Gloomy skies, slippery boardwalks, and crowds you couldn’t linger behind, but Plitvice Lakes was still stunning. Shuttle at the start, ferry at the end, and views worth it.

A quick Ljubljana stop after Bled, with a walking tour past Dragon Bridge and the city’s iconic pink church, followed by a traditional Slovenian cultural night.

A rainy one-day stop at Lake Bled, with moody skies, and postcard views

We only had one day in Salzburg, but it was enough for a walking tour, a cathedral stop (obviously), and a slice of history at Café Sacher.

From Angelina’s famous hot chocolate in Paris to Austria’s Sacher Torte and Vienna’s Demel, this trio is the ultimate European café pilgrimage.

Two sunny days in Munich in 2017: palaces, parks, BMW Welt, the Altstadt, and an unforgettable Oktoberfest birthday night.

A day trip to Bavaria’s most iconic castles: Neuschwanstein for the drama, Hohenschwangau for the history, plus the views that make the whole walk worth it.

A quick Brussels stop packed with big sights and even bigger snacks, from the Atomium and Mini-Europe to waffles at Maison Dandoy and a beer at Delirium.

A reflective Journal Notes post on my 2017 European café trail, from Angelina in Paris to Gerbeaud in Budapest, and why I planned each stop in advance.

A quiet, historic café stop at Kavárna Slavia Prague with coffee, classic interiors, and views of the Vltava and the National Theatre.

A throwback stop at the original Angelina on Rue de Rivoli for their famous hot chocolate and Mont Blanc dessert.

A 2016 throwback to Brugge after Amsterdam, with a walking tour, sunny October weather, Belgian waffles from Chez Albert, chocolate shops, the Beer Wall, and a proposal near Minnewater.

An overnight in Amsterdam in 2016 with a stop at Clara Maria Cheese Farm & Clog Factory, an evening canal cruise with pizza on board, and a moody walk through the Red Light District.

A Rhine day trip from Sankt Goar to Boppard, with the world’s largest free-hanging cuckoo clock, Loreley views, castles, and a night at Hotel Rheinlust.

A 2016 visit to Venice with a silent gondolier, early quiet streets, and honest reflections on a city both beautiful and hectic.

A 2016 visit to Florence captured the city’s Renaissance charm, bustling piazzas, and classic Italian moments. Short trip, lasting impression.

After exploring Boppard in Germany’s Rhine Valley, we stopped at Vineum Wine Shop for a local wine tasting featuring Riesling, Spätburgunder and Eiswein from the famous Bopparder Hamm vineyards.

A 2016 visit to Vatican City with crowded museums, quiet Sistine Chapel moments, and an emotional birthday inside St Peter’s Basilica.

Attending a Mozart concert at the Brahms Hall in Vienna is a classic experience. A quiet, old-school evening inside the Musikverein, remembered from a 2017 visit.

A brief afternoon stop in Köln before a night train turned into repeat visits and a standing lunch tradition near the Dom.