Southern Europe Archives - Rachel's Ruminations

A narrow cobbled street with 2-3 story stone houses on either side.

The Jewish Quarter, Rhodes, Greece

A review of a Guide Me in Greece walking tour of the Jewish Quarter, Rhodes, and the fascinating history of the Jews of Rhodes.

A cobbled street lined with stone 2-story buildings. Two of them are connected by a bridge over the street.

In the path of the Knights Hospitaller in Rhodes

The Knights Hospitallers left their mark on the island of Rhodes to fulfil their double mission: to care for the sick and defend pilgrims and crusaders. Here’s a list of the Hospitaller-related sights on Rhodes.

A bright red train curving atop an arched viaduct, heading for a tunnel in a wall of rock.

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.

People pose on their bikes in front of the La Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona.

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!

Anchored sailboat, sails down, in front of a pink post-sunset sky.

Sailing In Croatia: A comprehensive beginner’s guide

Everything you need to know if you are considering sailing in Croatia for your vacation. Info on where and when, the best route, what to pack, licenses, and more.

A grand cathedral in white with many pillars around and above the entrance.

A sightseer’s guide to the history of Ortigia, Sicily

The history of Ortigia, Sicily is long and varied. Read here what to see on this little islet, the oldest part of Siracusa.

A wide waterfall where the water falls down in a series of steps.

Visiting Krka National Park in Croatia: Travel tips

Krka National Park in Croatia has some of the prettiest waterfalls and lovely hikes. Read lots of tips here!

Looking down a very long hall with gothic arched ceiling and, along one side, what looks like feeding troughs also carved from stone.

Things to do in Figueres: A one-day itinerary

In this complete one-day itinerary, you can read about all the things to do in Figueres, Spain: not just the Dali Theater-Museum!

Looking down a road toward blue sea, trees along the road on either side.

Have you heard of the Saronic Gulf island of Agistri?

The island of Agistri in the Saronic Gulf is near Aegina, but its quieter and greener. Read all about it here, with lots of tips for visitors.

A narrow street with buildings along both sides and lots of potted plants and flowers in front of them, as well as a bougainvillea over the street.

Review of Audley Travel: Luxury bespoke travels

Considering booking Audley Travel to arrange your itinerary? Read this review of my experience with Audley on a tailor-made trip in Greece.

Euphoria Retreat Wellness resort seen from the outside.

Euphoria Retreat Wellness Resort destination spa review

Considering a stay at Euphoria Retreat wellness resort in Mystras, Greece? Read this detailed review before you decide!

A view of Dubrovnik from a hill: red-roofed buildings, a wall around it with a fort on the near side, the blue sea beyond the city.

How to escape the crowds in Dubrovnik, Croatia

No matter how beautiful Dubrovnik is, the crowds can really ruin it for you. Here are some ways to escape the crowds in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

The front of the Patheon has a classical facade with a row of 8 columns holding up a triangular pediment.

Beginner’s guide to the top historic sites in Rome

Historic sites in Rome that any first-time visitor should see: from the ancient Romans to the Baroque and Renaissance.

A float moving through a crowd full of large figures of court jesters with the typical jester hats.

Mardi Gras around the world – and Mardi Gras food!

Mardi Gras around the world has morphed into a range of different pre-Lenten celebrations. Read here about how different countries celebrate!

A stone wall snakes up a steep hill on the right. Some ruined stoned buildings up the hill ahead.

Tips for Hiking to San Giovanni Fortress in Kotor, Montenegro

The climb up to San Giovanni Fortress a.k.a. Kotor Fortress is hard, but definitely worth it for the magnificent views!

A herd of sheep crossing a paved road, and cars waiting for them to go by.

Albania travel tips: Things I wish I’d known before visiting Albania

Don’t go to Albania unprepared, like I did! Read these Albania travel tips, covering everything I wish I’d known before visiting Albania.

A view of the front of El Salvador Chapel in Ubeda, with detailed sculpture on the facade, and a tall tower.

Úbeda and Baeza: An overlooked UNESCO site in Andalucia, Spain

Úbeda and Baeza: two charming towns, one UNESCO site, highlighting some stellar Renaissance architecture mixed with other influences.

In the foreground a rocky bit of shoreline and the blue water lapping at it. In the background, the island, rising straight out of the water, cliffs on the sides, flat on top with a scattering of trees.

