Real travel stories and practical guides for exploring Europe with teens, pets and curiosity. Welcome to the getAwayZ. We’re Erin and Lisa, friends and roommates who moved from the U.S. to Europe in 2017. With Erin’s teenage son and Lisa’s dog, Rex, we’ve spent years traveling across the continent, uncovering hidden gems and navigating the quirks of life abroad. Our podcast is all about sharing the adventures of exploring Europe, from finding dog friendly destinations to discovering activiti ...
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GetAwayZ Podcasts
Real hauntings. European destinations. All under 10 minutes. The Haunted getAwayZ uncovers chilling stories from haunted hotels, castles, Airbnbs—and the places you walk by without even realizing what happened there. Every episode dives into real accounts of paranormal encounters, folklore, and ghost stories we’ve uncovered through obsessive research, internet rabbit holes, and firsthand tips from fellow travelers. Whether it’s a cursed inn in the Alps or a ghostly figure in a city square, i ...
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Vienna Travel Guide: Winter Highlights, Palaces, Music and Christmas Markets
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21:57Send us a text Experience Vienna in winter through our real stories of palaces, music, good food and holiday markets. We talk about the stops that stood out for us, from interactive museums to classical concerts in golden halls. We share what we ate, what we skipped, and what we would do on a return visit. If you’re planning a trip to Vienna with a…
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European Trivia Showdown: How Well Do We Know Europe?
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15:21Send us a text This week we switched things up with a European trivia episode. Lisa stepped into quizmaster mode while Erin competed against Meghan and Dylan in a mix of geography, culture and travel questions across Europe. There were confident answers, a few total guesses, and some surprising wins. Play along, see how many you get right, and deci…
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Rome Travel Stories: Why We Keep Returning to the Eternal City
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26:14Send us a text They say all roads lead to Rome, and somehow, ours always do. In this episode, we’re sharing the Rome we’ve come to know over multiple trips: the neighborhoods we love, the food we keep craving and the tiny details that make this city unforgettable. From quiet mornings in Monti to late walks through Trastevere, we talk about finding …
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Teen Life in Europe: Dylan on School, Friends, Travel and Growing Up Abroad (Half His Life)
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14:24Send us a text Half his life in Europe. In this episode Dylan answers questions about moving from the U.S., international school, travel, friends, culture shocks, favorite cities and what he’d tell other teens who might move abroad. Real talk on expat life, studying, costs, daily routines, and what still feels weird. If you’re raising a teen in Eur…
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Monaco Travel Guide: What to See, Eat and Do in a Day
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25:01Send us a text From luxury yachts to hidden gardens, Monaco is more than just glitz and casinos. In this episode of The Getawayz, we share what it’s really like to visit the world’s second-smallest country, where you can walk the whole place in a day, explore royal history, and still find quiet corners overlooking the sea. Support the show…
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Bruges and Ghent: How to Explore Belgium’s Best Canal Cities
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23:47Send us a text Bruges and Ghent are two of Belgium’s most unforgettable cities and we’ve been back many times, and yet still can't wit to return. In this episode, we talk about the cobblestone streets, canal walks, Christmas markets and the famous Ghent bar where you have to trade a shoe for your beer. From Airbnb stays in Bruges to the NH Hotel in…
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Versailles Travel Guide: What to See, Eat and Do Near the Palace
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18:31Send us a text We spent a few days in Versailles exploring the palace and the gardens at an easy pace. In this episode we talk about biking around the grounds, renting a golf cart, and touring the château. From brunch at Hôtel Le Louis to sushi delivery and a picnic by Petit Trianon, we share what it’s like to stay nearby and see more than just the…
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Slovenia Travel Guide: Dragon Eggs, Castles and the Best Sausage Ever
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17:38By the getAwayZ – European Travel Podcast
