We started our trip in Reims, a quick train ride away from Paris in the heart of France’s Champagne region.

This city is a favourite among travellers keen to explore the local wine culture. While I do recommend a day trip to Avenay-Val-d'Or for gorgeous views of its rolling hills and seemingly endless vineyards from your train window, I believe that Reims is a city that offers so much more.

• Built in the 5th century and predating its more famous counterpart in Paris, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Reims was the site of the coronation of French kings for over 1,000 years. Tip: don’t forget to look up – the cathedral has some of the most beautiful stained-glass windows I’ve ever seen.
• Spend a day exploring the many museums of Reims. Start with a visit to the Musée de la Reddition, built at the site of Germany’s surrender, which ushered the end of World War II in Europe on May 7, 1945. End your afternoon at the Musée Automobile, a dream for vintage car lovers.
• A visit to restaurant L’ExtrA will warm your culinary tastebuds and your heart. This sustainable French kitchen offers delectable plates and has a disability-inclusive team that make for the most thoughtful dining experience.

Nestled on the banks of the river Rhine, Mainz is a city that spoke to my storytelling soul. As a writer and an avid reader, I was enchanted by its half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes, and intricately carved bronze sculptures at every corner and square. And I could almost hear the echoes of printing presses past.

• Walk through the charming Altstadt (Old Town square) and follow the trail to Markt, the buzzing heart of the city, crowned by the towering Romanesque Mainz Cathedral in glowing pink sandstone glory. Afterwards, unwind with a sourdough Pizza at Liesbeth overlooking the Rhine or indulge in a soulful dinner at Pankratz Bistro, with vegetables from their own farm, locally-sourced ingredients, and sourdough bread from their over 20-year-old starter.
• Just outside the city, we visited the idyllic Appel Happel orchard, a small family-run apple farm. There, I did my first ever apple tasting, chugged homemade apple cider vinegar, and devoured sandwiches with strawberry and apple jam made from fruits harvested from the farm. Tour the orchard, taste your way through apple varieties and choose your favourite, and – if the season’s right – roll up your sleeves and pick your own juicy apples off the trees!
• Step inside the Gutenberg Museum and discover how hometown hero Johannes Gutenberg sparked a publishing revolution when he invented the modern printing press in the 15th century. Don’t miss the two original Gutenberg Bibles – these ordinary-looking books have witnessed the world change for centuries and are worth a pilgrimage for lovers of the written word.

We spent the day getting to know the locals and the city of Freiburg, and it pulled me in like a long, warm hug. It energised me with a mouthwatering tour of the farmers market and comforted me with the simple charm of the city’s many canals and Bächle – clear-water streams that line the cobblestoned Old Town.

• Start your morning by exploring the Münstermarkt, the city’s centuries-old farmers' market that spills out in the shadow of its Gothic cathedral. Sip on your favorite morning brew as you wander past stalls brimming with seasonal fruits and vegetables and just-baked bread still warm to the touch. Craving something heartier? Try the legendary Lange Rote – the region’s special long, barbecue sausage.
• Stop for lunch at the Adelhaus, an organic, locally-sourced restaurant that reminded me of sharing meals and stories with friends in my university cafeteria. Fill up your tray with vegetarian-style German dishes and vegan protein, choose from their delicious salad spread, and find a seat among locals and friends.
• Hike up the Schlossberg or hop on the cable car at sunset and appreciate the city view at one of the many observation decks on the hill. Spot the sky-reaching spire of the Freiburg Münster, the medieval city gate Schwabentor, and the red-tinged gable-roof houses of the Old Town.

Zurich has always been special to me – it’s the first city I solo-travelled in as a young woman in my twenties. Even as Switzerland’s biggest city, Zurich possesses a familiar, small-town calm. It has an easily walkable centre, a bursting gastronomic scene, and the mountains feel just a breath away. It was the perfect end to our trip.

• Discover the Old Town through its squares and streets. I loved Lindenhof for its postcard views over the Limmat and the twin towers of the Grossmünster, and Rennweg for its beautifully painted oriel windows that transport you back centuries. Tip: head to the lakefront by the Zurich Opera House and take a moment to breathe in the tranquility of its turquoise-blue waters, swans, and the setting sun.
• Taste the sharp freshness of microgreens grown by permaculture vertical farm startup UMAMI, located within the city of Zurich. Reserve a spot at any of UMAMI’s partner restaurants and experience the flavour explosion of their microgreens, mussels, and sauces. I did a microgreens tasting at their headquarters, and the flavors brought back memories – I could distinctly recall the taste and warmth of my grandmother’s heavy use of mustard in her cooking and my grandfather’s love for radishes during the chilly but sun-drenched north Indian winters.
• Dine at Neue Taverne, a restaurant that puts vegetables in the centre of every plate and creates complex flavor fusions that will stay with you long after your holiday. I always take a recipe home with me from each of my travels, and this time, it was their spelt risotto with a sous vide egg that I recreated at home a month after this trip. It turned out just as good as I remembered.