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 […]
Winter Travel
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 […]
Basking in the Golden Warmth of 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 […]
Celebrating Christmas in Taipei, Taiwan
I have a little secret to share: While I continue to report on locales across Latvia and Europe, for the past few months those dispatches have been sent from the tropical island of Taiwan. Technology is amazing, no? Although I missed Riga terribly at first, Taipei has charmed me with its fascinating mix of cultures […]