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ScareBNB: Our Haunted Airbnb Stay in Otranto, Italy
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25:23We thought we were just booking a simple Airbnb in Otranto, but the week turned into something else. The house was unsettling from the moment we arrived. All over the ground floor there were strange openings built into the floor, some of them dropping into deep stone shafts. One was filled with bottles, others just sat dark and empty, and they made…
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Haunted Otranto: Our Stay in Italy’s Most Unsettling Airbnb
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25:16Send us a text We thought we were just booking a simple Airbnb in Otranto, but the week turned into something else. The house was unsettling from the moment we arrived. All over the ground floor there were strange openings built into the floor, some of them dropping into deep stone shafts. One was filled with bottles, others just sat dark and empty…
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Normandy Travel Guide: Monet’s Gardens, Honfleur, Étretat and Rouen
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22:18Send us a text This summer, we spent a few days road-tripping through Normandy after a weekend in Paris, and this is Part 1 of our two-part series. From Monet’s gardens in Giverny to the modern architecture of Le Havre, the historic harbor in Honfleur, the cliffs of Étretat, and an evening in Rouen, we covered a little bit of everything. In this ep…
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Puglia Summer Guide: Beaches, Towns and Our Three-Week Trip
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25:08Send us a text In this episode we’re recapping our summer road trip from the Netherlands to Puglia and back. We spent three weeks in Puglia enjoying the beaches, towns and food while making stops along the way there and back. In this episode we’re sharing our favorite moments, a few surprises and what we’d plan differently next time. If you’re thin…
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Our Favorite European Trips Since 2017: A Birthday Travel Round-Up
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25:03Send us a text We’re kicking off Season 2 of The Getawayz with a trip down memory lane, sharing all the places we’ve celebrated Lisa’s birthday since moving to Europe in 2017. From beach towns to the mountains, we’ve had some unforgettable trips, amazing food and a few hiccups along the way. Whether you’re planning your own European birthday trip o…
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Fall Travel in Europe: Our Honest Opinions and Real Questions Answered
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17:45Send us a text This episode isn’t a guide. It’s just us asking each other random fall-related questions and giving honest answers. What country does fall best? What’s the most overrated tradition? Do we actually like mulled wine? And what do we miss about fall in the US? Some answers are thoughtful, some are ridiculous, and a few might get us in tr…
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Fall Festivals in Europe: The Wildest and Most Delicious Events to Plan Around
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32:45Send us a text Fall in Europe isn’t just about changing leaves and fewer tourists, it’s when the continent throws its best parties. We’re talking wine parades in Paris, truffle markets in Italy, pumpkin fairs, mushroom hunts, and events where people carry their spouses or try to win prizes by making the weirdest face possible. In this episode, we’r…
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48 Hours in Berlin: What We Did, Ate and Loved
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14:48Send us a text In this episode, we’re diving into Berlin, a city that never quite lets you forget where you are. From the Berlin Wall to museum hopping, riverside strolls to underground clubs, Berlin balances its heavy history with some serious creativity. We’re talking about what we did, what we ate, and why Berlin keeps pulling us back. Whether y…
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Oktoberfest in Munich: Lederhosen, Steins, and a 10th Birthday to Remember
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23:24Send us a text This episode covers everything you need to know about Oktoberfest in Munich, from royal history and traditional outfits to beer tents, rides, and the quieter Oide Wiesn. Personal stories from past visits highlight what it’s like to go in your 20s and what it’s like to experience the festival with kids. Tips on what to wear, where to …
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Something Stayed Behind: The Haunting at Hôtel Cloître Saint-Louis
