Umbria: Tuscany's Lesser-Known Neighbor

Rolling hills, cypress trees, and faded yellow homes with red roofs come to mind when you think of Italy - Tuscany, in particular. Tuscany is home to magnificent cities like Florence, Siena, and Bologna, though there is more to Italy than this particular area. Head out to Perugia in Umbria, Tuscany's regional neighbor, for a similar aesthetic to get away from Tuscany's crowds.

Need convincing? Here are 8 photos to do just that.

Perugia Views Italy Umbria

Perugia

Perugia, Italy

Flower Window Boxes Perugia

Perugia Italy Views of Hills

Streets of Perugia

Perguia Italia

Perugia, Umbria, Italy

Finding Color in Istanbul, Turkey - 15 Stunning Photos

Grand Bazaar Istanbul

Oftentimes the most exciting part about experiencing a new city is what you visually see - the food, the architecture, how people live. Istanbul was one of the most vividly cultural places I've been to in terms of the experience but also with what I saw through my eyes.

While finding an excellent view of Istanbul is a great way to enjoy a its beauty, there's also beauty in the details.

After browsing these photos I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you booked the next flight to Turkey.

Fruit for Sale in Istanbul

Topkapi Palace Tiles

Istanbul

Spice Market Istanbul Turkey

Street Art Istanbul Turkey

Hagia Sophia at Sunset Istanbul

Inside the Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Turkish Breakfast

Turkish Bloomers

Colorful Homes Galata Tower View

Flower Istanbul

Colorful Street Istanbul

Tiles Topkapi Palace Istanbul

Pomegranate Juice Istanbul Turkey

Where To Find The Best View of Istanbul

Galata Tower

When I was living in Italy and working as a tour guide, our trips were around Italy or Western/Central Europe. I loved visiting new countries every weekend and each city we went to holds a special place in my heart.

While I was in that region of the world, however, I wanted to experience something a little different. During a weekend off our regular trips, my friend Mollie and I went to Istanbul for a few days.

The architecture in Istanbul is beyond beautiful, and was a refreshing change of pace after Western Europe's cathedrals and castles (though those are beautiful, too).

The best view of Istanbul? From the Galata Tower.

Definitely head up there when you are in Istanbul!

Galata Tower from Topkapi Palace

Galata Tower

Galata Tower View

Colorful Homes Galata Tower View

Galata Tower Views

Aerial View Galata Tower

Istanbul Turkey Galata Tower View

Periscope: See The World Through Your Phone

Today I've had the pleasure of walking along the streets in Paris, watching an Italian chef prepare pizzas in Milan, and listen to live music in Austin, Texas. I got to join a guy and his friend walking their dogs around DC and listen to Brad Paisley's bandmates rehearse music. All without leaving my home.

I can't believe it took me a few months to learn about Periscope, a live video app owned by Twitter. Periscope, a new app on the scene since March 2015, wanted to build the "closest thing to teleportation."

This app is seriously so cool.

What makes this more of a conversational app is the ability to comment. Viewers can type in questions or comments and they pop up on the bottom of the screen. When I was watching a video in France, I wrote, "Hello from Phoenix!" And the broadcaster responded, "Hello, Phoenix!" So fun.

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When I first heard about this app, I thought it sounded similar to Snapchat. (I love the different cities featured on Snapchat Live! Who's with me on that?!) The difference with Periscope is the live aspect - the ability to show what you're currently doing/recording at that very moment and to interact with viewers.

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This afternoon, I tried it out for myself on my lunch break. I walked around campus and answered questions from the people commenting. It was so cool to see people from around the world watching and joining in on the conversation.

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Safety: There is an option to turn the location of your video on, which I find really cool! One of the first updates with the app was to change the location from the exact point to a larger geographical area - so no need to worry about viewers finding your home address. I also haven't seen any "inappropriate" broadcasts, but there is a way to report it and block users if that were to happen.

Updates: I also learned of a new update as of today, which allows people to sign up for an account using their phone number instead of with Twitter. If you don't have a Twitter and don't want to get one, now you don't have to in order to use Periscope.

What do you think about this app? Comment with your username below (mine is @allyarcher, same as my Twitter) and I'll follow you!

Screenshots are from my experience using the Periscope app; all imagery credit goes to Periscope.

Mediterranean Musts: Elba Island, Italy

why you should visit elba island, italy

It's been almost a year since I posted about Elba Island, a small island off Italy's Tuscan coast. I was introduced to the island after only a few days of being in Italy when I studied abroad. After a whirlwind of an opening tour in bustling Rome and our first week of classes in Florence, relaxing beach time was exactly what we needed.

If you're headed to the Mediterranean, I definitely recommend it. We stayed in Cavo, a small town where no one spoke English. It was refreshing after being in Rome where walking through a market means dealing with pushy street salespeople shouting "Hello! I'll give you the best price!"

Quick tip: Cavo and other towns on the northern part of the island have rocky beaches, whereas the southern part of the island has sandy beaches. Keep this in mind if you plan on laying out on the beach.

Elba Island Beach

Seagull Italian Coast

Cavo Italy

Cavo Italy from the Ferry

Elba Island

Sign Elba Island

Elba Island Homes

Street Sign Elba Island

Portoferrario, Itlay

Cavo Elba Island

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16 Italian Experiences You Need To Have In Italy

Florence Street Cafe

1. Eat gelato on the triangle bridge in Florence

There's something magical about enjoying your gelato while you lean up against the bridge over the Arno River.

2. Drink wine at Piazza Miniato while you watch the sun set

piazza miniato

Take it a step above Piazzale Michaelangelo - literally - in front of the church that sits higher on the hill.

