Belogradchik Fortress: A True Hidden Gem in Northern Bulgaria

Belogradchik Fortress: A True Hidden Gem in Northern Bulgaria

Belogradchik Fortress is one of those places tourists often skip when planning a Bulgaria itinerary, whether it’s because of its remote location or, more likely, because they’ve never heard of it at all. But honestly, both those reasons are exactly why it’s so magical. And in three years of living and traveling Bulgaria, the day…

9 Things to Do in Ragusa, Sicily: A Baroque Gem

9 Things to Do in Ragusa, Sicily: A Baroque Gem

Picture a gorgeous hilltop city tucked between the smaller foothills, standing out against the Sicilian landscape. A Goldilocks destination of sorts: close to busier, popular tourist spots on the island like Siracusa and Catania — and yet nice and, dare I say it, even quiet… by Sicilian standards. For those reasons (and more), I visited…

Varenna Travel Guide: 7 Best Things to Do in One of Como’s Best Towns

Varenna Travel Guide: 7 Best Things to Do in One of Como’s Best Towns

Varenna, once a humble fishing village, has done quite an about-face. Once merely a humble fishing village, it’s transformed into a captivating destination along the shores of Lake Como, a favorite spot for both the ultra-wealthy (hello, George Clooney) and visitors seeking a peaceful Italian getaway. Surrounded by the breathtaking Alps, Varenna’s villas, colorful lakeside…

7 Lovely Things to Do in Lecco (Como’s Secret Gem of a Town!)

7 Lovely Things to Do in Lecco (Como’s Secret Gem of a Town!)

Lecco is a lovely gem on Lake Como’s southeastern branch, and even though it’s the largest city in this particular part of the lake, it’s actually less busy than many cities on the lake, overshadowed by the more famous Como or smaller villages like Varenna and Bellagio.  Despite this, it’s absolutely worth visiting Lecco if…

8 Things to Do in Peschiera del Garda, an Italian Lakeside Gem

8 Things to Do in Peschiera del Garda, an Italian Lakeside Gem

Peschiera del Garda may just be the most impressive town on Lake Garda — and that’s saying something, since there’s no shortage of contenders for beautiful towns in this particular part of Italy. The town of Peschiera del Garda was developed on a set of small islands, located at mouth of the River Mincio beginning…

Colmar in Winter: 17 Fairytale & Festive Things to Do

Colmar in Winter: 17 Fairytale & Festive Things to Do

Colmar is possibly, just possibly, the most picturesque town in Alsace — a high distinction in a region that counts Riquewihr, Strasbourg, Kayserberg, and Eguisheim amongst its neighbors. Between its half-timbered colorful houses, its labyrinthine alleyways set along a canal, artisan shops — not to mention its cute cafés and rustic eateries — Colmar really…

Samatan, France: Quick Guide to Occitanie’s Famed Market Town

Samatan, France: Quick Guide to Occitanie’s Famed Market Town

In the Gers department of the region of Occitanie — the sprawling rural part of Western France that stretches toward Spain and French Basque Country — you’ll find the small town of Samatan. This lovely little village is best-known for two things, which are a bit interwined: its legendary Monday market and the foie gras…