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5:31A former monastery turned hotel in the south of France. Guests report lights that flicker, footsteps echoing in empty halls, and something brushing past them at night. Built in the 1500s and once used as a military hospital, the Hôtel Cloître Saint-Louis holds centuries of stories. Some of them still speak. This is a true haunting from the heart of…
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Champagne Travel Guide: What It’s Really Like to Visit
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22:46Send us a text We headed to the Champagne region of France for a trip filled with tastings, cellars, and a few surprises. In this episode, we talk about our visits to Reims, Épernay, and Hautvillers, and which Champagne houses were actually worth touring. From Veuve Clicquot to Mercier’s kitschy train ride to sipping in the birthplace of Champagne,…
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Room for One More: The Hauntings of Dragsholm Slot
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5:50Dragsholm Slot in Denmark looks peaceful. A boutique hotel with chandeliers, a moat, and whitewashed walls. But guests have heard chains dragging through the halls, footsteps that don’t belong, and whispers in the dark. Some say the Earl of Bothwell never left. Others have seen a woman in white gliding past their door. This castle claims to have ov…
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Puglia Travel Guide: Beaches, Burrata and Our Summer Trips
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20:03Send us a text Puglia is one of our favorite places for a summer escape — and in this episode, we’re sharing why! We’ve explored this beautiful region twice, staying everywhere from Torre San Giovanni’s sandy beaches to Polignano a Mare’s dramatic cliffs. In this episode, we’ll take you through some of Puglia’s best spots, including: ☀️ Torre San G…
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Leap Castle in Ireland is known as one of the most haunted buildings in the world. Behind its stone walls lie centuries of bloodshed, an infamous hidden oubliette, and a terrifying entity known only as the Elemental. Guests report footsteps, voices, and cold hands in the dark. Would you stay the night? Based on public folklore and firsthand account…
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The Room with Moving Curtains: A Haunting in Amsterdam
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5:27A guest checks into a beautiful five star hotel in Amsterdam. They expect luxury, not fear. But when the curtains in their room begin to move on their own, and the lights flicker with no explanation, the stay turns unsettling fast. There are whispers. Footsteps. A chair no longer where it should be. This is one of the city’s most chilling modern ha…
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Amalfi Coast Guide: Towns, Beaches and How to Plan Your Trip
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31:48Send us a text The Amalfi Coast is one of the world’s most famous stretches of coastline and after three trips, we still find new reasons to love it. In this episode, we are sharing what worked and what did not, where we stayed, our favorite boat days and beaches, and the meals we keep going back for. We will take you from Capri to Positano to Mass…
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The Guest Upstairs: A Haunted Airbnb in Budapest
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6:03A solo traveler books a quiet Airbnb in Budapest, expecting a peaceful week in the heart of the city. But when footsteps echo above his head and the upstairs apartment is supposed to be empty, his stay takes a chilling turn. From unexplained noises to a final message from the host, this is one rental that may have come with more than just a key cod…
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Room 11: The Wailing Ghost of The George Hotel
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5:01A luxurious hotel in the heart of Edinburgh. A perfectly normal room until the clock hits 2:00 a.m. In this episode, we uncover the chilling true story of Room 11 at The George Hotel, where more than one guest has reported the sound of a woman sobbing in the dark. No public records. No ghost tours. Just whispers on Reddit and the sound of grief tha…
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Sicily Summer Guide: Best Towns, Beaches and Food
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29:19Send us a text We’ve been to Sicily more than once, and every time, we love it even more. In this episode, we’re talking our favorite towns, beaches, foods, and stories from multiple summer trips across the island. From our apartment near Syracuse during covid summer, to our favorite spots in Ragusa and Marsala, cooking classes in Taormina, and the…
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The Knock at the Door: A Haunting in Florence
