Vienna is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful European cities I’ve visited. It perfectly combines cultural charm, iconic landmarks, and exceptional cuisine, making it an ideal destination for any traveler. My first visit to Vienna was in April with my husband, Roman. We spent six incredible days exploring its museums, historic sites, and vibrant neighborhoods. This time, I returned in June with my siblings (two sisters and a brother), and it was equally delightful to experience the city from a new perspective and create lasting memories with family.

Booking Tickets for Attractions in Vienna

Weather in Vienna

The weather in June was fantastic, sunny, and warmer than I expected, hovering around 25–30°C (77–86°F). It was perfect for wandering through Vienna’s scenic streets, gardens, and outdoor attractions. If you’re planning to visit during this time, I recommend packing light clothing and comfortable walking shoes, as there is so much to explore on foot. The long daylight hours also meant we could pack more activities into each day, which was a bonus!

Where We Stayed

We chose a spacious three-bedroom Airbnb apartment in the Neubau district, an area known for its trendy vibe, boutique shops, and cozy cafés. The apartment was ideal for a family group, offering enough space for everyone to relax after a long day. Neubau’s central location made it easy to access Vienna’s must-see attractions, and we enjoyed exploring its local gems like independent bookstores, art galleries, and unique eateries.

Getting Around Vienna

Vienna has an exceptional public transportation system, with trams, buses, and subways that are punctual, clean, and easy to navigate. Visitors can purchase unlimited travel passes for 24, 48, or 72 hours, which are convenient for sightseeing. However, since we were a group of four, we often opted for surprisingly affordable taxis. A typical ride cost us around €10 and was quick and efficient. We used Bolt and Uber for hassle-free booking. If you prefer walking, Vienna is a pedestrian-friendly city with many attractions within short distances of each other.

Food Tour: A Culinary Adventure

Exploring Vienna’s food culture was a highlight of our trip. We booked a five-hour guided food tour, which ended up lasting six hours because of our group’s enthusiasm and camaraderie. Our guide, Wolf, the owner of the company, was incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining.

The tour included visits to local markets and a wide variety of dishes, both savory and sweet. We tried authentic Viennese schnitzels, creamy soups, freshly baked bread, and decadent desserts like Sachertorte and Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes with fruit compote). Every dish was memorable, and we were stuffed by the end. It was an amazing way to learn about Vienna’s culinary traditions while meeting fellow travelers. The tour cost €95 per person—a great value for the experience and food included.

Cooking Class: Making Viennese Classics

To deepen our culinary adventure, we attended a cooking class to learn how to make apple strudel and cheese dumplings. The class was hosted by Nabil, an eccentric yet charming chef, in his quirky, retro-themed apartment. The hands-on experience was both educational and fun, as Nabil shared stories and tips while guiding us through the recipes.

The apple strudel, made with paper-thin dough and a flavorful apple filling, turned out to be as delicious as it was rewarding to make. The cheese dumplings, served with a plum sauce, were another highlight. The class lasted about two hours and cost €65 per person. For larger groups, Nabil offers classes at a professional cooking school. Highly recommended for food enthusiasts looking for a unique activity.

Day Trip to Wachau Valley

Vienna’s proximity to the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, makes it an excellent destination for a day trip. On my previous visit, I explored the valley by bike, but this time, we opted for a more relaxed approach and took the train to Melk, a charming town in the heart of the valley.

The train ride was scenic and took about an hour, including a transfer. Melk itself is a picturesque town with cobblestone streets, quaint shops, and the stunning Melk Abbey, a Baroque masterpiece with beautiful gardens and panoramic views. For those seeking more adventure, bike rentals are available to explore the valley’s vineyards and river paths.

We enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Pasta e Pizza, a cozy Italian restaurant with delicious pasta dishes and wood-fired pizzas. It was the perfect way to unwind before heading back to Vienna.

Fine Dining: Konstantin Filippou

For an unparalleled dining experience, we treated ourselves to a meal at Konstantin Filippou, a two-Michelin-star restaurant. The evening was nothing short of extraordinary. Each dish was a work of art, showcasing innovative flavors and meticulous presentation.

The tasting menu featured several courses, blending Austrian and Mediterranean influences in surprising and delightful ways. The atmosphere was elegant yet welcoming, making it a perfect setting for a special occasion. While the €250-per-person price tag (excluding wine) makes it a splurge, the experience was worth every euro. We left with full hearts and unforgettable memories.

Exploring the City

Vienna’s timeless elegance makes simply wandering its streets a joy. Every building, from grand palaces to quaint townhouses, tells a story of the city’s rich history. Strolling through districts like Innere Stadt (the historic center) and along the Ringstrasse boulevard was a feast for the eyes.

Must-Visit Palaces

Vienna is home to some of Europe’s most stunning palaces. The Belvedere Palace, with its expansive gardens and impressive art collection (including works by Klimt), is a must-see. The Schönbrunn Palace, a former imperial summer residence, offers an equally awe-inspiring experience with its opulent interiors and beautifully landscaped grounds. Be sure to book tickets in advance to avoid long queues, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Book online tickets :

Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour
Upper Belvedere & Permanent Collection Entry Ticket

Top Café Recommendations

L’Amour du Pain

A delightful French café offering exquisite pastries, fresh sandwiches, and great coffee. Perfect for breakfast or a mid-morning snack. Directions.

Melangerie Bistro & Caffeterie

This café caters to those seeking vegan or gluten-free options, with desserts that are as delicious as they are inclusive. Directions.

Wolfgang Coffee

 A trendy spot known for its top-notch coffee and unique boutique atmosphere. Directions.

GOTA Coffee Experts

Ideal for breakfast enthusiasts, this café serves standout French toast and opens as early as 7 AM. Directions.

Cafe Korb

Famous for its traditional Viennese desserts and basement events, this café is a cultural hotspot worth visiting. Directions.

Vienna is a city that offers something for everyone, whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or simply in search of beauty and charm. From its majestic palaces and world-class dining to its vibrant café culture and nearby day-trip opportunities, Vienna is a destination that will leave you inspired. Add it to your travel list and experience the magic for yourself!

In September, I received a message from Michal, a charming travel blogger, who asked me if I’d like to join her on a trip to Kaunas, Lithuania. She was invited by the Kaunas office of tourism, who suggested she invite another blogger on the trip and she thought of me 🙂 As you can see, I took her up on her offer.
And so it was, I took Ryanair’s first flight from Tel Aviv to Kaunas with Michal in late October.

If you want to read more extensively about Kaunas, I’ve written a useful post with all the information about Kaunas, as well as recommendations for all the restaurants we’ve visited. However, if you’d like a concentrated post about restaurants, you’ll find it here “Recommended restaurants in Kaunas post.”

The MAGICAL city - KAUNAS - Traveling outside the box

Where to stay in Kaunas?

We stayed at the Best Western Santakos, a 4-star hotel with a fantastic location, situated right between the new and old towns—perfect for exploring the city on foot. The hotel’s design is more traditional, resembling a castle with winding corridors, which might not suit those who prefer modern or boutique-style accommodations. The room was spacious and comfortable, though navigating the large hotel could be a bit challenging.

Breakfast was decent, offering a standard selection of bread, spreads, eggs, sausages, cheeses, and pastries, though the quality wasn’t exceptional. While the hotel features amenities like a sauna and a small indoor pool, we didn’t have time to use them. The staff was friendly, and the rooms were always clean.

Overall, this hotel is a great choice for travelers seeking a convenient and reasonably priced option, though it may not appeal to those looking for a boutique or luxurious experience.
Here are some up to date reviews on the hotel on TripAdvisor and more reviews and deals on Booking.com.

Tour of the old town

Our amazing guide Linas came to meet us at the hotel and take us on a tour of the old town. We passed side streets like Mapu Street (Map), and visited the municipal building – The city hall (Map) which used to serve as the mayor’s office (1920 – 1940) and today is a wedding spot (In a room called The White Swan).

It also has a balcony from which important people who visited the city speak (Facing a large square), where the basketball players come after a victory, as well.
We also walked along the rivers crossing the city, one of which is the largest in Lithuania and crosses other countries as well, and the other is the second largest). Where the two rivers meet is the place where Kaunas was first settled.

Note:
There are also tip-based group tours you can join, such as this two-hour English tour. Alternatively, you can contact the Kaunas Tourism Office to book a private tour, like the one we took. or go to the landmarks I’ve mentioned on your own time.

Other tours in Kaunas

Kaunas Old Town: 2-Hour Ghost Tour
Kaunas Tour: Love Stories
Self-Guided Secrets of Kaunas Exploration Game

Kaunas Castle

We visited the castle area (Map), entered the church by the castle. This church wasn’t destroyed in WWII, as it’s not in the town center, but at the time the Soviet army decided to turn it into a training facility for the Red Army and after a few years, when they established a larger training ground, they returned it.

Music museum

From there we went to the Kaunas City Museum, Folk music branch – a cute museum, fit for children and adults alike. You can try many strange musical instruments there. Many of them are simple to make and it’s cool to see how such a simple instrument can produce unique sounds. The employee there also demonstrated many instruments for us and you can listen to Lithuanian music, as well.
On the first floor are interchanging exhibitions and on the second floor are the instruments.
When going up the stairs there’s music and lights that appear gradually. It’s a museum worth visiting.
Address: L. Zamenhofo g.12

Jaukūs namai store

A store selling art and linen products, Jaukūs namai. A unique store with many handcrafted flax products, as well as art and unique jewelry. They also give workshops about making linen and the owner showed us the process (Apparently, it’s a long process with many steps). If you’re looking for a special gift for someone or something for your house, a piece of clothing or jewelry – this is a shop worth a visit. Map.

