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Jessica Lynn Writes

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Find Dinosaur Footprints in Algarve, Portugal
Europe | Travel

Find Dinosaur Footprints in Algarve, Portugal

ByJessica Lynn 06.26.202206.26.2022

As I was searching for things to do in the southern part of Portugal, I discovered something pretty darn cool: there are dinosaur footprints in the Algarve region! Yup, you…

Read More Find Dinosaur Footprints in Algarve, PortugalContinue

HUNTING GIANT TROLLS IN BELGIUM
Europe | Travel

HUNTING GIANT TROLLS IN BELGIUM

ByJessica Lynn 06.05.202206.05.2022

Trolls in Belgium, you say? Oh yes, there are GIANT trolls (seven, to be exact) in Belgium, and they’re waiting for you to go find them. Save this post and…

Read More HUNTING GIANT TROLLS IN BELGIUMContinue

Visiting Mount Etna on Your Own with Kids
Europe | Travel

Visiting Mount Etna on Your Own with Kids

ByJessica Lynn 05.02.202205.28.2022

If you’re heading to Sicily, Italy, with your family, one of your must-visit spots has to be Mount Etna: the iconic and massive active volcano. This post will help you…

Read More Visiting Mount Etna on Your Own with KidsContinue

Let’s Cruise Together in 2023!
Europe | Travel

Let’s Cruise Together in 2023!

ByJessica Lynn 04.03.202205.28.2022

I am SO excited to invite you on a family-friendly cruise Mediterranean vacay with me and my crew. No family? No problem. Whether you’re single, traveling with friends, or going…

Read More Let’s Cruise Together in 2023!Continue

Ultimate Guide for 4 Days in Sicily with Kids
Europe | Travel

Ultimate Guide for 4 Days in Sicily with Kids

ByJessica Lynn 03.25.202205.28.2022

I’m excited to share exactly how we spent our recent family holiday in Sicily, Italy. Visiting Sicily with kids is totally doable, and I’ll walk you through our trip so…

Read More Ultimate Guide for 4 Days in Sicily with KidsContinue

#DutyStationSpotlight on PCSing to RAF Lakenheath
Europe | Military | Travel

#DutyStationSpotlight on PCSing to RAF Lakenheath

ByJessica Lynn 02.23.202205.28.2022

If your family just got word that you’re PCSing to RAF Lakenheath in England, you’ve come to the right place. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill guide. You won’t discover what…

Read More #DutyStationSpotlight on PCSing to RAF LakenheathContinue

Explore Burg Satzvey in Germany
Europe | Travel

Explore Burg Satzvey in Germany

ByJessica Lynn 02.14.202205.28.2022

Burg Satzvey was one of the cutest little castles that we’ve seen in Germany, and it’s less than an hour from two popular cities, Bonn and Cologne, making it a…

Read More Explore Burg Satzvey in GermanyContinue

Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
Europe | Travel

Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam

ByJessica Lynn 02.10.202205.28.2022

When my mom came out to visit us in the fall of 2021 there were three things she wanted to do: experience the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, see Corrie…

Read More Visiting the Anne Frank House in AmsterdamContinue

7 Helpful Passport Tips You’ve Gotta Know About
Travel

7 Helpful Passport Tips You’ve Gotta Know About

ByJessica Lynn 02.04.202205.28.2022

Whether you’re daydreaming about jetting off around the world or you’re ready to bite the bullet and book some tickets, the first thing you need is a passport. Before you…

Read More 7 Helpful Passport Tips You’ve Gotta Know AboutContinue

Our Favorite Easy Chili Recipe
Good Eats

Our Favorite Easy Chili Recipe

ByJessica Lynn 01.31.202201.31.2022

First I need to apologize, because this meal—this super easy chili recipe—is one of our favorites, and I’ve never officially posted it on here before now. When I say it’s…

Read More Our Favorite Easy Chili RecipeContinue

#DutyStationSpotlight: Moving to Anchorage, Alaska
Military | Travel | United States

#DutyStationSpotlight: Moving to Anchorage, Alaska

ByJessica Lynn 01.27.202205.28.2022

If your family just got word that you’re moving to Anchorage, Alaska, and getting stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, you’ve come to the right place. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill…

Read More #DutyStationSpotlight: Moving to Anchorage, AlaskaContinue

Ultimate Guide for Finding Family-Friendly Hotels in Europe
Europe | The Kids | Travel

