Author Profile: Christy Swagerty

The Hague has the Mauritshuis museum, and that museum has the Vermeer painting of "Girl with a Pearl Earring." The Hague also has a lot to offer for great food as...   view more

Berlin is a lot to handle. Definitely too much for a weekend. But when the weekend is understood to be a simple introduction, Berlin flashes a quick smile with a hasty, "Wie geht's?" Berlin beckons you to follow it around, showing every bright side and dark corner of itself without...   view more

The Spielzeug Museum is housed in the tower of the old city hall in the main square, Marienplatz. I entered through an opened wooden door to a spiraling castle staircase. There are only three exhibit rooms, but the arrangement is full and...   view more

I spent this sunny afternoon in the 9th arrondissement, taking the long ways, walking slowly, and backtracking when I felt like it. You'll find wonderful museums, restaurants, and architecture off the beaten tourist path in this...   view more

This entry is dedicated to the most delicious foods we enjoyed in Madrid over Christmas break, 2014. Tapas bars, breakfast places, and desserts,...   view more

We had a pretty simple agenda. Arrive in London. Check-in to the AirBnB hotel. Eat lunch. Take the tube to the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Return to hotel to get ready for dinner and the show. Sleep. Get back on the first Eurostar the next...   view more

Paris is forever fabulous, and one of the best and only places you can experience the rosiness of Monet, the grit of Rodin, and the intricacies of medieval art in the same...   view more

The whole Vienna cafe scene really made me curious. Would it really be better than Paris? How could cake actually be that amazing? Was the Sacher torte even...   view more

Whether you believe in actual miracles, happy coincidences, or good luck, it's all the same. Milan is an incredible city. I loved wandering in and out of churches, walking down as many alleys as I could find, and realizing that Milan is yet another wonderful place I could really...   view more

I flew next to a couple from Seville! Alejandro and his wife were a wealth of information and we put it to use, especially when deciding where to eat. We only spent two days in Seville, but we ate well and saw a few of the key...   view more

Two of these museums were the homes and studios of the artists, and, while not quite as impressive as Monet's gardens in Giverny, it was interesting to observe where Delacroix and Rodin found the most inspiration for their...   view more

I'm not one to naturally pay attention to green spaces. If I hear something special about a park area, though, I will look into it and probably follow up with a...   view more

Whether you've got 3 hours or 3 days in Budapest, these suggestions will get you off on the right foot and on your way! Tips on how to get there, where to stay, how to exchange currencies, and everything about what to do and...   view more

Dresden was so young. I felt like I was walking around a college campus most of the time, what with the laid-back, creative hipster clothing styles, interesting haircuts and colors, and student-aged people relaxing in coffee shops and colorful bars around each...   view more

On my last day in Barcelona this summer, I decided to leave! It was high time for me to reach beyond the borders of that awesome town, and, after many moments exploring Google Maps, I selected Tarragona for my daytime...   view more

Basically, if you're a fan of churches, parks, and beaches, you will love San Sebastian. I had an alright weather day, as you will see from my photos. The morning and evening both had cloud cover, but the entire afternoon the sky was bright...   view more

Bilbao, Spain, is home to one of three fantastic Guggenheim museums (the other two are in New York City, USA, and Venice, Italy). I haven't been to the other two, but my trip to Bilbao was sure to include this...   view more

I am happy to say I finally have a reasonable and interesting two-hour loop to get acquainted with Munich's history and identity that I know I will continue to enjoy taking my friends and family on for many years to...   view more

Segovia deserves to be recognized as maybe the inspiration for all of the fake kingdom names! Segovia has some of the best preserved Roman, Gothic, and Romanesque architecture, in addition to the Jewish quarter that has retained much of its original...   view more

One of the many reasons I love Salzburg is because it is actually impossible to get lost. On the approach to the center, the river is on the left, the mountain is on the right, and once you've hit the highway, you've gone too far. My perfect scenario for...   view more

Strolling through several art museums can make for an expensive walk! However, Madrid has great options for free museums and even offers affordable moments for their more fancy museums as...   view more

