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Jessica | A Wanderlust For Life

@awanderlustforlife

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🚲 Amsterdam local since 2014
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3 years ago

I want to help make your travel dreams a reality ✨ This is what I do...

I make a lot of videos on YouTube, so to do my best to help you, subscribe over there. The link is in the bio, or just search for "A Wanderlust For Life" on YouTube.

🏰 Europe is my home. Since 2014, I've been based in the city of Amsterdam, immersing myself in the rich variety of European cultures. From historic landmarks to charming villages, Europe never fails to amaze me with its diverse beauty and captivating stories.

🎥 My mission? To inspire, prepare, and empower you to embark on your own European journey. Whether I'm traveling solo, with my husband Sean or collaborating with tourism boards and brands, I always share what we genuinely enjoyed and what we believe will make your journey unforgettable.

Through my content, I strive to be your travel companion, guiding you to hidden gems, sharing practical tips, and wanderlust-inducing experiences like food tours, wine tastings, and local activities. So, whether you're dreaming of strolling through historic streets, savoring mouthwatering delicacies, or immersing yourself in captivating cultures, I'm here to inspire. 💼🌟

But it doesn't stop there. I'm passionate about creating partnerships with brands that align with my values, all in an effort to make your travel experience as seamless as possible. I work to bring you the best destinations, travel essentials, services, and resources, ensuring that every step of your journey is filled with ease and enjoyment. 🤝✈️

Let's dive into the beauty of Europe, discover hidden treasures, and craft unforgettable memories. Together, we'll make your travel dreams come true, one captivating story at a time. 🗺️💛 by @awanderlustforlife

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3 years ago

Hey there, lovely people! 👋 It's time for a little "Who am I?" introduction.

I'm Jessica, originally from the mountains of Virginia, USA. But in 2014, My husband Sean and I took a leap of faith, selling off most of our possessions and booking a one-way ticket to Amsterdam. That moment sparked the beginning of my expat journey, a whirlwind of exploration, culinary delights, and incredible cultural encounters. And guess what? I just couldn't keep all these amazing experiences to myself! 🌟

That's why I decided to create this channel, to share my love for travel, food, and the joys of living in a foreign land. Along the way, I've been lucky enough to connect with a fantastic community of travelers and foodies from all corners of the globe. Together, we've laughed, drooled over delicious dishes, and embraced the unique wonders that come with stepping outside our comfort zones. I'm truly grateful to you and to have the chance to share my adventures with you all. 🙏

Some not-travel related things about me are:
🎶 I love the Backstreet Boys and I think I'm more of a Swiftie than I thought.
🌿 Nature gives me energy.
🌰 My favorite spice is cinnamon.
🍫 Chocolate milkshakes are my favorite (but haven't yet found a good one in Amsterdam).
🌾 Bulgur is a new favorite.
🍳 I love simple home cooking just as much as I do an innovative Michelin-star meal.
⛰️ Mountains are my happy place.
🚲 I never want to get on my bike until I'm riding, and I don't want to stop.

So stick around, my friends! Join me as we continue this journey✨ by @awanderlustforlife

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3 years ago

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a month ago

My autumn bucket list 🍂

Now, that I've said goodbye to summer (even if we get a few more days of warm, good weather), it's time to start marking through my bucket list for the season. Monica over at @thetravelhack inspired me with her August list and I like to have goals instead of aimlessly trying to figure out something to do.

The first photo is from when I went on a press trip with @iamsterdam a few years ago and we visited an apple orchard. But Sean and I have been to a closer one, and I'm hoping to find another one north of Amsterdam since that area is known for apples! It just has to been easy to get to by bus. So, if you know any good ones, please let me know!

Here's my full list:
🍎 Go apple-picking
💐 Pick Dahlias
🎃 Visit a pumpkin patch
🚣‍♂️ Kayak under trees
🍃 Meander through parks
📚 Attend bookish events
🎤 Go to a BSB concert
⚾ Watch Sean play baseball
🏒 Go to an ice hockey game
🦪 Eat local oysters
☕ Make apple cider

I've already picking dahlias (but I might go again 😆) and I'm hoping to visit a pumpkin patch next week! I already have tickets to a few bookish events and the Backstreet Boys concert (in Germany). I know I'll see Sean play baseball at least one more time and hopefully I'll find a friend to go kayaking with and to go to an ice hockey game.

It's safe to say I'll definitely eat some local oysters and make apple cider. I LOVE apple cider so much!

What's on your list for this season? by @awanderlustforlife

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a month ago

I may regret saying this but I'm glad summer is over!

