Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
I’ve studied German since I was a kid, and my grandmother’s Swiss roots are part of why these three countries feel close to home. These guides cover Germany, Austria, and Switzerland the way I like to travel them: by train, with time in smaller towns as well as the big cities, and with enough context to understand why a place looks the way it does. You’ll find itineraries, Christmas market guides, scenic rail routes, and hotels with a sense of place.
Germany Travel Guides
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14 Best German Christmas Markets You Need to Visit This Winter
There’s no better place to experience the magic of the holiday season than at the best German Christmas markets. From medieval town squares glowing with fairy lights to the scent of roasted almonds and mulled wine drifting through the air, Germany’s Weihnachtsmärkte are the stuff of festive dreams. With more than a dozen markets under…
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The Ultimate Guide to German Christmas Markets: Everything You Need to Know
There’s truly nothing like visiting German Christmas markets in winter. Twinkling lights strung through medieval old towns, the sweet scent of candied almonds in the air, mugs of steaming mulled wine warming cold hands—it’s pure holiday magic. From the iconic Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg to charming small-town setups like Füssen’s romantic courtyard market, each one brings…
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A Fairytale Christmas in Füssen: What to Expect at the Füssen Christmas Market
There’s something extra magical about the Füssen Christmas Market. Maybe it’s the snow-dusted rooftops of the old town, the scent of mulled wine wafting through the crisp Alpine air, or the twinkle of fairy lights dancing off the cobblestones. Or maybe it’s the setting: a romantic Advent market nestled in the courtyard of the baroque…
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Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle: How to Plan the Perfect Fairytale Day Trip
There’s nothing quite like visiting Neuschwanstein Castle—a real-life fairytale perched on a rugged hilltop in southern Bavaria. Built by the elusive and eccentric King Ludwig II, this iconic Bavarian palace draws more than a million visitors every year and famously served as the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway,…
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Nuremberg Christmas Market Guide: What to Eat, Buy & Experience at the Christkindlesmarkt
Mulled wine warming your hands, the scent of bratwurst and gingerbread in the air, and stalls aglow beneath the spires of the Frauenkirche Church—there’s simply nothing like the Nuremberg Christmas Market in December. Also known as the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, this centuries-old tradition transforms the heart of the city’s Old Town into a festive wonderland filled…
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5 Regensburg Christmas Markets (Germany): Dates, Map & Tips
My hands were freezing before I even found the first of Regensburg Christmas markets… I’d underestimated how much colder it gets once the sun drops behind the cathedral. I ducked into the nearest glühwein stall mostly for warmth, mug in hand, and stood there for a good ten minutes just watching the Neupfarrplatz crowd before…
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The Best Food Markets in Europe
I don’t know if you’ve figured this out yet or not, but I absolutely love eating when I travel. This isn’t really a new thing. What is a little bit more recent, however, is my love for food markets. After visiting Copenhagen Street Food and the Rotterdam Markthall this spring, all I can think of…
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7 Things I Learned on My First Ever Solo Trip
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of them I will recieve a small commision at no extra cost to you, which allows me to keep this blog up and running! I’m not going to lie. My first ever solo trip was…
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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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A Spontaneous Trip to Heidelberg
I was supposed to go to Interlaken after Lucerne. I had a hostel booked, and was literally in the Interlaken train station. But while I was on the train I saw a forecast for rain the whole four days that I was planning on being there. Not very conducive to hiking, which was pretty much…
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Visiting the Vitra Museum
Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of them I will recieve a small commision at no extra cost to you, which allows me to keep this blog up and running! When I was visiting my old exchange student for the weekend in Germany and she told me…
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A Fling with Freiburg
It was a pretty dreary day when my old exchange student, Charlotte, and I set out from her small village near the Swiss border to take a day trip to Freiburg. Because I was only visiting for the weekend, though, we were determined to make the most of it – grey skies and all. The…
Want the routes, reservations and hotels sorted for you? I plan custom Europe-by-train itineraries as a Fora-certified travel advisor.
