Welcome to Travel and Tinsel
Hi, I’m Julie, the creator of Travel and Tinsel.
This blog began after my first Christmas market trip, but my love of travel started long before that. I have been exploring the world for more than 30 years. I created this space to share both everyday travel and festive experiences to help you plan your own trips.
I have called Kansas City home for the past 27 years. My passion for travel began when my family hosted a Spanish exchange student. I returned to Spain with her for my first international trip, and later studied abroad in Santiago de Compostela.
Since then, I have returned to Spain many times and traveled to more than 16 countries and throughout the United States.
You might be wondering why you are not seeing many photos from Spain just yet. My earliest trips were captured on film, which definitely shows my age a little. I am working on adding those memories soon, and I cannot wait to share them.
Like many travelers, I work a full time job, so my trips are planned around PTO days. You will find realistic itineraries that fit into shorter timeframes without sacrificing meaningful experiences.
My travels range from hiking in places like Colorado and Switzerland to exploring cities, navigating new cultures, and experiencing the magic of Christmas markets and seasonal celebrations.
What I love most about travel is the connection. Whether through food, history, conversations, or shared experiences, I try to immerse myself in each place. I have found that no matter where you go, we have far more in common than we think.
Some of my favorite travel memories are the simplest ones. In Prague, I visited a small tea shop run by a woman who reminded me of my grandmother. Even though we did not speak the same language, we connected over our shared love of tea. I still think of that moment every time I use the mug I bought there.
As a tea and coffee lover, you will often see cafés, tea houses, and cozy spots featured in my guides. I believe sitting down with a cup of coffee or tea is one of the best ways to slow down and connect. Sometimes that connection is with others, and sometimes it is simply a quiet moment to yourself in a new place.
I also never pass up a chance to chase waterfalls. From easy stops to more adventurous hikes, I share my favorites and what to expect along the way.
Travel, for me, is about more than checking places off a list. It is about the unexpected moments, the connections you make, and the memories that stay with you long after the trip ends.
Through Travel and Tinsel, I hope to help you plan trips that are both doable and meaningful. Whether you are exploring a new city, hiking to a waterfall, or experiencing the magic of a Christmas market, my goal is to help you create your own unforgettable moments.
Where I’ve Traveled
Europe
Austria (Salzburg)
Spain (Santiago de Compostela, Madrid, Barcelona, Cádiz, Sevilla, Sitges, Galicia region, Toledo, Valencia, Córdoba)
Czech Republic (Prague)
Italy (Rome, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, Bologna, Siena, Verona, Pisa, Pompeii, Naples, Milan)
Portugal (Porto)
Germany (Munich)
England (London, Manchester, Liverpool)
France (Paris)
Switzerland (Zurich, Montreux, Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken, Lucerne, Basel)
Belgium (Bruges)
Asia
Japan (Tokyo, Nagano, Kyoto)
Caribbean
Mexico, Bahamas, St. Kitts, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic
North America
Canada (Niagara Falls)
United States (Colorado, Kansas City, Missouri, New York, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, South Carolina, Nebraska, South Dakota, California, Oklahoma, Maine, Massachusetts)
Where I’m Going Next
Banff and Canmore, Canada
Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland, Olympic and North Cascades National Park)
Vancouver
My first cruise
Vienna, Austria, especially during Christmas market season
Using My Content
All photos and content on Travel and Tinsel are owned by Travel and Tinsel. Please contact me for written permission before using any images or content.