Capitals of Culture: Exploring Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin

It feels as though everything in Brussels is tinted with gold. From the gilded rooftops of the old houses on the Grand Palace to the foil-wrapped bonbons piled in chocolatier windows, Brussels seems to sparkle and wink at you around every corner. Aside from the lustrous architecture and Trappist ales, this shiny city is probably still best known for its iconic street food options: salty, golden fries, and fluffy, honey-colored waffles.    While a major political center, home of the EU and NATO, don’t be fooled by Brussels stern ‘Eurocratic’ facade. Brussels revels in cheeky humor and mischief. So much so, Brussel’s beloved mascot, the ‘Manneken Pis’, is a statue of a small child urinating into a fountain. The city takes great pleasure in dressing this statue in festive-themed costumes. It’s no surprise that the artist Magritte, one of the great visual tricksters of the 20th century, called Brussels home. After a few days exploring the city, and taking in its sights and scenes, you’re sure to come away smiling.

Bayeux is an old, well-preserved town in Normandy. Most known as the backdrop for the Battle of Normandy, visitors who descend from WWII veterans often feel a special, somber connection to this part of France. On June 6, 1944, otherwise known as ‘D-Day’, thousands of Allied troops landed on Normandy’s Atlantic Coast, with a mission to drive out the German occupying forces. More than 120,000 Allied soldiers died in combat over the next three months. Although victorious, the campaign for Normandy caused the highest number of losses for America in all of WWII. A landscape of remembrance, on a tour of the Norman countryside you’ll see the remains of tanks, aircraft, and military bunkers. Special cemeteries and memorials in the area pay tribute to the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.  Despite the destruction of nearly every neighboring village, the town of Bayeux endured WWII unscathed. Along with all its medieval architecture, the town’s most precious treasure, the Bayeux Tapestry, was miraculously spared. Stitched in the 11th century, the Tapestry tells the story of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England in 1066. As you view the tapestry and stroll through the charming streets of Bayeux, the sweeping cathedral spires and gently flowing River Aure cast you back to another time. A landscape of war, but also remembrance, a trip to Bayeux and Normandy will deepen your appreciation and respect for the past.

Strasbourg, the enchanting capital of Alsace, blends French elegance with German charm in a way that feels utterly unique. This riverside city invites you to stroll through cobblestone streets where half-timbered houses and flower-decked canals paint a storybook scene. At its heart rises the majestic Strasbourg Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece whose spire once made it the tallest building in the world. Nearby, the fairytale district of Petite France beckons with its winding lanes and medieval ambiance. Beyond its old-world beauty, Strasbourg proudly serves as the seat of European unity, home to institutions like the European Parliament. In winter, its world-famous Christmas markets transform the city into a glittering wonderland of lights, aromas, and festive cheer. Whether you’re admiring centuries-old architecture or savoring Alsatian cuisine beside the river, Strasbourg offers an experience that’s both timeless and alive with spirit.

The magic of Paris is undeniable. This is the most romantic destination in Europe, and surely the number one bucket list destination of all time. If you want to say you've traveled, you have to visit Paris at least once.  Along with classic must-sees like the Eiffel Tower and the  Sacre-Coeur, there is so much to see and do in Paris that it helps to narrow it down by interest. Fashion and shopping enthusiast? Look no further than the Galeries Lafayette, Avenue des Champs-Élysées, or the Marais. Art aficionado? Once you're done with the Louvre, make a start on the Musée d'Orsay. History buffs won't be able to walk a block without uncovering a monument to Napoleon or Louis XIV. If you visit Paris with a foodie, be warned — you'll gaze in a lot of patisserie windows, and sample your weight in croissants. Because Paris always has so much on offer, it never grows old.  At dusk, as you stroll the wide boulevards past Haussmann apartment buildings and sharply dressed Parisians, or gaze down at the city from the hill at Montmarte, you might find yourself saying 'Paris Je t' aime'. This is, after all, the City of Love.

A waterside metropolis with a low-key vibe, a visit to Amsterdam is as fun and freewheeling as a fixed-gear bicycle. This is the city where you can let it all go. The streets of Amsterdam chime with bicycle bells and the laughter of people making their way between bars. Yellow wheels of cheese line shop windows, and in springtime, market stalls are abundant with the famous Dutch tulips.      Younger than other cities in the Netherlands, Amsterdam sprang to life in the 17th century, when it became flush with trade from the Dutch colonies. From the gable tipped houses standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the canals to the Rembrandt paintings hanging on the walls of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam is strewn with relics from the Dutch Golden Age. Whether you rent a bicycle, float down a canal, or just sip on an amber-colored lager and watch the world go by, Amsterdam makes a lasting impression from start to finish.

Since the fall of its notorious wall, Berlin’s unification has seen it go from strength to strength. No wonder the city feels like it hasn’t stopped partying since the 1990s. There is so much to celebrate here. Fueled by the robust economy, a thriving tech scene, and straight-up German bonhomie, when you step into Berlin you’ll soon be caught up in its spirit.  For all this gusto, Berlin hasn’t forgotten its troubled past. A visit to Berlin is to bear witness to history. Portions of the wall remain intact, and the city’s Jewish Museum offers a detailed, emotional examination of the Holocaust. Inside the reconstructed Reichstag, every attempt has been made to preserve the parliament’s beleaguered history. The buildings' glass dome addition feels less like a triumphal crown and more like a freshly healed battle scar.  Days in Berlin are easily spent wandering from a cafe to the cultural institutions on Museum Island, or over to the Charlottenburg Palace. By night, crowds wander through the booming bars and nightclubs or gaze upon the floodlit Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column monuments. An international city that can offer something to everyone, Berlin is an unmissable stop on your German journey.