Europe Archives - Bucket List Publications

What to Pack When Traveling to Europe with a Toddler

Posted on September 14, 2014 by Lesley | 0 Comments

I’d be lying if I said our recent 12 day trip to Germany was easy. It wasn’t. Athena, my rambunctious toddler, cried a lot. She was tired for the first two days of the trip and rarely slept when she should, leaving me exhausted and with only a couple hours sleep a night. There is no question in my mind that…

The Best Alternative to Caribbean Resorts – Kinderhotel‏ Oberjoch

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Lesley | 2 Comments

Most American families opt for all-inclusive, Caribbean resorts for their family vacation. It’s easy and provides tons of options for all family members. Naively, I assumed it was the only legitimate option as well, but I recently discovered Kinderhotel Oberjoch in Germany. It’s the most toddler-friendly, all-inclusive property that I’ve visited and the best alternative to all-inclusive, Caribbean resorts. If you…

5 Less Popular Cities Worth Visiting in Germany‏

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Lesley | 2 Comments

Best known for its famous Oktoberfest, Germany is a popular tourist destination. It’s home to some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery, fairy tale castles, historical sights, and lively night life. While we all know Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, there are several smaller German destinations well-worth a visit. Here’s an overview of 5 less popular cities worth visiting in Germany. Garmisch Partenkirchen…

Top Ten Bucket List Activities in Germany (Toddler Edition)‏

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Lesley | 1 Comments

There’s no shortage of awesome adventures in Germany; from wingsuit flying to paragliding over the Alps, you can do it all. What sights should you visit when traveling with your family, especially young children though? Most families assume that because they have young children, they should stick to all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean but it doesn’t have to be that way….

Best Toddler Moment of the Germany Trip – Affenberg Salem

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Lesley | 1 Comments

The weather in Germany, with rain showers daily, hasn’t been ideal for touring. Try standing at a bus station with a soaking wet toddler and explaining that the bus still won’t be here for 20 minutes and you’ll understand. When I saw Affenburg Salem, a trail that leads through the home area of about 200 monkeys, on our schedule, I…

The Naughty & Nice List for Airlines

Posted on April 5, 2014 by Lesley | 8 Comments

In the last month, I’ve used more than a handful of airlines. At the top of the “nice list”, Air Baltic offered exceptional service, quality food, and friendly, personal staff. At the top of the “naughty list”, Air Berlin might have been the worst staff experience in my history of flying. Air Berlin, unless you can fly on the coal…

Did You Ever Consider Latvia as a Beach Destination?

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Lesley | 2 Comments

I wanted to visit Latvia since I learned about its strategic war location in high school. I figured as the heart of Europe, it would have a diverse culture with even more diverse architecture. It wasn’t a wrong assumption and Riga’s role as the European Capital of Culture this year is proof. What I didn’t realize is that it’s home…

Best Hotels in Riga

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Lesley | 2 Comments

Riga, Latvia, brimming with culture, history, and art is the gem of the Baltics and its hotels are as diverse as its offerings. The Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel, Dome Hotel & Spa, and Gallery Park Hotel are stunning hotels that place guests in the city centre, where they can explore the variety of activities in Latvia’s capital. Regardless of your tastes…

Art. Boutique. Unique. Harmonie Vienna.

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Lesley | 0 Comments

As a family-owned hotel, I welcomed my stay at the Best Western Premier Harmonie Vienna. Modern comfort, traces of a dance theme, and cozy lounge areas were a delightful part of my experience, but what truly stood out was the exceptional, friendly, helpful service and Harmonie Vienna. It was above and beyond what is normally expected. The heart of the…

Bucket List Item: Bobsledding – ✓

Posted on March 23, 2014 by Lesley | 0 Comments

The thought of actually accomplishing some items on my bucket list scares me to my very core. One of them is bobsledding. In Sigulda, Latvia the track is 1420 m; it features 16 curves and allows for a maximum speed of 125 km/h. That’s insane. Who says, “I want to get into an open-aired vehicle and zoom down an ice…