Tag: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE

Self-Planned Day Trip to MONT SAINT-MICHEL – Easily Organized Even from Paris via Rennes

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The legendary Mont Saint-Michel in the tidal flats of the English Channel is one of the most mesmerizing places in Europe. Located about one kilometer off the coast of Normandy, it is surrounded by the sea and steeped in legend. For me, the greatest wonder, however, was how easy it is to visit this extraordinary place independently using public transport. With minimal planning, you can take a self-organized day trip to Mont Saint-Michel even from Paris via Rennes. In this post, I provide you with all the necessary information for optimal planning, ensuring your own trip becomes a complete success and you have an unforgettable visit.

Mont Saint-Michel visited self-organized on a day trip from Rennes which is also possible from Paris.
An iconic sight.
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BOULOGNE-sur-MER – What to See, Do and Discover

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Paris is the city of lights and love. Bordeaux is renowned for its wine. Lavender blooms in Provence, and the rich and famous flock to the Côte d’Azur. So why on earth did I make my way to Boulogne-sur-Mer? To a city many haven’t even heard of, and which, at first glance, isn’t even very alluring.
Well, typically I go to a place for its attractions, and basically as a by-catch, I sometimes also discover its urban art. In Boulogne-sur-Mer, the street art was the main attraction and actually the sole reason I even ventured to this city located way up in northwestern France.

Grande Rue in Boulogne sur Mer.
Grande Rue leads you straight to the historic upper town.

And while the murals there are truly stunning, the rest of the city gradually won me over as well. With its relaxed, unpretentious vibe, its almost Nordic, understated ambience, its maritime aura, and its noticeable British flair.
It can be exciting when a part of France is decidedly un-French.
It can be very inspiring when a place defies expectations.

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BRUSSELS and Beyond: Day Trips to Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent

Posted onAuthorRenata Green114 Comments

Going on day trips from Brussels to the other Flemish medieval jewels such as Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent is fun, easy, and surprisingly affordable. Just hop on the next train that will take you to each of them in less than one hour and for around 10 €uro.

Six pictures of Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent.
The many glories of Flanders.

I’m a busybody with a chronic case of FOMO.
But Belgium got the cure.
It is relatively small, in fact, the fifth smallest country in the European Union. It slumbers there, nestled between Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg, pretty much undisturbed in the middle of the continent, not bragging about its beauty. And beauty it has all right!

During my stay in Brussels, Belgium’s and secretly also Europe’s capital, I actually managed to visit three other beautiful cities, one more intriguing than the other, so that I list them here fair and square in alphabetical order: Antwerp, Bruges, and Ghent.

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What to Do on a Day Trip to BRUGES

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Bruges is without a doubt one of Europe’s most captivating cities, and due to its central location, it is easily accessible from many spots in Belgium and the Netherlands. This makes Bruges an ideal day trip destination. With its picturesque canals and romantic bridges, idyllic alleys and squares, magnificent historic townhouses, and the impressive Grote Markt Square, you might think you have stumbled into a medieval knight’s tale.
In this post, I show you what to do on a day trip to Bruges.

Renata Green in Bruges, Belgium
Only in Bruges: Dreaming of being a princess? Well, I go all the way and become King!
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Weekend in GHENT – Medieval Heritage Meets Metropolitan Vibes

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Nobody told me that two days might be rather short for a visit to Ghent. In fact, few cities blend centuries of rich heritage into modern urban life as effortlessly as Ghent. Massive medieval structures, picturesque canals, and centuries-old guildhalls form one of Belgium’s most atmospheric historic centers. Yet, behind its magnificent facades, Ghent is a vibrant university city boasting a truly unique energy. Less crowded than Bruges and far more laid-back than Brussels, it strikes the perfect balance between tradition and modernity.

Korenlei in Ghent.
Ghent’s historic Korenlei waterfront combines centuries of history with a very contemporary zest for life.
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What to Do in ANTWERP in Three Days – The Obvious and the Unexpected

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So you’re looking for a city trip to a place that’s as trendy as Amsterdam, but without the crowds? A place bursting with Flemish architecture and history like Brussels, but without the hectic pace of a capital city? And one with the creative energy and outstanding design of Copenhagen, but without the Scandinavian price tag? Don’t look any further, as Antwerp unites all those strong suits and still keeps a very laid-back vibe.
In this comprehensive guide to Antwerp, I show you what to see and do in three days – the obvious as well as the very unexpected.

Groenplaats in Antwerp.
If you’re looking for a good place to take a break and enjoy some people-watching, Groenplaats, right behind the Cathedral of Our Lady, is the perfect spot.
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KINDERDIJK – a Day Trip into Authentic Dutch Heritage

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In my post Why ROTTERDAM Is Worth Visiting: A Complete Guide to the Urban Heart of the Netherlands, I raved about the trendy, dynamic, and multicultural vibe of Holland’s second-largest city. Although I fell in love with Rotterdam instantly, there were moments when I missed the cutesy, traditional side of the Netherlands. Luckily, I found exactly that just about half an hour east of the city. In Kinderdijk, nineteen historic windmills rise along the waterways and make a day trip from Rotterdam a truly authentic experience.

Collage of Pictures from Kinderdijk
In Kinderdijk, everything revolves around windmills.

For centuries, they have shaped a landscape that is not only picturesque but, above all, functional. Here, it becomes clear how closely the country’s history is intertwined with the constant struggle against the elements. However, it’s the authenticity that makes Kinderdijk so very special. Those mills are not merely an attraction for visitors, but part of a historic water management system that has been used for centuries and remains largely intact to this day. In 1997, UNESCO honored Kinderdijk as an exceptional testament to Dutch engineering by recognizing it as a World Heritage Site.

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An Audience With GENOA – What Not to Miss When Visiting the Queen of Liguria

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As the Republic of Venice built its palaces in the lagoon, another maritime power gazed out over the Mediterranean further west: Genoa. Here, nestled between steep hills and the open sea, a city arose that for centuries thrived on trade, ships, and the courage of its merchants.
So let me show you what not to miss on a visit since even today, Genoa feels like a hidden chapter of Italian history—less overrun than Venice, but all the more rugged, authentic, and surprisingly multifaceted.

Old harbor of Genoa.
Genoa is a jumble of all the elements you can see in this busy picture.

However, Genoa is not a place that reveals its charm and beauty right at first glance. But that is precisely its allure. Meander through streets between splendor and patina. Lose all sense of time and space in the maritime whirlwind of a glorious past and an enchanting present.
This is Genoa, the Queen of Liguria.

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VENICE on a Budget: When to Go, Where to Stay, What to Eat, And Much More

Posted onAuthorRenata51 Comments

Venice on a budget? Is that even possible?
Agreed, visiting Venice can be pretty pricey.
After all, you find yourself at one of the world’s most unique places – and it comes with a price tag.

Italy Venice Canale Grande
Every visitor to Venice will know this sight: The Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo across from the main train station Venezia Santa Lucia, photographed from the Ponte degli Scalzi.

However, if you follow my simple hacks, visiting Venice on a budget is easy and still very enjoyable.

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