Portugal is famous as a winter sun destination with (relatively) warm weather–but what’s visiting Portugal in winter actually like? Here’s a hint: you’ll need to pack a coat… but you’ll also be able to spend sunny days on the beach! We spent more than a year living in Lisbon as American ex-pats, and winter is …
Some cities are just so relaxing, and so downright enjoyable, that visiting always puts a smile on your face–and after spending one day in Munich, we hope you’ll agree that the capital of Bavaria is one of them! Munich always brings to mind the word livable for us: while the sightseeing is excellent, it’s the …
I’ll be perfectly honest: even as extremely experienced travelers who have spent years bouncing around Europe, we were a bit nervous about booking a Barcelona to Rome ferry with Grimaldi Lines. Why? Probably the same reason that you found this blog post: the generally abysmal online reviews for Grimaldi Lines, complete with a 1.5-star rating …
Celebrating Christmas in Bavaria, Germany is easily one of the most festive things to do in December–and this guide will show you exactly how! From what to expect at Germany’s world-famous Christmas markets to how to design your itinerary to how to get around, we’ve put together this guide to visiting Bavaria in December to …
Tempted by the cultural charm and natural beauty of the Iberian Peninsula and hoping to plan the perfect 2 week Spain and Portugal itinerary? If so, we’ve designed this itinerary for Portugal and Spain for you! Tucked away in the southwest corner of Europe, planning a combined trip to Spain and Portugal over 2 weeks …
Hoping to take a day trip to Lake Como from Milan, but find yourself overwhelmed by all the options? From the dozens of possible towns and villas to visit to deciding whether or not you want to book a day tour to Lake Como, planning the perfect Lake Como day trip can be a bit …
A legendary food scene, a gently rolling countryside, surprising cities, world-class art that you may not have heard of, and a distinct lack of crowds: these are just a few things waiting to be discovered as part of a 7 day Emilia-Romagna itinerary! Sandwiched between many of the most popular places to visit in Italy …
If your idea for the perfect European getaway is combining a city break with a beach vacation, then these gorgeous beach cities in Europe are for you! While we love traditional beach towns as much as the next travelers (here are some of the best ones in Italy, Spain, and Portugal), there’s something especially delightful …
Traveling to Paris for the first time and want to make sure you’re planning the perfect trip? After about 10 trips to Paris (and counting!) we have plenty of tips to offer on planning a trip to Paris for the first time. We count the City of Lights among our favorite cities on the planet, …
Winding cobblestone lanes, artistic haunts, endless cafes, and historic cabarets, all topped off with a basilica that stands proudly on the highest hill in Paris: Montmartre has long captured the hearts of travelers, and with so many wonderful things to do in Montmartre, it’s not hard to see why! Once the home of artists like …
If you’re dreaming of enjoying early mornings among ancient monuments, afternoons by the sparkling sea, and evenings exploring on foot with (yet another) scoop of gelato in hand, it’s safe to say that this guide to spending the summer in Italy is for you! A quick glance at the map is enough to see why …
With incredible access to outdoor adventure, excellent food, a delightful array of breweries, and interesting history, the best mountain towns in Colorado make for incredible vacations. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Colorado enough times to have lost count, visiting cities, small towns, countless hiking trails, and each of the Centennial State’s 4 national parks …
When it comes to enjoying the best of Tuscany, spring has so much to offer. From wildflowers to reduced crowds to the spring harvest, visiting Tuscany in spring is a magnificent experience–and one that we’ve been lucky enough to enjoy many times over! We’ve visited Tuscany repeatedly during March, April, and May, and while it’s …
When it comes to exploring our backyard, there’s no kind of trip that Americans hold nearer and dearer to our hearts than the delights of summer vacations in the USA. There’s an exhilarating freedom that comes with hitting the open road in the US in June, July, and August, no matter how many years it …
From admiring the Eiffel Tower to exploring world-class art in the Louvre to buying your first croissant in a true Parisian boulangerie, there are countless wonderful things to be excited about when planning a trip to Paris–and that includes shopping for the best Paris souvenirs! The City of Light is synonymous with fashion, art, and …
