Munich is the capital of Bavaria, the second largest state in Germany. Until 1918, Bavaria was an independent kingdom ruled by the House of Wittelsbach. These dukes and kings were very wealthy and it shows in their former residences and art collections. Locals remain proud of their regional heritage, so much so that signs at […]
Winter Travel
A Guide to the Magical Nuremberg Christmas Market
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 […]
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 […]