INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS
Our favourite stop along Germany’s “Romantic Road” was Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Historic, enchanting and unchanged throughout the centuries, Rothenburg just might be the most beautiful medieval town in Germany. We were so charmed during our one day in Rothenburg ob der Tauber that we wish we had stayed longer. To help you make the...
Europe at night is absolutely stunning! All of the important buildings and monuments are illuminated, creating a romantic feel to whichever city you happen to be in. I thought some cities, like Budapest, were actually more beautiful at night when everything was lit up so prominently. Taking night pictures quickly became my favourite thing to...
Fisherman’s Bastion was my favourite place on Castle Hill in Budapest. It’s a unique looking structure built in neo-gothic and neo-romanesque styles, different from anything else you will see in the city. Fisherman’s Bastion was erected behind Matthias Church, on the spot where a guild of fishermen defended the city from invasion during the Middle...
The Eiffel Tower has long been an icon of Paris and one of the first things that come to mind when people think of the city (even France). I can’t imagine making a trip to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower! You might think that the Eiffel Tower’s popularity makes it a “touristy” attraction,...
One of my favourite archaeological sites in Italy is the Roman port town of Ostia Antica. You may not have even heard of it because it’s often overlooked by visitors to Rome, as evidenced by the lack of crowds. I know Rome has so much to see, but Ancient Ostia is only 45 minutes out...
The Ponte Vecchio, or “old bridge”, is a highlight of any visit to Florence. The medieval bridge spans the Arno River at its narrowest point but is so much more than just a river crossing. The Ponte Vecchio has always been a place where merchants could display and sell their goods. Butchers first occupied the...
Ah… romantic Paris. The “City of Love,” the “City of Light.” Paris has captivated me since my first trip to Europe in the eleventh grade. It was the city that sparked my passion for travel. Paris was my first love. And just like first loves do, Paris always lingered in my heart, even long after...
It wasn’t until I saw the 2008 Colin Farrell movie “In Bruges”, a black comedy about two Irish hitmen in hiding, that I became aware of this Belgian town. I went from first hearing about it, to being absolutely in love with it, in only 107 minutes. As I left the theatre, I knew I...
“This place is so strange.” “This city is bizzare.” “Now, that’s just weird.” Those are all statements I made over and over again as we wandered around Brussels, Belgium’s quirky capital city. Brussels is probably the most unique place we visited on our five week trip to Europe. The city gives off an eccentric vibe...
Neuschwanstein Castle is the theatrical creation of King Ludwig II, also known as “mad” Ludwig. He ordered it to be built in 1869 on a craggy hill in Hohenschwangau, Germany, using his own personal fortune to pay for the project. Unfortunately, King Ludwig died mysteriously at Lake Starnberg in 1886 before the castle’s completion. Neuschwanstein...
A lot of cities nowadays offer tourist cards, a card you purchase that gives you discounts to popular attractions, activities, and even transportation. We’ve bought these cards in a few places- some are great and have saved us a lot of money, while others have not been such a good deal. For our trip to...
When Mike and I arrived in Vienna, we were three weeks into our five week European vacation. We’d had long days of admiring the intricate architecture of churches and fine furnishings of the most luxurious palaces. We’d wandered through a few museums (which aren’t really our thing) and strolled around many beautiful gardens. When we...
The Wurzburg Residence is one of the largest and most magnificent Baroque palaces in Germany. It was built between 1720-1744 under the patronage of the Prince-Bishops of Schonborn. The interior is impressive, although somewhat kitschy by today’s standards, and has been restored since being heavily damaged in World War II. As usual, when visiting a...
When Mike and I were planning our 4 day trip to Paris, some relatives recommended that we go visit Sainte-Chapelle, a tiny church in the centre of Ile de la Cite. Now, churches in Europe are a dime a dozen. They are everywhere! I enjoy visiting them at a start of a trip but after a...
When I was in high school, my favourite subject was Social Studies. I loved learning about history and one of my favourite units was the French Revolution. I remember learning about the economic crisis, the execution of King Louis XVI in Place de la Concorde, and the subsequent Reign of Terror in which tens of...
On a small island in the Seine river, you will find the world famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, its towers reaching up to Heaven from the heart of Paris. It’s a cathedral that should be included in every Paris itinerary, especially if it’s your first trip to Paris. I have visited Notre-Dame three times now and still feel like...
Paris’ soul is on a small island in the Seine. The Île de la Cité is where Paris was born- a modest settlement called Lutetia, established by the Parisi Gauls, that expanded over 2,000 years to become one of the world’s most beloved cities. Paris’ oldest bridge, the pont Neuf, links the mainland to Île...
Flipping through a brochure offering excursions from Prague, I came to a listing for the UNESCO Heritage Site, Kutna Hora. “Silver mining town…former Royal Mint…15th century stone fountain…” Sounds alright, but I wasn’t sold yet. Reading on further I came to this: “You also will visit one of the most interesting burial grounds in the world-...
No trip to Bavaria is complete without a visit to Alpsee Lake. Just four kilometres southeast of Füssen, Alpsee Lake sits nestled between wooded mountain slopes, in an area so beautiful that Bavarian kings chose to build their romantic castles here. A boat ride on the lake offers splendid views of Neuschwanstein and Hohenshwangau castles,...
For our honeymoon, Mike and I decided to spend five weeks in Europe. We travelled to six different countries experiencing everything from small lakeside villages in the mountains, to one of the world’s most popular festivals. I’ll admit it, I planned a very ambitious (and detailed) itinerary for our five weeks in Europe. I left...
We are Rhonda and Mike, a Canadian couple who make it a priority to travel every chance we get!
We describe our travel style as "laid back luxe" and enjoy a mix of outdoor adventures and historic sites.
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