While summer was fairly eventful with all the traveling around the Netherlands, visiting castles, and just getting out a lot, it was also REALLY hot for longer than is comfortable.

I'll always appreciate the days I could sit under a tree and read. Or the good weather days when I could take a walk with friends.

But, now I'm ready for the cozy vibes, warm drinks, changing of leaves, and cooler temperatures.

How do you embrace fall or the cozy vibes? If you decorate, do you go with general autumnal or do you go specific with Halloween and Thanksgiving?

I don't really decorate for seasons, but if I did, I would stick with the general fall vibes and colors.

What I'm not ready for is the heavy sideways rain and awful storms. I still want to be able to enjoy the outdoors for at least another month or two. So, hopefully we'll be lucky and get a proper autumn in the Netherlands for a while before it gets too bad.

What are you excited for? by @awanderlustforlife

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a month ago

Instagrammers don't always share everything (because so many don't go out of their bubble!)

I want to create memories and I think that's why you are here, too. So why not create memories by picking dahlias?

✂️ Find a pluktuin (picking garden)
💪 Go solo for some "me" time. Though it would probably be fun with friends or on a date!
🛍️ Take a plastic bag to put the flowers in since they will probably be in a container with water. Then put that bag in a tote bag for easy and secure carrying.

There are pluktuinen all over the Netherlands, just a quick Google and you can find what's closest to you 🤗

If you go, please share your photos and tag me so I can see (and share if that's okay with you!)

Things to do in the Netherlands | Day trips in the Netherlands | Flower picking in the Netherlands taken in Amsterdam, Netherlands by @awanderlustforlife

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a month ago

Sometimes people find one piece of content you'd made and proceed to assume anything and everything about you! It's so weird, but I thought this was a fun way to show that just because you see me talk about Amsterdam (or any other destination) doesn't mean I didn't dive a bit deeper.

🌻 I had been to 11 of the 12 provinces of the Netherlands before this summer, and I'd love to know how many Dutch followers have also visited all 12. I'm from the USA and I haven't visited all the states, or even all the countries in my birth state of Virginia! So, no judgement from me.

Now, I can safely say I've been to all 12...and do you want to guess which one was the last one I went to? I'll leave it at the end of the post.

This is only a sample of where I've been, especially when it comes to Noord Holland, Zuid Holland, Utrecht, Gelderland, and Noord Brabant. For those who may not realize and be a little confused with the province names, Utrecht and Groningen are both names of the province and cities within the province.

Where do you still have left to visit in the Netherlands that you've been meaning to visit? I know my list is still pretty long! 🤣

*The last province I visited was Drenthe and I finally made it to Assen.

Visit the Netherlands | Living in the Netherlands taken in Amsterdam, Netherlands by @awanderlustforlife

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2 months ago

Traveling to these European destinations in September may not solve all your problems, but how can you know until you try?

I'm a big fan of traveling during shoulder season because temperatures are nicer, the vibes are better, and usually places are less crowded. Going to destinations that aren't as well-known or appreciated is also a plus.

There are spots in Austria that are known for skiing, but those same spots are perfect for exploring by hiking.

Czechia is a country I can't wait to dive into even more, but it's more of a foodies and wine destination than people might think. And beer. But that's not my thing 😅

Greece isn't underrated by any means, but the Peloponnese region is and it's so easy to get around with so much history, great food and people, and there are some amazing places to just relax and pamper yourself.

Estonia isn't on many people's list, but there's so much culture there. I've only made it to Tallinn but it's a great city break! As a bonus, you can take the ferry to Helsinki in just a couple of hours.

Italy is a no-brainer for food and wine, but it's one of my favorite countries in the world. From the mountains of Trentino to the island of Sicily, the culture changes so much and it all has so much to offer.

September is generally a good month for wine festivals all over Europe, so if you are already planning a trip and enjoy wine, see if there's one happening nearby!

Do you have suggestions to add? Photo: Autumn trees during sunset

CC: I'm not saying that a trip to these European countries in September will fix all your problems, but I'm not NOT saying that either. by @awanderlustforlife

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2 months ago

Autumn things to do in the Netherlands in September 🍂

September is my favorite month since I'm not the biggest fan of summer. Yes, it can get rainy and dreary, but before all of that, we can have a lovely September with perfect fall vibes!

🍎 Go apple picking. I go to Fruittuin van West @fruittuinvanwest (past Sloterdijk and the last stop on bus 21) in Amsterdam.

💐 Pick your own Dahlias. Forget tulips! Dahlias are the flower of the last summer/early fall. I go to De Tulperij @de_tulperij which is in Voorhout, so you'll need a train and a bus to get there.

