An abundance of history is present in the city of Berlin, but that doesn’t mean all that history is good. However, every minute of that history has shaped this city into what it is today, and you can see it all. In between all the historical attractions, you can experience some of the best culture in the world, as well as nightlife that lasts well into the next morning.

Attractions and Landmarks

One of the first attractions you will want to visit in Berlin is Brandenburg Gate. This landmark divided the country into the East and the West, and it stands as a reminder of those trying times. As soon as you have seen this fascinating attraction, you can venture over to Museum Island. There are five different museums on this island, as well as the Berlin Cathedral. You must spend on entire day on this island if you want to see at least half of what each building has to offer.

If you are looking for a unique experience in Berlin, you must head over to Prussian Park on a Sunday. It is on this day that the park turns into Thai Park. You will find all types of Thai food within this park during this time and it is an excellent way to broaden your horizons even more. If you can’t make it on a Sunday, you can at least wander through the park and enjoy the ambience.

Another relaxing option is to walk through Tiergarten, which is in the heart of the city. There are many creeks to have picnics by, but you will most likely spend your time in the numerous beer gardens.

The one landmark you can’t miss during a vacation in Berlin is the Berlin Wall. While most of this wall no longer exists, you can still see parts of it throughout the city. The most popular spot is Checkpoint Charlie, but the Berlin Wall Memorial and Mauerpark are other options if you are short on time and closer to those locations.

Must try: City Tour by Boat or Bike Tour of the Berlin Wall and Third Reich

Entertainment and Food

Since Berlin is one of the best places to drink beer in the world, entertainment is easy to find at any of the local bars. However, if you want an authentic Berlin beer experience, you must participate in one of the Berlin Pub Crawls. Your guide will take you to some of the best pubs in the city, where you can try new beers until you find a new favourite.

After your beer finding adventure, you can hit up a nightclub or two and dance the night away.

As you are partying the night away, and exploring this city, you must try some of the local cuisine. A few favourites include kartoffelpuffer, currywurst, apfelstrudel, berliner pfannkuche, and schnitzel.

You will have many mixed emotions as you walk the streets of Berlin, but you must remember the fact that you are seeing history from the other side. This will ensure that you appreciate everything you are seeing and know this city is stronger from it all.

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I believe Moscow and mystery are two words that have been synonymous for years. But thankfully, I have been able to visit and experience the history within this city. Time spent in this unique part of the world had me exploring fascinating architecture, watching incredible performances, and experiencing nightlife like I never have before.

Attractions and Landmarks

There are plenty of attractions and landmarks to see in Moscow. I had a difficult time determining where to begin my journey. However, if you want to truly experience the authentic Moscow and see the most popular attraction first, you should begin within Red Square. From this location, I was able to venture over to the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum.

Out of those three attractions, you will want to make sure you plan to spend the most time at the Kremlin. This massive fortress has twenty towers, five squares to wander around, and you can’t forget to stop at the cannon and bell.

As I truly wanted to learn as much about the history of Moscow as possible, I took the time to visit the State Historical Museum. This museum was founded back in 1872 and it was once the Principal Medicine Store in the city. Now it holds an incredible collection of items from prehistoric times all the way to the current day. The artwork is quite impressive, but so are the 6^th century manuscripts and the coin collection.

Every holiday requires shopping adventures and when I was in Moscow, those adventures took place in GUM. This is the major department store in the city and the building it is in was constructed between the years of 1890 and 1893. There are more than two hundred boutiques on the inside of GUM, and you will find everything from affordable clothing items to those things that cost more than your house back home.

Must try: St.Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square Tour or Luxury River Cruise

Entertainment and Cuisine

There are many ways to stay entertained during your time in Moscow. My favourite was attending a ballet performance. I saw one at the Bolshoi Theatre, while classical music fills the halls at the Moscow Conservatory. Other concerts with more recent pop and rock music can be seen at the State Kremlin Palace or Crocus City Hall.

As I was exploring this amazing city, I found myself intrigued by all the aromas coming out of the local restaurants. The smells had me craving everything, but I had to choose where you start my culinary adventures.

I tried pelmeni. Those are dumplings that are often stuffed with onions, minced meat, and herbs. Blini is a type of crepe that can be served for breakfast or at any other time of the day. I found out that most blini is served sweet. But I also tried some savoury options.

