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. Thank you for visiting!
Latest from the Blog

Fortified Churches of Transylvania
Seven of the 150 castle-like fortified churches of Transylvania make up a UNESCO World Heritage site, built by Saxon settlers in the Middle Ages.

Walking across the Manhattan Bridge & the Brooklyn Bridge
A classic and very popular thing to do in New York City is to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Did you know, though, that you can also walk across the Manhattan Bridge?

Mercure Hotel Hamburg City: a review
Despite being part of a chain, Mercure Hotel Hamburg City is far from standard, at least in its décor. Read my review here.

13 best temples in Bangkok, Thailand
This extensive list of Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand includes advice to help you choose and plan your visit.