Gallery in the yard

We passed several streets with graffiti and Linas told us about each painting. The place I liked most was a gallery in a living compound’s yard where we got lucky to see the artist behind the paintings, Vytenis Jakas, who also lives in the compound. He explained to Linas about the paintings and Linas translated for us. The gallery is called Kiemo galerija (Yard Gallery) (Map). There’s a wall he just started drawing on and it has a plan showing what the painting is going to be – It’s about to be the people living in the building with a characteristic of each one.

For example, a cat that used to belong to one of the neighbors and died. The cat will be drawn exactly in front of the owner’s window, so that he can see him from his window. Some of the works are about Lithuania’s painful history. The gallery is trying to preserve the architecture of the 19th century.
It’s a place you have to visit while in town. It’s so special and interesting, with so much history and so many stories behind each piece of art.

Viewpoint of the Kaunas city

From there, we went to a vantage point over the city from the top floor of the church. To reach the church you must climb 250 stairs (There used to be a cable car but it’s under renovation). At the church you can take the elevator up or the stairs. The view of the city was beautiful despite visibility not being perfect that day with some fog over the city.
Map.

Coffee break and avenue

We decided to have coffee in the old town, at Vero café – a chain of local cafés, you’ll find many locations of theirs in town. (Map)

Additionally, Vilniaus street itself is a beautiful avenue with many restaurants, bars, cafés and stores and is worth a visit.

Candle-Lighting Tradition on All Saints’ Day

If you visit Kaunas on November 1st, as we did, you can experience a beautiful tradition celebrated annually in honor of All Saints’ Day. In Lithuania, and especially in Kaunas, this unique custom blends Christian elements with local practices. On All Saints’ Day, observed on November 1st, it is customary to light candles in memory of departed loved ones. In the evening, locals gather at cemeteries to place candles on family graves. The cemeteries are transformed into a stunning scene, illuminated by thousands of flickering candles, creating a peaceful and enchanting atmosphere.

This tradition is not directly connected to the American-style Halloween with costumes and trick-or-treating. Instead, it focuses on remembrance, reflection, and honoring the deceased. For the locals, it is a time of contemplation, paying respects, and coming together as a family. This tradition offers a glimpse into Lithuanian culture, where spirituality, history, and reverence for tradition are deeply intertwined.

Gate to the Jewish ghetto

Linas came to pick us up at the hotel and we rode with him to several locations following the Jewish history of the city (Reachable by bus).
We started the tour at the gate to the Jewish ghetto (A building you can’t miss), that was made by the same artist from Kiemo galerija (Yard Gallery) (Finished the art piece three months ago). The piece has many broken mirrors representing the broken lives from the past of this place. Map.

Orphanage and graveyard

We moved on to the orphanage that opened outside the gates of the ghetto and served as an orphanage even before the second world war. During the war the pediatrician Pioters Baurelis, with a team helping him, saved children from the ghetto. Map

By the orphanage we visited the Jewish graveyard. Today it doesn’t hold any graves (Only those on a hill that’s hard to reach), as the Soviets decided to destroy everything there after the war and only left two memorials in memory of the Jews murdered by the Nazis. Map.

The ninth fort

The ninth fort, It’s a fort established in the 19th century – to protect the city, but before WWII it was transformed into a prison by the soviets and during the war became a concentration camps for the Nazis. 50 thousand people were murdered there. There are two museums. Both portray the horrors the city’s been through under the Soviet and Nazi occupation.

The fort was built in 1913 and took 10 years to manually build it. During the war, 62 jews managed to escape (The guide at the fort took us on the route they escaped by). Part were murdered in the forests and some managed to survive. One of them even wrote a book about the escape from the fort.
The tour there is very hard and definitely not the best part of the trip, but I think it’s an important part of traveling to places like this. To remember what was and learn to appreciate what we have now.

Due to a tight schedule the tour was only an hour and we didn’t get to hear everything, but it’s definitely worth dedicating at least two or three hours to this place. By the fort is a large memorial in memory of the murdered and several smaller memorials as well. The memorial was established in a court where people were murdered. On a single night, 10 thousand Jews were murdered in it. Map.

Sugihara house

After the ninth fort we went to the Sugihara house museum, telling the story of Chiune Sugihara. Sugihara is a Japanese diplomat sent to Kaunas for a year to gather information for the Japanese, but who used his station to save thousands of Lithuanian and Polish Jews by producing visas for passage through Japan.
At first, the museum only had one floor, but it was expanded afterwards. On the second floor are explanations about Kaunas under the Soviet and Nazi rules, so people can understand the history behind what happened in the city.

After the ninth fort it was nice to visit a place that gives you hope in humanity and shows people who gave their lives for others. I recommend reading the story about Sugihara, and if you’re in Kaunas, visit the museum. Map.

Kaunas Lagoon Beach

Kaunas Lagoon (Kauno Marios), the largest artificial lake in Lithuania, is a popular spot near Kaunas for outdoor activities like walking, water sports, boating, and fishing. It’s surrounded by the Kauno Marios Regional Park, offering scenic views and attractions like the Baroque-style Pažaislis Monastery on its shore.

It’s a lovely lake that even has a beach. If you’re coming during the summer I recommend visiting it. You Can swim in the lake or tan on the beach, and there’s a small playground there. (Map)

Kaunas is a city full of history, culture, and unique traditions, making it a fantastic destination for travelers. From the charm of the old town and the scenic views of the Kaunas Lagoon to the deep historical significance of sites like the Ninth Fort and the Sugihara House, there’s so much to explore. Whether you’re visiting the candle-lit cemeteries on All Saints’ Day, experiencing local art and crafts, or learning about Lithuania’s Jewish history, Kaunas offers a rich and varied experience. It’s a city that combines the old and the new, offering something for everyone to appreciate, making it a place well worth discovering.

I hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, then you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram. Looking for more information about Lithuania? I have in the blog more posts about Lithuania.

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Portugal is a country known for it stunning nature, from beautiful beaches to majestic mountains. As such, it is the perfect destination for walking holidays, with routes available for all preferences and levels of difficulty. Today, we will look at five of the most popular walking routes in Portugal. 

Camino Portugues Central Route

Perhaps the most popular of them all, the Camino Portugues Central Route is one of the Camino de Santiago trails leading to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. When starting from Lisbon, the route is 620 kilometres long, however, there are many shorter alternatives you can do – from Porto, Tui, or Baiona. Either way, the trail takes you through some of the most lush countrycide in Portugal as well as charming local towns, where you can experience the culture and try authentic local dishes.

Camino Portugues Coastal Route

If you prefer to stay by the sea, the alternative coastal route of the Camino Portugues is a brilliant choice. This path takes you along the Atlantic coastline from Porto or Baiona to Santiago de Compostela. As you make your way down, you get to enjoy the breathtaking views of the ocean and the dramatic cliffs around you. You also visit a number of quaint fishing villages along the way, and let’s not forget the heavenly golden beaches. 

Camino Portugues Spiritual Variant

The Camino Portugues Spiritual Variant is a lesser-known but equally beautiful walking trail in Portugal. Also starting in Porto, this route focuses on providing pilgrims a unique and spiritual experience, by visiting a number of sacred sites and monasteries. You will also pay visits to the beautiful towns of Povoa de Varzim, Esposende, and Viana do Castelo, which are home to amazing architecture and historical richness. 

Levada Trails in Madeira

Leaving the mainland for now, Madeira is an island off the coast of Portugal. Madeira has a unique network of walking paths, which follow the island’s irrigation channels, also known as Levadas. Walking along them brings you through stunning nature, including lush forests and mountain ranges. This is where you get to experience the diverse flora and fauna of the island too. 

The Fisherman’s Trail

Back in mainland Portugal, the Fisherman’s Trail is a part of the larger and popular Rota Vicentina network of walking trails. The Fisherman’s Trail, in particular, is a coastal path stretching along Portugal’s southwestern coast. It is another great option for the beach lowers, as you pass some of the most pristine sands in the country, surrounded by the majestic cliffs. You will also encounter a number of fishing villages, which are nothing short of paradise for those who enjoy fish and seafood.

Book your walking holiday with Orbis Ways

If you are interested in exploring any of these routes, Orbis Ways can help you plan and book your adventure! This travel agency specialises in walking holidays and Camino de Santiago trips in Portugal, as well as many other countries. They will take care of all the logistics for you, from creating a tailored itinerary, to finding the best accommodation options for your budget. All that is left is enjoying your trip to the fullest! 

I’ve been getting lots of questions about Christmas in Cyprus, whether it’s worth visiting during the holiday season and if there are any special events. So, I decided to write a detailed post about everything happening in Cyprus this Christmas.

Let me start by saying that Cyprus isn’t the first destination that comes to mind for Christmas, especially if you’re seeking the classic European vibe with grand markets and impressive displays. However, if you’re looking for a warm-weather escape from colder climates, excellent hotels, heated pools, charming villages, and a light-hearted Christmas atmosphere, Cyprus delivers. The festive spirit here is lovely, with events mainly geared toward families with kids (but not exclusively).

Holiday Schedule and Closures

Most Christmas events start in mid-November and continue until early January. It’s important to keep in mind that during the holiday days themselves, especially December 25–26, December 31, and January, most shops, and some cafés and restaurants, are closed. So if you plan to visit on these dates, be aware that not all venues will be open.

If you arrive after the first week of January 2026, most of the special events will likely have ended. You can still explore, get ideas, see what’s available, and check out the guide I wrote on things to do in Cyprus during the winter.

Christmas Shopping and Sales

Most sales begin at the end of November with Black Friday and continue through December for Cyber Monday and Christmas promotions. It’s a great opportunity for holiday shopping and snagging deals.

