Gastronomy – Travel – Culture
Arequipa Basilica Arequipa, also known as La Cuidad Blanca or the "White City", was an extraordinary Spanish colonial city in Peru to visit. In hindsight, I wish that I dedicated more time here to stay and play. The city of Arequipa was magnificent to see with its 16th - 17th century Baroque facades, and elaborate… Continue reading Picturesque Arequipa – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Discovering Peru
The Palace of Versailles was just so very! The culture, history and politics of France are woven right into this palace; from the glorious gardens, the extravagant Royal Apartments, to its famous Hall of Mirrors. There are centuries of historical moments and various incarnations of the Palace of Versailles, each one intriguing in its own… Continue reading The Palace of Versailles – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Discovering France
In all of its extraordinary pretentiousness the Paris Opera House was stunning, and I loved it. The Opera House was designed using classical and Baroque architecture using elaborate materials such as crimson velvet, crystal, gold leafing, and marble. It was masterfully designed throughout its interior, and is truly a pièce de résistance. Paris Opera House… Continue reading The Palais Garnier – Paris Opera House | Discovering France
Finding myself standing alone on the abandoned 1984 Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh & Luge track, was in the simplest and most overused American adjectives- Amazing! Greetings from the Bobsled Track, Sarajevo! I had just learned about it hours before while I was on a free walking tour of Sarajevo. I overheard another traveler talking about it… Continue reading The Abandoned 1984 Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh & Luge Track | Bosnia and Herzegovina
While on a four country holiday, my friends and I decided on a quick side trip to Glasgow while we were in Dublin, Ireland. It would be my first trip to Scotland but not my last. I enjoyed the country so much that I revisited Scotland two more times after. Glasgow was my introduction to… Continue reading A Visit to Gorgeous Glasgow | Discovering Scotland
Road Tripping along America's Mother Road- Route 66, or along Interstate 40, has been an adventure for me in the last two decades. At times it was a quick drive where I stopped for sleep, a meal and gas. While there were other trips that I took my time and stopped off at the Grand… Continue reading Route 66 via Arizona | America Road Tripping
When I crossed the Bridge of Sighs over the Rio de Palazzo canal, and glanced through the stone lattice windows, I had comprehended why its name came to be. The Bridge of Sighs was not named after a romantic sentiment of gazing at the white limestone bridge, watching gondolas breeze by, and breathing a big… Continue reading Doge’s Palace & the Bridge of Sighs | Discovering Venice, Italy
Strolling the cobblestone streets of old Rothenburg ob der Tauber was like diving into the pages of the storybooks that I used to read as a child, or to my daughter when she was a little girl. I had read about the town and saw photos prior to my visit, but seeing it first hand… Continue reading Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria | The Storybook town of Germany
I have been to many of "the oldest" places during my travels- the oldest in the city, the oldest in a country or the oldest in world. You can simply call it a fond fascination for places that are the original, the first or the oldest. So when I was in Tallinn, Estonia and came… Continue reading Raeapteek – Europe’s Oldest Pharmacy | Discovering Tallinn, Estonia
I could have stayed longer in Regensburg. Although truth be told, I could have stayed longer in Bavaria and one day (or month) I will do just that. Old Town Regensburg, besides the other towns that I have written about is why I fell in love with Germany, and particularly the state of Bavaria. Regensburg… Continue reading Old Town Regensburg – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring Germany
Hello from Wawel Castle Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site junkie, visiting the Wawel Royal Castle was pure joy for me. The castle complex is part of The Historic Centre of Krakow, which was designated as a UNESCO site in 1978, and is one of the first 10 sites ever listed. I always get a… Continue reading Krakow’s Wawel Royal Castle – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Discovering Poland
Looking at the red brick façade of St. Mary's Basilica, one would not expect the magnificent interior of this 13th century cathedral. When I had entered St. Mary's, I was overwhelmed with its ornately painted murals of cornflower blue, burgundy, and gold. My eyes scanned the details from the rich wood pews, gold carved alters,… Continue reading St. Mary’s Basilica – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Krakow, Poland
The city of Heidelberg was a fascinating place to visit while I was traveling for a month throughout Germany. It is one of the country's most educated cities, with centuries of history and habitation, as well as being an atmospheric town along the River Neckar. Heidelberg is full of culture, and was designated a "City… Continue reading Historic Heidelberg – A UNESCO Creative City | Discovering Germany
"Go ahead, please lick the walls!" We were encouraged by our Wieliczka salt mine guide to lick the salt walled caves. I scanned our group to see if anyone was taking him up on that offer, but everyone had the same perplexed look. Was he serious? He was very serious, as salt is a natural… Continue reading The Underground World of the Wieliczka Salt Mines – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring Poland
When I had visited the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum in Bucharest, I was told by locals that I was going to see the "Real Romania". This open-air museum which is located on the King Michael I Park, showcases the traditional village life of Romania. It houses 272 authentic peasant farms, structures and homes that… Continue reading Bucharest’s Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum | The Real Romania
The city of Cologne was an extraordinary city to visit while I was on a month exploration trip of Germany. The city is the largest along the Rhine River, and has immense culture with marvelous museums, fantastic dining, as well as the treasured Gothic cathedral. Visiting the cathedral was one of my highlights while visiting… Continue reading Cologne Cathedral – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring Germany
"We are also going to a sand castle!" is all my friend said when we were exploring northern Jordan, close to the Iraq border. At one point, I saw a sign that we were 300 km (186 miles) to the Iraq border, and was a little surprised because I had no idea which direction we… Continue reading Quseir Amra – A UNESCO World Heritage Site| Discovering Jordan
One of my highlights while visiting the beautiful hilly town of Veliko Tarnova in Bulgaria was visiting the mighty Tsarevets Fortress. It sat high on the hills overlooking the town and was surrounded on three sides by the river Yantra. The views from the fortress were amazing, as well as strolling through this medieval town… Continue reading Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnova | Discovering Bulgaria
Visiting Sanssouci Palace was as beautiful as the sound of its name. Although it was a drizzly day when I went, the splendor of this palace in Potsdam, East Germany was brilliant. I had specifically come to Potsdam from Berlin to visit Sanssouci, and was not disappointed. Sanssouci Palace, which means "without worries" or "carefree",… Continue reading Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Discovering Germany
When I had first posted my photos on social media of my visit to the House of Ceauşescu, I got mixed reviews after my Romanian-American friend re-posted them. The thoughts of some were upsetting, especially for her friends that had lived through Nicolae Ceauşescu's dictatorship regime. My friend had explained that it was more informative… Continue reading The House of Nicolae Ceauşescu | Discovering Romania
Trixie Navarre 