Experiencing slow travel with UnTours: A review
Considering an UnTour? Read this review of the unique UnTours formula for slow travel – in this case in Switzerland.
Western Europe
The 8 best Hamburg Christmas Markets (+ 11 more!) for 2023
Tips for visiting the best Christmas markets in Hamburg, Germany, plus a listing of all the rest: 19 in all!
Fraeylemaborg castle in Slochteren, The Netherlands
Fraeylemaborg, a charming historical estate house and garden in the northern Netherlands, is well worth the visit both for the period interior and the lush gardens.
Is Brussels in Belgium safe to visit in 2023?
Considering a visit to Brussels? Here’s the lowdown on safety in this beautiful and historic city, with plenty of tips to keep yourself safe.
Star-shaped Bourtange Fortress in the Netherlands
If you visit the east of the Netherlands, don’t miss Bourtange, a charming village inside a star-shaped fortress.
The secret traboules of Lyon: A complete guide
A guide to the traboules of Lyon, France – secret passageways with a centuries-old history – and how to find the 5 best of them.
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.
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!
Off the beaten path in Paris
You’ve done the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and other typical sights. What now? Here are some unusual things to do off the beaten path in Paris!
Groningen walking tour
A Groningen walking tour to introduce you to this young, dynamic and hip city with a world-class university and plenty of history to discover.
Rhine Valley castles near Bacharach, Germany
Charming Bacharach Germany is the perfect home base to visit the Rhine Valley castles of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO site.
Traveling Iceland by campervan
All sorts of great advice about traveling Iceland by campervan in a guest post written by Chrystalyn Rose.
Trier Roman ruins: Germany’s Roman capital
The Trier Roman ruins in Germany make up a single UNESCO World Heritage site. Check out the Porta Nigra, which is remarkably well-preserved.
Things to do in Baden-Baden, Germany
Plenty of pleasant things to do in Baden-Baden, Germany. Stroll the historic thermal town, soak in a spa, visit a museum, or see breathtaking views over the Black Forest.
23 fun facts about Wiesbaden, Germany
Here are some fun facts about Wiesbaden, Germany, a historic thermal town. Not as as famous as Baden-Baden, but it’s got plenty to offer.
Top 10 must-see places in the Netherlands
Top 10 must-see places in the Netherlands for you to take your travel to the next level: some very well-known sights, some less so!
Thermal spa town Bad Ems, Germany
The core of Bad Ems, Germany is essentially unchanged since its days as a thermal spa destination for the elite of Europe.
The Beyeler Museum in Basel, Switzerland: A must-see
The Beyeler Museum (Fondation Beyeler) in Basel, Switzerland, rivals MoMA in the sheer excellence of the modern art it owns, despite its small collection. Read more here!
Basel, Switzerland: A delightful and surprising trip to see the Basel sights
Basel, Switzerland is a delightfully surprising city, with a charming old town and a certain quirkiness lurking around every corner!
Things to do in Freiburg in one day
Freiburg, Germany, is a lovely little city with narrow cobbled streets, charming architecture, and a gorgeous cathedral. Read here about all the things to see and do in Freiburg in 1 day.
What to see in Frankfurt in 1-2 days
You’ll only have a short time in Frankfurt? This article will help you decide what to see in Frankfurt in 1-2 days: must-sees and lots more options and ideas so you can make the best of a short city trip!
Taking the waters at European hot springs
In the 19th century, European hot springs became gathering places for the rich and titled, and the historic thermal towns that grew around them still exist today. Read about them here!
Two Boat Bike Tours, compared
On Boat Bike Tours, the boat serves as a floating hotel while guests go cycling. Read this review of their Northern route trip and a comparison of their standard vs. premium ships, plus some tips!
The Liberation Route Europe: WWII battlefields and more
If World War II interests you, the Liberation Route Europe is something you could easily build a European vacation around. It traces how the Allies advanced through Europe to retake it from the Germans. Click on any of the 10 countries listed on the Liberation Route’s website and you’ll find dozens of sites marked. The…
Nuremberg Documentation Center
Note: This is a guest post by LeAnna Brown. There are so many things to do in Nuremberg, whether it be visiting the famous Christkind Weihnachtsmarkt, or just walking the Altstadt, which is why it is one of our favorite day trips from Munich. There are also some great day trips you can take from Nuremburg….
Heeswijk Castle near Den Bosch
I’ve written about two contrasting castles in the Netherlands before: Muiderslot and Castle de Haar. Muiderslot is the archetypal medieval castle: square with towers in each corner and crenellated walls between them. Castle de Haar, on the other hand, is far more ornate. Meant to look medieval, only more so, it was actually built in…
Aviodrome Lelystad, an aviation museum
For a fearful flyer like me, airplanes hold a certain fascination. It can seem an absolute miracle that something so big and heavy can actually get off the ground. And then, of course, there are flying enthusiasts. Those fortunate people actually enjoy their time aloft, taking pictures out the window or just dropping off to…
What to do in Den Bosch, a.k.a. ’s-Hertogenbosch
Our first bit of travel, as the pandemic seemed to subside here in the Netherlands, was a simple weekend away in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, generally referred to as Den Bosch. It’s only a few hours from home, and I had to be near there for a couple of days to lead a workshop anyway. My husband and…
Kinderdijk or Zaanse Schans?
You’re visiting Holland, so of course, you want to see windmills. While windmills dot the countryside all over the Netherlands, Kinderdijk and Zaanse Schans are two popular places for viewing windmills and seeing inside them. I wrote about a visit to Zaanse Schans a couple of years ago. North of Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans has a…
UNESCO Sites in Switzerland
The following is a guest post written by Anna Timbrook. All around the world, UNESCO promotes peace through conserving and protecting monuments, museums, and places of interest in history, science, nature, and the arts. The culture and natural beauty of Switzerland are recognized at a variety of sites from old castles to vineyards, and of…
29 things to do in Drenthe province
If you’re not from around here, you’ve probably never heard of Drenthe, a province in the east of the Netherlands. When I decided to make a list of things to do in Drenthe, I was surprised at how many there are. Some are a bit odd or obscure, but those are the places I like…
40 things to do in Groningen province
Tourists to the Netherlands visit, for the most part, Amsterdam. They might take a side trip to Keukenhof (tulips galore) or Zaanse Schans (windmills in picturesque quantity) or the Hague. I live on the other side of the country, in a province called Groningen, whose biggest city (about 200,000 people) is also called Groningen. That means…