Ultimate Guide for Finding Family-Friendly Hotels in Europe

ByJessica Lynn 01.21.202205.28.2022

Kinderhotels in Europe are like a magical unicorn for traveling families and unlike anything else. But finding and narrowing down family-friendly hotels in Europe can feel harder than spotting an…

Read More Ultimate Guide for Finding Family-Friendly Hotels in EuropeContinue

5 Fun Things to do on a Day Trip to Burano, Italy
Europe | Travel

5 Fun Things to do on a Day Trip to Burano, Italy

ByJessica Lynn 01.13.202205.28.2022

I totally understand why there’s a lot of hype and excitement about traipsing around Venice. It is gorgeous, and it’s full of hidden treasures around nook and cranny. But when…

Read More 5 Fun Things to do on a Day Trip to Burano, ItalyContinue

Alpenrose Familux Resort Review | Tyrol, Austria
Europe | Travel

Alpenrose Familux Resort Review | Tyrol, Austria

ByJessica Lynn 01.09.202205.28.2022

We closed out 2021 and welcomed in 2022 with the most delightful, family-friendly and all-inclusive holiday at the Alpenrose Familux Resort in Tyrol, Austria, and I can’t wait to tell…

Read More Alpenrose Familux Resort Review | Tyrol, AustriaContinue

The Best of 2021
Blogging

The Best of 2021

ByJessica Lynn 12.29.202112.29.2021

True story: I typed “The Best of 2020” twice before finally getting it right. Whoops. I won’t lie and say 2021 was all peaches and cream, because it was more…

Read More The Best of 2021Continue

Visiting the Valkenburg Christmas Market in the Netherlands
Europe | Travel

Visiting the Valkenburg Christmas Market in the Netherlands

ByJessica Lynn 12.18.202105.28.2022

A Christmas market in a CAVE?! Actually, it’s not just one market, but THREE markets. And it’s not just one cave, but TWO caves! Visiting the Valkenburg Christmas Market is…

Read More Visiting the Valkenburg Christmas Market in the NetherlandsContinue

My Instagram Account was Disabled (And I Want it Back!)
Blogging | random thoughts

My Instagram Account was Disabled (And I Want it Back!)

ByJessica Lynn 12.12.202112.12.2021

I lost my instagram account earlier this week. No. I take that back—I didn’t lose it—Instagram took it from me…or is holding it from me. It’s technically “disabled.” At least…

Read More My Instagram Account was Disabled (And I Want it Back!)Continue

All About the Aachen Christmas Market in Germany
Europe | Travel

All About the Aachen Christmas Market in Germany

ByJessica Lynn 12.07.202105.28.2022

The Aachen Christmas Market is always mentioned in everyone’s 10 ten and “best of” list, so I had to see why. The market scene is set surrounding the beautiful Aachen…

Read More All About the Aachen Christmas Market in GermanyContinue

Grandma’s Gingersnaps Recipe
Family | Good Eats | Holiday

Grandma’s Gingersnaps Recipe

ByJessica Lynn 12.05.202112.05.2021

I originally published this gingersnaps recipe back in 2011, but it desperately needed a refresher (not on the actual recipe—that hasn’t changed—just the post itself. New pictures to come after…

Read More Grandma’s Gingersnaps RecipeContinue

All About the Essen Christmas Market in Germany
Europe | Travel

All About the Essen Christmas Market in Germany

ByJessica Lynn 12.03.202105.28.2022

There’s something extra special about the Essen Christmas market. And sure, maybe it’s because it’s it’s the first one I experienced while living in Germany (thanks to the pandoozy for…

Read More All About the Essen Christmas Market in GermanyContinue

5 Super Helpful Tips for Baking with Kids
Good Eats | Holiday | The Kids | this mom thing

5 Super Helpful Tips for Baking with Kids

ByJessica Lynn 11.14.202112.06.2021

Anyone who’s been around toddlers for more than five minutes knows that a perfect baking day with kids is a complete fantasy—right up there with getting a full night’s sleep…

Read More 5 Super Helpful Tips for Baking with KidsContinue

Visiting Villers Abbey in Belgium
Europe | Travel

Visiting Villers Abbey in Belgium

ByJessica Lynn 11.12.202105.28.2022

So there we were, driving to Normandy, France, for a quick summer getaway when I noticed a road sign in Belgium stating Villers-la-Ville was the next exit. Villers…Villers…I couldn’t figure…

