I recently took a trip to Sigüenza, which may not ring a bell for many travelers, but it should! The town isn’t usually included in tourist brochures; it’s one of Spain’s best-kept secrets! Its quiet streets and friendly atmosphere create ...
I visited Cartago on a trip through Colombia that took me from the heart of the Coffee Triangle to Cali. A girl I met in the town of Armenia suggested I stop by. “Cartago is just like Salento but without ...
The Castel Sant’Elmo (Saint Elmo Castle) is a military fortress perched atop Vomero Hill in Naples, which has transitioned from its defensive role to become a premier panoramic spot and the city’s foremost observation point. Visiting Castel Sant’Elmo: An Unmissable ...
The Basilica of Santa María del Mar in Barcelona is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, built for the shipbuilders and merchants of the region. The stones of its walls and the shapes of its windows take you back to ...
During my last journey to Cantabria, I enjoyed exploring the quaint town of Santillana del Mar. Known as the “Town of the Three Lies:” it’s neither holy (Santa), flat (llana), or near the sea (del Mar). In reality, what is ...
Cemeteries mirror living societies. They are a small version of the city they’re in and reflect the same social patterns, Barcelona’s Montjuïc Cemetery is no exception. This is especially true for the Cementerio de Montjuïc in Barcelona. In this cemetery, ...
Sunrise was just a couple of hours ago, but the sun shone like noon. A cool sea-scented breeze blows from the west, moving my hair. I sit on a nearby rock to watch the city waking up. Below, not far, ...
I live in Madrid, and while it’s usually a sunny city, there are days when the sky is grey and rain taps on the windows. These days can be a surprise in a city known for its blue skies. Living ...
Covering a vast area of central Istanbul, the Kapali Çarsi (kah-pah-look char-shoo), which translates as “Covered Market” but is known worldwide as the Istanbul Grand Bazaar, is one of the world’s most famous shopping places. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is often ...
The afternoon was giving way as the train rolled into Thessaloniki. After a brief stay in Skopje, my time here was limited—a ticking clock I couldn’t ignore. With urgency, I gathered my essentials: most importantly, my phone charger and camera. ...
During one of my recent visits to Transylvania, I stumbled upon the Saxon Cemetery in Sighisoara. This graveyard is high up a hill, next to the famous Biserica din Deal (aptly translated as “Church on the Hill”). Some believe this ...
Dubai is a place where I once only spent a brief time during a long layover. Honestly, the city never really caught my fancy and didn’t land on my list of top places to return to. But life is full ...