The Trekking Pawns' Diary

  Get it Amazon! - Kindle, Audio, hardcover!!! One of our favorite things to do before a trip is read our way there . Before we pack our bags, research restaurants, figure out public transportation, and build our list of things to see, we like to find stories that can help us imagine the place we're about to visit. Not just what a city looks like today—but what it felt like before we ever arrived. For our upcoming trip to Barcelona, I even booked a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter through Expedia , so I wanted to do a little homework before we arrived. I want to walk through those narrow streets and old buildings with at least a little understanding of the history that happened around me. Enter one of my favorite ways to accidentally discover a book: It had Barcelona in the title. That was pretty much my entire selection process. 📖 Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton. And, as usual, I deliberately didn't read the summary before starting it. I know. This probably s...

  Stepping Back in Time at Oak Alley Plantation Our trip to New Orleans was filled with vibrant energy, rich history, and, of course, delicious food. But we also wanted to take a step back in time and visit one of the most iconic plantations in Louisiana: Oak Alley Plantation . Renting a car gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace, though we had a little unexpected twist when picking up our rental. We originally planned for a small, fuel-efficient car, but when we landed at midnight, the only option left was a massive Cadillac Escalade ! With no other choice, we embraced our luxury ride and hit the road. (We booked our car off Expedia and got $20 off if we downloaded the app!) The drive to Oak Alley Plantation was smooth and easy, taking us west along the scenic River Road. As we approached the plantation, we were immediately struck by the breathtaking canopy of 28 Virginia Live Oak trees lining the original entrance. It was a picture-perfect moment—the kind that instantl...

 (Photo: We enjoyed around Jackson Square at night, lots of artists and fortune tellers!) If you’ve been following along, you might remember us asking around and blogging about safety in New Orleans before our trip. We weren’t quite sure what to expect, especially at night, so we decided to drive around in the rental car the city during the day to get a feel for the different neighborhoods. And you know what? It was actually quite nice! (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  Daytime Exploring & First Impressions As we made our way through the city, we didn’t see too much that made us feel uneasy. The only places where we noticed homeless encampments were near a bus stop and the public library by Tulane Medical School. Other than that, the city seemed lively, charming, and full of character. A Bourbon Street Stroll... Before Dar...

Go City New Orleans Pass When it comes to planning a day in New Orleans , it’s easy to get overwhelmed. There’s so much to see and do in this vibrant city, from the historic streets of the French Quarter to the hauntingly beautiful cemeteries, bustling markets, and swamp tours that take you deep into the Louisiana bayou. Add in the countless tours and attractions, and you might find yourself asking: How do I make the most of my time and budget here? That’s where the Go City New Orleans Pass enters the conversation. We’ve been debating whether this pass is a good fit for our day in New Orleans, and after diving into the details, here’s what we think. What is the Go City New Orleans Pass? Essentially, this pass offers admission to a curated list of New Orleans’ top attractions , covering everything from swamp tours to cooking classes and even the city’s famous bus tours. It’s designed to save you money if you plan to see multiple attractions, all while streamlining the ticket-buying pr...