Did you known there were other Notre Dames in France? And some of them right outside Paris? Here’s my guide to 5 must see churches outside Paris that are famous must see landmarks and attractions in France. On April 15, 2019, when the namesake Notre Dame burned in Paris, I cried. The world cried with … Read more
Situated on a sheltered bay, between Split and Zadar, tranquil Šibenik is a hidden gem in Croatia. You can stroll its labyrinth of stony alleyways and visit a must see piece of Gothic-Renaissance architecture: the UNESCO-listed St. James Cathedral. The gleaming white building is the beating heart of sleepy Šibenik. History of Šibenik Šibenik is … Read more
Here’s my guide to the lovely town of Santillana del Mar. It’s an idyllic town that’s an easy day trip from Bilbao. This guide covers the best things see and do in and around Santillana del Mar. Santillana del Mar is the jewel of Cantabria and must visit destination in northern Spain. With its rolling … Read more
“No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It should be of the hill. Belonging to it. Hill and house should live together each the happier for it.” — Frank Lloyd Wright Here’s my complete guide to visiting Fallingwater, a new Frank Lloyd Wright UNESCO site in Pennsylvania. Fallingwater is nestled in … Read more
“On the far curving shore of the bay lies Skara Brae, hazy through the sea-haar.” — George Mackay Brown Here’s my guide to visiting the archaeological site of Skara Brae in northern Scotland. Skara Brae is a 5,000 year old gift from the past — the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae. It’s located in Scotland’s … Read more
The mere mention of Alcobaça Monastery in Portugal conjures a mini history lesson on one of Europe’s oldest and best UNESCO sites. Alcobaça is a 12th century masterpiece of Gothic Cistercian art, after all. Its vaunted architecture and history make it a must see site on a tour of Portugal. But that’s the topic of … Read more
Notre Dame burned, and I cried. And the world cried with me. On Monday, 800 years of history began to vanish. A raging fire engulfed the renowned Gothic cathedral, destroying its roof and soaring central spire. The skyline of Paris changed. Smoke darkened the sky for hours, darkening the hearts of Parisians and citizens of … Read more
Planning a trip in southern Spain? If you can’t resist an imposing Moorish fortress, here’s my guide to the Almeria Alcazaba.Snuggled away on the southeast corner of Spain’s Mediterranean coast, Almeria is a hidden gem in Andalucia. It’s a rough Andalusian beauty with a magnificent well-preserved fortress. The 1430 meter walled fortress is part of … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the magnificent Royal Alcazar in Seville Spain. I give you an overview and history of the complex, tell you what to see inside, and give you must know tips for visiting. The sultry Real Alcázar de Sevilla, or Royal Alcázar, is one of Spain’s most famous landmarks. It’s undoubtedly the … Read more
Iceland is known as a supercharged landscape of icy lava fields, soaring waterfalls, and bursting geysers. Basically, a theater for natural beauty, a Nordic nirvana. I had just landed in Reykjavik with family and friends, after cruising through Norway. Norway’s natural scenery had been stunning, eliciting a bursting-out-of- your-chest feeling of wonder. I’m not usually … Read more