Winter Trips

Historic architecture in Badajoz city center, showing a decorative carved wooden entrance with coat of arms details and traditional Spanish craftsmanship.

Is Badajoz Worth Visiting on a Trip to Spain?

Badajoz is a Spanish city that is home to approximately 150,000 people. Located in Extremadura near the Portuguese border, Badajoz may not be a well-known…

A panoramic cityscape of Lisbon, Portugal, viewed from an elevated vantage point. The foreground and middle ground are filled with a dense cluster of traditional buildings with terracotta tiled roofs and colorful facades in shades of white, cream, pink, and yellow. A prominent building in the lower center features a blue-tiled facade and laundry hanging from its windows. In the background, the white twin towers and dome of the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora rise above the rooftops against a clear blue sky with scattered clouds. To the right, a yellow construction crane stands near the edge of the Tagus River, which stretches across the horizon. The scene is bathed in bright, warm daylight.

Lisbon in January: 29 Fun Things to See, Do & Eat

Are you wondering what it’s like to visit Lisbon in January? We moved to Lisbon in 2022 and have had the good fortune to experience…

The exterior of Devitt's Lounge Bar at night, covered in a wall of fairy lights and featuring a sign that reads: "Christmas Time Is Guinness Time."

Dublin in December: 11 Fun Things to See, Do & Eat

Are you wondering what it’s like to visit Dublin in December? I lived my expat life in Ireland for 12 years, close to Dublin City Centre…

A large, glazed ceramic sculpture of a yellow and black grasshopper sits nestled in a manicured green hedge in the foreground. In the background, a weathered white stone wall features the green lettering "JARDIM BORDALLO PINHEIRO" and a blue and white tiled circular emblem. Behind the wall, a tall, slender green cypress tree stands next to a white flag against a clear, bright blue sky. To the left, a portion of a white building with a black wrought-iron balcony and a traditional window is visible.

Lisbon in February: 44 Fun Things to See, Do & Eat

Are you wondering what it’s like to visit Lisbon in February? We moved to Lisbon in 2022 and have had the good fortune to experience…

A line of historic, colorful houses in Copenhagen, Denmark, on a gloomy winter day, featuring a red building, a dark pink building, and a bright orange-yellow building with white-framed windows. In the foreground is a wet, cobblestone square with a small, tiered bronze fountain.

Cool Things to do in Copenhagen in Winter

Discover the magic of Copenhagen in winter! From historic streets to cozy cafés and incredible day trips, find out how to make the most of…

Is Aarhus Worth Visiting in January?

Is Aarhus worth visiting in January? I had the chance to answer that question when my business trip to Copenhagen in winter expanded to include…

A high-angle view of the Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba and the Patio de los Naranjos (Courtyard of the Orange Trees), taken from the cathedral's tower at sunset. The image shows the vast roofline and the central dome of the cathedral rising above the surrounding high perimeter walls, which feature several arches. The courtyard below is filled with rows of orange and palm trees, with walking paths leading toward the main archway entrance.

24 Hours in Córdoba: The Perfect One Day Itinerary

As part of our expat life in Europe, we like to visit a new place each year for the December festive season. We drove to…

A dramatic landscape photo of a cove in Carvoeiro, Algarve, Portugal, featuring dark blue ocean water and white surf rolling onto a sandy beach between two immense, vertical sea cliffs of golden and orange rock. A large, isolated sea stack sits in the center of the cove, with a bright blue sky and wispy white clouds above.

The Algarve in December: A Complete Winter Road Trip Travel Guide

Have you considered spending time in Portugal in December? We have had the good fortune to live our expat life in Lisbon for a few years…

A photo collage overlaying two images of United Airlines and TAP Air Portugal airplanes onto a scenic wide-angle view of the colorful historic Ribeira district of Porto, Portugal, situated along the Douro River.

My First United 1K Status Run: Portugal on Repeat in December

My motto is work to live, live to travel, travel for work and as a result, I typically earn premium status on United each year.…

The iconic Fundador building in Jerez, highly decorated for the New Years Eve season with a ZAMBOMBAS 2024 banner.

Is Jerez de la Frontera Worth Visiting for NYE? [A Travel Retrospective]

Are you looking for a unique and festive holiday escape in Spain? One of the perks of our expat life in Portugal is the opportunity…

A vendor pouring hot, caramelized syrup onto a freshly made waffle cookie, with a sign reading "Order and pay at the cash desk,"

See the Best of Rotterdam in Winter

We traveled to Rotterdam in December for a city break between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Why visit Rotterdam in winter? One of the advantages of our…