Brussels is an extremely welcoming city for everyone! This is one of my favorite cities in Europe! It is welcoming and has a fantastic history to explore! Where to stay is key to enjoying the history, culture, and sights. Here are my top 5 hotels to stay at in Brussels.

Want an authentic Up North experience? Look no further than the Breezy Point area. Located two hours north of the Cities. Having a car is essential. Experience swimming, boating, and other water adventures on the beautiful Pelican Lake! There are several public beaches to access the clean, clear water. Or you can rent a boat, kayak, or paddle board to explore the natural beauty. Bring lots of sunscreen, bug repellent, and clothes for rain or shine. Here are my recommendations for the Breezy Point area.

Copenhagen is a fantastic city with attractions for all types of interests. I've spent numerous times in Copenhagen at different times of the year. Summer is the best time to go with endless, long days, and pleasant weather. Winters can be windy, cold, and long nights, but also offer fun activities. The best area to stay in Nyhavn with its picturesque scenery. Be prepared to enjoy the outdoors and its elements like the Danes and make sure to pack rain gear!

Scotland is famous for kilts, interesting accents, and spectacular landscapes. I have been to Scotland twice. There is much to see and do, so choose your destinations and make a plan. Edinburgh is a magical place with ancient history and recent artistry. I recommend purchasing one of the hop-on-hop-off tour companies to get around to all the attractions. Reservations are key in this city from the castle to restaurants. Use the local apps to reserve.

Aarhus is an ancient city dating back to the 8th century. This is my favorite city in the world (besides Minnesota cities! lol). I found Aarhus quaint, lively, and intriguing. The little canals paved way for foot bridges of various levels of walking all through the city center. Boutiques and shops line the streets surrounded by restaurants from different backgrounds. Spectacular museums that share the history of the local area and country. I recommend at least 2-3 days in this city.

Oban, Scotland is the beginning of the journey to the Inner Hebridean which includes the Isle of Mull, Iona, and many other small islands. My family and I had decided to rent a car and drive from Edinburgh. It is definitely intense to drive on the wrong side. But, you get used to it after a day or so. Otherwise, to get to Oban, you can take a train from Edinburgh. Oban is a small city with a cute main street filled with restaurants and touristy shops. Even though we had a car, we decided to use a ferry/bus tour. You will want to book a ferry/bus tour to the Isle of Mull, Iona, and Staffa. Be prepared for rain, rain, and more rain. We went at the end of June and it was a miserable, rainy, cold day. But enjoy the beauty of the landscape and the history of the people.

My travel experience for Denmark and Sweden is mostly in the Copenhagen area and southern Sweden. One great idea to see and explore both countries is to do a 4 day trip around the Copenhagen Sound. You literally will make a circle around it. You should start in Copenhagen, whether you are flying in or not it is a central location to begin. Both Denmark and Sweden have easy and reliable public transportation. You can purchase a ticket to travel from Copenhagen to the Swedish cities of Malmö, Lund, and Helsingborg. A stop in Malmö and Lund is recommended. You can check out my destination itinerary for Lund. Once in Helsingborg, you will need to take a ferry to cross back into Denmark. Helsingør or Elsingør, is a historic and quaint small city with much history and beautiful architecture to admire. You can also make this journey on bike. You may want to use the train and ferry to cross the water, but it is also a beautiful bike trip if you have a few extra days to bike. You could also reverse this trip the go from Copenhagen to Helsingør to Sweden. Either way, this is a wonderful trip to visit both countries in a few days. I've highlighted hotels, restaurants, and sightseeing that I have highly enjoyed while traveling to these cities.

Welcome to the Isle of Skye! Portree is a central stop to access all the beauty and nature. I have a few hotels suggestions. Make sure you're lodging has breakfast because there are few breakfast selections. Parking is an issue! Make sure you read all the signs and park in the appropriate locations. To see all the famous sightseeing attractions, there are two loops you can drive and see all the beautiful natural scenery. You will probably want at least two days here to see all the amazing sights. I've also suggested a lovely selection of restaurants and more casual pubs. Make sure you make reservations especially in the summertime.

