The little things make life special
It’s a bit of a ritual in Rudesheim am Rhein, a wine-making town in the Rhine Gorge in Germany. Brandy and sugar are poured into a cup. It’s set alight and stirred until the sugar dissolves. Strong black coffee is added and then it’s all topped with a mountain of whipped cream. It’s basically heaven in a cup. And I couldn’t get enough of it.
I was born in a small town in Germany, and we moved away when I was 5 years old.
I’ve wanted to return ever since, but Rudesheim would never have factored into my plan, despite its popularity with cruise passengers.
But on a river cruise a few years ago, I found myself visiting charming little towns and villages that I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.
Too often we focus on the big cities that command all the attention. They regularly feature on lists of the world’s most liveable cities, or the world’s most popular destinations, and they’re often the easiest to fly into.
But my most memorable, authentic travel experiences have always come from the lesser known regions, the places I hadn’t really heard of and would never have planned to go to.
In his story on Europe’s hidden gems on pages 14-15, travel reporter Brook Sabin tells us about his favourite undiscovered spots across Europe.
Also in this edition of the Sunday Star-Times, you’ll find our special glossy magazine dedicated to cruising, a style of travel that is increasingly popular with Kiwis. Our magazine also has great stories from the world’s port cities, many of which don’t always feature on mainstream travel itineraries. We hope you’ll find some inspiration for your next adventure.