3-Day Winter Sapporo Itinerary (with the Snow Festival!)

large snow sculpture of three anime characters

Although Hokkaido’s capital city is a year-round destination, Sapporo in winter is special. For seven days every February, visitors flock to Japan’s fifth-largest city for the Sapporo Snow Festival to witness its transformation into a winter wonderland. I was chuffed to bits to make it there in February 2024 and am excited to share my […]

ÖBB Railjet Business Class: Is an Upgrade Worth it?

blue and red exterior of business class section of obb railjet train

Railjet is the flagship train of the Austrian Railway company ÖBB. It offers three classes: economy, first & business (confusingly, in that order). ÖBB’s premium product is a real treat and I’m excited to share my experience in this Railjet Business Class review. It is based on my journey between Budapest and Vienna, en route […]

A Perfect Weekend in Lille: French Elegance Meets Flemish Flair

colourful facades of tall flemish houses in Lille old town in front of church bell tower

Lille ticks a lot of the boxes for a rewarding city break. Its Old Town (Vieux Lille) is a glorious confection of 17th-century buildings, cobblestone streets and elegant squares. The city’s exuberant architecture is a testament to its rich history. Your stomach will thank you for its Flemish cuisine and sweet treats. And if that’s […]

A Perfect Day in Tournai: Belgium’s Medieval Gem

grey stone exterior of tournai cathedral with tiled roof and steeples and bell tower

Handsome Tournai in the heart of French-speaking Wallonia may be famous for its UNESCO-listed cathedral but is more than a one-trick pony. This under-the-radar town has decent museums and superb historic churches and serves some of the tastiest beer in Belgium (and that’s saying something). It’s an easy and rewarding day trip from Lille or […]