the getAwayZ Podcast
Real travel stories and practical guides for exploring Europe with teens, pets and curiosity.
Welcome to the getAwayZ. We’re Erin and Lisa, friends and roommates who moved from the U.S. to Europe in 2017. With Erin’s teenage son and Lisa’s dog, Rex, we’ve spent years traveling across the continent, uncovering hidden gems and navigating the quirks of life abroad.
Our podcast is all about sharing the adventures of exploring Europe, from finding dog friendly destinations to discovering activities that keep a teenager engaged. We bring you personal stories, practical travel tips, and an honest look at what it’s like to live and wander as migrants in Europe.
Episodes
42 episodes
European Christmas Traditions and the Stories Behind Them
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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19:09
Vienna Travel Guide: Winter Highlights, Palaces, Music and Christmas Markets
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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21:45
European Trivia Showdown: How Well Do We Know Europe?
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 fe...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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15:21
Rome Travel Stories: Why We Keep Returning to the Eternal City
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 unforgett...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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26:14
Teen Life in Europe: Dylan on School, Friends, Travel and Growing Up Abroad (Half His Life)
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, s...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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14:24
Monaco Travel Guide: What to See, Eat and Do in a Day
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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25:01
Bruges and Ghent: How to Explore Belgium’s Best Canal Cities
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 w...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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23:47
Versailles Travel Guide: What to See, Eat and Do Near the Palace
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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18:31
Slovenia Travel Guide: Dragon Eggs, Castles and the Best Sausage Ever
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, c...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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17:38
Haunted Otranto: Our Stay in Italy’s Most Unsettling Airbnb
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 d...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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25:16
Normandy Travel Guide: Monet’s Gardens, Honfleur, Étretat and Rouen
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 cl...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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22:18
Puglia Summer Guide: Beaches, Towns and Our Three-Week Trip
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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25:08
Our Favorite European Trips Since 2017: A Birthday Travel Round-Up
We’re kicking off Season 2 of The Getawayz with a trip down memory lane, sharing all the places we’ve celebrated Lisa’s birthday since moving to Europe in 2017. From beach towns to the mountains, we’ve had some unforgettable trips, ama...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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25:03
Fall Travel in Europe: Our Honest Opinions and Real Questions Answered
This episode isn’t a guide. It’s just us asking each other random fall-related questions and giving honest answers.What country does fall best? What’s the most overrated tradition? Do we actually like mulled wine? And what do we miss abo...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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17:45
Fall Festivals in Europe: The Wildest and Most Delicious Events to Plan Around
Fall in Europe isn’t just about changing leaves and fewer tourists, it’s when the continent throws its best parties. We’re talking wine parades in Paris, truffle markets in Italy, pumpkin fairs, mushroom hunts, and events where people carry the...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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32:45
48 Hours in Berlin: What We Did, Ate and Loved
In this episode, we’re diving into Berlin, a city that never quite lets you forget where you are. From the Berlin Wall to museum hopping, riverside strolls to underground clubs, Berlin balances its heavy history with some serious creativity. We...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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14:48
Oktoberfest in Munich: Lederhosen, Steins, and a 10th Birthday to Remember
This episode covers everything you need to know about Oktoberfest in Munich, from royal history and traditional outfits to beer tents, rides, and the quieter Oide Wiesn. Personal stories from past visits highlight what it’s like to go in your 2...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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23:24
Champagne Travel Guide: What It’s Really Like to Visit
We headed to the Champagne region of France for a trip filled with tastings, cellars, and a few surprises. In this episode, we talk about our visits to Reims, Épernay, and Hautvillers, and which Champagne houses were actually worth touring. Fro...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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22:46
Puglia Travel Guide: Beaches, Burrata and Our Summer Trips
Puglia is one of our favorite places for a summer escape — and in this episode, we’re sharing why! We’ve explored this beautiful region twice, staying everywhere from Torre San Giovanni’s sandy beaches to Polignano a Mare’s dramatic cliffs....
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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20:03
Amalfi Coast Guide: Towns, Beaches and How to Plan Your Trip
The Amalfi Coast is one of the world’s most famous stretches of coastline and after three trips, we still find new reasons to love it. In this episode, we are sharing what worked and what did not, where we stayed, our favorite boat days and bea...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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31:48
Sicily Summer Guide: Best Towns, Beaches and Food
We’ve been to Sicily more than once, and every time, we love it even more. In this episode, we’re talking our favorite towns, beaches, foods, and stories from multiple summer trips across the island. From our apartment near Syracuse during covi...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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29:19
Liguria Travel Guide: Towns, Beaches and Family Tips
Sunshine, snorkeling, and seaside snacks—what more could you want? In this episode, we’re diving into our favorite experiences along the Ligurian coast. From biking the tunnels between Levanto and Bonassola to walking to Portofino from Santa Ma...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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22:08
Corsica Travel Guide: Beaches, Canyoning and Natural Pools
We spent three weeks exploring Corsica, from the beaches of Ajaccio to Cervione and the iconic coastline near Porto-Vecchio. In this episode, we share our favorite beaches, the hidden natural pools inland, and the adrenaline rush of canyoning. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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19:13
Sardinia Travel Guide: What We Learned From Three Trips
In this episode, we’re taking you to one of our favorite repeat destinations—Sardinia. From a quiet beach escape during the 2020 pandemic to a luxury stay in Porto Cervo, and a full month exploring the island in 2024, we’re sharing everything w...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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30:08
Croatia Beach Guide: Clear Water, Rocky Shores and Where to Swim
We’re talking real Croatian beach days — rocky coves, steep hikes, sea urchins, inflatable obstacle courses, and a few places we almost turned around (but didn’t). From Dubrovnik to Split, Pag to Lopud, here’s where we swam, lounged, and said “...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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24:34