Bruges, Belgium is a fairytale city and one of the most unique and charming I’ve been to. Even though millions of people flock to Bruges each year, it’s oddly still a place that some people haven’t heard of. Whether or not you’ve heard of it or not, it’s someplace that should definitely be on your radar.

The History of Bruges

Bruges was founded by the vikings but a lot of Bruges’s history revolves around its high time in the late medieval period to the early Renaissance (1000s-1400s). Because of its location, it served as a large trading port, primarily in … Continue reading

Ghent is one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium, which every history lover should know about (and I’m surprised many don’t). There was a time it was one of the biggest cities in Europe. Today, it looks like a city stuck in the 1400s! Photographs alone can compel someone to go to Ghent, but the city actually has a lot to offer.

Some of Ghent’s History

Rouen is such a charming city in Normandy with a fantastic history, and it makes an excellent day trip from Paris. It’s definitely worth seeing if you have time to spend in France. I’ve been twice and have enjoyed both trips to this lovely Norman city.

The History of Rouen

Rouen has a very long and impressive history. The city of Rouen dates back to the Roman days and became a Viking city in 841. It was actually so important that it served as the capital of Normandy until about 1060, when William the Conquerer moved the capital to Caen … Continue reading

If you’ve any interest in French history, you may have heard of the castles Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte. Both are located not in the Loire Valley but the Île-de-France region and have a lot of history behind them, Fontainebleau in particular. On my return to Paris, the urge to see such monuments brought me on a day trip.

Fontainebleau

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fontainebleau has a history that goes back almost one thousand years. A keep (castle tower) was built there in 1137 and a monastery hospital was built there a century later. King Philip IV of France (1268-1314) … Continue reading

On my way to Stein am Rhine, I got to see Schaffhausen as well. I love Swiss and German style architecture so when I went to Switzerland, I knew I had to spend some time near the German border to see the Rhine river and the towns that lived next to it. For that, I chose to go to Stein am Rhein and ended up seeing two towns instead.

Schaffhausen

I had to go through the town of Schaffhausen to get to my destination, so I decided to make a trip out of it when I got there, and I’m … Continue reading

When my mom came to visit me in France, I thought a great way to spend the day would be to take a day trip to the Loire Valley, known for its Renaissance castles. We booked a tour as my mother prefers planned tours and then we set off to three castles: Chenonceau, Cheverny and Chambord.

Chateau de Chenonceau

Chenonceau Castle is one of the most famous in the Loire Valley, and France, because of its location atop a small river. There’s no need to tell you that the architecture is absolutely stunning and definitely worthy of a visit. However … Continue reading

Colmar is one of the well-known gems of Alsace, the region of France that borders Germany and combines the history and culture of the two. It’s rumoured to have inspired the setting for Beauty and the Beast but whether or not it was Colmar or another Alsacian village, Colmar is definitely a town out of a faerytale.

The History of Colmar

Colmar has been around for over 1,000 years but its history has been relatively quiet. The town of Colmar grew from the era of Charlemagne to 1226, when it was made an Imperial City. What I find most interesting … Continue reading

Dinan is part of Brittany, one of the most well-known regions of France and also one of the most interesting. Not only was Brittany its own kingdom for a short time but it’s only been formally incorporated as part of France since 1532, and the area also has its own language called Breton. Sadly, not a lot is available online about Brittany and its towns (comparatively), so it was difficult deciding which town to go to in my limited amount of time. However, I chose the medieval city of Dinan and was absolutely amazed.

A Short History of Dinan

Popular for its laid-back lifestyle, Copenhagen is a popular destination for youth. Though the city itself is relatively new at 1000 years old it became the Danish capital in the 14th century and is now home to hygge.

The History of Copenhagen

Copenhagen was a small fishing village until around the 11th and 13th centuries, when it became a walled town with significant economic growth. It became the capital of Denmark in 1343 – or 1416 – or 1443 – depending on the source. But it was here that the capital was established with a new castle and university. … Continue reading

The first place I ever visited in Germany was actually the relatively unknown town of Aachen, a cute town near the French and Belgian borders. It’s known for being the home of Charlemagne’s cathedral and is also the hometown of Anne Frank’s mother. Though there’s a world of difference between Aachen and popular German cities like Berlin, Aachen still has a lot to offer for history buffs.

Some History of Aachen

Aachen started out as a spa town in Roman times, and it grew to be one of Emperor Charlemagne’s favourite places centuries later. Subsequently he made the town the … Continue reading