Tag: architecture
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Amman’s Ancient Roman Amphitheatre – Discovering Jordan
I have often said to people, “The Romans were everywhere!”. During their empire which last about 500 years, ending in 476 CE, they had constructed many remarkable city structures that still stand today. One type of Roman structure that I have always enjoyed visiting are the theatres, and I cannot help but think of the…
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The Medieval Kerak Castle | Discovering Jordan
I was on the last few days of my tour of Jordan in the Middle East, when I had found myself in the medieval Kerak Castle, and I was in awe. I have been to many castles throughout Europe before, but this was my first in the Levant. This impressive fortification is one of the…
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Cardiff Bay in Wales | Discovering Great Britain
Spending a relaxing day walking through Cardiff Bay was a fun introduction to Wales in Great Britain. We had initially come into Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, to visit the now defunct Dr. Who Experience, which was incredibly entertaining. Besides Dr. Who, we found the bay to be a pleasant way to spend an…
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St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin | Discovering Ireland
Over my travels and education, I have come to find that cathedrals and churches play a great role in Europe’s architectural, art, cultural, and political history. St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin is no exception to that rule. For over 800 years this church has been the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, and today…
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Dublin Castle | Discovering Ireland
Dublin Castle is located in the center of the city, and is considered one of the most important structures of Ireland’s history. It dates back over 800 years when it was built in 1204 as a major defensive work, on the orders of King John of England. After a Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169,…
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Cliffe Castle Museum and Gallery | Discovering England
Cliffe Castle located in Keighley, West Yorkshire is a fascinating place to visit; not only for their interesting exhibitions and collections, but for the Victorian Neo-Gothic home that they are housed in. The building and interiors are stunning, and have been through several transformations since it was first built. It is considered a Grade II…
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East Riddlesden Hall – National Trust | Discovering England
Visiting a manor house in England is just another lovely way to spend time learning about this country’s architecture and lifestyle of centuries past. I am all about exploring older homes and locations, seeing the craftmanship of furnishings and decoratives, as well as feeding my curiosity of how other people lived. East Riddlesden Hall, which…
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Skipton’s Medieval Castle | Discovering England
Skipton Castle located in North Yorkshire is a fine example of an English medieval fortified castle, with over 900 years of history. It was originally built in 1090 by a Norman Baron, Robert de Romile, as a motte and baily type castle, and was later rebuilt in stone to withstand Scottish attacks. Skipton Castle is…
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Duomo di Milano – Milan Cathedral | Discovering Italy
The Duomo of Milan was a labor of love and faith, since it had taken over six centuries to construct. This stunning Gothic style and Renaissance cathedral broke ground in 1386, and was finally completed last century in 1965. The Duomo di Milano is a work of art in its construction, architecture, engineering, and down…
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Historic Centre of Prague – A UNESCO World Heritage Site – Exploring the Czech Republic
The city of Prague has been on the radar of travelers since the fall of communism in the Czech Republic thirty years ago. This city is unlike any other in the world with its unique culture, centuries of history, renowned Czech restaurants, and of course its fairy-tale architecture. I do love Prague, I have been…
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Welcome to Albania! | Traveling Solo in Tirana – A Memoir
“Nice lady, think. You need to ask yourself, why do people not come to Albania?” I was sitting in a loud outdoor cafe with a lit American Spirit cigarette in hand, while looking directly into the eyes of my server. He had just set down a silver bowl of ice cream and a glass of…
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Historic Centre of Riga, Latvia – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
There are so many reasons to love Riga, and every place I visited within the city just added to my “Love List”. The restaurant scene, Bastejklana Park, the Art Nouveau neighborhoods, the markets, the city’s vibe, and its historic centre- just to name a few. ‘Old Town’ in Riga is a charmer, and is the…
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A Trip to Weimar | Discovering Germany
The city of Weimar in central Germany may be overlooked by many visitors who come for holiday to this country. The city itself has a population of about 65,000 people, and is a three hour drive south of Berlin. Although most people have not heard of Weimar, it is a well known city due to…
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Ch̢teau de Caen РCaen Castle | Discovering France
Exploring castles throughout Europe has been a fascination of mine for over a decade, simply due to their interesting history and fortified construction. They are visual remnants and reminders of an era in history where the need for a fortified stronghold (both offensive and defensive) were important forms of land security, as well as a…
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Riga’s Astounding Art Nouveau Scene | Discovering Latvia
Ever since I could remember, I have always found interest in art history, architecture, and design. Even during my school days I looked into becoming an interior designer when I graduated high school, but my life went in a totally different direction. That did not stop me from educating myself; not only through what I…
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The Magic of Machu Picchu | A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Machu Picchu is a place of magic and mysticism, and those who have made the lengthy journey to visit it have experienced just that. Even while looking at photos of this sacred Incan site, it opens up inspiration and wonderment. Machu Picchu’s energy is that powerful and special. It is one of those locations on…
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Bucharest the ‘Little Paris’ | Discovering Romania
The city of Bucharest has been referred to as ‘Little Paris’ since the 1900s, which was a period when the French lifestyle and architecture were very influential to the city. I have been to both Bucharest and Paris, and I did see the similarities with many buildings and monuments. That was as far as I…
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The Magic of Mont Saint-Michel | A UNESCO World Heritage Site
I believe it would be fair to express that viewing images of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France are stirring and magical. It evokes feelings of wonderment and enchantment, and for some possible moments of breathlessness. Mont Saint-Michel was that for me, from the moment I first saw photos when I was young, until the moment…
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Doing Dublin | Discovering Ireland
I first visited Dublin over a decade ago, and have returned a few times since. I without a doubt love this city, and had a lot of fun times here. It is lively, friendly, full of culture, and history. There are museums, beautiful parks, places to party, delicious restaurants, and historical landmarks- something for everyone,…
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Oxford and Cambridge | Discovering the United Kingdom
Oxford and Cambridge are two of the leading and most prestigious university towns in the United Kingdom. Visiting both cities were inspirational- walking the grounds where many of the world’s leaders, intellectuals, scientists, and entertainers spent their youth was unforgettable. The architecture of both university towns was another reason for my two visits, although Oxford…
Trixie Navarre 