Kates.Crossing

Finally got to see the cherry blossoms in Washington DC! ✔️🌸
Kristopher Wyant

My next newsletter, “How I find cheap flights using Google Flights (Correctly!)” is coming out on Tuesday.

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https://katescrossingblog.kit.com/aabf1370ed

Not sure who needs this, but…

If your trip planning feels a little all over the place, try putting everything into Google Maps first.

It helps you see and plan what will actually fit in your itinerary and what doesn’t.

I recorded how I use it to plan my itineraries, step by step.

I sent the video out in my newsletter, but you can find the link to it in the comments. 👇

Kinda blows my mind how many people aren't using this feature! It makes trip planning so much easier once you see it done this way.

My next newsletter, "Here's what I think... about Chicago & the green river," is coming out on Tuesday.

Subscribe to get it and stay in the loop on everything I'm creating.

link in the comments

This is not your mother’s bucket list!

1001 Epic Travel Bucket List Ideas came from my own adventures and 8 years of obsessive research into the most epic, unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences I could find — including ideas you’ve probably never heard of.

This isn’t a safe, predictable list.

Some ideas are bold. Some are a little unhinged. Some will absolutely push you outside your comfort zone.

It's time to start living the life you daydream about…

1001 Epic Travel Bucket List Ideas (This Is Not Your Mother’s Bucket List) This digital guide is packed with 1001 epic, unique, once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences to help you stop waiting and start living the life you daydream about.

These places were better than I ever imagined…

And I don’t say that lightly.

After 8 years of building my bucket list, it takes a LOT to surprise me.

But these?

They blew me away:

• Kauai’s Napali Coast at golden hour
• Hallstatt, Austria — literal fairytale vibes
• Aescher Mountain Guesthouse in Switzerland at sunrise
• Moonscape Overlook in Southern Utah (felt like another planet)
• Cappadocia with hot air balloons at sunrise
• Kaş, Turkey — Mediterranean magic without the insane price tag

Confession?

Hawaii was never even on my bucket list. I thought it would be too touristy.
Now Kauai is on my “return someday” list.

Cappadocia looked fake in photos.
It’s not. It’s even better in real life.

Moonscape Overlook scared me (hello, fear of heights)…
Still worth every shaky step.

And Kaş?
Still wildly affordable for how stunning it is.

Sometimes the places you underestimate become the ones that steal your heart.

If you could wake up tomorrow in ANY of these… where are you choosing? 🌍✨

Today I visited the first and oldest Christmas market in Europe…

Dresden Germany!!

This town sure knows how to do Christmas!

With 6 different markets scattered throughout the city it’s probably one of my top favorite Christmas markets I’ve been to. (Definitely top five!)

But definitely #1 when it comes to the most decorated and festive booths! They were seriously works of art!

If you’re making a list of markets you want to visit, Dresden needs to be on it! I mean it’s the oldest so who wouldn’t want to go where it all began?

PS. I may have an obsession with the Christmas mugs!🤪🎄

PSS. Also be sure to visit Dresdner Molkerei Gebrüder Pfund — the most stunningly gorgeous milk cafe decked out in hand painted tiles! It’s even in the Guinness book of world records!

And explore the grounds of the Zwinger Palace! Pretty cool!

I’ll be real with you…

The only thing I hate about traveling solo is not having someone to share food with!!

There’s so many things I want to try but just don’t have room for. A second stomach would be nice! 😋

PS. Enjoy the food p**n!

**n

Me in Prague… living my best ‘main character casually exploring a Medieval European city’ chapter.

If you need me, I’ll be somewhere drinking prosecco with an epic view and romanticizing everything.

🇨🇿

Today was one of my favorite kind of days that remind me why I love to travel…

Slept in… can you believe it???
(I’d seen everything, done everything, and ate everything that was on the list yesterday)

So today was a “free” day!

I ate an amazing American breakfast! (Do you know how hard it is to find a savory breakfast in Europe?)

Chatted on the phone with a new friend I’d made in Krakow.

The sun was shining unexpectedly, the sky was blue, and it was fairly warm for December!

I just wandered without Google Maps till I was lost and the sun went down. Found some gorgeous spots!

Even attended church that was done in Polish! (No idea what was said, but I stood when they stood, and sat when they sat. It was kinda cool!)

Today was pretty epic!

Moral of this story is to not always have every day planned out. Those days will end up being your favorite!

Are you team plan everything or team let’s just see what happens??

I’m usually the first but slowly switching.

❤️ 🇵🇱

When you finally set foot in the country you’ve been waiting for forever…

And it looks like this!! 😍😍

Welcome to Krakow Poland! 🇵🇱
My motherland.

I’ve been dreaming of visiting for years and can’t believe I’m finally here. It’s such an awesome feeling!

And the holiday season, golden light and fog that rolled in made it even more magical 🥰

Krakow has such a cool vibe. I can’t wait to experience everything! And eat my weight in Pirogies.

My grandma and great grandma would be so proud ❤️

My favorite thing about Florence…

The tiny wine windows where you can get wine to go! 😍

Do you even need another reason to visit?

🇮🇹 **n