Category: Destinations

Visiting Blarney Castle & (Not) Getting the Gift of Garb

One of my huge bucket-list items was going to see Blarney Castle in Ireland, famous for its Blarney Stone. Kissing the stone is said to give one the gift of eloquence, though the castle is beautiful enough to entice people to visit. So when I went on my trip to Ireland a few years back, seeing Blarney Castle was one of my top priorities.

Blarney Castle’s History

Blarney Castle was built by Cormac McCarthy (King of Munster – not the author) sometime in the 1480s, even though I have to point out that the information given at the castle is … Continue reading

The Medieval Town of Provins, France – Things to Do & Travel Guide

Y’all know I’m a sucker for medieval towns and the town of Provins, France, about an hour away from Paris by train, was one I definitely had to see. Provins is a medieval town that still has its preserved medieval walls. Because it sat at a crossroads for many trade routes, it became a location of several merchant fairs, for which it became famous. Today, not much has changed! It still has its medieval structures and it’s modernly known for its medieval shows, especially The Eagles of the Ramparts, and they still have festivals and events to celebrate … Continue reading

Machu Picchu: Day Trip to a World Wonder (Updated 2024)

Machu Picchu is one of the “seven wonders of the world” and even though Peru has a lot to offer, virtually all travellers flock to this citadel. Even though a lot of people have different feelings about the lost city, I thought it was amazing.

A Short History of Machu Picchu

The city and its history are really misinterpreted. First of all, the city isn’t ancient but was built in the mid-1400s by the Incas and it was actually never even completed or fully lived in. A lot of people imagine something like Pompeii, a city of two thousand years … Continue reading

A Day Trip to Ticino, Switzerland: Lugano, Locarno, & Bellinzona

Switzerland is known for its northern parts but Ticino is tucked away in the south. The thing I love about Switzerland is that is has very strong and obvious influences from the French, Italians and Germans, yet it has its own distinct culture and identity. Ticino is essentially the part of Switzerland near Italy, with heavily Italian influences. It’s a few hours’ train ride away from Zurich but starting early, I was able to spend a day in some different towns there.

Lugano

Lugano’s a city with a tumultuous history that switches between independence, French, Italian, and of course Swiss … Continue reading

The Charming City of Bern – Things to Do & Travel Guide

I wanted to visit Bern and Zurich so much when I was in France that when I ended up not making it, I actually flew back to Switzerland the next chance I had. And let me tell you this: I was absolutely not disappointed, and even stunned by the beauty and culture that Bern had to offer. Even though it’s the capital of Switzerland, this historic city is usually skipped for nearby places like Zurich and Lucerne, but it definitely deserves a day at the least of your time to fully enjoy what Switzerland has to offer.

The History of

The Stunning City of Stockholm – Things to Do & Travel Guide

Stockholm, Sweden was always really high on my bucket list so I finally decided that I was going to visit, and even though my trip was much shorter than I would’ve liked, it was absolutely wonderful. Everyone there is really kind and helpful, and the city is filled with culture from bike traffic being a huge part of city life, to Sweden’s interesting relationship with light and nature.

A History of Stockholm

The origins of Stockholm are more obscure, and even its name meaning “log-islet” is of unknown roots. In the viking era, the main towns were Birka, Sigtuna and … Continue reading

Visiting Mont St-Michel, one of France’s Most Unique Destinations

You’ve probably seen the iconic mound of Mont St-Michel in Normandy before as it’s an architectural marvel that’s emblematic of France, and I actually went there once by myself and took my mom there a few months later. It’s definitely one of the most unique places I’ve ever been and honestly, visiting it was not what I expected. It is quite touristy but still worth the visit.

The History of Mont St-Michel

The Mont St-Michel monastery was built around 708 to be a sanctuary because of Aubert of Avranches, a bishop. He had a dream that the archangel Michael appeared … Continue reading