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Maria Haase

EuropeUpClose Editor-in-Chief

Maria Haase is a travel writer and photographer sharing her love for the world and its different cultures on EuropeUpClose.com.

As a serial expat for the past 12 years, she has called three continents her home, traveled to over 40 countries and eaten way too many sticks of mystery meats on the way. She wants to encourage others to discover the world through travel.

She is currently on a challenge to visit all 412 European UNESCO World Heritage sites in the next 5 years.

Käthe Wohlfahrt Rothenburg ob der Tauber – A Must If You Love Christmas

Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Germany’s Romantic Christmas Village Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of Germany’s most beautiful medieval villages. Surrounded by tall historic city walls, massive watchtowers, cobblestone streets, and halftimbered, Rothenburg is the quintessential fairytale town of Germany. While stunning year-round, it is a popular destination during December and a MUST if …

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Top 10 Helpful Tips For Your Mediterranean Winter Cruise

Winter is my favorite time to cruise in the Mediterranean. The crowds are less, the weather is not scorching hot, the atmosphere is more calm and relaxing. A winter cruise in the Mediterranean is a completely different experience though. While the weather is usually still milder than many places, it is definitely not a beach-y …

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Eastern Mediterranean Cruise: 3 Continents Cruise

Bucket List Cruise with Celestyal Cruises 3 Continents – 6 Countries – 5 UNESCO Sites – 8 Days: The 3 Continents Cruise by Celestyal Cruises offers you an itinerary where one highlight follows the next. In early December, my husband and I were invited on board the Celestyal Crystal to experience this cruise and share …

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What To Do In Amsterdam: Top Amsterdam Attractions That You NEED To Put On Your Itinerary

What to Do in Amsterdam: Top Amsterdam Attractions You NEED On Your Itinerary Up there with Paris and Rome, Amsterdam holds the title as one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in the world. It has the best of cities and towns, which makes people continue to visit. There are international restaurants, lively nightlife, …

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The Fall of the Berlin Wall – 30 Year Anniversary

The Fall of the Berlin Wall – 30 Year Anniversary There are certain events that will always stay engrained in your memory as vividly as if they had happened yesterday. Kennedy’s assassination, 9-11, or the Fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 – 30 years ago.  I grew up in Germany and was …

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Best Pocket WiFi for Travel – How to Get Cheap Internet in Europe

International Pocket WiFi – The Perfect Travel Wifi for Europe and Beyond Sponsored post Finding WiFi when you are traveling can be frustrating. The WiFi in hotels and vacation rental is often less than ideal. Roaming charges can put a serious dent in your vacation budget and hunting down free WiFi is not fun either. …

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