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Category: Destinations

The Charming Canal City of Bruges (Updated 2024)

Bruges, Belgium is a fairytale city and one of the most unique and charming I’ve been to. Even though millions of people flock to Bruges each year, it’s oddly still a place that some people haven’t heard of. Whether or not you’ve heard of it or not, it’s someplace that should definitely be on your radar.

Bruges, Belgium

The History of Bruges

Bruges was founded by the vikings but a lot of Bruges’s history revolves around its high time in the late medieval period to the early Renaissance (1000s-1400s). Because of its location, it served as a large trading port, primarily in … Continue reading

Posted on Monday, April 8, 2019 in Destinations
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The Beautiful City of Ghent – Things to Do & Travel Guide

Ghent is one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium, which every history lover should know about (and I’m surprised many don’t). There was a time it was one of the biggest cities in Europe. Today, it looks like a city stuck in the 1400s! Photographs alone can compel someone to go to Ghent, but the city actually has a lot to offer.

Ghent, Belgium

Some of Ghent’s History

It may not come as a surprise that the height of Ghent’s power came during medieval times, much like other Belgian cities such as Bruges and Antwerp. It was already well-established when it… Continue reading Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2019 in Destinations
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Seeing Deer & Temples in Nara – Things to Do & Travel Guide

Nara is one of the most popular day trips in Japan. It’s known for its deer park, where deer roam freely and aren’t afraid of humans. And actually, I wasn’t super interested in going. After doing some research and finding out about all the different temples Nara has, I decided to make it a day trip from Kyoto. So what did I think?

Well, I thought it was amazing!

Nara, Japan

The History of Nara

Kyoto is known as being the ancient capital of Japan since it served that position for over a thousand years. However, Nara served as the capital before … Continue reading

Posted on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 in Destinations
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The Ghibli Museum: What to Expect & How to Get Tickets

A visit to the Ghibli Museum was a must for my trip to Japan. I grew up watching Studio Ghibli and even took a class in college that covered some Ghibli films. My friend studied abroad in Japan a while back and got tickets several months ahead for the Ghibli Museum, which introduced me to the museum and the fact that it’s super exclusive (details at the end of this post). I went with my brother and a pair of friends to Mitaka and didn’t know what to expect. So, here’s a post to let you know what visiting … Continue reading

Posted on Monday, February 18, 2019 in Destinations
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A Visit to Himeji Castle, One of Japan’s Iconic Landmarks

Himeji Castle is one of the most popular tourist spots in Japan and the most popular Japanese castle. Himeji is one of the best (if not the best) examples of of Japanese castle architecture and it survived the bombing of Himeji during World War II, even though the entire city was bombed. It’s a popular day trip from Kyoto and since it’s been named one of the best sites in Japan, if not the world, I absolutely had to go.

A Brief History of Himeji Castle

The castle dates to the mid-14th century, but was heavily renovated two centuries later, … Continue reading

Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 in Destinations
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The Norman City of Rouen – Things to Do & Travel Guide

Rouen is such a charming city in Normandy with a fantastic history, and it makes an excellent day trip from Paris. It’s definitely worth seeing if you have time to spend in France. I’ve been twice and have enjoyed both trips to this lovely Norman city.

Rouen

The History of Rouen

Rouen has a very long and impressive history. The city of Rouen dates back to the Roman days and became a Viking city in 841. It was actually so important that it served as the capital of Normandy until about 1060, when William the Conquerer moved the capital to Caen … Continue reading

Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2018 in Destinations
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The Awe-Inspiring Town of Nikko – Things to Do & Travel Guide

Even though Nikko’s listed as a common day trip from Tokyo, it’s a little off the beaten path. This town, which revolves around its several temples and shrines, was founded in the 8th century, but its popularity grew in the Edo period as it became the burial spot for the Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the famous Tokugawa Shogunate. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nikko

Nikko

A Brief History of Nikko

Nikko was always a town of shrines. The town was established when a monk named Shodo established Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple at the site, which you can still visit… Continue reading Posted on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 in Destinations
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Okunoshima (Rabbit Island) in Japan: The Cutest Place on Earth!

Have you ever seen those videos on YouTube of people being covered in rabbits? Most likely, they’re on the island of Okunoshima, nicknamed Rabbit Island. Since rabbits are one of my favourite animals, it was something I absolutely needed to do and it’s one of the most unique and fun things to do in Japan (and the world).

Warning: Tonnes of cute bunny pics ahead!

Okunoshima (Rabbit Island)

Okunoshima (Rabbit Island)

What’s with the Rabbits on Rabbit Island?

Okunoshima has a fascinating backstory. It was used in the 20s-40s as a chemical weapon base and was actually kept in secrecy so other countries wouldn’t know of … Continue reading

Posted on Thursday, November 8, 2018 in Destinations
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Following Witches in Salem, MA – Things to Do & Travel Guide

Since I was a kid, I’ve loved witches. Hocus Pocus and Scooby Doo and the Witch’s Ghost were definitely up on my list of favourite movies. Today, I’m still incredibly into the history of witches, witchcraft, and modern Wicca, even though I don’t participate in the religion. With a huge hunger for spells, nature, and history, I went to Salem for the first time since I was 11 to see what may be considered the spookiest town in the USA, and it was pretty exciting being in a town that celebrates its occult and non-occult past.

Salem, MA

The History of Salem’s

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Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 in Destinations
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The Opulent Newport Mansions: Visiting The Breakers & Marble House

Newport, Rhode Island is filled with mansions, and the first two I visited were The Breakers and Marble House. Unfortunately the COVID pandemic shut a lot of the mansions down for a long time, but I hope to visit and write about them all one day.

A lot of times I wish I could live an extravagant lifestyle with endless money. Don’t you? I have a huge wishlist of material items and among them would be my beautiful dream home, completely at my design and taste. That’s why, for me, it was super exciting to go to Newport, Rhode Island … Continue reading

Posted on Friday, August 31, 2018 in Destinations
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