I’ve been to the Scottish highlands twice. The first time was that, a first-time visit. The second time, I brought my family so they could experience once of my favourite places in the world. The highlands are so big and I have much to explore still, but this is my experience with this magical place.

One of my favourite areas is the Trossachs National Park. This is where Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest loch by surface area, is located. The park is filled with high hills reflecting in the low lakes. It’s extremely picturesque and the nature is so … Continue reading

Malaga is one of Andalusia’s gems. A city on the sea, it’s most notably the home of artist Pablo Picasso. It’s a wonderful mix of a seaside city, a historic Spanish city, and a lively place to be. Malaga makes a fantastic destination for your trip to southern Spain.

Malaga’s History

Malaga dates back several millennia and is said to be one of the world’s oldest cities. The area had already been continuously inhabited by the Phoenicians for several hundreds of years before it fell under Greek and Roman rule. Its location at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula made … Continue reading

Ronda is a small town in Andalusia and it’s a popular spot for tourists, especially because of its super tall bridge that transcends a deep valley. I opted to go here as part of a day trip but I have to be honest; the blog posts I found made it sound like there wasn’t much to do in this small town. When I got there as part of an organised trip, we were given a good walking tour and a little over an hour to explore. That was not nearly enough time. The town actually has a large number of … Continue reading

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Alhambra in Granada is often deemed one of the must-sees of southern Spain. It’s an architectural splendor with very well preserved palaces and gardens. It’s the most visited monument in Spain and is very well deserving of the title. Even though I was excited to see this gem, it absolutely blew away my expectations in person.

Please note that this sells out months in advance so you will need to book your ticket ahead of time.

The Alhambra

Andalusia’s history revolves around its many kingdoms and the changes that occurred over time. The Nasrid … Continue reading

Wroclaw is a small city in southwest Poland, and like several Polish cities, its stunning architecture attracts tourists. I too had to see this city for myself, and it was much bigger than I’d expected. (Helpful tip: it’s pronounced VROTS-WOV)

Something fun: My great-grandmother came from a small Silesian town near Wroclaw. She was a Polish Jew who married a Catholic Irishman – in the 1920s. How progressive is that?
That’s on my mother’s side. What’s funny is that earlier ancestors on my father’s side came from the same area of Silesia! Small world. I know it doesn’t matter … Continue reading

If you’ve taken a European architecture class, you’ve probably heard of the Great Mosque of Cordoba. Because it came up in so many of my courses, I just had to visit it on my trip to Andalusia. A huge perk is that it’s located in one of Andalusia’s finest cities: Cordoba. This city is filled with tonnes of charm, history, and beauty.

The History of Cordoba

Alnwick Castle is a fairytale-looking castle in Northumberland, England, and it currently serves as the seat of the 12th Duke of Northumberland. It was founded in the 11th century and has served as the seat of Northumberland nobility for hundreds of years. It’s actually still inhabited by English nobility today. However, a main reason people visit is because it’s the location where the first two Harry Potter movies were filmed. The exterior was used as the grounds of Hogwarts. That was the real draw for me and my family to take a trip from Edinburgh and see it – even … Continue reading

As the biggest city in Scotland, there are numerous fun things to do in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is an absolutely beautiful city and one of my favourites. It’s steeped in history and has amazing architecture, history, and culture. There are lots of things to do in Scotland’s capital, and here is a list of 33+ of them.

Places to See in Edinburgh

Go up to Calton Hill.

Calton Hill was established in the romantic era when faux ruins were in style. It has some interesting pieces but also boasts wonderful views of the city.

Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Holyrood Palace… Continue reading

Stirling Castle is arguably one of the most important places in Scotland. It’s an easy day trip from Edinburgh and is a must-see for anyone interested in Scottish history and castles, as it is a very complete castle with very recognisable residents. We got to stop here for a few hours and had it was definitely worth the visit.

The History of Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is known as the dividing point between the Scottish Highlands and the rest of Scotland, but it also has incredible historical significance. The castle dates back to the 1100s and flip-flopped in ownership between … Continue reading

The Emerald Isle is such a beautiful country and there’s so much to see there. Even though I sadly haven’t spent much time in Ireland, I’ve been able to see a few of the beautiful natural sites known internationally. They comprise some of the most fantastic places I’ve ever been.

Note that I’m not too much of a nature type so my discussions below are for the layman, not someone versed in plants and trees.

The Burren National Park

The Burren National Park is an easy trip from Galway on the west coast. It’s most known for having exposed rock … Continue reading