🛶 Kayak in Amsterdamse Bos. I've done it a couple of times and it's so peaceful in the fall!

🌳 Meander through any of the parks in any city or head to some of the national forests for peak autumn vibes.

🍷 Visit wineries in Limburg, or even nearby in Amstelveen for a wine tasting.

🦪 Head to Zeeland for oyster season (months ending in "r") or head up to Texel to pick your own.

🏰 Many of the castles in the Netherlands are surrounded by parks or forests and are stunning backdrops to the season.

🏦 Open Monument Day @openmonumentendag is actually two days (September 12 & 13) when many of the registered monuments (windmills, forts, castles, and more!) in the Netherlands are open to the public.

🇪🇺 Embassy Festival @embassy.festival in Den Haag (The Hague) is September 5 and it's where you can experience many cultures at once.

🚀 European Space Agency @europeanspaceagency (ESA) Open Day in Noordwijk is September 27 (or 26 for those with disabilities and carers)

Not only is September a great month in the Netherlands weather-wise (I hope I didn't jinx that 🫣) there are so many things to do and this is just the tip of the iceberg!

If you know of cool events or general cozy autumn things to do here, let me know 🤗 by @awanderlustforlife

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2 months ago

👑 A goal I had for the summer was to visit some of the palaces and castles in the Netherlands.

While I didn't get to as many as I had hoped, I'm still going to include a few I went to last year, because, why not?!

All except Noordeinde Palace are on the Museumkaart.

Which castles or palaces should I visit next? Keep in mind it has to be easy to get to via public transportation!

Het Loo Palace is stunning with incredible gardens and a massive park. 🏰

It was built in 1689 by Willem and Mary, yes, the very same that were King and Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland!

Nearby is Het Oude Loo from the 15th century. It's the original castle/hunting lodge they purchased before building this palace. While the palace is no longer in use, and is a museum, Het Oude Loo is still used by The Royal Family often. So it is not available to visit. 😞

Muiderslot is very close to Amsterdam and is famous for how well it's been renovated, its former inhabitants, and its gardens. The original structure is thought to be from the 13th century, but it has been rebuilt, and renovated multiple times.

It's basically set inside a moat inside a moat 😅 Though the biggest "moat" in this case is the river Vecht.

This is such a beautiful location and dont forget to go to the roof!

Noordeinde Palace was originally a home to noble families dating back to 1370. But in 1817, it became a residence for King William I, the first king of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Now, it is the working palace, but not a residential one. It opens a couple of weeks each summer to the public for a small fee per ticket.

There's also a large park behind it that is regularly accessible to the public and what feels weird is this palace is right in the middle of a busy shopping street in The Hague!

The Amsterdam Royal Palace is very well known but it's more ceremonial than anything else. It was built in 1665, but as the city hall (can you imagine?!) and became a royal palace in 1808. It now rests on 13,681 piles (wooden poles in the ground) to keep it level and steady so it doesn't sink. Remember, Amsterdam is more like a swamp than we like to think!

Even though Amsterdam is the capital of the Net Woman in purple top and silver skirt standing in front of a white grand building with pillars over the entry and red shutters on the windows. by @awanderlustforlife

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2 months ago

☀️ How I feel like I failed at summer. A bit of an honesty/behind-the-curtain kind of post...

I realize you can't really "fail" at summer, but I'm sure some of you can understand where I'm coming from. I had high expectations because of the NS abonnement and traveling throughout the country, and while I did get to do that, I feel like I wasn't organized enough to get as much out of it as I had hoped.

But, I'm also a person who generally has high expectations without having specific expectations. Does that make sense? 🤔

I really should have made a summer "bucket" list since I feel like I missed out, I'd like to have something to compare it against next time.

Some things I know I wanted to do (but never wrote down):

• I wanted to get in the water more. Whether a beach, a lake, or that spot by NEMO.
• Read or do crafts outside in the park.
• Visit more museums and castles.
• Visit all the provinces in one summer. I've been to them all, but not all this summer. I missed two (Zeeland & Limburg). The ones I planned to visit the week I was sick.
• I feel like I didn't make the most of the warm and sunny weather. I'm not a hot weather girl, but sitting under a tree on a hot day still sounds good!

Lesson learned! I'm putting together a list for September (in the Netherlands) that's both for you and me since I know I won't be able to do a few of the items, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try.

Hopefully I'll continue that kind of "wish list" so, at least, I know what I hope to do.

Did you have a summer wish list? If so, what was on it? by @awanderlustforlife

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2 months ago