When you almost miss your soul mate

This past week, Kevin had an intensive surgery (due to a sports related injury, not his heart…thanks goodness!). Hours after his surgery, as the clocked ticked in the hospital room, I simply stared at him with intense wonder and awe, heart filling up with emotional waters, ready to burst at the seams. The love was flowing, people!  How did I ever get to be his wife? Honestly, he is perfect for me.  

Simply put, Kevin is everything I never knew I wanted.

You see, growing up, I had made this list of everything I wanted in a future husband. Besides the obvious qualities of funny, kind, compassionate, etc. (all those things that Kevin excels at), I envisioned this crazy extrovert who loved public speaking, working a crowd, and being the life of the party. Someone, I guess….like me. 

When I first met Kevin I was instantly attracted to him. Tall…dark…handsome…CHECK. And I really loved being with him. He was chill, up for anything, easy going, and hilarious. So we started dating, and had a lot of fun adventuring.

But in the recesses of my mind, the mold I had always envisioned my "future husband" would fill, wasn't there with Kevin. I so desperately wanted him to be what I had planned for my mate. I expected him to act a certain way, and when he didn't, I'd give him the cold shoulder, or confront him with his obvious lack of reading my mind (why do we women do that?!?!?).

And here's the thing, I was so focused on wanting Kevin to be what I had concocted for my spouse, that I missed the pure beautiful goodness of enjoying exactly the way God made him. There was a defining moment for me when I realized I destroying our relationship by expecting Kevin to be who he was not.

He was not a crazy extrovert who loved to public speak.
He was a conversational introvert who loved serving behind the scenes and doing whatever people needed him to do.

In short, he was A ROCK. A man that loved generously and freely, that held no expectation over others (which allowed him to still adore me for all my quirks, support my dreams, and BE ME).

When I allowed God to change my heart, throw my "husband list" out of the proverbial window, and choose to embrace Kevin for the amazing man of God that he was, our relationship blossomed in a way it never had before. Shortly after, we were engaged and married, and I've never for a second doubted or  looked back.  In fact, since that very day, I have literally thought Kevin was the most amazing man i'd ever met, and I still believe that.

The bottom line here is that I almost missed my soul mate because I was too into my own plans. I actually broke up with Kevin for a little while because I felt there was someone better for me, someone that fulfilled my "list" to a greater degree. I praise the good Lord that He led me right back to Kevin, and took those blinders off!

Friends, our plans are not always the best for us. God's are. God is the only one who can see the future, and the only one who loves us fully and perfectly. He desires the best for us. TRUST HIM. I literally wake up every morning and thank Jesus for the gift of my sweet husband. There is no greater joy, short of salvation, than being married to my sweet Kevin.

I'm so grateful I tossed my plans for some better ones, and didn't miss out on the man that loves me better than anyone else in the world. So I didn't get my crazy extrovert. But I did get the most faithful, loving, kind, compassionate, Godly, humble, servant-hearted, hilarious, fun and adventurous man I've ever known. And for that, I have much to be thankful for.

Happy Monday sweet ones. Today may you drop your expectations for others, embrace them fully, and trade your modest plans for God's incredible ones!! 

Swedish Style - how I adore thee...

No matter what way you slice it…Sweden is stylish, through and through. Scandinavian design, which started to emerge as an actual term in the 1950's, is characterized by simplicity, minimalism, and functionality. 

Essentially…. what's been trendy in Sweden for over 50 years is finally becoming super hip and trendy in the USA…white walls, white couches, plants, wood and mixed metals. (how did we not catch on sooner??). Swedish style is the epitome of simplicity and serenity. Here are the things I noticed at all my family members homes in Sweden (these pics are all taken at friends or family's homes on our trip a few weeks ago!)

- Plants, plants and MORE plants!! Goodness gracious, I was struck with the fact that EVERYONE {and I mean everyone} had a literal green house as their living space. God forbid a window sill have no plant! *gasp* {Is there a secret unspoken rule in Sweden that your window sill must have a potted plant sitting on, and you get extra points if you also had a lamp next to the plant?? haha} But truly, as a country that is cold most of the year (i.e.: you can't exactly spend too much time outdoors when it's freezing and dark in the winter), I can see how adding some greenery could be so beneficial to your well being! Bravo, Sweden…you plant lovers, you!  

