For many of us, Karlsruhe is a mostly just a familiar name on a blue Autobahn sign. From Kaiserslautern, we zoom past it heading south to the Alps. From Stuttgart,… Read more
Turin is one of Italy’s best and most unexpected cities. Located at the foot of the Alps and packed with parks and tree-lined boulevards, this isn’t hot, touristy Italy. This… Read more
Passau is one of eastern Bavaria’s best destinations. Located at the confluence of three rivers (including the mighty Danube), the city has history, an amazing castle, brilliant Baroque churches, and… Read more
For a town of only 160,000 people, Salzburg is a cultural star. A UNESCO world heritage city, this Austrian gem offers music, festivals, art, beer, food, history, architecture and so… Read more
Maastricht is special. It’s the oldest city in the Netherlands (settled around 50 BC), yet in many ways feels like the newest. Maastricht is vibrant, historic, creative, international, and easier… Read more
Alive with music, food, drink, culture, parks, and water, Bremen is a brilliant place to visit. It has the vital energy of a Northern German city, but is much easier… Read more
Nestled in southeast Bavaria on the Austrian border, Burghausen is an ideal destination for a long weekend. A small, walkable town, Burghausen features the longest castle in the world and… Read more
Oppenheim is a place of wine and water, a small town on the banks of the Rhine where the circle of life is very much present. It is a place… Read more
Pforzheim embodies so much that is good about Germany. With more than 100,000 people, it’s large enough to offer something for every traveler, and small enough that navigating it doesn’t… Read more
Klagenfurt, Austria – experience gorgeous lakes, spectacular views of forest covered hills and soaring mountains which tower over the cityscape.
Here are five amazing places to visit in such a country so rich in diverse attraction and culture.
Pfalhbau is an interactive and educational museum. It presents archaeologically reconstructed versions of lake dwellings of the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
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
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
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
Conveniently found in the foot of the Alps, Hohenschwangau Castle is undoubtedly one of the best strategically placed castles of all time.
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
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
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
For those seeking an outdoor adventure of a lifetime, here are five of the best outdoor breaks Europe has to offer!
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
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
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
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
“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
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
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 (Constance) is a lively, yet relaxing famous university town offering a wide range of leisure activities for visitors of all ages.
Worms makes an excellent destination for a day trip. It is packed with outstanding architecture, pedestrian zones and green space. It is steeped in history, too. As one of Germany’s… Read more
Marburg is a University town north of Frankfurt, in the Lahn valley. It retains its cobbled streets and the Hessische architecture of the 17-18th century.
Story by Ronnie Juhans Photo by Jens Ottoson / Shutterstock.com You might be asking yourself: Who is crazy enough to go camping in Germany during the winter? After all, nighttime temperatures… Read more
Located in the heart of the Bavarian State, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is one of the must-see destinations whilst based in Germany.
Whether you love winter or simply endure it until spring arrives, one thing is true: getting outside and active is important for your health during the long, dark months. Fortunately,… Read more
To have an incredible experience while stationed in Germany, here are seven New Year’s Resolutions you should definitely keep!
Story and photos by Kat Nickola “Mom, how far do you think it goes?” my daughter asked. “Well, we passed another tunnel entrance up the road around the corner. Maybe… Read more
Story and photos by Kat Nickola “Hippie one line up and wait three two right,” my husband says from the drivers seat. I roll my eyes. Always a pilot. “Cleared… Read more
Story and photos by Kat Nickola So you want to visit Sicily? Of course you do! Roman ruins, crumbling Greek temples, good food, sunny beaches, vibrant cities, boating on the… Read more
The Great Glen Way runs from the edge of Loch Linnhe to the Inverness, cutting a trail through some of the Scottish Highland’s most impressive scenery.
The castle and guard house, which house the Whisky Museum, are landmarks of the town of Kirn.
Take a day trip to the medieval town Ottweiler. Take a stroll down the winding streets, marvel the half-timbered buildings, visit museums, enjoy a nice meal and more.