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Real travel stories and practical guides for exploring Europe the way people actually travel.
Welcome to the getAwayZ. We’re Erin and Lisa, friends and roommates who moved from the U.S. to Europe in 2017. Since then, we’ve spent years traveling across the continent, mostly by car, figuring out what’s worth your time and what isn’t.
Sometimes that travel includes Erin’s teenage son and Lisa’s dog, Rex. Sometimes it doesn’t. Either way, we talk honestly about where to stay, what to skip, what to eat and drink, when to go and what you need to plan ahead for.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Europe or thinking about living abroad, the getAwayZ shares realistic, practical advice based on real experience.
51 Episodes
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Send a text We have been to Zermatt twice and both trips were completely different. The first time we drove through a blizzard after a delayed flight into Milan, arrived at 3am, and learned quickly that cars are not allowed in Zermatt. The Matterhorn barely showed itself and wind shut down part of Glacier Paradise. The second trip was calmer. Clearer views, hiking along the river, Dylan doing the Forest Fun Park ropes course, fondue, hay soup and Matterhorn-shaped chocolate. In this episode w...
Send us a text Milan is a city we’ve spent real time in. Living nearby meant it was never just a stop on a trip and that changes how you experience it. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like spending time in Milan. The neighborhoods we kept going back to. The food. The design. How the city works day to day and why it feels different from other places in Italy. We also talk about why Milan makes sense when you give it time instead of rushing through it. This is not a highlights episode ...
Send us a text Erin hosts a fast paced European food trivia showdown with Lisa, Dylan and Meghan, and it got competitive fast. From iconic dishes to regional specialties and a few trick questions, this episode puts European food knowledge to the test. We cover classic foods people think they know, regional details that spark debate, and questions guaranteed to make you second guess yourself. Play along and see how you stack up before the answers are locked in. A fun break from traditional tra...
Send us a text In Part 2 of our Rhône-Alps series, we continue beyond Chamonix and talk about spending time in Annecy, Aix-les-Bains, Chambéry and Grenoble. We talk about what Annecy feels like once you’re there, how crowded it can get depending on timing and why it stands out compared to other lake towns we’ve visited. We also talk about Aix-les-Bains and Chambéry as quieter stops, how they felt in comparison and why they worked well without needing much planning. We end with Grenoble and ho...
Send us a text In Part 1 of our Rhône-Alpes series, we’re starting in Chamonix, one of the most iconic mountain towns in the French Alps. We talk about what Chamonix is really like beyond the photos, how the town feels when you’re walking through it and why it stands out compared to other mountain destinations we’ve visited. We cover the Mer du Glace glacier experience, the ice cave, hiking to Cascade du Dard, where we ate and where we stayed. This episode is about slowing down, choosing the ...
Send us a text Spending New Year’s in Sweden, in the middle of winter. We spent New Year’s in Gothenburg with fireworks everywhere, busy streets and just enough going on without overplanning the days. Winter was fully in place and the city felt active without being overwhelming. In this episode, we talk about how we spent New Year’s in Gothenburg, from walking the city and spending time in Haga to visiting the World of Volvo and Universeum. We share where we ate, where we stayed and how the t...
Send us a text Europe celebrates New Year’s in ways that are fun, strange, symbolic and older than most people realize. In this episode, we break down the traditions and superstitions that show up across countries like Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Croatia, France, the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland and Sweden. Some places eat twelve grapes at midnight, some wear red underwear for luck, some jump off chairs and Austria has full monster parades designed to chase away bad spirits. We a...
Send us a text In this episode, we talk about the expectations we all had before living in Europe and how those ideas compare to real life once you arrive. We cover safety, taxes, food and the small cultural shifts that stand out the most. Some things feel easier than expected and others take a little more adjusting, especially during the first year. Meghan joins the conversation as someone who is still settling into European life, while we share what felt different after living here for year...
Send us a text Europe has some of the oldest Christmas traditions in the world. In this episode we look at where many of them began. We talk about Advent calendars in Germany, the first Christmas markets, and why most of Europe celebrates on Christmas Eve. We also get into regional customs in France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Iceland and the Czech Republic. Some traditions are sweet and familiar, others are unusual and only found in certain corners of the continent. This is a simple guide to the ...