- Mixing Wood and Metal: I loved all the natural wood in people's homes. Between hard wood floors, wooden tables, and sweet wooden chairs, it just seemed so fresh…so outdoorsy! But what I loved even more is that Swedes are not afraid to mix natural woods with all sorts of mixed metals! Copper light shades over wooden tables, metal baskets on glass, wooden trunks with brass candlesticks on top. It was so delightfully simple but added such a pulled together feel.  

- White, white, and more white, please! For the most part, every wall in every home is painted white. Now that may sound plain and boring to you, but it allowed the space to feel so open and free…with natural light pouring in. It also allowed the designer to use pops of color here and there without making it look crowded. 

- Red and Yellow Houses: Literally, the majority of houses in Sweden are either red or yellow. It's adorable, and even though I've visited so many times, i've never been able to get over the cuteness factor! My cousins were telling me there is actually one particular shade of red, called Falu Red, that was originally made from shades of red out of a copper mine. People get this particular color when they paint their house! 

Essentially, I adore Swedish style, and can't wait to furnish our next home in this style! What do you think about Swedish style?? 

5 unexpected travel items I bring on every trip

I get a lot of emails asking me exactly what I pack on trips. Mostly, my suitcase and carry-on are filled with the usual items…clothes, toiletries, camera, snacks, passport/documents, credit cards, etc! However, there are a few items that I naturally carry with me on every trip that may not be so obvious! I thought i'd share some of them below:

1. Thank You Cards: Kevin and I do not travel without these!! Traveling opens a whole new realm of relationship, whether you are staying in a friend/family member's home, or even using AirBnB or couch surfing. When people open their home to you, they are doing more than offering a place to sleep. They are opening a very intimate space in their life, and inviting you in! What a privilege that is! Before every trip I buy a pack of Thank You cards and throw them in my suitcase! Before we leave, we always take a few minutes to jot down our appreciation and leave it for our hosts! (Can you tell how much I'm passionate about this?!?!…#exclamationmarkhoarder)

2. Ear Phone Splitter: This one is clutch when you are traveling with a buddy! Kevin and I tend to download a bunch of shows on our Kindle that we'll watch while we ride on long bus or train trips! While in Turkey last year, Kevin and I had numerous over night buses. We downloaded Sherlock onto our Kindle, and then utilized our ear phone splitter so we could both watch the same show at once! It sure beat having to share a set of ear phones!

3. Deck of Cards: The honest truth about traveling is that sometimes you have to wait. You wait in the airport, you wait in bus terminals, and you wait in lines…lots of them! One of the best ways to have a good attitude and forget about the incessant waiting is to play cards! We'll grab a deck of cards out of our backpack, pick a game, and soon forget that we were waiting for something! Card games are also a great way to meet new people! A few years ago my sister and I were in Greece just hanging out at a restaurant, enjoying the ocean view. We were playing cards, and soon a few British guys came to join our game and a few hours later, we had made new friends and new memories!

4. Zip Lock Bags: This one sounds random, but can be So helpful in a bind. I usually try to throw a few zip locks (one gallon bag as well as a few smaller bags) in my suitcase. Things I've used them for on previous trips….wet swimsuits, dirty shoes, dirty underwear,  cosmetic or skincare products if they break or explode, and for extra food I might want to keep and take with me! Having an extra bag can come in so handy!

5. Sunscreen: Ok, so this one might seem like a no-brainer, but you have NO idea how many times Kevin and I have forgotten sunscreen and had to buy it abroad. We now have a cupboard at home filled with sunscreens we've picked up all over the world, haha! So... moral of the story is, don't forget your sunscreen in the first place! Even if you don't think you'll need it, bring it!

Any other random items YOU bring when traveling? I'm so curious!!

Happy Monday lovelies!!

Top 5 Things to see in Port-au-Prince Haiti and a Give-Away!!

You may remember that in May I visited my best friend and her husband Ted in Haiti! I've shared quite  a few posts about our amazing time there (Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, etc.), and today I thought I would share 5 fun things we did in Port-au-Prince, Haiti!

1)  Observatoire Boutilliers: 
 High above the city is a very cool look out point where you can see the whole city, along with the ocean and coast line! My friend Katharine took me up there and pointed out different parts of the city. It was super helpful to get my bearings and understand the lay of the land! It was cooler as we climbed elevation, and we were thankful for a quick respite from the heat!

