Nobody does Christmas like the Germans. Perhaps it’s because they came up with the Christmas market idea in the Middle Ages and have had plenty of time to perfect the tradition. The Nuremberg Christmas Market, considered one of the best in Germany, dates back to the early 1600s. There are actually three distinct holiday markets […]
Winter Travel
Two Days in Cologne, Germany
When I visited Cologne for its world-famous Christmas Markets, I was also on the hunt for other fun things to do. Germany’s fourth-largest city did not disappoint. In fact, with its UNESCO-listed Cathedral and over 30 museums, I was rather spoiled for choice. If you are looking to soak up some culture on a city-break […]
A Guide to the Cologne Christmas Market
When I was looking for the best Christmas markets in Germany, Cologne jumped out at me. The city hosts a holiday extravaganza with a whopping seven markets! That’s right, there are SEVEN distinct holiday markets for you to enjoy. If this place doesn’t put you in a festive mood, nothing will. I visited all the […]
Why You Should Visit Lisbon in Winter
A while back, I wrote a blog post called Winter Packing Tips for People Who Hate to Be Cold. In it, I shared the garments I like to wear to protect myself from freezing temperatures and snow. I also mentioned that no place in Europe was particularly warm in winter after having encountered a blizzard […]
Fun Things to Do, See, Eat, and Drink in Porto
Porto, or Oporto, is a city in northern Portugal, where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Porto’s 2000-year-old center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, notable for historic buildings of various architectural styles that showcase continuous growth and prosperity over the centuries. Porto’s prime location near sea trade routes ensured that the city’s port […]