Read More Visiting Villers Abbey in BelgiumContinue

Our Favorite USEFUL Family Travel Must Haves
Family | Travel

Our Favorite USEFUL Family Travel Must Haves

ByJessica Lynn 11.07.202105.28.2022

I’m so excited to finally share this list with you with our favorite useful family travel must haves for your next trip. I know there are tons of lists like…

Read More Our Favorite USEFUL Family Travel Must HavesContinue

Where to See a Stave Church in Germany
Europe | Travel

Where to See a Stave Church in Germany

ByJessica Lynn 11.05.202105.28.2022

Did you know that you can see a Norwegian-style stave church in Germany? True story! And this post will tell you everything you need to know about it. Nestled in…

Read More Where to See a Stave Church in GermanyContinue

One Day in Amsterdam with a Family
Europe | Travel

One Day in Amsterdam with a Family

ByJessica Lynn 10.03.202105.28.2022

A few weekends ago we woke up before the sun and made a bee-line to the train station. It was our first experience going on the train with kids in…

Read More One Day in Amsterdam with a FamilyContinue

Post with Featured Image
Category 3

Post with Featured Image

Bywpgeared 09.30.202103.25.2022

Fry! Stay back! He’s too powerful! I don’t ‘need’ to drink. I can quit anytime I want! Hello, little man. I will destroy you! Kids have names? You won’t have…

Read More Post with Featured ImageContinue

Cupcake Ipsum & Left Sidebar
Category 2 | Category 3

Cupcake Ipsum & Left Sidebar

Bywpgeared 09.30.202103.25.2022

Sweet roll cotton candy candy gingerbread I love. Chocolate bar icing icing. Dragée marzipan I love cheesecake soufflé. I love jelly dessert icing caramels cake bear claw I love. Gummies…

Read More Cupcake Ipsum & Left SidebarContinue

Example of an image gallery
Category 1 | Category 3

Example of an image gallery

Bywpgeared 09.30.202103.25.2022

No, no, the Pirate Ipsum doesn’t really match this beautiful theme. Some would say that it doesn’t go with the design at all. Whaat?! I will pretend I didn’t know…

Read More Example of an image galleryContinue

Bacon Ipsum & Right Sidebar
Category 3

Bacon Ipsum & Right Sidebar

Bywpgeared 09.30.2021

Oh dear Bacon how I love thee! Honestly if it wasn’t for my love of this delicious meat I would probably be a vegetarian. Get your Bacon Ipsum HERE Spicy…

Read More Bacon Ipsum & Right SidebarContinue

A little Gangsta Lorem Ipsum fo shizzle
Category 2

A little Gangsta Lorem Ipsum fo shizzle

Bywpgeared 09.30.202103.25.2022

I couldn’t stop laughing when I found this ipsum generator. For the rest of the day everything ended in izzle, driving my tweens bonkers. It was a good day! Here…

Read More A little Gangsta Lorem Ipsum fo shizzleContinue

Sweet Hipster Ipsum
Category 1

Sweet Hipster Ipsum

Bywpgeared 09.30.202103.25.2022

Love you some hipster goodness? Find this ipsum generator at Hipsum.com Godard leggings enamel pin meditation coloring book keytar celiac tofu williamsburg cronut everyday carry. Artisan deep v semiotics, prism…

Read More Sweet Hipster IpsumContinue

A Pink Castle in Germany: Schloss Benrath
Europe | Travel

A Pink Castle in Germany: Schloss Benrath

ByJessica Lynn 09.29.202105.28.2022

I almost couldn’t believe my eyes the first time I saw Schloss Benrath, an actual pink castle in Germany. To be honest, it doesn’t look like a traditional castle, but…

Read More A Pink Castle in Germany: Schloss BenrathContinue

A Balloon Fiesta Scavenger Hunt
Travel

A Balloon Fiesta Scavenger Hunt

ByJessica Lynn 09.26.202109.26.2021

If you’re headed to Albuquerque at the beginning of October, then you’ve gotta make sure you have this handy dandy Balloon Fiesta scavenger hunt for some extra fun—especially if you…

