How to Visit Mont Saint Michel, France

Posted by Jenny+ on Jan 24, 2020 | 0 comments

Set against the sprawling bay where Brittany and Normandy meet, Mont Saint Michel is easily one of France’s most spectacular sights. In fact, the surrounding terrain is so flat for miles around that when you first spot the castle-like fortification from a distance, it seems almost like a gravity-defying mirage.

Perched high on a rocky islet, this tidal island is crowned by a Benedictine abbey erected in 708 at the bidding of Archangel Michael. Because of its strategic position, battlements and fortifications were added in the fourteenth century. During the Hundred Years War, monks defended the abbey so effectively it was dubbed, “the Impregnable Fortress.”

The Best of Croatia in 7 Perfect Days

Posted by Jenny+ on Jan 16, 2020 | 0 comments

Let’s face it, Croatia is just one of those incredible destinations that leaves travelers wanting more after their first visit. If you’ve visited, you know.

I have visited Croatia twice before, but both trips were primarily limited to Dubrovnik. I knew there was so much more to see. To be totally honest, it was probably the spectacular Adriatic vistas showcased in Bravo’s “Below Deck” a few seasons ago that had me dreaming of a trip back to Croatia’s sunny shores.

My husband, Dave, also had Croatia high on his must-see list. And thanks to our current home base near Munich, Germany, all of Europe is practically on our doorstep these days. So there seemed no better time to dive into a more in-depth exploration of the best that Croatia has to offer.

Our plan was to start our 7-day trip in the northern part of the country and work our way south to Dubrovnik, hitting as many Croatian highlights as we could squeeze in along the way.  

Germany’s Best Christmas Markets – Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

Posted by Jenny+ on Dec 8, 2019 | 0 comments

The holiday season is upon us and a crisp chill is in the air, which can mean only one thing here in Germany…it’s Christmas Market season!

While there are hundreds of Christmas markets taking place in European cities large and small this month, there’s no better place to get the true holiday market experience than at one of Germany’s best Christmas markets. And with a 400-year history, Bavaria’s 2nd largest city of Nuremberg hosts one of the best on the continent.

Lovely Lindau Island, Germany

Posted by Jenny+ on Aug 8, 2019 | Comments Off on Lovely Lindau Island, Germany

Located on the shores of the picturesque Bodensee, (Lake Constance to English speakers), Lindau Island, Germany is a glimmering lakeside jewel overlooking the Alps. Its historic city center is resplendent with medieval buildings and half-timbered houses and situated on its own island connected to the rest of the city by a bridge.

We arrived by car on Lindau Island just as the sun was beginning its early descent on an unseasonably warm late February day. The sun-splashed terraces along the lake overflowed with locals enjoying an early taste of spring warmth while sipping an evening cocktail.

I was instantly smitten with the Venetian-inspired architecture along the waterfront and was reminded of some of my favorite Italian island destinations like Elba Island, Procida or Ischia…or even the town of Chania in Crete. For a moment, I had to remind myself I was still in Germany!

Cheers to České Budějovice!

Posted by Jenny+ on Jul 31, 2019 | 0 comments

Also known simply as “Budweis,” České Budějovice is the largest town in South Bohemia. Founded in 1265 by Czech King Premsyl Otakar II, the town sits at the scenic confluence of the Vltava and Malse Rivers.

Situated between the popular Czech tourist hot spots of Prague and Cesky Krumlov, České Budějovice makes the perfect stopover to escape the tourist crowds for a bit.

In fact, to get from Prague to Cesky Krumlov, you pretty much have to change buses or trains in České Budějovice so why not hop off that train or bus and explore this charming little bit of Bohemia?

The Czech Charms of Český Krumlov

Posted by Jenny+ on Jul 25, 2019 | 0 comments

If Rothenburg ob der Tauber is Germany’s fairy tale village, Český Krumlov is definitely the Czech Republic’s ode to storybook fairy tales. Like Prague, Český Krumlov is situated on the Vltava River which curves its way romantically through town in a way almost reminiscent of streets of Venice.

Added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992, Český Krumlov’s historic old town is a jumble of 750 years of architectural design including Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance-inspired facades. Its most spectacular feature is the castle that towers over it – Český Krumlov Castle – the second largest in the Czech Republic, after Prague Castle.

A Spa Getaway to Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

Posted by Jenny+ on Jul 17, 2019 | 0 comments

Also known as Karlsbad, Karlovy Vary translates as “Charles Bath” and was named for Charles IV, King of Bohemia who founded the city in 1370. The town is famed for bubbling hot springs, colorful, whimsical architecture and, most importantly, the Karlovy Vary spa experience!

In the eighteenth century, Karlovy Vary was a popular tourist destination for both elites and creatives. High profile visitors in those days included Beethoven, Tolstoy, Wagner, Brahms, Karl Marx and Tsar Peter the Great. But the start of World War I brought tourism to an abrupt halt and it never fully recovered its former glory.

But thanks to a wealth of Karlovy Vary spas and hot springs, today this charming town has begun a bit of a tourism resurgence. And now is the time to go before the rest of Europe discovers it!