Northern Europe
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Viking Cinderella Helsinki to Stockholm Review
Well, what a lovely time we had! Our mini cruise on board Viking Cinderella was so much more than simply travelling between Helsinki and Stockholm. From the moment we stepped on board, it felt as though our holiday had begun, and we soon discovered that the journey itself was just as enjoyable as the time we spent…
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Exploring Heidelberg and Journey Home – Days 7 & 8: Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise
A Final Excursion to Beautiful Heidelberg It was hard to believe that we had reached our final full day on board our Riviera Resplendence Rhine cruise. The week had passed incredibly quickly, yet it felt as though we’d packed so many wonderful experiences into just a few days. After another leisurely breakfast, it was time for…
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Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise – Day 6: Discovering Obernai and Enjoying a Spectacular Gala Dinner
A Different Start to the Day After several days of leisurely morning sailings along the Rhine before heading ashore in the afternoon, Day 6 brought a welcome change to our itinerary. Instead of cruising first, today’s excursion was scheduled for the morning, meaning we were up a little earlier than usual. Breakfast, however, was just…
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Cruising Through Locks and Discovering Beautiful Strasbourg – Day 5: Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise
A Fascinating Morning Cruising the Rhine After another leisurely breakfast aboard our Riviera Resplendence Rhine cruise, we headed straight up to the sun deck to enjoy the beautiful weather and watch the scenery unfold. The morning promised something a little different as we were due to pass through two of the Rhine’s deep locks, and we…
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A tour of the Wheelhouse and an excursion to Speyer – Day 4: Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise
A Relaxing Start to Another Wonderful Day on Our Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise After another delicious breakfast on board our Riviera Resplendence Rhine cruise, we decided to take life at a slower pace for a while. One of the many things we’ve come to appreciate about travelling on a Rhine river cruise is that there is never any…
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Koblenz to Rüdesheim – Day 3: Riviera Resplendence Rhine River Cruise
Breakfast with a View Another leisurely morning began with breakfast in the main restaurant on board Riviera Resplendence. We chose a table beside the large panoramic windows so we could enjoy the ever-changing scenery as we sailed along the Rhine. It’s one of the things we’ve come to love most about river cruising, the views are…
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Cologne to Koblenz – Day 2: Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise
Waking Up on the Rhine After a wonderful first day on board Riviera Resplendence, we enjoyed one of the best night’s sleeps we’ve had in a long time. Our comfortable Ruby Deck cabin was so peaceful that we barely noticed the ship had set sail. It was such a lovely moment to draw back the curtains…
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Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise – Day 1: Embarkation in Cologne
The Start of Our Riviera Resplendence Rhine Cruise The wake-up alarm wasn’t particularly welcome, but the excitement of setting off on our Rhine cruise aboard MS Riviera Resplendence soon made up for the early start. Our journey began with a morning Eurowings flight from Manchester to Düsseldorf. Riviera Travel also offers departures from Heathrow, Edinburgh and…
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Riviera Resplendence Review: Maiden Voyage on the Rhine River Cruise
A Comprehensive Review of Riviera Travel’s Newest Five-Star River Cruise Ship There are few travel experiences quite as exciting as stepping on board a brand new cruise ship and sailing on Riviera Travel’s maiden voyage of MS Riviera Resplendence made our Rhine cruise particularly special. We were so excited and from the moment we embarked, there…
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Courtyard by Marriott Düsseldorf Medien Hafen Review
Location: The Courtyard by Marriott Düsseldorf Medien Hafen enjoys an excellent position in Düsseldorf’s vibrant Medien Hafen district, one of the city’s most modern and architecturally striking areas. Surrounded by contemporary office buildings, waterfront promenades, stylish restaurants and bars, the hotel offers a perfect base for both business and leisure travellers. One of the highlights…
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Japan Tag Düsseldorf – A Detailed Guide
What is Japan Tag? Japan Tag Düsseldorf (Japan Day) is Europe’s largest celebration of Japanese culture and Japanese–German friendship. Every spring, hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to the city for a festival that blends traditional Japanese culture with modern pop culture in a way few other events manage successfully. The festival spreads across the…
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Strömfors Bed & Bistro, Finland Review
Location: Strömfors Bed & Bistro is located in the centre of the idyllic ironworks village of Strömfors. The village was founded in the 1690’s and was a prominent industrial site rooted in the iron industry harnessing the Kymijoki River for its water-powered forges and mills. The site ceased operations in 1950 and today it is…
