travel that speaks to the heart
As you have scrolled through your social media feeds, I am guessing that you have come across at least one article touting the top cities and countries around the world. And if so, you may have noticed that Switzerland and Zurich are constantly at the top of the ranks for “Best in the World.” Why…
Undeniably one of the most splendid cities in the world, St. Petersburg is an endless buffet of visual magnificence. From sprawling palaces and romantic gardens to mesmerizing cathedrals and authoritative monuments, Russia’s second largest city is defined by an unparalleled grandeur. Even though my encounter with this Baltic beauty was a dazzling whirlwind of sightseeing,…
With our eyes on the horizon, Justin and I cruised our way through Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic States earlier this month. We wanted survey the region before the Littlest Global Heartbeat arrives, and we booked a 10-day cruise with Royal Caribbean as part of our “Babymoon” adventure. We had a fantastic trip that turned…
Snowflakes rush past – an army of sugar-coated ants scurrying home in the wind. The scenery moves with them: Forests built on rocks; Rocks resting on sea – a sparkling body of cold energy, an ever-changing tapestry pulled across the loom of my horizon. Wooden cottages, painted deep red, trimmed with white appear in the…
When I give walking tours around town, people often ask me where to eat in Zurich. As a result, I have created a running list of my favorite restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, and I’ve organized them by area. Each has met or exceeded my expectations, and my top favorites are marked with a “♥” symbol. Since this list is ever…
It seems like some destinations have been on my “Travel Bucket List” for ages. Recently, I had the sweet pleasure of visiting one of those locations from said list: Cinque Terre, Italy. Cinque Terre. The Five Lands. Five small fishing villages along the rocky western coast of Italy. Tiny dots on the map that millions have…
With its vast network of ski lifts and powdery pistes, the Arlberg region of Austria claims to be “the cradle of Alpine skiing.” Here are eight reasons why you may want to add this winter wonderland to your travel bucket list. 1. The Location Just over an hour west of Innsbruck by train and skirting the borders of the…
Rooted in the folds of the Valtellina Valley in the Italian Alps, you can find a romantic escape from reality. Ever since Roman times, the natural hot springs flowing through the area attract visitors to Bormio, a small town in the northeastern tip of the Lombardy Region. And it was precisely those warm waters that drew the…
With the rise of New Nordic Cuisine, Copenhagen has become a foodie destination of world renown. The Danish capital can thank, at least in part, pioneer chef René Redzepi for his bold culinary moves at Noma, the 2-starred Michelin restaurant named the “Best Restaurant in the World” several times over. Although Noma is closing its doors at the end of 2016 to…
After a visit earlier this year, Stockholm now ranks high on my “Favorite Cities” list. It’s one of those places that you just don’t get enough of the first time around. While you may be tempted to camp out in a coffee shop and delight in the art of fika the whole time, there is one…
The Zurich Wine Exhibition sponsored by Expovina is a Swiss event not to be missed. Every November, the ferryboats of Lake Zurich line up to form an impressive fleet dedicated to showcasing wine, wine, and more wine. Here are the top 10 things you need to know about Zurich’s Wine Boats before diving headfirst into the vino. 1. It’s kind of…
From October to March, fondue pots are bubbling all across Switzerland. Thanks to the Swiss Cheese Union (Schweizerische Käseunion) and huge advertising campaigns over the course of the 20th century, fondue has become the iconic Swiss dish. As a result, many travelers arrive in the Land of Cheese and Chocolate in search of a good…
When cold winds begin to push out the last remnants of autumn glory and the Zurich sky dons its grey cloak of winter, I take solace in one silver lining: fondue season has arrived! Here’s a list of the top restaurants in Zurich to enjoy fondue. Fondue in Old Town: Le Dezaley You can find…
Before I went to Zagreb, I didn’t really know what to expect from the Croatian capital. While strolling through the city center, I encountered a place that blends historic legacies with modern futures. I tried to capture on camera some of the details that caught my eye in order to give you a snapshot tour of Zagreb.…
As the days grow shorter and summer fades away into autumn, a warm cup of coffee seems to bring an extra special bit of enjoyment. I have never been much of a coffee connoisseur, but I gained a whole new appreciation for the roasted black bean on a recent trip to Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Coffee…
Attention thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies! I’ve just found you a little slice of paradise… Canyoning in the Swiss Alps! Canyoning involves following a rushing river through mountain gorges, where you jump, slide, and scramble your way from entry to exit point. It’s fun, challenging, and one of the coolest activities in the Swiss Alps…
Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast has become world famous for its sparkling blue waters and its charming old towns that dot the rocky coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Last Saturday, the Swiss Family Domecks completed our 7-day chartered journey around the Dalmatian Islands, a vacation that we will always remember. If you are already dreaming of your next summer adventure, take…
Hip and trendy Oslo has some serious Scandinavian swag. The Norwegian capital city contains a seamless blend of historic settings, cosmopolitan shine, urban reinvention, and a twinge of grunge on the side. Admittedly, I can’t say I “did” much during my brief visit to Oslo earlier this summer. I didn’t face off with The Scream…
While Croatia’s sparkling coastline bustles with activity over summertime travel, another destination in the country’s interior attracts tourists by the thousands. Plitvice Lakes National Park – or Plitvička Jezera in Croatian – has experienced a shocking rise of visitors in recent years as images of romantic waterfalls and turquoise waters have spilled across the globe. As I…
Of all the countries I have visited, Spain will forever hold a special place in my heart. On my most recent trip back to the sun-kissed country I once called home, I had the pleasure of revisiting one of Barcelona’s most famous attractions: The Sagrada Familia. Join me on a digital tour of this architectural wonder. ¡Vamos! Barcelona is the…
When I give walking tours around Zurich with Free Walk Switzerland, I often begin my tours with a question: What images, products, historical events, or stereotypes come to mind when you think about Switzerland? The typical replies usually include some combination of banks, chocolate, cheese, and timeliness. Sometimes Roger Federer gets thrown in there, too. With…
It’s hiking season in Switzerland, and a yodel-like yahoo! escapes from my mouth at the very thought. Taking advantage of a gorgeous Saturday earlier this month, Justin and I set off from Zurich to tackle our first Swiss mountain of the year. We chose to hike Mount Pilatus, the impressively rugged peak jutting up into the Lucerne skyline. Summiting Mount…
Food – how we eat, what we eat, where we eat – is such an intrinsic part of human culture. When I travel, I desire to seek out places that reflect the specific region I’m visiting or that have a wow-factor to them. And maybe you do, too. Dining in Zurich, Switzerland can be a challenge for…
Earlier this month, I spent a week working with Clear Sicily – a company focused on supporting small businesses and giving tourists more access to the Italian island’s treasures. As I shared in my last post about Mount Etna, I cannot come to Sicily without reflecting on the power of this fiesty volcano. During my…
She’s of massive proportions. She’s got a feisty temperament. And you can’t come to Sicily without spotting her smoking in the distance. She’s Mount Etna – Europe’s largest and most active volcano. Per my fascination with volcanoes (is that weird?), I can’t help but marvel at this monstrous mountain every time I visit Sicily. Rising…