Send us a text Experience Vienna in winter through our real stories of palaces, music, good food and holiday markets. We talk about the stops that stood out for us, from interactive museums to classical concerts in golden halls. We share what we ate, what we skipped, and what we would do on a return visit. If you’re planning a trip to Vienna with a teen, a dog, or just a love for culture and desserts, this episode walks you through what to see and how to make the most of a winter visit. ...
Send us a text This week we switched things up with a European trivia episode. Lisa stepped into quizmaster mode while Erin competed against Meghan and Dylan in a mix of geography, culture and travel questions across Europe. There were confident answers, a few total guesses, and some surprising wins. Play along, see how many you get right, and decide who really knows Europe best. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/andrey-rossi/sei... License code: G7J4UDC...
Send us a text They say all roads lead to Rome, and somehow, ours always do. In this episode, we’re sharing the Rome we’ve come to know over multiple trips: the neighborhoods we love, the food we keep craving and the tiny details that make this city unforgettable. From quiet mornings in Monti to late walks through Trastevere, we talk about finding the best supplì al telefono, the surprise appearance by the we Pope at the Vatican and what makes every return to Rome feel brand new. If you’re pl...
Send us a text Half his life in Europe. In this episode Dylan answers questions about moving from the U.S., international school, travel, friends, culture shocks, favorite cities and what he’d tell other teens who might move abroad. Real talk on expat life, studying, costs, daily routines, and what still feels weird. If you’re raising a teen in Europe or planning the jump, this is the episode to play in the car. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/andrey-rossi/s...
Send a text From luxury yachts to hidden gardens, Monaco is more than just glitz and casinos. In this episode of The Getawayz, we share what it’s really like to visit the world’s second-smallest country, where you can walk the whole place in a day, explore royal history, and still find quiet corners overlooking the sea. Support the show
Send us a text Bruges and Ghent are two of Belgium’s most unforgettable cities and we’ve been back many times, and yet still can't wit to return. In this episode, we talk about the cobblestone streets, canal walks, Christmas markets and the famous Ghent bar where you have to trade a shoe for your beer. From Airbnb stays in Bruges to the NH Hotel in Ghent, we share what to see, eat and experience in both cities and why you should plan to visit them together. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Cre...
Send us a text We spent a few days in Versailles exploring the palace and the gardens at an easy pace. In this episode we talk about biking around the grounds, renting a golf cart, and touring the château. From brunch at Hôtel Le Louis to sushi delivery and a picnic by Petit Trianon, we share what it’s like to stay nearby and see more than just the palace. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/andrey-rossi/seize-the-day License code: G7J4UDC0NAOFRJYL Support the show
Send us a text We’ve been to Slovenia twice and each visit just gets better. In this episode we share our favorite finds from the best sausage we’ve ever eaten to the story behind Ljubljana’s dragons and the mysterious dragon eggs. Join us as we talk lakes, castles, caves and why Slovenia deserves a spot on every European road trip. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/andrey-rossi/seize-the-day License code: G7J4UDC0NAOFRJYL Support the show
Send us a text We thought we were just booking a simple Airbnb in Otranto, but the week turned into something else. The house was unsettling from the moment we arrived. All over the ground floor there were strange openings built into the floor, some of them dropping into deep stone shafts. One was filled with bottles, others just sat dark and empty, and they made the whole place feel uneasy. By the second day we found an extinguished cigarette left on a ledge that hadn’t been there before. At...
Send a text This summer, we spent a few days road-tripping through Normandy after a weekend in Paris, and this is Part 1 of our two-part series. From Monet’s gardens in Giverny to the modern architecture of Le Havre, the historic harbor in Honfleur, the cliffs of Étretat, and an evening in Rouen, we covered a little bit of everything. In this episode, we share where we stayed, what we ate, and our favorite spots in each town, along with tips for planning your own Normandy getaway. Whether you...
Send a text In this episode we’re recapping our summer road trip from the Netherlands to Puglia and back. We spent three weeks in Puglia enjoying the beaches, towns and food while making stops along the way there and back. In this episode we’re sharing our favorite moments, a few surprises and what we’d plan differently next time. If you’re thinking about visiting Puglia or just want to hear about our summer travels this one’s for you. Support the show
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