2) The Hotel Oloffson:
This PaP legend was built in the late 1800's as a grand mansion for a president and his family. The hotel is built in the classic "Gingerbread" style, popular in Haiti at the time. In 1935 it was bought by a Swedish captain who turned it into a hotel. Over the years it has housed many famous people including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Mick Jagger.  I gotta admit, as cool as this hotel was, it has a lot of voodoo statues outside of it, has become a bit run-down, and felt a tad on the creepier side to me. But, certainly a PaP landmark worth checking out!

3) Quartier Latin (Petionville):

 This restaurant was amazing and quite the dining experience! Housed in an old colonial mansion in the historic area of Petionville, this restaurant was quite a treat for us. It was decorated beautifully and reminded me of New Orleans. Petionville rests in the hills of PaP, and is known for being a little cooler than the rest of the city. There is some neat architecture found in this part of PaP!

4) Champs de Mars:
While PaP has no real "downtown" area where you can walk around, it does have a few green parks with some interesting monuments. My favorite monument/statue is called Le Negre Marron, which roughly translates into English as the "unknown slave". Essentially the slave is holding a conch shell, that he supposedly blew to rally other slaves to assemble and overtake the colonial powers. It really was an impressive reminder of Haiti's history (to read the brief history I wrote, read here).  Driving through the city is quite an experience that I would recommend!!

5) Papillon Enterprise: 

Did you know that 70% of Haitians are unemployed? Papillon Enterprise is a business venture that employs Haitians in making jewelry and other brilliant crafts. I'm going to be sharing more about Papillon in the future (as I got a tour of their workshop and got to know some of the staff!), but for now, if you are in PaP, you will not want to miss this incredible experience! You can also get a delicious smoothie from here as well!!

Give-Away! 
Secondly, since we are on the subject of Haiti, i'm doing a very fun give-away today! My friend Katharine married a great guy named Ted, who also happens to be a lawyers and one very talented author!

Ted has spent a lot of time in Haiti, and in 2012 published an incredible fiction book called "Because We Are". It was so good that the editor of Amazon read it, and picked it up to be featured on Amazon! I'm giving away 3 copies today!! The book is a murder mystery novel set in Haiti that follows the trail of 10 year old Libete and her friend Jak. I can personally attest that this is a very great book, and will give you loads of insight into the country!!

To Win a Copy: 
- Sign up for Ted's mailing list where he gives updates on his new books! You can sign up here. 
- For an extra entry, nominate Ted's new book "There is a Land" on Kindle Scout (it literally takes 2 seconds!). And, as an extra bonus, if the book is nominated, you will get a free copy of it! Score!!
- Write a comment on the blog with what you did! That's it!

If you have a heart for Haiti, or are planning to go, you won't want to miss out on any of Ted's books!! For a fun little bonus, you can download two of Ted's short story's for free here. 

Happy Thursday Friends!! 

How to pamper your skin when you travel

One of the hardest parts about traveling is the damage it can cause to your skin! You better believe that my poor skin has gone through some rough seasons because of the wear and tear of travel. Airplanes suck the moisture out of your skin, and germs abound everywhere!  While i'm not paranoid about my skin when I travel, I do think it's important to carry around products that give your skin a little TLC! 

Lately, i've been searching for some all natural, spa-like masks that I can use to pamper my skin when I travel. Friends, i've found them…and they are the absolute best!! 

100% Pure is a skin care and cosmetics line that I fell in love with this past year. They have no toxins, and are made out of all natural ingredients (like I can read the label and know what every ingredient is!!). If you want to see the all natural make-up I use and love, click here. 

Recently, I tried out two of their newest masks, and to say i'm in love is an understatement! 

First is the Herbal Detox Mask! This masks is packed with powerful herbs that work to deep clean your face. I've used other masks in the past, but none that compare to the all-natural power this has to purge your skin of any yucky residue left over from your travels! I clean my face and pat it dry, then apply a very thin layer of the mask to my face, and leave it on anywhere from 15-30 minutes. Works like a  charm! On our trip back from Sweden, we had so many delayed and missed flights that I was not able to wash my face for over 24 hours (gross!). When I got back, I immediately relied on this baby to get me clean as a whistle! And let me tell ya, it worked!! I usually break out after traveling, but not this time!! 