Read More A Balloon Fiesta Scavenger HuntContinue

Visiting Small Costa Rica in the Netherlands
Travel

Visiting Small Costa Rica in the Netherlands

ByJessica Lynn 09.20.202109.20.2021

We had a completely free Saturday over the weekend, and with my husband out of town for a bit I knew I wanted to go on a little adventure and…

Read More Visiting Small Costa Rica in the NetherlandsContinue

The Ultimate Guide for Your First Hot Air Balloon Ride
Travel | United States

The Ultimate Guide for Your First Hot Air Balloon Ride

ByJessica Lynn 09.08.202105.28.2022

There’s a certain array of wonder when you see a hot air balloon floating in the sky—it’s something out of the norm, even if you live in a place where…

Read More The Ultimate Guide for Your First Hot Air Balloon RideContinue

Visiting a Dino Zoo in Germany
The Kids | Travel

Visiting a Dino Zoo in Germany

ByJessica Lynn 09.03.202109.03.2021

Visiting a Dino Zoo in Germany was a definite highlight during our mini trip to Münster. The park itself is about thirty-ish minutes away from the city, and perfect for…

Read More Visiting a Dino Zoo in GermanyContinue

A Weekend in Münster, Germany
Travel

A Weekend in Münster, Germany

ByJessica Lynn 08.31.202101.08.2022

My husband was away for work back in May, 2021, and with Covid restrictions lifted a little bit and a nice weekend (finally) ahead of us, I decided that the…

Read More A Weekend in Münster, GermanyContinue

9 Tips for Visiting D-Day Sites in Normandy with Kids
Europe | Travel

9 Tips for Visiting D-Day Sites in Normandy with Kids

ByJessica Lynn 08.17.202106.25.2022

I’m not going to lie: I was really nervous about visiting the D-Day sites in Normandy with kids. I knew we’d be visiting a lot of somber, meaningful places where…

Read More 9 Tips for Visiting D-Day Sites in Normandy with KidsContinue

Awesome Family-Friendly Place to Stay in Normandy
Travel

Awesome Family-Friendly Place to Stay in Normandy

ByJessica Lynn 08.11.202101.08.2022

As a family of five, we usually stay in an AirBnb when we travel since we get the most bang for our buck with space and amenities. But I wanted…

Read More Awesome Family-Friendly Place to Stay in NormandyContinue

Thoughts on Visiting Normandy, France
Military | Travel

Thoughts on Visiting Normandy, France

ByJessica Lynn 08.02.202108.02.2021

Normandy, France, was never on my list of places to visit. I knew it was fundamental to our history (not just as Americans, but as citizens in this world), but…

Read More Thoughts on Visiting Normandy, FranceContinue

The Time I Almost Got Stuck on Top of a Mountain
Travel

The Time I Almost Got Stuck on Top of a Mountain

ByJessica Lynn 07.19.202107.19.2021

Here’s a tale about how this 37-year-old mom of three almost stayed at the top of a 10,000 foot mountain, because she was too scared of going back down. But…

Read More The Time I Almost Got Stuck on Top of a MountainContinue

Things to do in Albuquerque: the Ultimate Travel Guide
Travel | United States

Things to do in Albuquerque: the Ultimate Travel Guide

ByJessica Lynn 07.15.202105.28.2022

When I mention Albuquerque, New Mexico, to most people they usually say one of three things: they stopped over for one night as they drove through to a destination on…

Read More Things to do in Albuquerque: the Ultimate Travel GuideContinue

The Best Road Trip Activities for Kids
The Kids | Travel

The Best Road Trip Activities for Kids

ByJessica Lynn 06.21.202105.28.2022

We’ve taken more road trips than I can count on our combined fingers and toes, so when I say I know a thing or two about how to occupy kids…

Read More The Best Road Trip Activities for KidsContinue

Where to See Scottish Highland Cows in Europe
Travel

Where to See Scottish Highland Cows in Europe

ByJessica Lynn 06.08.202106.21.2021

Every single morning before work, my husband slips on his shoes, tunes into a podcast, and hits the pavement for a jog. He clocks anywhere from three to eleven miles…

Read More Where to See Scottish Highland Cows in EuropeContinue

#DutyStationSpotlight: PCSing to Patrick Space Force Base
Military | Travel

#DutyStationSpotlight: PCSing to Patrick Space Force Base

ByJessica Lynn 06.03.202106.03.2021

If your family just got word that you’re PCSing to Patrick Space Force Base soon you’ve come to the right place. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill guide. You won’t discover…

