Belgrade was a rushed late afternoon stop in 2017, but the city centre came alive at night, ending in Skadarlija with a rakija toast and a promise to return.

A sunny afternoon walking tour through Sarajevo’s Old Town, with Bosnian coffee at Café Index, copperware streets, and ćevapi at the famous Inat Kuća.

A bright visit to Mostar, with Stari Most, divers, cobbled streets, bazaar lanes, and a well-earned sirnica stop.

Our free day in Dubrovnik in 2017 had everything: the city walls in the heat, lemon sorbet breaks, Mount Srđ views, fig pizza in a quiet alley, and a sunset walk along Lapad’s rocky coastline near our hotel.

Dubrovnik was our next stop after Split in 2017. Over two days, we explored the UNESCO-listed Old Town, walked the Stradun, and found the famous staircase that made it feel instantly familiar. I loved the quieter little streets most, and I still remember the lemon sorbet being the best of the trip.

A sunny early-morning day trip to Split in 2017: Diocletian’s Palace (UNESCO), harbour views, and coffee in a quiet old square.

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.