Krakow is the most popular destination in Poland, but Warsaw is the country’s capital and it has a lot to offer. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect before visiting but I actually really liked it. It’s a great place to spend a few days and such an overlooked vacation destination.

The History of Warsaw

Warsaw is relatively new, with continuous settlement estimated since around the 13th century. However it became more important towards the end of the medieval ages. It became the capital of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1596 due to its central location, and continued serving as capital … Continue reading

When people think of Germany, they think of Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. But in my case, Dresden was on the top of my German bucket list because it’s a baroque masterpiece in its own right. It’s the capital of Saxony and can be an easy day trip from places like Berlin, Prague and Wroclaw. What I found is it’s a great city to visit and even spend a little more time in.

A Short History of Dresden

Dresden has been a settlement since the mid-late middle ages. Its heyday actually came under Polish rule, when Polish King Augustus II (also … Continue reading

Even though there’s lots of things to do in Krakow, it is by far the most popular area of Poland for tourists just because of its proximity to Auschwitz. Because it was minimally destroyed in the war and it’s close to Auschwitz, it makes an excellent trip for people who want to visit Poland. It was the last stop on my Poland trip and I have to say that it was a fantastic place to be.

Krakow’s History

Krakow first started over a thousand years ago, around the 9th century, on what is today Wawel Hill (which you can visit). … Continue reading

Gdansk is a city in the north of Poland, and it only made it to my list because of the reviews other travel bloggers gave it. I wasn’t sure about its size or charm. However it ended up being the city I enjoyed most in Poland! It was completely rebuilt after World War II and it is so colourful and gorgeous. I was blown away by its beauty. Most people post pictures of the riverside and the old gate, but that’s a small part of the Old Town Gdansk has to offer. It was definitely a highlight of my trip … Continue reading

You’ve heard of Warsaw and Krakow, but have you ever heard of the medieval Polish town called Torun? It’s a great stop on your tour of Poland and also makes a great day trip from Gdansk or Poznan. It’s also known for its gingerbread, so if you love gingerbread like me, it’s an interesting stop.

Some History of Torun

It’s been inhabited for millennia but its prime time was in the medieval era. Torun as it is today was established by Teutonic Knights in the 13th century – at a site that’s still standing! It became an import trade route … Continue reading

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

When I got laid off, the first thing I did was book a trip to Switzerland – with no regrets. I stayed in Zurich, and it’s an extremely beautiful city that makes a great base to see other parts of the neutral nation. There’s something about the Swiss mountains and the beautiful but humble architecture that makes Switzerland so unique, and the country’s beautiful city of Zurich is a great way to start to see it all.

The History of Zurich

The area around Zurich had been inhabited since ancient days. Zurich as we know it today grew under Frankish … 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