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Sydney Baker

Travel Writer

Sydney is a travel and lifestyle writer originally from Seattle. She’s also lived in Australia, Quebec, Luxembourg, and France and has visited 26 countries and counting. You can find her work in numerous publications such as Fodor's Travel, Good Housekeeping, Matador Network, Travel + Leisure, and more. In addition to being fluent in English and French, she has attempted (and failed) to learn German and would like to improve her limited Spanish next. You can find her on Twitter/X @sydbakestravels, on Instagram @sydbakescreates, or at sydbakestravels.com.

EXPERTISE:

European, Canadian, & West Coast U.S. Travel Destinations, Hiking & Outdoors Trips, Coffee & Drinks

21 places every cheese lover needs to visit in Europe

Europe is known to have some fantastic locations for foodies and produces some of the top cheese in the world. So, if you’re a dairy lover, be sure to check out the 21 cheese destinations below.

20 of the cutest lake European towns

Europe isn’t only big city lights like Paris and Berlin or fancy Mediterranean towns like Nice and Dubrovnik. There are also a ton of lakes throughout the continent. And that also means a bunch of adorable towns located on the shores. Here are 20 of the most picturesque lake towns in Europe.

20 amazing snowy US getaways for your winter escape

Winter can be a rough season. The days are short, the temps low, and the sun? Often nowhere to be seen. So, if you’re looking for somewhere you can relax and enjoy the season, check out the destinations below!

21 of the best countries for coffee lovers to visit

A good cup of coffee in the morning is the best way to kick off your day. So why not ensure your next trip always gets off to a good start and go somewhere known to have a good brew?

20 unique holiday treats from around the world

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us, and that means it’s time to eat and drink to your heart's content! That’s why I’ve rounded up 20 amazing treats from various countries for you to try this holiday season.

22 of the warmest destinations around the world in winter for your escape

Winter can be a fun time to travel. Who doesn’t love a snowy getaway to the mountains or an epic ski trip? However, not everyone loves the cold. So, if you’re looking for a sunnier alternative, check out the destinations below!

The 20 most festive destinations around the world

Depending on the circumstances, traveling around the festive season can be a magical dream or a nightmare. To ensure your trip is closer to the former, we’ve rounded up 20 of the most festive destinations around the world.

The 20 best European beach destinations

A trip to Europe is a dream for many, but so is a nice relaxing vacation on the beach. Well, who says you have to choose? Look at the 20 amazing European beach destinations we’ve rounded up, and start planning your trip today!

The 22 best Christmas markets in Europe

The most wonderful time of the year is a popular time to travel. And if you’re looking for an international getaway before (or in lieu of) festivities stateside, there’s no better place to be than a European Christmas market. 

The 21 best "girl dinner" ingredients

Sometimes, deciding what should make up your random snack meal is difficult. So, we’ve rounded up 21 of the best things you can slap on a charcuterie board, and voila, you’re good to go for "girl dinner."

The 20 best European destinations if you like to walk

European cities are much more pedestrian-friendly than most American counterparts. You’ll clock several miles just by hitting the main sights. Additionally, there are plenty of countryside and hiking destinations waiting to be explored on foot. Here are 20 of the best!

Pumpkin spice recipes and treats that aren’t Pumpkin Spice Latte

'Tis the season. No, this isn’t Costco. We’re not jumping the gun and putting out Christmas decor along with back-to-school. We’re talking about Pumpkin Spice season — when the Starbucks line is even more insane than usual, and you can’t walk into any store without catching a whiff of this signature fall flavor. However, lattes aren’t the only way to enjoy it.

The best uses for overripe bananas

You buy a bunch of bananas for quick snacks, additions to morning oatmeal or cereal, or easy pairings with your lunch. You try your best to eat them all, but alas, a few ripen just a bit too much past the point of typical potassium-filled deliciousness. Here are 19 unique uses for bananas that have just become overripe.

20 top travel destinations for epic marine life

From safaris to fishing excursions and overnight bird spotting vacations, if there’s one thing we’ll cross borders for, it’s a glimpse of a unique animal not found at home. Here are 20 of the best places to visit if you want to see epic marine life.

The best national parks on the West Coast

The West Coast is one of the most beautiful parts of the US. Here are 14 of the best national parks on the West Coast to help plan your next visit.

15 ways to incorporate more spinach into your diet

No one wants to eat a spinach salad every day for lunch, which is why we’ve compiled 15 creative ways to add the leafy green to your menu!

The 21 best beaches on the West Coast

The West Coast is nicknamed the “best coast” for a reason.

20 random uses for honey

Winnie-the-Pooh might have been best known for consuming honey in potential diabetic-inducing quantities, but our childhood friend was onto something. Here are 20 unique ways to use honey.

18 common things that are actually uniquely American

After nearly a decade of travel, I've realized some random aspects of life are unique to the US. Here are 18 examples.

16 movies and TV shows to make you feel like you’re vacationing in France

For those who don’t want to deal with the crowds this summer or the steep price of airfare (and travel in general), the FOMO can be real. Luckily there’s an easy solution that doesn’t even require you to get off your couch.

20 simple ways to spot an American in a foreign country

Before you insist that you’re not that loud, don’t wear socks with sandals, nor do you ever say “y’all," let me tell you there are numerous other ways people can tell you hail from the USA. Here are 20 things Americans do abroad.

15 amazing train rides across the U.S.

Cross-country trips are most often completed across the U.S. in a car. However, if you’re tired of driving and want to focus on enjoying the beautiful scenery, the railway might be the perfect alternative. Here are 15 amazing train rides you can take in the U.S.

15 gorgeously scenic train rides you can take across Europe

Europe is synonymous with train travel. All the options make it difficult to choose one — or two, or even a few — for your transatlantic adventure. That’s why we’ve rounded up 15 of the most scenic train rides across the region!

20 random uses for coffee besides drinking it

Everyone’s favorite caffeinated beverage comes in many forms — espresso shots, milky lattes, cappuccinos, iced, and plain old drip. However, there are quite a few uses for coffee beyond drinking it, many of which don’t involve consumption at all. 

20 English words you might not know came from other languages

The English language is notoriously difficult to learn for those who don’t grow up speaking it at home. Those of us for whom it is a first language aren’t very good about learning other ones.