The Aachen Christmas market exceeded all of our expectations, and that’s saying something, because we’ve visited a long list of Christmas markets in Germany and across Europe. We visited Aachen as a family in December 2025 on a day trip from Cologne. The Christmas market fills three connected squares in the heart of the old […]
Redwood National and State Parks is home to some of the tallest trees on Earth, and after four days exploring every corner of the complex, here’s what we recommend most. This is one of the easiest national parks to enjoy right from the car. Scenic drives wind through groves of towering redwoods, and Howland Hill […]
Collecting Christmas market mugs has become one of our favorite holiday traditions. It all started at our first Christmas market in Vienna, when we were served steaming-hot glühwein in an adorable boot-shaped mug. It was snowing, the atmosphere was festive, and immediately, we were hooked. As the day went on, and we visited more markets, […]
Crater Lake National Park is home to some spectacular hiking trails, from short walks along the caldera rim to mountain summits with panoramic views over the lake. Many of these hikes are relatively short, making it easy to combine several trails in one day. In this guide, we cover 9 of the best hikes in […]
This guide features the best Christmas markets in Germany, based on firsthand visits, plus years of exploring Christmas markets across Europe. It includes well-known classics as well as hidden gems, along with tips to help you plan an unforgettable holiday trip. Picture medieval town squares glowing with lights, half-timbered houses, steaming mugs of Glühwein, and […]
The Heidelberg Christmas market is a charming and underrated market in Germany, known for its romantic setting and quaint old town. Set beneath the ruins of Heidelberg Castle and spread across multiple picturesque squares, this Christmas market offers a quieter, more intimate experience compared to the larger and busier markets in cities like Frankfurt and […]
Looking for one of the best hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park? How about a trail that delivers epic views without the crowds? If this caught your attention, we recommend hiking Lassen Volcanic’s Brokeoff Mountain Trail, one of the most underrated hikes in the park, and a much quieter alternative to the ever-popular Lassen Peak […]
Timeless, awe-inspiring, and mystical. These are a few ways to describe Redwood National Park. Home to some of the tallest trees on Earth, this park protects ancient old-growth forests and a peaceful river valley. Together with three neighboring state parks, it forms the greater Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP). Here you can hike beneath […]
With a vibrant Christmas market right at the foot of the iconic Cologne Cathedral, plus several more spread across the city, Cologne is one of the top destinations for German Christmas markets. Combine that with easy day trips and a rich history, and Cologne makes a fantastic base for a northwestern Germany itinerary. We added […]
Planning 2 days in Lassen Volcanic National Park? Two days is the ideal window for a first visit. It’s long enough to cover the park’s greatest hits without feeling rushed, and short enough to keep the pace enjoyable. We spent three days exploring Lassen Volcanic (park #53 out of 64!), hiking both Lassen Peak and […]
IRONMAN 70.3 Cap Cana is a beautiful but hot race held in the Dominican Republic. Swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, bike along a straight, mostly flat highway closed to cars, and end with a flat, scenic run through the Cap Cana Marina. We’ve now raced a lot of half Ironman distance races, […]
We spent a December day wandering Frankfurt’s sprawling Christmas Market, one of the world’s oldest, through historic squares, festive stalls, and a cathedral tower with views over it all. This guide covers the best market sections plus the top things to do in Frankfurt any time of year. Frankfurt is often known for its modern […]
This two-week (14-day) Central Europe itinerary visits Munich, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Vienna, and Prague, combining historic cities with alpine scenery. It’s perfect for travelers seeking convenient train travel and day-trip options to fully immerse themselves in the region. On this itinerary, you’ll travel from Bavaria, through the scenic landscapes of Austria, and end in the historic […]
Discover the best things to do in Dresden, Germany, from historic sites in the Old Town to a few unique, off-the-beaten-path destinations. We’ll also cover where to eat and where to stay. Dresden is a historic city in eastern Germany known for its stunning Old Town filled with churches, a royal palace, an opera house, […]
We arrived in the Lofoten Islands after driving down from the Vesterålen Islands, and on our very first day, we climbed Svolvaergeita and hiked Svolvaer Fløya. It was a long, exhausting, unforgettable day, and somehow, it set exactly the right tone for everything that followed. By the time we left four days later, we were […]
What better way to kick off your triathlon racing series for the year than with IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside? Swim in the calm, chilly waters of Oceanside Harbor, cycle through the rolling hills of Camp Pendleton, and run along the stunning Southern California coastline, all while racing alongside some of the best professional triathletes in the […]
The hike up to Garfield Peak offers some of the best views in Crater Lake National Park. This 3.3-mile round-trip trail climbs steadily along the crater’s south rim, rewarding hikers with panoramic views of Crater Lake’s brilliant blue waters. Standing at 7,976 feet (2,431 meters), the summit of Garfield Peak offers one of the most […]
Florence is one of the best home bases for exploring Tuscany and nearby cities. The most popular day trips from Florence are conveniently accessible by train, with destinations like Pisa, Lucca, Bologna, Arezzo, and Siena just one to two hours away. Renting a car or joining a guided tour provides access to Tuscan hill towns, […]