Oh Heidelberg, how thou have but stolen my heart! Ok, ok, perhaps I’ve been talking about Shakespeare too much with students, but tis’ true! Ich hab’ mein Herz in Heidelberg verloren in 2007 and I never got it back! As one of Germany’s most romantic towns, located along the Neckar River nestled in a wooded gorge with the stunning ruins of the Heidelberg Castle perched above the town, Heidelberg is one town I keep going back to over and over again. It never ceases to loose its appeal, and yet I can always find some new things to do in Heidelberg! 

Hallstatt, Austria is one of those idyllic towns that ends up on those must-see-before-you-die lists as being one of the most beautiful towns to bless this planet. And rightly, so! It has just been one of those towns I saw over and over again on all forms of social media, with picture perfect captures and I couldn’t wait to go one day, aching in my travelous heart until the itch had been scratched.