Christmas Villages in Cyprus

Every year, eight villages in Cyprus are selected to host Christmas in a more festive way, with plenty of decorations and holiday activities. This year, the villages are:

The Christmas Villages will be operating from 22 November 2025 until 6 January 2026 (inclusive), as follows:
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, and daily from 22 December 2025 until 6 January 2026.

For detailed information about each village and what activities are available, visit the official Cyprus Tourism Organization website.

For those asking which village I recommend visiting, I’ve only been to some of them, but I really love Lefkara. In my opinion, it’s definitely worth a visit and even staying overnight. I wrote a detailed blog post about Lefkara unrelated to Christmas, which is worth reading to see what else there is to do there and where it’s recommended to stay.

Another beautiful village is Kakopetria, which is very charming. I wrote about it in more detail in my guide to the Troodos region.

Of course, to visit these villages, it’s best to rent a car. In the winter season, prices are very low (you can rent a car for less than 30 euro per day, including insurance) because Cyprus is not heavily touristed in the winter, and rental companies have excess stock. You can read more about discounts and where to rent a car in Cyprus in my recently updated post.

The “Christmas Villages” project takes place every year, with different villages selected each time. These villages are decorated festively for the holidays and host street stalls, performances, and various activities for visitors to enjoy.

Agros

A picturesque village in the Troodos Mountains, famous for its rose products, jams, and traditional sausages. The atmosphere is authentic and peaceful, with stunning mountain views. The easiest way to get there is from Nicosia or Limassol – about a one-hour drive.

Deryneia

Located near Famagusta in eastern Cyprus, known for its strawberry cultivation and annual Strawberry Festival. The village has small museums and historic ruins, offering an authentic rural atmosphere. The easiest way to reach it is from Larnaca or Protaras – about a 40-minute drive.

Fikardou

A small mountain village that has preserved its 18th-century character, with stone and wooden houses. A UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing traditional village life. Easily accessible from Nicosia – about a 50-minute drive.

Kalopanagiotis

A charming village in the Stiris River Valley, known for its Byzantine monasteries and hot springs. Narrow alleys and stone houses create a romantic atmosphere. Most easily reached from Nicosia or Limassol – about a 1 hour 15-minute drive.

Kakopetria

One of the most picturesque villages in the Troodos region, with flowing rivers, ancient watermills, and Byzantine churches. Ideal for hiking and nature retreats. Recommended access from Nicosia – about a 55-minute drive, or from Limassol – about an hour’s drive.

This is one of the villages we loved most in Cyprus and also serves as a great base for exploring the Troodos area.

Kyperounta

A typical high-altitude wine village, surrounded by vineyards and pine forests. Known for its wineries and agricultural festivals. The easiest way to reach it is from Limassol – about a 50-minute drive.

Stato-Agio Fotio

A peaceful village made up of two merged communities, with agriculture and mountainous scenery. Perfect for an authentic rural experience. The easiest access is from Paphos – about a 50-minute drive.

Lefkara

Lefkara is a village famous for its lacework and silver handicrafts, with picturesque stone alleys and historic houses. It combines culture, history, and local art. Most easily reached from Larnaca or Limassol – about a 35-minute drive.

Even last year, Lefkara was selected as one of the Christmas celebration villages, and I’ve heard good reviews from friends about the festivities.

Lefkara

Last year, we visited the village of Kiti, near Larnaca (this time it’s not one of the Christmas villages, but it gives a good idea of what the villages look like). We arrived on Friday afternoon, and the village was absolutely charming. There were food and souvenir stalls, along with beautiful and unique decorations.

One room allowed visitors to write letters to Santa, and another allowed visitors to meet Santa in person. It was our first time visiting this village, and we were pleasantly surprised by the whole Christmas village experience. I highly recommend visiting, especially on the weekend, as the village is livelier and offers special activities for kids.

The village also has a few restaurants that looked nice. We chose to dine at the Indian restaurant Flavors @ THE LANDMARK Indo Thai Restaurant on the main street. The chicken tikka dish was absolutely amazing, and the palak paneer was delicious as well. They also have a kids’ menu, which is very convenient for families.

Directions: The restaurant is easy to find on the main road in Kiti Village.

Christmas in Larnaca

Christmas Market

Every year, Larnaca hosts a Christmas market with over 200 stalls selling souvenirs, food, and crafts. The festive atmosphere in the city, especially in St. Lazarus Square, is delightful, with a decorated Christmas tree and lights across the town. For more details .

We visited this market last year and two years ago with our daughters, and had a great time. We stayed at Quality Lodge, just a 5-minute drive from the market. The lines at the entrance were long, but they managed it efficiently, and we only waited about 10–15 minutes.

Christmas in Limassol

A Luna Park that opened especially for Christmas in Limassol

On October 25, “Christmas Land” opened in Limassol, at the Old Port. The park offers a variety of rides and games for the whole family. In my opinion, it is mainly suitable for ages 3–8 (such as a Ferris wheel, a small roller coaster, a car track, and more).
Our daughters enjoyed it there.
Here is a link for more details.

Marina Lighting Ceremony

The date for the 2025 ceremony has not been announced yet – I will update once it is published. Every year, a festive ceremony is held at Limassol Marina to mark the opening of the Christmas season, with the lighting of a 12-meter Christmas tree in the marina square.

The event, usually starting at 16:00, will include a Christmas market, a children’s craft workshop, music and dance performances, including a children’s choir. In addition, Santa Claus is expected to arrive with gifts for the children.

We attended this event last year. While the tree was impressive, it was quite crowded, and the space felt a bit small for the number of visitors. Still, it’s worth visiting for a quick look before exploring the marina and promenade.

Christmas Market and Children’s Show

On 13–14 and 20–21 December 2025, the annual event “Limassol Christmas Show – The Magic of Christmas” will take place at the Aphrodite Amathusia Public Parking in Agios Tychonas, Limassol. The event will be open from 11:00 to 21:00.

Now in its third year, the event is an ideal destination for families, couples, and children, and is divided into two main parts. The first part, “The Magic of Christmas”, is an exhibition of gifts, decorations, and holiday products, featuring the best local and international professionals. Visitors can purchase everything needed for the holidays, from handcrafted souvenirs to elaborate Christmas tree designs.

The second part of the event, “Limassol Christmas Show”, is dedicated to children and holiday fun. Activities include photos with Santa Claus, choir performances, magicians, face-painting stations, craft workshops, and a variety of surprises that will be revealed throughout the event. More details.

Limassol Mall & Anexartisias Street

The Limassol Mall will host Christmas activities for kids starting November 25 and throughout December. For updates, check the mall’s social media page. On Anexartisias Street, you’ll find festive decorations, a Christmas tree, and weekend market stalls selling waffles, mulled wine, and kids’ train rides.

Things to do in Limassol
Limassol with kids
Recommended hotels in Limassol

Christmas in Paphos

The events in Paphos for 2025 have not been announced yet – I will update once they are published.

Things to do in Paphos
Paphos with kids
Recommended hotels in Paphos

Christmas Festival at CyHerbia Botanical Park

On December 13–14, the CyHerbia Botanical Park will host a magical Christmas festival. Highlights include:

Entry tickets cover all activities, and guests will also receive a complimentary cup of warming winter tea.

The festival runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and offers various creative workshops, such as making Christmas ornaments, soaps, candles, and more. For more details.

Final Tips and Summary

While Christmas in Cyprus offers a different vibe than the classic European experience, it still provides a charming and festive atmosphere, especially for families. Highlights include the Christmas villages, city markets, and family-friendly events. For those traveling without kids, exploring the beautifully decorated Christmas villages and strolling through city centres is a delightful way to soak up the holiday spirit.

Most large hotels in Cyprus decorate for Christmas and host festive activities. For example, during our stay at Parklane Hotel in Limassol, Santa Claus visited with gifts, and the overall atmosphere was magical.

Finally, many malls and playgrounds also offer special Christmas-themed activities for children. Be sure to check their social media pages for schedules and updates.

In conclusion, if you are planning a visit to Cyprus between 22 November 2025 and 6 January 2026, you can enjoy festive decorations, Christmas markets, and holiday activities across the island. Christmas in Cyprus may differ from the classic European experience, but it offers a pleasant atmosphere, special events, and beautifully decorated villages, making it particularly attractive for families.

The Christmas celebrations include selected villages hosting activities and holiday fairs, Christmas markets in major cities like Larnaca and Limassol, and family-friendly festivals with performances, children’s rides, and shows. In addition, there are shopping events with discounts throughout November and December.

For anyone seeking a festive getaway close to home, with activities for children and a light, cheerful holiday atmosphere, Cyprus can be an excellent destination to experience the magic of Christmas.

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Santiago Ways is an exceptional choice for anyone considering a Camino de Santiago experience. Renowned as a top Camino agency, they provide meticulously planned tours that cater to various preferences and needs, making the pilgrimage enjoyable, stress-free, and memorable. From carefully curated routes and comfortable accommodations to outstanding support, Santiago Ways has received widespread praise from thousands of satisfied travelers.

Impressive Customer Reviews

With over 2,000 positive reviews and a 4.7-star rating on Google, Santiago Ways has built a stellar reputation. Past clients frequently highlight the company’s exceptional service, attention to detail, and seamless logistics. Reviews often commend Santiago Ways for its expert planning, reliable customer service, and thoughtful itinerary options, tailored to create a perfect Camino experience.

Clients frequently note how the agency simplifies the journey, handling accommodations, meals, and luggage transfers efficiently.

Tailored Camino Experiences

Santiago Ways offers a range of Camino routes suited to all types of travelers. Their most popular paths include the Camino Frances from Sarria, the Camino Portugues from Tui, and the Portuguese Coastal Camino from Baiona, each offering distinct scenic and cultural experiences. For a unique take, travelers can also opt for the Camino de Finisterre, which leads to the “End of the World,” adding a symbolic finish to their pilgrimage.

