Life is a patchwork of experiences
Petra has been described as a city of mysteries and nothing accentuates that more than seeing Petra photos in black and white.
The ancient city of Petra is Jordan’s premier historical site and also the country’s most visited tourist destination. It is also a popular photography subject.
Continue reading “Ancient Petra Photos – A City of Mysteries in Black and White”
The Treasury is its most recognizable landmark but there is so much more to see inside Petra. I share ideas for a 1 day and 2 day Petra itinerary to give you options on the best way to explore the mysteries of Jordan’s most popular sight at a leisurely pace. I also share information about the Petra by night experience.
Read on to discover all there is to see inside Petra, Jordan, the “Rose City”, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site. I have been fortunate to visit Petra twice in the last couple of years and I am sharing all my Petra visit experiences as well as all some of my best Petra photos to inspire and to help you plan your own trip to this unique historic wonder.
Regardless of whether you have 1 day in Petra or are planning to spend 2 days in Petra, you should find these travel tips helpful.
Continue reading “Inside Petra by Night and Day – How to Spend 1 or 2 Days in Petra”
On a visit to Oradour-sur-Glane near the city of Limoge in central France I learned about one of the most horrific civilian massacres in France during WWII.
I knew this would be a difficult story to write. But after my visit to Oradour-sur-Glane and learning about the horrific details of the WWII massacre of 642 innocent civilian men, women and children by the Nazi SS, I felt it was an important story to tell – a story that should be told again and again and again. Continue reading “Visit Oradour-sur-Glane – a Memorial that Should Never be Forgotten”
A week long Loire Valley barge cruise with European Waterways was a truly relaxing and slow paced journey with intimate service, gourmet food and wine, and visits to out of the ordinary sights in the French countryside.
Before there were planes, trains and automobiles, France developed a vast network of canals that were used to transport goods from one part of the country to another. These canals connected to the major rivers and also to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. The canal network made it easy to move all manner of goods from one part of the country to the other, and in particular, allowed Parisians to easily taste the delicacies from all corners of their realm.
Today, the canals and their many locks are used primarily for recreation. European Waterways expertly manages a fleet of 12 luxury barges that ply the many canals of France on a variety of itineraries. I had already experienced a wonderful cruise along the Burgundy Canal on the La Belle Epoque and was quite familiar with this unique way of touring France’s less visited countryside.
Continue reading “An Intimate European Waterways Loire Valley Barge Cruise on the Renaissance”
Luxury barging in France on the Burgundy Canal with European Waterways has been one of my most memorable travel experiences. Discover why a France canal cruise should be at the top of your bucket list with this detailed review.
To have unique experiences is at the heart of why I travel. Recently I was privileged to have one of the most extraordinary luxury travel experiences that I have ever had. I was invited on a France canal cruise on the barge La Belle Epoque with European Waterways. For six days on my Burgundy, France Canal cruise, I had the ultimate slow travel cruising experience that included gourmet meals, amazing wines, impeccably attentive service and uniquely curated excursions.
Continue reading “My France Canal Cruise – Quiet Luxury in the French Countryside”
I discovered that a Paris to Chartres day trip was an easy escape to see the historic Chartres Cathedral with its beautiful stained glass windows. I also enjoyed discovering the quaint and not overtly touristy town of Chartres.
If you are not “churched” out after a visit to Paris, then take a Paris to Chartres day trip, to see one of the greatest Gothic churches still in existence, along with a quant French town that will not be overly touristy.
The Chartres Cathedral is considered the pinnacle of high Gothic architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. As one of the best preserved Gothic churches, it is still adorned with most of the original sculptures and numerous beautifully detailed stained glass windows.
Continue reading “A Paris to Chartres Day Trip – Exploring One of France’s Greatest Cathedrals”
The French invented Gothic architecture and Paris is one of the easiest places to experience it. Within a twenty minute walk of the Cathedral of Notre Dame are a number of other historic and famous churches in Paris that should also not be missed.
There are many beautiful and famous churches in Paris, France, but the grand dame Gothic Paris church is without a doubt the Cathedral of Notre Dame. And while visitors flock to see it, within a twenty minute walk are a number of other lovely historic churches that also should not be missed. Read on to discover some of the other churches of Paris at their Gothic best. Continue reading “Famous Churches in Paris – Gothic at its Best”
3 days in Thessaloniki was a good amount of time to discover the historic and cultural sights in Greece’s second largest city. Read all about my Thessaloniki itinerary to help you plan a visit to this inspiring destination.
Three days in Thessaloniki was all the time I had to discover all the diverse offerings in Greece’s second largest city. I would have liked more time, but that was what my schedule allowed, so I made the most of my time in this cosmopolitan metropolis and managed to see all the highlights.
Continue reading “How I Spent a Wonderful 3 Days in Thessaloniki, Greece”
The UNESCO listed Archeological site of Philippi preserves and exhibits the remains of three diverse periods of Greek history that span 1600 years – Hellenistic, Roman and Christian.
All parents hope that their children will be more successful than they are. But in Philip II of Macedonia’s case, his achievements are always overshadowed by one of Europe’s most notable historical figures, Alexander the Great. During my visit to Greece, it seemed that every discussion about the Macedonian king always started with ” Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, …..”
Continue reading “Beyond the Ruins at the Archeological Site of Philippi, Greece”
Finding the best beaches in Sithonia, Halkidiki in Greece was a challenge since there were so many to choose from. But they all had one thing in common: warm sand and crystal clear waters. And the region also had a lot of historic sights to explore.
With 100 unique beaches, you could spend three months on the Sithonia peninsula in Greece and enjoy a different beach each day. I had only a short time to discover its many sandy pleasures and I made the most of it as I explored the best beaches in Sithonia.
