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I’m lucky to have sunshine most of the year in my home state of Colorado. Because of this, though, I tend to talk myself into staying home when the weather is rainy, windy, or even overcast.

When I was in the UK, however, rainy days were a normal part of life. I didn’t want to waste time following my “nice weather or bust” mindset, so I started watching the locals.

For example, they had quality rain jackets and carried waterproof casings to go over their backpacks or bags to keep them dry.

I followed their lead and invested in a more heavy-duty raincoat, and I quickly learned that with proper preparation, the cold and rain aren’t bad at all. The moody weather often added to the overall ambiance of the day.

When I travel, I actively try to accumulate the most experiences in an area, from museums and landmarks to local events. However, I feel guilty about not always doing this at home. It’s similar to the cliché that some born-and-bred New Yorkers have never been to the Statue of Liberty.

Some of my favorite experiences in Europe weren’t the grand, famous monuments, but the quirky things I encountered in small towns.

I loved seeing a statue of a goat king in Kerry, Ireland, and stumbling upon an older couple giving an alphorn concert in a Swiss village.

I’m certain there are similar gems close to my hometown, and now I’m determined to find them.

Many of the Europeans I met were wonderful at having a “less is more” mindset. They owned fewer things, like clothes and decor items, and bought less food at once than I did in the US.

They seemed to have a different attitude about buying things in general. Part of this is likely because European apartments are generally smaller than American homes.

After shopping less while abroad, I’m going to try to maintain that habit stateside.

In my marriage, I’m known as the “blanket hog” — though this is still hotly debated on my end. So, when my husband and I walked into an alpine cabin and saw two neatly folded duvets over the bed, he was ecstatic.

We encountered this several times throughout our journey, and I must admit, having my own fluffy blanket to cuddle into was pretty nice. The duvet covers are also way easier to wash than a comforter.

Americans still haven’t embraced soccer the way other countries have. Though I’ll always be a diehard American football fan, being in Europe for the UEFA European Championship opened my eyes to just how electrifying soccer can be.

From the team chants and bitter rivalries to the epic watch parties, I’ll be setting my alarm to watch some major games from across the pond.

This story was originally published on November 7, 2024, and most recently updated on June 6, 2025.