These diverse options allow Santiago Ways to cater to varying preferences, whether travelers seek the historical essence of the Camino Frances, the coastal charm of the Portuguese Way, or an adventure on a less-traveled route.

Comprehensive Support and Expert Guidance

One of the standout features of Santiago Ways is the high level of support they offer. Clients enjoy 24/7 assistance, including an emergency contact number, ensuring that help is always accessible. The team of Camino experts at Santiago Ways provides clients with in-depth advice and preparation tips, making the pilgrimage accessible to both first-time and experienced hikers. Whether it’s guidance on what to pack, physical conditioning, or selecting the best route, their team provides everything necessary to complete the Camino with confidence.

For those new to the Camino or who prefer an extra layer of support, Santiago Ways offers guided tours led by knowledgeable guides. These guides enrich the journey with insights into the Camino’s history, culture, and traditions, transforming the pilgrimage into a comprehensive cultural experience.

Flexible Options: Walking or Cycling the Camino

Beyond walking routes, Santiago Ways also organizes the Camino by bicycle. This option appeals to those looking for a faster-paced pilgrimage or seeking a unique way to explore the Camino’s diverse landscapes. Santiago Ways takes care of all logistical details for cyclists, including arranging bicycle rentals and securing bike-friendly accommodations, allowing travelers to focus on the experience itself.

Choose Santiago Ways for an Unforgettable Camino

Santiago Ways offers a unique and thoroughly enjoyable Camino de Santiago experience, supported by a track record of positive reviews and professional service. Their tailored routes, top-notch accommodations, dedicated support, and variety of options make them the ideal choice for anyone planning this historic pilgrimage. Whether you seek a leisurely stroll, a challenging adventure, or a cycling journey, Santiago Ways ensures an experience that resonates with the heart of the Camino.

The Molos area, located near the marina, is the heart of Limassol and one of its most popular spots. People come here to stroll, jog, cycle, play with their children, or simply sit back and relax by the sea.

Events

From time to time, large live performances are held here, and the area plays a major role in the annual Limassol Carnival parade (held every year at the end of February or early March). Additionally, various sporting events, such as the Limassol Marathon, pass along the promenade, bringing a lively and vibrant atmosphere to the area. Rollerblade and skateboard enthusiasts will also find ramps at Molos designed especially for them, drawing in young people and thrill-seekers.

Restaurants and Cafes

Naturally, no mention of Molos would be complete without highlighting its excellent food and drink options. In the area, you can find Caffe Nero, one of the island’s well-known cafes. I recommend trying their cheesecake or spinach pie; they also serve quite decent sandwiches and salads. For something more filling, Red Resto Bar Pizza Romana is an excellent choice for Italian cuisine—their pizzas and pasta are fantastic, and the cocktails won’t disappoint either. On weekends, you’ll also find stalls offering fresh juices and grilled corn—if the corn stall is open, I highly recommend trying it with butter and salt; it’s simply delicious!

Across the road, you’ll find street food options like shawarma and Indian street food, as well as a few convenience stores. If you walk another ten minutes toward the marina and the old port area, you’ll find an even wider selection of restaurants, cafes, and bars. The area is bustling in the evenings and on weekends, with a lively and enjoyable atmosphere.

Beach

If you feel like enjoying the sea, you can head to the nearby beach. It’s a well-kept beach with sunbeds and umbrellas available for rent at €2.50 per item (umbrella or sunbed, payable per day/hour). It’s perfect for a relaxing day in the sun, and you can also swim in the pleasant waters of the Mediterranean.

Playgrounds

The promenade is suitable for all ages, with various activity options. For example, Molos has several great playgrounds, suitable for both toddlers and older children. Our girls, aged two and five, love playing there. The playgrounds are spacious, and equipped with quality and safe equipment.

Jogging and Cycling Paths

For fitness enthusiasts, Molos offers excellent jogging and cycling paths. Convenient paths run along the entire promenade, and bikes can be rented by the minute or hour from rental spots around the area. It’s a fun way to enjoy the beautiful sea views as you make your way along the promenade.

Parking

Parking in the Molos area is generally organized and accessible, though it can get busy on weekends. With a bit of luck, you can find a spot in metered parking, but if not, there are additional parking options in the old city area and nearby paid lots.

We moved to Limassol three and a half years ago and visit the Molos area frequently. As a couple working from home, we love going to Caffe Nero and sitting by the sea with our laptops—there’s a large table designated specifically for people working, and it’s always nice to combine work with such a relaxing view. Our girls enjoy playing in the playgrounds there, riding their scooters, or running on the wide lawns and promenade, which gives them plenty of room to roam freely. We also enjoy dining at the various restaurants and cafes in the area and spending time at the nearby beach.

I hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, then you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram. Looking for more information about Limassol ? I have in the blog more posts about Limassol and posts about Cyprus.

In September, my family went on a girls’ trip to celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of my two nieces. It was a 3-generation trip that had been planned for years. I was in charge of planning the itinerary, attractions, and restaurants. It wasn’t easy to plan for nine girls of different ages, but the trip turned out amazing, and we all left happy.

I chose tourist attractions (since for most of us it was the first time in Paris), but also included some more unique activities. The trip was relatively short, but we managed to do a lot, and even the younger kids kept up with the pace and enjoyed every place.

Things to do in Paris- Traveling outside the box

A brief overview of our trip to Paris:

Where to stay in Paris?

Since we were nine girls, I was looking for a large, spacious apartment with four bedrooms. I have to say, it wasn’t an easy task: finding an apartment with good reviews, a flexible cancellation policy (we booked several months in advance and wanted free cancellation, since my sisters and mom live in Israel and, understandably, the situation with the war was uncertain), a good location, and a reasonable price.

After a lot of searching, I found the perfect apartment. It looked amazing in the pictures, and my aunt, who knows Paris well, confirmed that the location (9th arrondissement) was ideal. But when we arrived, we were even more pleasantly surprised by how fantastic it really was.

The apartment has four bedrooms, each with an en-suite shower. Two of the rooms don’t have en-suite toilets, but there are additional shared toilets in the apartment, which was perfectly fine. Each room has a double bed, and one room also has two folding beds, so the apartment can comfortably fit 10 people. The living room is huge, and the kitchen is well-equipped.

The apartment is on a main street with plenty of restaurants, cafés, shops, and bars, and there’s a bus stop and metro station right nearby. One of the bedrooms faces the main street and was relatively quiet, except for some weekend noise; the other rooms face the back and were completely quiet. The beds were very comfortable.

I booked the apartment through Booking.com, and communication with the management company was excellent. Getting into the apartment was easy with codes for the building and a key box near the apartment door. Note that there is a €1,500 security deposit required a few days before arrival, which is held for up to a week after checkout. This was something we were a bit worried about, but from my research, I found that many apartments in Paris ask for such a deposit.
Link to book the apartment in Paris.

A brief overview of Paris arrondissements:

Paris has 20 arrondissements, and these are the main ones:

We chose to stay in the 9th arrondissement on the recommendation of my aunt, who knows Paris well. It’s a fun area with a wide variety of cafés and restaurants. We mostly explored the 1st-4th and 7th-9th arrondissements. We felt safe and walked around late at night without encountering any hostility.

How to get around in Paris?

There’s no need to rent a car in Paris, and it’s not even recommended. Public transportation in the city is very convenient and easy to use. We mostly got around by metro, and to some extent by bus and train (for Disneyland). We took a taxi once from the Eiffel Tower to the apartment because we were exhausted, and also took taxis to and from the airport.

We had a wonderful taxi driver whom I highly recommend—his name is Syman. His WhatsApp number is +33 0650228063.

My nieces chose to take the train to the apartment, which required two train transfers and took them about an hour and a half. A taxi ride in traffic takes about an hour, and on the way back, it only took 30 minutes since it was early Saturday morning without traffic. After a 4.5-hour flight, we just wanted to get to the apartment quickly, so we opted for the taxi, but public transport was also an option.

We bought metro and bus tickets at the metro station. You can purchase single-ride tickets or daily or weekly passes, which are available both at the metro station and on the RATP website. A regular trip costs €2.15 for adults, and a trip to Disneyland costs €5 for adults and €2.5 for children.

Tickets for Paris attractions?

Since we were a group of nine, it was important for me to buy tickets to all the attractions in advance. Some of the tickets I purchased through the official attraction websites, like for the Eiffel Tower, and for others, I used ticket sites like GetYourGuide and Tiqets, where the prices were cheaper. I also tried to book tickets with free cancellation, given the uncertainty due to the situation in Israel. Both sites offered free cancellation options. Another site worth checking for attraction tickets is Viator, but for our dates, it turned out to be more expensive.

Dessert Tour

Since we were traveling with two five-year-old girls, I looked for a light and fun tour that would suit them. I came across a dessert tour on Airbnb Experiences and knew it would be the perfect option for a tour with little ones. The description said the tour lasted three hours, but I messaged the guide and asked if we could shorten it to around two to two and a half hours so it wouldn’t be too long for the girls.

Our guide, Clement, was really kind and patient. He took us to five different stops where we tried some especially delicious desserts. The tour was in two charming areas (the 2nd arrondissement and the 4th arrondissement, also known as the Jewish Quarter in Le Marais) and led us through enchanting alleys. I won’t spoil the surprise by telling you about the desserts, so you’ll be surprised if you take the tour, but I can definitely say that everything was super tasty, and the price was worth it compared to other tours I looked into.

Since we were a group of nine, the tour ended up being private, which was great because Clement was able to accommodate our requests.

I recommend wearing comfortable shoes and not eating too much beforehand because there are a lot of desserts! 🙂
Link to the tour.

