“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” -Norman Vincent Peale Arguably, winter in Europe is not the best time to visit as far as the weather is concerned. But the Old Continent does have something that other countries around the world simply cannot compete with: historical, […]
One of the main reasons why I wanted to take a road-trip along the German Half-Timbered Houses Route was because I wanted to draw attention to this exceptional architectural ensemble that somehow only very few people know about; this 3000-kilometer long route stretches from the North Sea to Lake Constance and contains over 2.5 million half-timbered structures. Yeah. […]
I had only vaguely heard of the Hanseatic League before I got to Stade as part of my itinerary along the German Half-Timbered Houses Route. Indeed, this impossibly quaint city, located in Lower Saxony near the North Sea, was a prominent member of the commercial confederation back in the medieval times. And while it was later on […]
Few European traditions are more iconic than the famous Christmas Markets in Germany— often imitated, but never duplicated. Created in Dresden in the 15th century as a gathering place and local market, the markets served a practical purpose first and foremost: present-shopping for loved ones and family, all while encouraging artisans and their craft. More […]
One of the things I was adamant about my German Christmas markets tour last year was to set foot in a picturesque village — I didn’t really care where it was, just as long as it was historical, photogenic and delightful. I wanted the tourist postcard on a silver plate. I wanted the Disneyland of […]
Make no mistake: touring Berlin Christmas markets is something worthy of any bucket list, not unlike touring the wineries of France or eating tapas in Spain. And while these festive markets can be found all over the country over the month of December, even in the smallest of villages, Berlin truly is the Christmas market […]
Whenever someone thinks of sparkling wine, the Champagne region of France comes to mind. That’s a given. But as it turns out – I strongly dislike champagne. Needless to say that I was less than enthused by the idea of visiting a cellar. This is Germany, I thought, why would I choose to visit a cellar […]
Cheesy, or awfully romantic? I can’t seem to pick a side. These love tokens are spreading throughout Europe like padlocks are going out of style, from Paris Florence and, halfway in between, in Cologne. Regardless of one’s opinion on the matter though, objectively, it’s a pretty freaking impressive sight. 40,000 padlocks in all their technicolor […]
When one thinks of winter in Germany, one of the first things to come to mind is, naturally, the Christmas Markets. What’s not to like? Warm glühwein, delicious guilt-free treats, festive decor and music, and endless shopping possibilities. But coming from a Nordic country myself, I was glad I got to experience Berlin under (and, […]
