The Hermitage's Treasures in St Petersburg The State Hermitage Museum is full of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is the second-largest art museum in the world containing over 3 million piece of art! And it is a MUST VISIT anytime you find yourself in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was founded by the Empress Catherine the Great in 1764 when she acquired an
Italy Revealed Camogli: Travel +Leisure Feature I was surprised to see Travel + Leisure with my beloved Camogli, Italy photo featured directly on the front cover. Camogli is like a slice of the Riviera from decades ago before the designer stores came to line seaside promenades. Before the celebrities parked their yachts in the marinas. Camogli is an exquisite village with a perfectly placed seafront
Nicknamed the "Little London of Scandinavia" or "the Greenest City", Gothenburg Sweden has an alluring mix of lush green gardens and modern Nordic chic wrapped into one. With its 17th-century Dutch-style canals, nautical museums, trendy restaurants, and breweries, as well as fashion boutiques, it oozes a youthful bohemian and avant-garde vibe. Especially since it is home to 47,500 University of Gothenburg students. And it just
I am almost certain you have heard of Santorini and Mykonos – those famous Greek isles that everyone loves. I’ve written about both of them quite extensively and absolutely love these charming Greek islands. But these islands can sometimes feel like “a tourist island” if you catch them during a cruise ship in port. They can get a bit crowded, especially during peak season. So
Pulpit Rock, better known to Norwegians as Preikestolen in Norway is a steep cliff that rises almost 2000 feet above Lysefjorden with a flat top viewing platform. It was formed by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago. I am sure you will recognize it by its famous photographs. Preikestolen attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world, which makes it one of the main
According to the World Tourism Organization, France is considered the world's most popular destination for tourists. It has over 40,000 classified historical monuments, which is more than any other country in Europe! The national motto of the French is "liberty, equality, and fraternity” and you will certainly feel a part of the family among the locals. The French are responsible for numerous inventions such as
Photo by Marco Santos Gorgeous and sunny Lisbon is renowned for its beautifully tiled buildings, sunny weather, incredible food, and not-to-forget the warm and extremely hospitable Portuguese locals who will always welcome you in with a smile. It is this charm and allure that has attracted so many visitors who all instantly fall in love with the city and its personality. But, if
The Ultimate Guide to Lederhosen Contrary to popular belief, Oktoberfest celebrates the Bavarian culture, not necessarily that of Germany as a whole. All of the beer consumed at Oktoberfest is exclusively made in Munich, to further celebrate the Bavarian culture. During the early years of this festival, lederhosen outfits were worn, yet no alcohol was served. Which is unlike the tons of beer consumed
Sicilians love their healthy and locally-grown foods such as apricots, artichokes, olives, and beans. Some of the most notable savory foods include arancini (rice balls), pecorino cheese, and stuffed eggplant. Yet aside from the yummy savory foods they have, Sicily has some of the most delicious Sicilian desserts in all of Europe. The world-famous cannoli and torta di ricotta (ricotta cake) are indispensable sweets that
From its world-class art museums to its floating flower markets, the city of Amsterdam is reinventing itself from its hedonistic side to now focusing on its rich artistic heritage. Culturally, it’s one of Europe’s most diverse and eclectic destinations. With its fascinating history that spans seven centuries, today it is a charming mix of shopping, museums, coffee houses, restaurants, and flower markets. I put together
As part of the global population, I would love to thank the Greek nation for gifting the world with many wonderful attributes. The Greeks gave the world the first theater, the Olympic games, and great philosophers such as Democritus, Pythagoras, Plato, and Socrates. Thanks to the Greeks, we have different literary forms, philosophy, democracy, architectural beauties and not to mention their great Greek desserts along
From charming and colorfully painted fishing villages to beehive huts and stunning handmade pottery, the Dingle Peninsula offers a wide variety of things to do while visiting this portion of the Wild Atlantic Way. Dingle, Ireland has been isolated from the influences of the modern world until recently which has resulted in fun local culture and a dialect that is quite different than the rest
I believe that Krakow is the #1 most underrated city in Europe. I won't go into the details of the lavender growing along the old city walls or the shapes of the trees that blow in the wind or even the cobblestone central square, but I do want to tell you about this unusual place found deep within its crevices: the Krakow Salt Mine. Krakow Salt
Seville is the fourth largest city in Spain and is considered the most “Spanish” city in the entire country. When I think of Spain, I almost always think of its famous flamenco dance, the tradition of bullfighting, and how sultry or hot the city feels as the Spanish guitars play late into the night! In fact, I find that Sevillanos are always happy to share
A Christian pilgrimage Lithuania Restores its Old Rugged Cross for a Crown Once I arrived at the Hill of Crosses, I didn’t want to leave. Northern Lithuania's Hill of Crosses' magnetic pull drew me in. Almost overtaking me. I was intrigued and felt guided toward the strength that lies here. For me, I have always been attracted to the dead. Well, maybe I
Greece is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque countries in Europe. This beautiful country is surrounded by turquoise-colored seas, deep blue and crisp white houses, rich landmarks, and some awesome museums. Similar to the Italian culture, Greeks love to show off their cooking and baking skills. Just like in the homes of millions of Americans, one of the Greek ways to show affection to the
For centuries people have contemplated the meaning of dreams, now called Dream Science. In the 19th century, Sigmund Freud put together some theories of dreaming. Freud’s theory centered around repressed longing - the idea that dreaming allows us to sort through unresolved and repressed wishes. Early civilizations thought of dreams as a medium between our earthly world and that of the Gods. In fact, the