The laid-back city of Parma, Italy may be most famous for its cheese and ham (hello, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma!), but that only scratches the surface of the fun things to do in Parma that make this city so special. Set along extremely convenient train routes in Emilia-Romagna, you’ll find Parma about 60 miles/100 …
Planning an overseas trip soon and curious about finding and using toilets in Europe? If you’ve been researching for a trip, odds are that you’ve heard plenty of rumors about European toilets, especially that you have to pay to use them! If you’re hoping to separate rumor from fact when planning your first trip to …
If you’re planning your first trip to Spain and are hoping to sample a variety of what makes this sun-drenched country special, we designed this 10 day Spain itinerary for you! Spain has had a special place in our hearts ever since we landed in Madrid for the first time when kicking off our supposed …
One of the most stunning feats of architecture in the world, Granada’s famous Alhambra is not only a beautiful place, but a window into Spain’s distant past. Not merely a single building but a complex of palaces, gardens, views, and of course a fortress, the Alhambra was the last stronghold of Al-Andalus, the Islamic society …
Looking for the best beach towns in Portugal for your next trip? If so, you’re spoiled for choice! Situated in the southwestern corner of mainland Europe, there are charming seaside towns in Portugal for every kind of traveler. Whether you’re looking for a bustling town center, a quiet place to get away from it all, …
Warm beaches, snowy mountains, bustling cities, quaint small towns: one of the best (and most difficult) things about planning winter vacations in the USA is that we simply have so many to choose from! With just about every climate, topography, and activity imaginable available somewhere in the USA in winter, narrowing down where to go …
Wood chalets, sparkling lights, soaring Christmas trees, the smell of sugar and glühwein in the air: yes, Christmas markets are magical–but you may be curious about exactly what to buy at Christmas markets in Europe! We’ve received emails and comments from several readers this year asking what to put on their Christmas market shopping list, …
As one of the most picturesque towns on Lake Como (which is truly saying something), the best things to do in Bellagio, Italy, run heavily toward activities that help you appreciate the beauty of the lake itself. Situated at the foot of the Alps, a short journey away from either Milan or Switzerland, Lake Como …
Colorful, vibrant, diverse, delicious, and surprising: after working your way through this 10 days in Portugal itinerary, those are just a few adjectives that you may find yourself trying–and failing–to sum up this gorgeous country with. Despite its small size and somewhat isolated position in the far southwestern corner of Europe, the sheer variety of …
Of all the regions of the USA, there’s a good chance that (for non-locals) the Midwest is the most surprising–and that alone is an excellent reason to plan a Midwest road trip! Packed with diverse national and state parks, incredible beaches (yes, beaches!), interesting cities, a seemingly endless array of quaint lighthouses and charming small …
With its delightful maze of whitewashed streets, the stunning views from its castle walls, and the town’s exciting collection of festivals, it’s safe to say that the best things to do in Óbidos, Portugal are bound to delight. Tiny but mighty, Óbidos is one of our favorite small towns to visit in Portugal, packing a …
From the whitewashed beach towns in Spain’s famous Andalucia region to hidden gems in Galicia, and from the breathtaking coastal towns on Spain’s Balearic Islands to the equally phenomenal Canary Islands, there’s no doubt that the many, many beach towns in Spain are among the most popular coastal escapes in Europe. Rounding up each and …
There is something downright magical about celebrating Christmas in Europe. From the fragrant smell of the mulled wine wafting through the Christmas markets to the regional, seasonal treats that vary in each country, to the joy of watching a snow-covered landscape zip by out the window on a cozy train ride, there is so much …
With its fairytale architecture, cozy cuisine, and beautiful Christmas markets, a Bruges winter trip is bound to delight! In fact, Bruges (or Brugge) is our favorite place to visit in Belgium during the winter, and–despite the inevitably cold and gray weather–it’s arguably more fun to visit Bruges in winter than in summer. From the festive …
There is absolutely nothing like traveling to Europe for the first time–and we want to help make your experience as magical as possible! It has been more than a decade since our very first trip to Europe, and I still remember it like it was yesterday. The thrill of the plane touching down in Paris, …