Travel

Stone Age Dwellings at Pfahlbau Museum

Pfalhbau is an interactive and educational museum. It presents archaeologically reconstructed versions of lake dwellings of the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.

Round, orange and good for the soul: German pumpkin fests

The American love affair with pumpkins is well documented. On the other side of the Atlantic, autumn is the season in which decorative gourds pop to life all across the… Read more

Weimar – cultural capital of the 18th century

Let Weimar’s rich cultural and literary history enchant you during a cozy weekend away in former East Germany. Here’s the thing: I love historical figures. There’s just something about learning what inspired… Read more

16th Apple Week Mössingen

Mössingen host its 9th Annual Apple Fest this Sept. 27 to Oct. 4 which celebrate “all things apple!” Other attractions near are a geopark, a Beguine convent, a war memorial and more.

Bamberg

Neuschwanstein Castle and The King of Kitsch

Corona update: the castles are open, masks are mandatory. Admission only with a guided tour- available in English or German so make sure to plan ahead. I have lived in… Read more

A Mountain of Monkeys!

Check out monkeys perched in trees or “monkey-ing” around and other antics by the primates. Head to France’s La Montagne des Singes (Mountains of Monkeys).

Hohenschwangau Castle

Hohenschwangau Castle opposite Neuschwanstein

Conveniently found in the foot of the Alps, Hohenschwangau Castle is undoubtedly one of the best strategically placed castles of all time.

Easy Dog Tricks

In case you didn’t fall into a YouTube hole of dog trick videos during lockdown like I did, you might be looking for a few fun and easy party tricks… Read more

Barefoot Path in Bad Schwalbach

Bad Schwalbach’s Barefoot Path provides reflexology health for mind, body and soul! Enjoy an invigorating 750 m trail through gardens with various soil textures, natural reflexology massaging, a mud basin, water pool and stream path.

Thanksgiving in Germany

Germany’s answer to thanksgiving: Erntedankfest

Germany has its own Thanksgiving celebration called “Erntedankfest”. In many Germany communities festivities include parades with floats and marching bands.

Can’t-Miss German Day Trips A-Z: Idar-Oberstein

Something about Idar-Oberstein feels almost mythical. During the journey there, shadows and light dance through trees while two-lane roads wind through valleys and forests. When you arrive in the large… Read more

Camping Out at a Welsh Archaeology Dig

by Kat Nickola One warm summer day I found myself in Wales sitting in the dirt by a stone ruin, listening to the sounds of sheep baying and trowels scraping the… Read more

Ride the Hurtigruten for the Best Coastal Scenery in Norway

by Kat Nickola “Wait, how many steps is it to the top?” my daughter asks. “The boat captain said it’s 418,” I reply. “What’s up there?” “I’m not sure. Let’s go… Read more

Follow the German Timber-frame Road — Part 2

Click here for part 1 Celle: Returning to the Timber-Frame Road, to the west of Quedlinburg and south of Stade, is the village of Celle. Celle has the largest collection of… Read more

Follow the German timber-frame road (part 1)

For many a road-tripper, traveling through Germany evokes images of storybook villages surrounded by lush forests, castles perched high on mountaintops, or mysterious Roman or Celtic artifacts in unsuspecting locations…. Read more

The Sweet Taste of Independence

Food is the most essential part of absolutely any party but when it comes to the Fourth of July, there are only three colors that your guests want to see… Read more

Hiking & backpacking in Switzerland

Story by Ronnie Juhans Backpacking during spring and summer breaks is a great way to experience Europe on a budget for many students around the world. Staying at hostels or… Read more

Plovdiv, Bulgaria: Ancient City on the Rise

Always check the country’s travel restrictions before booking and going on vacation. It is rare — and kind of awesome — to be in the presence of something truly ancient… Read more

Warnemünde - Baltic Seaside Resort

Warnemünde – a Resort on the Baltic Sea

Visit Warnemünde, the attractive seaside resort of the Baltic Sea. There are many attractions at this seaside resort that will make your visit a memorable one!

