Stirling Castle is where Scottish history comes alive in stone and story. Perched high above the River Forth, it is like a “huge brooch clasping Highlands and Lowlands together” (William Wordsworth). Few places in Scotland capture the imagination like…
Little Venice is a canalside district in London where I took a London Walks tour in September. The Times Best Places to Live 2024 singled out Little Venice as a “calm canalside neighborhood” of white stucco mansions and brightly painted narrowboats—one of the best places to…
From Tirana’s bunkers to Berat’s thousand windows, discover the top 15 things to do in Albania. I’ll even steer you to some hidden gems to explore. When I first arrived in Albania, I felt like I had stumbled into…
Forget clouds and airports—see Europe at window height. From Bari’s coast to Budapest’s bridges, this solo train adventure reveals how slow travel connects you to the land, its people, and yourself. I booked my seven-day solo train trip through…
Lake Bled shimmers with alpine charm—emerald waters, medieval castle, island church, and sunrise views inspire wonder. Lake Bled appeared on the cover of National Geographic Traveler in 2011. When I saw the Slovenian Alps surrounding the turquoise blue lake,…
Budapest, often referred to as the “Paris of the East,” is a city where history and architecture converge along the banks of the Danube. I had no idea that Budapest actually comprised two cities: Buda and Pest. Buda was…
Rennes is the capital of Brittany. I visited in June, taking the express train from Paris. Although the journey lasted only two hours, I felt as though I had traveled back to medieval times. “Rennes is a truly eclectic…
Musée de Montmartre is a history and art museum documenting the life and times of this bohemian Parisian neighborhood. I skipped visiting the museum last October as I ran out of time after my walking tour of Montmartre. But…