You can find fantastic accommodations across the globe and Paris, France is no exception. There are few destinations that offer more in the way of romance, culture, and entertainment than engaging Paris. Here are a few attractions and unusual things to do in Paris that you can't afford to miss. Photo by PointsandTravel 6 Must SEE Paris Attractions The Eiffel Tower Obvious? Sure,
✦ Here is WHY You Should Visit Portofino! ✦ Portofino, Italy Portofino, Italy is a small fishing village along the Italian Riviera known for its good looks and visitors: the Hollywood crowd and beyond! But you don't have to be a celebrity or wealthy to visit this gorgeous seaside town in Northern Italy. For me, it is the perfect town. The half-moon shaped harbor, with
One of the best-kept secrets in Venice used to be the island of Burano, maybe it is not so secret anymore. But it is definitely worth a visit, even if you just have 2 days in Venice it’s well worth visiting this colorful island! This island is best known for its rainbow-painted houses. Don't worry, once you get there, there is plenty to do
The beautiful countries of Georgia and Armenia are nestled in between the continents of Europe and Asia. And lying on the banks of the Kura River is Georgia's capital city of Tbilisi. This cobblestoned "Old Town" area reflects its complicated history as Georgia has been ruled under different global powers throughout its history. This is because of its location and proximity to the lucrative Silk
Santorini is just one of the Cyclades Islands in Greece that literally has everything I want in an island – hidden and blue-domed churches, stunning sunsets, volcanoes rising out of the Aegean Sea, cave houses you can stay in, and whitewashed stone buildings that dot the landscape. Know that your Santorini holidays will be one you'll remember for a very long time, as I still
Start reading to learn about traditional German foods and an accumulated list of what to eat in Germany while you are there! As you know, Germany is nestled between the Alps, lakes, and the seas, as well as among other countries in central and western Europe. Germany is the land of poets like the famous Grimm brothers near the Black Forest and master thinkers like
If you ask me how I like to travel, I would say “solo.” As a photographer, I find it’s easier to wander alone and take my time to get exactly the right shot that I want. So on my third visit exploring Venice, I found a few of the best things to do in Venice, Italy. I was totally prepared to take in a day
Spring is a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can be. The cold winter weather is finally stripped away and people can finally feel like life's alive in everything. Spring is a great time to take a vacation to Europe and visit wonderful places. There are plenty of festivals to go to and blooming flowers to see that you shouldn't miss out on a European
Catapulting yourself to new places for a vacation is a great way to start the New Year. Winter seems to be slowly creeping away and going on a spring vacation to underrated places is just what you need. Forget about the same old boring places like Cancun, Hawaii, or Florida for a spring vacation. Instead, take yourself on a new adventure to places like Ruidoso,
On my last night in Dubrovnik, I wanted to do something extraordinary for dinner to top off the fantastic vacation I was having with my husband in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. He and I vacation together regularly, but honestly, this was the best trip we have taken together in a very long time. Authentic Culinary Experiences I remembered reading a National Geographic article about
Germany is the seventh-largest country in Europe and has a population of 81 million people. It shares borders with 9 European countries and has 16 states, each with their own constitution! Who knew it was that large? I certainly didn’t when I had a chance to visit Germany on my historic Germany tour. But I can say that I learned a lot about Germany on
There's this petite village - really a settlement, that lies just off the scenic road to Amalfi just above the coastline. It is called Furore, Italy. At one time, it was a fisherman's village, full of tiny boat houses that clung to the side of the mountain along the gorge. Many people admired the cluster of houses and the view overlooking the village, but no
No visit to Germany is complete unless you get a chance to visit a few of its famous German Landmarks. Germany has such an abundance of age-old landmarks thanks to its rich history dating back more than two millenniums. I have created a list of must-see palaces, cathedrals, castles, ruins, medieval towns, walls, forests, bridges, and even a Christmas markets to visit. Being filled with a
I believe everyone deserves a vacation. Most people think that a vacation should be in a tropical paradise where sometimes your skin seems to melt due to the extreme heat (maybe I exaggerated just a little, but you know what I mean!). Skip the tropical beaches in the Summer and go on a great vacation in the Spring to a warm place instead! I have
White and soft sand, palm trees, impressive size cliffs, and the ocean. At least a few vacation days in one of the seven most beautiful beaches in the world would make a tourist trip just as good as a fairytale. Of course, it is easy to be biased about it, but all of these beaches and places we are going to talk about today are
So you are going to Mykonos? Mykonos is loaded with great beaches (and churches) and in my humble opinion, they have some of the best beaches in all of the Mediterranean. Mykonos beaches are a paradise whether you’re looking for swimming, sunbathing, beach parties, or any type of water sports. You can visit the Mykonos beaches throughout the day by renting a car/moto (like I did), by
How Cool is Oslo? It is Arctic Cool! It is totally cool! And it doesn’t matter what time of year you visit, it just has that flair about it that not all European capital cities do. Sure it is cooler in the winter, but the summer is grand as well! I love Oslo and here are a few reasons why: First of all, it
From Berlin to Frankfurt, I made my way through Germany via train, planes, and automobiles! Why? So that I could get a chance to visit the gorgeous historical cities of Potsdam, Erfurt, Wurzburg, and Heidelberg and learn their historical significance, as well as experience their culture and food. I have traveled throughout Germany many times but had never made my way through this historic route