Second is the Aqua Boost Hydrating Mask!  Holy Moly, I wish I would have had this mask since I was in jr. high! Literally, this baby pours the hydration into your skin so that it feels plump and loaded with moisture! My skin hasn't felt so supple in ages. I use this every few days and I can't tell you what a difference it has already made. I wash my face and dry it, and then put a thin layer over my skin and leave it on for about 15 minutes. After a few plane rides, my skin often gets flaky and dry. But on this last trip, my skin kept so hydrated, it felt great!! This might be one of my all-time favorite products i've ever used!! 

I like to think that having these masks is essentially like having my own personal spa in my suitcase!! I would absolutely recommend these masks to anyone looking for an extra something to help purge their skin of blemishes/bacteria, and hydrate their skin in an amazing way!

 Happy Tuesday friends!! It's my first day of my last semester of grad school! Hooray!!! 

*This post was sponsored by 100% Pure, but all all thoughts and opinions are my own!* 

Back from Sweden and a HUGE thank you!

 Kevin and I are back from the motherland…Sweden, that is! We arrived back at 2am on Tuesday morning (after a series of delayed and missed flights! Oh joy! haha) Friends, we had the most amazing trip with my family and I cannot wait to share with you the beauty and hospitality that is Sweden. It's an amazing country for sure!

So…keep your eyes out for pictures from our trip…trust me, I took a lot, hehe!!

Secondly, I was so overwhelmed with the love I experienced regarding Wednesday's post! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me and voting for me! Regardless of what happens, the care and support I have been shown has been so incredible. Women are amazing sources of encouragement, and I feel blessed to be in this community. So thank you, thank you!

Happy Weekend, hooray!! 

Some exciting news!!

Last week, while we were still in Sweden, I received some really exciting news!! My blog is one of only 5 blogs nominated to win Best Travel Blog at the Bloglovin' awards in New York City this September!!

Let's just say the email came as quite a surprise. I feel quite honored, but also shocked that my little ol' blog was even picked! There are thousands of AMAZING travel blogs out there, therefore i'm so so grateful to be considered!!

If you are interested in voting, you can visit the link here! There is absolutely no pressure to vote for my blog, or even vote at all for that matter!! But if you do vote, thank you! 

Dear sweet friends, thank you for reading my blog and for being such encouraging ladies!! Recently I read a quote that said "you can tell who the strong women are. They are the ones you see building up one another instead of tearing each other down" So thanks for being strong women:)

Happy Wednesday!! I'm heading up to my hometown today and am so excited to relax and be with my family!! 

The Guide to Traveling Solo

You step off the plane in a new destination and feel that both liberating yet terrifying feeling sweep over you as you realize you are in a new country and completely alone. Without a gaggle of friends to flank you on either side or a companion to hold your hand and watch your bags, you eventually learn to tap into your inherit street smarts and embrace the beauty of being solo. Whether backpacking through Asia, spending a week in Argentina or passing through London, the following 10 things will happen to every solo traveler.

You Will Get Lost.

You may have a map fused to your hand but despite your best efforts you will get lost during your travels. A winding street will take a sudden turn leaving you wondering when exactly you crossed over to a new part of town; when this happens simply breathe and get oriented. Getting lost can be a wonderful thing while traveling as it can introduce you to charming cafes, cobblestone streets and lovely parks you might have otherwise missed.

You Will Question Your Sanity.

There will come a point where your brain will whip around, face your heart and ask “WHAT were you thinking?!” It might be on the flight as the engine revs up for take-off or it could be upon landing when trudging through the airport but you will question your sanity for solo traveling and wonder why you ever thought it was a good idea. Give it time. Solo traveling reveals itself to you slowly, blossoming in all its emotional intricacies as a truly life changing experience.

You Will Have Some Sort of Financial Mishap.

You’ll exchange money and misjudge the currency exchange (the rate was what!?) or you’ll leave for the day with less money than anticipated and find that your handy mathematical skills have failed you. The best advice is to be aware of your belongings and surroundings as you’re traveling sans family and friends to watch your back. Never leave with all your money, never exchange all your dollars and only take the money you need for each day when going out.

You’ll Do Something Completely Unexpected.

While I was solo traveling in Argentina I booked an impromptu flight to the Brazilian border and flew later that day to the Iguazu waterfalls; it was the most spontaneous trip I have ever taken and ended up being an experience that I cherish dearly. They say life is what happens when we’re making other plans, so leave room in your schedule for serendipitous encounters and fortuitous events!

You’ll Fall for Another Traveler.