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6:46This true story follows four study-abroad students who rented a historic apartment along the Arno River, only to discover something was already living there. From unexplained footsteps and flickering lights to a chilling knock in the dark with no one on the other side, this haunting builds one eerie moment at a time. Set in one of the most beautifu…
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This true story follows Pedro Arruda, the winner of an Airbnb Halloween contest, who spent the night deep inside the Paris Catacombs—surrounded by the bones of six million souls. What started as a promotional stunt became an unforgettable night marked by silence, whispers, and the unsettling feeling of being watched. With real accounts from urban e…
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Liguria Travel Guide: Towns, Beaches and Family Tips
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22:08Send us a text Sunshine, snorkeling, and seaside snacks—what more could you want? In this episode, we’re diving into our favorite experiences along the Ligurian coast. From biking the tunnels between Levanto and Bonassola to walking to Portofino from Santa Margherita and indulging in unforgettable meals in Monterosso and beyond, it’s our perfect mi…
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Behind the Curtain: The Haunted Airbnb in Venice
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6:40This true story follows a solo traveler who booked a charming Airbnb in the heart of Venice. What began as a dream trip took a chilling turn when they discovered a hidden wooden door behind the bedroom curtain—carved with the words “Sta’ attento.” Be careful. From unexplained tapping in the night to a photo revealing what their eyes had missed, thi…
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Whispers from the Wall: The Bodmin Jail Hotel Haunting
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4:45A guest checks into the sleek, modern Bodmin Jail Hotel in Cornwall—unaware their suite was once a cluster of prison cells. This true story follows what unfolded over three nights: tapping inside stone walls, flickering lights, and the chilling moment something tugged at the back of their shirt while no one was there. And then came the whispers. Ec…
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Corsica Travel Guide: Beaches, Canyoning and Natural Pools
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19:13Send us a text We spent three weeks exploring Corsica, from the beaches of Ajaccio to Cervione and the iconic coastline near Porto-Vecchio. In this episode, we share our favorite beaches, the hidden natural pools inland, and the adrenaline rush of canyoning. Whether you’re planning a Corsica itinerary or just dreaming of your next Mediterranean esc…
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Sardinia Travel Guide: What We Learned From Three Trips
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30:08Send us a text In this episode, we’re taking you to one of our favorite repeat destinations—Sardinia. From a quiet beach escape during the 2020 pandemic to a luxury stay in Porto Cervo, and a full month exploring the island in 2024, we’re sharing everything we loved, where we stayed, and the beaches worth planning a trip around. Support the show…
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Croatia Beach Guide: Clear Water, Rocky Shores and Where to Swim
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24:34Send us a text We’re talking real Croatian beach days — rocky coves, steep hikes, sea urchins, inflatable obstacle courses, and a few places we almost turned around (but didn’t). From Dubrovnik to Split, Pag to Lopud, here’s where we swam, lounged, and said “okay, this was totally worth it.” Plus: full moon swims, surprise boat lunches, and how cle…
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Italian Lakes Travel Guide: Paddle Boats, Clooney Villa, and Gelato Stops
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17:08Send us a text In this episode of The Getawayz Podcast, Erin, Dylan and Lisa explore Italy’s northern lake region — from renting paddle boats on Lake Garda to wandering the streets of Bellagio on Lake Como. Along the way, they share stories about lakeside towns, ferry rides, swimming spots, and a certain celebrity villa sighting. Plus: where to sta…
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Europe’s Best Theme Parks: Thrills, Haunted Rides, and Hidden Gems
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19:20Send us a text In this episode of The Getawayz Podcast, Erin, Lisa, and Dylan dive into their favorite theme parks across Europe — from haunted houses and flying rollercoasters to charming fairytale forests and a secret swan ride. Whether you love the adrenaline of FLY at Phantasialand, the storybook magic of Efteling, or the wild vertical drop at …
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Amsterdam: Yes or No? (Spoiler: It’s a Yes.)
