Nitpicker’s travel journal: behave, or else – unwritten cultural rules in Europe

benidorm levante beach in summer

If you think some European countries are setting new rules and restrictions just to make vacations for tourists in Europe more troublesome, you have forgotten thousands of years of culture. Many rules have always existed as unwritten behavioral etiquette that local people have followed without paying any attention to them. … Read >

You ain’t seen nothing yet – if you haven’t visited a Cultural Route in Europe

cultural routes web page by european council.

Sometimes, on the road it is possible to find something unexpected, like a strange construction of stones, or a curiosity from ancient times that leaves a note in your long term memory. For instance, I encountered a huge field of megaliths in Brittany, France years ago. It was amazing, but … Read >

Sure, states have capitals, but in Europe there are also culture, smart, and green capitals

torino (turin) flower market in italy. photo by arihak.
Torino city center in northern Italy.

Yes, we know that the capital of Latvia is Riga and the capital of Slovakia is Bratislava, but what on earth is the Green, Smart, Innovation, or Culture Capital of Europe? Well, they are capitals of European countries that have been awarded an extra … Read >

Which European countries have the most Unesco World Heritage sites?

torino, italy. flower market on a street. photo by arihak.
Street market in Italy.

So far, I haven’t been disappointed when I have visited a destination that Unesco has awarded the World Heritage title. They are wonderful travel destinations, although the purpose of the World Heritage program is conservation, not tourism. Since 1978, Unesco has awarded more than 1000 heritage … Read >

Here are the destinations in Europe registered as Unesco World Heritage Sites in 2021

Nice, France. Photo from travel guidebook Nice and the French Riviera.
Nice, France.

If you think you have seen it all because finding new exciting travel destinations in Europe feels challenging, Unesco comes to the rescue. The long list of World Heritage sites (1154) was appended with 34 new destinations in 2021. 00 of the new destinations are in Europe. Here … Read >

Fascinating Aspects of Thailand’s Millennial Culture Most Visitors Don’t Know About

Photo by Ali Yahya.

Thailand often exists in people’s minds as a stereotypical tropical paradise, full of beaches, good food, and exciting Muay Thai matches. These stereotypes aren’t wrong, but they’re not fully right either. Thailand’s increasingly modern culture continues to have so much to offer. In fact, many tourists would … Read >