TravelSmart Tips

Wine Route—Alsace, France




Zugspitze—Bavaria, Germany.




Morcote, Switzerland.

Austria
Das Traunsee—Traunkirchen, Austria.
Meinl am Graben—Vienna, Austria.
Secession Building—Vienna, Austria.

Belgium
Bruges, Belgium.
T’Schrijverke—Bruges, Belgium.
Le Pain Quotidien—Brussels, Belgium.
Steak Frit’—Brussels, Belgium.
La Besace—Crupet, Belgium.
Namur, Belgium.

Finland
Central Railway Station—Helsinki, Finland.
Helsinki Cathedral/Senate Square—Helsinki, Finland.
Kappeli—Helsinki, Finland.
Ristorante Gastone—Helsinki, Finland.

France
Wine Route in Alsace, France—South of Strasbourg.
Mont Sainte Odile—Ottrott, France.
L’Ami Fritz—Ottrot, France.
Strasbourg, France.
Jardin des Tuileries—Paris, France.
Librairie des Alpes—Paris, France.
Paul—Paris, France.
Restaurant Polidor—Paris, France.
Café Latin—Paris, France.
Hotel La Marisa - St. Jean de Luz, France
St. Jean de Luz, France
La Florentine - St. Jean de Luz, France

Germany
Zugspitze—Bavaria, Germany.
Schnoorviertel—Bremen, Germany.
Wenigemarkt 13—Erfurt, Germany.
Café zur Frauenkirche—Dresden, Germany.
Dresden, Germany—Christmas Market.
Green Vault—Dresden, Germany.
Koblenz, Germany.
Verkehrs Musuem—Dresden, Germany.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.

Italy
Gilli —Florence, Italy
Piazzale Michelangelo —Florence, Italy
Aroma Ristorante—Rome, Italy.
c.u.c.i.n.a.—Rome, Italy.
Trattoria da Carlo —Orvieto, Italy
Hotel Vannucci—Citta della Pieve, Italy.
Italy—Feast of the Epiphany (January 6).
Italy—major cities.
Maio Restaurant—Milan, Italy.
Peck—Milan, Italy.

Switzerland
Morcote, Switzerland.
Monte Generoso—Capolago, Switzerland.
Des Alpes—Interlaken, Switzerland.
Globus—Zurich and other Swiss cities.
Ristorante Positano—Zurich, Switzerland.
Ristorante Vicania—Vico Morcote, Switzerland.

































Das Traunsee—Traunkirchen, Austria. If you’re looking for a charming small hotel in an idyllic Alpine setting, look no farther. Das Traunsee, snuggles next to the shores of its namesake lake, the Traunsee. From your room, feast on views of sparkling blue water and craggy mountains. Let the delightful village of Traunkirchen serve as your base for day trips. Back To Top


















Meinl am Graben–Vienna, Austria. A foodie’s paradise. This shop is bursting with specialty cheeses, sausages, jams, candies, cookies, coffees, and wines. Treat yourself to a wonderful lunch in their cozy dining room. Back To Top




Secession Building—Vienna, Austria. Built in 1898, this is an incredible example of Viennese Art Nouveau architecture. The highlight? The building’s gold dome, a giant ball of over 3,000 gilt laurel leaves. Back To Top




















Bruges, Belgium. Enchanting small city northwest of Brussels. The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due to its series of small canals, rightfully named “The Venice of the North.” Take a boat ride or hop on a carriage for a fun way to view the sights. Back To Top









T’Schrijverke—Bruges, Belgium. The kitchen here creates tasty regional and contemporary entrees. Located in the heart of the historic city. Enjoy your meal and a beer on the terrace. We love the interior design of this restaurant. Back To Top




Le Pain Quotidien—Brussels, Belgium. Wonderful bakery and café on Sablon Square. Salads, soups, and sandwiches made with their fresh, chewy bread. Or, pop in for a dessert and coffee. Back To Top



Steak Frit’—Brussels, Belgium. Classic brasserie atmosphere, plus outdoor seating. Order the steak and frites. Or, the grilled chicken with mashed potatoes. True comfort food. End your meal with some delicious rice pudding. Back To Top








La Besace—Crupet, Belgium. A charming small restaurant in the village of Crupet. Off the beaten path, but well worth the journey. Delicious food and drink. Try the grilled pork ribs. Then, end your dinner with the chocolate mousse. Back To Top













Namur, Belgium. Travel to Wallonia and practice your French in this historic city on the Meuse and Sambre rivers. Namur also is home to the Citadel, a fortress that has overlooked the city since the 10th century. Back To Top













Central Railway Station—Helsinki, Finland Opened in 1919, this impressive structure was designed by Finnish architect, Eliel Saarinen. Even if you’re not traveling by train, stop by to see the incredible details. Back To Top



















Helsinki Cathedral/Senate Square—Helsinki, Finland. Probably Helsinki’s most iconic building, the neoclassical Cathedral, designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, sits on one side of the city’s Senate Square. A great place to do some people watching. Back To Top












