Welcome to The Artful Passport

I’m Sandi, a longtime corporate marketer who’s now a travel blogger and trip planner. Since 2006, my husband, David, and I have traveled to a different part of Europe each year for great food, culture, and scenery. I’m creating The Artful Passport to share tips and special lodging ideas to help you plan a different kind of trip to Europe.

Pensione, Guarda, Switzerland — Local color: Decorated pensione in Guarda, Switzerland

Go Off the Beaten Path

Instead of doing whirlwind tours, David and I focus on small regions where we sample local customs and connect with local people. While we enjoy the hubbub and culture of big cities, we also love to spend time on quiet back roads and do hikes in alpine settings.

Off-the-beaten path: Neusiedler See National Park, Illmitz, Austria

Find Out About Customs, People, and Nature

Wherever we go, we try to learn about an area’s history and ways of life. Our trips give us lots of chances to meet new people and sample local attractions. In the process, we discover unusual ways to experience the countries we visit. So, we think of ourselves as explorers rather than tourists.

Now, you can use this same “local” approach to unlock a side of Europe that many travelers overlook. Plus, you’ll get ideas for your own adventures.

Local customs: Vineyard at Quinta da Pacheca, Lamego, Portugal

It isn’t just in the countryside that you find off-the-beaten-path places. When David and I visit cities, we find neighborhoods that aren’t on a tourist map. Our philosophy is to look for charm in uncommon places.

View of Ribeira neighborhood, Porto, Portugal

What You’ll See on The Artful Passport

When you read The Artful Passport, you’ll find stories about rural life and unusual urban highlights that you may not find in other places. You’ll also see interviews with travel bloggers, local artists, and Europe experts. The idea is to bring you different points of view to help you plan your trip.

Insight from Experts: Museo Diffuso della Resistenza, Turin, Italy

My posts will focus on countries that I’ve visited recently: Switzerland, Italy, Hungary, Portugal, Austria, and Poland. I’ll offer you tips based on my own experience. To expedite your planning, I’ll include great museums, scenic places for day hikes, and unique lodging serving local dishes.

In The Artful Passport, you’ll get ideas for places to visit plus chances to ask questions and comment on posts.