Cameo Island, Zakynthos

Cameo Island, Zakynthos, Greece: a beautiful rocky island with crystal-clear water, perfect for snorkeling and seeing the native turtles.

20 interesting facts about the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

A gem of classical Greek architecture, the Acropolis is an absolute must-visit! Read these facts about the Acropolis in Athens before you go!

Celestyal Greek islands cruise review

A review of a Celestyal Crystal cruise in the Greek islands: lots of info about the whole experience, plus advice to help you decide whether it’s for you!

sculpture in the Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres, Spain

Dalí Theatre-Museum: A glimpse into Dalí’s mind

To look at a Salvador Dalí painting is to wonder about the mind that painted it. A visit to the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, Spain, gives visitors a chance to look into that mind. That doesn’t mean, though, that you will understand Dalí’s thinking any more than you did going in. I certainly didn’t. It’s called a…

Ostia Antica: The Perfect Day Trip from Rome

Ostia Antica was an important ancient port city, supplying goods to Rome. Its extensive ruins are a perfect day trip from Rome.

Trip of a Lifetime: Bloggers Pick their Must-See Destinations

For this collaborative post, I asked fellow travel bloggers about their idea of a trip of a lifetime: If a person who’s never traveled far from home asked you to name the one place they should visit on their one-and-only trip ever, what would you say? I got so many different answers! I’ll start with the…

In the background, the Palau de les Arts. In front of that, the IMAX theater. At the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain

The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia (with teenagers)

I caught my first glimpse of Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences last year as we drove by on our way to see the old center of the city. It was astonishing: massive, futuristic architecture contrasted sharply with everything we had seen so far. Note: Updated in April 2023. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links…

Archways provide shade in Monells,, in the Baix Emporda,, Spain

Baix Empordà villages: a photo essay

Baix Empordà, part of the province of Girona in Catalonia, is one of those hidden gems, to use the cliché, that no one seems to know about. Many tourists visit Girona, and many of them venture out to the Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres. Most, though, don’t stay long enough to explore the lovely stone villages…

a street in the old section of Girona, Spain

One Day in Girona (with teenagers)

We only had one day to spend in Girona. That, and the fact that we had three grumpy teens with us, meant that we had to choose what we saw very carefully.

some of the line for the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres. You can see the museum straight ahead and the church on the right.

8 Things to Do While Waiting in Line for the Dalí Museum, Figueres

As I mentioned in my post about the Dalí Theatre-Museum, we were stupid enough not to book tickets ahead of time, forcing us to wait in line in the center of Figueres, Spain. It was the middle of the day in August and, believe me, it was hot in Figueres. We waited about 45 minutes to get to…

Modernism in Alcoi, Spain

It was a hot Sunday morning in August when I walked from the deserted Plaça d’Espanya into the visitor’s information office in downtown Alcoi, Spain. The lone woman at the counter seemed thrilled to have someone to talk to. All I wanted was a map, but she insisted on telling me, in detail, about everything…

one part of Levante beach in Benidorm, Spain

Reconsidering Benidorm

Benidorm is one of those places everyone has an opinion about, and it usually isn’t good. When I asked my husband what he thought of the place, he described it as “an overgrown beach town with high buildings right up to the beach.” It was full, he said, with “loud Dutch and fat, pale, English…

Arolithos “Traditional Cretan Village”

I’ve never seen a hotel quite like Arolithos Traditional Cretan Village before. I only stayed there because I took the gamble that Hotwire offers, and I thought that I’d lost the gamble. I’m still not sure one way or the other. Disclosure: If you click and book a room using a link in this article,…

This view gives an idea of how the Rethymnon fortress walls tower above the sea. The building is the House of the Councillors.

Rethymnon in half a day

The town of Rethymnon on the north coast of Crete is a popular destination for visitors who want to venture away from their all-inclusive resorts for a bit of local color. The narrow streets of its old center wind between rows of narrow houses with balconies, often overflowing with flowers. Shops sell everything from made-in-China…

Arkadi Monastery and its Tragedy

Just a week or so after visiting the Ter Apel cloister, a place of peace and contemplation, I arrived at The Holy Monastery of Arkadi in Crete, a similarly contemplative religious place. Arkadi is Eastern Orthodox, while Ter Apel was Catholic and then Protestant, yet it looked to me as if the monks in both places…