World Cup 2026 host cities: a travel guide to Canada, Mexico and the USA
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be a once-in-a-lifetime event. For the first time ever, the world’s biggest football tournament will be hosted across three countries — namely Canada, Mexico and the United States — and played across 16 host cities throughout the American continent. In this travel guide, I’m approaching the World Cup from a traveler’s perspective. I’ll focus only on destinations I’ve personally visited and covered on the blog, sharing first-hand insights to help you plan a trip that goes far beyond the stadiums. Whether you’re planning to attend a match, follow the tournament across several cities or simply experience the FIFA World Cup atmosphere in one iconic destination, this guide will help you understand where the games will be played, what each city is like, and where to find more in-depth travel inspiration.
New York City travel guide: plan your perfect trip to NYC
Everybody has seen New York City in the movies — the iconic skyline, yellow taxis rushing through busy avenues, and lights glowing over Times Square long after midnight. But getting to explore NYC in real life is something entirely different. I still remember my first visit to the city that never sleeps. I spent a weekend there and instantly fell in love with its energy and diversity. Since then, I’ve returned again and again — in fact, I’ve visited the Big Apple eleven times, first while living in Washington DC and later when I was based in Geneva. This NYC travel guide is designed as a starting point to help you plan a trip to New York City, whether it’s your first time visiting New York or you’re returning to explore more. Throughout this guide, you’ll find links to more detailed posts covering specific topics such as neighborhoods, restaurants, transportation and accommodation.
The ultimate East Coast road trip itinerary: 9 days from Washington DC to Toronto
Planning an East Coast road trip itinerary can feel overwhelming at first — especially when trying to connect iconic cities, scenic coastal drives and even an international border crossing into a single journey. In this post, I will walk you step by step through a realistic East Coast road trip route, including daily driving plans, travel timing and key highlights based on a real drive that connects Washington DC, New York City, Boston, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Lancaster Amish Country and Philadelphia. This itinerary is designed as a planning hub, linking together several major destinations along the northeastern United States and Canada. Each stop can be explored further through dedicated city guides, allowing you to customize the trip based on your interests and travel style.
Memorial Day weekend road trip from Washington DC: Philadelphia, Six Flags & Rehoboth Beach
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer in the United States, and for many Americans, it’s the perfect excuse to hit the road and enjoy a long weekend getaway. Taking advantage of this holiday, I planned a Memorial Day weekend road trip from Washington DC with a few friends that turned out to be the perfect mix of history, thrills, and beach time. Over the course of three days, we explored Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), spent an adrenaline-filled day at Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey) and wrapped up the long weekend relaxing by the ocean in Rehoboth Beach (Delaware). If you're looking for Memorial Day weekend trips that combine iconic landmarks, fun attractions, and coastal charm, this itinerary might be exactly what you need.
Things to do in Lancaster County PA: a complete guide to Amish Country
Lancaster County Pennsylvania (PA) is one of the best-known destinations to experience Amish culture in the United States. During our East Coast road trip, this peaceful rural region offered a refreshing contrast to the busy cities we had visited earlier, with farmland stretching for miles and horse-drawn buggies moving slowly along quiet country roads. In this travel guide, you’ll discover the best things to do in Lancaster County PA, how to visit Amish Country respectfully, where to try traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food, and practical tips to help you plan your visit.
Liberty Mountain ski resort: a perfect day trip from Washington DC
If you're looking for an easy winter escape near the US capital, Liberty Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania is one of the best options for a fun and accessible ski day. Located just about 90 minutes from Washington DC, this resort makes it incredibly convenient to enjoy the snow without planning a full weekend getaway. In this detailed travel guide to Liberty Mountain ski resort, I'll walk you through what to expect during your visit, including skiing conditions, beginner-friendly activities, rentals and lessons, practical tips and on-site amenities to make planning your ski day from Washington DC as smooth as possible.
Things to do in Philadelphia: the ultimate travel guide (+ map)
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is one of the most historic cities in the United States and a destination rich in culture, iconic landmarks and great food. From the Liberty Bell to the famous Rocky Steps, the city offers a fascinating mix of American history, vibrant neighborhoods and world-class museums. If you're planning to visit — especially during major events such as the World Cup 2026 or the 250th anniversary of the country — this travel guide covers the best things to do in Philadelphia, along with travel tips, food recommendations, a map and ideas for day trips around Pennsylvania. Whether you're visiting for a weekend or longer, there are plenty of options for what to do in Philadelphia, from historic sites to modern cultural attractions.
Things to do in Boston: complete travel guide (updated for 2026)
Boston is one of those cities that quietly grows on you. At first glance, it feels compact and easy to navigate, but the more time you spend there, the more layers you uncover: key moments in US history, elegant neighborhoods, leafy parks, and a pace that encourages slow exploration. When I first visited this North American city, what struck me most was how naturally sightseeing blended with everyday life. Historic streets, parks, museums, cafés, and residential areas all seemed to flow into one another. Our stay in Boston was short, as it was just one stop on a longer road trip through the USA and Canada, but it was enough to leave a strong first impression — and the feeling that it’s a city worth returning to with more time. In this detailed travel guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Boston, where and what to eat, where to stay, how to get around, and a few easy day trips from the city, combining my own experience with updated, practical information for those visiting during the upcoming World Cup 2026.
What to do in Niagara Falls: a complete guide to visiting from the USA and Canada
The Niagara Falls are one of the most iconic natural wonders in North America and had been on my bucket list for years. During a summer road trip with my family, I finally got to see them with my own eyes, and they absolutely lived up to the hype. Standing in front of that sheer amount of water, noise and mist is something you don’t forget easily. If you’re planning a trip and wondering what to do in Niagara Falls, this detailed travel guide will walk you through the main attractions, practical travel tips, where to eat and stay, and a few easy day trips. Because Niagara Falls sits right on the border between the USA and Canada, I’ll also help you decide which side makes more sense for your itinerary (or whether you should see both).
Things to do in Montreal: a complete travel guide
Montreal (or Montréal in French) is often described as North America’s most European city, and after spending a weekend there, I can totally see why. From historic streets and leafy parks to incredible food and vibrant neighborhoods, the city has a charm that really surprised me — I actually found it more atmospheric than Toronto. I visited Montreal in the fall, when the foliage around Mount Royal was at its best — and even the rainy weather couldn’t dampen the city’s inviting charm. In this detailed travel guide, I’ll walk you through the best things to do in Montreal, what to eat, where to stay, how to get around and a few great day trip ideas. At the end of the post, you’ll also find a Montreal map with all the locations mentioned here.
Things to do in Toronto: practical travel guide & tips
Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto is one of Canada’s most important cities and a common stop on many North American East Coast road trips. When I visited in 2013, our time in the city was rather short — barely a full day — and, to be honest, Toronto didn’t completely win me over. It felt modern, full of skyscrapers and business districts, almost like a smaller version of New York City, but with less character. Still, if you’re planning a visit, there are a few things worth seeing, especially if you know where to focus your time. Below you’ll find a practical travel guide covering the best things to do in Toronto, along with travel tips, food recommendations, accommodation ideas and nearby day trips.
My 2024 trips: a year in review
Another year is about to go by, and it's time to reflect on the destinations that I visited this year, and to start dreaming about the ones I'll be exploring in 2025. Even though 2024 was quieter in terms of travel compared to previous years, I still had my fair share. Here's my year in review, including my tentative travel plans for the upcoming year!