Amy Laughinghouse Hits the Road
"Very many pleasures are almost only pleasures because we hope and intend to recount them." –Giacomo Leopardi
Tag Archives: Europe’s Best Christmas Markets
Europe’s Crackin’ Christmas Markets
Lose the “bah humbug” blues with a walk through these winter wonderlands
A Christmas market in Strasbourg, France. Credit Christophe Hamm, Greater Strasbourg Tourist Office.
An evening spent mingling with the pink-cheeked crowds at festive fairs throughout Europe could transform the most curmudgeonly Scrooge and the greenest of Grinches into stocking-stuffing, carol-crooning converts.
Imagine rustic chalets overflowing with handicrafts that might have been fashioned by elves themselves; historic town squares illuminated by twinkling strands of lights; and local delicacies, from bratwurst to pastries, washed down with mugs of mulled wine.
Here’s a look at five of the best cities to stoke your holiday spirit.
Holiday gifts in Hamburg, Germany. Credit www.mediaserver.hamburg.de/C. Spahrbier
London, England
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Published Articles
- South African Foodie Safari: For the Love of Travel
- Budapest City Guide: Virtuoso Life
- Amalfi Coast Converted Convent Now A Luxury Hotel: Globe & Mail
- Berlin WWII Bunker Tour: Go World Travel
- London's best walking tours: LonelyPlanet.com
- Amsterdam: Globe & Mail
- Maritime Disaster Museums: Dallas Morning News
- Beyond Napa: California Wineries: Globe & Mail
- Tuscany's Thermal Spas: Globe & Mail
- Secrets of London's Crime Museum: Dallas Morning News
- Niles, CA: Where Mayberry Meets Neverland: Dallas Morning News
- Fashionista's Guide to Paris: Rendezvous en France magazine
- Romancing the Rails in Scandinavia: Pioneer Press
- Winter Adventures in Finnish Lapland: Statesman
- Brexit to Great Britain: Luxury London Hotels: Dallas Morning News
- St. John, Wild Child of the USVI: Virtuoso Life
- Wassailing in England's West Country: TraveLife
- Gozo is a sexy scene stealer: Globe & Mail
- Get Your Game of Thrones on in Dubrovnik, Croatia: Statesman
- Love & Loss on the Road: Refinery29.com
- Untamed Ireland: Statesman
- Remembering Auschwitz: Globe & Mail
- Tenerife: Unsung Praises of Spain's Canary Islands: Go World Travel
- Past & Future Collide in Tallinn, Estonia: Globe & Mail
- Glasgow, Scotland's Music City: Houston Chronicle
- Trier, Germany: Globe & Mail
- Girls Gone Wild in Italy's Val Gardena: Press & Journal
- The World's Ultimate Foodie Destinations: Refinery29
- Redefining Scottish Style in Edinburgh: Statesman
- Discover Secret Spain: Cycling in Catalunya: Statesman
- Touring the Real World of Downton Abbey: San Jose Mercury News
- Castaway at Caneel Bay, St. John: Philadelphia Inquirer
- Beatleweek in Liverpool: Qantas Airways Magazine
- Honeymoon Escapes: Irish Times
- Franciacorta, Italy: TraveLife
- Corfu, Ionian Interlude: Virtuoso Life
- Photo Safari in Wales: Press & Journal
- Living La Dolce Vita on Lake Como: Statesman
- Essaouira, Morocco: Statesman
- Paris on $240 a day: Toronto Star
- Hottest & Hautest New Hotels: Globe & Mail
- Austria: Yodeling in the Alps: Press & Journal
- Hogwarts Express at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: Dallas Morning News
- Dis"Crete" Greece: TraveLife
- Top Destinations for 2017: Dallas Morning News
- What's Brewing in Lexington, Kentucky: Philadelphia Inquirer
- A Week in Provence: Statesman
- When in Rome Tourist Tips: Globe & Mail
- Europe's Most Scenic Hikes: Statesman
- Europe's Coolest Themed Hotels: Dallas Morning News
- Croatia, Ready For Its Close-Up: Pioneer Press
- What's New in Berlin: Press & Journal
- Lexington, KY Racing Toward the Future: Houston Chronicle
- For a European Cruise, The Choice is Crystal Clear: Houston Chronicle
- Discovering Corfu's Charms: Press & Journal
- Ashford Castle Gets a Makeover: Virtuoso Life
- Buzzing Budapest: Statesman
- East London Calling: Virtuoso Life