Austria Travel Guides
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Innsbruck Christmas Markets: A Festive Guide to Austria’s Alpine City
There’s something undeniably magical about Innsbruck at Christmas. I visited in November, just as the first stalls of the Innsbruck Christmas markets were opening, and the whole city seemed to transform overnight. Strings of twinkling lights appeared in the Old Town, mugs of steaming glühwein warmed chilly hands, and the pastel houses looked even more…
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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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17 Things No One Tells You About Studying Abroad in Vienna
One of my favorite posts I’ve ever written was 25 Things No One Tells You About Studying Abroad in Scotland. I love it so much, in fact, that I’ve decided to make it a series! So I asked my good friend Angela, who studied abroad in Vienna last year, to write a little bit about…
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30 Hallstatt Photos That Will Fuel Your Wanderlust
If you haven’t seen Hallstatt photos yet, you’ve probably been hiding under a rock. Or maybe you just don’t have an Instagram (which, tbh, is probably good for your health). Hallstatt is that classically beautiful alpine town that has completely taken over the world of social media in the past few years. Hallstatt: Expectations vs….
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How to Take a Vienna to Salzburg Day Trip
Although it can be a bit of a trek, a Vienna to Salzburg day trip is totally doable. This post covers how to make the best of your Vienna to Salzburg day trip, including how to get from Vienna to Salzburg and all of the best things to do in Salzburg. When Astrid and Leoni…
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18 Vienna Pictures that Will Make You Book a Plane Ticket
These 18 Vienna pictures perfectly showcase the beauty of the Austrian capital and will inspire you to plan your next trip there. It’s an absolute must on your Central Europe itinerary! I knew going into our trip to Vienna that I was going to be blown away by how beautiful of a city it was….
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Cake, Coffee, and Schnitzel // What To Eat in Vienna (+ Where to Eat it)
Although it might not be the first place that comes to mind, Vienna is definitely in the running for being named foodie heaven. Here’s a guide on what to eat in Vienna and where to eat it–including the best schnitzel and cafes in Vienna. At the beginning of June this year, Daniel and I made…
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The Best Food Markets in Europe
I don’t know if you’ve figured this out yet or not, but I absolutely love eating when I travel. This isn’t really a new thing. What is a little bit more recent, however, is my love for food markets. After visiting Copenhagen Street Food and the Rotterdam Markthall this spring, all I can think of…
Want the routes, reservations and hotels sorted for you? I plan custom Europe-by-train itineraries as a Fora-certified travel advisor.
Switzerland Travel Guides
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39 Best Places to Visit in Europe in Winter for Snow, Sun & Christmas Markets
Europe in winter is pure magic. Picture charming Old Towns lit up by twinkling Christmas markets, cozy cafés with mulled wine and roaring fireplaces, snow-capped mountains begging for adventure—or even sunshine and sea views in the south. Whether you’re dreaming of a snowy escape or looking to soak up some winter sun, this list of…
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The Best Food Markets in Europe
I don’t know if you’ve figured this out yet or not, but I absolutely love eating when I travel. This isn’t really a new thing. What is a little bit more recent, however, is my love for food markets. After visiting Copenhagen Street Food and the Rotterdam Markthall this spring, all I can think of…
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The Ultimate Packing List for Backpacking Switzerland in Spring
Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of them I will recieve a small commision at no extra cost to you, which allows me to keep this blog up and running! Switzerland might not be the most popular backpacking destination in the world, but hopefully since my post…
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7 Things I Learned on My First Ever Solo Trip
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of them I will recieve a small commision at no extra cost to you, which allows me to keep this blog up and running! I’m not going to lie. My first ever solo trip was…
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Switzerland on a Budget // What I Spent in 10 Days in Switzerland
Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of them I will recieve a small commision at no extra cost to you, which allows me to keep this blog up and running! Switzerland is universally known for chocolate, cheese, mountains, and… an expensive cost of living. ‘Switzerland on a…
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10 Places You Have to Go in Switzerland (According to Travel Bloggers!)
Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of them I will recieve a small commision at no extra cost to you, which allows me to keep this blog up and running! Switzerland is such a fantastic little country. Even though on a map it may look tiny, it…
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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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Gentle Geneva // One Day in Switzerland’s International Capital
To be completely honest, there was no real part of me that was dying to visit Geneva. The simple fact of the matter was that it was the cheapest place in Switzerland to fly out of. My lack of a desire to visit Geneva probably contributed to my considering just skipping it all together and…
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Zooming Around Zurich // Two Days in my Favourite City
Zurich has always held a special place in my heart. It was the city that my grandmother grew up in before she immigrated to the United States and that my father spent several years of his childhood in. I visited for the first time when I was six months old, and again the summer before…
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Swans, Lions, and Mountains, Oh My! // Two Days in Lucerne
Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of them I will recieve a small commision at no extra cost to you, which allows me to keep this blog up and running! After having the time of my life hiking Mount Rigi, I made my way back to the…
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Hiking Mount Rigi // The Perfect Day Trip from Lucerne
Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of them I will recieve a small commision at no extra cost to you, which allows me to keep this blog up and running! The last time I was in Switzerland, it was with my family the summer before I started…
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How to Spend One Amazing Day in Bern, Switzerland
My spring break this year was absolutely packed. After spending four amazing days in Paris with four amazing friends, it was time to say goodbye to the City of Lights and begin my first ever solo adventure! I was filled to the brim with excitement and nervousness as I boarded the train to Bern, Switzerland….
Want the routes, reservations and hotels sorted for you? I plan custom Europe-by-train itineraries as a Fora-certified travel advisor.
Christmas Market Travel Guides
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Innsbruck Christmas Markets: A Festive Guide to Austria’s Alpine City
There’s something undeniably magical about Innsbruck at Christmas. I visited in November, just as the first stalls of the Innsbruck Christmas markets were opening, and the whole city seemed to transform overnight. Strings of twinkling lights appeared in the Old Town, mugs of steaming glühwein warmed chilly hands, and the pastel houses looked even more…
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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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The Ultimate Guide to German Christmas Markets: Everything You Need to Know
There’s truly nothing like visiting German Christmas markets in winter. Twinkling lights strung through medieval old towns, the sweet scent of candied almonds in the air, mugs of steaming mulled wine warming cold hands—it’s pure holiday magic. From the iconic Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg to charming small-town setups like Füssen’s romantic courtyard market, each one brings…
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A Fairytale Christmas in Füssen: What to Expect at the Füssen Christmas Market
There’s something extra magical about the Füssen Christmas Market. Maybe it’s the snow-dusted rooftops of the old town, the scent of mulled wine wafting through the crisp Alpine air, or the twinkle of fairy lights dancing off the cobblestones. Or maybe it’s the setting: a romantic Advent market nestled in the courtyard of the baroque…
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Nuremberg Christmas Market Guide: What to Eat, Buy & Experience at the Christkindlesmarkt
Mulled wine warming your hands, the scent of bratwurst and gingerbread in the air, and stalls aglow beneath the spires of the Frauenkirche Church—there’s simply nothing like the Nuremberg Christmas Market in December. Also known as the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, this centuries-old tradition transforms the heart of the city’s Old Town into a festive wonderland filled…
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Copenhagen in Winter: The Complete Guide (including the best Copenhagen Christmas Markets!)
I don’t know if I’ve ever been to a place more magical than Copenhagen in winter. With only a few hours of daylight every day, the Danes had to figure out how to do Christmas right–lest they fall into a seriously deep depression. After having visited Copenhagen in both May and December, I think I…
Want the routes, reservations and hotels sorted for you? I plan custom Europe-by-train itineraries as a Fora-certified travel advisor.