Karlovy Vary is a little bit hilly but well-designed with walking trails to get to lookouts and good sidewalks in the city center. I recommend you start at the top of the mountain and wind your way down the Teplá River to where it joins the Ohře River at the base of the...   view more

I think Leipzig is one of those great cities that is usually experienced as an after-thought or out of convenience. It's not on most people's Germany tours or itineraries, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have amazing things to...   view more

If you’ve been considering Granada as a destination, but maybe it’s not “on the way” to your next place, I encourage you to commit to it and make it a priority to get there...   view more

The only sad thing about this idea is that you only have 24 hours in Paris. After 5 years of visiting and living in this city, I can tell you that it still isn’t enough time to completely delve into this incredible...   view more

There are certain places in the world where it's extra awesome because an annual event will bring you back every year! Annecy, France, is one of those places for us, for...   view more

I don't think Z-town is making anyone's "Top 10" list of anything anytime soon, but if you've got a spare couple of days, Zagreb is sure to provide a really great...   view more

The larger cities of Toulouse and Marseille anchor this beautiful area that includes both mountains and coastline, and Narbonne is planted between them near the coast. Another gorgeous city nearby is Carcassonne, also complete with its own walled-in city and...   view more

Malaga is delightfully known as one of the warmest cities of continental Europe. This makes traveling here wonderful throughout the entire year, and it is nearly always a beautiful day for walking around town for...   view more

Santiago de Compostela has been a tourist destination for over a thousand years. It has been a very interesting place to spend six days. This is my list of sights, food and coffee places, parks, stores, and services that I found useful and helpful during my time...   view more

Whether you have the chance to stay in Siena over an extended period of time, or you're just in town for the day, Siena has plenty to offer in sights, walks, and Italian history. I was able to spend a sunny early afternoon in Siena on a day trip from Florence during our Christmas trip this...   view more

This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me. I will never again devote an entire week to hiking all over Granada. Maybe a day, maybe a weekend, but this trip was special and I chose to switch between sweaty hikes, long siestas with no alarm set, and humid tapas bars. I chose to push upward to the Miradores of the city, and these 6 ended up being the...   view more

Valencia is for sunshine and warmth, and walking all over the city's broad boulevards and abundant parks and squares is a great way to get to know this beautiful beach...   view more

The ancient town of Sagunt unfolds like a living history book, offering a captivating journey through centuries of remarkable heritage. Here, you wander through its historical streets and encounter remarkable landmarks that have witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations. Additionally, you can enjoy all of the following sights totally for free and at your own...   view more

If you have heard of Nazaré, it has likely been in connection with world class surfing or as a day trip from Lisbon. There is so much more to Nazaré to explore, and this guide is here to help you out with...   view more

Many of Paris' incredible museums are free on the first Sunday of each month! If you are fortunate enough to have scheduled your visit early in the month and on the weekend, then you can take advantage of these free entries. But even if you are not in town with the right timing, these five museums are still absolutely worth the visit and you can learn which one(s) will suit you best from this...   view more

Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain, is a haven for art enthusiasts and cultural explorers. Within its bustling streets lie some of the world's most impressive museums, each its own canvas adorned with a spectrum of colors and experiences. Madrid also boasts generally great weather year-round, but on those sneaky cold or rainy days, spending time warm inside the art museum scene is definitely a valuable transfer of time well-spent. Join us as we delve into a chromatic journey through the best 5...   view more

Perched on the sparkling Costa Blanca, Alicante is a coastal gem that exudes an irresistible blend of magic and sunshine. With its golden beaches, historic treasures, and vibrant atmosphere, this Spanish city captivates the heart of every traveler. Embark on a magical walking tour through the top 10 sights that reveal the radiant essence of...   view more

Toledo, the Spanish city steeped in complex history and adorned with architectural wonders, is not only a cultural gem but also a place of mysteries that have intrigued generations. Join us on a journey as we explore the most intriguing mysteries and related locations that Toledo has to...   view more

