Germany

Free Walking Tour of the Cologne Christmas Markets with Map

October 12, 2019 by Karen Turner 14 Comments

In 2019, Cologne will have its annual Christmas market from
November 25th to December 23rd. If you’re lucky enough to visit Cologne in winter (just in time), be sure to spend at least a day (if not three days) browsing the famous Christmas markets in Cologne. Keep reading for tips for experiencing the German Christmas markets and things to do in Cologne in December!

Planning to visit Cologne Germany in winter to see the famous Cologne Christmas markets? Tips for visiting the Cologne Christmas markets, what to do in Cologne, and where the Cologne Christmas markets are!

I’ve set up this as a walking tour of five Christmas markets in Cologne with a downloadable map of the Christmas markets in Cologne. (Be prepared that this FREE walking tour of Cologne includes a lot of walking although it covers many major landmarks.) The map of the Cologne Christmas markets is at the bottom.

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One perfect day in Monschau, a fairytale town near Cologne

March 14, 2019 by Karen Turner 2 Comments

I had always seen photos of fairytale towns in storybooks as a child, so when I stumbled upon a photo of Monschau, I knew that I had to visit it. On my recent road trip through Luxembourg and Germany, we spent a day and a night in Monschau, which is fairly close to Cologne. This little guide to Monschau will focus on highlights of this fairytale village with the best things to do in Monschau as well as tips for making the most of your visit (while saving money).

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20 Tips for Eurorailing Around Europe for first time backpackers

April 29, 2017 by Karen Turner 34 Comments

As an American who did my first Eurotrip after graduating college AND now a European resident, I’ve learned a lot lessons about train travel in Europe.

These are tips for traveling around Europe by train for first-timers considering buying the Eurail pass, which is available to non-European citizens.

Non-European citizens living in Europe can also buy the Eurail pass, but you cannot use it in your country of residence. (Interrail is only for EU Citizens, so interrailing does differ in some ways. However many of these tips for European train travel might still be useful!)

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One day in Blankenheim, a beautiful half-timbered town near Cologne

March 15, 2019 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

Blankenheim is a charming medieval town in Germany not far from Cologne that is full of gorgeous half-timbered buildings. This gorgeous city is about an hour drive from Cologne and you might pass through it when driving through the Eiffel National Park region This guide to Blankenheim covers the best things to do in Blankenheim, Germany.

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How to visit Rhine Valley on a budget

May 22, 2016 by Karen Turner 14 Comments

Most people think of luxury when they think of Rhine Valley, however it’s possible to visit Rhine Valley on a budget . I absolutely love castles and vineyards, however I don’t have the money for a Viking River Cruise through Germany (I wish!).

This is a guide to the Rhine Valley region visiting the beautiful UNESCO heritage sites of the Upper Rhine Valley without sacrificing thousands of euros for a river cruise.

This is simple: castles, wine, charming towns, and nature. Your trip has gone horribly wrong if you don’t end up seeing at minimum 2 castles while in Rhine Valley.

For wine lovers, the famous German Riesling from close-by Mosel & Rhine Valley is cheap and easily available. The beauty of the region surprised me, and there’s plenty to do outdoors. Lastly, find out how to save money while staying in a castle.

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One day in Aachen, Germany with the best things to do in Aachen

August 8, 2018 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

When we decided to visit Maastricht, the Netherlands, I wanted to visit Aachen. I’m a huge history geek…and Aachen, Germany is a mecca for history lovers. Aachen was the capital of Charlemagne’s empire–and it’s certainly worth a visit for history lovers! In this post, I’ll be discussing the best things to do in Aachen, great seasonal events in Aachen, and where to stay in Aachen.

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Introductory Guide to Via Ferrata: What to know before your first via ferrata

February 7, 2016 by Karen Turner 25 Comments

Via Ferrata is like rock climbing although instead of using a rope, you are securing yourself to steel cables that are drilled into the rock. This allows you access difficult/isolated mountainous areas that would otherwise require expert climbing skills/ropes or the willingness to climb very steep scrambles without any assurances of safety.

It allows you to also get a glimpse of the isolated, raw beauty of the mountains. For someone who is reasonably in shape, it’s a great way to get off-the-beaten path, work out while on vacation, and have an adrenaline-filled adventure!

In this post, this is a via ferrata guide for beginners with why you should try out via ferrata, the best gear for via ferratas, and where to do via ferrata.

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Berlin from above: The best viewpoints in Berlin by a local

August 4, 2018 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

I love seeing cities from above, especially in a new city. It gives you a completely different perspective of the city and the sights. You can often piece together the locations of places a lot better, and it makes you understand just how big (or small!) a city is. Often you’ll get a really pretty view that simply isn’t possible from the ground.

This post was written by Ali, a resident of Berlin since 2015, and includes her favorite places to see views of Berlin from above and take photos in Berlin!…

A Europe Itinerary for 2 months in Europe: Your perfect itinerary for Europe

January 10, 2020 by Karen Turner 35 Comments

On my first trip to Europe, I made a lot of mistakes as I was trying to see many capital cities as possible in the shortest possible time. Halfway through my Europe trip, I was exhausted and I felt like I had barely seen any nature or small cities.

I’ve been very fortunate to have taken multiple European backpacking trips and I’ve been living in Europe for nearly three years now. I hope that I can help a bit with helping you create your perfect European itinerary that mixes capital cities with cultural centers and stunning nature to show you the best of Europe in two months! You’ll find a downloadable excel to help you plan your own European trip at the end!

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