The Blog
Like the way we think about travel?
This is where we work it out: routes and rhythms, the ethics of a cheap flight, the right way to miss a train. If it lands, Mise en Place is the same voice once a month, and the My Life in Burgundy waitlist is open.
Browse our articles…
The Hidden Cost of Cheap Travel: Who Really Pays for Your €20 Flight?
That €20 flight? The real bill didn't vanish. It was just handed to someone else. From underpaid crew to subsidized runways to an atmosphere no one is compensating, cheap travel has hidden costs worth reckoning with. Discover who's actually footing the tab, and how to travel better without giving up affordability.
Anthropology in Aisle Seven
(7 minute read)
You came for water. Three hours later you are leaving with seven cheeses and a crash course in local life. This playful guide shows how European supermarkets reveal a culture’s priorities, snack obsessions, and etiquette, plus a five-minute “field study” for your next trip.
Rail vs. Short Flights in Europe: Time, Cost & Stress Compared
(5 minute read)
Rail or short flight for your next European hop? Stop comparing timetables and start doing door-to-door math. This clear guide covers time rules of thumb, hidden baggage and transfer fees, stress factors, and a simple worksheet to decide what really wins.
How to Eat Well in Europe on a Budget
You can eat brilliantly in Europe without blowing your budget. This guide shows how to shop markets, follow lunch menus, embrace bakeries and street food, picnic in parks, and avoid tourist traps. Spend less on mediocre meals, more on unforgettable bites.
Slow Travel Is a Privilege—But It Might Be the Most Responsible Way to Explore
(10 minute read)
Slow travel is not just an aesthetic, it is a privilege. This essay unpacks who gets to travel slowly, why it can reduce harm, and how to adopt its principles even on limited time or budgets, from fewer bases to trains and local spending.
An Incomplete and Biased Guide to French Toilets
(6 minute read)
What toilets in France actually cost, why Paris street toilets are free and fully accessible, what a squat toilet really demands of you, and why the staircase, not the fixture, is the real problem. Written by someone who lives here.