Disneyland

When we decided on Paris as our destination, it was clear that we had to visit Disneyland. Despite a packed schedule, with only a few days in the city, we chose to dedicate one day to Disneyland. We bought the tickets in advance.

The cheapest site I found for buying tickets was Tiqets, as they offer discounts for groups or families with more than four people. This deal, according to the website, is valid until the end of September and turned out to be especially cost-effective for us.
Link to purchase Disneyland tickets.

We reached Disneyland by metro (we got off at Nation, then took the RER A train). The journey took about an hour, including both the metro and the train, which brought us directly to the station near Disneyland, making the trip easy and convenient.

We arrived at around 10:30 a.m. on a Thursday in September and were pleasantly surprised that the entrance wasn’t too crowded, allowing us to get in fairly quickly. However, the park itself was packed with visitors, and I guess only in winter would there be fewer people.

Most of the rides didn’t have excessive lines, and the average wait time was about 30 minutes. Some rides had shorter waits, while others had longer lines. We downloaded the Disneyland app, which allowed us to purchase “Skip the Line” tickets for some of the rides at a cost of €5 per person (prices vary by ride). This shortened our wait time to 5-10 minutes, which was perfect for us.

I recommend downloading the app and filling out your details as soon as you enter the park. This way, you can easily purchase skip-the-line tickets when you reach the attractions. It’s enough for one person from your group to install the app and buy the tickets for everyone.

The park offers a wide variety of restaurants and food stands, including desserts. Normally, I avoid giving negative recommendations, but in this case, I must say: avoid the Akuna Matata restaurant, which served us frozen, inedible food.

The rides we particularly enjoyed were:

We stayed at Disneyland until 6:00 PM and then took the train and metro back to our apartment. I recommend not planning anything else for that day, as you’ll be very tired and might stay at the park until dinner.

Eiffel Tower 

At first, I thought it was unnecessary to visit the Eiffel Tower since I had heard it was crowded and best avoided. But my sister insisted it would be a special experience for the kids, and in hindsight, I agree with her.

I wanted to buy tickets for the elevator to the second floor, but there were no tickets available for the time we wanted, so I bought tickets for the elevator to the top floor (though, in my opinion, going only to the second floor is perfectly sufficient). I bought the tickets through the official Eiffel Tower website, where the prices were the cheapest (note that the tickets are for a specific date and time and cannot be canceled or changed. In our case, we bought them on the same day, which worked for us). Here’s a link to purchase tickets to the Eiffel Tower on the official site.

You can also find tickets at different prices, some of which include guided tours, on websites like Viator, Tiqets, and GetYourGuide.

For those planning to visit the Louvre or take a cruise on the Seine, I noticed there’s a discounted combined ticket available.

The approach to the tower was exciting, and we were all amazed by how large and impressive it was. The entrance wasn’t too crowded, and we got on the elevator within five minutes. However, the elevator doesn’t go directly to the top floor; it stops on the second floor, where you need to switch elevators to continue to the top. On the second floor, we had to wait in line both to continue the ascent and later to descend back down.

In short, to avoid unnecessary waits for the elevators, I recommend only going up to the second floor. Although the view from the top was special, it wasn’t worth the long wait for the elevators (if there aren’t many people, then maybe it’s worth going all the way up). Around the tower, there are some food and souvenir stands, but the prices are quite high.

I recommend setting aside about an hour and a half for the Eiffel Tower. We booked our tickets for 4:30 PM and finished by 6:00 PM. We then rested on some benches below before heading to dinner and then a cruise on the Seine.

Seine River Sunset Cruise

 I had read several recommendations about taking a Seine River cruise at sunset to see the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the dark and to enjoy views of the city in the evening. I decided this was an activity we had to include in our schedule.

I explored a few cruise options and finally chose the simplest one. There are different types of cruises, like those with alcohol or dinner, but we were just looking for a sightseeing cruise of Paris’s famous landmarks without any extras.

I bought a ticket for a specific day but without a fixed time, and we decided to take the 8:00 PM cruise. We arrived at the pier at 7:50 PM, but the line was very long. In September, cruises depart every 20 minutes until 9:00 PM. Be sure to check the schedule in advance. Sunset is the most popular time, and everyone wants to take the cruise during this hour, so I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes beforehand, as the line can be long (we didn’t expect this). We didn’t manage to board the 8:00 PM cruise and ended up on the 8:20 PM one, which meant we missed the sunset during the cruise, but it was still incredibly magical.

I think this was one of the most enjoyable activities. There’s a great atmosphere on the cruise, with people constantly waving to those on other boats or walking along the riverbank, and my daughter really loved it.

The cruise departs from a pier near the Eiffel Tower, so it’s a good idea to combine it with a visit to the tower on the same day.

I highly recommend this activity for both adults and children.
Here’s a link to purchase tickets for the Seine River cruise, and as I mentioned earlier, there’s also the combined ticket with the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

House of Dreamers Museum

I stumbled upon this museum on Instagram and knew it would be a must-see during the trip with my daughters 🙂 It’s a temporary museum near the Louvre, and it’s very Instagram-worthy. It’s a great place for fun, colourful photos, especially if you’re visiting with children. You can easily spend 30 minutes to an hour there.

To reach the museum, you need to enter the Les Salles du Carrousel, a complex that also has shops (kind of like a mall). Directions.

The museum is divided into different zones, each vibrant and perfect for photos. There’s a giant ball pit with slides, which the kids especially loved. When we visited, there weren’t many people, so we could take pictures in every area without waiting in line.

We visited the museum on a Friday at 5:00 PM. I bought the tickets in advance, but you can also purchase them at the venue (prices are slightly higher on weekends).

Here’s a link to the museum’s Instagram (I recommend sending them a message to confirm opening hours).
Link to purchase tickets for the museum. There is a family ticket option, which includes two adults and two children, or you can buy separate tickets for adults and kids.

The Louvre Museum 

I don’t need to say much about the Louvre – it’s the most famous art museum in the world.

As casual visitors who may not fully appreciate the grand art, we found the museum to be very nice and worth visiting, though an hour there was enough for us. We visited the sculpture hall on the second floor, saw the Mona Lisa, and viewed an exhibition (if I recall correctly) of 18th-century paintings, all featuring themes of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

Since we had walked a lot and visited many places during our trip, by the last day we were quite tired, and the younger kids were getting restless. So, we stayed at the museum for only a short time, but it’s definitely impressive and worth a visit.

Entrance for children under 18 is free, so we only booked tickets for the adults in advance.

Here’s a link to purchase tickets for the Louvre. As mentioned before, there’s an option for a combined ticket with the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River cruise.

Macarons at Ladurée

When I told my friends (one American and one British) that we were going on a girls’ trip to Paris, they both insisted that we visit Ladurée on the Champs-Élysées. They raved about the incredible macarons and the stunning decor, so naturally, I added it to our itinerary.
Before we arrived, I was worried it would be crowded, but to my surprise, the place was relatively empty, giving me plenty of opportunities to take photos of Maya. The place is indeed beautiful, and Maya got a large raspberry macaron, which she loved. My sisters bought a box of macarons to take home, and I treated myself to a cup of coffee, which was beautifully branded.
You can also reserve a table for afternoon tea and desserts on the upper floor for €64 per person. We opted out of the luxury experience and stuck to macarons and coffee. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the Champs-Élysées area.
Directions.

Exploring the Champs-Élysées

Before the trip, we kept singing the “Champs Elysées” song, so of course, we had to visit the street! We got off the metro at Concorde station and walked towards the Champs-Élysées. We strolled through a lovely garden and then visited the Ladurée macaron shop. My nieces also wanted to stop by Sephora, and from there, we walked to the famous Arc de Triomphe.

Recommended Cafés in Paris

Paris has so many great cafés, and honestly, wherever you go, you’ll likely find a fantastic one. However, we did visit a few that stood out, and if you’re nearby, they’re definitely worth a try.

Instagram-worthy café with delicious pancakes

Bon Bouquet Café: A café decked out in pink and green, perfect for a fun breakfast. Maya and I ordered the mango pancakes with mascarpone (the portion was huge—even the two of us couldn’t finish it!). The others ordered the berry pancakes and avocado toast with salmon and pomegranate, which were also excellent. The coffee was great, and Maya and my niece ordered a pink bubble tea that they really enjoyed.

Café with amazing avocado toast and excellent coffee

Kozy: A popular spot, so when we arrived at 9 AM, we had to wait a few minutes for a table. They have a fantastic breakfast menu. We all ordered the avocado toast, which we loved, and my mom had a brioche with fruit and cream, which she really enjoyed. The coffee was superb.

Café with the best coffee

We visited Back in Black based on a recommendation from our dessert tour guide, who claimed it serves the best coffee in Paris—and it really was excellent.

The best pastries in Paris

We stopped by Fou de Pâtisserie during our dessert tour, and it’s such a great spot that I have to mention it. Even if you’re not on a tour, you should go. They don’t make their own pastries but source them from the best pastry chefs in Paris. We tried two cakes by an incredible pastry chef, and every day they have different offerings. It’s definitely worth visiting.

The best baguette in Paris

Boulangerie Utopie won first place in the 31st annual competition for the best baguette in Paris. Of course, you must eat a baguette with butter while in Paris, and if you’re going to do it, why not have the best one? My sister, the earliest riser, volunteered to bring us fresh baguettes and pastries for breakfast in the apartment. The baguette was indeed delicious and worth the 30-minute walk from the apartment or two metro stops away.

Recommended Restaurants in Paris

Just like cafés, Paris is full of amazing restaurants, and they’re all so good that it’s hard to choose. However, a few really stood out during our trip.

