As I strolled along the quiet boardwalk of charming La Conner, Washington, enjoying the sounds of the seagulls overhead, and the smell of salt in the air, I was glad I had stumbled upon the small town. I ended up spending the night in La Conner purely by accident, but what a beautiful accident it…
Oysterville, Washington is a quaint little town on the northern end of the Washington State Peninsula. It looks like something out of a Better Homes and Garden magazine. Perfectly preserved homes from the 1800s line a sleepy street next to the stunning beauty of Willapa Bay, and beautifully designed gardens decorate the landscape. It’s like…
I only spent 24 hours on the island of Hvar, Croatia, but I’ll never forget it. There is a magical energy on the island that pulses through you when you step onto her rocky shores. The turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea embrace the island like a long lost lover, and you find yourself lost in the beauty, day dreaming about never leaving. I’m so glad I got to experience the lovely tranquility, stunning beauty, and rich history of Hvar, Croatia.
The charming town of Jelsa is home to only a few thousand lucky residents, which is probably why it’s so quiet. The only interruption to the tranquility is the regular sound of church bells ringing, which is a common occurrence throughout Europe. Jelsa is nestled between the two highest mountain peaks on the island, with Hum to the east and St. Nicolas on the west. It has a nice protected harbor, perfect for escaping storms and taking refuge.
If you follow my blog you know I rarely have expectations when visiting a new country. The wonderful thing about my approach is that I’m never really disappointed, plus I can share with you my experiences so you have an idea of what you might encounter on your own trip to the country. I hadn’t…
Standing at the marina in Kotor, staring up at an ancient fortress built into the granite cliffside of a regal mountain, I wondered why I had never planned on going to Montenegro. For some reason, it wasn’t even a country I had considered visiting, but sometimes the smaller lesser known countries are full of wonderful surprises, and such is the case with Montenegro. It is absolutely gorgeous!
Montenegro is only a few hours away from Croatia, and since I had a week to kill I thought it would be fun to go on a road trip to see Montenegro, along with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and wow, I’m so glad I did! These are three reasons why Montenegro is now one of my new favorite countries.
Gazing out at the turquoise green water of the Adriatic Sea never gets old, but the homes and storefronts on Brac that are nestled next to it are ancient. The orange tile roofs contrast sharply with the beige stone walls. It all looks like something in a travel brochure or a gorgeous painting. I had…
A dear friend of mine has been visiting Split for years, but it wasn’t until I experienced it for myself that I finally understood why. Split has a little something for everyone; mountains and sea, and ancient ruins alongside modern-day comforts. No wonder the producers of “The Game of Thrones” chose it at a site…
When my Italian friend and host suggested we go to Sassi for the weekend, I agreed, but I had no idea what, or even where, it was. Next thing I know we are headed out of Lucca and towards the mountains of northern Italy. Before long we are zooming along steep switchbacks, away from the city, enjoying the changing colors of autumn and the view of the valley below. Finally, we enter the most charming little historical village and stop in front of a giant red home, made of stones and concrete. To my right the Alps are towering in the distance and an ancient castle sits high on a hill. It was like like a view from a postcard. Staying in a 250 year old home, enjoying the astounding view, and mushroom hunting in the forest were all remarkable, and made for a most delightful weekend in Sassi Italy.
Paolo Pocai’s family has owned the old homestead for generations. The front part of the home was built in 1770 and there is still an old brass plate above the door with the date on it. As if that isn’t remarkable enough, the back part of the building was a 15th century tower and still contains some of the ancient doors and the original circular stone staircase. The home contains some of the most beautiful antique furniture and chandeliers I have ever seen! It’s hard to guess how big the “house” is, as some rooms in the basement have never been completed, but I would estimate that it was well over 4,000 feet, which seems to be about normal for summer homes in the country in Italy. I helped Paolo prepare the home for winter as he doesn’t go there much anymore in the off season.
The charming and picturesque small town of Sintra Portugal is located within the stunning natural landscape of the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascaisl. This national park includes lush rain forest and steep hills that blend easily with the gorgeous coastline, situated only about 12 kilometers to the west. The hills and forest provide mild temperatures and a vast variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking and biking, but it’s the astonishing palaces and castles of Sintra that steal the show.
This gothic and neo-manueline style palace, built in the mid-1800s, was my favorite. Not because of the interior, which was also remarkable, but because of the beautiful grounds and gardens surrounding the palace. They can only be described as paradise. I could have spent days wandering those gardens. Beneath the grounds are a series of caves and tunnels that lead to the bottom of an old secret well and a waterfall. It was a maze of wonders that left me wanting more.
After being in the pristine and stunning countries of Germany, Austria, and Sweden, it was hard to adjust to life in a large, over populated, dusty, smelly city. I hate to admit it, but that really is my general opinion of Casablanca. Sure, it has some nice qualities, like beautiful beaches and the wealthy French Quarter, but in general my advice is that if you want to visit Morocco, skip Casablanca and try Marrakesh instead. I was there just long enough to learn some things about the culture, and here are 8 culture observations from an American visiting Casablanca, Morocco.
There is a heavy French influence in Casablanca that dates back to its history in the early 1900s. In fact, I think more people speak French than Arabic, at least in the area I was in. Street signs and marketing are mostly in Arabic, but everywhere you go people say “bonjour” or other common French phrases.