Traveling

Welcome to our Traveling archives—where adventure meets nerd culture!

While Nola Nerd Couple began as CookTravelEat, exploring the world is still at the heart of what we do. We share our family’s journeys, from epic European adventures to local road trips, all with a nerdy twist.

Here you’ll find:

  • Detailed travel stories from the U.S., Europe, and beyond
  • Family-friendly trip ideas and itineraries
  • Tips for exploring science museums, historic sites, and pop culture destinations
  • Lessons learned from travel mistakes and unexpected discoveries
  • Inspiration for making every trip a little more geeky

Whether you’re planning your own adventure or just love reading about travel, join us as we explore the world—one nerdy destination at a time!

Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, based on an original photograph taken by the author in 2010 and enhanced for clarity in 2026.
Traveling, European Nerdy Family Travel

Florence Then and Now: How We’d Experience the City Today as Nerd Parents

In 2010, the Nola Nerd Couple embarked upon a 30 day backpack tour of Europe. We were often asked what was our favorite city of this tour. We loved every second in Florence. There are so many great places to visit in Florence in one day.

Luckily, we had two. 

get the most out of your train pass in europe
30 Days in Europe: Lessons Learned, By Location, By Trip, European Nerdy Family Travel, Traveling

How to Get the Most Out of Your Train Pass in Europe

Learn how to get the most out of your train pass in Europe! Discover tips for scenic routes, booking seat reservations, and maximizing your Eurail pass. Perfect for families and first-time travelers looking to turn train rides into unforgettable adventures.

How to handle travel disappointments
30 Days in Europe: Lessons Learned, By Trip, Disney Parks, Resorts, and Eats, From the Bayou to Disney: Our Disney Life as a Nerdy Louisiana Family, Traveling

How to Handle Travel Disappointments: Lessons from Disneyland Paris and Zurich

How to handle travel disappointments: The answer: You adapt, stay flexible, and embrace the unexpected. No matter how much you

How to Embrace Spontaneity in Travel: Lessons Learned on Champs-Élysées and the River Seine
Traveling

How to Embrace Spontaneity in Travel: Lessons Learned on Champs-Élysées and the River Seine

An unplanned afternoon in Paris taught us that spontaneity isn’t the opposite of planning—it’s what allows curiosity to lead the way. Reflecting on that day years later, we explore how parenting, chronic illness, and nerdy travel values have reshaped how we travel now.

A Day Trip to Versailles from Paris
Traveling, 30 Days in Europe: Lessons Learned, By Location, European Nerdy Family Travel

Travel Lessons About Preparation and Perspective: Versailles and Napoleon’s Tomb

Explore the grandeur of French royalty with our guide to a day trip to Versailles from Paris. We ended up back in Paris at Napoleon’s tomb.

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