Tag: europe
-
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…
-
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…
-
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,…
-
St. Michan’s Mummies | Discovering Dublin, Ireland
I will admit that the main reason I stopped by St. Michan’s church in Dublin was to visit the below level crypt, and see their mummies. Yes, there are legitimate mummy’s in Dublin and I did get the opportunity to not only see them, but to touch a mummy finger. I have seen a few…
-
Eden Camp Modern History Museum | Discovering England
During my travels I have visited all sorts of museums including Eden Camp Modern History Museum, located in Malton, North Yorkshire, which was unlike other museums that I have been to. This is a family owned property that originated as a WWII prisoner of war camp, and for over 30 years has been a history…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
What I ate in FRANCE | A Food Journal
France is famous for many things: art, architecture, culture, fashion, and food- just to name a few. Since I first started visiting this country almost fifteen years ago; I had done a lot, seen a lot, and ate a lot. Each region has its own specialties of wines, cheeses, and local dishes; and eating your…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Pristina – Europe’s Youngest Capital | Discovering Kosovo
Visiting Europe’s youngest capital, Pristina, in Kosovo was in the lack of a better word- interesting. It was not a weird or an unpleasant experience, nor was it stunning or a breathtaking destination. It was Kosovo, and unless you have family who live there or emigrating into the country, this location will not be on…
-
Riga’s Bastejkalna Park & Canal Cruise | Discovering Latvia
There is so much to love about Riga, and spending as much time as possible in this enchanting city is a must. I had visited Riga during the summertime in June, when the weather was at its best. The sun was shining, the temperature was quite warm, and everything was in bloom at Bastejkalns Park.…
-
Historic Centre of Warsaw, Poland – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The city of Warsaw was my first introduction to Poland, a country that I would come to love, and had since revisited. My very first encounter with Warsaw was in 2015, and although much has changed, the vibrant historic center has stayed the same. The colorful buildings, cobble stone streets, and medieval city planning of…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
Trixie Navarre 