Preparing for a flight: A very complete guide
A detailed guide to preparing for a flight: before you book, booking your flight, what to do once you’ve booked and in the days leading up to your flight.
Western Europe
Moselle River cruise with VIVA Cruises: A review
A thorough description and review of a Moselle river cruise with Viva Cruises: the ship, the cabin, the food and drink, the itinerary, etc.
Ameland tips: A complete guide to this Dutch island
Ameland, an island off the coast of the Netherlands, has lots of things to see and do for a day or aweek. Read lots of Ameland tips here!
Things to do at Schiphol Airport Amsterdam
Flying out of Schiphol? Read here all the steps to make your departure easy, and lots of ideas for things to do at Schiphol Airport while you wait for your flight.
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.
The 8 best Hamburg Christmas Markets (+13 more!) for 2024
Tips for visiting the best Christmas markets in Hamburg, Germany, plus a listing of all the rest: 20 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 2024?
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
The Liberation Route Europe, its WWII battlefields and museums: it’s important to stop and acknowledge the world-changing events of WWII.
Nuremberg Documentation Center
Click to read about Nuremberg Documentation Center, one of the best museums on World War II in Germany, home of Hitler’s Nazi party rally grounds.
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…