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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The 8 Best Beach Resorts in Puerto Rico (And How to Get Perks When You Book)
The right Puerto Rico resort depends on one decision more than any other: do you want to be near San Juan’s restaurants and history, or tucked away on a quiet stretch of coast? Get that right and almost any resort on this list will make you happy. My short answer: Dorado Beach for a milestone…
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The Mediterranean in Winter: Is January to March Worth It?
Yes, the Mediterranean in winter is worth it if you’re going for the cities, the food and the history rather than the beach. From January to March you trade swimming weather for jacket weather, and in return you get shorter lines, calmer streets, and hotels that aren’t running at full tilt. The first time I…
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Do US Citizens Need a Passport for Puerto Rico?
The short answer is no. If you’re a US citizen, you do not need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico. You can fly there on a domestic ticket, pass through security with a driver’s license or state ID, and land without going through customs or border control. For most Americans, it feels indistinguishable from…
Most-Read Guides
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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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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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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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4 Days in Lisbon: A Laid-Back Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Planning 4 Days in Lisbon? Here’s How to Make the Most of It (Without Burning Out). I’ll be honest — when I planned my 4 days in Lisbon as part of a longer Portugal itinerary, I was already pretty wiped. I’d been bouncing between towns, climbing castle steps, and hauling my backpack onto more trains…
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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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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.


