Tag: landscape
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Aran Islands – Inis Mor | Discovering Ireland
Exploring the Aran Islands was one of those “off the beaten track” trips that I had taken while traveling through Europe. They are not resort style islands with sandy beaches, and vacationers tanning on beach towels. The Aran Islands were rocky, cold, and windy. The ferry ride from Galway was frigid, and far from being…
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A Day on the Dingle Peninsula | Discovering Ireland
The Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, and Killarney in Ireland had been on my radar for many years. I had already traveled to Ireland twice prior, but never to the south western tip; home to the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry. On my most recent trip to Ireland, I decided to explore the…
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Cusco – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Discovering Peru
Sitting at the top of a double decker tour bus can give you a unique view of a city. While visiting Cusco we hopped onto a double decker bus serendipitously, and before we even left my eyes were on the people of the city. I was intrigued how they moved throughout this ancient Incan city,…
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Redwood National Park – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring California
I remember the first time I read about the Redwood National Park in elementary school, and how even back then I felt that traveler’s pull that I often speak about. I can still recall those photos of the giant ancient redwoods, and as a child I was struck by their enormous size and peaceful energy.…
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Rocky Mountain National Park | Exploring Colorado
Love that Rocky Mountain high! Colorado has been one of my favorite states to explore, and I have done it several times over. This state’s natural beauty and magnificent landscapes has always given me that ‘Rocky Mountain High’, thank you John Denver. Colorado offers a variety of remarkable sceneries from desert monuments, to urban cities,…
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Colca Canyon, Condors & The Peruvian Andes | Off the Beaten Track
Watching the majestic Andean condors soar over Colca Canyon was high on my list of things to do in Peru. Matter of fact, Colca Canyon is located in the Peruvian Andes which makes it extremely high in altitude. The combination of the condors being high on my list, as well as the 16,000 feet high…
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Hvalfjörður -Hval Fjord | An Unforgettable ICELANDIC Road Trip
There are many places to road trip in this world and heaven knows that I have I done many. There was one unforgettable road trip that has always stayed with me, and that was through the Hval Fjord in Iceland. In fact, both of my most memorable road trips have been in this country. The…
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Madrid’s El Retiro Park – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Discovering Spain
A walk through the picturesque El Retiro Park makes for a tranquil afternoon for both locals and tourists alike. I had strolled the park gardens several times during my visit to Madrid, and it was a relaxing time away from the busyness of the city’s bustle. The park is one of the largest in the…
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Berat – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Discovering Albania
The Ottomaon-era town of Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an exceptional location in Albania with centuries of historical and cultural significance. This is a town that is known for its religious tolerance, unique architecture, and is famously called the “Town of a thousand windows.” When I explored Berat, I was on my own…
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Ch̢teaux of the Loire Valley РA UNESCO World Heritage Site | Discovering France
Exploring the châteaux of the Loire Valley was quite a special experience while I was visiting France. I have seen a numerous amount of palaces, castles, and chateaus throughout Europe, but there was something very distinctive about Loire Valley and its châteaux. There are over three hundred in the region that range from traditional fortified castles…
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Prague’s Charles Bridge – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring Czech Republic
Crossing Prague’s Charles Bridge is one of the most popular things to do when visiting the city. I know it has been for me, and have done it many times over with my visits to Czech Republic’s capital city. It is the most scenic and charming walking routes to the old town, as well as…
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Connemara National Park | Discovering Ireland
Visiting Connemara in County Galway along the westside of Ireland was balancing scale of emotions for me. It was joy of being out in a magnificent natural landscape, and sadness from its history of famine and loss. Many people come to Connemara for photography, outdoor recreation, or a relaxing getaway for a few days. There…
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Historic Centre of Cesky Krumlov – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring Czech Republic
If you make it to Prague then you need to make your way to Cesky Krumlov, which is about 2.45 hours by train. I found this South Bohemian town to be enchanting and charming. It was also less crowded than Prague, which is the main city that everyone travels to when visiting Czech Republic. There…
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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…
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Rock Hewn Churches of Ivanovo in Bulgaria | A UNESCO World Heritage Site
There are many fascinating sites in this part of the world (Eastern Europe), and the Rock Hewn Churches of Ivanovo can be categorized as fascinating in my book. I have been to hundreds of churches, cathedrals, convents, and monasteries during my travels; but this church that was hewn out of solid rock in beautiful Bulgaria…
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Searching for Nessie – Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands
Cruising the Loch Ness on a beautiful summer day was a highlight for me while visiting Inverness, Scotland. What would have made it more perfect was if we spotted Nessie. We did spot calm blue waters, an expansive sky, and the Urquhart castle which was good enough for me. I did not know what to…
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Glendalough Monastic Site | Exploring Ireland
Ireland has been one of my favorite countries to visit due to its lush green landscapes, and natural beauty that I have been back several times over. One of my favorite locations is Glendalough, meaning “two lakes”, and is located on the east coast within County Wicklow. The landscapes are awe-inspiring with trails to take,…
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The Ring of Brodgar – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring Scotland
On a gray, misty and nippy September day, I found myself standing in front of the ancient Ring of Brodgar in Scotland. To be more precise, I was on the Orkney Islands along the Northeastern coast, which is an archipelago of Scotland. Orkney is at the tip top of Scotland, and quite a ways from…
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Banaue Rice Terraces – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring the Philippines
Getting to the Banaue Rice Terraces in the remote mountains of Banaue, Ifugao in the Philippines was tiring, adventurous, and laughable. The visit to the rice terraces was awe-inspiring, relaxing, educational, and fed my need for exploration. I brought back with me knowledge, memories, stories to tell, and carved figures made from local wood. The…
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Das Kehlsteinhaus – Hitler’s Eagles Nest | Exploring Germany
While visiting the Kehlsteinhaus, aka Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, an idea struck me that made me ponder how over time a place can change its intention, and the energy it holds. Let me break that down a bit more, as it may sound rather woo-woo. As I was taking the above photo of the bleak building…
Trixie Navarre 