- Top Tips for Tourists in Rome: Globe & Mail
- Luxury Learning Holidays Around the World: Houston Chronicle
- Foot in Mouth on the Road: Globe & Mail
- Swishing Through the Swiss Alps: Statesman
- Craft Beer is Changing Lexington's Bourbon Country for the Better: Statesman
- Romantic European Hotels: Statesman
- Eco-Friendly Gifts from Around the World: Dallas Morning News
- Celebrating Queen Elizabeth's 90th Birthday: Columbus Dispatch
- Czech Republic's Lesser-Known Charms: Globe & Mail
- Ireland's Ashford Castle: Statesman
- Salzburg City Guide: Virtuoso Life
- California Wine Tasting: Globe & Mail
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Recent Posts
- Auschwitz-Birkenhau: 75 Years after the Liberation
- Europe’s Crackin’ Christmas Markets
- Celebrating the Fall of the Berlin Wall: One Man’s Experience of a Family Divided
- Essaouira: Morocco’s Exotic Beach Town
- A Spirited Tour of Scary Ol’ England
- London for Less: Take a Free Walk Along the Thames
- Stargazing in Dubrovnik, Croatia: Game of Thrones
- For Weird Souvenirs, You Can’t Beat Paris’ Super-Sized Marché aux Puces
- Taking Big Risks On The Big Island Of Hawaii
- Mud, Music and Mayhem at Glastonbury
- Brandy and Cheese? Yes, Please!
- Royal Ascot Fashion: What–and What NOT–to Wear
- Drink Pink…Gin Cocktails, That Is
- Top Things to do in Monte-Carlo, Monaco
- Fear and Loathing in the Sky—and Why You Should Marry the Girl in the Middle Seat
- Bloomin’ Beautiful: Egerton House Hotel Blossoms for RHS Chelsea Flower Show
- Five Facts You Never Knew About Pompeii, Italy
- A Cinematic Tour of France’s Cote d’Azur
- Lexington, Kentucky’s Coolest Street Art
- Trier: Germany’s Ancient Roman City
- On the Trail of Winston Churchill
- Top Ten Tips for Tourists in Rome
- Festive Fizz: Champagne for the Holidays
- Vina Pomal: Rioja That Comes In With a Roar
- Go With The Grain: Embrace Bain’s
- Ghoulish Good Times: London Halloween 2018
- Finding the Silver Lining When You Step in It…Literally
- Christie Country: Agatha Christie’s Legacy Lives on in Coastal England
- Easy, Breezy Summer Picnic Wines from the Loire Valley
- The Royal Tour: The UK Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Harry and Meghan’s Wedding
- Rock It Like a Royal in Windsor
- Rock It Like a Royal in London
- Rock It Like a Royal in Edinburgh
- Beyond Barcelona: Bicycling through Catalan Country
- Six Ways to Explore Istanbul
- Sweetheart Escapes at Europe’s Most Romantic Hotels
- New High Tech Cocktails at The Berkeley, London
- New Lanark: Falling for Scotland’s Model Mill Town
- METAXA 12 Stars: One-Of-A-Kind Greek Spirit of the Season
- Take Home a Taste of London: Gourmet Gift Ideas
- A Love Letter to St. John, USVI
- Jane Austen’s Bath
- Scotland’s Stirling Attractions
- Briggs & Riley Compression Suitcase: The Next Best Thing to Mary Poppins’ Magic Bag
- The Lady Chablis: Four Sassy Wines that Just Might Surprise You
- A Field Guide to Whisky: Everything you ever wanted to know, but were too tipsy to ask
- UK Film Locations for Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
- Grand Designs Live: Great Gadgets & DIY Inspiration
- Isle of Harris Gin: The New Spirit of Scotland
- The English Cotswolds: Ready for their Close-Up
- How To Save a Bundle in Great Britain
- Ten Luxe Hotels Launching in 2017
- Hot–and Cool–Destinations for 2017
- Brexit to Britain: Top London Hotels
- Feel Good Gifts from Around the Globe
- Wine & Bubbly: Terrific Tipples for the Holidays
- California Dreaming: Capturing the Essence of Scent-sational Palm Springs
- Royal Audience: Meet the Cast of the E! Hit TV Series “The Royals”
- Royal Tour: On Set with “The Royals” Creator Mark Schwahn
- Buzzing Budapest
- Must-Do Activities in London This Coming Winter
- St. John: The Wild Child of the Caribbean
- 5 Festivals You Must Visit if You’re Travelling to the UK
- The Joy of Bees: London Installation Proves a Seductive Honey Trap
- London Cocktail Week…or Zombie Apocalypse?
