Topping most “must-see” lists is the iconic city of Köln (Cologne). In addition to its historical beauty and local charm, February is a great time to visit if you want to be a part of the ultimate Fasching experience! 

Local Highlights 

The Cologne Cathedral - This church commands the city’s skyline making it difficult to miss! With its Gothic architecture, the tower spires and detailed stained-glass windows, you will be left breathless. You can take a journey to the top of the cathedral. However, it is only by stairs. Bring your good shoes if you’re up for taking the journey! 

Hohenzollern Bridge - This arched bridge spreads over the Rhine River. It was mostly destroyed during World War II, but has since been restored to its original beauty. Don’t forget to bring a padlock with you. As you walk across, you can add yours to the other “love locks” (symbols of a couple’s commitment to one another) along the rail. 

Kölnisch Wasser - While we’re on the topic of love… treat your sweetheart (or yourself ) to the original fragrance of Eau de Cologne, No. 4711. Kölnisch Wasser (Cologne water) was created over 225 years ago. The light and fresh scent of the original can be worn by men and women. If the original is not to your liking, there are other fragrances in the Acqua Colonia line (e.g. white peach and coriander). The Fragrance Museum is the oldest intact perfume factory in the world. Johann Maria Farina’s invention stepped up the city’s reputation. The 45-minute guided tour is the perfect length for your day in the city. 

Rhine River Cruises - Experience the city from a different viewpoint on the water! You can enjoy the hour-long panoramic tour of the city to get a wide-angle view of the city’s skyline and the Hohenzollern Bridge. Köln-Düsseldorf cruises offers many departure times to accommodate your schedule. I especially recommend a river cruise at night to take in the shimmer and sparkle of the city lights. Bundle up for the upper deck. They’re the best seats! 

Lindt Schokoladenmuseum - Through the glass-walled factory you’ll be drooling over the stream of chocolate as it travels through the production process. The group tour is an additional 3.50 euros over the entrance fee. The museum offers various events with the opportunity to sample melt-in-your-mouth chocolate and a magnificent chocolate fountain that is hard to pass up. 

Fasching Festivities 

This year, Fasching is celebrated Feb. 28-March 6. It’s a time for foolish malarkey and over-the-top shenanigans. You will hardly be able to go anywhere in the city without being able to feel and experience the festivities. There are parades daily and different parties across the city during this six-day party. The Rosenmontagszug (Rose Monday Train) is the place to be or thing to watch during this foolishly festive season. It’s comparable to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for Americans. 

If you enjoy beer (and maybe need a little help to bring out your inner fool), grab a Kölsch, a locally brewed style of beer. It may be served in an oversized shot glass, but it is big on flavor. 

Have fun with it on your trip and go in costume. It’s one way to get multiple uses out of that Halloween costume you purchased last year. 

If Cologne is on your bucket list, now is the perfect time to go! 

Any spa that describes itself as having “a new level of sophistication, so even the most exigent tastes will be fully satisfied in the most luxurious spa” is a place that needs to be explored! The Armonia Spa at Grand Hotel Minerva in Băile Herculane, Romania is where all your spa dreams can come true. Pamper yourself with various spa treatments and then lounge in one of several saunas or pools while surrounded by the mountains of Cerna valley.

As with any spa, there are beauty treatments, body massages, salt scrubs and wraps available. However, there’s more to it that makes the location a must-visit — it’s the additional amenities that you can enjoy after getting a spa treatment. There’s a semi-olympic pool, a hydro-massage pool, an infrared room to treat muscle pain, a hammam, hot tub, saline room, hot air sauna and bio-sauna, all just waiting to take your relaxation to the next level. You can also find a fitness area and cafe.

The hotel also offers many therapies, including electrotherapy, magnet therapy, ozone therapy, short wave and more. Sometimes a massage just isn’t enough to chase away all the aches and pains. The Balneo Minerva center at the hotel goes above and beyond with the additional offering of therapies.

As delightful as it sounds to stay in the spa for your entire visit, sadly, you must leave at some point. Never fear! The rest of the hotel is just as beautiful as the spa. There are two restaurants in which to enjoy a fantastic culinary experience, a lounge and a lobby bar. The lounge is a great place to reconnect with friends and family. There are games of chess, Remy and monopoly available for use. If your kids are in tow, there is a children’s club, where kids can play games, watch movies and play video games.

A stay at this resort and spa is a stay at one of the world’s oldest spa resorts. The famous thermal waters date back thousands of years and offer restorative properties, while modern amenities make this resort a luxury location. Take a trip to Romania and live the life of luxury, even if it is just for a few days.

The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, are composed of nine volcanic islands and are an absolutely fantastic place to get outside and experience what nature has to offer. All nine islands are part of the EU — Flores, Corvo, Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, São Miguel and Santa Maria. Their prime location in the North Atlantic Ocean offers an ideal mild climate year round. With temperatures in the mid-60s in the winter, it makes the islands perfect for outdoor activities when the weather in most of Europe is not so stellar.

The list of activities goes on and on when it comes to outdoor fun. From whale watching to scuba diving, check out these endless possibilities of adventure!  

Spearfish with Calypso Azores on Graciosa. No experience necessary to charter a boat and head out to catch some bream, grouper, wrasse, hogfish, or jackfish! The professionals will teach you all you need to know. Who can catch the biggest fish?

Go canyoning with AvenTour on São Jorge. If you’re a real daredevil, go canyoning. You’ll have the opportunity to repel off waterfalls, jump into wells and wonder at the natural beauty all around you. Just make sure you’re not afraid of heights before you go!

Kayak with Naturfactor on Pico. Discover the island in a more intense way by kayaking around the area. You’ll have the opportunity to kayak around the coastline and enter caves that were formed over the years by the water crashing into the rocks or kayak in a lake an enjoy seeing the vineyards.

Hike the Fumarolen am Lagoa Furnas trail on São Miguel. This intermediate hiking trail will take just under three hours to complete and offers spectacular views around Lake Furnas. You’ll see a Neo-Gothic church, waterfalls and the city of Furnas while standing high on the surrounding mountains.

Bird watch with Bio & Bird tours on São Miguel. Witness birds in a variety of natural habitats on the island. If you’re lucky you’ll see a bullfinch, which is a very rare and endangered bird. Though the islands are small, there are over 400 species located there, just waiting to be spotted by a patient watcher. Binoculars are provided so that you don’t miss a single bird!

Whale watch with Azores Adventures Futurismo on São Miguel. The Azores islands are along a passage point for more than one-third of the world’s whale and dolphin species. Here you’ll find sperm whales, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and Risso’s dolphins year round, as well as Atlantic spotted dolphins, pilot whales and striped dolphins in the summer and blue whales, fin whales and sei whales in the spring.

Bike on the Volta à Ilha Terceira trail on Terceira. Bike around the entire island on this trail while enjoying picturesque stopping points. Stop at the vantage point at the Raminho headland and see the islands of Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial. Visit the wine museum or hit the Praia da Vitória beach.

How many activities can you conquer during one trip? Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a great pair of hiking boots; you’re going to need them! Consider scheduling a day of rest for when you return to reality. You might be exhausted after all the fun you’re sure to have searching for adventure on one of the Azores islands!

Whether you’ve been in Europe for a while now or you’re a newcomer, knowing the drill of keeping up with friends and family in different time zones is tricky. Lining up the perfect time in both locations is hard when you’re on different schedules than each other. Dial up the balance of staying in contact with someone on another time zone with these tips.

Using an internet-based application such as Facetime, WhatsApp, Viber, Skype or Facebook Messenger to have a video or phone calls is a great method to call without wasting phone plan minutes. As it’s hard to stay on the same page, schedule a day and time every week for a virtual date. Sit down with a cup of coffee or a bite to eat on both ends of the phone. Put it in your planner and set yourself a reminder so that nothing interferes with it. If you and a friend are used to spontaneous calls, prewarn them the days or hours you won’t be able to talk, so they aren’t surprised when you don’t answer the phone.

Of course, the messages don’t go unnoticed. If you’re busy and find yourself without time for a call, send a quick message, whether text or e-mail. Finally, be consistent. Although it’s easy to be overwhelmed in your daily life, try to find the time to relax over the phone with friends and family as consistent as possible.

Although tricky at first, once you’re on a schedule of contacting each other, it becomes less difficult to stay on track!

This Valentine’s Day, skip the chocolates and flowers to splurge on a gastronomic experience at exceptional restaurants close to home.

ENTE Restaurant, Wiesbaden

ENTE (the German word for duck) is a Michelin star winner and the place to dine on fowl expertly prepared as foie gras, duck stew and platters for two. The kitchen also makes sumptuous meals utilizing beef, lamb, pork and fish.

Choose specialties separately, or go for all the frills of prix fixe and pick four to seven culinary creations. The knowledgeable sommelier will help you navigate a list of several hundred wines for one that suits both your palate and the delights on your plate.

ENTE is located in Hotel Nassauer Hof on Kaiser-Friedrich-Platz, a six-minute walk from Wiesbaden’s Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme. Start your day together by relaxing at the thermal spa and end at ENTE. For opening hours, reservations and more, visit www.nassauer-hof.de/en/restaurant-ente.

La Corona, Ansbach

La Corona is a bistro and wine bar that has joined the Slow Food campaign to emphasize the importance of breaking from hectic schedules for nourishing, delicious cuisine from responsible sources.

Observing the motto “Grosse Weine, kleine Sünden” (great wines, little sins), the chefs at La Corona concoct modern presentations of indulgent fare. The evolving selection will surprise you; perhaps you’ll have a duet of lobster and veal, Nebraskan beef or arctic char.

La Corona is open Thursday to Saturday evenings; other arrangements can be made for large groups. Find parking tips, contact details and sample menus at www.lacorona.de. To learn more about Slow Food, head to www.slowfood.org.uk.

Uwe’s Tomate, Kaiserslautern

For a night on the town, book a table at Uwe’s Tomate, located in the Kaiserslautern Fußgängerzone. The restaurant’s fusion cooking style is influenced by French, Italian and German recipes. Classic entrées include fish-filled ravioli, balsamic-glazed rack of lamb, grilled duck and pepper steak.

Order à la carte or a set menu; you’ll get a better deal and the opportunity to try something new with the latter. Eat a mouthwatering prelude of foie gras, truffled pasta or tuna carpaccio, followed by fresh meat, seafood and perfectly paired sides. For a sweet finale, share crepes, chocolate mousse or Kaiserschmarrn.

Uwe’s Tomate is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Directions to nearby parking garages are listed on the restaurant’s website, www.uwes-tomate-kl.de.

YoSH, Stuttgart

YoSH is a posh Michelin-starred destination where you’ll be treated as an A-lister. Rekindle romance as you enjoy impressive food and stellar service in an elegant dining room.

Seven-course dinners and individual dishes are available. Offerings include starters of tuna sashimi, beef carpaccio and pumpkin soup with scallops. Mains of braised ox cheeks, venison, Brittany lobster, pan-seared fois gras, and American rib eye will tempt your taste buds. Nibble from the cheese board, or satisfy your sweet tooth with gooey chocolate soufflé, before grabbing a nightcap and cigar in the lounge. YoSH serves dinner Wednesday to Sunday. Book a table at www.yoshstuttgart.de.

Whether having a rare evening away from the kids, or hoping to impress on a first date, these European restaurants fit the bill.