Thassos: Not your typical Greek island

Thassos, a Greek island in the north Aegean Sea, is like something from a dream. It is April, and the sea is warm enough for swimming. We are on Paradise… Read more

The Five Best Outdoor Breaks in Europe

For those seeking an outdoor adventure of a lifetime, here are five of the best outdoor breaks Europe has to offer!

Camp in a Castle

by Kat Nickola “I see it!” my son yells. He adjusts his backpack. It is full, with his sleeping bag, mat, and clothes for the night. “Where?” I ask, hustling along… Read more

Go Back in Time at the Keltenpark in Otzenhausen

by Kat Nickola I’m standing outside a Celtic longhouse watching the Celtic way to make and hold fire. Herr Klaus Zahneisen is a docent at the Keltenpark Otzenhausen. He shows us the special… Read more

Virtual Explorer: Get Away to Greece

Greece is awesome for a lot of reasons. The food is amazing, the people are wonderfully warm, and the weather for most of the year is generally unbeatable. Oh, and… Read more

Taking the Overnight Train to Sweden

by Kat Nickola My family earned some solid Tågskryt over spring break by traveling overland, via train, all the way to Stockholm. Tågskryt is the Swedish word for “train cred” or… Read more

A Provincial Masterpiece

Van Gogh knew it. Monet knew it. Picasso knew it. I know it. Soon, you’ll know it, too: it doesn’t get much more picturesque than Provence in South East France. The… Read more

A Jungle Amidst Concrete

When the spring temperatures finally catch up to your spring spirit, the botanical garden, PalmenGarten, in Frankfurt is a great place to visit.

Exploring the Grim Nuclear Bunkers of Area One

by Kat Nickola Roughly an hour south of Kaiserslautern is a fascinating remnant of the Cold War era. What had been a special weapons depot is now a site preserved in… Read more

Five Things to Do in Freiburg im Breisgau

Making a perfect day trip from Stuttgart, here are five things you can do when visiting the amazing Freiburg im Breisgau in the Black Forest.

Vienna – A cutting-edge place for all seasons

Vienna at Christmas time is indeed cold and not a place where children under maybe 10 years of age are going to last for very long without complaining. Still, it… Read more

Need an Adventure? How About Kili?

“Time to get up,” was the soft but forceful sound my tent mate and I heard at 11:30 p.m. That’s right, 11:30 p.m. That was just six hours after being… Read more

The story behind St. Patrick’s Day

All over the world on the 17th of March every year – impress your friends with a little more knowledge of the historic St Patricks Day.

How the Celts Left Their Mark in Rodenbach

by Kat Nickola “Mom, is that a real body?” My daughter is looking through a long glass window into the side of a coffin-like space. Inside there is a very human-looking… Read more

Winter Ski and Snowboard Destinations

If you are lucky enough to find yourself living in Europe, you should make sure you experience one of its crown jewels, the Alps. Here is a collection of can’t… Read more

A Weekend in Sweden

A weekend in Sweden

Sweden is one of the highlights of northern Europe. The standard of living is among the highest in the world and the scenery some of the most beautiful.

6 Sunny Getaways to Help You Beat the Winter Blues

Betty Williams was definitely onto something when she said: “When all else fails, take a vacation!” With winter still going strong and temps still dropping, it’s only natural to want… Read more

German High School Primer #3 – Getting School Supplies

by Kat Nickola “You got a letter from the school!” I yell. “Wow, mom.” Eyes rolling. My fourteen-year old daughter is less excited than I am. I open it. “Cool. It’s… Read more

German High School Primer #2 – Registration

by Kat Nickola As we walked into the school for the first time last summer, I was more nervous than my daughter. She had taken a year of German language… Read more

Paris: More than just the City of Love

Though traveling in the world today can be a bit nerve-wrecking, here are a few tips from a traveling artisan to experience Paris.

Konstanz- A Calm Lake City

Konstanz (Constance) is a lively, yet relaxing famous university town offering a wide range of leisure activities for visitors of all ages.