When you think picturesque fall leaves, Door County is what you should imagine! This county is located in the north eastern corner of the state. The best time of the year to visit is September and October. Small villages and quaint main streets wrapped around by nature's beauty, make this county a weekend getaway destination. It's about a five hour drive from the Twin Cities or a four hour drive from Chicago. Having a car or biking is a must!

I had the great opportunity to live and work in Lund, which is in the province of Skåne (southern Sweden). Skåne has many great amenities for all types of travelers. From the big city of Malmö to the ancient city of Lund, to the shores of Simrishamn, this area will delight all types of travelers.

Did you know that Minneapolis has a bustling art district? Each May, Art-a-Whirl floods the streets and art buildings to showcase the wonderful art and artists in the Nordeast Neighborhood. Here are my top 5 art buildings to explore. Most buildings are 100+ years old, so staircases are essentials with lots of walking, bad air ventilation, and crowded spaces. At times, it can be freezing cold and rainy. Other times, it can be hot and humid. Plan accordingly, but normally the buildings run hot with little air flow. The buildings are spread out, so plan on walking miles if you want to see many of the buildings. There is a trolley that will take you around the area. Parking can be difficult, so car pool together and make sure you park in an actual parking spot. There are numerous music events, food trucks, restaurants, and breweries to enjoy! I suggest my favorite Nordeast brewery, Indeed as a place to quench your thirst! They also have a fantastic lineup of local artists all weekend long. These art buildings also host other events during the year. There is usually a mini Art a Whirl in the fall time.

Sweden's second largest city on the western seaside, boasts a ton of archipelago exploration and adventure. Hiking around the archipelago is a must-do!

Lund is an ancient city located in the southern province of Skåne. Known for its University, Cathedral, and Kulturen Museum. It's a lovely place to visit for a day or two, or stay a night.

Stockholm is golden to visit in the summertime. Warm weather, long days, outdoor activities, make summer the best time to go. But, Stockholm also has much to offer all year round. Christmastime is another great time to visit, with decorations, winter festivities, and bright lights in the dark nights. Here are some of my favorite places to visit at any time.

Wanna go downhill skiing, but don't look forward to going out west? Lutsen Ski Resort in Lutsen, MN is the best skiing in the Midwest.

Budapest, Hungary is a unique European city with a rich history of many cultures and people. My recommendations are: Buda Castle, Shoes on the Danube Bank, Széchenyi Baths and Pool, and the Ruins Bars. Budapest is one of my favorite cities in Europe I have visited.

The best waterparks in the Midwest are in Wisconsin Dells! A fun and adventurous place all year round. The Dells are extremely popular during the summer months with numerous outdoor waterparks, lakes, and rivers. People enjoy boating, kayaking, and hiking at the nearby state and county parks. In the wintertime, you can enjoy snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and winter hiking. This was also my dog's first vacation! I stayed at a pet friendly hotel and we enjoyed some of the hiking at the local parks.

Málaga is in southern Spain and home to Pablo Picasso. I visited the week before Christmas so all the holiday decorations were up and bright lights everywhere. I loved walking around the decorated streets at night. This was also 2020, so Covid was still happening and policies were still enforced. Nonetheless, I loved the cooler weather and lighter crowds. This was the second time I had been to Spain, but the first time to the Andalucía region.

Ever thought about sleeping on ice? How about in an Ice Hotel? Every year, a small, northern town in Sweden makes an Ice Hotel. Located in Jukkasjärvi in the Arctic Circle, it is constructed and designed by numerous ice sculptors from around the world. My recommendation is to fly from Stockholm to Kiruna, then use the shuttle service to Jukkasjärvi. I stayed one night in the Ice Hotel and one night in a normal hotel. Visiting all the rooms, chapel, and sculptures throughout the property is the highlight. You can also enjoy snowmobile rides to see the northern lights, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. There is also a nearby reindeer park where you can interact with real, live reindeer. As well as a Sámi museum to know about the native Sámi culture. Make sure you are well prepared with warm, winter gear. The hotel does offer some clothes and boots for the stay in the Ice Hotel.

