We have been to some eerie places, no question about it. Capela dos Ossos, the Chapel of Bones in Evora, Portugal tops our freakish list. Entering the macabre world of this ossuary, we crossed into the Twilight Zone. And as we did, we thought we had found something unique. Not so. In fact, it’s not …
Our Europe travel articles are segmented into four regions. These are based on the United Nations (UN) Geoscheme. Developed by the UN Statistics Division, the four segments include (countries we have written about are in italics):
- Eastern Europe: Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
- Northern Europe: Aland Islands, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Guernsey, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sark, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden, and United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland).
- Southern Europe: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey*, and Vatican City.
- Western Europe: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, and Switzerland.
*Turkey is included here as we only visited the European section of the country.
Click on your favourite region here, or scroll below for the latest articles from this part of the world:
Enjoy our European-based articles:
Istanbul Must See: 7 Places to Visit in Istanbul Turkey
Energy levels were high as our ship pulled into the port of Istanbul. Exotic, yet familiar, it’s a city filled with an extensive history, intricate architecture, gastronomic delights, and culture. Our Istanbul must see list whittled down to seven key sites, we were ready. Istanbul is a city that deserves more than one day, but …
Scotland Road Trip: Edinburgh to Scottish Highlands
An impromptu Scotland road trip presented fascinating nature, fairytale castles, stunning scenery, and even a bit of Harry Potter magic. Our initial plan took us only to Edinburgh. However, Scotland captivated us and we had to see more. With blue skies and unseasonably delightful 24c (75f) degree temperatures in May, we were lucky. Rather than …
Lourdes, France – A Town of Healing Water and Miracles
Famous for its healing waters and miracles, Lourdes France is remarkable. Spiritual energy breathes through this small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. To date, there have been 70 confirmed miracles at Lourdes since the first apparition appeared to a 14-year-old peasant girl in 1858. Today, the pull of the city is powerful, …
Pyrenees Road Trip: Quaint Towns Lourdes to Béziers
Our impromptu Pyrenees road trip, while exciting in its own right, would have been even better with a bit of planning. We stayed in two major cities and stopped at several charming villages along the way, strolling along riversides, sampling delicious cuisine, and discovering something new. Village after village, the characteristically pleasant French atmosphere leaves …
Things to Do in Carcassonne’s Medieval Fortified City
Despite the intense heat and massive summer crowds, Carcassonne remains one of my favourite French cities. Originally settled over 2500 years ago, it was a significant town in the Roman empire and again in the Middle Ages. Today, it remains the largest fortified city in Europe. The castle was expanded and double-walled ramparts were built …
21 Things to do in La Coruña Spain
La Coruña Spain is located in the northwest corner of Spain, in the Galicia region. A rocky peninsula, it’s a section of the country often skipped by tourists. Actually, this city found us when a family offered us a home exchange. As it turns out, there are plenty of things to do in La Coruna. …
Getting to the Palace of Versailles from Paris
A majestic estate just 25 km outside of Paris, the Palace of Versailles is world renowned for its opulent interior and dramatic gardens. The palace is enhanced in gold extravagance while the gardens are an immaculate example of symmetry and creativity. While it is a popular tourist destination, too many visitors skip it as they …
Obidos Portugal: A Medieval Town with a Padlocked Entrance
Portugal is a treasure trove of small, picturesque medieval towns like Obidos. It’s a charming walled city whose highlights can be seen in just a few hours. At only an hour’s drive from the capital, it is ideal for a day trip from Lisbon. While a day tour from Lisbon to Obidos would have spared …
10 Tips to Avoid Crowds in Paris France
Paris is one of those cities that you either love or hate. Either way, you know you are not in Paris alone. There are masses of people everywhere, and it can feel overwhelming even to those who came for the ambience, romance, and excitement of the city. Visitors who aren’t used to so many people …
Barcelona Day Trips: Dali Museum and 9 Medieval Towns in Catalonia
Famous for its Mediterranean coastal cities, there is also a treasure trove of medieval towns in Catalonia Spain. Driving from one small medieval village to the next, you can choose various combinations to make exciting Barcelona day trips. Each of these small towns in Spain holds something special and unique. Often, it feels as if time …
Saint Bertrand de Comminges: Charming French Village
Perched on a hill at the base of the Pyrenees mountains in southern France, Saint Bertrand de Comminges appears from the ground as a gateway to the heavens. It takes only a few moments after passing through one of the village’s three gates to understand why St Bertrand de Comminges is listed amongst the Les …
Ephesus Library of Celsus: The Best Option from Izmir or Kusadasi
The ruins of Ephesus Turkey are filled with inspiring examples of ancient craftsmanship; however, none compare to the masterpiece that is the Ephesus Library of Celsus. Towering over the ruins, the remaining facade is enough to impress even the most apathetic of travellers. The Greeks constructed portions of the ancient city of Ephesus as early …
Oslo in One Day: Ski Jump, Sculptures, Vikings Ships
Attempting to see the highlights of Oslo in one day, we disembarked our cruise ship in the capital of Norway. This is not the optimal way to see this beautiful city. However, for us, it was our only option as it is the final port of our cruise through the majestic Norwegian Fjords before we …
Pompeii and Naples – Why You Need to Visit Both Cities
Naples is our final cruise port on Italy’s Mediterranean coastline. Like in Pisa/Florence and Rome/Vatican, one day is not enough. We opted for Pompeii and Naples, but that meant giving up the Amalfi Coast. In truth, I have waited a long time to visit Pompeii. Thirty years ago, I toured Europe. Back then, Pompeii closed …