French fusion restaurant

Restaurant Kozo: Located a 12-minute walk from our apartment in the 9th arrondissement. It’s a small restaurant (reservations are a must), offering either a 5-course (€58 per person) or 9-course (€88 per person) meal. It’s a modern French-Japanese fusion with truly unique and delicious dishes. You can also pair wines with each course, but I opted for two glasses of excellent white wine.
We spent about three hours there for the 5-course meal, and beyond being filling and delicious, it was an unforgettable experience.

French restaurant with excellent service

La Robe et Le Palais: Located a 15-minute walk from the Louvre. I got a recommendation for this place from one of my Instagram followers, and as soon as I saw photos of the food, I knew we had to go. The combination of delicious food, a great atmosphere, and excellent service made it a winner. The coconut and curry ceviche was incredible, as was the fish of the day. My niece ordered lamb, which was also fantastic. Highly recommended.

Focaccia sandwich restaurant

Focaccia NOVETTINO – Grands Boulevards: I have to recommend this place, which was right below our apartment. They serve focaccia sandwiches you can either build yourself or choose from the menu. My sister and I built our own with Pecorino cheese, Bresaola, truffle mayo, arugula, and tomato—it was one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had.

Great pizza

Bella Piazza: Delicious pizzas at reasonable prices. The restaurant is located in a small square about a 15-minute walk from the museum. On the way, we also passed through a lovely flea market that spanned three streets, selling clothes, jewelry, and cameras.

Things to do in Paris that I didn’t get to

While planning the trip, I discovered other activities that I ultimately decided to save for a future visit, such as:

In conclusion
We had an amazing trip to Paris. I think it’s one of the most incredible cities I’ve ever visited, with a vast array of places to see, restaurants, cafés, and attractions—all of the highest quality. There’s no doubt I’ll need to visit again. For now, these are my recommendations!

We arrived in Sofia as part of a trip to Bulgaria with our daughters, Maya (4.5 years old) and Sophie (almost two years old). The trip took place in August, with warm weather. We spent two nights in Sofia and the rest of our time in Bansko.

Sofia Bulgaria with kids- Traveling outside the box

Family-Friendly Hotels in Sofia

During our stay in Sofia, we stayed at two different hotels.

Eurostars Hotel

The first was the Eurostars Hotel, located in the city center. We booked a suite that included a pull-out sofa, a double bed, and a bathroom. The suite was spacious, but in hindsight, we would have preferred two connecting rooms. The hotel itself was pleasant but not exceptional. I think it’s a great choice for anyone looking for a centrally located hotel at an affordable price. The breakfast was good, with a variety of Bulgarian dishes and fresh fruits. The hotel offers paid parking at 24 leva per day.
Book the hotel and read more reviews

Hotel Zoo

Hotel Zoo is located right next to the zoo and a large park. I thought this would be a great choice so we could visit the zoo with the girls, but we ended up visiting the Science Museum and another park instead. The hotel is about a 20-minute drive from the city center, and the staff there was not very friendly. Additionally, there was a lot of noise in the mornings from the nearby zoo. However, I liked the spacious rooms, the on-site restaurant and bar, and the small outdoor playground. For those traveling with small children, it might be a pleasant place to stay for a night, but I would recommend a hotel in a more central location. Parking costs 10 leva per day.
Book the hotel and read more reviews

Getting Around Sofia

We primarily used taxis, which was the most convenient option with the girls. Taxis in Sofia are inexpensive, and there’s an app called Taxime that always had available taxis.
By the way, if you’re traveling with a baby to Sofia, keep in mind that the sidewalks are not very stroller-friendly, especially if you have a basic travel stroller.

Car Rental in Sofia

There’s no need to rent a car for traveling within Sofia itself, but since we planned to travel from Sofia to Bansko, we decided to rent a car directly from the airport and return it there. I chose hotels with parking to avoid dealing with parking in the city. I rented the car through Paapm Paapm, a service I like because it saves time and allows filtering out less recommended rental companies.

I filtered the search results on Paapm Paapm for an automatic car and pick-up at the terminal, so we wouldn’t have to wait for a shuttle — especially with two small girls — and it was a great decision. We received the car within 10 minutes of arrival. We rented from Goldcar, which is part of Europcar. We paid an extra 35 euros for a car seat, and in hindsight, it would have been wise to email them in advance to request a seat, as the number of seats is limited. We booked full insurance through Carinsurent. You will need a credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit (a debit card is not acceptable).

Children’s Science Museum: Muzeiko

Muzeiko turned out to be the perfect place to visit with the girls. We spent two enjoyable hours there (and could have spent even more). The museum is modern and new, and there weren’t many people, probably because we visited in the middle of the week. It is spread over three floors and divided into themes of past, present, and future. All the exhibits are interactive and engaging for both children and adults. There is also an area suitable for little ones with games and a slide. Each floor has restrooms, and the ground floor has a nice café with hot and cold drinks, ice creams, and desserts. Maya and Sophie were very interested in the exhibits, and Maya wanted to try everything we saw. Although Sophie didn’t understand everything, she wasn’t bored because everything was interactive, and she tried everything Maya did.

Entry fee: Children under the age of two enter for free. For adults and children, the cost is 12 leva (about 6 euros). If you arrive between 4:00-6:00 PM, the entrance fee is 10 leva.
Opening hours: The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Borisova Gradina Park

A beautiful park that’s nice to walk around in. It is the oldest and most famous park in Sofia. There is a lake, walking trails (you can also rent bikes and ride around), a restaurant by the lake, and food stalls. Directions.

Studentski Park

About a 10-minute walk from the museum, we reached a lovely park with lots of trees, lawns, and a cute playground that the girls enjoyed. I think it’s a great park to visit with kids if you’re in the area. Directions.

Instagrammable Stairs

When I saw these stairs near our hotel, I thought it would be a great place for a photo of the girls, but it turned out to be an attraction they really enjoyed as well. The stairs are covered in graffiti and are right outside the Eurostars Hotel. Maya and Sophie enjoyed climbing the stairs and sliding down the ramp. Directions.

Café with Great Cakes: Altruist Urban Cafe

If you love cakes, we found a café with a great selection of delicious cakes — Altruist Urban Cafe, which offers seating both inside and outside. They have excellent coffee and cakes. Our favorites were the chocolate cheesecake and the pistachio-raspberry cake.

Tsentralna Banya Gardens

From the Altruist Urban Cafe, we continued to the gardens (about a ten-minute walk with a stroller). On a previous visit, the gardens were more well-kept, but this time there were many pigeons, which the girls enjoyed feeding and running around with. The gardens are home to Sofia’s old city bathhouse (Central Mineral Baths), an impressive historic building with beautiful Ottoman architecture and mineral water fountains that attract many visitors. Directions.

Vitosha Boulevard

The most popular area in the city. On this pedestrian street, you will find plenty of restaurants and shops. If you are looking for a lively place to be throughout the day and night, this is the place.

Restaurants in Sofia

Amazing Italian Restaurant: Unica

We arrived at Unica on the first day of our family vacation for dinner. I found the restaurant by chance on Google Maps and saw that it was just a five-minute drive from our Eurostars Hotel. I called ahead to make sure there was a table available. Luckily, there was (I recommend making a reservation in advance and asking for a table by the window). Our first impression was excellent, and the food was even better than expected. We ordered focaccia for a starter, which came cut into squares with cheese and sausage — it was so good that we finished it immediately and ordered another one. We also ordered a tartare dish, which I found less impressive. For the main courses, we had risotto with baby calamari and peas (the winning dish of the evening) and spaghetti with tomatoes, which was very tasty and a big hit with the girls. Additionally, we ordered local wine, which was excellent. If you’re in Sofia, this restaurant is highly recommended for a delicious dinner.

Korean Restaurant: Korean Restaurant Korea

When we returned to Sofia from Bansko, we looked for a place for lunch near the Zoo Hotel. I found a restaurant called Korean Restaurant Korea, just a four-minute drive away. It is a small, homey restaurant with a few tables inside and outside. When we arrived, we were the only customers, and we were a bit apprehensive, but soon realized it was a great restaurant, and we loved the dishes. We ordered a delicious seafood soup and a vegetarian bibimbap that was so good we were disappointed we didn’t have time to come back. For the girls, we ordered a vegetable omelet and a clear noodle soup with vegetables, which they loved. Additionally, several small side dishes, such as kimchi and tofu in sauce, were served to the center of the table.

Local Chain Restaurant: Happy Bar & Grill

On our last night in Sofia, we had dinner at Happy Bar & Grill, a Bulgarian restaurant chain with branches all over the country. We had eaten at their branch in Varna during a previous vacation in Golden Sands. This is a chain with tasty food at good prices, making it very suitable for those traveling with children. Directions to the branch we visited.

More Things to Do in Sofia with Kids

We had limited time in Sofia, so we didn’t get to experience all the attractions in the city. However, I did some research beforehand, and here are some additional suggestions for things to do:

in conclusion, I believe you can easily spend 3-4 enjoyable days with kids in Sofia, as there is always something to do. The city has plenty of parks and playgrounds, which is a significant advantage for those visiting with young children in spring or summer. I really loved combining a visit to Sofia with a trip to Bansko, allowing us to experience both the city and nature.

I hope my post has been helpful to you. If so, I would love for you to leave a comment below. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask in the comments or reach out to me on the blog’s social media pages: Facebook and Instagram.
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We flew to Bulgaria for a family trip. The plan was to land in Sofia, stay there for one night, and then continue for six days in Bansko. After seeing the Kempinski Hotel and its excellent summer rates, I decided on Bansko. I also discovered the many attractions in the Bansko area for families with children. Since Bansko is famous as a ski resort in winter, hotel prices are much lower in the summer.

The drive from Sofia to Bansko takes just over two hours. It’s a relatively easy and flat drive, mostly on a main road, except for the last twenty minutes, which are more winding with a single lane in each direction.