I also tasted other food items while I was in Moscow include ponchiki, kasha, pirozhki, and pastila. I never ate too much and I was guaranteed to have a few new favourite foods when I returned home.

My time in Moscow was amazing, as I made sure to see everything on my list. This was difficult, but not impossible. I took the time to plan my days and nights carefully and enjoyed every moment I had.

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Some of the architecture in Barcelona has been around for more then two thousand years. But make sure you take the time to appreciate everything else this spectacular city has to offer. As you wander along the streets, your attention will be captured by the laughter of the locals, the views over the water past the sandy beaches, and the culture that can be found within the numerous museums.

Attractions and Landmarks

One of the first things you should take the time to see while visiting Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia. This iconic attraction was created by Antoni Gaudí and the construction began back in 1882. While this building isn’t completed yet, you will still love every moment you are inside. Other Gaudí sites you might be interested in during your visit include Casa Batlló, Park Güell, and the Gaudí House Museum.

Museums are plentiful in Barcelona, but one of the most popular ones is the Picasso Museum. There is an extensive collection of Picasso’s works inside this museum. You will want to plan a few hours for this museum, because it is within five different stone mansions. In addition to seeing the artwork, you can wander through the courtyards and see the intricate details on each of the staircases.

You cannot spend time in Barcelona and not go to the beach! Barceloneta Beach is one of the best in Europe. You will always find crowds of people there. When you are not out in the water swimming, kitesurfing, or windsurfing, you can relax on the sand and watch the locals.

Other attractions and landmarks you will want to see in Barcelona include the Palau de la Música Catalana, Parc de la Ciutadella, Mirador de Colom, and the Barcelona Chocolate Museum. If shopping while travelling is your thing, then make sure you stop at La Rambla. This is mostly a pedestrian street that is filled with shops, restaurants, and the popular La Boqueria food market.

Must try: Park Güell Admission Ticket or 25+ Museums card

Entertainment and Food

Your days are going to be full of sightseeing in Barcelona, but that doesn’t mean you must do the same thing once the sun sets. After taking the Montjuïc Cable Car to see that magnificent sunset, you can hit up one of the nightclubs or a local theatre like the Palacio del Flamenco. After all, watching a flamenco performance is a must while in this part of the world!

As you are exploring Barcelona, you will want to skip everything listed above. So you can simply eat all the cuisine available in the city! Don’t be surprised if your food orders include platefuls of Spanish omelets, bocadillos, chorizo, croquettas, blistered peppers, and bombas. I recommend ordering sangria to wash it all down for the most authentic Barcelona experience. However, you can order wine or beer if you wish.

Your time in Barcelona is going to fly right on by since there is so much to do and see. I recommend taking your time seeing what you can and leaving a few attractions and landmarks for a future visit.

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The streets of Paris are full of romance and beauty, but there is so much more within this extraordinary destination. The culture, the history, the food, the wine, and even the shopping appears to be so much better in the elegant city of Paris.

Attractions and Landmarks

When you arrive in Paris, you will instantly see the Eiffel Tower. This attraction is so tall that it can’t be missed. You can decide on your own if you want to simply appreciate this wonder from the ground or if a trip to the top is on your must-do in Paris list.

Once you have checked off the Eiffel Tower, you can venture over to the Louvre to see the massive collection of artwork. The Mona Lisa is at the top of everyone’s list, so be prepared to capture a quick glance before being ushered past this magnificent piece. It is best to prepare your visit to this museum in advance, because it can take days to see it all. Therefore, choosing which exhibits you want to see the most can help you walk out the doors a little sooner.

A little relaxing, as well as enjoying a quick lunch, is possible within the Jardin du Luxembourg. Although, the same is possible over at Tuileries Garden by the Louvre.

The Notre Dame is not as glorious as it once was, thanks to the recent fire. However, you can still enjoy parts of this cathedral. Plus, it won’t be long until the Notre Dame is a gorgeous as it once was, both inside and out.

Other must-see attractions within Paris include the Place de la Concorde, the Paris Opera House, Musee d’Orsay, and the Arc de Triomphe. If you have the time, you can also do a day trip to the Palace of Versailles.