The main town on the stunning coastline of Mallorca, Spain, Palma is a city that beckons travellers with its warm Mediterranean charm, abundant sunshine, and a rich relationship between history and culture. As the capital of the Balearic Islands, Palma boasts not only a delightful climate but also a collection of attractions that capture the essence of this vibrant city. Let's take a walk to bask in the sunshine as we explore the top 8 must-see sights in...   view more

In the heart of Hamburg, Germany, lie architectural treasures that offer a glimpse into the city's storied past and its contemporary aspirations. These sites, each a testament to different eras and styles, collectively contribute to Hamburg's unique urban landscape. Join me as I delve into the historical significance of these architectural marvels that have stood the test of...   view more

Baden-Baden is literally a German oasis. I really hope I can make returning to this spa town a yearly event, or at least every other year! It's a calm resort-like village with great food, lovely walks, and it will always be the first place I got hooked onto European thermal...   view more

Gloriously positioned along the dazzling French Riviera, Nice is a city that exudes elegance, charm, and a touch of luxury. With its azure waters, glamorous promenades, and refined atmosphere, Nice is the epitome of sophistication. This walking tour will take you through why Nice is indeed "nice" by exploring the top five fanciest hotspots that make this city a haven of opulence and...   view more

Lyon, a large French city along the banks of the Rhône and Saône rivers, is a treasure trove of history that dates back to ancient times. As you stroll through its charming streets and captivating neighborhoods, you'll encounter a plethora of ancient sights that offer a glimpse into Lyon's rich past. In this spot-by-spot walking tour we'll take you on a journey through time as we explore some of the most captivating ancient landmarks that Lyon has to offer, all the while staying well-nourished...   view more

Paris turned me into a museum lover! It took me living there nearly two years before I set foot into the Louvre, and it ended up being the start of a wonderful journey through art and history all over the city. One thing that definitely helped my appreciation process was starting with the free...   view more

I had always wanted to go to Strasbourg since my 6th grade country report on France. While researching the "what-to-see-and-do," I began to understand there was not going to be a "wow factor." The sites are pretty basic for a French or European city; a few grand churches, pretty sidewalks, commemorative statues, and...   view more

A standout beach on the shores of Normandy, Deauville has earned its place as a playground for the rich, famous, and celluloid elite. With its timeless elegance and captivating coastline, this coastal gem has beckoned movie stars and celebrities for decades. Here is a journey through the most glamorous sights in Deauville that have left an indelible mark on Hollywood...   view more

Nuremberg, like most European cities, has done a great job in providing necessary green spaces for the city residents to enjoy communal "backyards" throughout the cityscape. Each park has its own neighborhood and local vibe, all the while providing various unique aspects to Nuremberg's natural scene. These are my favorite free parks for you to enjoy during your time in...   view more

The city center of Nuremberg, Germany, is known for its post-war rebuilt medieval architecture and historical significance. Within this area, there are several squares, typically known as a "Platz" in German. We're going to start in the main city square and circle our way out to the edges of the Altstadt (Old City). Nuremberg is one of my favorite cities in the world, and I am so lucky to live here and be able to hang out in so many cool places whenever I...   view more

The city center of Nuremberg, Germany, is known for its post-war rebuilt medieval architecture and historical significance. Within this area, there are several squares, typically known as a "Platz" in German. We are continuing to circle our way out to the edges of the Altstadt (Old City). Nuremberg is one of my favorite cities in the world, and I am so lucky to live here and be able to hang out in so many cool places whenever I...   view more

Caen, a city nestled in the heart of Normandy, France, is a blend of history, culture, and spirituality. With its roots stretching back to the time of William the Conqueror and its resilience through war-torn eras, Caen boasts an array of captivating churches that tell tales of faith, architecture, and significant historical events. In this blog post, we embark on a journey to discover the unique stories behind seven of Caen's most important and interesting...   view more

No trip to London would be complete without the traditional afternoon tea. But this can be tricky for some visitors who may need or prefer healthy alternatives to the classic scone-and-clotted-cream fare. Thankfully, London's culinary landscape is a melting pot of flavors, catering to a diverse range of dietary...   view more