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A Local’s Guide to the Adriatic: Food, Culture & Coastal Traditions

The Adriatic coastline is more than a beautiful sailing destination — it’s a living tapestry of history, culture, food, and traditions shaped by centuries of seafarers, fishermen, and island communities. When you sail Croatia, you experience the coast the way locals do: slowly, intentionally, and with respect for nature and heritage.

This guide brings you closer to the authentic Adriatic, from Dalmatian flavors and fishing tradi

pawel.gaul

One of Eastern Europe´s most handsome cities, Hungary´s capital is packed with remarkable architecture and historical landmark such as the House of Parliament and Buda Castle, as well as plenty of cool things to do – most notably luxuriating in its atmospheric hot-springs bathhouses, which date back centuries. And here´s a quintet of the best districts for exploring these and more:

Time Travel in the Castle District

Over on the Buda side of the Danube River, Várkerület (also known as Bu

This small Balkan country of packs an abundance of unforgettable experiences into its 43,000 square miles (111,000 sq. kilometers), from tranquil as well as and lively  coastal towns to breathtaking mountain retreats, tasty cuisine, compelling historical and cultural heritage. It´s also considered one of Europe´s most affordable destinations for visitors and foreigners who choose to live here part- or full-time (for example, very affordable real estate opportunities make Bulgaria the perfect p

I´m excited to introduce you to one of the foremost gems of Croatia´s Dalmatian Coast on the beautiful Adriatic Sea: the island of Hvar. It´s true paradise that captivates visitors with its stunning landscapes, fascinating history, vibrant nightlife, and gourmet cuisine.In 2023 it placed in the top 10 of Condé Nast Traveler´s Readers´ Choice Awards, and last year it placed first on Forbes´ list of "European Island Destinations To Visit This Year," with writer Alex Ledsom writing that it´s "best

kasto80

The capital of this little jewel of an Alpine country is a charming, untouristy treat with a poulation of just over 288,000, gracious architecture, lovely green spaces, laid back vibe, tasty cuisine - and very affordable prices. And long under the radar, Ljubjliana starting to gain wider notice among travellers, and is on many lists of hot destinations for 2025. So let´s dig in a bit, shall we?

YayaErnst

First off, once you're here, one thing you can't help but notice is dragons, dragons e

Fani Kurti


Interested in a highly rewarding destination in Europe that´s a little “different” and off the beaten track (and which probably no one else you know has visited)? Check out one of Iberia´s newest destinations, the intriguing capital of Albania (Shqipëri in Albanian), the small, mostly Muslim in the Balkans with an impenetrable language which spent 46 years of the postwar 20th century isolated under the secretive and Stalinist totalitarian dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. After a rough f

Adam Jones

For several years in the early 1990s, in the wake of the breakup of Yugoslavia, this small country in the Balkans was constantly in the news because of the brutal civil war it suffered between the Muslim Bosniaks and the Orthodox Christian Bosnian Serbs. It has been at peace since December 1995, and more travelers have been discovering its myriad natural, historical, and cultural appeals. But others come for "dark tourism," a trend which involves visiting places associated with trage

Harley´s Bar Prague

"Overtourism" is a hot topic these days in the travel sector, and the popularity of a number of destinations continues to burgeon, cities especially in Europe such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Prague, and Venice have found themselves grappling increasingly with its challenges. With the influx of visitors, the delicate balance between tourism and local life is at risk. In response, the Czech Republic (aka Czechia) is implementing measures such as bar-crawl bans and str

When you say you’re taking a European holiday, everything always imagines medieval towns, picturesque cafes with great food, and fashionable cities with chic people and hundreds of museums and historical buildings. But there’s more to this old continent. It’s actually a really good destination for adventurers, especially those who want to be (relatively) close to civilization while experiencing their crazy stunts. And on of the best adrenaline things you can in Europe is try rafting. 

And here’s

Croatia´s second-largest city (pop. a bit over 176,000) is both bustling and beautifully sited on the Dalmatian Coast, with a breathtaking coastline, set on the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea and offering beautiful beaches, which can be explored via or private and group boat excursions. It´s a must-see destination for anyone seeking to experience this country´s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, and it´s a particular draw within Europe with visitors especially from Eastern E

Saunas are more than just places to sweat; they're sanctuaries of relaxation, culture, and rejuvenation. From the ethereal landscapes of Scandinavia to the depths of Estonian tradition, each sauna offers a unique experience worth travelling for. Here, we unveil some of the world's most exceptional saunas that redefine the art of sweating.

Ästad Vingård, Sweden

Nestled in the picturesque vineyards south of Gothenburg,this resort stands as a testament to Swedish excellence in wine, cuisine, and sa

logoboom

Happy Halloween! And what better day to explore the dark side of one of Europe’s most atmospheric big cities. Since its founding in the 9th century, the Czech Republic’s enchanting and enchanted capital has certainly accumulated its share of ghosts, ghouls, and grim goings on – including plenty that’s mysterious, occult, and blood-soaked. Prague was known in the Middle Ages as a capital of alchemy and astrology, and of course the legend of the Golem – the red-eyed clay monster created

This city of just over 54,000 is the largest of Croatia's historic Istria region, on the northern Adriatic coast in the country's northwestern corner. I recently visited Pula for three days, taking in its top sights and feeling its beauty. If you're interested in rich culture/history as well as leisure pursuits, the best time to visit is from April to October (and to build a better, customized experience, try the TripHobo trip planner). Its long, rich history dates back more than 2,000 years,

Booking a stateroom for an Elbe River cruise excursion during a colorful October in Germany made my seasonal travels a complete success.  The Elbe River extends through a part of Germany that I had yet to explore with Viking River Cruises. I'd previously done the Rhine and Rhone Rivers with Viking and enjoyed the included excursions. This travel mode allows for seeing a wonderful part of the world at river barge speed, with interesting stops, and in cruising elegance.

This cruise up the Elb

LukinBerno

The magnificent Czech capital Prague and the towns and cities of the surrounding region of Bohemia tend get most of the attention from travelers and travel writers alike. But in my many visits and time living in the Czech Republic, I found that the next-door Moravia region has an amazing amount of cool stuff to offer, as well. And one of its top attractions is its own capital, Brno, which mixes history and culture with a friendly, untouristy – and even newly hip – vibe, yet at prices

Deensel

by Maria José Cortes Lamas


Before the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, Bulgaria for Westerners was tucked even farther than most behind the old Iron Curtain. Today the differences are truly astonishing to see: a country vibrant with energy – though obviously not without its problems. And its capital Sofia – with a population of 1.2 million, yet fairly accessible (and bargain priced!) for the visitor – is the place where this energy is especially showcased (though it’s often bypassed by

Ballota

Now that tourism to Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is about to start heating up again for the summer, it’s a good time to cast a glance even beyond top dog Dubrovnik to other magical spots along these shores – and at the top of the list is a city with perhaps one of the world’s most unusual historic quarters: Split. It’s fair to say the mix of history, dining, beaches and more here is a mix unlike any on the planet.

Founded in the 6th century BC against a backdrop of high, rocky hills as the

Gjirokastra (also spelled Gjirokastër) is a town in southern Albania which in 2005 was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a highly historic city and placed on slopes of the Drino River valley, with beautiful scenery and bordered by high mountains.

Known as the "City of a Thousand Stairs" Gjirokastra is characterized by cobblestone streets and Ottoman-era houses with stone roofs and wooden balconies. Gjirokastra's historic castle is located on top of a hill. The city has a troubled p

rusm

Croatia’s Dalmatian coast is chock-full of historic, architecturally charming towns and cities, but few would question that the queen of them all is the walled old quarter of Dubrovnik, thought to have been founded in the 7th century but according to some theories dating back even much earlier, to ancient Hellenic times. In any case, this eight-square-mile cluster of stone buildings and red-tile roofs has as a result become one of Europe’s more popular cities and tourist destinations – n