Bram Reusen, Author at Europe Up Close

Why You Should Visit Bohinj, Slovenia

Published/Revised February 17, 2018 By Bram Reusen This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

With its towering mountain peaks, deep clear lakes and tumbling waterfalls, hiking trails and ski slopes, Bohinj is one of Slovenia’s top destinations for adventure travel. Set in the breathtaking Julian Alps and partially within Triglav National Park, the valley of Bohinj is flanked by the Lower Bohinj Mountains and the Triglav Mountain Range, which includes Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s tallest ... Read Full Article

The Cliffs of Moher: Ireland’s Most Visited Natural Attraction

Published/Revised October 12, 2016 By Bram Reusen This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

People travel Ireland for a variety of reasons, whether it is to experience the vibrant pub scene, to visit historic sites and ancient ruins, or to explore the island’s wonderful natural attractions such as the the Cliffs of Moher. Ireland, nicknamed the “emerald isle” for its green landscapes, is a place characterized by one of the world’s most beautiful countrysides. Rural Ireland is ... Read Full Article

10 Places in Bruges You Can Visit in One Day

Published/Revised September 28, 2016 By Bram Reusen This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

If you are looking for a medieval town that oozes historic charm and seems to have jumped straight out of a fairy tale, Bruges, Belgium, is the place to go. A visit to Bruges Lined with cobbled streets and enchanting canals, dotted with imposing churches and other towers, and home to picturesque market squares and fascinating museums, the historic city center of Bruges is of such cultural ... Read Full Article

8 Best Highlights of Kilkenny, Ireland

Published/Revised July 25, 2016 By Bram Reusen This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

What makes Ireland such a superb travel destination besides the epic coastlines, quaint countryside and world-renowned pub life are its cities and towns. From Dublin on the east coast to Galway on the west coast, from Belfast (let’s include Northern Ireland too, as it’s part of the same island after all) in the north to Cork in the south, Ireland’s cities are places that should by no means be ... Read Full Article

A Blissful Weekend in Istria, Croatia

Published/Revised July 15, 2016 By Bram Reusen This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

A region in the northwestern corner of Croatia dotted with olive groves, vineyards, truffle forests and picturesque towns, Istria is home to more attractions and highlights that you would first expect. As the lion’s share of the tourist attention in Croatia goes to Dubrovnik , Plitvice Lakes National Park and the Dalmatian coast, Istria remains a relatively undiscovered region. Exploring ... Read Full Article

The Müllerthal Trail: Exploring Luxembourg on Foot

Published/Revised June 27, 2016 By Bram Reusen This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Luxembourg is more than the banking paradise and “city state” that many people assume it is. For one, it’s much larger than only its namesake capital city of Luxembourg. In fact, the country of Luxembourg is a place made up of rolling fields, large forests, awe-inspiring rock formations and historic castles. Its countryside is nothing short of gorgeous and the best way to explore it is on foot, ... Read Full Article

Lier – Belgium Off the Beaten Path

Published/Revised May 23, 2016 By Bram Reusen This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Visit-worthy destinations in Belgium aren’t limited to the major well-known cities, such as Bruges, Brussels and Antwerp. Rather to the contrary; those much-visited cities are only the tip of the iceberg—albeit quite a nice tip. The rest of the iceberg of Belgian cities consists of quaint stone towns hidden deep in the valleys of the Ardennes, college cities home to great breweries and a vibrant ... Read Full Article

Connemara: Ireland at its Most Remote

Published/Revised May 14, 2016 By Bram Reusen This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Grey clouds float across a gloomy sky, preventing the sun's rays to peak through. Below on the ground, a herd of sheep tries desperately to find shelter from the approaching rain in a barren, treeless landscape of rocky hills, bogs and still lakes. No sounds other than that of the first raindrops and the wind pierce through the deafening silence that characterizes this seemingly uninviting region ... Read Full Article

Top 5 Attractions in Ghent, Belgium

Published/Revised September 2, 2018 By Bram Reusen This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Top Things to Do in Ghent Belgium Ghent is one of Europe’s most underrated, if not unknown, medieval cities. It’s nothing short of spectacular. While most people who visit Belgium limit their time to Brussels and Bruges, the country has so, so much more to offer. Exciting cities such as Antwerp and Leuven, but also Ghent, offer visitors the chance to immerse themselves in a centuries-old city ... Read Full Article

The Keukenhof Gardens: Europe’s Best Spring Destination

Published/Revised January 14, 2019 By Bram Reusen This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

There’s nothing as encouraging as seeing the first spring flowers pop out of the ground after a long, cold winter, their colors a first hint that warmer times are on their way. But just imagine seeing millions—yes, millions—of them spread out over fields and lawns and in wooded parks. You can witness a natural spectacle like that in the Keukenhof Gardens in the western Netherlands. The ... Read Full Article