Segovia is a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage city worthy of exploration, although a Madrid to Segovia day trip is an option. Here you will find the impressive architecture of the aqueduct of Segovia, an engineering feat of the Roman Empire built about 50 A.D. While it’s the main drawing card for the city, there are plenty …
Warm and sunny, we loved our time in Southern Europe. Through two home exchanges and other travels, we have spent over half a year in the region.
Based on the United Nations Geoscheme, we have defined Southern Europe to include the following countries:
Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey*, and Vatican City.
*Turkey is included here as we only visited the European section of the country, despite it being considered part of Western Asia in the UN Geoscheme.
Of the 17 countries in our defined region, we have been to eight and written about six of them.
Enjoy our Southern European articles:
Chapel of Bones Evora and Other World Ossuaries
We have been to some eerie places, no question about it. Capela dos Ossos, the Chapel of Bones in Evora, Portugal tops our freakish list. Entering the macabre world of this ossuary, we crossed into the Twilight Zone. And as we did, we thought we had found something unique. Not so. In fact, it’s not …
Istanbul Must See: 7 Places to Visit in Istanbul Turkey
Energy levels were high as our ship pulled into the port of Istanbul. Exotic, yet familiar, it’s a city filled with an extensive history, intricate architecture, gastronomic delights, and culture. Our Istanbul must see list whittled down to seven key sites, we were ready. Istanbul is a city that deserves more than one day, but …
21 Things to do in La Coruña Spain
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. …
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: The Best Option from Izmir or Kusadasi
The ruins of Ephesus Turkey are filled with inspiring examples of ancient craftsmanship; however, none compare to the masterpiece that is the Ephesus Library of Celsus. Towering over the ruins, the remaining facade is enough to impress even the most apathetic of travellers. The Greeks constructed portions of the ancient city of Ephesus as early …
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 …
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
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. …
Mykonos Cruise Port: Windmills and Whitewash
The contrast of the stark whitewashed buildings against a deep blue sky and turquoise sea captivated my attention as we sailed into the Mykonos cruise port. We could see the famous Mykonos windmills on the hill. The world looked peaceful. However, like many of the Greek Islands, Mykonos harbour depends heavily on tourism, and our ship …
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 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 …
