The blog

Wonderful Wanderings shares tips on things to do, where to eat and where to stay around the world - plus useful travel gear reviews.

19 fun things to do in Saarbrucken, Germany 1

19 fun things to do in Saarbrucken, Germany

Both the capital and the largest city in Saarland, Saarbrucken makes for a fun day trip destination. The center is quite compact and stretched along both…

Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Anti-Theft 25l BackPack Review 2

Pacsafe Metrosafe LS450 Anti-Theft 25l BackPack Review

I’ve been happily using my Pacsafe anti-theft handbag for years and so I was curious to try one of their backpacks as well. The Pacsafe Metrosafe…

Pacsafe passport wallet review: the Daysafe RFID wallet 3

Pacsafe passport wallet review: the Daysafe RFID wallet

When cards started to fall out of my Dynomighty wallet, I knew it was time for a new, safer travel wallet. My choice: the Pacsafe Daysafe…

Fun things to do in Bregenz, Feldkirch and Dornbirn, Austria 4

Fun things to do in Bregenz, Feldkirch and Dornbirn, Austria

Imagine a place where you have a massive lake, mountains with marvelous views, and a range of cultural events to keep you entertained. That’s the Bodensee…

Visiting Paronella Park in Queensland, Australia 5

Visiting Paronella Park in Queensland, Australia

I often visit parks on my travels. Botanical gardens, city parks, … I like places where I can go for a stroll while also having something…

Salomon Outline GTX review: testing hiking sneakers 6

Salomon Outline GTX review: testing hiking sneakers

While I love the Salomon hiking shoes I have, they’re big boots and a little too warm for summer hikes, so when Salomon asked if I…

How to spend 2 fun days in the Bregenzerwald in Austria 7

How to spend 2 fun days in the Bregenzerwald in Austria

On my first trip to Vorarlberg in Austria, I only got to spend a short time in the Bregenzerwald but it was enough to leave me…

The best coffee in Chiang Mai: 6 places you can't miss 8

The best coffee in Chiang Mai: 6 places you can’t miss

Coffee culture has invaded the budding metropolis of Chiang Mai. With quite literally too many coffee shops to count, Chiang Mai can be overwhelming to even the most well-traveled coffee (and tea) enthusiasts. So, to help you prepare for your upcoming adventure, let’s take a look at 7 must-visit cafes in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Bauhaus in Berlin, Dessau, and Weimar Germany 9

Bauhaus in Berlin, Dessau, and Weimar Germany

If you’re into architecture, you’ve surely heard of the Bauhaus movement. In 2019, this artistic and architectural movement celebrated its 100th anniversary with exhibitions and other…

10 fun things to do in Parma, Italy in one day 10

10 fun things to do in Parma, Italy in one day

The colorful town of Parma in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy is known for its music, medieval architecture, and impressive art. Yet, it’s even more…

6 fun city day trips from Bologna (+ a special country!) 11

6 fun city day trips from Bologna (+ a special country!)

Architecture, fast cars, and amazing food – the region of Emilia Romagna in Italy has it all. And guess what? Unlike some other regions, it’s super…

The best day hikes in Yosemite National Park - an expert's guide 12

The best day hikes in Yosemite National Park – an expert’s guide

Situated in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California in the US, the Yosemite National Park is a World Heritage Site that brings millions of visitors…

Arc'teryx Sabria pants for women: Tested and Reviewed 13

Arc’teryx Sabria pants for women: Tested and Reviewed

When I go hiking in summer, I just wear comfortable shorts, but up until last year, hiking in any weather below 22°C posed outfit issues. You…

Eungella National Park walks and platypus viewing in AUS 14

Eungella National Park walks and platypus viewing in AUS

Eungella National Park is known as one of the places in Queensland, Australia where you can spot the timid platypus. It isn’t too far from Finch…

A fun day trip to Mossman Gorge in Queensland, Australia 15

A fun day trip to Mossman Gorge in Queensland, Australia

When I was planning our Queensland road trip, I’d looked up things to do all the way from Brisbane up to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape…

Fun things to do on Magnetic Island in 3 days or more 16

Fun things to do on Magnetic Island in 3 days or more

When we decided to do a road trip around Queensland, Australia, that was because I have a friend who has been living on Magnetic Island for…

Things to do in Ferrara, Italy on a day trip 17

Things to do in Ferrara, Italy on a day trip

Smaller than Bologna, less known than Parma and Modena, Ferrara might not be the first place on your list when you’re traveling to the Emilia Romagna…

Fun things to do in Valencia Spain - from food to culture 18

Fun things to do in Valencia Spain – from food to culture

If you’re planning to travel to Valencia, this is the article for you. I spent more than a month in the city and gathered the coolest…

Testing the Taste of Testaccio Food Tour in Rome, Italy 19

Testing the Taste of Testaccio Food Tour in Rome, Italy

Taking a food tour is a great way to learn about local cuisine, to find out where the locals eat and to know how to avoid any tourist traps. I tried out the Taste of Testaccio Food Tour in Rome so I can tell you whether it's a yaay or a nay. And? You'll read that here!

