Organization World Heritage site, dazzled with its ornate guildhalls, its gilded spires and baroque façades reflecting centuries of mercantile wealth. I marveled at the town hall’ s soaring tower, crowned with a golden statue of Saint Michael, the city’ s patron saint. The nearby Cathédrale des Saints Michel et Gudule, with its soaring Gothic arches and stunning stained glass, echoed with centuries of history.
A walking food tour introduced me to Belgium’ s holy trinity: silky chocolates from artisanal chocolatiers tucked inside Galerie de la Reine’ s vaulted arcades, golden waffles dusted with powdered sugar and crispy fries fried twice for the perfect crunch. The day ended with a flight of local beers.
Loire Valley, France
A day tour transported me to the Loire Valley’ s fairytale realm. Château de Chambord stood like a Renaissance dream— its distinctive architecture blending medieval forms with classical Italian motifs. The double-helix staircase, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, spiraled mysteriously inside the keep, while elaborate rooftop chimneys reached skyward like a forest of stone trees. Château de Chenonceau, spanning the River Cher, appeared almost surreal— a graceful bridge adorned with arched windows and reflected in tranquil waters.
A brief stop in Blois offered the perfect setting for a baguette sandwich lunch, eaten amidst centuries-old stone walls. Later, I joined a group tour of a local vineyard, tasting Sauvignon Blanc under autumn’ s golden light. That evening, I dined in Paris with two couples from the tour.
Munich, Germany
From Gare du Nord, I boarded a train to Munich, where the city’ s blend of Gothic and Baroque architecture greeted me. My hosts— a local family renting a garden-level apartment in a quiet suburb— welcomed me with homemade cookies and fragrant tea. They offered to accompany me to Oktoberfest if I felt daunted by going alone, a kind offer that eased any nerves.
The next day, a motor coach tour took me to Bavaria’ s legendary castles.
Schloss Linderhof, the smallest of King Ludwig II’ s creations, impressed with its rococo interiors, gilded ceilings and mirrored halls. Schloss Hohenschwangau, the boyhood home of Ludwig II, displayed cozy frescoed rooms telling tales of medieval knights and legends. Then came Neuschwanstein— a towering fairytale palace with soaring turrets and intricate stonework, perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking alpine lakes. The autumn air carried the scent of pine and smoke as I munched bratwurst and sipped warm mulled wine. Later, a fellow solo traveler and I shared a Bavarian feast— brathendl( roasted chicken), kartoffelsalat( potato salad) and giant pretzels— in a lively beer hall.
Rain couldn’ t dampen my next day’ s spirits as I explored Nymphenburg Palace, a sprawling Baroque estate. Its ornate halls boasted frescoed ceilings and golden stucco while outside the gardens stretched like a verdant canvas dotted with lakes, statues and hidden pavilions. Dinner at Görreshof, Munich’ s historic tavern, was a comforting ritual— Munich schnitzel, pork back with horseradish-mustard crust and Augustiner Edelstoff beer.
Then came Oktoberfest at Theresienwiese. Dressed in a traditional dirndl and bolstered by the arrival of
The Great Hall at Schloss Nymphenburg.
a West Virginia friend living abroad, I took my place in the crowded tent. From our reserved balcony table, I watched a sea of lederhosen and dirndls, music booming, faces glowing with joy. By night, we stood on benches, singing“ Sweet Caroline” and“ Country Roads” with strangers who felt like old friends.
Italy
From Munich, I flew to Rome and joined a group of girlfriends for a week at Villa DiTrapano, a rustic estate in Sezze Romano. The villa’ s manager, Catarina, welcomed us with homemade pasta, meatballs, a full Italian spread and chilled wine.
Dining in Rome, Italy.
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