3. Marvel at the famous duomo in each of these cities: Florence, Milan, Siena

Duomo Florence

4. Hike Mt. Vesuvius and visit the ruins of Pompeii

Pompeii

History class just got much more exciting, now that you're seeing it in person.

5. Eat Italian food...obviously

But this list wouldn't be complete without  it. Carbs don't totally count when you're in Italy. ;)

6. Take a train or bus through the Tuscan countryside

Perugia

Get lost in your thoughts as you stare out the window.

7. Visit the Colosseum in Rome

Colosseum

Perhaps the most iconic structure in Italy, the Colosseum is among many famous, ancient, historical sites that you cannot miss while in the Eternal City.

8. Go on an early morning run along the Tiber River in Rome

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Take in the popular sights as the town wakes up: Vatican City, Castelo d'Saint Angelo, and maybe even head over to the Roman Forum and Pantheon. It beats the stagnant view out the gym window on the treadmill back home.

9. Head down to Sicily for a more unique feel for Italy

10. Set sail for the sea and dock at beautiful Italian islands

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Elba, Capri, and Sardinia are a few of many Mediterranean musts.

11. Visit Venice during Carnivale (February)

This festival is sure to be worth the trip!

12. Go to Lake Como, a lake in Northern Italy near the Swiss border

Bellagio Lake Como

Not just because George Clooney has a house there.

13. Taste a massive variety of gelato flavors at the Florence Gelato Festival (June)

Everything from red wine gelato to sushi-flavored is served, including original favorites such as ciocolatto, straciatella, and fragola.

14. For another festival to satisfy your sweet tooth, head to Perugia for the annual Chocolate Festival (October)

perugia chocolate festival

If they still play that dreaded "Cioooo--cooo---latte!" theme song on repeat...so help me God...

15. Go wine tasting in Tuscany

Boboli Gardens

Where better to sample wine than in Italy's finest wine region?!

16. Have warm, fresh pastries from a Secret Bakery in Florence

Secret-Bakery-Florence

Because Nutella croissants just taste way better at 2 am.

I Have a Full-time Job and Still Travel The World - And You Can Too

Denver Horses 4

I feel like many travel blogs I come across are along the lines of this: hating your job and cubicle life, spending every day dreading the office, and then quitting that job to travel the world.

There's nothing wrong with that - I believe you should do what makes you happy. If working at your job doesn't make you happy, work somewhere else! Or find a way to quit and travel.

...But what if you like your job? And still want to travel?

Before I graduated college, I was beyond afraid of committing to a full-time job in fear that it would make me "stuck" and prevent me from seeing the world. I ended up moving to Italy for about six months to work abroad. I had an great time traveling around Europe. But then I returned home and was on the hunt for a full-time job.

Now that I actually have a full-time job, I'm realizing that a full-time commitment isn't as scary as I thought it would be. And I actually really like my job. That's not something you come across very often - a travel blogger who actually is okay with working 8-5! (For now, at least). Even though I'm not traveling constantly, I work in a rewarding position that allows me to fulfill one of my many passions in life: working with students in higher education.

Purple Flowers Amalfi

But I still ache to travel everywhere. That's where holidays and vacation time come in. In a few weeks I'm going to New York for a quick 3-day trip. This summer I'll be in China for most of July. Shorter trips to see friends and family around the US are scattered throughout the year as well.

Traveling with a full-time job is doable. Here are a few ways:

hotel athenee view

1. Actually use your vacation days

Apparently 40% of Americans don't use all their vacation time. Knowing that most Americans get about 5-10 vacation days per year in entry-level positions, that makes me want to cry. Using your vacation days lowers levels of stress, making for an overall happier life filled with new experiences - or even just a relaxing couple of days off.

So, please, use your vacation days. Not just to fulfill your aching desire to travel, but for your health and sanity.

2. Travel on holidays

From a budget traveler's perspective, traveling on a holiday would be "taboo" in most cases since the price of flights, hotels, etc. tend to spike during holiday times. However, a holiday off work is a precious day off, and, if used wisely, doesn't have to be too expensive.

3. Schedule vacation days around work holidays

Since many work holidays fall on Mondays or Fridays, you've already got a 3-day weekend. Build that 3-day weekend into your trip schedule to maximize your time. This allows you to use less vacation days for one trip...meaning you can put those toward another trip later in the year.

4. Go somewhere nearby for a weekend getaway

Road trip somewhere close. Maybe you're traveling west to the beaches or to a winery a few hours away. Maybe you live close to New York and can just hop on a bus to get there. Maybe you live in Europe and a few hours on a train will show you to a new country.

Arizona state line sign

5. Take red-eye flights

I'm slightly dreading the red-eye flight I'm taking to New York in few weeks. Melatonin for the flight and a large iced coffee upon landing should do the trick, though. It beats spending a majority of a day in transport since my time over there is short.

6. Extend your work trip through the weekend

Ask your boss if your flights can be flexible. For example, if your work trip is Wednesday - Friday see if you can return on Sunday. You might be able to stay at the hotel through the weekend - out of your own cost, of course - or find an alternative place to stay.

7. Use unpaid vacation days (wisely)

If your job doesn't offer paid vacation time, or you are over your maximum amount, see if you can look into taking unpaid vacation. You'll need to make sure you budget accordingly and assure you can still cover your rent and other expenses when your paycheck dips.

8. Work remotely

If you are able to work remotely with your job, you might be able to extend a trip with another week or so (or even longer) in a destination. Keep in mind that you still need to actually be working. Though you still have your off-hours to explore wherever you're at!