The post Explore Europe Like a Local with Wandering Helene appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Her goal with her blog? To inspire others to travel and not just to tick off a list, but to really learn about a new place, try the foods, speak to people, and fully experience it. “I also want people to reconsider local travel as an option, there is so much to see in our own backyards. Especially in Slovenia!”
On her blog, she adds that Wandering Helene grew out of her desire to share her experiences traveling and living in new cultures. “I want to share the places that often get overlooked, but are full of amazement and beauty,” reads her bio.
But how does a travel blogger continue to prosper in the days after Covid? According to Wandering Helene it’s a question of flexibility. In a recent blog post, she writes candidly about her experience this past year and explains that traveling locally is a great way of staying active and maintaining a sense of wonder.
“Being a tourist at home does not have to be dull or boring,” she stresses on her blog. “I guarantee for most people there is at least one if not more activities that you never experienced in your area.”
Her call to action: “Once it is safe to do so, plan one local outing being a tourist in your town. Just try it once. If you don’t know where to start about how to find local things to do or see, message me and I will personally give you a few ideas or direct you to someone who can.”
If Slovenia is on your to-do list, you’d definitely want to check out her blog and accompanying Instagram page:
The post Explore Europe Like a Local with Wandering Helene appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Underrated European Countries You Should Go To appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>A Balkan country on the Adriatic sea bordered by Albania and Serbia, Montenegro is not nearly as popular as it should be for its beautiful mountains, stunning beaches, and thriving local life. It’s small, but mighty, with plenty of history to offer as well as some gorgeous nature.
Located in the ocean between Iceland and Norway, the Faroe Islands are blissfully peaceful, missing the crowds of its Nordic neighbors. But they still have so much to offer visitors, like lots of sheep to look at, gorgeous skylines with quaint, painted houses, unbelievable views of volcanic mountains, and stunning waterfalls.
One of the more overlooked Mediterranean islands, Malta can give you all of the sand, sea, sun, and beaches that Greece and Cyprus can but with a fraction of the tourists.
The post Underrated European Countries You Should Go To appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Belarus appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Belarus has amazing nature, and even if you know this fact, you will still be surprised by it when you see it in person. 40% of the country is covered with forest, which is why it’s sometimes called the “Lung of Europe”. The green stripe on the national flag represents the rich forests.
Potatoes are a “second bread” in Belarus and there are over 200 specialties made with them. From the most famous draniki, which is actually a potato pancake, to hundreds of other dishes, potatoes are a staple in any Belarusian home and restaurant.
Many Nobel Prize winners came from Belarus. Simon Kuznets won the Nobel Prize in Economic Science in 1971, Zhores Alfredov got the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2000, two Nobel Peace Prize Winners (Shimon Peres in 1994 and Menachem Begin in 1978) were born in Belarus, and Svetlana Alexievich won a Nobel Prize in Literature in 2015.
The post 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Belarus appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Azulejo, the Beautiful Tile Art of Portugal appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Azulejo is a type of tile art that is extended throughout Portugal and is seen in the most normal and everyday settings in the country’s territory.
These painted tiles often have a blue component (hence the “azul” part of the word, which means blue in Portuguese) and are found on the walls, ceilings, and exteriors of all kinds of buildings. They often appear as part of the architectural design of public buildings, apartment buildings, schools, and churches.
This art form dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, back when the Iberian Peninsula maintained strong bonds with the Arab world. In this time, parts of the Iberian Peninsula were controlled by various Islamic kingdoms and there was strong trade between the two regions.
After acquiring the tools necessary to make azulejo, artists from both Spain and Portugal began to use azulejos to decorate buildings, and the art form continues to this day, being more common in Portugal.
Visitors who want to learn more about azulejo can even visit Lisbon’s Museu Nacional do Azulejo, a museum which has excellent examples of the art and tells the story of its history.
The post Azulejo, the Beautiful Tile Art of Portugal appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Ghent, Belgium is one of Europe’s Most Beautiful Cities appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>However, Belgium’s most interesting and beautiful city is actually neither one of these two. The highlight of Belgium for any traveler to this small Northern European country is actually the charming city of Ghent.