There’s something about travel that is incredibly conducive to romance–the heady high of being abroad, the rolling accent of an attractive stranger and the shared passion of seeing the world will throw glitter in your eyes. Meeting someone on the road is both wonderful and devastating because the nature of travel means you’ll be there today and gone tomorrow, giving romance an inevitable shelf life. If you can, keep romance in perspective while solo traveling! On your soul adventure, the last thing you’d want to do is be listening for the melodic ping of a Whatsapp message and diverting your attention to someone else.

You Will Get Lonely.

Loneliness is a necessary evil of solo travel and while you could spend an incredible day exploring, loneliness will eventually catch up to you like a debt collector expecting payment. Like all the emotions experienced while solo traveling, loneliness is just one color on the spectrum that should be embraced and understood. There is a strength to be derived from comforting yourself, cheering yourself up and making yourself smile when lonely.

You Will Meet Amazing People.

It could be a group of backpackers making their way through South America or a travel writer on assignment to cover the food scene but you can expect to meet truly interesting people while traveling solo. Perhaps you’ll swap stories over cold beers and maybe you’ll share travel tips in your hostel’s common area–at the end of the day you’ll walk away feeling inspired and richer for having met like-minded travelers exploring the world.

You Will Revel In Asking Yourself “What Do I Want?”

With our lives often scheduled to the minute and overwhelmed by responsibility and commitments, it can be a revolutionary question to ask yourself, “what do I want?” Whether that answer it to spend the day in a cafe, roam through a museum, wander the city or board a ferry to Uruguay–the beauty of solo traveling is the freedom you have to live by your own rules.

You Will Have a Hard Time Getting a Decent Picture.

As someone who detests the art of selfies, solo traveling threw me head first into learning how to take pictures of myself. You can ask around for a photo–some people may oblige others won’t–but at the end of the day you’ll get comfortable with blatant selfies, outstretched arms and funny angles for the sake of capturing a photo.

You Will See Yourself in a New Light.

Perhaps it’ll happen when you’re confidently dining solo or maybe you’ll feel it when you easily make friends with that group of backpackers but there will come a point where you’ll realize just how strong you can be on your own. It is a beautiful discovery to know you are savvier, wiser, stronger and more confident than you’ve given yourself credit for; and solo traveling will undoubtedly reveal all facets of your personality to you. When there is no one there to hold your hand–quite literally–you will surprise yourself by how you’ll approach new people easily, strike up conversation effortlessly and venture out alone proudly.

 BIO:

Nikki is a full time travel blogger and travel journalist with stories in VICE, FOOD & WINE, Roads & Kingdoms, The Daily Meal, and more. On her blog, The Pin the Map Project, which was voted a top 100 travel blog to follow in 2015, Nikki writes about solo travel, destination guides, travel hacking and more! Follow along as Nikki heads on assignment around the world! Follow her onInstagram as she travel to Morocco in August and Vietnam in September! 

Cheers,

Nikki

Europe by Season: Where to Go and When

Factoring in weather, the amount of other tourists, and cost, here's a quick guide on where to go in Europe based on the time of year you can visit.   Hi! I'm Margo from The Overseas Escape. For the past two years my hubby and I have lived in Germany and used the opportunity (by way to RyanAir and Airbnb!) to experience some of the best sights in Europe. From prost-ing at Oktoberfest to sailing in the Greek Isles, we love being active, eating well, and good ole house wine. Now, we're on to our next big adventure - backpacking through Southeast Asia! On my blog I share travel stories, tips, and photography. Blogging is my outlet and I love it, especially because it's allowed me to meet truly lovely people like Katie! 

SPRING

Bright blooms and brisk mornings mark the onset of favorable weather throughout Europe. Expect near ideal traveling conditions by mid-May, coupled with lingering budget-friendly low season prices. 

Highlights:

For BLOOMS go to one of the world's largest tulip festivals in Lesse, Netherlands. Still shoulder season for Venice and Paris weather will be fair and the cities will be yours to enjoy (without the swarms of other tourists). The Amalfi Coast comes to life with flowers and vibrant blue water. It's also the perfect time of the year for boating, hiking and exploring nearby Capri. May is the sunniest time of the year in Bergen, Norway. Surrounded by 7 hills and 7 fjords, Bergen easily makes the UNESCO heritage list with a spectacular harbor and timber-clad houses. Lisbon, Portugal offers travelers sunshine, culture and an endless list of things to do, eat and explore. Be sure to check out Quinta de Regaliera in Sintra. Famous among honeymooners (and everyone else too, for that matter), Santorini, Greece is wonderfully mild and still peaceful in late April. Be sure to watch the sunset in Oia like I did!

