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…
Take the Blue Bike
(6 minute read)
Three days and sixty kilometers on a Vélib'. What the passes actually cost in 2026, why the electric bike is the whole point, the per-trip minutes trap that catches everyone, and what a backwards saddle is trying to tell you. From people who live here.
Trains Are Romantic. Missing One Is Not.
(8 minute read)
A rail regular's guide to the small European train rules that trip people up: ticket types, when a seat reservation is mandatory (and when a pass still leaves you standing), the validation and railcard traps that get you fined, honest connection buffers, and the two habits that prevent most disasters.
Museum Audio Guides: A Field Guide to the Voices, the Drama, and the Unexpected ASMR
(7 minute read)
Explore museum audio guides beyond basics: narrator styles, pacing, dramatizations, whisper tracks, and surprising sensory appeal (yes, ASMR moments). Learn how to choose guides for art, history, and niche exhibits so your museum visit feels richer, clearer, and more enjoyable.
How Far in Advance to Book Europe: Flights, Trains, Hotels & Activities
(8 minute read)
When to book a Europe trip: ideal windows for flights, hotels, high-speed trains, and timed entries, plus a copy/paste countdown from six months out to departure week. Book the hard-to-move pieces first and stay flexible.
Carry-On Only? Here’s How to Pack for 10 Days Like a Minimalist
(8 minute read)
Pack 10 days in Europe with one carry-on: pick the right bag, build a capsule wardrobe, master packing cubes, and plan a mid-trip wash. Includes copy/paste packing lists for spring, summer, and rainy shoulder season.
How to Eat Well in Europe on a Budget
(6 minute read)
Eat like a local without wrecking your budget: when to eat, why lunch is the smart splurge, how to spot a tourist menu, and the small bill traps that add up.
Sundays, Siestas, and Strikes: Navigating Europe’s Surprises
(5 minute read)
When shops close, why Sundays and evenings catch you out, how strikes actually work, and whether to tip in France, from an American who lives there.
Manual Labor: The Real Rules of Driving in France
(5 minute read)
My 1992 Peugeot is banned from central Lyon. How France's low-emission zones, autoroute tolls, speed cameras, and the priorité à droite rule really work, from someone who drives here every day.
You Will Never Blend In
(7 minute read)
You will be spotted in your first sentence, and it costs you nothing. What actually matters: the bonjour rule, when la bise happens (rarely, to travelers), the single principle behind cutting cheese, and why the French correct you with their face.
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.