Ghent is located in the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in northern Belgium, just south of the country’s border with the Netherlands. It is a lively, university city that serves as a perfect mix of architectural beauty and cultural sights.
People that visit Ghent usually remark that the city looks like the setting of a fairy tale. This is because of the medieval architecture and cobblestone streets through which visitors walk, which makes you feel that you’ve jumped inside of a time machine.
One of Ghent’s most beautiful buildings is Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, an 89-meter tall Gothic cathedral. Visitors to the cathedral can climb up the stairs to the top of its bell tower for panoramic views of the city.
While Amsterdam might get all of the love in Europe for canals, Ghent’s status as a port city means that it has its own intricate network of waterways. Visitors can take a boat ride through the city’s canals to see a different perspective of Ghent’s beauty.
Be sure to sample some of the local delicacies, including Belgian beer and waffles while in Ghent. While it might not be the best-known destination, you’ll never forget your time in Ghent if you are lucky enough to visit.
The post Ghent, Belgium is one of Europe’s Most Beautiful Cities appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Lesser-Known Places to Visit In Paris appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Located at 37 Rue de la Bûcherie and filled to the brim with literary classics as well as a variety of newly published books, this bookstore is an absolute must-see for every book lover. The trademark dark green exterior is hard to miss, and the cozy interior invites you to spend hours casually browsing books, with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea in hand.
This little cafe is located in Montmartre, very close to the famous Moulin Rouge, but what makes this place particularly charming is the fact that it was used as the set of the movie Amelie. For fans of the movie, being here can be a surreal experience, but even for casual visitors, it is a great space to rest after hours of walking and sightseeing.
This giant wall, composed of blue enameled lava tiles on which the phrase “I love you” is written 311 times in 250 languages, is a little harder to locate, but if you step into the Jehan Rictus garden square in Montmartre, you’ll be sure to find it. The mural was created in 2000 by the French artist Fédéric Baron, and it is the perfect spot for picture-taking, especially if you’re visiting it with your loved one.
The post Lesser-Known Places to Visit In Paris appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post These European Countries are Totally Underrated appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Romania has such a cool folklore history, as well as some super underrated cities! The nightlife and atmosphere of cities like Cluj and Bucharest are super hip and very cosmopolitan but at incredibly low prices.
Also, if you know any romance languages, you might be able to get by since Romanian is also a romance language-little known fact!
Just south of Romania is another incredible country, Bulgaria. Bulgaria not only has natural beauty in its landscape, but the cities match as well. Bulgaria is also home to the oldest city in Europe and one of the oldest in the world called Plovdiv, so you can’t miss out on that for sure!
Poland is actually a central European country, much to people’s disbelief, and although it has a tainted history with its involvement in the Holocaust, it’s definitely worth visiting. While you’re there you should definitely see the concentration camps, but also take solace in the fact that the cities are super lively and bustling, so you can relax a bit.
The post These European Countries are Totally Underrated appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Porto is a Perfect Portuguese Paradise appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Porto is the second-largest city in the country, and is the main city of northern Portugal. Located on the banks of the Douro River and close to the Atlantic Ocean, it combines beautiful architecture, delicious food and wine, and a vibrant cultural life.
One of the reasons that Porto is famous throughout the world is due to its wine. Port wine is a fortified dessert wine that is produced in many wineries in Porto. It’s easy to visit these wine cellars and try different port wines in Porto, at places such as Sandeman’s and Taylor’s.
A typical bite to eat in Porto is a Francesinha sandwich, which is a crazy mashup of meat, tomato sauce, french fries, and bread. It’s definitely fatty, but undeniably delicious.
Another highlight of any trip to Porto is a walk over the beautiful Dom Luis I Bridge. This bridge, spanning the Douro River and constructed in the 1880s, is considered to be one of the most beautiful on Earth.
Finally, anyone that visits Porto has to take a stroll through the Ribeira neighborhood. Full of steep inclines, colorful houses, and charming shops, this riverside neighborhood captures the essence of the city.
Boa viagem!
