Europe
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Day Trip from Rotterdam: Discovering the Kinderdijk Windmill Village
Kinderdijk is a village just up the river from Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. While staying in Rotterdam, I took a day to travel to Kinderdijk and explore this iconic windmill village. The majority of Netherlands is actually below sea level and the Dutch have been successfully managing water for centuries. You can learn about the Dutch water management systems and take in the beautiful windmills of Kinderdijk! You can walk or bike around Kinderdijk for free, which a lot of local families do on a nice day. There is a path along the water with windmills on either side. Even on a cloudy day,…
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Beer Gardens, Churches, and Pretzels: Highlights of Munich, Germany
While visiting Germany with my friend, we planned a brief trip to Munich and we had an absolute blast! Munich (München) was founded by Henry the Lion in 1158 and is the capital of Bavaria. Most people think of Oktoberfest when they think of Munich – however, it’s a charming city worth visiting any time of year! Here are my highlights for first time visitors to Munich: Marienplatz Marienplatz, or Mary’s Square, is the main square in Munich and one of the first things I picture when I think of the city! Both the new town hall (Neues Rathaus) and the old town hall (Altes Rathaus) are situated in the…
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Top 5 Best Cityscape Views of Paris, France
One of my favorite parts of visiting a city is to find that picture perfect view from a higher perspective. Paris offers several different stunning cityscape views – from the Eiffel Tower itself to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre. Below are my top 5 favorite views of Paris, with a little bonus pick. 🙂 View from Eiffel Tower One of the most well-known attractions in Paris is, of course, the Eiffel Tower! This is the tallest structure in Paris (324 meters) – and actually the tallest building in all of Île-de-France. You can climb the 674 steps up to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower or take an elevator. I…
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What To Do in Strasbourg, France: From Canals to Cathedrals
Strasbourg is a charming town known for its timber-framed buildings and canals. Strasbourg sits on the German-Franco border, within the Alsace Region of France. The city has a complex history, changing between German and French rule over several centuries. As a result, Strasbourg offers a unique blend of both cultures. I have visited Strasbourg several times, and it never gets old! It’s a more laid back city, perfect for strolling along the canals and just enjoying the beautiful architecture. Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg The Notre Dame cathedral in Strasbourg is considered to be one of the best examples of Rayonnant Gothic architecture. It’s very striking and incredibly detailed. The…
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Germany Off the Beaten Path: Schwäbisch Gmünd
A thirty minute trainride from Stuttgart in Southern Germany is the small town of Schwäbisch Gmünd. Though a much lesser known destination for tourists, the town is well worth visiting for its architecture, charming alleyways, and historic town center. My friend’s Opa lives in this charming town and we visited for a few weeks in 2014. I really enjoyed exploring the city and the surrounding attractions. Cities like Schwäbisch Gmünd that are more off the beaten path offer an unexpected cultural experience. Below are my highlights of Schwäbisch Gmünd. Historischer Marktplatz Historischer Marktplatz, or the Old Marketplace, has beautiful well-preserved buildings. Marktplatz is a great place for people watching and…
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A Day in Heidelberg, Germany
Heidelberg is a charming university town in Baden-Württemberg, in southwestern Germany. This picturesque city is somewhat of a hidden gem, with a more small-town feel. Heidelberg is an easy day trip from Stuttgart or Frankfurt. Here are my highlights of Heidelberg, that all fit into one afternoon! Heidelberg is home to Heidelberg University, founded in the 14th century, as well as European Molecular Biology Laboratory and other research facilities. Old Bridge Theodore Heuss Brücke, commonly called Old Bridge, is an 18th century bridge crossing the Neckar River. This bridge offers beautiful views of the river and the Palace above. The bridge is iconic of Heidelberg, often featured in pictures depicting…
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Day Trip from Dublin: Malahide Castle and Howth
When I spent a weekend in Dublin, I wanted to take a day trip but wasn’t sure where or how I would go. I visited the tourism office and browsed the available tours. There was a Sunday afternoon tour to visit Malahide Castle and Gardens and the nearby village Howth! Both are not far from Dublin and can easily be visited in an afternoon. Malahide Castle and Gardens The tour began at Malahide Castle and Gardens. The medieval castle was gifted to Richard Talbot by King Henry II in 1185. The castle remained in the Talbot Family until 1975 when it was sold to the State. The Castle is only…
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When in Rome: Can’t Miss Sites
Rome is a quintessential tourist destination. The capital of Italy, this city is home to so many iconic places! From the Colosseum to the Spanish Steps, there are so many things to do and see! Rome wasn’t built in a day. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it certainly cannot be toured in only one day either!! Below are some of the can’t miss sites in this stunning city: Piazza del Popolo Piazza del Popolo, or the People’s Square, sits just beside Villa Borghese. This square is super lively with performers and tourists. The piazza was a place for public executions until 1826! You can climb the hill at…
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Lille at Christmas: Visiting the Marché de Noël de Lille
Every year, Lille hosts a Christmas Market complete with a giant ferris wheel! From the end of November until New Year’s you can enjoy Christmas lights and decorations throughout the city. Marché de Noël de Lille is the largest Christmas market in Northern France! Apparently this tradition is centuries old. Grand Place A 164ft Ferris Wheel stands in Grand Place during the holiday season, in addition to a Christmas Tree and other decorations. Riding the Ferris Wheel is absolute must – the views from the top are unreal! Definitely wrap up if you’re going to ride the Ferris Wheel because it can be quite windy up there! I rode the…
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Holiday Magic in Paris: Experiencing the City of Lights at Christmas
I recently posted about Paris in the fall. However, Paris is especially magical at Christmas-time. By mid-November, Paris is completely decked out for the holidays. The city is covered in lights and decorations, everywhere you go! There is a ton to do in the City of Light near the holidays. Here are some of my favorites: Galeries Lafayette As if Galeries Lafayettes wasn’t already stunning enough, every year it has a new Christmas Tree design. The year I spent Christmas in Paris, the tree was made out of recycled paper! The interactive window displays were all made with the recycled materials theme. The tree was very intricate, with polar bears…
