La Coruña Spain is located in the northwest corner of Spain, in the Galicia region. A rocky peninsula, it’s a section of the country often skipped by tourists. Actually, this city found us when a family offered us a home exchange. As it turns out, there are plenty of things to do in La Coruna. …
Travel to Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Turkey
Obidos Portugal: A Medieval Town with a Padlocked Entrance
Portugal is a treasure trove of small, picturesque medieval towns like Obidos. It’s a charming walled city whose highlights can be seen in just a few hours. At only an hour’s drive from the capital, it is ideal for a day trip from Lisbon. While a day tour from Lisbon to Obidos would have spared …
Barcelona Day Trips: Dali Museum and 9 Medieval Towns in Catalonia
Famous for its Mediterranean coastal cities, there is also a treasure trove of medieval towns in Catalonia Spain. Driving from one small medieval village to the next, you can choose various combinations to make exciting Barcelona day trips. Each of these small towns in Spain holds something special and unique. Often, it feels as if time …
Ephesus Library of Celsus: A Must-See in Turkey
As we pulled into the port of Izmir Turkey, I questioned our decision to visit the ancient ruins of Ephesus. Our time in port was limited, and after our disappointing excursion to Pompeii, our expectations were low. However, from the first moment we arrived, I knew we made the right choice. And then, we turned …
Pompeii and Naples – Why You Need to Visit Both Cities
Naples is our final cruise port on Italy’s Mediterranean coastline. Like in Pisa/Florence and Rome/Vatican, one day is not enough. We opted for Pompeii and Naples, but that meant giving up the Amalfi Coast. In truth, I have waited a long time to visit Pompeii. Thirty years ago, I toured Europe. Back then, Pompeii closed …
How to Maximize One Day in Athens – Cruising to Greece
One day in Athens is all cruise ship passengers have to explore the historic sites of the ancient empire and the modern portions of Greece’s capital city. The list of key places to visit in Athens includes significant landmarks, culinary delights, and both ancient and modern art. Despite the time restrictions, we managed to see …
18 Photos of Roman and Medieval Sites: Things to Do in Segovia Spain
The aqueduct of Segovia is an engineering feat of the Roman Empire, built about 50 A.D. Exploring its impressive architecture is one of many fascinating things to do in Segovia. The famous aqueduct is 28 meters tall and stretches 16,220 meters. It is held together solely by natural forces, with the unmortared granite bricks held in place …
La Mezquita and Other Things to Do in Cordoba Spain
La Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba) is captivating. It brings hordes of tourists to this Andalusian town annually. It is one of many interesting things to do in Cordoba Spain. If you only have one day in Cordoba, you will be busy. La Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba) The red and white archways captivated my attention from …
30 Free Things to Do in Evora Portugal – More than Just an Ossuary
While the intrigue of a chapel of bones lures many to Evora, this old city has plenty to offer. We found 30 fascinating things to do in Evora, and most of them are free or nearly free. It’s a town designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and filled with medieval architecture and ancient Roman history. …
Whitewashed Buildings, Greek Chapels, and Windmills of Mykonos Greece
The contrast of the stark whitewashed buildings against a deep blue sky and turquoise sea caught my attention as we sailed into the port of Mykonos. We could see the famous windmills of Mykonos up on the hill, and from here everything appeared quiet and peaceful. However, like many of the Greek Islands, Mykonos harbour depends …
The Secret to Seeing the Highlights of Rome in a Day
We attempted the impossible, to see the highlights of Rome in a day, including a visit to the Vatican. While this is not the recommended way to see this historic city, it was our only option, as it was a port on a Mediterranean Cruise. The secret to our success was two-fold. First, we did our research. …
Photo Tour: Plaza del Pilar in Saragossa (Zaragoza) Spain
As we looked out on Plaza del Pilar, we instantly knew that we hadn’t allocated enough time to explore Saragossa. Like many visitors, we came to this Spanish town to see El Pilar, but even the plaza had so much more to offer. Saragossa (Zaragoza in Spanish), is a city of significant religious importance. Located inland in …
The Palaces of Sintra Portugal – The Heart of European Romantic Architecture
Sintra is magical. It’s only a 40-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Portugal’s capital city, yet entering Sintra was like turning a page in a childhood fantasy book and stepping into an enchanted village. This tiny town boasting three palaces and a castle is an unexpected delight. The cultural landscape of Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage …
Santillana del Mar: Spain’s Often Overlooked Colourful Medieval Town
The picturesque medieval town of Santillana del Mar is a well preserved historical masterpiece. A village handed down through the generations, it is still governed by town-planning laws created in 1575. The cobblestone streets and flower-filled balconies make it a photographer’s paradise. See if you agree: Located in Spain’s Cantabria region, Santillana del Mar is near …
Photo Tour of the Gothic Monastery in Alcobaca Portugal
Reaching up towards the heavens, the architecture and gardens of the monastery in Alcobaca Portugal far exceeded our expectations. This medieval Cistercian monastery and church were the first Gothic buildings built in Portugal. Today, it’s still the country’s largest gothic church. The fascinating history of the monastery began during a battle against the Moors in 1147. Portugal’s first king (Afonso Henríques) …
