Welcome to our Destination Page! This is where we share our travel knowledge divided up by country. We’ve been lucky enough to have covered a vast chunk of the world – but we specialize in the continents that we are originally from: North America and Europe. That said, we’ve also been to countries in Oceania and have a few posts covering this region, too.
Below, you can find some information about all the countries we have travel posts for. Just click through on a country to be brought to the country page to see everything we have written about that place. From detailed city guides on things to do and see to day trip ideas and practical transportation posts, here’s our knowledge for Canada, Germany, Scotland, and beyond!
Europe
Ah, Europe. There's no question that Europe is our most covered destination on Penguin and Pia - but for good reason: we call it home half the time!
This culturally diverse continent is made up of snowy mountains in Switzerland, sunny beaches in Croatia, charming old towns in Germany, historical centres the United Kingdom, stunning architecture in in Italy, and so much more!
Whichever part of Europe you end up exploring and whatever your travel style and budget, there are so many things to do and see! We've even gone "off the beaten path" to explore places like Romania, Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina - all of which are beautiful countries that we'd honestly recommend checking out.
Albania
Once an up-and-coming destination that was foreign to visitors, Albania has transformed into a welcoming country open to explore. The busy capital city - Tirana - is a hot spot for great food, history, and cafe culture while the sunny coast around Durrës makes for a getaway on the Adriatic Sea.
Austria
Known for stunning landscapes comprised of lakes and mountains, Austria has no lack of natural beauty for you to experience. Cultural hubs like Salzburg, Graz, and the capital city - Vienna - make for a great city trip while Innsbruck is a hot spot for outdoor sports (especially skiing in the winter)!
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Located in the heart of the Balkan Region, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that should be explored. The beautiful diverse capital city - Sarajevo - offers diversity and a glimpse into a troubled but resilient history, smaller places like Mostar feature natural beauty and the "Stari Most" stone bridge.
Croatia
It is no secret that Croatia offers sun chaser a place to relax. However, there is more to this country than gorgeous islands like Hvar and a vast shoreline that hugs the Adriatic. Krka National Park features waterfalls while Split, Dubrovnik, and the capital city - Zadar - have their share of history, culture and food.
Czech Republic
While it's true the country is known for its cheap beer, the Czech Republic is more than just a cheap weekend getaway. The colourful capital - Prague - is loaded with attractions and history, cities like Pilsen offer up a different side of the country, and Český Krumlov makes a great side trip with a castle to check out.
Denmark
As a one of the jewels of the region known as Scandinavia, Denmark is a country with something for everyone. The capital city - Copenhagen - is known for its colourful Nyhavn Harbour and Little Mermaid, while other cities like Aarhus and the numerous islands throughout the country make for a well-rounded visit.
England
A popular tourist destination and a cultural powerhouse, England often needs little introduction. The sprawling capital city of London is loaded with top attractions while Oxford, Cambridge, and Bath offer rich history. Don't forget about the southern coast at Brighton where you can find a sunny seaside getaway!
Estonia
Small but beautiful, Estonia is a Baltic country with a proud people and a fascinating culture. There's no shortage of green space around the country and the capital city of Tallinn features a UNESCO medieval old town to explore. Coastal centres like Pärnu allow for a beach getaway on the Baltic Sea.
Finland
From the snowy Lapland region famous for the northern lights and reindeer to the busy capital city of Helsinki with its iconic cathedral and island fortress Suomenlinna, Finland is a beautiful country with deep Nordic roots and natural beauty that is prime to explore.
Germany
Since Germany is Lisa's home country, we know and love exploring Germany. From gorgeous old towns in Bamberg and Heidelberg to the big cities of Hamburg, Munich, and the capital Berlin, there is history to learn about and natural beauty spread from the sea to the mountains!
Hungary
While most people know Hungary for the popular capital city of Budapest, there is more to see in the country! Other cities like Pécs and Győr are worth checking out while a cruise of the mighty Danube River allows visitors to see more of the country's natural side.
Iceland
Need a destination that mixes stunning outdoor landscapes with a Nordic culture? Iceland is for you. The capital city - Reykjavik - is a charming city of sights like Hallgrimskirkja while the northern lights and Gullfoss waterfall are things to see from the famed Golden Circle.
Ireland
Showcasing a rich history of tradition, art, and music, Ireland is an island that is just asking to be visited. The capital city - Dublin - is known for many different attractions while cities like Cork and Galway and natural wonders like the Cliffs of Moher should also be explored!
Italy
Italy is another country that needs little introduction. From the ancient capital of Rome that is loaded with attractions to the beautiful coastal walks of Cinque Terre, Italy boasts natural beauty through lakes, the wine region of Tuscany, and the floating city of Venice.
