Europe

The Via Francigena (fran-CHEE-jee-nah) is a pilgrimage route from the Middle Ages that starts in England and crosses France and Switzerland before entering Italy at the Gran San Bernardo Pass. Less known than the Spanish pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena was revived in the 1990s and is becoming more traversed each year. 

A trip around where I live. All pics are under 30 min drive from my home, here in Sortland, Northern Norway.

Tree at Godfjord

The mountain Reka

If I were to dance these words, I would dance the drops of rain falling on parched earth. 

Barcelona – this seaside town has much to offer visitors, from delicious food to Gaudi’s famous buildings. But as with any large city, how do you fit it all in? One way we love is discovering the city by bike! There are many locations for bike rentals in Barcelona, so wherever you are staying, you can hop on a bike and explore. There are bike paths, and the city is used to having plenty of bike traffic (as always, follow local traffic rules).

Visiting Switzerland brings you up close to a place where the air is fresh, the people are subdued, and the outdoor and cultural sights are plentiful. This landlocked country is known for the beauty of its Swiss Alps, the stunning azure waters of its pristine lakes, and its modern city centers of culture. Expect to hear a variety of languages in this melting pot of people with German, French, and Italian heritage. Here are 10 top attractions to visit during your tour of Switzerland.

Even the words European Christmas markets bring a smile to my face, and a head full of travel plans. I get dreamy, thinking of wandering the paths between rows of booths twinkling with lights, a mug of steaming hot yumminess in my hands, surrounded by the fresh scent of pine and roasted chestnuts, and the crisp night air nipping at my cheeks. 

Maggie Burr is a DPhil candidate in Classical Archaeology at Oxford, where she spends her time trying to understand what ancient farmers did, and why. She grew up in Lexington, MA, Austin, TX, and Beverly, MA. 

Spain is home to some of the best beaches in Europe, incredible architecture, and a passionate culture specializing in textiles and culinary arts. 

At 68° North, the Lofoten Archipelago in Norway is located just 2 degrees north of the Arctic Circle. And while it may seem like an extremely cold location, because of the Gulf Stream, Lofoten features less harsh winters than you expect. 

Provence. Idyllic, quiet, peaceful. Known for its incredible scenery, scenery which has inspired countless artists and poets over the past few centuries. Renowned for its comfortable tradition of home cooked food and fresh produce. Dipping its toes in the Mediterranean, it stretches all the way to the foothills of the towering French Alps. With art, culture, scenery, fine cuisine, and a host of tiny villages to explore, the Provençal region is without a doubt one of the greatest road trip destinations in Europe.