Let’s be real — parenting can be a wonderfully rewarding experience, but it’s not easy. Trying to juggle work, household duties, and parenting all at the same time can make it feel like you’re constantly racing against a buzzer that never arrives.
Of course, ask any parent if they’d change it for the world and they’d say not a chance. Still, while parenting may bring plenty of joy, most parents would welcome an opportunity to make things a little easier.
And that’s where other people come in. In this day and age, there is plenty of outside help available, including child daycare, hiring a nanny, or working with an au pair agency.
For many families, the lack of personalization makes child daycare a no-go. The high cost of hiring a nanny also takes that off the table. Hiring an au pair offers a welcome midway point, allowing for flexible, personalized care without breaking the bank.
This is where Go Au Pair comes in. They’ve been matching families with international au pairs since 1989, and are still going strong.
But is their service any good? Should you consider it for your own au pair needs? We’ve put together an in-depth, honest review that can help you decide.
Who Is Go Au Pair? Go Au Pair was founded back in 1989 as one of the original six sponsoring agencies authorized to execute the Au Pair program, a government program that allowed qualified young people from around the world the chance to live and work in the United States in exchange for providing 45 hours of childcare a week.
Since then, Go Au Pair has helped tens of thousands of families find au pairs that offer flexible, consistent childcare support in addition to cultural exchange. Today, they recruit au pairs from over 37 countries, and they’re still one of the largest such agencies operating in the United States.
Who Is Go Au Pair’s Service Aimed At?
Go Au Pair’s service is primarily aimed at families who want live-in childcare support, but in reality, their service goes much, much further. Go Au Pair recruits its au pairs from around the world, which means there’s a cultural exchange element to the experience, too. It’s a great way to expose your children to other cultures and languages from the comfort of your own home.
You’ll need to have the space to accommodate the au pair, since, as we said, they’ll be living with you. Beyond that, there’s no strict criteria about which families can and can’t use their service. If you’re tired of the inflexibility of daycare or don’t feel comfortable selecting (or paying for) a nanny, then Go Au Pair’s service could be the ideal solution. Their service really bridges a gap that many families not only want, but need. Unlike with other childcare services, with Go Au Pair, you’ll only pay one fee regardless of how many children you have.
How Does Go Au Pair's Service Work?
OK, so that’s what working with Go Au Pair offers. Now, how does it work? While Go Au Pair’s service offers a wide range of benefits, the process is actually a lot more straightforward than you might think.
Step One: Identify Your Needs
Figuring out what you’ll need from your au pair is key to ensuring Go Au Pair can pair you with the right person. You might need them to have a driving license, or perhaps they’ll be working with very young children (under 2 years old). Whatever it is, think about what’s most important to your family.
Step Two: Finding Your Au Pair
Go Au Pair has hundreds of potential au pairs in their system. Once you’ve found a potential match, you can schedule a virtual interview to see if it’s a good fit. Once you’ve made your decision, you can extend an offer, and the au pair’s visa process can begin.
Step Three: The Au Pair Arrives
Your au pair will arrive and quickly become part of your family, helping you with your childcare needs while also offering an important cultural exchange.
Step Four: A Seamless Experience
Your au pair will initially be with you for 12 months, though it’s possible to extend for another 12 months in many cases. During their time with you, your au pair will become an extension of your family, forming a lifelong bond with your children.
Can You Work For Go Au Pair?
Go Au Pair isn’t just for families looking for childcare support. It’s also there to help wannabe au pair’s find their USA host family, too! If you’re from overseas, are aged 18 - 26, speak English, have completed high school, and have some experience with childcare, then you’ll likely be eligible to apply. People who have au pair’d for Go Au Pair in the past typically say that they loved everything about the process, from getting to experience the USA first-hand to expanding their education and English skills.
Go Au Pair: The Pros
Flexible, live-in childcare
Upfront pricing
Affordable childcare that stays the same, regardless of how many kids the family has
Opportunity for cultural exchange and language learning
Excellent customer support
One-to-one, personalized care
Provides support for busy parents
Go Au Pair: The Cons
Need to know what you’re looking for
Have to be comfortable with a 12-month commitment
The Bottom Line: Is Go Au Pair Any Good?
