Beneath the picturesque Swiss Alps, Lucerne is a classic European town (dating back to the 8th century) with stunning landscapes and architecture. Beyond the medieval buildings, there are several great options for those looking to get out of the city, and into nature. From scenic train rides, cruises on the lake, or mountain excursions, there is no shortage of day trips from Lucerne! I spent time in Switzerland with my mom and sister while on…
With just 3-4 days in the city, this is my efficient Beijing itinerary! See as much as you can, and on limited time- plus a visit to the Great Wall of China. As the 8th most populated city on the planet, Beijing can be hectic, busy, and smoggy. Despite this, there are truly beautiful sights and unique experiences to be had. It is perhaps the one city that is most quintessentially “China”. What visitors picture…
After a road trip all over Iceland, here is what I found useful to know during my time there. These are my top Iceland vacation tips and my best advice for first time visitors! : Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you!). ⇒ Need help planning? See my detailed Iceland itinerary!…
A tropical paradise with delicious food and an intriguing history: Use my one week in Puerto Rico itinerary to help you plan the best trip! As a US territory, visitors from the states have it easy. No passport is needed to travel. For a long weekend or full week vacation, this destination can really pack a lot in! A great spot for active or relaxing vacations, here is my one week in Puerto Rico itinerary:…
Bowling Green, Kentucky is best known for a few things: Caves, a charming downtown, Corvettes, and its resident white squirrels! It's also a great destination for families, with many unique things to do. In the heart of the state, Bowling Green offers plenty of outdoor adventures (or relaxing activities) for adult travelers, as well as young families. After a visit here as a weekend trip, here is my itinerary of the best things to do…
Want to explore Spain in 10 days, but at your own pace? Need help with how to divide your time? Not sure which cities to visit? I got you! I've traveled to Spain multiple times over the years, and even lived there (in my favorite city, Valencia) for a time. I promise you my tips are good! To give you options, I have two itineraries depending on the airports you'll use. Here they are- especially…
This magical part of the land of pura vida is a must see for any visitor- It's the perfect place for relaxation seekers or outdoor adventurers! Learn all my best La Fortuna, Costa Rica things to do: Home to lush jungle, active volcanoes, waterfalls, and plenty of sloths, 🦥 it is a tropical paradise! Plus, it's named "fortune", but sits at the base of an active volcano- you have to love that optimism! 🌋 Whether you…
Fitting it all in with a two week Italy itinerary seems daunting, but it's actually a great amount of time. You can explore so much by train with 14 days in Italy. It's a busy schedule, but worth it! After 14 days in Italy with my family, and returning 4 more times since, I can safely say this is a quality (and yes, BUSY) itinerary! This has a perfect combination of iconic Italy, while also…
The Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited U.S. National Park, and for good reason. In addition to the park itself, there are loads of kid-friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge and nearby Gatlinburg, Tennessee! Being from the Cincinnati area, it’s only a 4.5 hour drive, so I’ve traveled here many times. Traveling with a toddler, our goal was to find kid friendly activities, and we did! We usually stay in Gatlinburg, so Pigeon Forge…
Every year, thousands of American college students make their way down to Central America to study abroad in the beautiful country of Costa Rica. After my own great experience, I've listed my top reasons to study abroad in Costa Rica. While there are many options as to where to base yourself, I was living in Heredia. There are a HUGE variety of University programs here and in San Jose, click here to see a few!…
Latest Posts
Read More!

Affiliate Disclosure
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases. I am also an affiliate for Travel Payouts and its various entities.
© Michelle Weigold and The Great Wide Somewhere, 2025. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Please read full privacy policyy/disclosure information here










