Also Visit: 

Barcelona Spain, London England, Amsterdam Netherlands, Dublin Ireland, Bergen Norway, Seville Spain, Cinque Terre Italy

Celebrate:

St. Patrick's Day in Dublin, Queen's Day in Amsterdam, Le Feria de Abril in Sevilla

SUMMER

The peak tourist season throughout Europe (most European schools pause for summer break on July 15), avoid the big cities and head for off-the-beaten-path destinations in search of genuine interaction with locals and beautiful landscapes. If possible, avoid travel in August as you'll face either long lines or complete closures with many Europeans taking the entire month off!

Highlights:

Every week in July and August is Yacht Week in Croatia. Cruise through the beautiful Croatian islands with your pals and 50 other yachts for a week long party. Summer is the perfect time to explore, so head to the mountains! Visit beautiful Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland for its charming European village nestled in the shadow of the Swiss Alps.  Head to Surf Camp in Portugal! Lavender season in Provence, France is in full bloom by late June. Explore the region by car to truly enjoy the rolling purple fields, UNESCO villages, and famous gastronomy. Take a road trip through western Ireland, passing the charming towns of Dingle and Kenmare and the rocky coast of the Wild Atlantic Way, which is unlike any other.

Also Visit:

Oxford England, Hallstatt Austria, Annecy France, Lucerne Switzerland, San Sebastian Spain, Berlin Germany, Menton France, Copenhagen Denmark

Celebrate:

Bordeaux Wine Festival, Wimbledon, Yacht Week in Croatia, Tour de France, La Tomatina in Spain, Fringe Festival in Edinburgh

 

here's why you need to drop everything and go to lauterbrunnen, switzerland 💙

A photo posted by Margo (@margo.paige) on May 19, 2015 at 8:16am PDT

FALL

My favorite time of year for traveling in Europe - shoot for September to enjoy the wine harvest and booming festival season. The crowds have passed, yet the weather can still be ideal for touring and outdoor activities.

Highlights:

Nothing beats joining the fun of Oktoberfest in Munich. Remember your dirndl and lederhosen! Stop by Cinderella's famous Neuschwanstein Castle afterwards for a true taste of Bavaria. Barcelona and nearby Montserrat make for an amazingly scenic autumn getaway. Be sure to tour the famous La Sagrada Familia during your visit.  Autumn leaves in Prague make the city unbelievably romantic and beautiful.  Still not ready to bid farewell to the beach? Book it to Corfu, Greece to savor the remaining sunshine and feta.  Nerja, Spain on the Costa Del Sol is a favorite among Spanish vacationers and should be for you too! White washed buildings and beautiful beaches, the lingering sun still heats up this gorgeous coastline. 

Also Visit: 

Santorini Greece, Prague Czech Republic, Rome Italy, Barcelona Spain, Annecy France, Mosel Valley Germany, Colmar France

Celebrate:

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival in Germany, Concurs de Castells in Spain, Oktoberfest in Munich 

WINTER

Winter is the ideal time to get a true taste of European culture - whether in a museum, tucked into a cozy cafe, or embracing a piping hot mug of gluwein (mulled wine) at one of the many Christmas Markets across the continent, settle in and experience that tangible charm that we all love so much. 

Highlights:

London, with it's famous broadway productions, museums, and pubs, the city is perfect for a winter visit. Be sure to stop by The Shard for a glass (or three) of wine, high above the city! Sip hot mulled wine in the closest thing to the North Pole at one of Europe's beautiful Christmas markets. My favorites are: Strasbourg, France, Heidelberg, Germany, Vienna, Austria or Bruges, Belgium. Hit the slopes in Garmisch, Germany or Chamonix, France.  For the party-lovers, Carnivale in Venice, Italy is unlike any other celebration in Europe. An added bonus: the city is almost totally yours if you get there early.  Budapest, Hungry. A city of spas, relaxing in the steam baths is the perfect way to warm up mid-winter.

Also Visit:

Salzburg Austria, Innsbruck Austria, Chamonix France, Rothenburg ob der Tauber Germany, Budapest Hungary, Tenerife Spain, The Black Forest (Hinterzarten) Germany

Celebrate:

Iceland Airwaves, San Miniato Truffle Fair in Italy, Christmas Markets throughout Europe, Salzburg Music Festival