thegetAwayZ | European Travel Podcast

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We spent a weekend in Antwerp, Belgium, with Lisa's nephew Brian joining us for his first visit to the country. Just back from the trip, we're talking about what we saw, where we ate and why we'd happily go back.

We explored Antwerp's historic Old Town, learned the stories behind the Brabo Fountain and the Dog of Flanders statue, walked through the pedestrian tunnel beneath the Scheldt River and visited the De Koninck Brewery. There was plenty of traditional Belgian food along the way, including Flemish stew, some excellent fries and...

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We’ve returned to Umbria several times over the years, staying in Paciano and Ficulle and visiting Assisi, Orvieto, Perugia and Lake Trasimeno. In this episode, we talk about medieval festivals, chocolate, narrow farm roads, unexpected stops and the little memories that kept bringing us back to this part of Italy.

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We spent three days in Cardiff and South Wales right after Christmas. It was wet and cold, and we still loved it. We talk about the Christmas market in Bute Park, tubing at the Cardiff Ski & Snowboard Centre, and Katie's hunt for a Bad Sisters swim robe (Lisa found one at Primark for £19.99). Our walk down to Three Cliffs Bay ended up being one of our favorite beach days ever. We also stopped at Castell Coch and ate a huge Welsh rarebit at Madame Fromage, where Rex was on his best behavior. At t...

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We’ve been traveling to the Dolomites and South Tyrol since our first trip in 2017, and it’s still one of our favorite parts of Italy. This week, we’re talking mountain hotels, incredible hikes, traveling with kids and dogs, alpine food, cowbells, Christmas in Trento and why we keep finding reasons to go back.

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We traveled to Finnish Lapland in winter hoping to see the Northern Lights, but the weather had other plans. We stayed at the Star Arctic Hotel above Saariselkä, went on a reindeer safari, snowmobiled through the snow and took on the long toboggan run down Kaunispää Fell.

In this episode of The Getawayz Travel Podcast, we’re sharing what it was really like to visit Lapland between Christmas and New Year’s, from the extreme cold and limited daylight to traveling with a ten-year-old and the Northern Lights that never appeared.

Su...

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Our very first episode back in November 2024 was about Christmas markets, and we have been to a lot more since then. This one picks up there, starting with glögi and lit-up reindeer in Helsinki and the Christmas version of Tivoli in Copenhagen, which we had been wanting to do for years.

From there we get into Paris at the end of the Champs-Élysées, Winter Wonderland in London, and the Dutch markets that are now home turf for us: Amsterdam, Haarlem, Den Haag and Leiden. We also talk about Lju...

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Iceland Part 2 picks up on the glacier, where we went snowmobiling for the first time and discovered that an hour on a snowmobile is a much bigger workout than it looks. From there, we get into the ice cave tour and the helicopter ride that became one of the most memorable parts of the entire trip.

We also talk about Reynisfjara and the black sand beach near Vík, the puffin cruise from Reykjavik and our last night in the city during Iceland’s Euro 2016 quarterfinal against France. Along the way the...

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We went to Iceland in July 2016 after finding a $99 fare from Los Angeles on the newly launched WOW air.

In Part 1, we talk about arriving in Iceland and heading straight to the Blue Lagoon, staying in Reykjavik and spending a very long day driving the Golden Circle and South Coast.

We stop at waterfalls, geysers and black-sand beaches, get stuck behind a herd of Icelandic horses on the road and somehow get pulled over for an alcohol check when there is barely another car around.

Part 2 picks...

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Rotterdam is not the Netherlands most people expect, and that’s exactly why we love it.

After living in Rotterdam for four years, we have a LOT to say about this city. In this episode of The Getawayz, we’re sharing the best things to do in Rotterdam, from the Cube Houses, Markthal and Erasmus Bridge to the museums, food halls and some of our favorite ways to get out on the water.

We’re also talking about the WWII bombing that changed Rotterdam forever, the city’s incredible modern a...

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We’ve covered Munich and Oktoberfest before, but this episode is about another side of Bavaria: Franconia. We talk Würzburg, a Baroque wine town where we stumbled into a wine festival at the Würzburg Residence, and Bamberg, a UNESCO-listed old town known for its smoked Rauchbier at Schlenkerla and the hike up to Altenburg Castle. Plus, we talk Nuremberg, our December Bavaria plans and what it’s like traveling through Germany with a teenager and a dog. Full written guides at thegetawayz.com.

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In this episode, we go to the second biggest city in Austria that most tourists skip on the way to Vienna or Salzburg. We stopped in Graz on our road trip to Croatia and liked it so much we came back a week later with Dylan.

We cover the Schlossberg clock tower with its backwards hands, the largest underground slide in Europe, a church with Hitler and Mussolini in the stained glass, a modern art museum that looks like a giant blue blob and a gondola ride up Schockl mountain for...

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SUMMER REWIND: We are wrapping up our summer rewind series with Corsica. Wild beaches, canyoning, natural pools you have to hike to and an island that feels more rugged than anywhere else in the Mediterranean. We talk about how to get there, what surprised us and why Corsica does not get nearly enough attention.

For more, visit www.thegetawayz.com

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SUMMER REWIND: This week we are replaying our Croatia beach guide while we are actually in Croatia right now. We cover the water (it really is that clear), the rocky shores, where to swim and the beaches that are worth the effort to find. If you are planning a Croatia trip this summer, this is the episode to listen to before you pack.

For more, visit www.thegetawayz.com

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SUMMER REWIND: This week it is Puglia. We have spent multiple summers in this region and it is one of our favorite places in all of Italy. We talk about the beaches, the towns, the burrata situation and why Puglia keeps pulling us back. If you listened to our recent Matera episode, Puglia is right next door and the two pair perfectly.

For more, visit www.thegetawayz.com

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SUMMER REWIND: This week we are bringing back our Sardinia episode. We have been three times and each trip taught us something different about the island. We talk about the beaches (some of the best in Europe, honestly), how to get around, where to stay and what we would do differently if we were going for the first time. Three trips worth of honest advice in one episode.

For more, visit www.thegetawayz.com

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SUMMER REWIND: We are replaying some of our favorite summer episodes while we are on the road. This week it is Sicily. We cover the best towns for a summer trip, the beaches worth finding, the street food that will ruin you for any other Italian food and why Sicily deserves way more than a day trip from the mainland. If you are planning a trip to southern Italy this summer, start here.

For more, visit www.thegetawayz.com

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We have been to Cologne twice now and somehow the cathedral still surprises us every time. In this episode we cover everything you need to know about one of Germany's most underrated cities: the Kölner Dom and the remarkable story of how it survived World War II, the Kölsch beer culture that only exists here and the very specific way you have to order it, Old Town, the Rhine Promenade, the chocolate museum on its own little island and the ancient city gate with three-euro spritzes outside it. We also get in...

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In this episode, we go to one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth and one of our favorite spots in all of Italy. Matera is built into limestone caves that people have lived in for at least 9,000 years, it's been called the second Jerusalem and it went from being the shame of Italy to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We talk about the history of the forced evacuation in 1952, the cave churches with medieval frescoes, walking on top of someone else's roof without realizing it, the Salvador Dali exhibition that made...

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In this episode, we go back to the city we called home for over five years, Turin. We make the case for why we think it's the most underrated city in Italy and walk you through everything from the French inspired piazzas to the second largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the world outside of Cairo. We talk about the Shroud of Turin, the Egyptian Museum, the Mole Antonelliana with its incredible cinema museum and the Willy Wonka style elevator that takes you to one of the best views of the city, Palazzo...

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In this episode, we continue our two-part Tuscany series by heading beyond the famous hill towns. We talk about Lucca, Pistoia, Pisa, Viareggio, Greve in Chianti and Pienza, along with the beaches, festivals and food that made us keep going back while we lived in Italy. From Lucca Comics and the giant Carnevale floats in Viareggio to the eight course meat feast at Dario Cecchini and the natural hot springs of Saturnia, this episode is full of the side of Tuscany most people miss on the way to Florence and Siena.

...

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In this episode, we start our two-part Tuscany series by exploring some of the region’s most unforgettable hill towns and wine villages. We talk about Cortona, Montepulciano, Montalcino, San Gimignano, Volterra and Siena, along with the festivals, food and moments that made each place stand out to us. From Christmas markets inside castles to medieval festivals, underground wine caves and pici pasta in Siena, this episode is packed with the kinds of experiences that make Tuscany feel completely different from the big cities.

We also share practical tips about driving in...

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Paris is one of those cities everyone has an opinion about, which is exactly why we put off recording this episode for so long.

In this episode, we’re breaking down how we would plan a first trip to Paris if you have three or four days. This is the actual itinerary Lisa gives people when they ask what to do, based on our own trips, living there for six months and all the things we always go back to.

We talk about starting with a walking tour or a...

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Trying to figure out where to stay in Europe and going back and forth between a hotel and an Airbnb? Same. We do this every single trip.

In this episode we talk through how we actually decide. Not the perfect version, the real version. When we book hotels, when we go with Airbnbs and the times we’ve gotten it completely wrong.

We get into how to choose the right area first because that matters way more than the place itself. Using real examples from Paris, Amsterdam, Florence and Co...

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After a week in Puglia and another on the Amalfi Coast, we headed to Elba Island and it ended up being one of the most unexpected highlights of the trip.

In this episode, we’re sharing what it’s really like to visit Elba, from beach hopping and hiking to the things no one warns you about, like jellyfish stings and the tiny fish that bite your feet. We stayed in Rio nell'Elba, a quieter part of the island that gave us a more local feel and easy access to some of o...

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If you're planning a trip to Croatia and wondering whether to visit Krka National Park or Plitvice Lakes National Park, this episode is for you. We've been to both and they are not the same experience at all.

Krka is an hour from Split, manageable in half a day and a genuinely beautiful introduction to Croatia's waterfall parks. Plitvice is Croatia's oldest national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most extraordinary places either of us has ever been. Sixteen terraced lakes connected by waterfalls, turquoise water so...

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If you've ever seen a photo of Provence in June and thought you needed to go there immediately, same. This week we're talking all things Provence during lavender season, which is hands-down one of the most beautiful places either of us has ever been. Lovely with a capital L.

We cover the lavender fields (yes, you can actually walk into them, unlike the tulips), the farm stands set up along the roads where you can stock up on honey candies, soap and candles and basically anything lavender can be put in...

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Dubrovnik is stunning, but it’s not the effortless postcard people imagine. We’re fresh off a rough stretch of sickness and finally back behind the mic to unpack what Dubrovnik, Croatia actually feels like on the ground: steep cliffside neighborhoods, relentless summer heat, and the kind of views that make you forget your legs are shaking from the stairs.

We walk through our full travel logistics, from taking the Ancona to Split ferry during the COVID era to sitting for hours in blazing heat at immigration, then driving south through the...

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Planning to rent a car during your trip to Europe? Driving can be one of the best ways to explore the continent, especially if you want to visit smaller towns, scenic coastal roads, and countryside regions that are harder to reach by train.

In this episode we share practical tips from driving across Europe in countries including Italy, France, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom.

We talk about the things travelers often don’t expect, including international driver permits, hi...

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We've been to Luxembourg City four times and it started as a total accident. In this episode, we explore the UNESCO-listed upper and lower city, walk the underground Casemates built in the 1600s, stop at the famous Chocolate House right across from the Grand Ducal Palace and share one of our all-time favorite hikes in Little Switzerland. We also talk about what Luxembourg does better than anywhere else in Europe (free, genuinely excellent public transit), what's still on our bucket list for next time and why this overlooked little country just keeps pulling...

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This is Part 2 of our two-part series. After covering Giverny, Honfleur, Étretat and Rouen in Part 1, we head to the D-Day landing sites. The beaches, the history, and the places that make this region unlike anywhere else in France.

In this episode, we walk through Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, Utah Beach and its museums, the craters at Pointe du Hoc, the airborne town of Sainte-Mère-Église with its famous church and we end on a high note at Mont Saint-Michel.

We share what each site is act...

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We have been to Zermatt twice and both trips were completely different.

The first time we drove through a blizzard after a delayed flight into Milan, arrived at 3am, and learned quickly that cars are not allowed in Zermatt. The Matterhorn barely showed itself and wind shut down part of Glacier Paradise.

The second trip was calmer. Clearer views, hiking along the river, Dylan doing the Forest Fun Park ropes course, fondue, hay soup and Matterhorn-shaped chocolate.

In this episode we talk about what it is really...

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Milan is a city we’ve spent real time in. Living nearby meant it was never just a stop on a trip and that changes how you experience it.

In this episode, we talk about what it’s like spending time in Milan. The neighborhoods we kept going back to. The food. The design. How the city works day to day and why it feels different from other places in Italy. We also talk about why Milan makes sense when you give it time instead of rushing through it.

This...

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Erin hosts a fast paced European food trivia showdown with Lisa, Dylan and Meghan, and it got competitive fast. From iconic dishes to regional specialties and a few trick questions, this episode puts European food knowledge to the test.

We cover classic foods people think they know, regional details that spark debate, and questions guaranteed to make you second guess yourself. Play along and see how you stack up before the answers are locked in.

A fun break from traditional travel episodes and perfect for anyone who loves European...

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In Part 2 of our Rhône-Alps series, we continue beyond Chamonix and talk about spending time in Annecy, Aix-les-Bains, Chambéry and Grenoble.

We talk about what Annecy feels like once you’re there, how crowded it can get depending on timing and why it stands out compared to other lake towns we’ve visited. We also talk about Aix-les-Bains and Chambéry as quieter stops, how they felt in comparison and why they worked well without needing much planning.

We end with Grenoble and how different it feels from th...

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The Getawayz is a travel podcast about exploring Europe the way people actually do.

We moved from Los Angeles to Europe in 2017 and have spent years traveling by car, often with a teenager and a dog. We talk honestly about where to stay, what to skip, what’s worth planning around and what we learned the hard way.

If you’re planning a trip to Europe or thinking about living abroad, start here.

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In Part 1 of our Rhône-Alpes series, we’re starting in Chamonix, one of the most iconic mountain towns in the French Alps.

We talk about what Chamonix is really like beyond the photos, how the town feels when you’re walking through it and why it stands out compared to other mountain destinations we’ve visited. We cover the Mer du Glace glacier experience, the ice cave, hiking to Cascade du Dard, where we ate and where we stayed.

This episode is about slowing down, choosing the rig...

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Spending New Year’s in Sweden, in the middle of winter.

We spent New Year’s in Gothenburg with fireworks everywhere, busy streets and just enough going on without overplanning the days. Winter was fully in place and the city felt active without being overwhelming.

In this episode, we talk about how we spent New Year’s in Gothenburg, from walking the city and spending time in Haga to visiting the World of Volvo and Universeum. We share where we ate, where we stayed and how th...

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Europe celebrates New Year’s in ways that are fun, strange, symbolic and older than most people realize. In this episode, we break down the traditions and superstitions that show up across countries like Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Croatia, France, the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland and Sweden. Some places eat twelve grapes at midnight, some wear red underwear for luck, some jump off chairs and Austria has full monster parades designed to chase away bad spirits.

We also look at the food rituals that shape New Year’s across Europe, incl...

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In this episode, we talk about the expectations we all had before living in Europe and how those ideas compare to real life once you arrive. We cover safety, taxes, food and the small cultural shifts that stand out the most. Some things feel easier than expected and others take a little more adjusting, especially during the first year.

Meghan joins the conversation as someone who is still settling into European life, while we share what felt different after living here for years. It is a relaxed and honest look at...

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Europe has some of the oldest Christmas traditions in the world. In this episode we look at where many of them began. We talk about Advent calendars in Germany, the first Christmas markets, and why most of Europe celebrates on Christmas Eve. We also get into regional customs in France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Iceland and the Czech Republic. Some traditions are sweet and familiar, others are unusual and only found in certain corners of the continent. This is a simple guide to the history, food and folklore that shape Christmas in Europe today.<...