Read More #DutyStationSpotlight: PCSing to Patrick Space Force BaseContinue

Tulip Hunting in the Netherlands
Travel

Tulip Hunting in the Netherlands

ByJessica Lynn 05.31.202101.21.2022

So there we were, in Holland and cruising down little back roads in our Toyota Prius with all five of our noses practically smooshed against the windows, and our eyes…

Read More Tulip Hunting in the NetherlandsContinue

Where to See Sequoia Trees in Germany
Travel

Where to See Sequoia Trees in Germany

ByJessica Lynn 05.11.202105.11.2021

Yeah, you read that title right: you can actually see real live sequoia trees in Germany. Who knew?! One dark and gloomy day during our shutdown last fall, I started…

Read More Where to See Sequoia Trees in GermanyContinue

What I Read in 2021 | march & april
this mom thing

What I Read in 2021 | march & april

ByJessica Lynn 05.05.202105.05.2021

I unintentionally slacked during March and only read two books, so I’m combining March and April reads into one post. Thankfully I picked things up in April (big time) and…

Read More What I Read in 2021 | march & aprilContinue

#DutyStationSpotlight: Moving to Pápa, Hungary
Military | Travel

#DutyStationSpotlight: Moving to Pápa, Hungary

ByJessica Lynn 05.04.202105.03.2021

If your family just got word that you’re moving to Pápa, Hungary, soon you’ve come to the right place. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill guide. You won’t discover what schools…

Read More #DutyStationSpotlight: Moving to Pápa, HungaryContinue

17 Easy Meals You’ll Wanna Devour with Taco Meat
Good Eats

17 Easy Meals You’ll Wanna Devour with Taco Meat

ByJessica Lynn 04.29.202104.29.2021

Taco meat is one of those things I make sure to always have on hand, because it’s so versatile and easy to turn into an awesome dinner. But if you’re…

Read More 17 Easy Meals You’ll Wanna Devour with Taco MeatContinue

Awesome Mother’s Day Gifts That Don’t Suck
this mom thing

Awesome Mother’s Day Gifts That Don’t Suck

ByJessica Lynn 04.27.202104.27.2021

I know it’s super easy to get your mom or wife a bouquet of flowers and call it a, “Happy Mother’s Day,” but let’s be real. She deserves an entire…

Read More Awesome Mother’s Day Gifts That Don’t SuckContinue

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🦖When in Portugal...search for DINOSAUR footpri 🦖When in Portugal...search for DINOSAUR footprints! 🦕⁠
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Yup, you read that right: you can find actual fossilized dinosaur footprints🐾 right along the beach in the Algarve region of Portugal! ⁠
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🤩INSERT INSTANT EXCITEMENT HERE🤩⁠
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So here's the deal: ⁠
The Algarve coastline is made up of limestone cliffs that date back the to Lower Cretaceous period, around 150 MILLION years ago. AKA: back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.⁠
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Now, I'm no Ross Geller, but my research told me that the dino that left the footprints was something called an Ornithopod. 🦕🦖⁠
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🔎 HOW TO FIND THEM:⁠
They're located at Salema Beach, and I put a step-by-step guide + a map on my blog that shows ⫸exactly⫷ where this set of footprints is located and how you can see them whether it's high tide or low tide. ⁠
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🔗 The link to the blog is in my bio; then look for this photo! ⁠
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🔆If you're headed to Algarve, make sure to add this to your list of things you've gotta do; it was definitely a highlight for, plus the beach there is great, so you can make a whole outing out of it! ⁠
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📍Praia da Salema, Portugal⁠
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. Link in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠
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#jesstagirlinPortugal #visitportugal #turismodeportugal #portugaltourism #portugaltravel #algarvewithkids #portugalwithkids #exploreportugal #travelportugal #portugaltrip #europewithkids #americanineurope
We’re on a boat! 🚢 We sailed out of Amsterda We’re on a boat! 🚢

We sailed out of Amsterdam a few days ago and we’re making our way to the Baltics. 

🌞 Yesterday was gorgeous day at sea, and today we explored a bit of Hamburg, Germany. (And I can’t wait to tell you where we went—it was AWESOME)

Tomorrow we’re headed to Poland; Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Sweden are up after that! 

