Central Bosnia is a region of dramatic mountainous landscapes, medieval towns and a rich Ottoman legacy. I visited this stunning region as a day…
Velvet Escape travel blog
Exploring Toulouse, the ‘Pink City’ of France
Toulouse is a city in the Occitanie region of southern France. Known as ‘La Ville Rose’ or the ‘Pink City’ due to its terracotta-brick…
The wonders of Aachen
Aachen is a historic city in western Germany near the border with The Netherlands and Belgium. Though a relatively small city, it has a…
A stroll around Osnabrück
A university city in Lower Saxony, Osnabrück was a wonderful surprise during my recent rail tour of western Germany. I wasn’t quite sure what…
Historic cities and Christmas markets in western Germany
Germany is awash with small cities that are packed with history and charm. Together with my partner, Historic Highlights of Germany, I’ve made it…
Trier: where ancient Rome meets medieval Germany
Trier, founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C. and known as Germany’s oldest city, is located on the banks of the Moselle…
Exploring Heidelberg
Heidelberg, one of Germany’s most picturesque cities, sits on the banks of the Neckar River, framed by forested hills on both sides. Overlooking the…
Ten things to do in Koblenz
Koblenz is a city in western Germany that’s located at the intersection of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Founded as a military post by…
A day trip to Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion is a medieval village that’s famous around the world for its exclusive wines. Tucked into the rolling vineyards of southwestern France, it’s a…
