Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal” gave her first radio interview last week with Penny Sansevieri of the ‘Fascinating Authors Radio Show’. Landes discusses finding herself moving to Europe “kicking and screaming” and her gradual emersion into the European culture. Once acclimated, Landes set out to explore her surroundings and ended up visiting 45 different countries throughout the world. She credits her grandparents with giving her the book idea and has spent a total of 6 and a half years so far, traveling Europe on the weekends and snapping pictures.

Landes notes that although travelers should not miss the popular sites in Europe, the lesser known destinations can be just as meaningful, especially if you get to explore them without tourist crowds. For example, Maulbronn Monastery, just outside Stuttgart, Germany, is not a tourist trap and ‘you can explore the hallways as the only living soul’. Almost 1,000 years old and hailed as being in the best condition of any monastery north of the Alps, this monastery delights. Unlike traditional museums that rope you off from exhibits, Maulbronn allows you to “wrap your arms around the enormous pillars and press your cheek against the cold stone”.

Another example of a lesser known site is Schwetzingen Castle and Gardens – “everyone knows Heidelberg Castle, but what about Schwetzingen? It’s only 20 minutes away from Heidelberg and the gardens blow me away every time I visit”. Between the perfect symmetry of the arched hedges and the contract between vivid green foliage and stark white marble statues hidden throughout, Landes notes that this destination should be a ‘do not miss’ for any Germany-bound tourist.