Torel Avantgarde- Porto

When I’m in the mood to stay at a hotel, nothing does it for me quite like a boutique hotel. Boutique hotels by definition are designed to feel small, intimate, and unique. Our stay at Torel Avantgarde in Porto, Portugal went above and beyond our expectations and to this day remains one of my favorite … More Torel Avantgarde- Porto

Brewery Hopping Through Munich’s Big Six

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival, celebrated worldwide throughout dozens of countries. The original festival celebrated the marriage of Ludwig I’s marriage to Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, and the tradition continues annually to this day. Despite the name, Oktoberfest actually takes place at the end of September, which means that we were not able to … More Brewery Hopping Through Munich’s Big Six

Kings and Castles- Visiting Neuschwanstein and Linderhof from Munich

On my last trip to Germany, I disappointed myself by not making time to visit King Ludwig II’s famous Neuschwanstein Castle. On my second trip to the city, this trip was number one on my to-do list. I wasn’t going to make that mistake again! Since we were scheduled to be in Munich over the weekend, we strategically schedule the tour on a Sunday so we would have something to do when everything was closed in the city.

Not wanting to drive, we booked a group tour which included a visit to Linderhof Palace, Neuschwanstein Castle and a brief stop in Oberammergau. … More Kings and Castles- Visiting Neuschwanstein and Linderhof from Munich

A Sojourn With Shakespeare- How to Spend a Day at Stratford-Upon-Avon

William Shakespeare- the man needs no introduction. Widely regarded as the most prominent and influential writer in the English language, his works inspired countless generations over hundreds of years. It’s no wonder, then, that sites related to him have become almost pilgrimages for those familiar with his works. Stratford-Upon-Avon (more commonly referred to as Stratford) … More A Sojourn With Shakespeare- How to Spend a Day at Stratford-Upon-Avon

A Guided Tour of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna

The famous Lipizzaner stallions of Austria are housed at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, which is actually located surprisingly center city. So named for the Spanish horses that helped develop the Lipizzaner breed, the Spanish Riding School is one of the four most prestigious riding academies in the world. The stables are located inside … More A Guided Tour of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna