Europe travel guides for slower, more thoughtful trips.
Everything I’d tell a friend before a train trip through Europe, written down. Plan it yourself, or let me plan it for you.
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Scotland and the UK
Five years of living there, distilled to the must-knows.
City Guides
Where to stay, eat, and how to slow down.
Cruises
River and ocean, plus time in port cities.
Solo Travel
My favorite tips from 10+ years of solo trips.
Latest from the blog
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Danube River Cruise Guide: What To Know Before You Book
A Danube river cruise is a week on the water between Budapest and Bavaria, with three capital cities, a valley of vineyards and abbeys, and only one suitcase to unpack. It suits travelers who want Vienna’s palaces and Budapest’s riverfront without the hotel-hopping, and it’s one of the two classic first river cruises in Europe,…
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Spanish Immersion in Mexico: What AKO’s Program in Playa del Carmen Includes (and Costs)
This post is sponsored by AKO Language School. I haven’t done the program yet (I’m going soon!), and when I get back, I’ll write about how it actually went–good parts and awkward parts included. The woman behind the counter asked me a question. It was short, maybe six words, delivered at a perfectly normal speed,…
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Rhine River Cruise Guide: What to Know Before You Book
A Rhine river cruise is a week on the water between Amsterdam and Basel, with a different town outside your window most mornings and only one suitcase to unpack. It suits travelers who want castles, cathedrals, and wine country without hauling luggage onto trains or packing up a hotel room every second day. The best…
Most-Read Guides
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Where to Eat in Seville: Best Tapas Bars, Local Favorites, and Sweet Treats
I love to eat when I travel. Maybe it’s just my stomach talking, but I think there’s no better way to get immersed in a culture than to induIf there’s one thing you must do in Seville, it’s eat. Whether you’re popping into a buzzing tapas bar in the Santa Cruz neighborhood, grabbing a late-night…
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The Perfect Girls Weekend in London
Are you in need of a fun weekend away with your girls? Look no further than London for the perfect girls weekend. Afternoon tea sessions, shopping galore, and plenty of Insta-worthy spots for a photoshoot… you’re basically guaranteed to have an amazing time. Keep reading for the ultimate guide to a girls weekend in London!…
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2 Weeks in Europe by Train: The Perfect Eurail Itinerary for First-Time Travelers
Planning 2 weeks in Europe by train is the closest thing I know to real-life magic. One minute you’re sipping coffee beneath the Eiffel Tower; a few tracks later, you’re gliding past Swiss peaks or wandering cobblestone lanes in Prague—all without wrangling airport security or 8-hour bus rides. If that sounds like your dream Eurail…
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Innsbruck in Winter: Cozy Things to Do Beyond Skiing & Snowboarding
I visited Innsbruck in winter for the first time in November 2023, and it didn’t take long for the city to completely charm me. Nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps, Innsbruck is best known as a destination for skiing and snowboarding. But here’s the thing—I don’t do either of those. Instead, I came…
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15 Charming Things to do in Cesis, Latvia
Disclaimer: I was a guest of the Cesis Tourism Board and Magnetic Latvia on a press trip to Cesis, Latvia. Tilting buildings and cobblestone streets. Spiritual sauna experiences and locals who still collect water from the nearby springs. The best bread you’ve ever tasted and a tiny coffee shop where the whole town gathers. This…
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Magical Things to Do in Óbidos, Portugal: A 1-2 Day Itinerary
The moment I saw a photo of Óbidos—a tiny, walled town in central Portugal—I knew I had to go. With cobblestone streets winding past whitewashed houses, flowering vines, and a castle rising above it all, it looked like something straight out of a fairytale. And it truly is. Whether you’re planning a quick day trip…
Want an amazing trip without the planning?
I also plan trips for people who’d rather enjoy them than research them: custom Europe-by-train itineraries, river cruises, and celebration trips, with hotels that feel like where you are. I earn commission from partners, so in many cases working with me is free; detailed itineraries come with a small planning fee.
Meet Addie
Hi, I’m Addie! I’m a travel advisor based in St. Louis, and I plan the kind of trips I write about: unhurried, mostly by train, with hotels you’ll want to tell your friends about. I grew up speaking German and lived in the UK for five years, so Europe is my happy place to plan. Tell me where you’d like to go, and I’ll handle the rest.