughout my travels I’ve noticed certain acts most European countries seem to follow and I thought I’d share for anyone planning on traveling to Europe.

Try Speaking the Language. Even learning how to say “hello” “goodbye” “please” and “thank you” will take you a long way. In most European countries, it’s polite to greet whoever you are interacting with first, for example a waitress or waiter, before going into what you want. The manners you present will usually get you manners in return.
Be Aware of Mid Day Closings. This was an adjustment for me before traveling in Europe. It’s common for several restaurants and stores to take a mid day closing break. Typically stores and restaurants will be open in the morning until about 2pm and reopen around 7pm. This is also important to remember if you plan on eating out for dinner.
Avoid Restaurants and Stores near Major Tourist Sites. I’ve learned the hard way that several stores and restaurants near tourist locations are much more expensive than they should be and the quality is not as great. The extra walk away from the beautiful location you’re touring will make your tastebuds and bank account much happier!
Buy Tickets in Advance. This is an important tip. Even in the “off” season around Europe I still think it’s best to purchase tourist tickets in advance. It seems silly to waste time standing in a line you could avoid with pre-booked tickets. Almost every tourist attraction has a website that gives visitors the option to purchase tickets in advance.
Be Conscious of Belongings. It goes without saying that you should always be aware of your personal belongings while traveling. But it’s important to always keep your phone, wallet, and passport in front of you at all times. Pickpockets are common in large cities with tourists!
Wake Up Early to See Major Tourist Locations! The atmosphere in the morning in a large city is dramatically different in the afternoon. A lot of tourists don’t wake up and get out extra early but you’ll be happy you did! Every time I’ve explored a city early, it creates a magical feeling, as if the city is my own. Plus this allows you to capture pictures without a lot of tourists in the background!
Water is Rarely Free. Asking for a glass of water at a restaurant or cafe will not be free. If you want free water, most foundations around the city (especially in Italy) offer clean water. But check on this for other European countries.
Public Restrooms (parks, stations, on the streets) Usually Cost Money. Public Restrooms are cleaned and maintained by workers which makes them a little more clean than usual so a fee of 50cent to 2 euros is common before entering.
Validate Tickets. If you feel like trying public transportation while in Europe (which is an adventure in itself) be sure to validate tickets. On most buses, trains, and trams, even though you purchase a ticket doesn’t mean you won’t get charged if an officer sees it’s not validated. There are machines that stamp the ticket in order to validate it. This is important because the fee if you don’t validate is extremely high!
Explore! If you are able to spend more than a few days in a new city, research unique activities to do or see. The typical tourist locations and attractions are definitely a must for a first timer, but making time to see unique parts of a new city will be so memorable.

Must Know Travel Tips

Published on June 6, 2018August 27, 2018 by Skylar M. Beck2 Comments

Traveling can bring a lot of happiness and life changing experiences but it can be an unlikely combination of excitement and stress. But, knowing some stress will occur can actually allow for more preparation. Through personal experience and advice I’ve learned along the way, I thought sharing some of those tips would be beneficial to others and myself as the traveling season begins.