Prague is a fabulous place to visit for numerous reasons. If you enjoy history, Prague has several fantastic museums about different groups of people and eras. If you enjoy boat tours, a dinner on the Danube is well worth it. If you enjoy architecture, the Charles Bridge is one to experience. Prague has a bit of everything for each type of person.

One of my favorite countries I have ever visited is Croatia! It has some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. I flew into Zagreb and would only recommend spending one day in the capital. It is not that impressive of a capital city. I highly recommend flying to Dubrovnik and staying 2-3 days. Then taking a bus to Split. The scenery from the bus of the Dalmatian coast will be unforgettable!

Here is a guide to the beautiful and adventurous Brainerd Lakes Area. Best time to go is summertime for swimming, water activities, and fishing. Wintertime is also a fun time with ice fishing, skiing, and snowmobiling. There are numerous lakes and rivers to choose from. Make sure you plan well ahead since hotels and camping will fill up quickly. This is a classic Minnesota area for family vacations!

With such a large city like London, it can be daunting to decide which hotel is the best deal. It is important to have a budget and decide how much time you will spend in the hotel. That's how I travel. I usually do not spend much time in hotels hence I do not indulge much money into where I stay. Here are my top 5 recommendations for cheap(ish) hotels in London.

Small town, miles of flat biking trails, homemade pies, all this and more you can experience in Lanesboro. Located in southeast Minnesota; about two hours south from the Twin Cities. Driving is a must. The best time to go is summer or fall. There are camping opportunities, as well as B&Bs. Bring your bug spray and bike helmet!

I gotta represent my city! I'm going to share the best dive bars in Saint Paul. I have been a resident here for over 14 years. Dive bars are a staple establishment in the Midwest. Here are my top 5 recommendations for dive bars in St Paul.

NE Minneapolis is well known for its dive bars. Over the past 150 years, Minneapolis has gone through many changes and developments from its original name of St Anthony to skyscrapers to freeways. Bars have always been an important part of the lifestyle here. NE Minneapolis is known as the arts district, as well as middle-class working and immigrant neighborhoods. My parents grew up in this part of Minneapolis and I taught there for 9 years. I have highly enjoyed the nightlife throughout my adulthood, Here are my top 5 recommendations for dive bars in NE Minneapolis.

Are you looking for a personalized guide while on vacation? I can help plan, book, and guide you to wherever you may travel! I have traveled to over 27 countries on four continents. I love planning and making itineraries for others.

I can help plan, advise, and guide where you and your family are dreaming of going on vacation. Pick a destination or two and let me be the planner for you. Here's a few of my specialty area I can make itineraries and guides.

What are some of the best hotels to stay when visiting Minneapolis? Here's a guide for your next visit!

Are you hungry? Want to get some amazing eats? Here are my top 5 restaurant recommendations in my favorite part of Minneapolis, Northeast (NE). My family grew up in this part of the city and I taught for 8 years at a local school, so this neighborhood holds a special place in my heart.

Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota and offers a wide variety of history, culture, and art exploration in the city. As a resident of Saint Paul, I can recommend some highlights to visit year round at anytime. What to see and do in Saint Paul, MN? 1. Minnesota State Capitol 2. Science Museum of Minnesota 3. Como Park Zoo & Conservatory 4. Minnesota History Center 5. Minnesota Children's Museum

If you only have a few hours or days to spend in Minneapolis, here are the top 5 things to see and do. 1. Minneapolis Institute of Art 2. Mill City Museum 3. Guthrie Theater 4. Minnehaha Falls 5. Weisman Art Museum

If you only have a few hours or days in the Twin Cities, then I recommend these must see and do! 1. Mall of America 2. Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden 3. Grand Ave 4. Stone Arch Bridge 5. Lake Minnetonka

Where should you eat out in Saint Paul, MN? Great question! There are so many wonderful places to dine, whether your budget is high or low. Here are my top 5 recommended places to eat in Saint Paul!