Is there anything kids love more than playing with toys? Most, if not all, kids enjoy playing with a range of different toys. So leave it to me to introduce you to some of the best toy museums in the world. With toys such as Legos, dolls, Barbie and Ken, Micky Mouse, Lion King, stuffed animals, robots, trains, and Hot Wheels. These are just a
Luigi Lombardi's Garden to his Violin Shop in Forli, Italy La Bottega del Legno: The Wood Shop in Forli, Italy La Bottega del Legno - Luigi Lombardi's Violin Shop in Dovadola, Italy The Violin The year was 1943 and it was blistering cold. The conditions were unbearable and he struggled with making it yet another day. Days ran into more days
This post won the award by Italy Magazine as the best blog post on an art and culture blog for 2014! Carpegna, Italy Rumbling down the road, past the emerald green pastures, dirt, and signs in Italian, I knew I was up for this adventure. The roads became tinier and tinier as we headed toward Carpegna in the Le Marche region of Italy.
The anticipation was thick in the air when we arrived mid-morning for our very first peek deep into Germany’s Black Forest where Carnival comes alive! Not the Carnival you may be thinking of with drunkenness and bead-throwing like in New Orleans, but a traditional type that has been going for centuries in the forests of Germany. This carnival, deep in the Black Forest, is a
A visit to the Black Forest in Germany may bring you sounds you may remember from your childhood: "Cuckoo, Cuckoo, Cuckoo!" that Cuckoo Clock Sound. Remember from an episode of the Carol Burnett show or even "In the Pink of the Night" by the Pink Panther (if you are old enough!) Are you able to bring to mind an awareness of when the Pink Panther
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico was named the "best city in the world" by the world-famous Condé Nast Travellers Magazine (2020) and Travel + Leisure (2017). This Mexican city sits in the eastern part of Guanajuato and is a part of the Bajio region. This fascinating city was founded in 1542 by Franciscan monk Fray Juan de San Miguel, hence the name of the city.
This popular Mexican Toy Museum or "Museo La Esquina" in San Miguel de Allende is one of the many treasures you will find in Latin America that specializes in collecting and exhibiting handmade and beautifully-crafted Mexican toys. It is a collection made up of more than 3,000 toys that have been amassed by its director Angélica Tijerina, for over fifty years! And it is a
Right at the center of the Indochinese Peninsula is the beautiful country of Thailand. Did you know that in the Thai language, the word “Thailand" means “Land of the Free”? This mirrors Thailand's freedom from all European nations. This is unlike some of its surrounding Asian countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), and Vietnam. Also, Buddhism plays a huge role in Thai society, as nearly
Authenticity in food is a very fluid concept, especially when looking for authentic food from a specific country. Authentic Italian food to the baker on the corner in Tuscany could be different from the pastry chef down the street, much less the difference in different regions of Italy. In fact, the same recipe can taste different from chef to chef and all of them will
Have you ever thought about diving Cancun cenotes while in the Riviera Maya? The stunning Kukulkan Cenote is a 33 feet (10 meters) deep blue cavern that is part of the Chac Mool caving system in the Yucatan, Mexico. It is set in a jungle scenery with fresh and saltwater, lots of fossils, and even a few stalactites. Cancun Cenotes The main attraction though is
Like every big city, Buenos Aires has many popular tourist attractions that can be found on every website you read about the country of Argentina. Many times as tourists, we go to popular tourist attractions that are labeled “must-sees”. And so many times I have gone and come away feeling a bit misguided. This article is not to say you should visit La Boca, but
Caye Caulker is a minuscule little island off the coast of Belize. Roughly 3000 people live on this breathtaking island that sits off the Caribbean Sea. If you are one of those people who love to visit “off the beaten track” places, then I would recommend visiting Caye Caulker Belize. The island itself is less than 1 mile from east to west and 5 miles
The natural depth of a lake is a fascinating wonder that intrigues numerous people to learn more and to take time to visit some of the deepest lakes in the world. A lake is a large body of water that is surrounded by land. Lakes usually do not flow into rivers and are mostly made up of fresh water. Many of the deepest lakes of
Over the last few weeks, I was looking through and editing old photographs when I started thinking about our bucket list for families that I made. When I was in college, my friends and I used to watch a television show about these families that were traveling around the world. They were marking things off their family bucket list as they voted to do the
Founded in the 16th century, the small magical town of Mineral de Pozos, Guanajuato is unique and charming. It is the perfect place to visit when staying near San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. This interesting town of Mineral de Pozos, or just Pozos as most people call it, is located roughly an hour's drive from San Miguel de Allende. When someone mentioned this place
My introduction to Vietnamese grocery markets was not a journey of taste. Instead, the store that was closest to one of my holiday apartments was a local Vietnam Circle K market, sort of like a 7-11 in the United States. Being new to the community, where I was staying for an entire month, I spent much time hunting for new products that I might like
There are so many things to love about Mexico. It is one of my favorite countries in the world to visit. I bring you ten popular Mexico destinations to visit in this article that you may not even know existed. Mexico has such a deep heart and soul that it wants to show you all of its Mexico tourism. It is also a diverse country that
If the prospect of running down narrow cobbled streets, being pushed and shoved by thousands of other participants, all whilst trying to avoid being trampled on by six crazed and angry bulls sound all too terrifying, then I have great news! You don’t have to travel all the way to the world-renowned Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, in the Basque region of Spain, and
