5 WAYS TO WANDER: Walking Tours, Cozy Vibes, & That One Travel Blunder

10 January, 2025 | Welcome to 5 Ways to Wander. Here are five fresh ideas to inspire your next adventure!

#1 This Week’s Travel Hack:

Take Advantage of Free Walking Tours in Europe. Most European cities offer free walking tours, and they’re one of the best ways to explore a new place on a budget.

These tours are typically led by local guides who are passionate about their cities and provide interesting historical insights, insider tips, and hidden gems. While the tours are technically free, it’s customary to give a tip at the end based on how much you feel the tour was worth. A perfect introduction to the city without spending much.

[Check Out FreeTour.com for the Best Tours]

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#2 Destination of the Week:

Munich, Germany. Where else can you raise a frothy stein in a centuries-old beer hall, then step outside and feel like you’ve wandered into a postcard? Munich is the heart of Bavaria; it’s a city where tradition meets timeless charm.

The air is filled with the rich aroma of freshly baked pretzels and the hum of conversation spilling out of beer halls like the iconic Hofbräuhaus. While the Marienplatz buzzes with life all hours of the day, the sprawling English Garden invites leisurely strolls along meticulously tree-lined paths.

Venture out of the city, and you’ll find yourself in the shadow of fairy-tale castles like Neuschwanstein, the very inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

[You Might Like: 10 Perfect Day Trips from Munich]

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#3 Cultural Insight:

Dutch Gezelligheid. This Dutch word doesn’t have a direct translation in English, but it roughly means coziness, comfort, and conviviality.

Think of it as the feeling you get when you’ve settled into your favorite chair on a rainy afternoon, a cup of something warm in your hands, and the world outside is nothing but a distant hum. Or when you’re sitting in a cafe with friends, there’s conversation, coffee, and the clock seems to slow down a bit.

As my friend Deeksha (who’s been living in Amsterdam the last few years) tells me: “When you install yellow lighting in the hall, or throw a rug in your living room… that’s gezellig.” 🎶

[You Might Like: 10 Things NOT to Do in Amsterdam]

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#4 Travel Quote to Ponder:

“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.”

― Aldous Huxley

[You Might Like: 100 Adventure Ideas You Can Try Today!]

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#5 Question for You:

Real talk: What’s the dumbest thing you’ve done while traveling?

For me, it was ordering a tall glass of milk instead of coffee in Italy. Hit reply and tell me yours😉)

[You Might Like: 10 Classic Tourist Mistakes We've All Made]

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