Taking the road less traveled by.
“Ruminations” means thinking something over carefully. It’s also what cows do: chewing their cud. I’m the cow, chewing over my thoughts about what I see and experience before I sit down and write about them. Rachel’s Ruminations is a travel blog focused on independent travel with an emphasis on cultural and historical sites. I also occasionally write about my life in the Netherlands, as well as reviews of hotels, resorts, cruises, tours, etc. Thank you for visiting!
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Latest from the Blog

A visit to Amber Fort outside of Jaipur, Rajasthan
Amber Fort outside of Jaipur is both a formidable fortress and an elegant palace. Read all about it here, with tips for visiting.

Exploring the history of southeastern Montana: State parks and national monuments
Four destinations that illustrate the fascinating history of southeastern Montana from prehistoric times to the 20th century.

A near-miss in a Jordanian taxi
A travel story about an eventful Jordanian taxi ride from Aqaba to Wadi Musa.

The beauty of the Rhaetian Railway in Switzerland
The Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO site in southern Switzerland, is a marvel of engineering, taking passengers past absolutely stunning scenery through the Alps to Italy.

4 Barcelona bike routes + biking tips
Barcelona is a great place to explore by bike. Here are the unmissable highlights of 4 Barcelona bike routes, plus some useful bicycling tips!

Visiting Lascaux Cave and its magnificent prehistoric artworks
Lascaux Cave is known the world over for its astonishing prehistoric artworks. Here is what you need to know before visiting.