YOUR GUIDE TO VISITING EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS

 - The Local Germany

From deciding which ones to visit, to what to buy, to staying warm enough (with or without a 'Glühwein' in hand), here's our complete guide to German Christmas markets, more

CRUISING FOR A CAUSE

-The Travel Squire

While many of us struggle with classifications, if prodded I would have to admit I’m a solo or small group traveler. A cruise isn’t something that’s in my field of vision. So, it was with a fair amount of trepidation that I boarded the 700 passenger Adonia in Fort Lauderdale with a one week itinerary in the Dominican Republic. More

RAJA AMPAT INDONESIA – A WILDLIFE FANTASY ABOVE & BELOW

-The Mad Hausfrau

“Your room is very nice” Sophie whispered to me in her beautiful French-accented English. I nodded wearily as I dragged my carry-on through the sandy path.

We had been traveling for three days to get here. Temporarily immune to the surrounding beauty, all I could think about was taking a nap. To the right of us, I was aware of a sloping jungle filled with strange sounds from which I was soon to learn housed exotic creatures and birds of all sorts. To the left, a neat row of guest cottages jutting out over crystal clear water. More

TRAVELING FRANCE’S SAÔNE RIVER BY HOUSEBOAT: 4 FAVORITE STOPS

-The Mad Hausfrau

We set this beautiful part of France as our destination, organized our number (7 plus the family dog) and how big a boat we would need, we again booked a houseboat with Locaboat. After driving the 6 plus hours to Macôn, France from our home in Germany, we boarded the Saint Leger Sur Dheune and the fun began. More

NAZARETH: A WHIRLWIND OF DELICIOUS FOODS AND WARM HOSPITALITY

-The Mad Hausfrau

Nazareth is many things. A city packed with historical and religious significance, a place where unique unifying efforts are being made between religions and cultures and a great foodie destination. More

4 GREAT THINGS TO DO IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

-The Mad Hausfrau

I spent Thanksgiving week last November tagging along on my husband’s business trip to Geneva. While he was conferencing during the day, I was out visiting Christmas markets, taking day trips to neighboring cities around Lake Geneva as well as exploring what this lovely city had to offer. More

A VISIT TO DUBAI’S SPICE MARKET

-The Mad Hausfrau

From fresh cardamom pods, almond stuffed, chocolate covered dates, The vendors are generous with letting you smell and taste and touch.

After purchasing dried blue jasmine, Arabian curry powder and some fresh dates, I took a quick tour around the area. More

CRUISING THE DANUBE WITH AMA WATERWAYS

-The Mad Hausfrau

The itinerary for this luxurious Ama Viola cruise is called The Romantic Danube.

I lived in Germany full time for 10 years, still have a home there and had been to the majority (some repeatedly) of stops the ship was making on this journey down the Danube River. Despite that, I was somewhat excited and curious to experience a river cruise for the first time. I was also happy to have an excuse to speak German.

Life can surprise you, right? More

DIVING MEXICO'S SOCORRO ISLANDS

-The Mad Hausfrau

We had an incredible trip and yes, there were manta rays on every dive. All the divers had to do was hang out, be still and the rays came right up to us often passing within inches.

Truly amazing behavior for wild animals. We were not allowed to touch or chase them but it was ok to occasionally glide under or alongside them. these were big creatures, often with wingspans of 15-20 feet. More

SEVEN GREAT THINGS TO DO ON GRAND CAYMAN'S SEVEN MILE BEACH

-The Mad Hausfrau

 I brought my gear along on this trip, planning to sneak in some dives and was even encouraged to do so by our hosts. However, there were so many other fun activities to explore, I didn’t get the chance.  More

MUNICH'S OKTOBERFEST

-Citizen Brooklyn

Recently, a Munich friend said at dinner, "If you told any city official anywhere you were going to build 12 tents, each holding 7,000 people, serve beer brewed way for potent than average, and invite the world to their city, who in their right mind would say yes?" More