Before you think everything is delicious food and unlimited adult beverages (which it is…), we’ve already run into a big hiccup: 

Their kid’s club is NOT open, and we got ZERO notice about it. 🙄🥺🤬

To say we’re all annoyed, sad, angry, and disappointed is an understatement. 

I’ll share more on that later…hoping I hear back from NCL before I speak more on this situation. 

Right now our ship is about to sail away…and I need another drink. 

Tschüss 👋 

#jesstagirlonacruise #balticcruise #norwegiancruiseline  #norwegiancruise #NCL #cruiseblogger #cruisetips #NorwegianDawn #familycruise #familycruising #cruisefamily #cruisewithkids #americanineurope #travelwithkids
When in Lisbon: CREATE YOUR OWN TILE! ⁠ ⁠ Maki When in Lisbon: CREATE YOUR OWN TILE! ⁠
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Making our own azulejos (tiles) was a total highlight of our entire trip, and I 100% recommend doing it if you have time.⁠
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We booked this through AirBnB Experiences (I'll link it in the "Lisbon" highlight), and the kids are still talking about it.⁠
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The first hour or so was a history lesson on the tiles in Lisbon/Portugal. I loved it, and the kids were surprisingly attentive for most of it (they started fading towards the end.)⁠

But then it was time to paint!
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Each adult could make two tiles and the kids could make two PLUS a bowl or a mug. (Kids go much faster than adults, so I thought it was nice that she thought of that in advance.)⁠
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She has classic Portuguese designs or a huge array of other designs that you can "trace" on your own tile; then you go to town painting it, either in the classic blue and yellow colors, or whatever colors you want.⁠
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All three kids said it was a highlight of our trip.
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☟⁠
IMPORTANT TIPS: ⁠
🌟 If you book this, do it at the beginning of your trip, and make sure you have room for them in your suitcases*. They need to "cook" and you pick them up a day or two later.⁠
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*We had a slight mishap (our fault) with getting ours home; I'll share more in my stories/highlights about this.⁠
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🌟 Also, the workshop was slated for 3hrs, but we were there for a solid 4 hours, so keep an eye on the time.⁠
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🌟 The local is super close to the tile museum, BUT the museum closes in the middle of the day, so keep that in mind if you want to visit before/after the workshop.⁠
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⫸⫸ When you make your tiles, will you go create a traditional design or do something fun like a tram?! ⁠
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📍Lisbon, Portugal⁠
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. Link in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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#jesstagirlinPortugal #VisitLisboa #visitlisbon #wonderlustlisbon #visitportugal #turismodeportugal #lisboncityguide #lisboncity #portugaltourism #portugaltravel #lisbontiles #lisbonwithkids
Okay, you’ve heard about Portugal's Pena Palace, Okay, you’ve heard about Portugal's Pena Palace, but do you know about its park? ⁠
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First: the word "park" doesn't do it justice. There's no playground (like Americans might think of when they hear "park"), and it's not really a "garden" (like with flowers...although there *are* flowers). ⁠
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It's more like a very well-manicured fantasy forest with exotic trees, fountains, lakes, and romantic buildings 😍. 