Kappeli—Helsinki, Finland. Since 1867, this beloved restaurant has served meals to the city’s residents. Enjoy traditional Finnish entrees like reindeer with juniper berries, cream of salmon soup, or elk meatloaf. For dessert, perhaps some crème brulée and rhubarb sorbet. — kapeli.fi Back To Top












Ristorante Gastone—Helsinki, Finland. Italian food in Finland? Yes, my friends, and it was delicious. Sue enjoyed a braised lamb shank and I ordered the beef and chili ragu on homemade pasta. We skipped dessert and ordered glasses of Lakka, Finnish cloudberry liqueur. Perfect! — gastone.fi Back To Top















Wine Route in Alsace, France. South of Strasbourg. Rolling hills, ancient castles, picturesque villages, and delicious wines make this a fun, relaxing trip in eastern France. If visiting in late summer or early fall be sure to sample the plum tarts. Back To Top









Mont Sainte Odile—Ottrott, France. Towering over (at 2,507 feet) eastern Alsace, Mont St. Odile serves as a religious pilgrimage and tourist site. Visit early in the morning, before the crowds, when the songs of birds break the silence. Incredible terrace views to the east toward the Rhine River and Germany. Back To Top















L’Ami Fritz—Ottrot, France. This enchanting small hotel overlooks the cobbled lanes of Ottrot. The rooms are decorated in a French-country motif and the food served is excellent. Be sure to try the choucroutes, a traditional Alsacian one-pot meal of various meats and sauerkraut. Sue’s great, great grandparents lived in the nearby village of Natzwiller Back To Top













Strasbourg, France. Home of the European Parliament’s Palais de l’ Europe and the famous Cathédrale Notre Dame. The city’s old town, including Notre Dame, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. See the sights, but pop into the small restaurants and sample the local wines and foie gras. Delicious! Back To Top








Jardin des Tuileries—Paris, France. When you’ve spent the day looking at the famous sites and architecture gracing Paris, decompress with a quiet stroll through this lovely park. Located between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre, it’s a nice spot to wander, think, and do some people watching. Back To Top






Librairie des Alpes—Paris, France. A tiny bookshop packed with nothing but old books and maps of the Alps and the alpine countries. If you like mountains, this is the place. Back To Top



Paul—Paris, France. This bakery/tea salon/restaurant has been in business since 1889. One taste of their chocolate-filled croissant and you’ll know why. A chain, but a chain creating delish bakery items. Back To Top



Restaurant Polidor—Paris, France. This small, cozy restaurant opened in 1845 and has been serving wonderful meals ever since. Guests sit at long communal tables, so practice your French with your neighbors. Tasty roast chicken with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy. French comfort food. One warning—no credit cards accepted, so bring cash. Back To Top














Café Latin—Paris, France. We fell in love with this cozy restaurant and bar. In fact, we ate here three times. Love the chicken curry. Love the Cote de Provence white wine. And love Sly, the waiter. Sly spent a summer working at a resort in Wisconsin, so he knows the Green Bay Packers (how cool is that?), Madison, Milwaukee, and all things cheese. Great service! Back To Top








Hotel La Marisa—St. Jean de Luz, France. Owner Madame Sylvie and the first-rate crew make this charming, small hotel feel like home. Breakfasts include local Basque cheese, jambon, and cherry preserves. Enjoy an afternoon beer on the quiet patio. Use this wonderful spot as a base while exploring the scenic Pays Basque region of France and Spain.



















St. Jean de Luz, France. For scenery alone, you can’t beat this town. Set on a curving bay facing the Atlantic, it’s backed by the distant towering Pyrenees. Then, add the white sand beaches (lots of surfing), colorful fishing fleet, and red-roofed buildings to give the place even more character. A great town for relaxing or as home base for taking day trips to Bayonne, Biarritz, San Sebastian, and Bilbao. One of our new favorite places.



Le Kaïku—St. Jean de Luz, France. Excellent meals served in one of the town’s oldest buildings (1500s). Low ceilings, candlelight, and linens set the mood. Enjoy some Champagne and foie gras before the main course. And, have some dessert. If you’re lucky the rice pudding with caramel sauce and nut brittle will be on the menu.















La Florentine—St. Jean de Luz, France. Delicious Italian food in southwest France? Si/Oui! Some of the best lasagna I’ve eaten. Dessert? Panna conna with mint sorbet served in a cocktail glass. Yum!

















