Martina Franca, or simply Martina, is one of the most beautiful ‘white towns’ in the region of Puglia in southern Italy. Nestled in the heart of the Itria Valley (Val D’Itria) in central Puglia, Martina Franca has a lovely old town filled with whitewashed houses, resplendent Baroque architecture and picturesque lanes. It’s a town with plenty of local charm. Wander around its age-old alleys and you’ll hear lively chatter emanating from one of the wine bars, see laundry hanging from the balconies and kids playing football in a little square fronted by an impressive Baroque church. There are lots ..read more

Rügen is the largest island in Germany. Nestled in the Baltic Sea, the island is known for its gentle landscapes, coastal cliffs, tranquil beaches, verdant forests and charming villages. Rügen offers a perfect setting for a road trip. As you follow the scenic routes, you’ll encounter pristine nature reserves and beaches, historic attractions and rustic villages that showcase the island’s unique character. I spent several days exploring Rügen and had a wonderful time soaking up the island’s laid-back vibes and gorgeous natural surrounds. If you’re considering a road trip in northern Germany, e ..read more

Otranto is a coastal town in the region of Puglia in southern Italy, not far from the easternmost point of the Italian peninsula. My attention was first drawn to this town after seeing a stunning photo of its medieval walls fronting the Adriatic Sea. I researched the town and learned about its long and tumultuous history, stretching back to the 8th century B.C. (!), and made a note to visit it one day. During my trip to Puglia in May, I made sure to include Otranto in my itinerary and I stayed there for two nights. I discovered a gem of a town with an imposing castle, a maze of charming street ..read more

Haarlem is a historic city a short drive or train ride west of Amsterdam. The capital of the province of North Holland, Haarlem received city rights in 1245. It flourished during the Middle Ages as a centre of textiles and shipbuilding due to its location on the Spaarne River. It also gained widespread fame as a centre of beer brewing and tulips! These days, it’s a vibrant city that’s a delight to explore, especially because its medieval layout and buildings are still predominantly intact. The old town is composed of several islands, separated by various canals and the Spaarne River. I’ve visi ..read more

Rein Abbey (Stift Rein) is a Cistercian monastery located in the hills a short drive northwest of Graz, Austria. Founded in 1129, it’s the oldest (continuously-inhabited) Cistercian monastery in the world. I’d not heard of this abbey until my recent visit to Graz. While I searched the tourism board’s website for places of interest around Graz, I saw a photo of Rein Abbey, in all its Baroque splendour. Being a fan of this architectural style, I knew right away that I should visit it. This half-day trip turned out to be an unforgettable visit to one of the most beautiful churches in Austria! Rei ..read more

Stralsund is a picturesque coastal city located in northeastern Germany (map) in the region of Western Pomerania. I’d heard about Stralsund from friends and decided to include it in my northern Germany road trip route from Hamburg to Berlin. It was my first time in this part of Germany so I was excited to explore Stralsund and learn more about its history. I arrived to find a charming city with a lively harbourfront, striking Gothic buildings and resplendent patrician houses. After a day of exploring, I discovered many interesting things to see in Stralsund and learned quite a bit about its fa ..read more

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque province of Zeeland in the Netherlands lies Yerseke (map), a charming village with a rich maritime heritage and which is especially renowned for its prized oysters and mussels. As a fan of these mollusks, I was excited to include Yerseke, the oyster capital of The Netherlands, in my road trip around Zeeland. With its serene coastal setting and numerous seafood-related activities, I knew that Yerseke would be a fabulous treat. And it was! Oyster warehouses at the harbour in YersekeOysters galore! The Oyster and Mussel Farms in Yerseke Yerseke’s claim to ..read more

Ever since I was a child, seaplanes (or floatplanes) never failed to amaze me. There’s just something extraordinary about how they land on and take-off from the water. It wasn’t until I was in my early-20’s that I got to fly in one. I was visiting my best friend in Vancouver and while I was there, I booked a seaplane tour just to experience the flight. Since then, I’ve been on several seaplane tours in Vancouver and I’ve always enjoyed the experience. I especially enjoy the rush of taking off: the sound of the powerful engines thrusting the floats across the surface of the water followed by th ..read more

The city of Ravenna, nestled in the eastern edges of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, is a treasure trove of history and culture. Renowned for its stunning collection of mosaics and its significance as the capital of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries AD, Ravenna boasts no less than 8 UNESCO World Heritage monuments, grouped together as the Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna. Though I’ve seen them numerous times, the ancient monuments of Ravenna, with their mesmerising mosaics, never fail to amaze. The artistic skill with which these monuments and their mosaics were cre ..read more

The Adriatic coast of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, also known as Riviera Romagnola, is a seemingly endless stretch of sandy beaches, backed by thick pine woods and wetlands. In the north, the delta of the Po River, Italy’s longest, dominates the landscape. With its expansive marshes, islands and lagoons, the delta forms Europe’s second-largest wetlands and is a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The coastal area south of the delta offers a tantalising array of attractions for visitors; from its beaches and woodlands to ancient towns and charming fishing villages. I’ve explored much of th ..read more