Compass: Europe

“He who is outside his door already has the hardest part of his journey behind him.”
— Dutch proverb
Travel Europe and fall in love with its beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From Europe‘s largest country (Russia) to its small one (Vatican City) and the additional 49 countries in between, the continent of Europe is a vast landmass in the northwestern part of Eurasia. The most visited European country is France followed by Spain, Italy, United Kingdom and Germany but each of the 51 independent states hold a rich history, unique cultures and traditions, delicious food, beautiful landscapes and other gems that make each country worth visiting.
Europe‘s border is delineated by the Ural Mountains in Russia, the Caspian Sea and Caucasus Mountains and the following countries (listed in alphabetical order) comprise the continent: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom (UK) and Vatican City (Holy See).
Travel Europe – explore it’s lands from north to south and east to west and take delight in its different food flavors and learn more about it’s rich history & culture.

Slovakia: Five Places to Visit
By Ali JenningsWith spectacular mountains good for hiking and bicycling, dramatic castles, charming architectural cities, and a vibrant contemporary arts scene, Slovakia has much to offer tourists. Read more
Europe Off the Beaten Path The Arts
Picasso’s Spain
By Bianka CramblitRaised and educated in Spain, Pablo Picasso moved to the French capital in the early 1900s. Here he experienced decades of inspiration as part of the city’s buzzing Modernist art movement and bohemian atmosphere. Read more
Spain The Arts
Studying the Northern Lights: More Than A Pretty Picture
By Ann-Marie CahillThe official scientific name is the aurora borealis, but they have many names. The northern lights, the Green Lady, merry dancers, guovssahasat, and revontulet or ‘fox fires’. No matter what you call them, they have been tempting travellers forever. Read more
Europe Experiences Landscape
Combining Work, Play, and Community in the French Alps
By Tasha PradosClimate change was one of the main factors Plunkett McCullagh presented to his family when he pitched using part of the family’s inheritance from selling their countryside pub to found Heyday Chalet, a new coliving spot for digital nomads in Morzine, France. Read more
France Lifestyle Climate
Why Walking the Camino de Santiago is Not Just a Religious Journey
By Derek CullenThough it’s best known as a religious pilgrimage, walking the Camino de Santiago does not need to be a spiritual journey and people from all walks of life can and do take this adventure for different reasons. Read more
Europe Experiences Religious Travel
It’s Official: London Wins At Christmas
By Kellie PaxianLondon during the holiday season is something I wish everyone could experience at least once in their lifetime. I mean, you think you’ve seen Christmas spirit, until you go to London in the month of December. Read more
United Kingdom Events & Festivals
An Expat’s Christmas Journey to the Isle of Wight
By Bianka CramblitJude Law stopping by your snow-covered cottage in the English countryside…. Yes, please! The many other festive British holiday movies had left me feeling like I had already celebrated there. Read more
United Kingdom Events & Festivals
Rays of hope: Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau I and II
By Rachel FlynnOne of the best parts of traveling is discovering the history of the place you are visiting. I like to consider myself a bit of a history buff, so when I booked a weekend trip to Poland while studying abroad in London, I knew I would spend most of my … Read more Read more
Europe History Humanity
Far From Home: Experiencing the Holidays in Spain
By Bianka CramblitWhen I moved to Spain, I knew I’d have to say goodbye to the very North-American traditions of Halloween and Thanksgiving. Read more
Spain Events & Festivals
A Taste of Georgia, The Caucasus
By Hannah CooperLocated at the westernmost edge of Asia on the crossroads of two continents, Georgia earned itself the evocative nickname of the Balcony of Europe. Read more
Europe Food & Drink
Why is Ireland Known as the “Emerald Isle?”
By Derek CullenIreland is often referred to as the “Emerald Isle,” due to the vast greenery throughout the island. Most of the Irish countryside is dotted with farms and national parks, while the landscape in almost every county is dominated by some of the greenest hills anywhere in the world. But is … Read more Read more
Ireland Landscape History
Walking with the Ghosts of the City: A long weekend in Barcelona
By Bianka CramblitAn ever-evolving city full of history, culture, and a buzzing atmosphere, you can visit Barcelona countless time after time without having the same experience. Read more
Spain Food & Drink History
5 Off-the-Beaten Path Places to Visit in Madrid
By Bianka CramblitMadrid is a lively capital city constantly buzzing with excitement. Before COVID inflicted its long pause on international travel, this well-connected international h Read more
Spain Off the Beaten Path The Arts
Porto Torres: A case for slow travel
By Torrance McCartneyWith little care as to where on the island I would go, I found a perfect apartment located in a place called Porto Torres. Read more
Europe Experiences
Stone Circles in the UK: Beyond Stonehenge
By Ali JenningsAn ancient wonder of the world, Stonehenge is a classic example of Neolithic engineering and one of the best-preserved monuments of its kind in Europe. Read more
United Kingdom Off the Beaten Path Religious Travel History