Latvia
Small but mighty, Latvia is a fascinating country sandwiched in the Baltic Region. The capital city of Riga is known for its churches and towers while the countryside around Sigulda offer visitors green landscapes to enjoy. You can also check out the beaches at popular Jūrmala!
Lithuania
Tucked in at the bottom between the Baltics and Poland, Lithuania is a country not usually on the radar of travellers. The capital city of Vilnius is loaded with rich history and hilltop views while Trakai features a castle and Klaipėda makes for a great beach getaway on the Baltic Sea!
Malta
It might be a tiny country, but Malta is one of our favourite countries. With a neolithic history, quaint fishing villages, and seaside cliffs, Malta is packed with things to do and see. The capital city of Valletta is a colourful maze to explore while other islands like Gozo and Comino offer sunny spots for beach days.
Montenegro
Often overlooked for nearby Croatia, Montenegro is a country that can offer travellers a lot. While the capital city of Podgorica may be small, you an discover great hiking in the north of the country. Of course, the country is known for the sun at stunning seaside towns like Kotor, Tivat, Herceg Novi, and Ulcinj!
Netherlands
There is more to the Netherlands than just windmills, wooden shoes, and tulips! The small country in Western Europe is a culture-packed destination with the capital of Amsterdam serving up a canal-infused wonderland. Of course, the coastal areas at The Hague and cities like Rotterdam should also be explored!
Norway
Known for its incredible landscapes and beautiful culture, Norway is a traveller's wonderland in all season. The Capital city - Oslo - is home to attractions like the Operahuset and Royal Palace while the western city of Bergen is known for mountains and fjords. Don't forget about hiking to view points like Trolltunga!
Poland
Poland is a country that should be explored if you are interested in history. The capital - Warsaw - is a modern city with a colourful old town and Royal Castle while the arguably more popular city of Krakow also has a stunning Royal Castle and medieval Town Square.
Portugal
Even though it's bordering Spain, Portugal is noticeably different! While the major cities of Porto and the capital - Lisbon - draw most of the visitors, there are numerous seaside towns that offer visitors sunshine, beaches, great food, and a glimpse into Portugal's seafaring history!
Romania
We fell in love with Romania and definitely think its worth visiting. The capital city of Bucharest features the mammoth-sized Palace of Parliament - while the famed region of Transylvania offers visitors cities like Brasov, Sighisoara, and gorgeous castles like Bran and Peles!
Scotland
Known for the rolling natural beauty of the Highlands with many castles and lochs, Scotland is a country we have a soft spot for. We both lived in the capital - Edinburgh - with its famed Castle, Royal Mile, and Arthur's Seat that you can climb. Other cities like Glasgow and Aberdeen offer a well-rounded sense of Scottish culture!
Spain
Spain is another one of those countries that needs little introduction. You'll find a vibrant culture that celebrates food and music in stunning cities like Barcelona, Bilbao in the north, and the capital, Madrid. Spain also offers visitors rich history through fortresses and seaside escapes in cities like Valencia and Málaga.
Switzerland
For a destination that is a great "Swiss Army Knife", Switzerland fits the bill well. Some visitors might like the capital city of Bern and economic centre of Zurich for great city stops while Switzerland also has a natural beauty enjoyed in the Swiss Alps, the Rhine River in Basel, and the French-speaking southern hub of Geneav.
North America
From stunning mountain ranges and pristine forests to seaside escapes and booming cities, North America is a diverse continent both geographically and culturally.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico are popular destinations - and there are a number of fascinating island nations nearby in the Caribbean and vibrant countries in Central America for you to explore also.
Canada
Eric's home country is loaded with amazing landscapes to discover. Hike the trails near the Rocky Mountains, explore bustling Toronto, wander historic Montreal, visit mighty Niagara Falls, or grab a seafood meal in Halifax - a hub of Atlantic Canada!
United States
It is no wonder the United States of America are so popular - there is just so much to see and do. From exploring historic Boston to hiking the National Parks in California and catching the sun in Florida, the United States truly has something for every travel interest!
Oceania
Sure, many people associate Oceania with sunshine and water - but there is so much more to this diverse region of the world in the Southern Hemisphere.
With populous countries like Australia and New Zealand receiving many of the visitors to the area, don't forget about the tiny island nations like Tonga, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, and Vanuatu!
Australia
A journey to the "Land Down Under" - also known as Australia - is rarely a bad idea! From the booming port city of Sydney to the stunning Blue Mountains, Gold Coast and the vast expanse of the Outback, Australia is a country where you can experience sun, surf, a cultural diversity and a whole lot of nature.
New Zealand
If you are searching for a wide mix of outdoor activities with a chance to catch the sun and even explore vibrant cities, New Zealand might be for you! While Auckland and Wellington are modern cities that boast the nearby ocean, New Zealand also has stunning fjords - and hiking spread across the two islands!