The post Porto is a Perfect Portuguese Paradise appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Budapest’s Thermal Baths are a Must-Visit appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Some things that absolutely all visitors should do during any trip to Budapest should do are to take a cruise down the Danube River, walk across the Chain Bridge that connects the two parts of the city, and also visit the city’s impressive thermal baths.
The thermal baths of Budapest are located in a sprawling complex known as “Szechenyi Gyogyfurdo es Uszoda.” These beautiful and ornate baths were built at the turn of the 20th century, utilizing the thermal waters that sprout from under the ground.
The thermal baths available at the Szechenyi complex come in a grand array of different types. Some are located inside of the spa’s beautiful building, while others are concentrated in what can best be described as a massive outdoor swimming pool complex.
Visitors to these thermal baths can relax and take a load off after a long day of touring the city of Budapest in the waters of the pools, which are said to have medicinal properties.
Be sure to see this unique attraction in Budapest and spend some time in the warming tranquility of its waters if you find yourself in Hungary!
The post Budapest’s Thermal Baths are a Must-Visit appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Top European Countries to Visit This Fall appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Located in the Northern Hemisphere, this Nordic country is full of surprises. It is the home to some of the best architecture in the world. Castles, towers, churches, and museums are a must-see while in Denmark. Also, if you love Vikings, exploring the National Museum of Denmark is your dream come true.
Bavaria is a federal state in Germany that is worth visiting this autumn. Full of amazing castles, churches, medieval bridges all surrounded with forests will make you feel like you got trapped in a fairytale.
As the largest country in the world, Russia offers many beautiful sights, cities, nature, and wildlife to enjoy. It is also the home to the biggest forest reserve on the planet Earth. Overall, Russia is definitely a country worth visiting this season.
The period from mid-September to early October is the perfect time to explore Tuscany. Rent a villa or a farmhouse and experience the beautiful golden vineyards and the harvesting festivals that are held all over the country.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbXVH-_Fpxj/?tagged=tuscanyvineyard
The post Top European Countries to Visit This Fall appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Explore Europe Like a Local with Wandering Helene appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Her goal with her blog? To inspire others to travel and not just to tick off a list, but to really learn about a new place, try the foods, speak to people, and fully experience it. “I also want people to reconsider local travel as an option, there is so much to see in our own backyards. Especially in Slovenia!”
On her blog, she adds that Wandering Helene grew out of her desire to share her experiences traveling and living in new cultures. “I want to share the places that often get overlooked, but are full of amazement and beauty,” reads her bio.
But how does a travel blogger continue to prosper in the days after Covid? According to Wandering Helene it’s a question of flexibility. In a recent blog post, she writes candidly about her experience this past year and explains that traveling locally is a great way of staying active and maintaining a sense of wonder.
“Being a tourist at home does not have to be dull or boring,” she stresses on her blog. “I guarantee for most people there is at least one if not more activities that you never experienced in your area.”
Her call to action: “Once it is safe to do so, plan one local outing being a tourist in your town. Just try it once. If you don’t know where to start about how to find local things to do or see, message me and I will personally give you a few ideas or direct you to someone who can.”
If Slovenia is on your to-do list, you’d definitely want to check out her blog and accompanying Instagram page:
The post Explore Europe Like a Local with Wandering Helene appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Underrated European Countries You Should Go To appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>A Balkan country on the Adriatic sea bordered by Albania and Serbia, Montenegro is not nearly as popular as it should be for its beautiful mountains, stunning beaches, and thriving local life. It’s small, but mighty, with plenty of history to offer as well as some gorgeous nature.
Located in the ocean between Iceland and Norway, the Faroe Islands are blissfully peaceful, missing the crowds of its Nordic neighbors. But they still have so much to offer visitors, like lots of sheep to look at, gorgeous skylines with quaint, painted houses, unbelievable views of volcanic mountains, and stunning waterfalls.
One of the more overlooked Mediterranean islands, Malta can give you all of the sand, sea, sun, and beaches that Greece and Cyprus can but with a fraction of the tourists.
