stories to feed your wonderlust

Christoph Dressler Christoph Dressler

commemorating d-day

June 6, 1944 – 80 years ago, the greatest amphibious invasion in history unfolded on the beaches of Normandy. It was here that extraordinary courage paved the way for the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany. While the sacrifices of that day are well-documented, Dressler Detours embarked on a uniquely profound journey to honor these heroes, made even more meaningful by the young learners who joined us.

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Taunya Dressler Taunya Dressler

persephone’s island

The story of Persephone captures the heart of Sicily, a place where ancient ruins stand in symphony with modern mayhem, snow capped volcanoes paint the skyline, and the spice of life is present in everything from its cuisine to its language.

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Taunya Dressler Taunya Dressler

Who Was Romania’s Real Count Dracula?

Who was Romania’s real Count Dracula? The truth may be more macabre than the legend! Dracula is a character woven into Romania’s history as both hero and shadow, embodying the mystery and allure of this land.

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Taunya Dressler Taunya Dressler

Solar Maximum 2025

Why Finland could boast the best seats in the house for Northern Lights viewing in 2025.

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Taunya Dressler Taunya Dressler

Cloud Forests to Coral Reefs

Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica is a tropical paradise that calls out to those who crave the perfect blend of relaxation, excitement, and ecological exploration. With its lush rain forests, misty cloud forests, active volcanoes, and pristine beaches, Costa Rica offers a bit of everything, but it’s the pura vida, or pure lifestyle, that animates the heart of this country.

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Christoph Dressler Christoph Dressler

Strawberries & Landmines

“What was it like to grow up in East Germany?”

I get that question all the time. Just the other day a close friend sheepishly confessed to me, “I am somewhat confused about this inner-German wall you talk about. I always wonder, if The Wall separated East and West Berlin, why didn’t people just walk around it? You’re telling me it extended all along the East-West border? And you lived right next to it? What was that like?”

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Taunya Dressler Taunya Dressler

Celebrating 100 Years in French Polynesia

This month we collectively turned 100, celebrating our 50th birthdays the first week of August. We chose to observe this auspicious event in French Polynesia. This remote French territory in the South Pacific is reputed for its luxury overwater bungalows and paradise-perfect beaches, but we had a hunch there’s more to it than that.

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Taunya Dressler Taunya Dressler

Conquering Carry-On Only Packing

As former tour guides, we were accustomed to living out of carry-on suitcases for long stretches. We understand how daunting it can be to compile the perfect carry-on composition for international travel.

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Taunya Dressler Taunya Dressler

Delphi’s timeless call

When you visit Delphi for the first time—or the twentieth—the site’s natural beauty steals your breath, and you appreciate just how much of an aesthete Apollo was to select that particular hillside as the location of his most significant oracle.

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Taunya Dressler Taunya Dressler

sicily’s aeolian islands

Dotting the Tyrrhenian Sea off the north coast of Sicily lay the Aeolian archipelago, a strand of seven volcanic islands cast amid expansive blue waters, white sands, and volcanic pumice.

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Taunya Dressler Taunya Dressler

aeolian islands in myth

Aeolus was the god and keeper of the winds who resided on the floating island of Aeolia. He helped Odysseus on his journey home from the Trojan War, warmly welcoming him and his crew and offering them hospitality for a month.

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Taunya Dressler Taunya Dressler

The cyclops & nobody

Polyphemus was one of the Cyclopes, a race of one-eyed giants, sons of Poseidon, the god of the sea and earthquakes. He lived in a cave at the base of Mt. Etna on the island of Sicily where he tended to his sheep.

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Taunya Dressler Taunya Dressler

high on prophecy

"Know thyself" (gnothi seauton) and "Nothing in excess" (meden agan) are two famous inscriptions that adorned the forecourt of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.

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Christoph Dressler Christoph Dressler

D-day turns 80

On June 6, 1944, D-Day, American forces faced some of the most intense and challenging conditions at Omaha Beach. The beach was heavily fortified with German defenses, including bunkers, artillery, machine-gun nests, barbed wire and mines.

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Christoph Dressler Christoph Dressler

Gemütlichkeit & clean boots

My childhood memories are rooted in the Thüringen forest in winter. A Brothers Grimm, fairy-tale kind of place, the dark forest was my playground that spilled into the glowing warmth of the village.

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