Study Hard Travel Smart • A Resource for Culturally Immersive Travel

A Local’s Guide to Hotels & Hostels in Prague

July 14, 2018 Katie Comments 2 comments

With more than 3,000 hotels in Prague listed on Booking.com, it’s no wonder why one of my most frequently asked questions is for hotel recommendations. In a city as popular as Prague, there is no shortage of accommodation options. Some travelers prefer the privacy of an Airbnb apartment, but depending on the time of year, this may not be the best option. After several years of living in Prague, I’ve had experiences with several hotels of varying price-points, and certainly…

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A Journey to the Ancient World: Athens, Greece

May 12, 2018 Katie Comments 3 comments

Athens is known for being the cradle of democracy of the ancient world. Naturally, millions of tourists visit the city every year to discover the ancient world whose stones rest amongst the modern stones of today’s Athens. Because it is a heavily visited city, it can be tricky to find a way to visit that doesn’t have you standing in massive lines or unable to see the sites because of the crowds. After several visits leading tour groups to Athens,…

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Day Trip from Prague: The Český Šternberk Castle

April 2, 2018 Katie Comments 2 comments

With nearly 3 million visitors per year to its capital city alone, the Czech Republic certainly doesn’t disappoint with many beautiful places to visit. Day trips from Prague, the Czech Republic’s capital, are a common enterprise for tourists who are lucky enough to have several days to spare. Fortunately, there are a ton of incredible places to see near the city, but few rank as highly as the stunning castles dotting the countryside. The Czech Republic has one of the…

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A Guide to Krakow, Poland

February 24, 2018 Katie Comments 1 comment

Krakow is such an incredible city that has been rising in popularity, and for good reason! The city is full of charm, history, art, good food, and beautiful sites. Krakow’s history is unfortunately rifled with tragedy, particularly throughout the Second World War, but much of the medieval history is incredibly unique and beautiful. Krakow was once the Polish kingdom’s great capital, and it has maintained much of its original charm and beauty with a historical center that is still surrounded…

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New York City, USA

January 28, 2018 Katie Comments 5 comments

New York City is one of the most incredible cities in the world. It is a complete mixing pot of all cultures, foods, languages, people, and sites to see, so there’s no wonder why it’s such a frequented tourist destination, too. There are a ton of things to keep a tourist occupied for quite a long visit, but this guide aims to break down the most important or interesting sites, in addition to some lesser known sites. I grew up…

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My Secrets to Affording Travel

January 14, 2018 Katie Comments 0 Comment

As a young working professional, I can certainly empathize with other young professionals or students who are dying to explore the world, but are living on limited funds. Travel isn’t always the cheapest hobby, but that doesn’t mean that travel is available exclusively for those living on trust funds. It’s absolutely possible for people living on average wages to get out of their homes and see the world without breaking the bank. After years of attempting to travel as much as…

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A Road Trip through the Scottish Highlands

January 6, 2018 Katie Comments 16 comments

After binging the series Outlander on Netflix, I was ready to go Craigh na Dun and transport myself to the 18th century explore the Scottish Highlands for myself! I had guessed that this trip would be full of entrancing scenery, stunning landscapes, and loads of pubs with cosy fires, but I had no idea how truly incredible the Highlands would turn out to be. Truthfully, much of the trip reminded me of my road trip around Iceland, which I suppose does make some geographic sense….

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Paris, France

October 22, 2017 Katie

What a more detailed travel guide for Paris? Check out the “3 Days in Paris” travel guide and itinerary in the Study Hard Travel Smart shop! Where to stay in Paris: It is simply expensive to stay in cities like Paris. Forget about the amount you’ll spend on transportation, food, attractions and everything else, your accommodation will probably hurt your bank account. Different arrondissements(essentially neighborhoods of Paris) offer different things, so it’s good to do some research in advance so that you know…

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A Walk Through America’s Immigrant History: Ellis Island

September 24, 2017 Katie Comments 1 comment

When tourists come to New York City, there are usually a few sites high on the list of places to see. Most often, this list includes a trip to see the Statue of Liberty just off the coast of lower Manhattan, but it includes a trip to see Ellis Island must less frequently. I grew up just outside of New York City in the Hudson Valley, and I distinctly remember my first trip to Ellis Island, which was in early…

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Discovering the Hidden Treasures of Santorini

September 3, 2017 Katie Comments 4 comments

Santorini has become an increasingly popular destination in Greece, and for good reason! It’s insta-worthy for sure, it has gorgeous architecture, beautiful sea views, and fantastic weather for most of the year. Most cruise lines that sail in the region include Santorini in their itineraries, so visitors from all over the world are shuttled there daily to absorb a little bit of the magic. I went to Santorini having been there once before for just one day, but not really…

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