Sint Maarten’s Dutch side, which is often misspelled as St Marteen is known for its casinos, jewelry-making, drinks made with guavaberry liquors (rum), and festive nightlife. The island’s French side is known for its stunning views, shopping, nude beaches, French Caribbean cuisine, and Loterie Farm. Let's visit both sides and I will tell you all about it! Things to do in St. Maarten! While the official name
As luck would have it, I finally had a chance to make my very first visit to Japan! It had been on my bucket list for quite some time, as I have always been interested in their culture. Japan's traditions evoke so much mystique and legend about their culture. Thousands of years as an isolated island country allowed Japan to create cultural evolutions in solitude,
Did you know you can head out to the Sierra Nevada Mountains for a weekend of fun in the snow that typically involves skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and even "jacuzzi time" with your friends? I didn’t either until recently. Apparently, I have a group of friends that go on an annual ski trip to North Lake Tahoe every year! Who knew? In fact, they enjoy it
Is Laos open to visitors and how has the coronavirus pandemic affected travel? Discover the entry restrictions for Laos and whether the borders are open. Is Laos Open for Travel? Brimming with old-world charm, Laos is the perfect destination for travelers looking to get off the beaten track. While other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand attract more visitors, Laos is relatively undiscovered by
The country of Mexico is the 11th most populous country in the world and for me, one of my favorite countries in the world. Several main industries come from Mexico such as mining, tobacco, food, and beverages. Even my favorite food, which happens to be chocolate, was first introduced to the world by the Mexican Aztecs. And my favorite drink in Mexico happens to be
In addition to being a country of great importance, Greece is responsible for having world-famous foods such as Moussaka, Spanakopita, Feta Cheese, and Frappes. Greece is widely known for using its fresh ingredients to create some of the most tantalizing Greek dishes. 25 Traditional Greek Foods You Must Eat in Greece! Their Mediterranean cuisine is heavily influenced by Italy and other close by countries. This
Norway is absolutely beautiful and every traveler should include this country on their bucket list. With its snowy winters, interesting history, vibrant architecture, and wonderful people, the sheer beauty of this Nordic country is just too compelling to be ignored. And if that’s not enough to convince you, here’s my list of 16 amazing things to do in Norway during a Norway Winter. Norway Winter! I
Along the Southern Pacific Coast of Mexico lies the beach community of Zipolite Playa or Playa Zipolite, depending on who you ask (Mexican or Gringo!) Both names are acceptable! This community is situated in the visually-stimulating state of Oaxaca, which, as you know, I can’t say enough about this region’s culturally rich charm, golden sandy beaches, and amazing beauty. I also had a chance to
India is a unique place to visit and honestly, I never thought I would make it there. I think everyone should experience this country at least once in their lifetime. It is like going on a journey through your wildest imagination. India is a massive country that is home to more than a billion people with huge cultural wealth, diverse religions, and a history that
This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx on behalf of Amazon Prime Video! #ad Watch "The Pack" on Amazon Prime Video, November 20th! I have always thought that there was something indescribable about the relationship between me and my dog. Somehow, my dog just seems to understand me and I understand her. My dog’s name is… Coco Chanel Maloney and is a purebred Shiba Inu –
This year has been one like no other; the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic has been a time of extreme change for many people. Right now, everyone is beginning to adapt to the ‘new normal’ and the prospect of returning to everyday activities. As this looks more likely, many people are turning their attention to all the things that they want to do, places that they want
With so many fun things to see and do in San Miguel de Allende, you may be forgiven for wanting to step back and take a breather from all the non-stop exploring, in order to rest and re-charge. Thankfully, the natural hot springs San Miguel de Allende is only a stone’s throw away from San Miguel. And set in gorgeous lush gardens, La Gruta Spa
Puerto Vallarta is THE place to be. Mexico is easy to get to and they have laid out the red carpet for your visit. In fact, your vacations begin from the moment you step foot off the airplane or the cruise ship that brings you here. You will soon notice the mesmerizing cobblestone streets lined with cafes, shopping, and boutique hotels along with a lively
Vietnam is an interesting country that is located in the Southeastern part of Asia. It is home to more than 95.5 million people and hosts thousands of tourists each year. Tourists and locals alike try to avoid the busy traffic of the larger cities by traveling around by motorbike. In fact, I heard from my food tour guide that in Ho Chi Minh City
Dare we say that Christmas is just around the corner? We’re now in mid-November and you may be thinking about beginning your Christmas shopping, but what exactly can you buy for those in your life that love to travel and explore the world? Aside from taking them on vacation, there are a plethora of other gifts you could consider buying for the adventure seekers in
Get yourself into that Southern mood, the sweet sickness that is Savannah's lure. I call it le mal doux, which is French for "the sweet sickness". How? You ask? Try reading (or see the movie) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil before you take on the task of visiting Savannah attractions and finding things to do in Savannah, GA. This surely will put you in
In the sleepy hills of Mexico lies one of the most gorgeous towns I have ever seen, San Miguel de Allende. This picturesque town is sure to give you all the “wow moments” of a big city, but with the pleasure of a small-town atmosphere. Don’t expect to find a fast-paced lifestyle in Saint Miguel, Mexico-- but rather a tranquil one. One that slowly evolves