Where to stay in Umbria - 7 beautiful Umbrian towns to visit 20

Where to stay in Umbria – 7 beautiful Umbrian towns to visit

If you're wondering where to go in Umbria, Italy, these 7 Umbrian towns are the answer. Think small alleys, flowers hanging from balconies and great views. They're perfect for wandering around, taking photos and eating delicious Italian food.

6 fun things to do in Cardiff, Wales 21

6 fun things to do in Cardiff, Wales

Noon had just gone by when I arrived in Cardiff Central. I’d spend a day in the Welsh capital, the UK before driving on to Pembrokeshire,…

Fun Barcelona itineraries for a day to a week away 22

Fun Barcelona itineraries for a day to a week away

Planning a trip to Barcelona in Spain? I’ve put some Barcelona itineraries together for four days in the city or more but of course, you can…

Going on a Bologna Food Tour with Taste Bologna 23

Going on a Bologna Food Tour with Taste Bologna

The best coffee, the finest meat, real gelato and manually rolled pasta... Want to know where the great food stores and restaurants in Bologna, Italy are? Or what to eat where? Take a food tour and find out. That's what I did!

Fun things to do in Hyde Park in London, the UK 24

Fun things to do in Hyde Park in London, the UK

We’ve all heard tell of the British capital’s famous green spaces, which stretch over 4,900 acres (1980 hectares) in total throughout Greater London. Hyde Park, which…

Camp Nou Experience review: it's not just for football fans 25

Camp Nou Experience review: it’s not just for football fans

If you are a football fan then the Camp Nou Experience is a must. This tour takes you through the hallowed halls of Camp Nou in…

12 fun things to do in Paddington, London (+ 1 extra) 26

12 fun things to do in Paddington, London (+ 1 extra)

In the heart of West London lies Paddington, an underrated destination for people who want to learn about London’s history and culture. Don’t believe us? Read…

Classic chicken vol au vent recipe from mom's kitchen 27

Classic chicken vol au vent recipe from mom’s kitchen

Vol au vents are light puff pastry shells filled with yummy ingredients such as chicken, small meatballs, and mushrooms. They’re a typical Belgian food and often…

This Flemish stew recipe tastes like a warm hug 28

This Flemish stew recipe tastes like a warm hug

This flew stew recipe is a warm hug in a bowl. Flemish beef stew is a classic Belgian dish that is sure to put a smile…

How to teach English abroad? Here's what to know 29

How to teach English abroad? Here’s what to know

Have you ever wanted to take a year abroad or travel long-term but don’t have the savings to finance it? Perhaps there’s a country you’ve always…

7 Latvian Traditions You Should Know About 30

7 Latvian Traditions You Should Know About

With over 500km of coastline, dense forests, an abundance of outdoor pursuits, and rich cultural traditions, Latvia ticks all the boxes for an idyllic travel destination.…

Popular Australian food to try on your next trip down under 31

Popular Australian food to try on your next trip down under

One of the best things about traveling to different countries is sampling the different cuisine. Australia has a huge array of culinary influences from around the…

An introduction to Danish Food: 15 Danish dishes to try 32

An introduction to Danish Food: 15 Danish dishes to try

Danish food is really interesting as it’s influenced by several different phases in Denmark’s history. Danish cuisine has a lot in common with the foods of…

Visiting Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park 33

Visiting Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park

The following is a guest post by my dad, who shares his experience of visiting the Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park from…

27 regional and internationally-inspired Canadian foods to try 34

27 regional and internationally-inspired Canadian foods to try

Canada has an interesting culinary scene as a result of its historical mix of cultures and influences. Yes, there are the world-famous poutines, the butter tarts,…

KeepCalling: International Calls Made Easy 35

KeepCalling: International Calls Made Easy

If you’re looking for a one-stop fix to make international communication as easy as a breeze – keep reading! KeepCalling is a cost-effective means of calling…

Where to learn Portuguese in Lisbon: Lusa School review 36

Where to learn Portuguese in Lisbon: Lusa School review

When I set out to find a new base – a new home – abroad, I knew that whichever country I’d end up in, I’d want…

Hiking the Culinary St Jacobs Trail in Paznaun-Ischgl, Austria 37

Hiking the Culinary St Jacobs Trail in Paznaun-Ischgl, Austria

For more than 10 years now, you can combine the pleasures of hiking and eating on the annual Culinary St Jacobs Way in Tyrol in Austria.…

