Tag: castle
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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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The Colonial Quarter & Castillo de San Marcos | Historic St. Augustine, Florida
Prior to the Pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock and before the English colony of Jamestown, there was St. Augustine in Florida. It was founded as a settlement in 1565 by Pedro Menendez de Aviles, which makes it the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African American origin in the United States. I had come…
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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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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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The Marvelous City of Milan | Discovering Italy
Milan is just one of those cities that stir up grandiose fantasies of chic high-end fashion, and sophisticated retail therapy. Shopping certainly is one of Milan’s high points, but there is a lot more to this marvelous city. Milan is the capital of Lombardy, and for centuries it has been a center of wealth, art,…
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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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Château de Caen – Caen 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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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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Edinburgh Old & New Town – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring Scotland
Edinburgh was everything that I was hoping it would be and more. I enjoyed my first round so much that I came back again a couple years later. Much of my love for this city was the majestic Old Town neighborhood, and the Royal Mile. Although New Town Edinburgh was quite exciting too, and where…
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Palacio Real de Madrid – The Royal Palace of Madrid | Discovering Spain
During my travels, I have always found myself exploring castles, old fortress, and palaces; I suppose it is one of my travel obsessions. I have been to so many that I lost count a few years ago, but then again I was never counting. In my own mad way, visiting former royal residences has always…
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Welcome to York | Discovering England
Welcome to York! This vibrant city in northern England has been a favorite of mine while traveling throughout the United Kingdom. The times that I had visited were always filled with fun and funny moments; from climbing the tower of York Minster, to a ghostly episode inside the city’s most haunted pub. There are no…
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Loches -The Most Beautiful Detour | Discovering France
Loches is lovely. I will always remember walking through its ever so charming streets, and thinking how it felt- like stepping into a book of French Impressionist paintings. The canals running through the sweet neighborhoods, the floating lily pads, the Weeping Willow trees, and the old castle that overlooked the town; it all felt familiar…
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The Extraordinary Edinburgh Castle | Discovering Scotland
Edinburgh Castle is by far my most favorite in the United Kingdom. I have been to numerous fortified castle structures throughout Europe and the UK, and this one has always stood out. It was just not the castle alone, but the encompassing of old town Edinburgh, the Royal Mile, and the castle that created a…
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Old Town Bratislava | Discovering Slovakia
“Do you know if there is a train coming in soon?” – “Oh yes, very soon, they are building it now” That humorous scene from the movie Euro Trip, how it depicted Bratislava as being deplorable, and a backwards city was very far from the truth. The scene was funnier than hell though. I am…
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Prague’s Castle District | Discovering the Czech Republic
Visiting a European castle has been one my travel obsessions for awhile, and I have been to my fair share of them. I have found that there are good castles and there are great ones, and Prague Castle is one of the great ones. I enjoyed it so much that I have been twice, but…
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Fougères – A Little Gem in Brittany | Discovering France
Visiting small towns such as Fougères, has always held a special place in my heart while traveling through Europe. They are simple, charming, and less traveled. Fougères is all of that, and on a warm summer day when the sky is clear a stroll through the old town, and castle can make for a glorious…
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King John’s Castle in Limerick | Discovering Ireland
The first time I viewed King John’s Castle was several years back while I was in Limerick, and on my way to the Cliffs of Moher. We were briefly in the city, and I was standing at the River Shannon when an old stone fortified structure was pointed out. It was the castle that belonged…
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Top Museums of PARIS | Discovering France
Paris is one of the world’s most famous cities for art and culture, and is one of my favorite locations for museum hopping. From Picasso to Monet; archaeology to architecture; Renaissance paintings to modern sculptures – it can all be found in the museums of Paris. Throughout my trips to Paris, I have visited several…
Trixie Navarre 