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Explora IV sailing through fjords in Norway

Cruise

7 Storybook Places to Visit by Sea in Europe

From misty Scottish isles to cobblestoned Belgian streets, this journey brings Northern Europe’s fairytale charm to life.

Sponsored by Explora Journeys

Castle of Torrechiara in Italy. Aerial view

Hiking + Cycling

This 93-Mile Italian Hike Leads to Medieval Monasteries—and Lunches Cooked by Nuns

The Via di Linari winds through the Apennines, passing abbeys, castles, and mountain towns. Here’s how to hike the Italian route.

December 11, 2025 01:02 PM

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Alessio Perrone

History + Culture

14 Beautiful Medieval Castles in Europe You Can Visit

Indulge your medieval castle fantasies in Europe.

October 18, 2023 12:24 PM

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Jennifer Ceaser

History + Culture

10 Beautiful Villages in Spain, With Medieval Walls, Moorish Castles, and Seaside Cliffs

These small Spanish towns are too lovely to be kept secret.

April 6, 2026 04:26 PM

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Chris Ciolli

A garden in bloom with purple, pink and red flowers, with a castle in the background

History + Culture

8 French Castles Straight Out of a Fairy Tale

Step back in time inside the grand former homes of French royalty.

February 4, 2025 12:03 PM

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Kimberley Lovato

The city of Lucerne, Switerland, at sunset.

Epic Trips

15 Days of Slow Travel Through Switzerland’s Scenic Towns

From lakeside cafés to alpine trails, Switzerland rewards travelers who take their time.

Sponsored by EF Adventures

View of Lake Geneva with a yellow boat crossing it, with handsome buildings and mountains in the background

Cities We Love

This Medieval City in Europe Is Flowing With Chocolate and Lakeshores

Geneva is compact, comfortable, and delivers on history, architecture, and delicious things to eat and drink.

July 23, 2025 04:35 AM

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Anna Haines

Winter 2024

This Tiny European Country Is Home to Cliffside Castles, Emerald Lakes, and a Green Capital City

Everything you need to know in order to get the most out of a trip to Slovenia.

December 1, 2023 02:01 PM

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Bailey Berg

Rocky hill with some trees, turquoise water with white rock jetty, buildings with orange roofs, and some boats

Where to Travel Next

Where to Avoid the Summer Travel Crowds in France

For surfing, stargazing, and slurping oysters, this is where to go in France on your summer vacation.

June 24, 2025 12:35 PM

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Sophie Friedman

On the Camino de Santiago, Tourism Is Helping Small Towns Survive

Each year, tens of thousands of hikers start the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Their presence is helping the small towns along the route survive.

June 21, 2022 03:48 PM

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Giovanna Dell’Orto

River Cruises

5 European UNESCO Sites You Should See by River Cruise

Explore medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, baroque, and neoclassical architecture—and only unpack once.

March 14, 2023 04:15 PM

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Mae Hamilton

Cities We Love

7 Ways to Uncover History in Nuremberg

From the Middle Ages to WWII, the past is never far away in Bavaria’s second-largest city.

Sponsored by the German National Tourist Board

<ol start="1"><li>Monsanto, Portugal - April 2018: unique rock house in the village</li></ol>

Outdoor Adventure

12 Charming Small Towns in Portugal That Look Straight Out of a Storybook

From the mountains to the shores of the Atlantic, these Portuguese villages are worthy of every detour.

November 27, 2024 01:17 PM

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Joana Taborda

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