The post Underrated European Countries You Should Go To appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Belarus appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Belarus has amazing nature, and even if you know this fact, you will still be surprised by it when you see it in person. 40% of the country is covered with forest, which is why it’s sometimes called the “Lung of Europe”. The green stripe on the national flag represents the rich forests.
Potatoes are a “second bread” in Belarus and there are over 200 specialties made with them. From the most famous draniki, which is actually a potato pancake, to hundreds of other dishes, potatoes are a staple in any Belarusian home and restaurant.
Many Nobel Prize winners came from Belarus. Simon Kuznets won the Nobel Prize in Economic Science in 1971, Zhores Alfredov got the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2000, two Nobel Peace Prize Winners (Shimon Peres in 1994 and Menachem Begin in 1978) were born in Belarus, and Svetlana Alexievich won a Nobel Prize in Literature in 2015.
The post 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Belarus appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Azulejo, the Beautiful Tile Art of Portugal appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Azulejo is a type of tile art that is extended throughout Portugal and is seen in the most normal and everyday settings in the country’s territory.
These painted tiles often have a blue component (hence the “azul” part of the word, which means blue in Portuguese) and are found on the walls, ceilings, and exteriors of all kinds of buildings. They often appear as part of the architectural design of public buildings, apartment buildings, schools, and churches.
This art form dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, back when the Iberian Peninsula maintained strong bonds with the Arab world. In this time, parts of the Iberian Peninsula were controlled by various Islamic kingdoms and there was strong trade between the two regions.
After acquiring the tools necessary to make azulejo, artists from both Spain and Portugal began to use azulejos to decorate buildings, and the art form continues to this day, being more common in Portugal.
Visitors who want to learn more about azulejo can even visit Lisbon’s Museu Nacional do Azulejo, a museum which has excellent examples of the art and tells the story of its history.
The post Azulejo, the Beautiful Tile Art of Portugal appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Ghent, Belgium is one of Europe’s Most Beautiful Cities appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>However, Belgium’s most interesting and beautiful city is actually neither one of these two. The highlight of Belgium for any traveler to this small Northern European country is actually the charming city of Ghent.
Ghent is located in the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in northern Belgium, just south of the country’s border with the Netherlands. It is a lively, university city that serves as a perfect mix of architectural beauty and cultural sights.
People that visit Ghent usually remark that the city looks like the setting of a fairy tale. This is because of the medieval architecture and cobblestone streets through which visitors walk, which makes you feel that you’ve jumped inside of a time machine.
One of Ghent’s most beautiful buildings is Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, an 89-meter tall Gothic cathedral. Visitors to the cathedral can climb up the stairs to the top of its bell tower for panoramic views of the city.
While Amsterdam might get all of the love in Europe for canals, Ghent’s status as a port city means that it has its own intricate network of waterways. Visitors can take a boat ride through the city’s canals to see a different perspective of Ghent’s beauty.
Be sure to sample some of the local delicacies, including Belgian beer and waffles while in Ghent. While it might not be the best-known destination, you’ll never forget your time in Ghent if you are lucky enough to visit.
The post Ghent, Belgium is one of Europe’s Most Beautiful Cities appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Lesser-Known Places to Visit In Paris appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Located at 37 Rue de la Bûcherie and filled to the brim with literary classics as well as a variety of newly published books, this bookstore is an absolute must-see for every book lover. The trademark dark green exterior is hard to miss, and the cozy interior invites you to spend hours casually browsing books, with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea in hand.
This little cafe is located in Montmartre, very close to the famous Moulin Rouge, but what makes this place particularly charming is the fact that it was used as the set of the movie Amelie. For fans of the movie, being here can be a surreal experience, but even for casual visitors, it is a great space to rest after hours of walking and sightseeing.
This giant wall, composed of blue enameled lava tiles on which the phrase “I love you” is written 311 times in 250 languages, is a little harder to locate, but if you step into the Jehan Rictus garden square in Montmartre, you’ll be sure to find it. The mural was created in 2000 by the French artist Fédéric Baron, and it is the perfect spot for picture-taking, especially if you’re visiting it with your loved one.
