Tag: tourism
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Ch̢teau de Caen РCaen 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 Picturesque City of ROUEN – Discovering Normandy, France
Joan of Arc, Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series, and the city’s half timbered architecture all play a small role in Rouen’s allure. I found this city to be intriguing and unforgettable, although I still cannot pronounce “Rouen” correctly to this day. It is a picturesque medieval city along the River Seine in the northern region of…
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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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The Ring of Kerry | 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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Visiting Minsk – A Memoir | Discovering Belarus
Due to the conflict with Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, I was debating on posting this blog. The country is currently in the red zone of Travel Advisory, of do not travel. I am doing it anyways, in the hopes that Belarus soon will be once more be free to travel in. I was standing at…
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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…
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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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The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice | Discovering Italy
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection was a favorite of mine while visiting Venice, I enjoyed everything about it. The collection of modern art is brilliant and housed inside the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, an 18th century palace on the Grand Canal. The whole museum scene is to be appreciated – the renovations made to the palazzo are…
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Historic Centre of “Old Town” Tallinn, Estonia- A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Crossing into Estonia was a big travelers milestone for me. Four years prior I had visited Krakow, Poland and fell in love with Eastern Europe. I promised myself that I would visit every country in East Europe, which included the Balkans and Baltic States. It took me four years of solo traveling back to Europe…
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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,…
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The Picturesque Peles Castle | Discovering Romania
Peles Castle was one of the most picturesque palaces that I had visited throughout Eastern Europe. The wood framed exterior reminded me of Bavaria, another European region that I have always enjoyed. It was built between 1873 and 1914, although its inauguration was in 1883. It was constructed in the Neo-Renaissance style for King Carol…
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The Underground World of the Wieliczka Salt Mines – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring Poland
“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…
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Cologne Cathedral – A UNESCO World Heritage Site | Exploring Germany
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…
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Philippine’s Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
I have been into numerous caverns and caves over my lifetime, so my curiosity about the Underground River in the Philippines got the best of me. One year, I decided that we should take a family trip to my parents homeland to ride canoe-like boats into a dark cave. We flew from Las Vegas to…
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York Minster & St. Mary’s Abbey Ruins | Discovering York, England
“Climb to the top for lovely views!” That was what I was told prior to my visit to York Minster. I was ready for it. The Central Tower of York Minster is the highest point in the city, and offers magnificent panoramic views of York. The climb is 275 steps up inside a medieval winding…
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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…
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Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami | Discovering Florida
As a person who always had a fascination with art, design, antiques and landscape architecture, I was excited to visit the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. I have traveled to Europe many times over, studying and admiring the craftmanship of centuries of architectural styles, and walking through lush extravagant gardens. I was looking forward to see…
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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,…
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Shakespeare’s Globe Theater | London, England
Do you fancy William Shakespeare? If so and if you are in London, the Globe Theater located next to the River Thames makes for a perfect visit. You can take in a play or take the theater tour, choose one or do both. On my most recent visit to London, I decided to take the…
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St. Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai | A UNESCO World Heritage Site
South Sinai, Egypt– St. Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt felt very far away from everything, and everywhere when I had traveled there in late 2019. I was already in Sharm el-Sheikh along the Red Sea when I took a day trip to this ancient monastery, which is also a UNESCO…
Trixie Navarre 