- Victoria’s Secret: Undressed for Success at London’s V&A
- How an Evening of Chablis Made a White Wine Lover out of Me
- Six Top Tips for Food Photography
- Positano & Sorrento: A Tale of Two Cities
- Top Ten Wildest Styles at The Met’s Fashion Exhibition in New York
- New Zealand’s Flag Apparently Will NOT be a Kiwi Shooting Lasers from its Eyes
- Beluga Vodka at Rocco Forte’s Brown’s Hotel in London: A Superior Sipping Experience
- Scotland’s Search for a Fetching Ambassadog
- Explore the Real World of Downton Abbey in England
- Tallinn: Rock up to Estonia’s Cool Capital
- How it Feels to Save a Life
- The Cheesiest Way to Say “I Love You”
- London’s Dishoom Packs a Punch
- Croatia: Taster Tour with Abercrombie & Kent
- Chatting with CBS Travel Editor Peter Greenberg about Murder, Mystery and Whisky in London
- Maison Assouline: A London Bookstore…With a Bar (and a Sultan’s Den)
- #KIDNEY4JEN: You Could Save A Life
- Calvia, Mallorca: Top Ten Reasons to Visit This Mediterranean Island Oasis
- Get Lost! In the nicest possible way…
- Be Your Own James Bond In London, England
- Secrets of London’s Crime Museum: Rare Evidence Finally Revealed
- PerfectCellar.com: The Match.com of the Wine World
- Berlin Comes to Ol’ Blighty
- Ireland’s Ashford Castle: Historic Grande Dame Gets a Facelift
- Amsterdam: The West of the Story
- The UK’s UFO Hotspots
- Notting Hill Carnival: London, England’s Most Outrageous Street Party
- McQueen, the King of Controversial Couture, Lives on at the V&A in London
- In the Kitchen with Wolfgang Puck
- Scilly Escape: The Land that Crime Forgot in Cornwall, England
- Starmus 2016: Scientists, Astronauts and Rock Stars Gather for Celestial Festival
- London Fashion: Where Every “Don’t” is a “Do”
- Truth and Spies: Tongue-loosening cocktails at The Stafford London
- Meet Harry’s Potter’s Special Effects Wiz(ard) John Richardson
- Mr. Weasley Visits the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
- Off To See The Wizard: Harry Potter London Studio Tour
- Craft Beer Rising Festival
- Chatting with Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor of CBS News
- London’s New Twists on Afternoon Tea
- Welcome to Bruges, Where Beer & Chocolate Are Good For You
- A Surf and Turf Eco-Adventure Tour of St. Lucia
- Scotch & Smoked Salmon: A Match Made in…East London
- Exploring the Scottish Highlands: A Lesson in Overcoming Common Sense
- Ever Wondered How You Would React in an Airline Emergency? Now I Know.
- Safari, Scottish-style, on the Isle of Arran
- Reading the Riot Act: Reading Music Festival
- Beatles Fans Come Together in Liverpool, England
- Wading Through England’s Lake District: Bring Your Hiking Boots—and Maybe Your Flippers
- How To Taste Wine Like A Pro
- Cheese-Rolling Competition in Gloucestershire, England. That’s just crackers!