Bansko with kids - Traveling outside the box

Overview of Our Trip to Bansko

How Did We Get to Bansko?

We rented a car from Sofia Airport and drove for just over two hours to Bansko. We stayed one night in Sofia on arrival and one night on the return trip. I chose hotels with parking to avoid dealing with parking in the city. I booked the car through Paapm Paapm, which I like because it saves time and allows you to filter out non-recommended rental companies.

I filtered the search results on Paapm Paapm for an automatic car with pickup at the terminal, so we wouldn’t have to wait for a shuttle—especially with two small children. This turned out to be an excellent decision; we received the car within 10 minutes of arrival. We rented from Goldcar, which is part of Europcar. We paid an extra 35 euros for a child’s seat. In hindsight, it would have been wise to email them in advance to request a seat, as their supply is limited. We took out insurance for deductible reimbursement through Carinsurent. Note that a credit card in the driver’s name is required for a deposit (debit cards are not accepted).

Kempinski Hotel

Staying at the Kempinski Hotel was an exceptional experience. It is one of the most impressive hotels we have ever visited, and its design is simply stunning. We couldn’t believe the value of the money we received. We paid about 2,000 euros for five nights in two connecting rooms (each with a balcony, a king-sized bed, and a bathroom with both a tub and a shower) on a half-board basis. The dinners were of a very high standard. The hotel is designed like a castle, with beautiful antique decor and breathtaking views of lawns and mountains.

Best hotel for families this summer in Bulgaria - Traveling outside the box

Hotel Facilities

The hotel has an indoor pool, a jacuzzi, an adults-only area with saunas and an ice room, a spa, and a gym that is open 24/7. There is also a kids’ club where children over three can be left under supervision, or you can stay with them. Since we had Sophie, who was under two, we spent some time in the kids’ club and some time sitting in the seating areas outside the club (ordering coffee). This way, the girls could play and join us whenever they wanted. The only downside was that the staff at the club mostly spoke Bulgarian and not much English, so the girls had difficulty communicating with them. I mentioned this in my feedback to the hotel.

Outside the hotel, there are several swimming pools, including a toddler pool and a jacuzzi, which we used with the girls. In the late afternoons, when it got a bit cooler, it was very pleasant to relax in the warm jacuzzi. The hotel has a restaurant above the pool area where we had lunch on our first day. The food was excellent, and they also served homemade ice cream.

Food at the Hotel

Breakfast is a diverse buffet with everything you could imagine: an omelette station, waffles, pancakes, hard cheeses, salmon, deli meats, fresh juices (which vary daily), freshly squeezed orange and red grapefruit juice, bread, pastries, fresh fruits, cakes, spreads, and more. There is a children’s corner with accessible food and unbreakable plates, so Sophie and Maya could take whatever they wanted themselves. Additionally, you can order extra dishes from a menu, like Eggs Benedict.

In the evenings, there were two barbecue buffet dinners (on Fridays and Saturdays), which were very high quality, with excellent steaks, seafood, salad bars, cheeses, deli meats, fresh fruits, cakes, and more—all included in the half-board (except drinks). On the other evenings, dinner was served at the Italian restaurant with an à la carte menu. The dishes were excellent, and you could choose a starter (either pasta or risotto) and a main course. Some dishes required a small additional fee (about 5 euros), like the octopus carpaccio, which was excellent. For dessert, there were delicious options: Roman chose the tiramisu, which he said was one of the best he had ever had. The girls and I loved the restaurant’s signature dessert—white chocolate mousse, raspberry mousse, and sorbet. For the kids, you could choose a dish from the kids’ menu and a dessert.

The only downside was the slow service at the restaurant, where on two evenings, it took almost two hours to receive all the dishes. The girls began to lose patience, but apart from that, the meals were amazing.

Outside the Hotel

Outside the hotel, there is an inflatable playground and a kids’ park—great activities for the children. The inflatables cost about 10 leva for half an hour, which is very reasonable. The hotel’s location is excellent, with attractions nearby. If you want to walk to restaurants or cafes in Bansko, you can do so, but keep in mind that the area is hilly. Going down with the kids is easy, but coming back up can be more tiring.

Summary of the Hotel Experience

At the entrance to the hotel, there is a valet parking service that takes your car keys and parks the car for you, and when we needed the car, they brought it to us. The service was excellent, as was the cleanliness of the rooms. Attention to detail was evident in the room: bathrobes for adults and children, toiletries, facial cleansing water, a coffee machine, a kettle, tea, and coffee capsules. In short, the experience at the hotel was amazing. Aside from a few small details that could be improved, our stay was perfect and highly recommended.

To book the hotel and more reviews

Cable Car and Kids’ Activities in the Mountains

Behind the Kempinski Hotel is a cable car, which is used for skiing in winter. In summer, you can take it up to an area with children’s activities. The cable car ride takes almost half an hour, so keep that in mind if you are travelling with small children. Maya and Sophie were very excited about the cable car and the views from it. The round-trip ticket for the four of us cost 90 leva (about 45 euros).

When we arrived, we found a world of activities for children: a playground, inflatables (costing 10 leva per child for 20 minutes), and a water slide (only for children over the age of 8, so we couldn’t try it, and Maya was disappointed but was told she was too young). There is also a tubing track (without water, suitable for children over 1.30 meters tall, but Maya, who was 1.20 meters, was allowed—probably depending on the attendant). Maya was very excited about this attraction and did it five times at the cost of 25 leva. There is also a mini-golf and a restaurant where I had iced coffee, the girls enjoyed ice cream, and Roman had a cold soup (yoghurt and cucumber).

Overall, it was a very enjoyable activity with the kids. I hope that next time we come, we can all try the water slide. There is also a short walking trail in the forest that can be done with a stroller. For those without kids or with older children, you can take the cable car up with rented bikes and ride down the trail or explore the area by bike and return by cable car. For all the activities and prices.

Horseback Riding

Five minutes drive from our hotel, we discovered a horse farm called Конна база КОШЕРИНА. We decided to go there and ride horses together. The place itself is charming and feels like a cosy corner with a hammock, several picnic tables, playground equipment, and animal enclosures with chickens and rabbits.

You can choose between a fifteen-minute or a thirty-minute ride in the forest. We chose the fifteen-minute ride because Sophie is still young, and it was her first time on a horse. I was the first to ride a horse, Maya rode behind me on a pony, and Roman rode with Sophie on another pony. Each of us had a guide holding the reins, so no prior riding experience was necessary. The ride was calm and relaxed in the forest, and Maya wanted to do it again. The way back was even more beautiful, as the mountain views unfolded before us. Directions.

Rila Fun Park

One of the recommended attractions in the Bansko area is Rila Fun Park, located about a 45-minute drive from the Kempinski Hotel. The park is situated near the Bear Sanctuary, so you can combine visits to both attractions on the same day.

The park features a variety of attractions, including inflatables and trampolines. At the top, there are seating areas suitable for older children and adults. You can enjoy a small café and a popcorn stand with stunning views of the forest and mountains. However, the highlight of the park for me was the roller coaster! You can ride it alone or with a partner, and you can control the speed of the ride. I’m not sure exactly how long the ride lasted, but I estimate it was a few minutes. It was an amazing and relaxing experience for me (I chose to go slowly, which was calming), while Maya and Roman wanted to go at full speed, making it a more thrilling experience for them. There are brakes you can pull to slow down the ride, so if you want a slower experience, it’s possible. I preferred the slower pace, but it can be very fast.

The roller coaster is suitable for children aged 3 and up. Tickets cost 15 leva for adults and 10 leva for children. Parking and park entry are free. The park also has a playground, a zip line, and a dwarf house primarily for photo opportunities. Additional paid attractions include trampolines and a seat that launches you upwards (I’m not sure how to describe it since we didn’t try it :)).

Bear Sanctuary

The Bear Sanctuary is located just behind Rila Fun Park. There are two ways to get there:

  1. On Foot: There is a trail through the park that you can walk. Our friends who visited reported that the walk takes about twenty minutes. They had a two-and-a-half-year-old with them, and since the trail is not stroller-friendly, they carried him part of the way and had him walk the rest. It’s advisable to bring a baby carrier if you’re walking with infants.
  2. By Car: Alternatively, you can drive five minutes from the park. We chose this option since we didn’t have a carrier. It’s the most convenient and quickest option.

At the Bear Sanctuary, you can take a one-kilometre tour to see the bears. Tours are conducted from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. When we arrived a bit after noon, we had to wait until 1:00 PM for the tour, which conflicted with lunchtime and Sophie’s nap. Therefore, we decided to go only to the observation point (free), and luckily we managed to see two bears, which was enough for us. If we had checked the times in advance, we would have tried to make it for the tour.

The tour costs about 10 leva for adults, 3 lev for children aged 7 to 18, and children under 6 enter for free. Directions to the sanctuary are available. Directions.

Restaurant with Playground and Animals

On the way back from the Bear Sanctuary, we stopped for a meal at a charming restaurant called Hristiana Heavenly Place. The restaurant features a playground and various animals like ostriches and chickens. It is a 15-minute drive from the Bear Sanctuary.

We ordered two pizzas: one with olives and mushrooms and one with Margherita, along with a salad and beef sausage with fries. Roman also ordered a draft beer and said it was good. It’s a great option for lunch, especially if you’re with children. The girls enjoyed the playground while we waited for the food. The service was quick and good.

Restaurant with Fish You Can Catch

The restaurant itself is an experience. I saw a recommendation for it in a story on Instagram by Hila from ToTravelLive. It’s a stunning restaurant with fish ponds and seating areas overlooking the ponds. Besides the beautiful setting, you can also catch your fish, which they will then prepare for you.

