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Visit Portugal in winter
Relaxing on a terrace in the Portuguese sunshine, you take a sip of local wine and soak up the wonderful views across the rolling vine-covered landscape. You might reflect that the difference between summer and winter in this beautiful region is a question of clothes and crowds – a few more layers seem a small price to pay for a lot more peace and quiet. With its mild Mediterranean climate, winter in Portugal often feels more like spring. Some areas enjoy around 300 days of sunshine, with …
Enjoy a slow adventure in county Leitrim
From the quiet of your canoe on Ireland’s legendary River Shannon , you watch in hushed awe as a jewel-bright kingfisher dives from its perch, a blur of blue and orange slicing into the clear waters to re-emerge with its silvery prize. It’s a breathtaking moment of connecting with nature that can only be experienced by taking things slow. For those seeking an off-the-beaten-path escape, County Leitrim is one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets, an unspoiled haven of lakes, rivers and rolling green …
Discover Thessaloniki’s food, history, and local life
Looking for a place where stunning views are paired with historical mysteries? Welcome to Ano Poli, one of the most beautiful and traditional districts in Thessaloniki. Here, you can stroll around picturesque cobbled alleys, historic monuments, and colorful houses. This neighborhood offers one of the city’s most romantic views, making it a perfect place to admire the setting sun's rays. Join us to explore Ano Poli’s historical churches, monuments, and step back in time to the Byzantine era. …
Savoring Limburg, Netherlands
The tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread wafts from the door of a Dutch bakery, tormenting your taste buds. Europe takes baking seriously – it’s an essential part of many countries’ cuisine with immense pride taken in local specialties. This makes exploring Europe a culinary journey to be savored. And the more local you get, the better the food tastes. Zuid Limburg in the Netherlands is a wonderful example. Arguably the most beautiful part of the Dutch Netherlands, it’s gently rolling …
Kayaking the Baltic – for free!
For kayaking lovers, there’s no place quite like the Baltic Sea . It has everything: breathtaking natural landscapes, historic waterways, and vibrant coastal cities with fascinating heritage, renowned food scenes, and gorgeous architecture. Whether it’s the canals of Copenhagen, the serene waters of Finland, or the archipelago of Sweden, the Baltic Sea has so much adventure to offer. And if that weren’t enough, you can explore it for free in exchange for a good deed: helping to clean it up. …
Lublin: a polish gem you shouldn’t miss
Lublin feels like the kind of place that refuses a simple checklist. Instead, it offers something closer to a game you play on foot, with Renaissance frescoes tucked in cellars and a hill that has observed the streets below since the sixth century. Spotted by Locals’ local Spotters helped map one full day of it. You can follow their path or wander off when something pulls you. Morning Morning begins with coffee, of course. Locals head first to Chmielewski Confectionery , the oldest café in …
Discover the Wadden sea
Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Copenhagen are three remarkable cities that bustle with life. Just a short journey away is the Wadden Sea, an off-the-beaten-path nature experience you’ll not soon forget. Accessible by train or car, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a rare escape. Swap city streets for shifting shorelines. Experience a living, breathing ecosystem that stretches from Denmark through Germany to the Netherlands , where the tides sculpt the views and the sea transforms itself …
Go offbeat for more adventure
Believe us when we say, the best of Europe has yet to be discovered. No, this is not hyperbole! When you go for offbeat itineraries that prioritize authentic interactions and experiences and new perspectives, there is a whole new world that, once you explore it, will live with you for the rest of your life. In this article, we’ll show you how to swap the hotspots for hidden gems, access untold stories, and reveal a version of Europe that’s entirely new. Before we dive into the places where you …
Baltic bound
A city experience is a breath of fresh air, a recalibration, a chance to jigger your system back to normal after weeks or months of life. This is most easily done in a peaceful setting where crowds don’t gather, and things move a touch more slowly. Tallinn , Riga , and Vilnius are three off-the-beaten-path capitals that offer just the right thing: immense beauty, culture, and diversity yet at a slower, more measured pace. Here’s what to do—and how to do it. Being Baltic takes a mind shift. In …
Romantic greenways and historic rural landscapes in France and Italy
Imagine traveling by bike or on foot along charming rivers and canals, from the mountains to the coast, on greenways built along former railway lines and towpaths. These routes connect historic towns and traditional villages and reveal the industrial heritage of Europe's rivers and railways. They also lead to picturesque castles (French châteaux and Italian castelli ), vineyards, gardens and a colorful patchwork of countryside, with delicious local produce and cuisine all along the way. …