- Get Wet and Wild on London’s River Thames
- Maui: Off The “Beach”en Path in Hawaii
- London’s Fortnum & Mason Meets Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes
- Saying good-bye to the Butterfly Queen
- Swimming with Sharks: Fear & Fashion in French Polynesia, Tahiti
- A Southern Belle in Britain: Life Lessons in London
- Paul A Young’s chocolate tea promises to be a sweet success at London’s Grosvenor House
- Dublin: To the Bars…and Beyond
- It’s all about ME…ME London hotel, that is
- Drink a toast to Scotch Whisky Month
- Following the Scotch Whisky Trail: A Spirited Tour of Scotland
- Capri: Italy’s “StairMaster Isle”
- Soon, We’ll All Be Drinking Sea & T
- Noshing in London’s Notting Hill: A mix of native tongues yields exotic ethnic fare
- For Cheap, Cheeky Bunks, Check Out Buzzing Generator London
- Unexpected Pairings for the Palate: G&C, anyone?
- I SPY: Espionage exhibit reveals the hidden lives of secret agents
- Need a bigger boat? P&O’s Got You Covered with Cool Britannia.
- The Attendant, London: You’ve Really Got to Go
- Born To Be Wild, If Not Wise: Walking with Lions in Mauritius
- Lanes of London: Embracing Culinary Diversity
- Explore Malta on a Mediterranean Jeep Safari
- Cornwall: A Walk on the Wild Side of England
- Say WHAT? On the Road with Foot in Mouth
- Top Destinations for 2014
- One Sweet Ride: Forget flat tires. Just hold onto your (Boa) Thong.
- Free-wheeling Amsterdam
- Glitzy Gstaad: Swish Swiss ski resort not just for celebrities.
- Serenity Now! Cruising Europe on a Luxury Liner
- Good Gaudi! Barcelona, A Feast for the Senses
- Caribbean Castaway on Peter Island
- A 007-style Adventure in the Swiss Alps
- Love, Loss & Letting Go On The Road
- Making a Case for “Disaster Packing”
- Who am I? What am I? Where am I?
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Recent Posts
- Auschwitz-Birkenhau: 75 Years after the Liberation
- Europe’s Crackin’ Christmas Markets
- Celebrating the Fall of the Berlin Wall: One Man’s Experience of a Family Divided
- Essaouira: Morocco’s Exotic Beach Town
- A Spirited Tour of Scary Ol’ England
- London for Less: Take a Free Walk Along the Thames
- Stargazing in Dubrovnik, Croatia: Game of Thrones
- For Weird Souvenirs, You Can’t Beat Paris’ Super-Sized Marché aux Puces
- Taking Big Risks On The Big Island Of Hawaii
- Mud, Music and Mayhem at Glastonbury
- Brandy and Cheese? Yes, Please!
- Royal Ascot Fashion: What–and What NOT–to Wear
- Drink Pink…Gin Cocktails, That Is
- Top Things to do in Monte-Carlo, Monaco
- Fear and Loathing in the Sky—and Why You Should Marry the Girl in the Middle Seat
- Bloomin’ Beautiful: Egerton House Hotel Blossoms for RHS Chelsea Flower Show
- Five Facts You Never Knew About Pompeii, Italy
- A Cinematic Tour of France’s Cote d’Azur
- Lexington, Kentucky’s Coolest Street Art
- Trier: Germany’s Ancient Roman City
- On the Trail of Winston Churchill
- Top Ten Tips for Tourists in Rome
- Festive Fizz: Champagne for the Holidays
- Vina Pomal: Rioja That Comes In With a Roar
- Go With The Grain: Embrace Bain’s
- Ghoulish Good Times: London Halloween 2018
- Finding the Silver Lining When You Step in It…Literally
- Christie Country: Agatha Christie’s Legacy Lives on in Coastal England
- Easy, Breezy Summer Picnic Wines from the Loire Valley
- The Royal Tour: The UK Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Harry and Meghan’s Wedding
- Rock It Like a Royal in Windsor
- Rock It Like a Royal in London
- Rock It Like a Royal in Edinburgh
- Beyond Barcelona: Bicycling through Catalan Country
