Europe — Home — by Courtney Brown

Hotels I Have My Eye On For 2023

Each January I compile a list of standout hotels and resorts around the globe that I have my eyes set on for that year’s upcoming travel aspirations. The best hotels capture your attention, transport you to a new world, and are worth planning an entire trip around, and I believe that the 14 hotels and resorts I'm highlighting for 2023 do just that. While some have been on my radar for awhile, some are new discoveries - so new, in fact, the majority of them are either set to open in the coming months or debuted in 2022. From a boutique hotel in…

HOTELSCourtney BrownJanuary 17, 2023Hotels, EuropeComment

Exploring Portugal: Guide to The Alentejo Region

With a strong cultural identity and diverse terrain, Portugal’s heartland is home to sprawling groves of cork trees, rolling vineyards, ancient villages and empty beaches, and recently, a handful of design hotels and restaurants that allow guests to be immersed in simplistic luxury while disconnecting from the outside world. If you’re looking to discover an untouched side of Portugal, whether it be your first trip to the country or a return visit, here are my recommendations from our recent journey throughout the Alentejo.

TRAVELCourtney BrownDecember 28, 2022Portugal, Alentejo, Comporta, Europe, Travel Guide, Spotlight, City GuideComment

Edinburgh City Guide

A city with many sides (though defined by two), Edinburgh seems conflicted with itself while simultaneously in harmony. Historical yet vibrant, it's split into Old Town and New Town, each offering their distinct perspective. Tucked-away cafes, picturesque curved streets, free museums, lively pubs, hip coffee shops, eclectic stores (plenty selling cashmere and tartan too, of course) and a rugged natural landscape are yours for the taking in this city best discovered by…

TRAVELCourtney BrownApril 16, 2022Scotland, Edinburgh, City Guide, Europe, Accommodations, SpotlightComment

72 Hours in Dubrovnik, Croatia: My Travel Guide To The Pearl Of The Adriatic

Set on the southernmost tip of Croatia, Dubrovnik is a maze of limestone streets nestled safely inside ancient city walls that rise dramatically from the sea. The Pearl of the Adriatic, as it is affectionately known, is easily a contender both for Europe’s most beautiful city and for the best preserved medieval city in the world. Once you pass through its gates you won’t want to leave, as you will be captured by the narrow alleyways packed with cafe tables, green-shuttered buildings with their terra-cotta tiled roofs, and hidden doorways in walls that lead to rocky coves perfect for enjoying a sunset…

TRAVELCourtney BrownMay 15, 2020Europe, Croatia, Travel Guide, City Guide, Dubrovnik, Best city guidesComment

Top Tips For Traveling With A Baby Under 1 Year Old

26,505. That's how many miles Sophie flew in her first 12 months! Having a baby changes your life in just about every way possible. We have loved traveling as a couple, and didn’t want to give that up, but knew it was going to look very different once we became parents. So, we confronted our hesitations and embraced the challenge of traveling with a baby head on. We knew we would need to test the waters, so at 3 months old, Sophie boarded her first flight on a trip to…

TRAVELCourtney BrownNovember 21, 2019Resources, Baby Travel, Family Travel, Flying, Europe, Travel Gear, FTT, SpotlightComment

Hotel Spotlight: Aman Sveti Stefan in Montenegro

Have you ever booked a trip off of a single photo? Literally one picture? I have. I’m continuously searching for intriguing properties or inspiring places to put on my must-visit bucket list, and the hunt of finding where we might go next is almost as exciting as the travel itself! Knowing we would have a few days free after our trip to Italy this past summer, I began searching for a new place to explore. I wanted to discover somewhere different, somewhere unique… And then I saw a picture of Aman Sveti Stefan, and knew that our next adventure would be in Montenegro…

HOTELSCourtney BrownOctober 22, 2019Hotels, Luxury Hotels, Montenegro, Europe, Aman, Destination Hotel, Adriatic Sea, SpotlightComment

Timeless Train Travel Across Great Britain: My Journey on Belmond's British Pullman

I love seeking out unique travel experiences and this past year I’ve had my eyes on your not-so-typical train journeys. I had never given train travel much thought, but with it being Greg’s favorite way to get around Europe, I was curious what was out there in terms of luxury overnight sleeper cars - a way to take his preferred mode of transportation and turn it into the destination itself. After a little research I was instantly on-board with the idea…

TRAVELCourtney BrownOctober 4, 2018Europe, Travel, England, London, Belmond, Luxury Travel, Train, Luxury TrainComment

Hotel Spotlight: Hotel Bachmair Weissach on Bavaria’s Lake Tegernsee

Greg just returned home from a work trip in Bavaria, which I sadly sat out on due to how far along I am in my pregnancy (33 weeks!), so while he was off (briefly) enjoying that beautiful corner of the world, I was reminiscing of our trip to the same region exactly one year ago. It occurred to me that I never shared about our visit to Bavaria’s Lake Tegernsee, and with me going a bit stir crazy thanks to our already slower lifestyle, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to share about our trip there - and of course, the unique hotel we called home…

HOTELSCourtney BrownSeptember 19, 2018Hotel Review, Europe, Germany, Bavaria, Travel advice, HotelsComment

The Magic of Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Germany's Fairytale Town

When Greg and I planned our trip to Europe last Fall, the goal was to pick a route that would hit numerous destinations on our travel bucket list. Near the top of that list was…

TRAVELCourtney BrownFebruary 21, 2018Europe, Germany, City Guide, Travel Guide, Romantic RoadComment

Top Things To Do In Salzburg, Austria

Though often overshadowed by the capital of Vienna, Austria's fourth largest city is the stuff of fairytales. Rich in history and exuding with charm, Salzburg lures visitors with…

TRAVELCourtney BrownFebruary 5, 2018Salzburg, Austria, Europe, City Guide, Travel Guide, Travel Tips, Best city guidesComment

What You Need To Know Before Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle

Bavaria had been on my must-visit list for years thanks to its romantic countryside, charming villages, famous pretzels and of course, its castles. Located in southern Germany, just north of the Austrian border, lies Neuschwanstein Castle…

TRAVELCourtney BrownDecember 10, 2017Germany, Europe, Bavaria, Castles, Neuschwanstein, Tour, September, Fall, City GuideComment

Hotel Spotlight: Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como, Italy

The second half of our week spent in Italy in late September was enjoyed in the country's northern lakes region on the banks of Lake Como. The lake is home to plenty of storied hotels, but one that continues to be a favorite among jet setters is the luxurious Grand Hotel Tremezzo, which we chose…

HOTELSCourtney BrownNovember 18, 2017Italy, Lake Como, Hotel Review, Luxury Hotels, Europe, Bellagio, luxury, HotelsComment

Why Lake Como Should Be On Your Italy Itinerary

Rome. Florence. Venice. These cities are on every tourist's must-see list while in Italy. But wander past these famed locales and you'll find pleasure in the country's less-frequented spots, some of the best being in the unsung north where rugged peaks, grand villas and glittering lakes take center stage. In the foothills of the Alps on the border of Switzerland lies Lake Como, a picture-perfect paradise known as a home-away-from-home for the rich and famous. But don't let that steer you away…