There’s a reason why Go Au Pair is still considered one of the leading agencies in the USA's au [air field: they have decades of experience, and it shows. They’ve made it as easy as possible for US families to get the affordable, flexible childcare support they need. While you’ll need to do a little bit of work to ensure you find the right au pair for your needs, we’d say that it’s absolutely worth it — and not just because it’s cheaper than hiring a nanny. With Go Au Pair, you get so much more than childcare support. You get an opportunity to give your children an experience they’ll remember forever.
*contributed post*
Paris + Rouen | The Tiniest Travel Junk Journal I’ve Ever Made (in less than a minute).
From cobblestone streets to cathedral bells, each page holds a memory — a little bridge between film and ink, beauty and belonging.
This is the tiniest junk journal I’ve ever created for a trip — small enough to slip into my purse, yet filled with Paris and Rouen stories I never want to forget. Because sometimes the smallest souvenirs hold the biggest stories and storytelling doesn’t end when the plane lands… some journeys deserve to be handwritten. 💌
Do you journal your travels in film or are they handwritten?
Please head on over to watch, comment, and like the reel HERE! Thank you all so much for your engagement on things like this! It makes more of a difference then you know as a content creator. Even a simple "like" is meaningful. Thank you.
Thank you so much for all of the interest! It was fun to share a reel like this! I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday friends!
Caravan Sonnet | Travel Junk Journal | Paris and Rouen France
Still need fast and reliable data and connectivity while traveling overseas? The world of eSIMs, an embedded, digital version of a physical SIM card, can help you avoid the hassle of buying or exchanging local SIM cards, roaming fees, and getting online in minutes. We will now provide our review of the nine leading eSIM brands for 2025. Each brand has a unique use, as well as a primary unique selling proposition, and where they are most effective.
Via Unsplash
Important notes: some plans have no voice or SMS service for local users. Also, be sure to confirm whether your device is compatible (has eSIM capability and is an unlocked phone), as well as if your home country's cellular carrier has eSIM enabled.
1. Best for all-in-one global travel: Maaltalk
What they do: Maaltalk offers global and regional eSIMs, allowing travellers to stay connected in 180 + countries without swapping physical SIMs.
Best for: Seamless coverage across 200 + destinations partnered with top local carriers.
Why it stands out:
* Instant eSIM installation via the MaaltalkNow app and free 1 GB welcome eSIM in key destinations.
* Covers over 200 destinations with local-carrier partnerships
* Uncomplicated pricing, no physical SIM shipping.
* Where it might be less perfect: If you need a local phone number + SMS, you’ll want to confirm the specific
plan (many travel eSIMs remain data-only).
* Bottom line: If you want a “buy-before-you-depart” eSIM that works in most travel destinations, Maaltalk makes it one of the simplest bets.
2. Best for budget-friendly global plans: Airalo
What they do: A large marketplace of eSIMs offering local, regional, and global plans covering 200 + countries and regions.
Best for: affordable, easy-to-buy global eSIM coverage in 200 + destinations.
Highlights:
* Plans start very low; you can pick a country or region package ahead of time and install instantly.
* Massive coverage and millions of users.
* Trade-offs: Some plans are data-only (voice/SMS may be excluded), and tethering may depend on region/plan.
* Tip: A smart choice if you prioritise price over “everything included”.
3. Best for business/enterprise-grade global connectivity: Truphone
What they do: Global eSIM/data-connectivity provider that works across 100+ countries with fixed-capacity plans and a strong network infrastructure.
Best for: premium, stable global connectivity with high-quality carrier networks.
Why consider it:
* Strong network access via agreements in many countries.
* Especially useful when you need reliable data for work or remote connectivity abroad.
* Limitation: Fixed data caps rather than unlimited; higher cost relative to budget options.
* Bottom line: If you’re a business traveller and need dependable service (even in remote locations), this is the brand.
4. Best for flexible cruise, in-flight & travel plans: GigSky
What they do: eSIM and data-only plans for travellers in over 190-200 countries, including inflight and maritime coverage.
Why it stands out:
* Entry plans from under US$5, reportedly up to 90 % less than standard roaming.
* Coverage includes cruise ships and airlines.
* Potential trade-offs: For heavy data users, the cost can ramp; voice/SMS strings may still be limited.
* Tip: Ideal if you travel frequently, including non-traditional destinations (cruise, yacht, islands).
5. Best for unlimited-data regional plans: Holafly
What they do: Focuses on unlimited data eSIMs for certain countries/regions; heavy users can roam freely.
Best for: unlimited data usage across selected destinations without worrying about data caps.
Why it’s useful:
* Good fit for streaming, families on the go, or long stretches abroad.