The post Lesser-Known Places to Visit In Paris appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post These European Countries are Totally Underrated appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Romania has such a cool folklore history, as well as some super underrated cities! The nightlife and atmosphere of cities like Cluj and Bucharest are super hip and very cosmopolitan but at incredibly low prices.
Also, if you know any romance languages, you might be able to get by since Romanian is also a romance language-little known fact!
Just south of Romania is another incredible country, Bulgaria. Bulgaria not only has natural beauty in its landscape, but the cities match as well. Bulgaria is also home to the oldest city in Europe and one of the oldest in the world called Plovdiv, so you can’t miss out on that for sure!
Poland is actually a central European country, much to people’s disbelief, and although it has a tainted history with its involvement in the Holocaust, it’s definitely worth visiting. While you’re there you should definitely see the concentration camps, but also take solace in the fact that the cities are super lively and bustling, so you can relax a bit.
The post These European Countries are Totally Underrated appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Porto is a Perfect Portuguese Paradise appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Porto is the second-largest city in the country, and is the main city of northern Portugal. Located on the banks of the Douro River and close to the Atlantic Ocean, it combines beautiful architecture, delicious food and wine, and a vibrant cultural life.
One of the reasons that Porto is famous throughout the world is due to its wine. Port wine is a fortified dessert wine that is produced in many wineries in Porto. It’s easy to visit these wine cellars and try different port wines in Porto, at places such as Sandeman’s and Taylor’s.
A typical bite to eat in Porto is a Francesinha sandwich, which is a crazy mashup of meat, tomato sauce, french fries, and bread. It’s definitely fatty, but undeniably delicious.
Another highlight of any trip to Porto is a walk over the beautiful Dom Luis I Bridge. This bridge, spanning the Douro River and constructed in the 1880s, is considered to be one of the most beautiful on Earth.
Finally, anyone that visits Porto has to take a stroll through the Ribeira neighborhood. Full of steep inclines, colorful houses, and charming shops, this riverside neighborhood captures the essence of the city.
Boa viagem!
The post Porto is a Perfect Portuguese Paradise appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Budapest’s Thermal Baths are a Must-Visit appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Some things that absolutely all visitors should do during any trip to Budapest should do are to take a cruise down the Danube River, walk across the Chain Bridge that connects the two parts of the city, and also visit the city’s impressive thermal baths.
The thermal baths of Budapest are located in a sprawling complex known as “Szechenyi Gyogyfurdo es Uszoda.” These beautiful and ornate baths were built at the turn of the 20th century, utilizing the thermal waters that sprout from under the ground.
The thermal baths available at the Szechenyi complex come in a grand array of different types. Some are located inside of the spa’s beautiful building, while others are concentrated in what can best be described as a massive outdoor swimming pool complex.
Visitors to these thermal baths can relax and take a load off after a long day of touring the city of Budapest in the waters of the pools, which are said to have medicinal properties.
Be sure to see this unique attraction in Budapest and spend some time in the warming tranquility of its waters if you find yourself in Hungary!
The post Budapest’s Thermal Baths are a Must-Visit appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>The post Top European Countries to Visit This Fall appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>Located in the Northern Hemisphere, this Nordic country is full of surprises. It is the home to some of the best architecture in the world. Castles, towers, churches, and museums are a must-see while in Denmark. Also, if you love Vikings, exploring the National Museum of Denmark is your dream come true.
Bavaria is a federal state in Germany that is worth visiting this autumn. Full of amazing castles, churches, medieval bridges all surrounded with forests will make you feel like you got trapped in a fairytale.
As the largest country in the world, Russia offers many beautiful sights, cities, nature, and wildlife to enjoy. It is also the home to the biggest forest reserve on the planet Earth. Overall, Russia is definitely a country worth visiting this season.
The period from mid-September to early October is the perfect time to explore Tuscany. Rent a villa or a farmhouse and experience the beautiful golden vineyards and the harvesting festivals that are held all over the country.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbXVH-_Fpxj/?tagged=tuscanyvineyard
The post Top European Countries to Visit This Fall appeared first on Traveler Master.
]]>