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Croatia's Pelješac Bridge
An amazing new tourist attraction For those planning a road trip to the south of Croatia, admiring the scattered islands on the beautiful azure sea on the way, you can now see even more, thanks to the Pelješac Bridge . The new Pelješac Bridge in Croatia was inaugurated on July 26 th , 2022 and is currently the largest and most important construction project in the country. The bridge stretches elegantly over the crystalline Adriatic Sea, connecting the southernmost part of Croatia with the rest …
Switzerland’s Bernese Fasnacht
Bern’s iconic Carnival is 40 years strong It’s a cold winter’s night, and you’re alone in a dark medieval alleyway in Bern’s Old City . Suddenly, you see the warm glow of torches in the distance — and a big hairy beast swinging its hips and clawed paws as it lurches across the cobblestones towards you. “It’s a bear!” You gasp. Not out of fright—but out of delight! The torchlight procession of Bern’s Carnival, Bärner Fasnacht , a hallmark of the Swabian-Alemannic festival, is coming your way. …
Flanders, cycling heaven
The spring classics: both top sport and folklore ‘A bicycle, a bicycle, my kingdom for a bicycle.” Shakespeare's masterpiece Richard III would sound different if it were set in Flanders . Here the two-wheeler dominates our lives. Especially when the spring classics are coming, a wonderful marriage of top sport and tradition. Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, Nokere Koerse and Gent-Wevelgem, the E3 Classic and Dwars door Vlaanderen. And then the icing on the cake: the Ronde van …
Carnivals in Europe
5 folkloric places to experience carnival, chosen by locals Did you know that carnival is an ancient tradition? Its roots stretch back to Europe’s pagan times, where an early version of the festival celebrated the god of the harvest. Over the centuries, it has evolved into a time of merriment before Lent. In fact, the word carnival itself is likely a nod to the Latin, carna vale, meaning farewell to meat. Today, it’s all about the festivities, the parades, the costumes, the joy of exploration …
Birdwatching in the Baltics
Your guide to a Baltic adventure I was jetlagged, so starting at four in the morning, I lay awake in my bed. The Latvian rain was falling in sheets, a constant drumbeat on the canopy of trees, mossy forest floor, and bushes that stood just beyond the window of my eco-lodge. Since it was spring, the first light of dawn broke at around seven, and with the appearance of the sun, the rain stopped, the clouds parted, and I heard the gorgeous sound that I’d come for: the twitter of birds. In the …
Your guide to Slavic Dance
My whirling exploration in Central Europe My earliest memories in Brooklyn are of large family gatherings. At Christmas, Babcia Helena (grandma), Dziadek Czesław (grandpa) and a trail of aunts, uncles and cousins would file into our Greenpoint apartment to sit around our dining table to eat the twelve Christmas dishes : borscht, carp, and nine other culinary delights. At the end of the meal, after everyone was sated and happy, Dziadek Czesław would usually settle in the armchair near the …
Inspirational Estonian Women
Follow their footsteps along the coast To celebrate Women’s Day on March 8th, tour Estonia’s coast, following in the footsteps of three inspirational Estonian women. Tallinn : Hometown of Kaja Kallas She was the first female prime minister of Estonia, a role she held from 2021 until 2024, when she resigned in advance of her appointment as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Kallas comes from a prominent political family; her grandfather was one of …
Visiting Portugal on your own
A perfect place for solo female travelers If you’re looking for a fantastic travel destination that is perfect for solo female travelers , put Portugal on your list. Besides the breathtaking landscapes you can enjoy safely, you will find kind, welcoming people who will make your trip an unforgettable experience . For a small country, Portugal has a diversity of landscapes that lie within a short distance of one another, so your stay will never be monotonous, and you can make great use of your …
Sweet Escapes for Sweet Dreams
Between glamping in green oases, alpine chalets, palaces fit for royalty, castles in the countryside and heritage hotels that wrap you in both luxury and legacy, there are experiences to suit all tastes in Slovenia and Croatia. Get in Touch with Nature: Glamping, Homesteads and Wine Cottages With nine National Parks and dozens of additional Nature Parks across both countries, you won’t soon run out of opportunities to get in touch with your green side. Why not take it a step further and sleep …
Come for the Nature, Stay for the Culture
In between the beach, hiking and indulging in the culinary traditions of Croatia and Slovenia, there are one-of-a-kind museums, vibrant events and incredible festivals to take in too. So plan accordingly – or just extend your stay. Museums From the Quirky to the World-Changing Great art museums aside, let’s look at some unique places. The Museum of Broken Relationships is one of the more curious galleries you’re likely to see. Dedicated to lost love, the exhibits are personal items donated by …