- Six Ways to Explore Istanbul
- Sweetheart Escapes at Europe’s Most Romantic Hotels
- New High Tech Cocktails at The Berkeley, London
- New Lanark: Falling for Scotland’s Model Mill Town
- METAXA 12 Stars: One-Of-A-Kind Greek Spirit of the Season
- Take Home a Taste of London: Gourmet Gift Ideas
- A Love Letter to St. John, USVI
- Jane Austen’s Bath
- Scotland’s Stirling Attractions
- Briggs & Riley Compression Suitcase: The Next Best Thing to Mary Poppins’ Magic Bag
- The Lady Chablis: Four Sassy Wines that Just Might Surprise You
- A Field Guide to Whisky: Everything you ever wanted to know, but were too tipsy to ask
- UK Film Locations for Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
- Grand Designs Live: Great Gadgets & DIY Inspiration
- Isle of Harris Gin: The New Spirit of Scotland
- The English Cotswolds: Ready for their Close-Up
- How To Save a Bundle in Great Britain
- Ten Luxe Hotels Launching in 2017
- Hot–and Cool–Destinations for 2017
- Brexit to Britain: Top London Hotels
- Feel Good Gifts from Around the Globe
- Wine & Bubbly: Terrific Tipples for the Holidays
- California Dreaming: Capturing the Essence of Scent-sational Palm Springs
- Royal Audience: Meet the Cast of the E! Hit TV Series “The Royals”
- Royal Tour: On Set with “The Royals” Creator Mark Schwahn
- Buzzing Budapest
- Must-Do Activities in London This Coming Winter
- St. John: The Wild Child of the Caribbean
- 5 Festivals You Must Visit if You’re Travelling to the UK
- The Joy of Bees: London Installation Proves a Seductive Honey Trap
- London Cocktail Week…or Zombie Apocalypse?
- Victoria’s Secret: Undressed for Success at London’s V&A
- How an Evening of Chablis Made a White Wine Lover out of Me
- Six Top Tips for Food Photography
- Positano & Sorrento: A Tale of Two Cities
- Top Ten Wildest Styles at The Met’s Fashion Exhibition in New York
- New Zealand’s Flag Apparently Will NOT be a Kiwi Shooting Lasers from its Eyes
- Beluga Vodka at Rocco Forte’s Brown’s Hotel in London: A Superior Sipping Experience
- Scotland’s Search for a Fetching Ambassadog
- Explore the Real World of Downton Abbey in England
- Tallinn: Rock up to Estonia’s Cool Capital
- How it Feels to Save a Life
- The Cheesiest Way to Say “I Love You”
- London’s Dishoom Packs a Punch
- Croatia: Taster Tour with Abercrombie & Kent
- Chatting with CBS Travel Editor Peter Greenberg about Murder, Mystery and Whisky in London
- Maison Assouline: A London Bookstore…With a Bar (and a Sultan’s Den)
- #KIDNEY4JEN: You Could Save A Life
- Calvia, Mallorca: Top Ten Reasons to Visit This Mediterranean Island Oasis
- Get Lost! In the nicest possible way…
- Be Your Own James Bond In London, England
- Secrets of London’s Crime Museum: Rare Evidence Finally Revealed
- PerfectCellar.com: The Match.com of the Wine World
- Berlin Comes to Ol’ Blighty
- Ireland’s Ashford Castle: Historic Grande Dame Gets a Facelift
- Amsterdam: The West of the Story
- The UK’s UFO Hotspots
- Notting Hill Carnival: London, England’s Most Outrageous Street Party
- McQueen, the King of Controversial Couture, Lives on at the V&A in London
- In the Kitchen with Wolfgang Puck
- Scilly Escape: The Land that Crime Forgot in Cornwall, England
- Starmus 2016: Scientists, Astronauts and Rock Stars Gather for Celestial Festival
- London Fashion: Where Every “Don’t” is a “Do”
- Truth and Spies: Tongue-loosening cocktails at The Stafford London
- Meet Harry’s Potter’s Special Effects Wiz(ard) John Richardson
- Mr. Weasley Visits the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour London