The blog

Wonderful Wanderings shares tips on things to do, where to eat and where to stay around the world - plus useful travel gear reviews.

Places to Visit in Edmonton in Winter: 3 Days of Fun 1

Places to Visit in Edmonton in Winter: 3 Days of Fun

After my first day in Edmonton in Alberta, Canada I already knew what my first post about the city would be. I’d write a guide on…

A fun day trip to Mossman Gorge in Queensland, Australia 2

A fun day trip to Mossman Gorge in Queensland, Australia

When I was planning our Queensland road trip, I’d looked up things to do all the way from Brisbane up to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape…

Eungella National Park walks and platypus viewing in AUS 3

Eungella National Park walks and platypus viewing in AUS

Eungella National Park is known as one of the places in Queensland, Australia where you can spot the timid platypus. It isn’t too far from Finch…

Visiting Paronella Park in Queensland, Australia 4

Visiting Paronella Park in Queensland, Australia

I often visit parks on my travels. Botanical gardens, city parks, … I like places where I can go for a stroll while also having something…

Driving in Los Angeles: tips on parking and driving in LA

When I first published this post, I just summed up some reasons why you shouldn’t be scared of driving in Los Angeles. Then, someone on TripAdvisor…

Zakynthos, Greece: snorkeling, turtle nests and ashes 5

Zakynthos, Greece: snorkeling, turtle nests and ashes

In 2009, I spent eight days on the Greek island of Zakynthos (also known as the island of Zante). Renting a car allowed me to see…

These are some of the best places for tea in London 6

These are some of the best places for tea in London

Those of you who’ve been following me for a while, know that I’m a massive tea fan. And what better place to sip this lovely liquid…

15-Day South Africa Itinerary : the Road Trip of a Lifetime 7

15-Day South Africa Itinerary : the Road Trip of a Lifetime

I spent weeks planning our South Africa vacation. This post includes our full itinerary - what we did where and how much it cost - plus a print version you can use to plan your own South Africa trip!

Fun things to do in Bregenz, Feldkirch and Dornbirn, Austria 8

Fun things to do in Bregenz, Feldkirch and Dornbirn, Austria

Imagine a place where you have a massive lake, mountains with marvelous views, and a range of cultural events to keep you entertained. That’s the Bodensee…

How to spend 2 fun days in the Bregenzerwald in Austria 9

How to spend 2 fun days in the Bregenzerwald in Austria

On my first trip to Vorarlberg in Austria, I only got to spend a short time in the Bregenzerwald but it was enough to leave me…

Bauhaus NRW: Self-Guided Tour in Hagen, Krefeld, and Essen 10

Bauhaus NRW: Self-Guided Tour in Hagen, Krefeld, and Essen

In 2019, Germany celebrated the 100th anniversary of the influential Bauhaus art and architecture style with special guided tours, exhibitions, and other events in cities and…

11 of the best things to do in Mykonos, Greece on your trip 11

11 of the best things to do in Mykonos, Greece on your trip

Mykonos, a Greek island in the center of the Cyclades, known for sandy white beaches, an epic party scene, iconic white-washed stone buildings, and celebrity sightings…

111 Interesting Facts About France 12

111 Interesting Facts About France

Planning a trip to France or simply want to know more about the country? Then check out these 111 interesting facts about France.   111 Interesting…

Things to do in The Hague on a short getaway 13

Things to do in The Hague on a short getaway

I’d been wanting to visit The Hague for quite a while so when my friend’s birthday came up, I suggested we’d do it as a weekend…

10 fun things to do in Osnabrück, Germany 14

10 fun things to do in Osnabrück, Germany

It might be a small city, but there are plenty of things to do in Osnabrück, Germany! In this post, you'll find out how to spend a full day there, including where to have lunch and how to get there.

Hof ter Saksen, a beautiful park in Beveren, Belgium 15

Hof ter Saksen, a beautiful park in Beveren, Belgium

Hof ter Saksen is a beautiful park in East Flanders, Belgium with an arboretum, an orchard, a 19th-century castle and a natural garden. It's small and not near any other major sights, but if you're in the area, this is a nice place to stop and take a break or have a picnic.

Vaduz, the Liechtenstein capital, and Liechtenstein fun facts 16

Vaduz, the Liechtenstein capital, and Liechtenstein fun facts

Is Liechtenstein a country? What is the capital of Liechtenstein? What is the size of Liechtenstein? That and some more interesting facts about Liechtenstein in this article, based on our quick trip to this small place!

Why you should be wearing compression socks for travel 17

Why you should be wearing compression socks for travel

This post explains why I'm wearing compression socks for flying, what the benefits of compression socks are and how you can choose the right pair for you. I also list the best compressions socks for women and men and share my personal favorite. Have a look!

Visiting the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena in Italy 18

Visiting the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena in Italy

The Museum Enzo Ferrari Modena consists of a main hall and the completely restored workshop of Enzo Ferrari's father. It showcases Ferrari cars and engines, dives into Ferrari's movie history and tells visitors more about the life of Enzo Ferrari.

Intimina Lily Cup review (It's better than tampons and pads!) 19

Intimina Lily Cup review (It’s better than tampons and pads!)

I tried using a menstrual cup and I'm never going back! Menstrual cups or period cups are better than tampons and sanitary pads in so many ways. They offer 12-hour period protection, are better for the environment and save you a ton of money!

Lush conditioner bar review: does it really work that well? 20

Lush conditioner bar review: does it really work that well?

I first tried Lush many years ago as I always struggled not to pack too many toiletries in my carry-on. I usually travel carry-on only and…

15 must-read, funny travel books to inspire your next trip 21

15 must-read, funny travel books to inspire your next trip

Sometimes we travel. Sometimes we research travel. Sometimes we just need a laugh. Although humor is such a personal thing, I went in search of funny…

40 interesting Luxembourg facts (#34 is nice) 52

40 interesting Luxembourg facts (#34 is nice)

Luxembourg is a tiny country, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth visiting! From the historical capital Luxembourg City to the many castles and beautiful nature, Luxembourg has quite a bit to offer. If you want to learn a bit more about the country before going, check out these 40 fun Luxembourg facts.

Visiting the Lamborghini Museum in Sant'Agata Bolognese 53

Visiting the Lamborghini Museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese

The Sant' Agata Bolognese Lamborghini Museum near Bologna in Italy showcases a large collection of Lamborghini cars, as well as engines, videos and a ton of information. Make your Lamborghini visit complete with a Lamborghini factory tour and see how these beautiful cars are made. Even if you're not a car fan, like me, it's a fun place to visit.

Visiting Fontfroide Abbey in Narbonne, France: a Review 54

Visiting Fontfroide Abbey in Narbonne, France: a Review

You can easily spend a couple of hours at Fontfroide Abbey near Narbonne, in the French Languedoc-Roussillon region. Follow the walk through the abbey, visit the rose garden and hike up to the big cross. You won't be disappointed.

What to do in Kolkata, India - 10 Fun Things to Try 55

What to do in Kolkata, India – 10 Fun Things to Try

Kolkata, or “Calcutta” in India is not an easy city to understand. You need to stay here for a while to figure out the Bengali people, their…

Leucate France: a Village and windsurfing at Leucate Plage 56

Leucate France: a Village and windsurfing at Leucate Plage

Leucate in France is a destination well known for windsurfing. But is there anything else to do? We visited Leucate Village and walked all along the shore to find out. Here's what we came across, including a nude beach we stumbled upon.

Visiting Hohenzollern Castle inside and out (Germany) 57

Visiting Hohenzollern Castle inside and out (Germany)

Burg Hohenzollern is perched high upon a hill in the Swabian Alps, near the Black Forest. It offers a great view on the area and you can follow a free tour through the castle several times a day. I climbed up, looked around, and was so cold!

27 Interesting Facts About Finland 58

27 Interesting Facts About Finland

Before traveling somewhere, it’s always good to have some background information on the country. This post contains 27 interesting facts about Finland to teach you more…

Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at The Palace Hotel: a Review 59

Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at The Palace Hotel: a Review

When I was planning my recent trip to London, afternoon tea at The Rubens at the Palace was one of the first things I put on my list. Here's my review.

Review of Shamwari Game Reserve South Africa: is it worth it? 60

Review of Shamwari Game Reserve South Africa: is it worth it?

A review of two days spent at Long Lee Manor at Shamwari Game Reserve, a Big Five, malaria-free, award-winning game reserve in the Eastern Cape near Port Elizabeth. Find out which animals we spotted, what the rooms cost and what it's like to pee in the bush. Yes, really.

Visiting Table Top Mountain in Cape Town, SA 61

Visiting Table Top Mountain in Cape Town, SA

Planning to visit Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa? This post details our experience and includes a bunch of practical information on getting there, taking the Cape Town Table Mountain cable car and more.

Boulders Beach and Betty's Bay Penguins Spotting in South Africa 62

Boulders Beach and Betty’s Bay Penguins Spotting in South Africa

While I was putting together our South Africa itinerary, I came across Boulders Beach as the most popular place to go penguin spotting. Yet there were…

Joby GorillaPod SLR-Zoom with ballhead: a review 63

Joby GorillaPod SLR-Zoom with ballhead: a review

Let’s be honest here: I’m not a photographer. I take photos because I need them for the blog and because I love sharing with you guys…

A weekend Zeeland: 2 days of chill things to do 64

A weekend Zeeland: 2 days of chill things to do

For our ten-year anniversary, Boyfriend and I headed to Zeeland in the Netherlands for a weekend, where we roamed the beaches and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. Zeeland was a pleasant discovery. In this post you can read and see what else we did.

Essential Travel Toiletries Checklist for Your Carry-on 65

Essential Travel Toiletries Checklist for Your Carry-on

Always pack too many liquid toiletries to travel carry-on only? With this essential travel toiletries list, that's a thing of the past. Read which toiletries I always pack, how I pack them and how I use solid products and travel containers to stick within the carry-on limits.

365 awesome trip quotes for a year full of wanderlust 66

365 awesome trip quotes for a year full of wanderlust

The best travel quotes inspire and motivate you to chase your dreams. Here you'll find 365 awesome travel quotes for a year full of wanderlust and travel adventures. Check them out, choose your favorite and get into action!

Booking a Mystery Trip with Mystery Travel works like this 67

Booking a Mystery Trip with Mystery Travel works like this

If you go on a Mystery Trip with Mystery Travel, they'll book your flights, accommodation and a few activities. I did their Suprise City Trip and was sent clues to figure out my destination and what I'd be doing there. Sounds interesting? In this post I'll tell you step-by-step how to book a Mystery Trip for yourself or as a gift.

9 of the most popular Indian dishes you have to try 68

9 of the most popular Indian dishes you have to try

With all the sumptuous dishes, intricate ingredients, and tongue-tickling flavors, there is a lot of good Indian food, and Indian cuisine is one of the most…

Review of Loch Ness Boat Tour & Castle Visit with Jacobite Cruises 69

Review of Loch Ness Boat Tour & Castle Visit with Jacobite Cruises

I joined Loch Ness cruises by Jacobite on a Loch Ness tour and visit of Urquhart Castle. Wonder if we saw Nessie? Read to find out and get practical information to plan your own Loch Ness trip and castle visit. It's a must when in Inverness, Scotland!

ReLEx smile eye surgery review: was it worth it? 70

ReLEx smile eye surgery review: was it worth it?

In 2017, I had ReLEx smile surgery. It changed my life and the way I’ll travel from now on. Because my love for travel was part…

The North Face ThermoBall Hybrid Hoodie review 71

The North Face ThermoBall Hybrid Hoodie review

For someone who’s almost always cold, packing isn’t easy. I always pack layers, but then there’s still the question of what jacket to bring. When it’s…

8 foodie hot spots in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands 72

8 foodie hot spots in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands

Every year, one or two European cities receive the title of European Capital of Culture. In 2018, that title went to the city of Leeuwarden in…

Spotting Rotterdam street art with this awesome app 73

Spotting Rotterdam street art with this awesome app

Rotterdam has an awesome street art scene and while I’d already spotted some works on my previous trips to the city, I never actively went in…

Visiting the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in Spain 74

Visiting the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in Spain

Have you ever heard of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park? I hadn’t either, until a trip to Catalonia in Spain brought it…

2 days in Amsterdam Noord: from the A'dam Lookout to the countryside 76

2 days in Amsterdam Noord: from the A’dam Lookout to the countryside

Amsterdam Noord is known for the A'dam Lookout and the Eye Film Museum, but this Amsterdam neighborhood has so much more to offer. This post holds a full itinerary to spend two days in Amsterdam Noord, including a biking route. Have a look!

A fun day at the palace and park of Versailles, France 77

A fun day at the palace and park of Versailles, France

It hurt a bit, getting up at 7 on a Saturday morning. But we got over it and left home around 8. We decided to go…

Dorset photography locations 78

Dorset photography locations

Dorset in the UK is really “my thing”. Even with weather circumstances not being ideal, and by far not enough time, the first evening and morning of the trip already provided heaps of inspiration. This post contains tips and tools I used when I went photography location scouting in Dorset.

Visiting the Los Angeles Getty Center: why you should 79

Visiting the Los Angeles Getty Center: why you should

The Getty Center in Los Angeles shows a wide variety of art: paintings, sculptures, furniture, photography... It also offers amazing views as its perched on top of a hill and is a great place to pull goofy faces... but only because an exhibition made us do it!

75 fast facts about Italy that will surprise you 80

75 fast facts about Italy that will surprise you

Did you know Italy is the country with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world? I've researched this and 70 other interesting facts about Italy and gathered them for you in this massive post. Check it out!

How to Get from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park 81

How to Get from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park

While a few days in Los Angeles is fun, get out of the city and explore one of the most famous national parks in California –…

Mighty Campers review: all you need to know when renting a Mighty camper 82

Mighty Campers review: all you need to know when renting a Mighty camper

When we decided to go road tripping through Australia for three weeks, it wasn’t even a question that we’d do that with a campervan. We booked…

Pacsafe passport wallet review: the Daysafe RFID wallet 83

Pacsafe passport wallet review: the Daysafe RFID wallet

When cards started to fall out of my Dynomighty wallet, I knew it was time for a new, safer travel wallet. My choice: the Pacsafe Daysafe…

Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Anti-Theft 25l BackPack Review 84

Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Anti-Theft 25l BackPack Review

I’ve been happily using my Pacsafe anti-theft handbag for years and so I was curious to try one of their backpacks as well. The Pacsafe Metrosafe…

Arc'teryx Patera Parka: review of my favorite winter coat 85

Arc’teryx Patera Parka: review of my favorite winter coat

When Arc’teryx contacted me to see if I wanted to test their Arc’teryx Patera Parka, I was thrilled. Arc’teryx has a reputation for creating high-quality gear…

Salomon Outline GTX review: testing hiking sneakers 86

Salomon Outline GTX review: testing hiking sneakers

While I love the Salomon hiking shoes I have, they’re big boots and a little too warm for summer hikes, so when Salomon asked if I…

6 fun things to do in Cardiff, Wales 87

6 fun things to do in Cardiff, Wales

Noon had just gone by when I arrived in Cardiff Central. I’d spend a day in the Welsh capital, the UK before driving on to Pembrokeshire,…

Bauhaus in Berlin, Dessau, and Weimar Germany 88

Bauhaus in Berlin, Dessau, and Weimar Germany

If you’re into architecture, you’ve surely heard of the Bauhaus movement. In 2019, this artistic and architectural movement celebrated its 100th anniversary with exhibitions and other…

6 fun city day trips from Bologna (+ a special country!) 89

6 fun city day trips from Bologna (+ a special country!)

Architecture, fast cars, and amazing food – the region of Emilia Romagna in Italy has it all. And guess what? Unlike some other regions, it’s super…

Testing the Taste of Testaccio Food Tour in Rome, Italy 90

Testing the Taste of Testaccio Food Tour in Rome, Italy

Taking a food tour is a great way to learn about local cuisine, to find out where the locals eat and to know how to avoid any tourist traps. I tried out the Taste of Testaccio Food Tour in Rome so I can tell you whether it's a yaay or a nay. And? You'll read that here!

Where to stay in Umbria - 7 beautiful Umbrian towns to visit 91

Where to stay in Umbria – 7 beautiful Umbrian towns to visit

If you're wondering where to go in Umbria, Italy, these 7 Umbrian towns are the answer. Think small alleys, flowers hanging from balconies and great views. They're perfect for wandering around, taking photos and eating delicious Italian food.

Visiting Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park 92

Visiting Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park

The following is a guest post by my dad, who shares his experience of visiting the Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park from…

Going on a Bologna Food Tour with Taste Bologna 93

Going on a Bologna Food Tour with Taste Bologna

The best coffee, the finest meat, real gelato and manually rolled pasta... Want to know where the great food stores and restaurants in Bologna, Italy are? Or what to eat where? Take a food tour and find out. That's what I did!

Popular Australian food to try on your next trip down under 94

Popular Australian food to try on your next trip down under

One of the best things about traveling to different countries is sampling the different cuisine. Australia has a huge array of culinary influences from around the…

27 regional and internationally-inspired Canadian foods to try 95

27 regional and internationally-inspired Canadian foods to try

Canada has an interesting culinary scene as a result of its historical mix of cultures and influences. Yes, there are the world-famous poutines, the butter tarts,…

KeepCalling: International Calls Made Easy 96

KeepCalling: International Calls Made Easy

If you’re looking for a one-stop fix to make international communication as easy as a breeze – keep reading! KeepCalling is a cost-effective means of calling…

Hiking the Culinary St Jacobs Trail in Paznaun-Ischgl, Austria 97

Hiking the Culinary St Jacobs Trail in Paznaun-Ischgl, Austria

For more than 10 years now, you can combine the pleasures of hiking and eating on the annual Culinary St Jacobs Way in Tyrol in Austria.…

Austria travel safety measures and restrictions during corona 100

Austria travel safety measures and restrictions during corona

With its mountains and stretches of nature in between towns, Austria is a great place to go if you want to holiday safely, away from any…

56 Interesting Portugal Facts To Learn About (#26 is surprising!) 101

56 Interesting Portugal Facts To Learn About (#26 is surprising!)

Whether you’re planning a trip there or just want to learn more about this fascinating country, here are 56 interesting Portugal facts covering culture, economy, history,…

Check out the Hackescher Markt graffiti alley in Berlin 102

Check out the Hackescher Markt graffiti alley in Berlin

Hackescher Markt is a bit of a touristy area close to Alexanderplatz, but the S-Bahn station is simply beautiful, with orange brickwork and steel arches. You can do some great shopping on Rosenthaler Str. and Oranienburger Str. and there's the coolest little street art alley.

Expand Your Knowledge With 6 of the Best Books About China 103

Expand Your Knowledge With 6 of the Best Books About China

If you’re anything like me, part of the anticipation of any major international travel involves a lot of reading and research. Perhaps you’re planning to travel…

Havaianas espadrilles review: when flip-flops don't work 114

Havaianas espadrilles review: when flip-flops don’t work

You know when it’s warm, but just not warm enough to walk around in flip-flops? Or when circumstances ask for just a little more fabric around your…

Sailing the Douro river in Portugal with Anima Durius 115

Sailing the Douro river in Portugal with Anima Durius

On our trip through Portugal we had the opportunity to go on an Anima Durius Douro river cruise by sailboat. Our own private captain, a glass of port made by the family and the sun shining bright... Yes, we had a great time!

Hiking to the Palace Hotel at Mata do Bussaco in Portugal 116

Hiking to the Palace Hotel at Mata do Bussaco in Portugal

Our next “stay the night” stop in Portugal after Coimbra was the Douro Valley, where we would spend one night at Quinta Nova. We didn’t drive…

Exploring Coimbra, a small university city in Portugal 117

Exploring Coimbra, a small university city in Portugal

After having spent our first day in Portugal at the beautiful Quinta das Lágrimas, we set out to visit Coimbra the next morning. Lisa from LL World…

Join 58,000+ other Wonderful Wanderers!

Follow along: