Le Marchés de Noël à Strasbourg, or the Christmas Markets of Strasbourg are something to behold. Christmas Markets, in general, are a wonderful way to spend the short, cold daylight hours of December in Europe. But Strasbourg Christmas Markets ; they just hit differently. So why are the Strasbourg Christmas Markets so good? Maybe it’s the city’s claim as the Capitale de Noël, or the “Capital of Christmas”. Or perhaps it’s the blend of French and German influences, but Strasbourg doesn’t just host Christmas markets; it owns them. With over 300 wooden chalets scattered across the city, each square feels like a festive village unto itself. The heart of it all is the Christkindelsmärik at Place Broglie, one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, dating back to 1570.
Author: Stefan
Stefan Petersen writes about travel, the photos taken along the way, and the in-between moments with family.
Snowflakes and Castles: Capturing the Magic of Neuschwanstein in Winter
Some places live in your imagination long before you ever see them in real life. Neuschwanstein Castle was one of those for me. My earliest memory of it is not a photograph or a documentary but Disneyland. Growing up in San Diego, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle felt iconic, almost real in its own right. It was only much later that I learnt Walt Disney had drawn inspiration from an actual castle tucked into the Bavarian Alps. That detail never really left me. So when we were travelling through Europe in December 2024 with the kids, I knew this was one stop I did not want to miss. We were based in Munich, with the Alps visible in the distance on clear days, and Neuschwanstein was just under two hours away by train. On paper, it was an easy day trip.
Disconnect and Relax: A Weekend at Boomerang Beach
Three and a half hours north of Sydney lies an unassuming area of the world known as Pacific Palms. Nestled on its pristine shoreline sits two beaches that punch well above their weight; Boomerang Beach and Blueys. A popular local surf spot, as well as a weekend getaway for Sydneysiders, Boomerang Beach is a perfect family friendly getaway. It’s also an ideal spot for you and your four legged friend, as you’ll find the whole neighbourhood comes out with their pups for an early morning stroll or a late afternoon walk on the beach. The area is packed with holiday rentals, from cosy beach cottages to modern retreats tucked within the laid-back neighbourhoods. Whether you’re on a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo surf escape, there’s a spot for everyone.
Singapore: A Glimpse into the City of the Future
Singapore is one of those places that defies simple labels. It’s not quite East, not quite West, but it’s a city with a glimpse into the future. It’s tiny on the map but massive in ambition. A former fishing village turned futuristic metropolis, Singapore today is clean, efficient, multi-layered, and a little obsessed with what’s next. It may be your next destination or jumping-off point into South East Asia. Either way, it fits the bill. If you’re planning a visit (or even just dreaming about it), here’s what Singapore really feels like right now and why it’s one of the most fascinating cities to land in. So… What Is Singapore These Days? Singapore is in the midst of a very intentional evolution.
Nara: Deer, Temples & Tranquility Just Outside Osaka
When you think of Japan’s ancient soul, Kyoto usually steals the spotlight. But just under an hour from Osaka lies Nara, a charming city that was actually Japan’s first permanent capital and it has the temples, history, and free-roaming deer to prove it. Perfect for a laid-back day trip, Nara offers a magical mix of serene nature, deep-rooted culture, and some of the friendliest (and hungriest) deer you’ll ever meet. Here’s how to make the most of your one-day adventure from Osaka. The easiest and fastest way is by train. Take the JR Yamatoji Line to Nara Station (~50 minutes). Meet the Famous Deer of Nara Park First stop? Nara Park, home to over 1,000 friendly (and occasionally feisty) Sika deer who roam freely. They’re considered sacred messengers of the gods, and they’re the city’s most iconic residents.
Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama: Finding Peace Among the Crowds
The Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama is one of those places you’ve seen a hundred times before you ever visit. The photos are everywhere. Tall green stalks, a narrow path, soft light, nobody around. Serene. Meditative. Almost mystical. Then you arrive and find yourself shoulder to shoulder with a sea of selfie sticks. That’s the honest version. Arashiyama is stunning. It’s also extremely popular, and the two things are not mutually exclusive. You just have to adjust. Look Up I’d been walking the main path for a few minutes, trying to find a frame that didn’t have someone’s outstretched arm in it, when I did something I hadn’t really done before. I pointed my camera straight up. And there it was. The stalks converge overhead into this extraordinary canopy, bamboo leaning inward from every direction, the sun cutting through in a single shaft of light. No crowds. No selfie sticks.
Hiking Fushimi Inari: What You Find When You Keep Walking
Everyone comes to Fushimi Inari for the same photo. Thousands of vermilion torii gates, lined up one after another, disappearing into the mountain. It’s iconic for good reason. The gates are extraordinary. And yes, I photographed them too. But that’s not what this post is about. Go Early. Keep Walking. I started the hike early, before the tour groups arrived. The sun was still low, the light coming in at angles through the trees, and the famous gate tunnel at the base was quiet enough to actually stop in. That part lives up to it. It really does. Even more so when no one else is around. But Fushimi Inari is a mountain, not just a photo opportunity. The trail keeps going well past where most people turn around, and the further up you climb, the more the place changes character.The crowds thin.
Nanzenji Sanmon Gate: Getting Lost in Kyoto on Day One
Larger than life. This is the immediate feeling I had when I stumbled upon Nanzenji Sanmon Gate on my first day in Kyoto. In the late afternoon sun, fresh off the Shinkansen from Tokyo, I opted for a stroll around the city. In what has since become a tradition for me, I walked out the front of my hotel and opted to go right and get lost. And I got lost. I turned a corner, and there it was. I hadn’t looked it up in any guidebooks, nor had I planned for it. Just a gate, suddenly filling my entire field of view. What You Actually See The Sanmon is enormous. Dark timber, a layered roof that seems to go on forever, framed on both sides by maple trees that in April are this almost impossibly vivid shade of green.
Shibuya Crossing
There’s something almost magical about the chaos of Shibuya Crossing at night. The neon lights dance off the pavement, reflections shimmering in puddles from what is seemingly rain in the rainy season. The crowds move effortlessly, ebbing and flowing in perfect synchrony, as hundreds of people cross the street from all directions. It’s a snapshot of Japan itself: a beautiful blend of organised chaos, where modernity and tradition collide effortlessly. Organised Chaos: A Symphony of Movement The first time you experience Shibuya Crossing, it feels like its the heart of Tokyo, an intricate web of people and motion that seems to hum with purpose. It’s often said that Japan is a country where order exists in the most unexpected places, and Shibuya is the epitome of this concept. Despite the throngs of people rushing to their destinations, there’s an unspoken rule of harmony that governs the chaos.
Kinsol Trestle
Kinsol Trestle, nestled in the heart of Vancouver Island, is a fun and picturesque spot on Vancouver Island. The opportunity to capture the Kinsol Trestle against the backdrop of towering forests would normally have been fairly straightforward. However, like many photographers know, nature can be as unpredictable as it is awe-inspiring, and my visit to Kinsol Trestle was no exception. The Allure of Kinsol Trestle The Kinsol Trestle is the largest timber trestle bridge in the world. It is an absolute gem for nature lovers, and photographers alike. Standing 44 metres (144 feet) above the ground, with a length of 187 meters (613 feet), it spans the Koksilah River and provides a sweeping panoramic view of the surrounding forest. The dense forest setting adds a mystical quality to the scene. The bridge’s weathered wood stands in stark contrast to the natural beauty of the landscape.
Thornleigh Through the Lens: Nature, Trails, and Hidden Beauty on Sydney’s Fringe
Nestled on Sydney’s fringe, less than 30km from the CBD, Thornleigh might not be the first place that comes to mind as a destination when visiting New South Wales’s capital city, but for outdoor enthusiasts, it’s a suburb that you shouldn’t overlook. It’s also one I am fortunate enough to call home. This quiet suburb offers a surprising blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle. And the best part? It’s only a quick train ride from Sydney’s bustling CBD. So grab your camera and your mountain bike, visit the trails, and get ready for some top notch photography opportunities. A Photographer’s Playground in the Gumtrees For anyone with a camera in hand, Thornleigh delivers a range of stunning scenes. At the heart of its appeal is the Berowra Valley National Park, which hugs the suburb’s edge.
Shipwreck Beach: Where We Said Yes
The beach in front of the Grand Hyatt Kauai is not the best beach on the island. The waves are almost always rough, the shore break is serious, and in three or four trips back I could count on one hand the number of times I actually got in the water there. They have an exceptional pool for a reason. But at sunrise, with the lava outcrops catching the early light and the cliffs framing the whole scene, it’s something else entirely. That’s the shot. Not the postcard version of a Hawaiian beach. The real one. Raw, dramatic, and completely indifferent to whether you’re comfortable in it or not. It’s also where I got married. Halfway Across the World My wife is Australian. I’m from San Diego. There’s no logical halfway point between those two places unless you count the middle of the Pacific Ocean, which lacks chairs.
Battery Spencer: The Best View in the Bay Area
I lived in San Francisco for eight years. Eight years of working in the city, seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, but not appreciating it for what it was. I didn’t know much about Battery Spencer, and, frankly, I never went. It took moving to Australia and flying back on a work trip to finally do it. The Friend Who Made It Happen I’d stayed in touch with a mate from the BMW car club I was part of back in my San Francisco days. A chef, a photographer, and just generally a good human being. The kind of person who, when you’re back in town for a few days and mention you’ve never been to Battery Spencer, says, ‘Let’s go tonight.’ He’s since visited me in Australia.
Chicago in November: Cold Fingers, Warm Lens
My brother and I don’t need much of a reason to travel together. We just need a good enough one. Brett Favre was retiring. Or so we thought. The Packers were playing the Vikings on Monday Night Football at Lambeau Field, and it felt like the kind of game you’d regret not seeing in person. So we did what made complete sense at the time. I flew from San Francisco, he flew from San Diego, and we met in the middle. Chicago first. Green Bay second. Two brothers in their twenties, first time in either city, no real plan beyond the game. The City Getting Ready Chicago in November is cold in a way that San Diego and San Francisco don’t prepare you for. Not unpleasant cold. The kind of cold that has texture to it.