In honor of Father’s Day 2015, we asked a group of fellow travel writers to reflect on their favorite travel memories with their fathers.

Germany’s relationship with Jewish history is painful. But this is not that story. This is the remarkably unlikely story of one of Europe’s greatest treasures hidden for centuries. This is the story of a history lost – and rediscovered under unlikely circumstances. This is the story, the legend, of the Erfurt Treasure and the Old Erfurt Synagogue.

Don’t get me wrong – we like animals, including birds. Sometimes. But to be a true, diehard birder you have to be willing to go to extremes. Or be very patient. And we are neither.

Planted in the heart of the Barcelona’s modern Eixample neighborhood, a hidden oasis blossoms in the Mediterranean sun. Far from the chaos of La Rambla, visitors find peace and quiet in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. The Praktik Garden Hotel in Barcelona is a secret find for the visitor looking to enjoy the heart of the city in a relaxed venue.

Riga’s Art Nouveau neighborhood couldn’t be further from my misconception of what a visit to the Baltics would look like.

A hot air balloon flight is one of the most magical ways to explore a destination. This ride over the Lithuanian countryside was truly unforgettable.

I learned one key lesson in Nepal: never underestimate the resiliency of the Nepalese people. When you are born into one of the poorest countries on earth, you don’t have the luxury of failing. The Nepalese people have always found a way to overcome. In the aftermath of the Nepal Earthquake, I’m confident they will rebuild their lives…with a smile on their faces. That’s what you do in Nepal.

The State of Travel Blogging 2015. This year’s TBEX Europe underscores how far travel blogging has come. And how far it still has to go.

The Romantic Road. Those three words conjure up images of fairy tales and charming little villages. For years, despite numerous trips to Germany, I’ve avoided what is arguably the best known holiday route in the world. I had a lot of preconceptions about the Romantic Road – some were true and some were just legends. One thing is for certain, The Romantic Road in Germany was a complete surprise.

In the South every type of soda is called “coke,” even in Texas, the home of Dr Pepper. But make no mistake, the old red-brick bottling plant in downtown Waco that now houses the museum is 100% focused on the local creation.