I’m someone with a bit of a obsessive with finding photo locations. My husband lived in Turin and when visiting Turin, I had often seen photos of the Mole with a stunning scene of mountains behind the Mole. This article discusses Monte dei Capuccini, the church on top of Monte dei Cappuccini, how to get…
Europe
Texel: Perfect Couple Weekend Trip from Amsterdam
I didn’t hear of Texel until I moved to the Netherlands. This beautiful island in the North of the Netherlands (about 3.5 hours from Amsterdam) is a well-kept secret among Dutchies who spend their vacations sunbathing on its clean beaches, swimming into the Wadden Sea, biking along its heather-filled dunes, visiting its seal sanctuary for injured…
A Political Geek’s Guide to International Institutions of the Hague
As a self-professed political geek who did Model United Nations in high school, the Hague holds a lot of gems for political geeks in terms of international institutions (including the International Criminal Court) and Dutch political institutions. Similarly, for movie geeks, this will show you some of the highlights of the filming locations used for…
One perfect day in Monschau, a fairytale town near Cologne
I had always seen photos of fairytale towns in storybooks as a child, so when I stumbled upon a photo of Monschau, I knew that I had to visit it. On my recent road trip through Luxembourg and Germany, we spent a day and a night in Monschau, which is fairly close to Cologne. This…
What to know before attending Graspop Metal Meeting
Once a year, thousands of metalheads descend on a sleepy Flemish hamlet to attend one of Europe’s largest and most famous metal festivals, the Graspop Metal Meeting. For four days, the whole area thunders as the countryside is given over to hundreds of tents serving beer, merchandise, and entertainment. Fans from all over the world…
Alkmaar Cheese Market: What to know before your first visit
Despite living in Holland for a few years, I had somehow never visited the Alkmaar Cheese Market before this week. The Alkmaar Cheese Market is one of the most well-known cheese markets in Holland as it is an easy day trip from Amsterdam. It is the perfect place to experience the pomp and circumstance (as…
De Burcht (Leiden Castle): A free and historic park worth visiting
One of my favorite places to read in Leiden or relax in Leiden is the De Burcht. This castle turned fortress in Leiden has a fascinating history. Today, it’s free to visit this stunning park in Leiden. I’ll include some tips for visiting De Burcht and a bit of de Burcht history!
Why you must visit Grand Place in Brussels
The Grand Place or the Groot Markt is one of the stunning iconic landmarks of Europe. It is located in the heart of Brussels in Belgium and is considered one of the most important squares in the country. Read why you should visit Grand Place, about the history of Grand Place, and the highlights of…
Why you need to skip Melk Abbey in favor of St. Florian Monastery
Stift Sankt Florian (St. Florian Monastery) is a stunning monastery located in the town of Sankt Florian. This stunning monastery was first founded in the 9th century and it is the largest monastery in Upper Austria. Although most people head to Melk Abbey for baroque architecture and frescos, St. Florian is a less crowded alternative…
How to buy Westvleteren 12 beer, the best beer in the world at the source, at the Westvleteren brewery
Dreaming of drinking the best beer in the world, Westvleteren 12? The only legal way to buy Westvleteren beer is at the abbey itself. Keep reading for information about the Westvleteren trappist beers, how to buy Westveleteren beer legally, and what it’s like going to the Westvleteren Brewery.