We arrived close to lunchtime, and the girls were already hungry, so I didn’t want to risk Roman and Maya not catching any fish. Therefore, I pre-ordered a grilled fish, along with additional dishes like salad, tomatoes with cheese, garlic potatoes, and schnitzels. It turned out to be a good decision since they didn’t manage to catch any fish, but at least we enjoyed the attempt. A child nearby caught two fish within 2 minutes, so it is possible.

The restaurant is called Rila Fish and is located about a 35-minute drive from Bansko. You can combine a visit here with a trip to Rila Fun Park and the Bear Sanctuary, instead of the other restaurant I mentioned earlier.

Café with a Play Area

On one of our trip days, Sophie wasn’t feeling well and was quite sleepy. We wanted to get coffee outside the hotel while Maya wanted to play, so I came across a new café that opened in February 2024, ZZ Land Play Café.

It’s a lovely café with both indoor and outdoor seating. The ground floor features a large, modern play area with lots of games for children, a slide, a ball pit, and a caretaker. On the upper floor, there are TVs where you can watch your child, so if you’re having coffee and cake upstairs, you can still keep an eye on them. The staff were very friendly and spoke good English, so Maya felt comfortable going downstairs to the play area with the caretaker. Sophie slept while Roman and I enjoyed coffee and delicious cakes. The café only serves drinks and cakes.

The area around the café is really nice, with a path with flowing water and greenery. The cost of the play area is 10 lev per hour.

Local Market on Sundays

We love markets, so when I discovered there was a market in Bansko on Sundays, I immediately included it in our activity plans. The market is open every Sunday from 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM and is located in the town centre. We arrived by car and found parking nearby. Many of the shoppers are locals, so the atmosphere is not touristy. There’s a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, jams, spices, and more. Near the market, there’s a whole area with cafes, shops, and restaurants, as well as some food stalls. Additionally, there are paid attractions for children, like a carousel and a space ride. Directions to the market are available. Directions.

Other Activities in Bansko We Didn’t Do

In summary, Bansko is a perfect destination for families and couples. It’s enjoyable all year round with many attractions and activities. There are many hotels in the area, but I highly recommend the Kempinski Hotel, which is amazing. I’m already looking forward to our next visit and trying more activities.

I hope my post has been helpful to you. If so, I would love for you to leave a comment below. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask in the comments or reach out to me on the blog’s social media pages: Facebook and Instagram.
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Germany is one of my favorite countries because of its nature, people, bustling cities, and
the fact that there’s lots to do there.
In this post I will tell you about the cities I’ve liked the most when visiting.

Berlin

Berlin tops my list because it’s a truly fun city. I’ve visited four times, going both alone and
with a partner, and I always had a great time. The city offers countless things to do and has
many modern and trendy cafes, which is something very important to me when I
travel—good coffee, a great atmosphere, and plenty to see and do.

Berlin is easily accessible, with two airports offering direct flights from almost anywhere in
Europe. Getting around the city is easy with public transportation. I used the metro and
trains, and it was simple to navigate with either option.

Things I really liked to do in Berlin: tours 🙂 When I traveled alone, the tours were a great way
to meet people and explore the city. I tried a beer tour through Sandemans Europe, in which
we were a group of seven people and the guide. The guide was from Chile and from the
beginning I really liked him because he was funny and started telling cool facts about the
beer that I had no idea about. The tour consisted of three hours that were spent in old
breweries in the city and ended in a cool bar.

I also tried a bike tour through Berlin on Bike at Get your guide. I was a bit apprehensive about doing a bike
tour of the city because I was worried that the roads would be too busy, but it turns out that
Berlin is a very comfortable city for cycling. There are bicycle paths in most places and if
there are not, riding on the road is not stressful because there are not many vehicles. The
tour was about three-and-a-half-hours-long and we visited popular points of interest in the
city.

Another recommendation for something that I really liked is to go to a stand-up show in
English at the Cosmic Comedy Show. I went there both alone and with a partner and both
times I laughed a lot and really loved the place. Some evenings they host beginner and
veteran stand-up artists and each one appears for about 10 minutes. Most of them were
really funny. The entrance price is cheap and includes pizza, which is even nicer. There are
also evenings that consist of a show led by two veteran stand-up artists who each appear for
about 40 minutes.

A must-visit place is the Berlin Cathedral which is simply stunning and suitable for
photography lovers because it is very photogenic. In addition, there is a whole complex of
museums near the cathedral. I checked out the Pergamon Museum, which I really liked. The
museum contains a collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, a museum of Eastern
antiquities, and a museum of Islamic art. I really enjoyed the area of ​​ancient Rome. At the
entrance you can pay for audio instruction and it was great because that way I could

progress at my own pace and whenever something seemed interesting to me I turned on the
audio according to the number of the performance and heard details about what I was
seeing.

If you like Vietnamese food, a restaurant that I really liked is Monsieur Vuong.
It’s a Vietnamese restaurant with amazing food and, as someone who traveled in Vietnam
for three months, I really enjoyed the flavors of this place.
A cafe that I really liked is Café Hüftengold Foodshop Hüftengold.
A cafe in which it is really fun to sit outside on warm days. It is colorful with a good
atmosphere and has a variety of healthy and affordable breakfasts and desserts as well as
great coffee.
17 Cool things to do in Berlin

Nuremberg

Nuremberg really surprised me. I didn’t expect much before arriving, but I quickly fell in love
with the city. The city center, with its beautiful architecture, is perfect for exploring on foot,
and there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and museums to enjoy.

Nuremberg has its own airport, and we arrived through a direct flight. Since we planned to
continue from Nuremberg to the Franconian Switzerland region, we rented a car at the
airport and drove to the city center. In Nuremberg itself, you don’t need a car, so we parked
it near the hotel and only used it when leaving the city.
We stayed at the Melter Hotel & Apartments, an excellent 4-star hotel in a central location in
the old city.

Recommended things to do in the city:
First of all, if you come to Nuremberg during the Christmas season, you should know that it
is known as a city with one of the largest and most impressive markets in Germany.
In every new destination I really like to do a walking tour of the city to get to know all the
places and to get tips from local guides for the rest of the trip. We took a tour of the Ministry
of Tourism which cost 10 euros per person. The tour was light and fun, lasted about an hour
and a half, and we managed to see a lot of the downtown area and taste an excellent
gingerbread cookie in the bakery, everything is baked there.

Another place I recommend going to is the Imperial Castle. The area around the castle is
well maintained and beautiful, and in addition, there is a unique show around the well. Every
round hour, a short 10-minute show takes place in which a 50-meter-deep well is revealed,
which took about 10 years to be dug manually. The show is very nice and highly
recommended if you are in the area.

If you are looking for a restaurant that serves local food and is loved by the residents of the
area, you should try Restaurant Etzerdla. The restaurant is decorated in a modern and
impressive style, and the menu is based on seasonal and fresh ingredients, so the dishes
change according to the availability of local products.

Tip: It is recommended to buy the Nuremberg ticket so you can enjoy entry to many
museums and sites for free. The ticket can be ordered in advance and you can pick it up at
the information desk at the airport or at tourist information spots throughout the city.
3-day Nuremburg, Germany itinerary

Forchheim in Franconian Switzerland

Franconian Switzerland is in the Bavarian region of Germany. We got there with the rented
car from Nuremberg in a short one-hour drive. The road itself is really beautiful and I just
wanted to photograph every moment.
This area is suitable for nature lovers and those looking for something different from a
normal urban experience.
Forchheim is a stunning city that resembles a town more than a city. It is relatively small and
has beautiful architecture. It is one of the oldest cities in Germany, and is sometimes
referred to as the gateway to Franconian Switzerland. It has four local breweries and every
year, at the end of July, there is a beer festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of
tourists.

Not far from the city there is a castle that serves as a hotel and visiting it was one of the
most worthwhile things we did in the area. We stayed three nights at Burg Rabenstein
Castle. The area of ​​the castle is stunning and you can go on various hiking trails.
The design of the castle looks medieval and the rooms’ decor looks royal and authentic. In
courtyard there is a Biergarten restaurant with local food. There are also tours of the castle
that are free if you’re a hotel guest there, or cost 5 euros if not.
Sleeping in a castle in Franconian Switzerland
Top things to do in Franconian Switzerland

Potsdam

We visited Potsdam as a day trip from Berlin, getting there by train. The S7 line of the S-
Bahn connects directly between Berlin and Potsdam. It departs from several central stations
in Berlin (like Hauptbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, and Friedrichstraße) and arrives at Potsdam
Hauptbahnhof (Potsdam Central Station). The trip takes about 30-40 minutes.
Potsdam is a historical and cultural city famous for its palaces, gardens, and rich history,
making it a popular tourist destination. We visited in April when the city was covered in snow,
and while it was beautiful, I’ve heard it’s even more stunning and colorful in the summer.
We enjoyed walking around the city center, admiring the architecture. Of course, you must
visit Schloss Sanssouci. We took a tour, which was very interesting, though some areas
were covered in snow, so we had to imagine what they looked like.

Hamburg

From Berlin, we drove to Hamburg, which took about three-and-a-half hours. We only stayed
in Hamburg for one day, and I regret not spending more time there. The city has a youthful
vibe, with many great places to sit outdoors. It’s a lively port city with plenty of attractions.

We really enjoyed wandering around the city itself. I think it’s an excellent place for young
people and for those looking for modern cafes, special architecture and nightlife.

If you are looking for nightlife, then the district of St. Pauli & Reeperbahn is Hamburg’s
famous area for this. Reeperbahn is known for its clubs, bars, theaters, and lively
atmosphere. It’s also where The Beatles got their start.

In conclusion, Germany has many cities that are worth visiting, and each one has a unique
atmosphere and different things to offer. I really suggest visiting the country for at least a
week and combining more than one city in the trip.