• Hookahs on the Turkish Riviera
    Destinations

    6 Cities, 6 Vibes on the Turkish Riviera

    When you think of visiting Turkey, you probably think of Istanbul or Cappadocia. But did you know that there are many seaside cities and towns that also make for great trips? Steve and I spent six weeks in the summer of 2022 in six cities, one on the Aegean coast and five on the Mediterranean coast. We loved a few,…

  • Lions at the entrance to the Votive Church in Szeged, Hungary
    Destinations

    The Best Things To Do in Szeged, Hungary

    Steve and I took a five-night trip to Szeged, Hungary, in March. One of the reasons was to visit the thermal baths at Sunshine Aquapolis Szeged, which are connected to the Hunguest Hotel Forrás. We also wanted to see the Art Nouveau buildings that grace the city after it was rebuilt following a devastating flood in 1879. Read on to learn…

  • Collage of architectural ornaments
    Destinations

    Unique Architectural Ornaments in Budapest

    If you are lucky enough to visit Budapest, you will be treated to many architectural delights. And if you look at the buildings closely, you can discover unexpected and unique architectural ornaments. Steve and I spent the two years of the pandemic in Budapest, so I have had a lot of time to explore the city. In this post, I…

  • The Centenary Monument on Margaret Island
    Destinations

    Budapest’s Marvelous Margaret Island

    When Steve and I arrived in Budapest, our driver suggested we visit Margaret Island. The way she described it did not make us want to head right over there. This view was reinforced the first time Steve and I visited the island.  We had been walking for close to an hour when we reached the southern entrance of the island.…

  • many people in a market
    Destinations

    Budapest’s Quirky and Colorful Lehel Market

    Budapest is full of incredible things to see and do. One that makes every list of things to do in the city is the Great Market Hall (Vasarcsarnok), also called the Central Market Hall. It is worth a trip to view the majestic building with its Zsolnay tile roof. However, for something different, I suggest you visit the Lehel Market…

  • White Capuchin Monkey in a wire tube
    Destinations

    The Amazing Amaru Bioparque

    If you enjoy hiking and love animals, Cuenca, Ecuador, has the perfect place for you. It’s the Amaru Bioparque. You can spend hours there, working your way up and down the side of a mountain as you visit hundreds of species of animals. Steve and I were delighted with Amaru Bioparque when we visited Cuenca in 2019. We spent a…

  • Colorful tiles spelling out “Budapest” three times
    Destinations

    The Funky Side of Budapest

    One of the things I enjoy when exploring a city is discovering unique and colorful street art. The more eccentric, the better. Quite frankly, I think Budapest is lacking in street art (at least in the form of murals), but it makes up for it with a multitude of quirky novelties. Street art Even though street art is lacking in…

  • 10 electric scooters lined up on a sidewalk
    Destinations

    Beware the E-Scooters

    There are many ways to get around in Budapest. In addition to an extensive metro system, there are taxis, buses, trams, trains, and bicycles. There is even a chairlift to get to the top of Janos Hill. But for Steve and me, the most enjoyable way to get around the city is by electric scooter. At least it was until…

  • Hallway with marble columns and filigree details
    Destinations

    Sintra, Portugal – Stunning and Sublime

    One of the best things about traveling full-time is discovering awesome new places. Sintra, Portugal, was such a place. This enchanting town, less than one hour from Lisbon, is brimming with historic palaces and castles. Steve and I spent seven weeks in Portugal visiting six cities in the fall of 2018. Our tour of the country included stops in Porto,…

  • Six fauns holding lights on a building
    Destinations

    The Beauty of Budapest in 50 Photos

    In January 2020, Steve broke his pelvis while skiing in Bulgaria. What was meant to be a three-week winter-wonderland ski trip turned into twelve weeks of pain and disappointment. By the time he was healed enough to travel, COVID-19 was becoming a serious concern throughout the world. Instead of returning to the U.S., we decided to go to the place…

  • A large clock with a window overlooking Paris
    Destinations

    Paris’s Musée d’Orsay

    Ah, Paris! The City of Lights! What should you do while visiting this fabled city? Climb the Eiffel Tower, peruse great art at the Louvre, stroll along the Seine? Absolutely. But in addition to the above, there is one more place you shouldn’t miss, the Musée d’Orsay. What is The Musée d’Orsay? The Musée d’Orsay was voted the best museum…

  • The Petit Trianon
    Destinations

    The Magnificent Estate of Versailles

    When Steve and I began our full-time travels in 2018, the first two cities we visited were Barcelona and Paris. Talk about setting the bar high. Between these two cities, three places ruined us for all others:La Sagrada Familia in BarcelonaVersailles (near Paris)Cemetery Montmartre in Paris You can read about why we think Cemetery Montmartre is the coolest cemetery in…

  • A toy hedgehog sitting in a toy car
    Destinations

    Zagreb’s Museum of Broken Relationships

    In the summer of 2018, Steve and I visited Croatia’s capital city of Zagreb. We loved exploring the various museums, relaxing at Jarun Lake, visiting our first cat café, and strolling through the peaceful Zagreb Botanical Garden. But the most memorable place we visited in the city was The Museum of Broken Relationships. To date, it is the most unique…

  • A man looking inside his suit coat’s inner pocket
    Destinations

    Pickpocketed In Barcelona

    When you repeatedly hear that you are in the pickpocket capital of the world, TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. Despite the warnings, Steve was confident that if he kept his wallet in his front pocket it would be safe. During our first week in Barcelona, the first city we visited on our journey throughout the world, Steve was pickpocketed. How It Happened…

  • Moss covered tombstones
    Destinations

    Paris’s Best Cemetery – Cemetery Montmartre

    Do you enjoy exploring cemeteries when you travel? If so, Paris’s Cemetery Montmartre is one you shouldn’t miss. Steve and I spent several hours there in June 2018, and it is still one of my favorite places. It’s my pleasure to share my impressions of Cemetery Montmartre with you. Hopefully, you will be inspired to visit if you already haven’t.…

  • Mural of a close up of a big cat’s face with aqua colored eyes
    Destinations

    European Street Art to Fuel Your Wanderlust

    Do you love to turn a corner and see something unexpected? I sure do. That is why I love street art. It may be beautiful, weird, thought-provoking, or whimsical, but it always feels like a gift. These are 24 of my favorite examples of European street art from our first year of full-time travel listed by city. I have included…

  • The Arc de Triomf in Barcelona
    Destinations

    6 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Barcelona

    Boisterous and beautiful. That is Barcelona. This city in northeast Spain is a sight to behold and a privilege to visit. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t problems. Here are six things you should know before visiting Barcelona. 1. Gaudi’s Creations Grace the City Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) was a Catalan architect and a master of the Modernisme (or Catalan Art…