* Clear pricing and generous duration options in many regional markets.
* Caveat: Works best for travellers staying in one or two countries; not always global multi-country.
* Note: Always check the definition of “unlimited” (some throttle after a threshold).
6. Best for data-only travellers/nomads: Nomad eSIM
What they do: Global eSIM marketplace with flexible blocks of data, regional bundles, and multi-country coverage.
Best for digital-nomads / multi-country travellers who need flexibility rather than voice/SMS.
Why it appeals:
* Good for “hop-around Europe/Asia/Africa” without buying a separate SIM per country.
* Quick activation, multiple plan lengths, and data amounts.
* Consideration: Data-only (no local number); mean speeds may vary by region.
* Tip: Bring your home number via VoIP/WhatsApp and use the eSIM purely for data.
7. Best for tethering/hotspot-capable eSIMs: Ubigi
What they do: Global eSIM provider with specific support for tethering/hotspot, regional data boosters, and tablet/PC options.
Best for hotspot/tethering use and multiple devices on the go abroad.
Why consider it:
* Useful if you travel with a laptop/tablet and want to share your connection.
* Covers many countries and offers multi-device support.
* Caveat: Data cost per GB may be higher; check hotspot policy and plan fine print.
8. Best for ultra-budget short-stay trips: AloSIM
What they do: Cost-effective global and regional eSIM packages for short trips, minimal fuss.
Best for short holidays or weekend trips where you just need decent data at the lowest cost.
Why it stands out:
* Lower price points for light users.
* Easy purchasing, quick installation.
* Trade-off: Less generous data, fewer extras (voice/SMS/roaming support), and maybe fewer countries covered fully.
* Tip: Great for 1-2 country trips under a week.
9. Best for travellers who prefer local-SIM alternative simplicity: BetterRoaming
What they do: Prepaid eSIMs and roaming solutions targeting travellers to/from specific markets (e.g., South Africa) and offering transparent pricing.
Best for travellers needing a straightforward eSIM with local-market pricing and transparent terms.
Why you might use it:
* Good if you travel often to a particular country (e.g., South Africa) and want a local-SIM experience without local registration.
* No hidden costs, simple setup.
* Consideration: Not as global-spread as giants; local data caps may apply.
How to choose your eSIM for your next trip
Here are some key criteria to use when comparing providers:
1. Coverage & network carriers – Is your destination listed? Do they partner with good local networks?
2. Plan type (data only vs voice + SMS) – Do you need voice/SMS or just data? Many travel eSIMs are data-only.
3. Activation & installation ease – Can you install before you go? Is it truly plug-and-play?
4. Data allowance vs duration – Are you streaming heavily or just browsing/maps?
5. Hotspot/tethering support – Do you travel with multiple devices?
6. Pricing transparency – Roaming surprises happen; look for upfront cost.
7. Customer support & brand reputation – Especially for remote travel, support matters.
Final thoughts
If you’re heading abroad in 2025 and want a hassle-free way to stay connected, eSIMs are now the go-to choice. Start with Maaltalk if you want wide global coverage, quick setup, and minimal fuss. Use any of the others above depending on your travel style, budget, and device needs.
Whatever you pick, install the eSIM before you travel, test connectivity on arrival, and switch your device’s mobile data to the eSIM line so you don’t get charged by your home carrier’s roaming. May your next trip be smooth, connected, and data-on-point!
*contributed post*
a day in arles france / viking rhone river cruise / my viking story / arles, france
November 3, 2025
There are certain places where you feel as though you’ve stepped into a storybook — cobbled lanes, sun-warmed stone, whispering history — and Arles is one of them. Nestled along the southern curve of the Rhone River, this Provençal gem invites you into its embrace: ancient and alive, gentle and grand, quiet and full of texture. I will tell y'all right now that I have about a thousand pictures from Arles alone, but don't worry- I am not going to share all of them! Haha! On a serious note though- Arles was one of my favorite places we spent time in on this cruise (and yes, you will hear me say that often over these posts because I fell in love with these charming cities along this route).
Arles was our first full day (we embarked in Avignon (read a post HERE or watch an IG reel HERE) and then traveled to Arles) - and it was a highlight of the trip. Our tour lasted for approximately 3 hours and it was a lovely morning exploring and learning more about this charming French city. This was truly an amazing way to start off our excursions on our River Cruise… I was so enamored with this beautiful place that I went back in the afternoon to explore more. It is hard to pick a favorite place on this trip, but this was the absolute perfect way to start our tours! Arles to me was a place where you wanted to linger in corners that felt part museum, part film-set, part Beauty and the Beast dream.
