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Prague Old Town Square: 9 Buildings That Have Stories To Tell
I first visited Prague in the Czech Republic when I was in middle school. A part of a choir trip to Europe, one of the few but striking memories I kept was of Prague’s Old Town Square, or Staromák. Founded in the 12th century, it’s vibrant and historic, colorful and enchanting, and everywhere you look, there’s a story ready to be told. Back again 20 years later and I wanted to look deeper and learn more about the square, of course to enjoy the ticking and tocking of the Astronomical Clock, but also to discover what the paintings and facades really meant. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or…
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Discover the Heart of the Protestant Reformation in Wittenberg, Germany
Wittenberg, a charming German city near the Elbe River, isn’t on most travelers’ radars. Known as the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation, Wittenberg invites visitors to stroll the cobble stone while learning about how Martin Luther forever changed the church. While I wouldn’t call myself a religion-focused traveler, Europe’s history is so deeply intertwined with religious events that understanding them is essential to grasping the broader historical context. If you’re looking for a great daytrip from Berlin to a city with a stunning effect on history, Wittenberg is definitely calling your name. Take a trip to Wittenberg, Germany with this one-day walking guide: (This post contains affiliate links, which means…
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A Budget-Savvy and Family-Focused 3 Day Paris Itinerary
Planning a trip to Paris on a budget while keeping it fun and manageable for the whole family? That was our mission. I was going to title this a budget-friendly family-friendly Paris itinerary, but two “friendlies” seemed a bit repetitive when discussing Paris, France. Jokes aside, my daughter and husband aren’t exactly as go-get-’em as I am when we travel, so I was determined to avoid spending money on big entrance fees if there was a chance they’d want to leave within an hour. With that in mind, I can confidently say this is the ultimate family-friendly, budget-conscious 3 days in Paris to catch the highlights in a more money…
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Craft Beer In Berlin: Touring Brauerei Lemke
Traveling to Germany and indulging in its world-famous beer culture is practically a rite of passage, and Berlin offers the perfect backdrop for this experience. Determined to dive headfirst into the city’s vibrant beer scene, we made it our mission to explore its iconic beer gardens (biergarten) and seek out an unforgettable brewery tour. Among the city’s craft beer pioneers, Brauerei Lemke stood out as the must-visit destination. This microbrewery, at the heart of Berlin’s craft beer revolution, promised not just a taste but an immersion into the artistry of brewing—the guide was informative, the beer was tasty, and we left happy. Take the time to visit Brauerei Lemke in…
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Aullwood Audubon: Where The Giants Meet The Birds
One of the best things about Dayton, Ohio is the accessibility to nature and one of our favorite places to visit to enjoy it and learn at the same time is Aullwood Audubon. As part of the National Audubon Society, Aullwood focuses on teaching people about the environment, sustainable farming, and how to protect and appreciate the world around us. It’s not just a place to visit—it’s a hands-on experience that sparks curiosity and inspires a love for the outdoors, so of course it’s right up our alley. There are some fantastic things to do in Dayton, Ohio. If you’re in the Dayton area and looking for a fantastic thing…
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Jewish Prague: The Four Synagogues You Must See
Prague is home to one of the oldest and most prominent Jewish centers in Central Europe, making a visit to the city incomplete without a stop in Josefov, the historic Jewish Quarter. From Europe’s oldest functioning synagogue to the haunting beauty of the Old Jewish Cemetery, this neighborhood is rich with history and culture, but you’ll have to know where to look to find it. The Jewish Quarter of Prague, Czech Republic is rich with history and culture. Here is where to go to find it: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to…
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Sanssouci Palace Is The Little Palace I Loved Near Berlin
Sanssouci Palace may be small, but its impact is undeniable. Once a cherished retreat for Friedrich the Great, this stunning palace is just a short day trip from Berlin—and it exceeded all my expectations with its intricate decor and thoughtful design, all done by Friedrich himself. With only 10 main rooms, exploring the palace won’t take up your entire day, but each room is a masterpiece of elegance. And a visit to Potsdam isn’t really a visit if you don’t see see Sanssouci. One of the best daytrips from Berlin, Germany is out to Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage…
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From Ruins to Radiance: The Inspiring Tale of Dresden’s Frauenkirche
We’d joined a walking tour of Dresden and the first stop, just to see the exterior at first was the iconic Church of Our Lady, or Frauenkirche. The surrounding plaza was empty so it was just just us and views of this stunning towering facade. A few hours later as our route circled back and we had learned more about the history of Dresden, Germany, we stepped foot inside. After the stories of sheer destruction we’d heard and seeing the pictures of the rubble of Frauenkirche which sat for 45 years after WWII before being rebuilt to what it is today, the beauty was overwhelming. What a show of hope…
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The Food We Loved In The Netherlands… and Some We Didn’t
Having spent two years exploring the traditional foods in the Netherlands, I can confidently say that Dutch cuisine is not all that exciting. While some dishes like stroopwafels and poffertjes consistently called my daughter’s name and kibbeling had us coming back for more, in general, the fare is kind of boring. But don’t let that discourage you! The Netherlands might not offer the foodie adventure of other places, but it does have some straightforward fare to try. Get ready to eat in the Netherlands from restaurant fare to street food carts, here’s what we loved… and what we didn’t. And, if you can’t take it anymore and need food actually…
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6 Must See Annual Events In Haarlem’s Grote Markt
We’ve called Haarlem, Netherlands home for the past two years and during that time, we’ve grown to love some of the amazing annual events that take place in the historic Haarlem Grote Markt. The city square is gorgeous on a normal weekend, but visit when the tulips are in bloom or The first year we lived in Haarlem, we missed a number of the events because we just didn’t hear about them. So to help anyone new to Haarlem, here are the events in downtown Haarlem you absolutely don’t want to miss. Haarlem Netherlands is host to some great annual events. If you’re visiting Netherlands, get ready to head to…