How to go on a fun Blue Cave tour from Split, Croatia 40

How to go on a fun Blue Cave tour from Split, Croatia

The Blue Cave in Croatia is often hailed as one of the country’s most beautiful natural wonders. Situated on Bisevo island, this magical grotto glows with…

Austria travel safety measures and restrictions during corona 41

Austria travel safety measures and restrictions during corona

With its mountains and stretches of nature in between towns, Austria is a great place to go if you want to holiday safely, away from any…

77 fun facts about Denmark that will surprise you 42

77 fun facts about Denmark that will surprise you

Heading to Denmark soon or just want to know more about the country? Check out these 77 fun facts about Denmark!   77 fun facts about…

56 Interesting Portugal Facts To Learn About (#26 is surprising!) 43

56 Interesting Portugal Facts To Learn About (#26 is surprising!)

Whether you’re planning a trip there or just want to learn more about this fascinating country, here are 56 interesting Portugal facts covering culture, economy, history,…

Xolo review: registering and managing an Estonian company 44

Xolo review: registering and managing an Estonian company

If you’re a freelancer, solopreneur or digital nomad working online and internationally, doing your taxes can be somewhat of a headache. After years of painstakingly tracking…

Try making this delicious Waterzooi recipe from Ghent, Belgium 45

Try making this delicious Waterzooi recipe from Ghent, Belgium

Is it a stew? Is it a soup? Is it a chowder? It’s waterzooi! This is a beautiful classic Flemish dish that will warm your soul…

Check out the Hackescher Markt graffiti alley in Berlin 46

Check out the Hackescher Markt graffiti alley in Berlin

Hackescher Markt is a bit of a touristy area close to Alexanderplatz, but the S-Bahn station is simply beautiful, with orange brickwork and steel arches. You can do some great shopping on Rosenthaler Str. and Oranienburger Str. and there's the coolest little street art alley.

17 cool places to see and things to do in Rotterdam in a weekend 47

17 cool places to see and things to do in Rotterdam in a weekend

Rotterdam in the Netherlands was named one of the places to travel to in 2016 by Lonely Planet and having spent a weekend there, I can…

Marrakech Food Tours review: tasting the real Marrakech 48

Marrakech Food Tours review: tasting the real Marrakech

This is a guest post by my dad, Hans Couwenbergh, about his experience on a Marrakech food tour with Marrakech Food Tours before the pandemic. I…

Review of Cathay Pacific Premium Economy: is the price worth it? 49

Review of Cathay Pacific Premium Economy: is the price worth it?

When my ex (then partner) and I decided to head to Australia for a month, we had the chance to work with Cathay Pacific to try…

Expand Your Knowledge With 6 of the Best Books About China 50

Expand Your Knowledge With 6 of the Best Books About China

If you’re anything like me, part of the anticipation of any major international travel involves a lot of reading and research. Perhaps you’re planning to travel…

Not so typical London: Canary Wharf and Greenwich

Canary Wharf is one of London, England‘s two main financial areas, together with the City of London. It’s located at the West India Docks on the…

Visiting Belgium in October - Top tips to plan your trip 61

Visiting Belgium in October – Top tips to plan your trip

There are many reasons why autumn is a good time of year to visit Belgium. One of them is the fact that the cities and countryside…

Visiting Belgium in September - What you need to know 62

Visiting Belgium in September – What you need to know

The summer sunshine is still sticking around for a few weeks when you visit Belgium in September and temperatures are generally warm and comfortable. This and…

Visiting Belgium in August? Here's what you should know 63

Visiting Belgium in August? Here’s what you should know

August is peak tourist season in Belgium and it’s not hard to see why. Belgium’s moderate climate means that even in high summer the temperature doesn’t…

Visiting Belgium in July 64

Visiting Belgium in July

Visiting Belgium in July can be quite wonderful. It’s the time for outdoor dining, sunny cycle rides, picnics in parks, and exploring shady churches. It’s the…

Visiting Belgium in June - What you should know 65

Visiting Belgium in June – What you should know

Visiting Belgium in June is a great idea. The summer weather’s just getting into its stride, the days are long, and you can very comfortably sip…

Visiting the palaces in Sintra, Portugal 66

Visiting the palaces in Sintra, Portugal

This post is currently being updated – it’ll look and read better soon :-)   Palaces in Sintra Moorish Castle While it had been hot and…

Fun things to do in Girona, Spain on a day trip 67

Fun things to do in Girona, Spain on a day trip

Girona is where Ryanair flies to when it goes to "Barcelona', but the city has its own charming old center, including a Jewish Quarter, that's worth a visit. We walked the old cobblestone streets and felt like we were taken back to the Middle Ages.