After breakfast aboard the ship, we disembarked and walked into Old Town Arles. If you have been on other Viking trips- this was a bit different because typically you get onto a tour bus, but for Arles and many of the stops along the Rhone river you walked right into the town from the ship.
The air held that golden Provençal light; the stones beneath our feet seemed to hum with stories.
Our Viking guide led us through the Roman Theatre, the city walls, and the remnants of Roman Gaul’s urban might and artistry. Arles had been a hub — commerce, culture, empire — and you sense those layers everywhere, beneath shutters and behind arches.
We did spend a brief amount of time at The Arles Amphitheatre (Les Arènes d’Arles).
Built in 90 AD, it once held more than 20,000 spectators, alive with the thunder of chariot wheels and the roar of the crowd. Walking into its heart, I felt the weight and wonder of centuries.
The arena still hosts concerts and the distinctive Camargue bull games; the past is not locked away but still breathing. I have an entire post about this place coming, so for now I just am sharing a few brief pictures.
Mom and I had to smile at this point in our walking tour. Do you see the man above? He was singing and playing in the square and it was beautiful. It also made us smile because it reminded us of our time in Heidelberg, Germany on our Viking Rhine River Cruise- with a man singing in the square. Both were lovely experiences! You can read more about our time in Heidelberg (and our Rhine River cruise) HERE!
After our tour ended, mom and I headed back to the ship on our own and marved at our beatuiful morning as we meandered through the winding and beautiful cobblestone lanes.
After lunch, I decided to return solo to Arles. As many of you are aware mom had injured her knee severely the day before we embarked onto our cruise and we decided that it would be wise for her to rest it so that she could join in the future activities.
As the afternoon sun draped the city in amber light, Arles revealed a different side — gentler, quieter, introspective.
There was a wonder in stepping off the main path and into the side alleys, where vines climbed ancient walls and café chairs waited beneath pastel shutters.
I meandered through the Place du Forum, paused at the café that once captured the gaze of Vincent van Gogh in 1888, where he painted the light of the south and left more than 300 works behind.
In those moments I felt as if I had stepped into a Beauty & the Beast town (which I shared on Instagram- click HERE) — elegant yet wild, charming yet a bit uncanny in its preserved grandeur. The amphitheater by day, the silent courtyard by dusk — both real, both dramatic. I could almost hear the echoes of scenes past.
Travel often teaches us that the most luminous moments are the unhurried ones — when we let the place breathe us in, rather than rushing from one sight to another.
In Arles, I discovered that the old and the present don’t just coexist — they converse. Stone whispers to paint, shadows to sunlight, memory to moment.
When I returned to the ship that evening, the Rhone glinted like melted gold, and the city behind me seemed to glow with all I’d seen and felt. Arles had worked its quiet alchemy.
Thank you for stopping by and reading today! I hope that you enjoyed this brief overview of our walking tour and my time in historic Arles! I can't wait to share more about our adventures on this cruise! If you are interested in reading more about our Rhone River Cruise with Viking, you can click on the links below:
Viking River Cruise (2025):
Viking Cruise Specific Posts: // Embarkation Day on the Viking Delling //
// Viking Rhone River Cruise: Answers to Your Most FAQ's // 9 Must Have Experiences on the Viking Delling //
Viking Rhone River Specific IG Reels: // The Incredible Crew of the Viking Delling (IG Reel) //
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.jpg "pov: it's november 1st and autumn still has stories to tell/ cozy autumn decor")
Happy November 1st friends! While the feed and stores and shows all seem to turn red and green, I am over here in warm golds and pumpkin spice hues... becauuse this year more than ever I am learning that beauty deserves to be savored, not rushed. Cozy season isn't over- it's just deepening. Sharing a sweet reel where I would love to hear your thoughts- is your home all red and green or are you holding onto Autumn a little longer? Please head on over to watch, comment, and like the reel HERE!
Thank you so much for all of the interest! It was fun to share a reel like this! I hope you have a wonderful start to November friends!
Happy Saturday friends! Today I thought it would be fun to share all about a beautiful crossing on the ferry at sunset from this past week.You can watch, comment, and like it HERE!
Thank you so much for all of the interest! It was fun to share a reel like this! I hope you have a wonderful Saturday and start to November friends!
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