The park was created at the same time as the palace, and is supposed to be an extension of the palace and was created to "enthrall" its guests.⁠
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✅ Mission accomplished. ⁠
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Pena park is like the romantic backyard of the palace, and it's easy to imagine a princess or a queen spending her entire afternoon leisurely traipsing along its paths. ⁠(too bad the queen died before she could see it…hashtag awkward 😬)
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The kids loved it, the grown-ups loved it. Win/win for everyone.⁠
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👍When you visit Pena Palace, make sure to carve in enough time to explore the park, too!⁠
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ツ TIPS:⁠
➳ Your ticket to the Parque da Pena also includes the Pena Palace...everywhere except inside. And if you didn't buy your tickets online, get them at the Parque entrance and then go to the palace. The line is MUCH shorter at the park.⁠
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➳ Explore the Palace grounds first, then walk down through the park. Plan on about an hour+ to get from the beginning of the park to the bottom.⁠
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See my other Pena Palace post and/or highlights for more tips!⁠
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⫸ ⫸ Have you heard about the Parque da Pena, or is it on your radar now?⁠
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📍 Valley of the Lakes | Parque da Pena⁠
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. Link in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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#jesstagirlinPortugal #VisitLisboa #visitlisbon #wonderlustlisbon #visitportugal #turismodeportugal #portugaltourism #portugaltravel #sintra #penapalace #sintraportugal #lisbondaytrip⁠
Let's go troll hunting in Belgium! ⁠ ☟Everythi Let's go troll hunting in Belgium! ⁠
☟Everything you need to know ☟⁠
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📌 Save this to your "When in Belgium" list and tag someone you want to visit with because it's a blast for everyone! ⁠
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⭐️ WHO?⁠
A Danish artist created these trolls (he has more scattered worldwide) for the electronic dance/music festival Tomorrowland.⁠
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⭐️ Wait...WHAT? ⁠
Yup, trolls! Seven giant ones, to be exact. And they all have their own little story about who they are and what they're doing. They were created to bring more people into nature -- mission accomplished. ⁠
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⭐️ WHEN?⁠
All year long. Although, they're setting up/taking down for the Tomorrowland festivities between June—August. Fall seems like it'd be magical to visit then.⁠
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⭐️ WHERE?⁠
A little town called Boom in Belgium. More specifically at the De Schorre park. It's about 30 minutes from Brussels or Antwerp. (more details on how to get there via train/bus/car are on my blog). ⁠
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There's technically a map of where they are, but you still have to search for them -- not all are as easy to find as the first pic.⁠
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⭐️ WHY? ⁠
Why not? Do you need more persuading to go troll hunting in Belgium? I think not.⁠
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🌟 Other quick tips:⁠
➳ Skip the stroller. The paths are great...until they're not. We went "off-roading" a few times to find some trolls, and there are a lot of stairs at one point. You'll either have to skip a couple of sections, or suck it up and carry the dang stroller up and down.⁠
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➳ Toilets: there's a potty at the tourist center and the restaurant.⁠
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➳ It's FREE! Free to park (get there early), free to enter. Free, free, free!⁠
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This was seriously such a great adventure, we spent a good two hours searching for the trolls, but there's so much more to do at the park.⁠
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🤩 WAY more info on my blog (including a loose guide to see the trolls)—link in bio; look for this picture ⁠
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⫸⫸ Sooooo... when are you gonna go hunt some trolls? ⁠
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📍 Boom, Belgium⁠
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. Link in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #jesstagirlinbelgium
💛What is this magical place? ☟Tips for your v 💛What is this magical place? ☟Tips for your visit to Pena Palace in Portugal ☟ ⁠
⁠
Built by King Ferdinand in the 19th century for his wife, Maria...who died before she could even visit (talk about a bummer 😬), this colorful palace is a highlight of any trip to Lisbon. Make sure you see it before you kick the bucket! *wink*⁠ 😝 
⁠
⚠️TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP:⁠
⁠
🛣 Pena Palace is in Sintra, about 45 minutes from Lisbon, but if you have time, plan on spending the whole day in the area; there are lots of things to see.⁠
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🚕 You can't drive up to the palace. Hire a guide, take a taxi, hike alllllll the way up, grab a tuk-tuk, or hop on bus 434 in Sintra to take you there. ⁠
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⌚️ Get. There. Early. We arrived around 10:30 and it was already quite busy (can't tell from this pic, but trust me). It was PACKED when we left around 1 pm.⁠
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🚌 Take the bus up, and walk down through the gardens. (Add the bus option to your ticket)⁠
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🏰 Save money (and time) by skipping the inside* portion. You can walk around the outside of the entire palace with just a park ticket. *The price to go inside wasn't *that* much more, and I slightly regret not taking a peek inside.⁠
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🤱🏻We saw a few strollers, but those pushing the strollers looked full of regret. Baby wear if possible!⁠
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🚾 There are (free) bathrooms at the top of the palace, and a cafe that has coffee, sandwiches, and sweets! ⁠
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🆙 Don't forget to look up; there are intricate details all around the palace exterior.⁠
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⫸⫸ Have you been to Pena Palace or do you have plans to see it someday? ⁠
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. Link in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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#jesstagirlinPortugal #VisitLisboa #visitlisbon #wonderlustlisbon #visitportugal #turismodeportugal #portugaltourism #portugaltravel #sintra #penapalace #sintraportugal #lisbondaytrip

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