Zugspitze—Bavaria, Germany. Take the time to journey via train and cable car to the top of Germany’s highest mountain. Breathtaking views across Germany and into Austria. Back To Top











Schnoorviertel—Bremen, Germany. Wander through this small neighborhood (the Schnoor District) that dates from the 1400s. The quiet streets are lined with tiny cottages that have been transformed into quaint shops, galleries, restaurants, and taverns. Back To Top










Wenigemarkt 13–Erfurt, Germany. Thüringer specialties in a charming setting in the middle of Erfurt, Germany. Be sure to order the grilled sausage with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. German food doesn’t get much better than this. Back To Top












Café zur Frauenkirche–Dresden, Germany. Take a break from sightseeing and treat your taste buds with a stop at this café for a coffee and one of their incredible desserts. Worth every calorie. Back To Top




Dresden, Germany—Christmas Market. One of Germany’s oldest holiday markets. In addition to the Saint Nicks and snowmen, be on the lookout for the Pflaumentoffel (the plum man). This happy chimney sweep character, made of dried plums, brings good luck to everyone. Back To Top













Green Vault—Dresden, Germany. Located in the Residenzschloss, this jaw-dropping art collection consists of royal jewels, gems, and jewel-encrusted table settings. Back To Top




Koblenz, Germany. The statue to Emperor Wilheim I at the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel rivers. Wilhelm I is credited with unifying Germany and making it a modern nation. Back To Top




Verkehrs Musuem—Dresden, Germany. Planes, trains, cars, and ships in this spectacular transportation museum. If you want to see some zoom zoom from the past and present, this is the place. Back To Top




Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. Stroll the quaint cobblestone streets of Germany’s best preserved medieval city. Be sure to see the high altar at St. Jacobs Kirche (Church of St. Jacob, built between 1373-1464) carved by Friedrich Herlin. Back To Top




Gilli —Florence, Italy. Opened by Swiss immigrants in 1733, this restaurant, confectionary, and bar is one of those places you have to put on your list to visit if ever in Florence. Located on the Piazza della Republica, this is the spot to watch stylishly dressed Firenze residents stroll past. If the weather allows, grab a table outside and enjoy a glass of wine with a bowl of pasta with wild boar ragu. Back To Top















Piazzale Michelangelo —Florence, Italy. Florence is a beautiful, compact city perfect for walking. Around every corner is another picture-perfect historic building or church. But, to get the best views of the city, cross the Arno River and climb the stairs (or hop in a taxi) and go to the Piazzale Michelangelo. Back To Top




Aroma Ristorante—Rome, Italy. Classic Italian cooking all the way. Incredible pizzas and pastas. But, save room for the tiramisu. Some of the best we’ve ever tasted. Back To Top




c.u.c.i.n.a.—Rome, Italy. Wow! A kitchen and home accessory store loaded with the basics. Towels, platters, glassware, and linens. If in Roma, stop by one of their three stores. Back To Top




Trattoria da Carlo —Orvieto, Italy. By chance we discovered this small restaurant in the charming Umbrian town of Orvieto. What a delicious surprise. The young owner/chef, Carlo, presides over the place with the help of his charming mother. Everything is made by scratch with the finest ingredients and love.Try the hearty ribollita soup (simmering for two days) and the tagliolini alla zucla (pasta with pumpkin and sage). Back To Top











Hotel Vannucci—Citta della Pieve, Italy. Wonderful small hotel in our favorite town in Umbria. Great rooms, friendly staff, and delish food. Plus, the melon gelato is out of this world. Back To Top












Italy—Feast of the Epiphany (January 6). La Befana, the gnarly old witch swoops across Italian skies on the evening of January 5. According to legend, she delivers candy to the good children and coal to those that have been naughty. Being a kind witch and a good housekeeper, La Befana has been known to sweep the floors before flying away. Santa, do you do windows? Back To Top




Italy—major cities. All aboard! Speed between Italy’s metro areas on the country’s new high-speed Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) trains. At 360-km/per hour the Rome to Milan journey takes just two hours and 45 minutes. Now, that’s veloce (fast). Back To Top




Maio Restaurant—Milan, Italy. Enjoy the food and the spectacular views at this restaurant. Located on the seventh floor of La Rinascente (the epic department store), the eatery offers amazing vistas of the Duomo (Milan’s cathedral), located just across the street. Back To Top



















Peck—Milan, Italy. The famous Milanese food emporium. Wander the displays, then head upstairs for lunch (and a glass of wine). On the way out, stop and have a scoop of their homemade gelato. Yum! Back To Top




Morcote, Switzerland. A tiny village perched on the shores of Lake Lugano in Switzerland’s Italian-speaking South. Our favorite spot in the world. Stay at the Hotel Carina Carlton. Nothing beats sitting at the pool, reading a book, and hearing the church bells ring. Back To Top


















Monte Generoso—Capolago, Switzerland. Ride the 40-minute cogwheel train to the top of this 1,704 m. peak for panoramic views across southern Switzerland and northern Italy (yes, that’s Milan in the distance). Back To Top




Des Alpes–Interlaken, Switzerland. Drop by this cute café for delicious rösti, cold locally-brewed beer, and awesome mountain views. Back To Top




Globus—Zurich and other Swiss cities. This department store is a shopper’s paradise. Be sure to check out the extensive deli and food section. Warning: Don’t enter hungry. Back To Top




Ristorante Positano—Zurich, Switzerland. Enjoy a fantastic Italian meal in Switzerland’s largest city. Save room for the banana gelato with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Back To Top




Ristorante Vicania—Vico Morcote, Switzerland. Hike the trail (or drive) to Vico Morcote and enjoy a wonderful meal at this restaurant set in the country. Enjoy a glass of local wine and a plate of pasta with veal ragu. Back To Top