Must try: Eiffel Tower Stair Climb or River Seine Cruise

Entertainment and Food

Incredible nights in Paris begin with romantic dinners and long strolls under the moonlight. However, you can also see an opera performance at the Opera House or catch a performance over at the Theatre du Chatelet. Moulin Rouge is another popular nighttime hotspot where you can combine dinner with a couple hours of fun watching the dancers up on the stage.

Many of the nightclubs and bars offer live music too, so you can dance until you can’t dance any more.

While you may have a difficult time determining what to see first and what to do in this city, you will never have a hard time determining when you should eat. The reason for this is the answer is all day, and all night, long!

There are so many food options available in Paris and you are going to want to try it all, while sipping on some of the best wine in the entire world. Mornings should always begin with a fresh baguette, as well as a croissant or two. There are many delicious French cheeses to go with both these items, so you should pick some of those up as well.

Duck confit makes an excellent main meal, but so do steak frites. Dessert will bring many options, but the most popular are the macaroons. If you do not want those, you can choose eclairs or some tasty chocolate.

Paris is a city that you will fall in love with instantly and you are never going to want to leave. When that happens, I recommend simply starting to book your next visit, long before it is time to board your plane back home.

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A walk through the city of Amsterdam will have you wandering through fascinating museums, shopping in vintage stores, and enjoying delectable cuisine. Of course, you can’t ignore the beauty that seems to be everywhere in this city.  Especially in the tucked away destinations that are hardly ever discovered.

Attractions and Landmarks

One of the first things you will want to do over in Amsterdam is take a gondola ride through the canals. This is one of the best ways to see the city and figure out where all the major attractions are located. There are more than one hundred canals in this city. Do not expect to see them all. However, you can see the best of them during a quick little ride.

After your time on the canals, it will be time to explore the many different museums in Amsterdam. There is no right or wrong place to start your museum adventures. But make sure you have the Rembrandt House Museum, Rijksmuseum, and the Van Gogh Museum on your list. The Anne Frank House is another must-see museum attraction. I highly recommend you purchase your tickets online in advance if you want a chance to see the inside.

When you are ready for a little relaxation, you can hop onto a bike and ride over to Keukenhof to see the tulips if you time your visit right. And if you don’t, it is still an open green space you will enjoy.

The Red Light District, or De Wallen, is an area that some people are intrigued by. There are many restaurants in this area of Amsterdam, as well as many adult entertainment venues.

Must try: City Canal Cruise or Amsterdam Royal Palace

Entertainment and Food

The nightlife in Amsterdam is incredible if you know where to go. Performances can be seen at the many theaters around Leidseplein, while concerts can be seen in the parks during the summer months. Nightclubs are plentiful in the Red Light District and over near Rembrandtplein.

There are many festivals and other special events held in Amsterdam every year. So if you plan your vacation there carefully, you can see so much more. One of the favorites is the Holland Festival, but you may have a different favorite after your visit.

There are so many Dutch foods that you will want to try when you are in Amsterdam, although a few of them may seem strange in the beginning. A few of the foods that should be at the top of your list include bitterballen, herring, spekkoek, frites, kibbeling, and Dutch cheese.

One of the favorite foods in Amsterdam though is stroopwafel and many people who try one during their vacation go home wanting more. While you won’t be able to get them fresh anywhere else in the world, like you can in Amsterdam, it is still possible to enjoy stroopwafels when you get home, if you know where to get them.

Amsterdam is quite an amazing place to visit and you will instantly be overwhelmed by the beauty that is everywhere. Your time in this city will seem to be too short and it won’t be long before you are planning a return trip to see it all again!

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Those who love to read will discover that Odessa is a destination that could have come straight off the pages of a book with its architecture, history, and even its touristy sights and sounds.  Add in the beaches covered with soft sand and you have a destination that you will fall in love with the moment you arrive.

Attractions and Landmarks

One of the first things you should do when arriving in Odessa is walk along the harbour.  This long stroll will have you enjoying the slight breeze from the water, while you get your bearings and see how important this area is to the city.

If you still have energy to burn after your long flight, you can take a run up the Potemkin Stairs before admiring the works of art at the Museum of Modern Art.  Rest and relaxation can be found on Lanzheron Beach, although, you may be lured away from the sand by the Nemo Dolphinarium that is located close by.

