Category: Europe

 

I never tire of visiting the many countries that make up Europe.  I share all my stories, photos and travel experiences from my many travels to this continent.

A Day in Versailles at a Golden Palace Designed to Impress

Louis XIV’s palace and gardens at Versailles are a popular excursion from Paris. If you have the time, I suggest spending a day in Versailles to have enough time to explore the palace and vast gardens. I share my impressions of Versailles and also trips on how to get there and how to make the most of your time.

For King Louis XIV of France, size mattered. There is nothing small about the Palace of Versailles and its gardens. Along with size, there is also lots of bling. He built it purposely to impress and overwhelm, feelings that are as much a part of a visit today as they were 350 years ago when the palace was built. Spend a day in Versailles and let yourself be awed by the experience. Continue reading “A Day in Versailles at a Golden Palace Designed to Impress”

Impressions of Monet – Spend a Day in Giverny in Monet’s Garden

A day in Giverny is an easy trip from Paris for all those that are fans of Clause Monet impressionist paintings. I am sharing all the information you need to make this an easy excursion by train from Paris.

If like me, you like impressionist paintings and gardens, then a day trip to Claude Monet’s home in Giverny is a must. Giverny is about 50 miles northwest of Paris and can easily be reached by train for a relaxing scenic break from the busy Paris scene. Continue reading “Impressions of Monet – Spend a Day in Giverny in Monet’s Garden”

My Memories of the Eiffel Tower – Is the Eiffel Tower Worth Visiting?

Is the Eiffel Tower worth visiting? After visiting this famous icon numerous times over the past 20+ years, I would definitely still say yes!

For about 4000 years or so, the tallest man made structure was the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, with an original height of 481 feet. A few European cathedrals eventually topped out a bit higher than the pyramid, but they also didn’t reach heights much above 500 feet. Even the Washington Monument built in 1884 was only 555 feet high and only held the tallest structure title for 5 years.

Then, in 1889, Gustave Eiffel built his tower as the entrance for the Paris World’s Fair, and in one fell swoop, almost doubled the height of the tallest building in the world with his tower topping out at 986 feet. The Eiffel Tower has since become one of the most recognizable buildings in the world and the defining icon for the City of Lights. For me, the Eiffel Tower is also  entwined with many memorable visits to Paris over the past 20+ years. Continue reading “My Memories of the Eiffel Tower – Is the Eiffel Tower Worth Visiting?”

Famous Churches in Paris – Gothic at its Best

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”

How I Spent a Wonderful 3 Days in Thessaloniki, Greece

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.

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My Halkidiki Road Trip Itinerary Lets You Discover This Wonderful Greek Jewel

Use this Greece Halkidiki road trip itinerary to help you discover the best things to see in the Sithonia, Kassandra and Mt. Athos peninsulas.

I was excited to experience the other side of Greece, the Greece beyond Athens and the Cycladic islands in the Aegean.

After a lovely Greek Island cruise followed by a few days in Athens, I was ready to explore Greece off the beaten path. I had read that Halkidiki had its share of Greek historic sights as well as an unlimited variety of beautiful beaches – my perfect combination for an ideal getaway.

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My Perfect Two Day Halkidiki Resort Experience in Greece

My stay at the Blue Bay Hotel was the luxury Halkidiki resort experience I was looking for to relax and rejuvenate during my extended Greece road trip.

When I travel, I have the tendency to just go, go, go because I want to experience as much as I can each day. But I can only do that non stop for about two weeks and then I need a few days vacation from my vacation to recharge my batteries.

Midway through my monthlong trip in Greece this past summer, I had two very pleasant days at the Blue Bay Hotel on the Kassandra peninsula in the Halkidiki region of northern Greece.

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Beyond the Ruins at the Archeological Site of Philippi, 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, …..”

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Discovering the Best Beaches in Sithonia, Greece, With a Grain of History on the Side

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.

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