Switzerland opens to US Tourists

As of June 28, 2021 tourists from the US will be allowed to enjoy Switzerland’s amazing scenery, food and history as long as they can show proof of vaccination. With France already open as of middle June, this adds more options to the US traveler. Let us hope that Germany announces the same easing soon!

Exploring Franconia – Burgbernheim

In this time of lockdown and travel restrictions, it’s been fun and interesting to explore what is just around the corner, less than half an hour away from my home base of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. There are so many historic, pretty hamlets and towns. On January 1, we visited Burgbernheim, Middle Franconia, Bavaria. The […]

Rothenburg ob der Tauber under a blanket of fresh snow

A gorgeous place in any weather, medieval Rothenburg and the nearby hamlet of Detwang are splendid after a fresh snowfall. This is the European headquarters since 1999 for European Focus Private Tours. Owner James Derheim lives here full-time. Starting with the winter season of 2021-22 James will be offering winter tours in Bavaria as well […]

Brexit Explained by a Great Writer

A bit dated, from 2016, but worth a read anyway. “It was the woman on Question Time that really did it for me. She was so familiar. There is someone like her in every queue, every coffee shop, outside every school in every parish council in the country. Middle-aged, middle-class, middle-brow, over-made-up, with her National […]

Enjoy Short Videos from Germany During Lockdown

I’ve been in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, my European home base, since March 15. Soon after arrival, I started making little movies lasting less than 4 minutes and posting them to my Facebook page (European Focus Private Tours) as well as YouTube. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/user/DowntownSRQ/videos?view_as=subscriberhttps://www.youtube.com/user/DowntownSRQ/videos?view_as=subscriber During this time of upheaval and no travel, I […]

The Open Window Policy of the Dutch Explained

Those we bring to Amsterdam and other large Dutch cities are always amazed that the Dutch don’t cover their windows with blinds or curtain, as is the case in Germany, for example. The Dutch have long had a philosophy of “Let the light shine in, and my lights inside shine out.” We love it. Now […]