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Solo Sokos Seurohuone, Turku, Finland Review
The Solo Sokos Seurohuone Turku was voted Boutique Hotel of the Year 2025 in Finland so there was no better time to arrange a stay to experience the hotel for ourselves. This historic hotel holds quite a remarkable story as it can trace its roots back to 1928. Location: Solo Sokos Seurohuone is located in…
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Hotel Les Tanneurs, Namur, Belgium Review
Location: We chose to stay at Les Tanneurs on our weekend break in Namur and after taking the Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Brussels Midi, it was just a relaxing one hour rail journey through the Belgian countryside to our destination. From the station we then enjoyed a 15 minute stroll through the attractive…
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48 Hours in Hamburg: Exploring Germany’s Beautiful Port City
Hamburg is one of Europe’s most fascinating port cities boasting canals, grand architecture, lively waterfront districts and world class attractions making it the perfect destination for a short city break. Here’s how to make the most of a weekend in Hamburg, from Friday lunchtime arrival to Sunday afternoon departure. Friday: Arrive Friday Lunchtime Hamburg Airport is…
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Fraser Suites Hamburg Review
Location: Fraser Suites Hamburg is a luxurious five star hotel enjoying a prime location in the heart of Hamburg’s historic banking district. Housed in the beautifully restored Oberfinanzdirektion regional tax office building, the property is located just moments from the City Hall and many of Hamburg’s most recognisable landmarks. The area blends old-world architecture with…
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Scandic Gothenburg Central Review
Location: The Scandic Gothenburg Central is located in a port-inspired glass building overlooking the Göta Älv harbour inlet and within 15 minutes walk from Gothenburg Central Station. Arrival and check-in: We arrived into Gothenburg Landvetter Airport on a late evening flight and from outside the arrivals hall took the airport bus into the city centre.…
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Munich Christmas Markets Travel Guide: Experience Bavaria’s Winter Magic
Read on to learn about my recent weekend enjoying Munich’s Christmas markets. Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt: Standing in Marienplatz, surrounded by the Gothic facades of the City Hall, the square resembled a fairytale with its dozens of wooden huts bedecked with twinkling fairy lights. This is Munich’s oldest and most traditional market — and should definitely be a…
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Where to eat in Riga: The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Latvia’s Capital
Fine Dining Experiences Riga, Latvia’s capital, is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Between its art nouveau architecture and cobbled old town lanes lies a vibrant food scene that fuses Nordic precision with Baltic soul. Whether you’re seeking a Michelin-starred dinner, a romantic café, or hearty market fare, hopefully this guide will…
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Day Trip from Riga to Sigulda & Turaida: Castles, Bobsleigh & Nature
Just an hour away from Riga, the picturesque town of Sigulda and the nearby Turaida Museum Reserve offer a perfect mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Often called the “Switzerland of Latvia,” Sigulda is nestled in the Gauja River Valley, with rolling hills, lush forests, and breathtaking river views. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or thrill-seeker, a…
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Why Riga Should Be Your Next Weekend City Break
I’ve recently returned from a long weekend in Riga, Latvia and absolutely enjoyed every minute of my time there. With its old town charm, art nouveau architecture and unique local experiences — from daily live music at Concerto Piccolo to a canal boat trip aboard the charming Darling, there’s something for everyone. Getting Into Riga from…
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How to Spend a Perfect Weekend in Bergen, Norway
Bergen, Norway’s picturesque coastal city is the perfect destination for a weekend escape or short stopover while exploring the Norwegian fjords. Known for its colourful wooden houses, UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf and gateway access to the fjords, Bergen offers the perfect mix of old world charm and nature. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or…
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Eurostar Plus Review: Is the premium upgrade worth it?
Travelling between London and Brussels by Eurostar is a quick and convenient way to cross the English Channel as the train takes passengers seamlessly from one capital city centre to another. I’ve travelled on board Eurostar several times both in Standard and Eurostar Plus so decided to review the upgraded experience to see how it…
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Weekend Guide: Best things to do in Namur and Dinant, Belgium
Day 1:Getting there: Namur is ideally located for a weekend break. We opted to board an early morning Eurostar train from London St. Pancras to Brussels taking just two hours. From there, it was easy to transfer to a local train which arrived in Namur one hour later. For visitors preferring to travel by air,…
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