Visiting the Dalí Museum in Figueres, Spain 68

Visiting the Dalí Museum in Figueres, Spain

When I was just a kid (no, not so long ago) my parents took my brother and me to the south of France. As my dad…

Here's where to find awesome street art in Athens, Greece 69

Here’s where to find awesome street art in Athens, Greece

There's so much cool street art in Athens. Especially the Monastiraki and Plaka neighborhoods have something to offer graffiti hunters. I went for a walk there, took my camera and brought back a bunch of photos for you. Have a look!

Fun things to do at Montjuïc hill in Barcelona, Spain 70

Fun things to do at Montjuïc hill in Barcelona, Spain

There’s no better way of experiencing a city than by getting up high and finding a viewpoint. Montjuic, Barcelona is a landmark hill just south of…

A day at the lovely pink Elafonisi beach in Crete, Greece 71

A day at the lovely pink Elafonisi beach in Crete, Greece

Did you know there’s a pink beach in Crete? With actual pink sand? No? Hold on, let me start at the beginning. You can imagine I…

Zakynthos, Greece: snorkeling, turtle nests and ashes 72

Zakynthos, Greece: snorkeling, turtle nests and ashes

In 2009, I spent eight days on the Greek island of Zakynthos (also known as the island of Zante). Renting a car allowed me to see…

Fun things to do in Vianden, Luxembourg on a day trip 73

Fun things to do in Vianden, Luxembourg on a day trip

The country of Luxembourg is home to many castles. once of the most famous can be found in the town of Vianden. While the castle is…

Cooking class in Crete: making traditional Greek dishes 74

Cooking class in Crete: making traditional Greek dishes

I hate to cook. I really do. But I love to eat and so I somehow found myself in a cooking class while I was in…

17 things to do in Ravenna, Italy on a fun day trip 75

17 things to do in Ravenna, Italy on a fun day trip

The city of Ravenna in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy is known for its early Christian and Byzantine mosaics. As most of the mosaics of…

Discover a relaxing day at Thermae Boetfort near Brussels 76

Discover a relaxing day at Thermae Boetfort near Brussels

My mom and I spent a relaxing day at the thermae in Melsbroek. We had two massages, took a sauna, a steam bath, a relaxation bath and went into the jacuzzi. You can definitely say we thoroughly tested this spa, as well as the massage services.

Celebrate Halloween in Romania on a 7-day Transylvania tour 77

Celebrate Halloween in Romania on a 7-day Transylvania tour

Have you ever thought of celebrating Halloween in Romania, at the real Dracula castle? You can! Last year at the beginning of October, an email landed…

Sailing the Douro river in Portugal with Anima Durius 78

Sailing the Douro river in Portugal with Anima Durius

On our trip through Portugal we had the opportunity to go on an Anima Durius Douro river cruise by sailboat. Our own private captain, a glass of port made by the family and the sun shining bright... Yes, we had a great time!

Hiking to the Palace Hotel at Mata do Bussaco in Portugal 79

Hiking to the Palace Hotel at Mata do Bussaco in Portugal

Our next “stay the night” stop in Portugal after Coimbra was the Douro Valley, where we would spend one night at Quinta Nova. We didn’t drive…

Exploring Coimbra, a small university city in Portugal 80

Exploring Coimbra, a small university city in Portugal

After having spent our first day in Portugal at the beautiful Quinta das Lágrimas, we set out to visit Coimbra the next morning. Lisa from LL World…

Is Windsor Castle worth a visit? Have a look and see! 81

Is Windsor Castle worth a visit? Have a look and see!

Visiting Windsor Castle from London is easy. You can do it by train or by taxi. We made a day trip out of it and had a look inside the Queen's Castle. Is it worth visiting Windsor Castle? I think it is, but read this post and decide for yourself.

Travel Pony review: a money-saving hotel booking site 82

Travel Pony review: a money-saving hotel booking site

When I book accommodation for my travels I always pay a lot of attention to the reviews and the price. I usually don’t go for the…

Havaianas espadrilles review: when flip-flops don't work 83

Havaianas espadrilles review: when flip-flops don’t work

You know when it’s warm, but just not warm enough to walk around in flip-flops? Or when circumstances ask for just a little more fabric around your…

These are some of the best places for tea in London 84

These are some of the best places for tea in London

Those of you who’ve been following me for a while, know that I’m a massive tea fan. And what better place to sip this lovely liquid…

Things to do in Breda, the Netherlands on a sunny day

There are plenty of things to do in Breda on a sunny day. Walk through the Valkenbergpark, have lunch on the Grote Markt, take snaps of the Spanjaardsgat or enjoy the quiet of the beguinage. Not enough? In this post I take you on a walk with me through the city.

Havaianas review: the comfy flip flops saved my last day in Barcelona 85

Havaianas review: the comfy flip flops saved my last day in Barcelona

I don’t know if this is the case worldwide, but everywhere I travel and where it’s at least a bit sunny, I see someone wearing Havaianas…

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