INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS
Matthias Church is understandably one of the main attractions on Castle Hill in Budapest. After all, it is one of Hungary’s most important churches. It has hosted many coronations since its construction in the 13th century, the most notable being the crowning of Franz Joseph and Elizabeth, as well as the last Habsburgs, Karl IV and...
La Habana Vieja, or Old Havana, is the historic heart of Cuba’s capital city and the largest colonial centre in Latin America. Full of colour and personality, it’s a mix of historic buildings, museums, galleries, churches and lively plazas. Old Havana is where most of the tourists to Havana spend their time. It’s full of...
Epidaurus was once celebrated as a place of miraculous healing, but these days visitors don’t come seeking a cure for what ails them, they flock to see the remarkable ancient Greek theatre. It’s hard not to let your mouth fall open when the theatre at Epidaurus first comes into view. I remember being shocked at...
Trinidad is the place I was most looking forward to visiting in Cuba. I had heard so many great things about this delightful, small town, and lucky for me, it easily lived up to my high expectations. Walking around Trinidad, I couldn’t help but smile. The colourful, colonial architecture gives the town a bright, cheerful...
Since 1939, the Tropicana has been Cuba’s defining cabaret show. At this famous open-air nightclub in a lush tropical garden estate, guests are entertained by a colourful medley of song and dance reflecting elements of Cuban culture. The Tropicana Havana Cabaret- Our Experience Our cab heads down a broad, tree lined avenue into Miramar, Havana’s...
Varadero’s white sandy beach was the perfect place to enjoy a quiet sunset, the evening breeze shaping the blue water into small, curling waves. Varadero is Cuba’s top resort community and occupies the 19 km long Peninsula de Hicacos. If you would like to experience more than just Cuba’s beaches, the resorts at Varadero offer...
After an eventful first night in Havana, I woke up the next day excited to begin exploring the city. I couldn’t wait to ride in a classic car, admire the architecture, and experience the local culture. After breakfast we hopped in a beautiful 1951 Chev and had the driver take us to Plaza de la...
“I hope we come away from Havana with some good stories,” I eagerly said to Mike as our bus pulled away from the airport. I was excited to be visiting Cuba for the first time, a country I was very curious about. I was especially enthusiastic about spending 3 days in Havana, the lively capital...
One of my favourite views at the Palace of Versailles, is the one overlooking the Orangerie and Pond of the Swiss. The Orangerie was built by Jules Hardouin-Mansart from 1684 and 1686. The garden is flanked with a grand 100-step staircase and contains over 1,000 trees, some over 200 years old! There are orange trees from...
When we were in Hallstatt, our short visit meant we had to choose between visiting the salt mines or the nearby Dachstein Ice Cave. Hallstatt is known for its long, prosperous history of salt mining, so I almost felt obligated to go tour the mines. Once I tuned into my instincts, instead of the guidebook...
I must say, I was a pretty lucky girl to get to spend my 32nd birthday in Hallstatt. This little Austrian village, tightly nestled between a lake and mountain range, is a place I have wanted to visit ever since I first saw a photo of it. You know the one… When it came time...
Just north of Place de la Concorde in Paris is L’église de St-Marie-Madeleine, or St. Mary Magdalene Church. When we first came across La Madeleine, as it is commonly called, we didn’t know it was a church because the building resembles a large Roman temple. There are 52 Corinthian columns that surround the temple, topped...
One of my favourite days in Rome was the day I visited Palatine Hill. As I walked around this beautiful hill, past gardens and remnants of opulent palaces, I imagined how luxurious it must have been when it was ancient Rome’s most exclusive neighbourhood. History of Palatine Hill As Rome’s most central hill, the Palatine...
I’m almost 100% sure that anyone who has been to New Orleans will rave about what a fantastic city it is. There really is something for everyone- a vibrant music scene, delicious food, beautiful architecture, a party atmosphere, quiet parks, even ghosts. Yes, there really is everything! Mike and I easily spent a week on...
The Strasbourg Cathedral dominates the square at the end of Rue Mercière, standing tall over the heart of the city. Notre-Dame de Strasbourg was built between 1190 and 1439, a Gothic masterpiece that would be the tallest construction in the world for over 200 years. At 142 metres tall, its single steeple makes the cathedral...
The Queen’s Hamlet is the final post in our series about Versailles. In Part One, we toured the Palace of Versailles and in Part Two we visited the Trianon Palaces. Hands down, our favourite part of Versailles was the Queen’s Hamlet, a rustic retreat built for Marie Antoinette. The Queen is famed for her desire...
The Trianon Palaces is Part Two of a three part series about Versailles. In Part One, we toured the Palace of Versailles and in Part Three we will visit the Queen’s Hamlet. On my first trip to the Palace of Versailles 15 years ago, I didn’t get a chance to explore the property as much...
The first time I visited the Palace of Versailles, I was in the eleventh grade on my first trip to Europe. I still vividly recall how amazed I was by the decadent furnishings, the sparkling hall of mirrors, the grand fountains, and the symmetry and preciseness of the colourful gardens. After that trip, Versailles was...
I had never heard of Strasbourg until I got an email from my mom. Attached was a slideshow of beautiful pictures from medieval towns in Europe. My eyes lit up as I clicked through pages of half-timbered houses, window boxes overflowing with red flowers, gentle flowing canals and narrow, winding streets. I knew instantly that...
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is probably the most incredible painting I have ever seen. Michelangelo’s masterpiece, painted from 1508-1512, illustrates nine episodes from the book of Genesis, the highlight of which is the Creation of Adam. I was intrigued by the illusionary architectural elements of the painting, the fictive moldings appearing as if...
We are Rhonda and Mike, a Canadian couple who make it a priority to travel every chance we get!
We describe our travel style as "laid back luxe" and enjoy a mix of outdoor adventures and historic sites.
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