Visiting Istanbul: The Good, The Bad, and The Startling
As the first step in writing this post, I thumbed through my photos of Istanbul. Steve and I sure saw a lot of beautiful things there. Despite that, it is our least favorite city. So what made us dislike Istanbul so much? It all comes down to the extremes; beautiful neighborhoods surrounded by ghettos, decent public transportation but hard-to-find information,…
12 of the Most Interesting Things to Do in Prague
Are you planning on visiting Prague, the city of 100 spires? If so, this post is for you. Even if you are not planning to visit this beautiful Czech city, it may inspire you to add it to your bucket list. There are two things every visitor to Prague does. One is to brave the crowds on the Charles Bridge…
Turkey is for Cat Lovers – With 25 Charming Cat Photos
For three months in the summer and fall of 2022, Steve and I visited eight cities in Turkey. To my delight, each town was full of cats roaming the streets. These are not bedraggled strays. These cats are well-fed and look healthy. They are cared for and loved by the residents because, as we discovered, Turkey is for cat lovers.…
Istanbul, Turkey Photo Gallery 2022
Steve and I spent a whirlwind four weeks in Istanbul in the fall of 2022, dividing our time between the European and Asian sides. This allowed us to experience the city in two different ways. We enjoyed the incredible museums, were overwhelmed by the crowds, and had a fire in our apartment building. We also enjoyed sharing the city with…
18 Things to Know Before Visiting Cappadocia
Thanks to Instagram, we all know about the enchanting Cappadocian landscape and the epic balloon rides. Like many places that are presented as ideal, there is more to the area than you see on the Internet. To help you plan your trip to this magical region, here are 18 things to know before visiting Cappadocia. All costs are in U.S.…
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,…
Walking The Dales Way: 81 Miles of Beauty and Charm
Do you love a challenge? Steve and I do, so when we first learned about the Dales Way, we were excited. It seemed like the perfect adventure for us. We planned our walk for June 2020, but the pandemic put our trip on hold for two years. In July 2022, Steve and I finally got to walk the Dales Way.…
What You Need to Know When Visiting Budapest, Hungary
Are you thinking of visiting Budapest? Go for it. This Hungarian city in Central Europe is chock full of beauty and history. Steve and I arrived in Budapest in March 2020 for a four-week stay. Because of the pandemic, we ended up staying for more than two years. During this time, we have explored every corner of the city and…
Prague, Czech Republic Photo Gallery 2022
Steve and I spent ten wonderful days in Prague in May 2022. Here are my favorite photos from that trip. Also, check out our post, “12 of the Most Interesting Things to Do in Prague.” Happy traveling,Linda Before You Go
The Best Things To Do in Szeged, Hungary
Updated 5/30/25 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…
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…
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.…
The Pros and Cons of Skiing in Bansko, Bulgaria
Dear reader, I’m glad you found this post! Please keep in mind that it is five years old, so things may have changed or improved since then. Are you planning a ski vacation this winter? Are you trying to get the most for your money? If so, you may be considering the Bulgarian ski resort of Bansko. Steve and I…
Eger and Egerszalók: A Great Hungarian Getaway
If you are looking for a fun getaway in Hungary, consider Eger. It is the largest town in the Eger wine region and only 84 miles (135 km) from Budapest. It can easily be reached by car or train. A visit to Eger will reward you with beautiful views, Baroque architecture, and a valley dedicated to wine. You can also visit…
Aquaworld Budapest: Tons of Fun in Hungary
Are you visiting Budapest? If so, you are probably aware of the thermal baths the city is famous for, but for something a little different, give Aquaworld Budapest a try. At Aquaworld, you can relax and be pampered in the spa, soak in warm thermal pools, or be a kid at the indoor water parks. Steve and I were enduring…
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…
10 Must-See Holocaust Memorials in Budapest
If you find the history of the Holocaust as poignant and powerful as I do, you may wish to visit some of the Holocaust memorials in Budapest. This post highlights ten sites in Budapest that keep the memory of that terrible time alive and honor those who lost their lives as well as those who risked their lives to save the…
20 Quick and Cool Things to Do in Budapest
Updated 11/12/2024 If a trip to Budapest is in your future, lucky you! It is a vibrant and beautiful city with so much to see and do. If you aren’t planning a visit, maybe seeing all the city offers will push it to the top of your bucket list. Steve and I arrived in Budapest in March of 2020, at…
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…
12 Things You’ll Love Doing In Cuenca, Ecuador
In June 2019, we were planning our next stop after Quito, Ecuador, when a new name came up. Cuenca. We had never heard of it. We decided to give it a try because some of the places we have enjoyed the most are the ones we had never heard of. We are glad we did. After spending four weeks in…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Therme Bucuresti: The Most Beautiful and Relaxing Place in Bucharest
Are you thinking of visiting Bucharest? Great! You’ll love it. Along with seeing the Palace of Parliament, Herăstrău Lake and Park, and the Cărturești Carusel bookstore, there is one other place that should be on your list: Therme Bucuresti. This is a place where you can feel like a carefree kid one minute and a pampered adult the next. We…
From Trains to Treasures: Musée d’Orsay Magic
Updated 6/17/25 Ah, Paris! The City of Light! 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 there is one more place you shouldn’t miss, the Musée d’Orsay. What is The Musée d’Orsay? It is a marvel of Beaux-Arts beauty that houses the world’s…
More Than a Palace: The Magnificent Estate of Versailles
Updated 6/21/25 Way back in 2005, I visited Paris with my daughter Stephanie, and one of our standout adventures was a tour of the Palace of Versailles. We marveled at the over-the-top elegance, especially in the Hall of Mirrors with its 357 mirrors (can you imagine being the poor soul who had to clean those?) It’s hard to believe this…
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…
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…
Cemetery Montmartre: Where the Dead Get the Best Views
Updated 6/19/25 The overcrowding at Paris’s main cemetery, Cimitière des Innocents, reached a gory climax in 1780 when the wall of a mass grave gave way, spilling decomposing bodies into the basement of a nearby building. That was it. Game over for the centuries-old burial ground. Located in the 1st arrondissement, the cemetery had long been a health hazard thanks…
