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A Quick Stop in Montalcino, a Charming Tuscan Town

When I went on a tour of the Val D’Orca we only got a few hours in Montalcino, but I fell in love. It’s a small town so you can cover a lot in a few hours anyway. Here’s what I thought of my short time in Montalcino.

The History of Montalcino

Montalcino is a hilltop town that dates to the Etruscan times but was more modernly established during the medieval era. It was its own independent commune but eventually became part of Siena and subsequently Florence. In the medieval era, it was known for leather and tanneries but now … Continue reading

Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2024 in Destinations
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A Short Guide to Avila, Spain: Things to Do in Saint Teresa’s Hometown

When I visited Madrid, it was so hard picking which day trips to go on. As a medieval enthusiast, I easily decided on Avila. The town is known as a medieval town with pristine walls, and also the home of St. Teresa de Jesus. I ventured there to step back in time several hundred years.

Some of Avila’s History

Avila existed since before the Roman era but it’s known today for its developments during the medieval period. Though it retains a Roman city structure, the incredible Avila walls were constructed in 1090, and landmarks such as the cathedral were built … Continue reading

Posted on Thursday, January 11, 2024 in Destinations
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Looking at Rethymno, a Charming Town in Crete

When I visited Crete, seeing towns like Chania and Rethymno were high on my bucket list since I’d heard great things about them. Chania was cute but I didn’t think it was as charming as Rethymno. Here’s my rundown on this seaside city and why I fell for it.

A Brief History of Rethymno

What is now Rethymno was probably inhabited by the Minoans and the Romans in ancient times, but its more popular history started in the 16th century when the Venetians used the port here and built a fort to protect the city. Much of the architecture standing … Continue reading

Posted on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 in Destinations
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The Ancient City of Athens: the Acropolis & Beyond

So many people told us that you only need a day in Athens, it’s not a great city, all there is to do is the Acropolis. This is so not true. If you’re short on time then yes, maybe spending a day at the Acropolis is enough. But Athens is a lovely city with a lot to do and see. You can fill a few days with things to do, easily.

I also felt that Athens was a nice city. Not particularly charming, and certainly not as photogenic as the Greek islands, but a very proper city.

Without further adieu, … Continue reading

Posted on Friday, August 25, 2023 in Destinations
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Visiting Knossos, an Archaeological Splendor in Crete

If you’ve studied archaeology then you’ve probably heard of Knossos in Crete, one of the world’s ancient splendors. I was eager to see this place for myself and thought it was a fantastic experience.

What was Knossos?

The Minoan culture lived on Crete thousands of years ago, and Knossos – being their largest city – was probably their capital or central power. What remains today is the Knossos Palace, which was a working palace with many functions and inhabitants.

Since Crete is centrally located between Europe, Asia and Africa, Knossos was definitely a huge trade city, which can be seen … Continue reading

Posted on Friday, August 4, 2023 in Destinations
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Visiting Akrotiri, Santorini’s Ancient “Atlantis”

I’ve wanted to visit Akrotiri since I first learned of it in college. Much like Pompeii, this city thrived thousands of years ago before it was covered by a volcanic eruption. Though the volcano destroyed the city, it also preserved it so we could get a more intimate look at it all these years later. Visiting was an absolute highlight of my trip and I cannot recommend it enough for history lovers.

What was Akrotiri? A Short History

Akrotiri’s one of Greece’s biggest archaeological finds, but not much is known about it – not even its name. The language, called … Continue reading

Posted on Friday, July 28, 2023 in Destinations
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11 Fun Things to Do in Santorini

There are so many fun things to do in Santorini that people miss out on. Actually, when we first planned our Greece trip, we were going on a cruise that stopped only for 2 hours – just enough to see Oia’s “famous sunset.” What a crime! That trip was cancelled so when we rebooked, we opted to spend several days on the volcano island and get to see what it really had to offer.

Visit Akrotiri & Prehistoric Museum of Thera

Akrotiri is absolutely one of the best things to do in Santorini. Particularly for history buffs, you can see … Continue reading

Posted on Friday, July 21, 2023 in Destinations
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20 Charming Towns in Europe to Visit

I haven’t been to all of Europe yet but it’s on my bucket list. I’m lucky to have visited so many charming towns in Europe, and I’ve compiled a list of my favourites.

I’ve visited a few more than what’s mentioned here but narrowed my list down to my favorites. These are the towns in Europe that made a true impression on me. Be sure to add these beautiful places to your bucket list!

Assisi, Italy

Assisi has a long and important history. It’s the home of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan Order of the Catholic Church. It’s a … Continue reading

Posted on Sunday, July 9, 2023 in Multi-Country Listicles
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Exploring Amersfoort, a Charming City in the Netherlands

When I went to the Netherlands, Amersfoort caught my eye as a charming town. I was looking for more places that were a bit smaller – but not too small – and still retained historic charm, so the city’s old town attracted me. Amersfoort isn’t on a typical itinerary of the Netherlands but seeing that many places looked a lot more modern, I decided to give it a go. It was actually one of my favourite parts of my trip!

A Short History of Amersfoort

The town of Amersfoort started as an area for overseeing farmland, but blossomed into a … Continue reading

Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2023 in Destinations
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Visiting Pienza, a Cute Tuscan Town – Things to Do & Travel Guide

I went on a day tour of Tuscan towns and Pienza was on the itinerary. I didn’t know much about it before arriving, but it’s a small Renaissance town with beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside – the Val d’Orcia. We had about 2 hours there and I absolutely loved it. Even though the town is tiny, I would recommend a stay of longer than 2 hours.

The History of Pienza

Pienza’s original name was Corsignano and was established in the early medieval era. But Pienza’s history changed drastically when a man named Enea Silvio Piccolomini – popularly known as … Continue reading

Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2023 in Destinations
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