Welcome to World by Weekend!

I’m Tamar, and I’m always trying to make the most of my limited vacation time to see as much of the world as possible. 

The author, wearing a green blouse, stands in front of a French castle built across a river. The scene suggests the importance of packing casual yet stylish clothing for Europe in spring, with layers to adapt to varying weather.

Have you gone on a trip and felt like you wasted your time and hard-earned money on subpar tourist sites and overhyped attractions? Have you ever not taken a vacation because you were so overwhelmed by all the planning? 

You’re not alone.

I’ve faced the challenge of making the most of my limited travel opportunities. I know what it’s like to be a busy professional juggling the demands of work and family, yet yearning to turn your travels into something truly memorable. I’ve dealt with the overwhelm of wading through an abundance of information and opinions while trying to craft a perfect itinerary.

As a passionate traveler who travels the world with my two young kids, over the years I’ve learned how to craft perfectly balanced travel itineraries focusing on culture, history, and experiencing the best a destination has to offer. 

Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a longer journey, my trips are packed with activities that offer a deep dive into the local culture—without the overwhelm.

The author stands on a balcony with a baroque building in the background. A small child is on the author's back, held in a baby carrier. The photo is taken at sunset, and the baroque building is lit up with a soft orange glow.

Why Follow My Travel Advice?

Through my blog, I share insights, stories, and detailed itineraries based on my own travels. This is a blog full of realistic travel advice. Each post is meticulously researched and tested to ensure you experience the best a destination has to offer. 

I’m not about slow or fast travel, and I’m not rushing through places just to check things off a list. My itineraries and travel tips are all about making the most of my limited vacation time to experience the best of where I’m at.

My goal? To remove the feeling of being overwhelmed, make travel planning less stressful, and empower you with all the necessary tools and knowledge to make your next trip meaningful, fun, and doable.

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Here’s what sets my blog apart:

  • Real Experiences, Reliable Recommendations: Every piece of advice is based on places I’ve personally visited and activities I’ve genuinely enjoyed.
  • Balanced Itineraries: Learn how to see the best of a destination with an itinerary that’s paced just right—you will fit a lot into each day, but you won’t feel rushed. You’ll be able to appreciate the moments.
  • Family-Friendly Focus: I travel with my kids, therefore all my itineraries are kid-tested (and mostly approved!). I provide tips for each destination on how to make traveling with family smooth and enjoyable. 
  • Active and Immersive Travel: My travel style is fast-paced and immersive—packed with sightseeing, culture, museums, and plenty of walking. If you love exploring cities, historical sites, and fitting as much into your days as possible, you’re in the right place. While I love to occasionally relax by the pool, my personal preference is not to dedicate an entire vacation to sitting around.

Check out some of my popular posts here:

The author, dressed in a black winter coat, blue jeans, and boots, stands straggling the Prime Meridian line in Greenwich, UK.

My Story

Chapter 1: Stepping out of my comfort zone

I grew up in the California Bay Area, where I lived for the first 28 years of my life.

I always enjoyed traveling and going to new places, but I often struggled to plan trips and craft comprehensive itineraries. 

But practice makes perfect, and after years of research and trial and error, I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a great travel itinerary!

In 2016 I got married and moved to New York City, my first time living outside of California (minus a brief stint studying Barbary macaques in Gibraltar). 

We lived in New York for five years in a small one-bedroom apartment. During that time we explored as much of the city as possible. From cherry blossom hunting in Central Park to visiting some of the city’s National Monuments, our weekends were full of local adventures.

It was during this time that our family grew and we found ourselves schlepping all over the city with two children. 

Not once did we ever think of slowing down. With our kids, we took weekend trips to Boston, explored upstate New York, and even traveled internationally to Israel and London with a baby.

These early years as parents are what inspired me to start this blog. I wanted to remember our travels and adventures while also providing helpful information and advice to other like-minded parents.

Over the years my mission has morphed. I realized that many people pigeonhole family travel into a narrow definition. Either they think you can’t travel with kids, or they assume family travel has to be to a beach, Disney, or a resort. 

While that’s what some people want, that’s not for my family. 

While we do some kid-centered activities, our travel focus has remained to learn about the culture and history of the places we visit, making our trips meaningful, and maximizing our time. 

Whether you have kids or not, you’ll find my travel advice works for anyone who wants to see the highlights of a given place before moving on to their next destination.

The author, Tamar, smiles in front of gleaming copper stills at Pearse Lyons Distillery, showcasing the intricate whiskey-making process, a highlight of the best whiskey tour in Dublin.

Chapter 2: Becoming an expat

In 2021, during the midst of a global pandemic, we did something a little crazy…

We packed up and moved our entire life to Dublin, Ireland.

After New York, Dublin felt small, but the city grew on me. Plus, I loved living abroad and getting to know a new country and culture.

We spent three years living in Ireland and during that time I got to know Dublin like the back of my hand. I visited every museum, explored different neighborhoods, and took all the whiskey tours I could!

I also took the opportunity to explore as much of Ireland as possible. From quick day trips to Drogheda and Kilkenny to further excursions like Galway and Dingle. Ireland is a beautiful country and I’m thankful for the opportunity to explore its top highlights and lesser-known sights.

But our adventures weren’t confined to Ireland. We took advantage of living in Europe to travel extensively throughout the continent. In those three years, we visited over 16 countries. All with young kids in tow!

Our time in Ireland was magical. We got to know the country, met some amazing people, and traveled more than we ever had before.

But alas, it was always temporary, and after three years we returned to the United States.

The author smiles at the camera while sitting on a boat with her two children. The children's faces are obscured for privacy.

Chapter 3: Where we are now

After Ireland, our family relocated to Washington D.C. to be closer to family. It was a big transition, but we’re all settled and excited to explore our new home and surrounding environs. 

What does this mean for the blog?

For now, nothing has changed. I have a backlog of European destinations to write about. I will continue to write helpful travel articles designed to help you maximize your time and make the most of your travels.

If you’d like to keep up with life updates, I’d love it if you’d sign up for my email list.

Let me help you make the most of your next vacation!

So, are you ready to transform your travel plans? 

Whether you’re planning your next weekend getaway or a longer family vacation, I can help. 

Check out my destinations page to see if I’ve covered your next travel destination. 

Want to take that trip but don’t have the time or energy to handle all the planning? Book a travel consult with me so we can make this next trip your most memorable yet!

Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter if you want to receive exclusive content, including travel tips, destination highlights, and other helpful resources, straight to your inbox. 

Don’t just visit a place—experience it! 

What’s your next destination? Let’s make your travel plans unforgettable!