There’s an abundance of monuments, museums, gardens, and adorable neighborhoods to visit in Rome. It’s pretty overwhelming, actually, even if you have over a month in the city. So you have to pick and choose. We saw the most famous sites, but also traveled off the beaten path every now and then. Here are my […]
Tag: architecture
A Nearly Perfect Saturday in Rome
When you think about a perfect day, what comes to mind? Perhaps it involves a road trip or a visit to a local museum. Maybe you like to hop from restaurant to pub and back again. And I bet some of you would prefer to stay in your pjs, curl up on your couch, and […]
How to Enjoy 48 Jam-Packed Hours in Venice
Sometimes I wish this whole year was one big vacation. We would be able to see and experience everything we wanted, and could spend days or weeks in particularly fascinating places. Alas, we’re not on perpetual holiday. But when we do get a few days off, we try to pack in as much fun and […]
Sofia, Bulgaria: City of Many Churches
Neither Joe nor I knew quite what to expect when we got to Bulgaria. We’d done some research on Sofia, our home for about two weeks, but much of the country, its language, culture, and sights remained unfamiliar to us. We quickly learned that Sofia still resembles a Soviet bloc city, that about 1/3 – […]
An Enriching and Worthwhile Walking Tour of Berlin
A friend from Austin recommended that we take one of Berlin’s many walking tours. Generally, Joe and I enjoy exploring on our own – and do so frequently. But since his parents were going to be in town, we thought we’d take advantage of a little guided wandering. It was one of the best decisions […]
Exploring Zagreb: Let the City Find You
What enters your mind when you think of Croatia? For many of you, it will be Game of Thrones. For others, it will be crystal clear waters and pebble beaches. Still others will conjure images of Roman ruins and excellent wine. When I think about Croatia, my mind returns to my last visit here nine […]
There’s Big, and Then There’s Monumental
We come from a place where everything is supposed to be bigger. And I’m not just talking about America – I’m talking about Texas. Many visitors have likely heard the phrase: “Everything’s bigger in Texas.” After all, our capitol building is slightly taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. But there’s something different about […]
Gaudi’s Masterpiece: The Awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia
You might have heard of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia – it’s the massive cathedral, started in 1882, that’s still being built today 90 years after its master-planner’s death. Not-so-fun fact: Gaudi died in 1926 after he was hit by a tram, and was therefore unable to witness the completion of his crowning achievement. Because of this tragic fact, […]
