When I first started planning my trip to Warsaw, Poland, I figured my time would be spent marveling at the restored medieval center and delving into the city’s extremely troubled WWII history. Little did I know that the best attractions in Warsaw would be ornately decorated palaces! While Warsaw Royal Castle was rebuilt from the […]
Essential Poland: Warsaw, Krakow, and Auschwitz
Poland is a nation of incredible beauty and terrible tragedy. Rarely have I felt so many conflicting emotions in one destination. But to travel there and overlook the past is impossible. As a Polish friend told me, everyone she knows has been affected in some way by war and occupation, whether through the loss of […]
Why You Need to Visit Lisbon in Winter
Winter sun in Europe can be as elusive as a unicorn. Even destinations you might expect to stay warm, like the Amalfi Coast and Istanbul, can be blanketed in fog or even snow. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I traveled to Lisbon in December, but I needn’t have worried. Thanks to the city’s […]
12 Unique and Fun Things to Do in Porto
Porto is the second larges city in Portugal after Lisbon, and located on the opposite end of the coast. This important commercial center is mostly known for its port wine, but has plenty more to offer whether you plan to imbibe or not. From whimsical botanical gardens and bookstores to azulejo-covered churches and jaw-dropping views, […]
Rovinj and Porec: Gems of Croatia’s Istrian Coast
Rovinj, Croatia is one of those stunning places you see on postcards and wonder if the reality will live up to the image. The old town is crammed onto a small peninsula, which juts off northern Croatia’s Istrian coast. A spindly bell tower reaches skyward from atop the peninsula’s central hill. Concentric circles of tall […]