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18:08Send us a text In this episode, We're diving into our time in Amsterdam — the canals, the chaos, the charm — and answering the big question: is it actually worth visiting? (Spoiler alert: yes. Always yes.) We’ll share what we loved, what surprised us, how it felt visiting with a teen, and a few places that didn’t quite live up to the hype. Plus, fa…
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European Travel This or That: A Fun Guide to Destinations, Food and Culture
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21:35Send us a text Airbnb or hotel? Train, plane, or rental car? Tip or no tip? In this episode, we play a rapid-fire game of This or That—debating the best (and worst) ways to travel around Europe. As two Americans living in the Netherlands, we’ve got opinions—and stories—from real life on the road. We cover everything from public transit and shoulder…
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Denmark with Kids and a Dog: Copenhagen, Odense and Aarhus Travel Guide
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19:30Send us a text Join us as we explore Denmark’s most family-friendly cities — Copenhagen, Odense, and Aarhus — with a teenager, a dog, and a taste for adventure. From trampolines and castles to rainbow rooftops and baby moose sightings (yes, really), this episode covers our favorite spots, dog-friendly finds, and travel tips for making the most of D…
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Living in Europe: The Good, the Weird, and the Totally Unexpected
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20:39Send us a text In this episode, Erin, Lisa, and Dylan sit down to ask each other the real questions about life in Europe—from surprising cultural differences to what they miss (or don’t) about life in the US. We also answer listener questions about moving abroad, navigating daily life, and what it’s really like raising a teen in another country. Ex…
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Innsbruck: Aqua Dome and an Austrian Alpine Escape
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21:01Send us a text Whether it’s a snowy winter wonderland or a summer mountain retreat, Innsbruck and Aqua Dome deliver the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. In this episode of The Getawayz Podcast, we’re sharing our favorite things to do in Innsbruck, from skiing and cable cars to charming Old Town strolls. Then, we’re diving into Austria’s Aqu…
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Venice Travel Guide: Gondolas, Glass-Blowing & the Best Spritz
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21:31Send us a text Venice is one of those places that never gets old—literally, it’s sinking, but that’s a conversation for another day. In this episode, we dive into our many visits to the floating city, from first-time tourist must-dos to hidden gems we’ve discovered over the years. We reminisce about staying at the legendary Gritti Palace, Lisa’s un…
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Easter in Europe: Traditions, Chocolate, and Unexpected Celebrations
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17:56Send us a text 🐣 From fireworks in Florence to lockdown Easters in Torino, we’ve spent Easter in some of the most unique places across Europe. In this episode, we’re sharing our experiences celebrating in Florence, Colmar, Torino, Zagreb, Versailles, and Rotterdam, diving into the local traditions, festive foods, and the moments that made each East…
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Spring in the Netherlands: Tulips, Festivals & Hidden Gems
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19:13Send us a text Spring in the Netherlands is pure magic—tulip fields in full bloom, windmills turning in the breeze, and festivals bringing the country to life. In this episode, we take you through the must-see spring events, including Keukenhof Gardens, King’s Day, and the Flower Parade, plus hidden gems like biking through tulip fields, exploring …
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Carnevale in Europe: Costumes, Parades and the Best Cities to Celebrate
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10:43Send us a text Carnevale isn’t just a party, it’s an explosion of color, history, and enough confetti to find in your shoes weeks later. In this episode, we take you through our favorite Carnevale celebrations we have experienced in Florence, San Gimignano, Rivoli, and Foiano della Chiana, sharing our favorite stories, quirky traditions, and, of co…
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Leaving the USA: Our Journey to a New Life in Italy
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22:42Send us a text In this episode of The Getawayz Podcast, we share the story of why we left the USA and what it was really like to move to Italy. From the emotional decision to start fresh in a new country to the logistics of relocating with a child and a dog, we’re diving into the highs, the challenges, and everything in between. If you’ve ever drea…
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Living in Florence: One Year in Italy as Expats
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20:51Send us a text In this episode of The Getawayz Podcast, we’re taking you to Florence, Italy—the city we called home for a year when we first moved to Europe. From navigating the bustling crowds of the Renaissance capital to discovering hidden gems off the beaten path, we share what it’s like to live and explore in Florence. Whether you’re visiting …
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Prague Travel Guide: Top Landmarks, History and Hidden Gems
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17:24Send us a text In this episode, we take you on a journey through Prague, from its cobblestone streets to its iconic landmarks. Join us as we explore must-see spots like Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and the Astronomical Clock, and dive into the history of the Jewish Quarter. We’ll also share quirky finds like the Lennon Wall, the Dancing House and…
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Scotland Travel Guide: Highlands, Hidden Beaches and Edinburgh Highlights
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22:45Send us a text Join us as we take you on our unforgettable road trip through Scotland. From cruising the misty waters of Loch Ness to exploring the rugged Highlands near Nairn, and wrapping it up with the gritty charm of Edinburgh, we’re sharing all the highlights, surprises, and travel tips. Think secret beaches, Highland cows, fish and chips, and…
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