Constantly Drink Water. Drinking water is one of the best ways to recover from long flights and jet lag. Even a shower is a great way to recover from jet lag when you arrive at a new place. Hydrating your body will make traveling more enjoyable and you will adjust to the time difference faster.
Pack Extra Clothes and Cosmetics in Carry On. This may be a given but it’s easy to forget when packing for a big trip. It’s common for luggage to get delayed or even lost for a few days when traveling. You will want a change of clothes, deodorant, and a toothbrush close by!
Be Smart about the Souvenirs You Bring Home. Unless it’s an item that will hold significant value for yourself or a loved one, most souvenirs are overrated and a waste of money and space! Pictures and memories will be much more valuable after the trip is over.
Write in a Journal. I have mentioned this in other travel posts but keeping a daily journal was something I’m so thankful I did while traveling. There are so many details that go into each day and reading the journal years or even months later will be so special.
Pack a Portable Charger! This is an important tip if you’re like me and constantly use your phone for pictures and maps! Trust me, your phone will die faster than you think.
Invest in an Around the Neck Purse. This is almost essential in a foreign country. You can carry money, passport, other identification in a secure spot. I always wore my neck purse and hide it under my clothes in new places. Pick pocketers are everywhere in tourist spots. Better safe than sorry!
Along with the previous tip…Have a Copy of Your Passport somewhere. You never know what could happen and having a copy of your passport will make things much easier if you need to prove identification or citizenship.
Use a SIM Card. International plans for cell phones are so expensive. When I traveled abroad for two months I purchased a SIM card which included a data plan and minutes to call home. It was much more affordable and I didn’t have to worry about finding wifi to contact my family and friends back home.
Download a Map App. I recommend google maps because you can type in anything (like a place you saw on Pinterest) and hit the walk option. I constantly used google maps to get to all my tourist destinations.
Explore Everyday!! Yes vacation is a time to relax but in my opinion you can sleep in and rest at home! When traveling abroad I had the best experiences starting my day early and ending it late. Especially on short trips, there’s no time to waste!
Buy Tickets Ahead of Time. This is a huge tip! For big tourist attractions, buying tickets online can save you a lot of time waiting in line.
Pack Comfy Shoes. I made the mistake of packing terrible walking shoes last summer and learned quickly how brutal Europe’s cobblestones can be on my feet.
Invest in a Four Wheel Suitcase. My suitcase continued to increase in size as I traveled and it was terrible pulling a two wheel suitcase everywhere, especially in large airports. Your arms will thank you later if you have a four wheel suitcase.
Embrace the Culture. It may feel strange being away from home, but do not expect a new place to be home. Embrace change and enjoy the new environment!
Be Aware of Culture Rules. It’s important to be aware of some rules a culture may follow. Even if some rules aren’t mandatory, out of respect it’s best to follow culture rules anyways. For example, in Europe, visitors are required to have shoulders and knees covered before entering a church.

Advice on Traveling Solo

Published on May 1, 2018March 30, 2019 by Skylar M. Beck2 Comments

Last summer I went on quite a few solo adventures. Since then, I sometimes forget how scared I used to be to do basically anything alone. I used to hate going to stores alone, I never would even think about going out to dinner alone, and I definitely didn’t think I could travel to 7 countries by myself. But I’m here to tell you, it’s possible and sometimes a little push is all it takes. Most things are scarier in your head than in reality…which is exactly what I learned.

Since it has almost been one year since my Europe adventure last summer, I thought I would share the benefits and tips I learned from traveling solo!

Benefits

Learning How to be Alone is One of the Most Valuable Lessons in Life. Before I left, the thought of traveling alone and being alone was scary to me. What if I ran into trouble? Who would I talk to? Who would take my pictures? Would I be lonely? I quickly came to realize that traveling alone made every new place and adventure a bit more meaningful because I didn’t feel pressure to experience it all with anyone other than myself. The first time I went to Florence, Italy, I visited Michelangelo’s magnificent ‘David’ and I ended up staying for two hours! I didn’t have to share that moment with anyone and it was magical.
You Get to Know Yourself. I honestly don’t think there’s any better way to get to know yourself. I learned more and more about my fears, limits and joys all while having the time of my life.
The Trip is YOURS. This is the BEST part of a solo adventure! I made my own itinerary, ate when I wanted to, spent extra time here and there, went back to places more than once…the list goes on. The trip becomes what you want it to be. I typically always have a long bucket list of places I want to see in a new place and it’s usually not very exciting to people I would normally travel with. Traveling alone allowed me to freely check items off my personal bucket list!
You’ll Feel Liberated. There’s nothing better than looking back and thinking “I did that!”
You Are Able to be More Aware and Present. Personally, I felt like I had the opportunity to take in my surroundings more than usual because I was experiencing everything alone. It was a rare experience where I truly felt present in the moment.

Tips

Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out to Strangers. This is something I learned to do slowly because it’s outside of my comfort zone to strike up a conversation with strangers. But, sometimes strangers can be comforting while visiting a new place. I met a lot of people who reminded me of my family members or friends back home and it felt nice to have small talk with someone who brought me familiarly. Also, reaching out to strangers is helpful as a solo traveler if you need a picture taken!
Reflect Everyday. When I traveled last summer, I kept a journal with me and wrote about my day each night. There are so many little details that can easily be forgotten so it’s nice to have a written record of your adventure.
Take a Lot of Pictures. Some of the best memories can be captured with a photo and later bring you back to the feeling you had in that moment.
Pack Comfort Items. Although traveling solo is liberating and fun, it’s normal to miss home. I suggest bringing along something you can wear or carry that reminds you of home.
Research, Research, Research. When traveling to a new place, especially alone, it’s important to research safe areas and recommendations. During my time in Europe there were a couple cities that I should’ve researched more carefully when choosing a place to stay overnight. Last minute changes are even more stressful alone too so it’s best to be extra prepared.