Tag: holiday
-
Honda Bay Island Hopping in Palawan | Discovering The Philippines
White sands, azure skies, crystal blue waters, palm trees filled with coconuts, and a starfish or two; not a bad way to spend a December holiday. Honda Bay Island hopping in Palawan is one of the popular ways to experience the islands in the Philippines. There are 7,641 islands in the Philippines, and experiencing just…
-
Oia – Magical Sunsets of Santorini | Discovering Greece
The cliffside village of Oia in Santorini has been one of Greece’s popular locations for centuries. I know that it was one of my favorites when I visited the Grecian Islands, as well as being loved by all those who have visited this town. Oia is magical, and for those who have been they have…
-
Sensational Santorini – Living on the Edge | Discovering Greece
They say that Santorini is “Living on the Edge”. When I visited this sensational Greek island, I understood its meaning. The topography of the island, and its beautiful towns are located along the edges of cliffs, which is quite dramatic. It is a remarkable island to visit, especially if you like life on the edge.…
-
My Return to Galway | Discovering Ireland
It all sounds very theatrical but I did return to Galway, and oh my, how it had changed in seven years. On my most recent visit to Ireland, I had been twice before, so the third time was an absolute charm- especially in Galway. I was exploring the west coast of Ireland, traveling up from…
-
Charming Old Town Krakow, Poland | A UNESCO World Heritage Site
This is where it all began for me, my love for Eastern Europe! Prior to visiting the charming city of Krakow, I had just explored Prague and Warsaw. Both were beautiful cities with great history, but it was old town Krakow that did it for me. The moment that I stepped into the market square,…
-
Quseir Amra – A UNESCO World Heritage Site| Discovering Jordan
“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…
-
Stari Most in Mostar – A UNESCO World Heritage Site – Bosnia and Herzegovina
The first time I saw the Old Stone Bridge of Mostar, was a photo from an American backpacker that I met in Czech Republic many years ago. I could not help but feel that traveler’s pull in my core when I saw the beauty of the stone bridge, which arched over the turquoise Neretva River.…
-
Amsterdam’s Canal Ring – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Discovering the Netherlands
There are many things that come to mind when one thinks of Amsterdam. I know for me it was initially the Anne Frank House, Van Gough Museum, the red light district, smoking pot in coffee houses, and the canals. I have done all of those including more in Amsterdam, but we will focus on their…
-
Stonehenge Experience – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Discovering England
There are a multitude of articles and blogs written about this mysterious UNESCO World Heritage Site, that I figured I would write on my two experiences of visiting Stonehenge. Yes, I have been there twice and not because I loved it so much. Both times I visited Stonehenge it was part of a day tour…
-
Orkney Islands – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring Scotland
Visiting the Orkney Islands was quite the journey for me during my third trip to Scotland. These remote islands are an archipelago at the tip of northeastern Scotland, and quite a ways from Edinburgh or Inverness. I believe that if you really wanted to visit this location, you would really have to want it. I…
-
Hadrians Wall – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring England
Finding myself at Hadrian’s Wall was a long time coming, as I had been wanting to walk along this ancient wall for almost 30 years. Even though I had been to England many times over, I had never made it to Hadrian’s Wall. So when I saw got a glance at the Roman Wall, walked…
-
Seoul’s Deoksugung Palace | Exploring South Korea
Bundled up in a heavy wool coat, furry snow boots, and my Banana Republic teal beanie, I stepped off the metro in search of Deoksugung Palace. It was brisk Mid-December morning in Seoul, and there was a sheet of powdery snow on the ground. This was my first time in Seoul, as well as my…
-
The Historic Seaport Town of Cobh | Exploring Ireland
Approaching the small charming seaport town of Cobh, one would not realize the historic importance it had played in the last centuries. It seems to be a typical seaside town in Ireland, small and unassuming. There is one road going in that hugs the sea, and when you look up you note the colorful structures,…
-
The Jameson Experience | Whiskey Tasting in Midleton, Cork, Ireland
Whiskey has been tied with the Irish culture for centuries, with the word “whiskey” having Gaelic roots. Some of the first recordings of Irish whiskey dates back to 1405, and it is one of Europe’s earliest distilled beverages. So visiting whiskey bars and distilleries while touring the Emerald Isle, should always be included. I have…
-
Jameson Distillery – Bow St | Whiskey Tasting in Dublin, Ireland
Oh, show me the way to the next whiskey bar. Oh don’t ask why. No don’t ask why. – Jim Morrison Whiskey has been tied with the Irish culture for centuries, with the word “whiskey” having Gaelic roots. Some of the first recordings of Irish whiskey dates back to 1405 and it is one of…
-
Blenheim Palace – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring England
After reading about the splendor and grandeur of Blenheim Palace, I wanted to see it for myself. Over the years that I had been to England, I could never find a day tour that took me to Blenheim Palace until most recently. I drive very well on the American side of the road, but driving…
-
What I ate in London – Part 1 – A Food Journal
I have visited London time after time since 2009, and I am not done yet. In fact, Great Britain is my most frequented country that I have visited and explored. For over a decade, I have watched the food scene evolve, and I am excited about it. England is not all about fish and chips…
-
The Grand Cafe | Luxurious Dining in Minsk, Belarus
The Grand Café in Minsk, Belarus was so very grand! This luxurious and sumptuous restaurant was one of the most beautiful old world dining establishments of its kind, that I have been to in Eastern Europe. One of my other favorite grand cafes was Gundel Restaurant in the heart of Budapest, Hungary. Grand Café is…
-
Jardan Kod Krsta | Budva’s Most Famous Restaurant
Budva, Montenegro– Traveling six weeks through Eastern Europe and the Balkans gave me many opportunities to eat at well reknown restaurants. In Budapest there was Gundel and Gerbeaud, in Zagreb it was Agave, and in Budva it was Jardan Kod Krsta. For four decades, Jardan Kod Krsta, a family run restaurant has been Budva’s most…