Architectural delights might be everywhere in Odessa, but it will be Vorontsov Palace that will capture your interest the most.  This palace was constructed back in 1827, and while it is no longer used as a fortress or residence, the history lives on inside this cultural arts centre.

One of the last attractions on your list of things to do should be the Odessa Catacombs.  These catacombs can be found down beneath the city and are comprised of a massive network of tunnels that are easy to get lost in.  I recommend taking a tour to visit the catacombs or you may find yourself down there a lot longer than you planned!

Must try: Catacombs of Odessa Tour or The Courtyards of Old Odessa

Entertainment and Nightlife

Theatrical performances are plentiful in Odessa. You will have many different options to see them during your visit.  Perhaps you will want to consider the Odessa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. Or Odessa Regional Philharmonic Society, Odessa Regional Puppet Theatre, and the Urban Music Hall. There are many others if you will be staying in the area longer.

Many young people came to see the opera. Two tickets cost about 20 EUR at the balcony first floor (bought online). I am not an opera fan but the place is amazing. Me and my partner spent a nice evening with a glass of champagne and caviar.

Other entertainment options outside of the theatre realm include parachuting, go-kart racing. Even diving into the waters surrounding this beautiful part of the world. Odessa is one of the cities around the globe that never sleeps. You will want to check out one of the infamous nightclubs during your visit.

Fabulous Cuisine

I bet you will get very hungry as you are exploring Odessa. And while you can find many different types of cuisines, you will want to taste some of the traditional dishes. Khinkali is a dumpling that is filled with different meats and herbs. It also could be found as mushrooms and cheese. While you can eat this dumpling on its own, it tastes amazing in soup too.

If you love cheese, you will want to try the brinza when you visit Odessa. This type of goat cheese is available in many different varieties and you can find them all at the local markets.  If you are looking for a hearty dish, you will not need to look any further than the Odessa-Style Bouillabaisse. This broth may be found all over the world, but the locals in Odessa have put their own twist on this dish, making it a must-try.

Odessa is quite the unique destination and it shows with the attractions, landmarks, entertainment, and even the cuisine. If you are ready for something different on your next vacation, Odessa must be at the top of your list of options.

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Iceland has been one of the most neglected countries when it comes to travel, but thankfully this is slowly changing.  I have been to this gorgeous country once now and I cannot wait until the day I can return!

While there is so much I want to share with you about Iceland, I am going to focus on the different landmarks and attractions I fell in love with and the food and fun that I enjoyed along the way.

Attractions and Landmarks

There are so many different attractions and landmarks throughout the country of Iceland.  One of my first stops was the Blue Lagoon. Because I was on vacation and in desperate need of some relaxation.  This massive geothermal pool has so many healing minerals in it and a long soak is exactly what my skin, and body, needed.

Once I was nice and relaxed, I walked around downtown Reykjavik to see Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrimskirkja Church.  I even ducked into a couple museums as I was passing them by.

My favorite attractions in Iceland though were the waterfalls.  I managed to hike out to Dettifoss and Gullfoss, but Dettifoss was my favorite of the two.  The Skaftafell Ice Cave was also interesting, and I am so glad I convinced myself to do it even though I do not like small spaces!

Must try: Golden Circle Full Day Tour with Kerid Crater or Northern Lights Bus Tour

Entertainment and Food

When it comes to entertainment in Iceland, Reykjavik is the best place to be at night. There are so many different clubs to choose from and I think I could have been there a month and still not seen them all. The Icelandic Craft Bar was a favourite, because there was a comedy club downstairs.  It was like two forms of entertainment in one!

Before I went in to sample the Icelandic beers at the Icelandic Craft Bar, I grabbed some street food to take to the bar with me.  I learned from a local that this was the thing to do at this bar and I always say that you must do what the locals do when you are travelling.

The food options are a little out there in Iceland and I found myself choosing from meat soup, fish soup, and Icelandic lamb.  If you are not as adventurous, you may want to stick to the Icelandic hot dogs.  Basically, anything will go with the craft beers at this bar.

Other entertainment options in Reykjavik include Wake Up Reykjavik, Kaldi Bar, Bravo, and the Micro Bar, so do not think you need to stick to one locale.

You will love spending time in Iceland, just like I did.  So, if this destination hasn’t made it to your travel bucket list yet, add it today!  I know I am so grateful I took the chance on this little part of the world!

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