Read about our journeys. All posts are organized and linked below for ease of access, rather than jumping across pages and scrolling through posts.
Austria
Vienna, Austria. (June, 2022, Part I). Beer tasting, strolling through Prater, and our visit to Domkirche St. Stephan.
Vienna, Austria. (June, 2022, Part II). Our museum visits start with Albertina and HGM. Grocery shopping on a holiday.
Vienna, Austria. (June, 2022, Part III). The Opera House is a must see. Dodging guys dressed as Mozart selling concert tickets.
Vienna, Austria. (June, 2022. Part IV). Walking with the Habsburgs: The Hofburg; Schloss Schönbrunn; and, Tiergarten Schönbrunn.
Vienna, Austria (June, 2022. Part V). Upper Belvedere and the Imperial Treasury Museum are not to be missed.
Hallstatt, Austria. (June, 2022). One day in a beautiful small town. We are learning more about train travel, too.
Salzburg, Austria. (July, 2022, Part I). A visit to Festung Hohensalzburg, and avoiding the Sound of Music tour groups.
Salzburg, Austria. (July, 2022, Part II). Augustiner Bräu, Stiegl Brauwelt, and DomQuartier.
Innsbruck, Austria. (July, 2022, Part I). Schloss Ambras and Zillertal Märzen; castle and beer.
Innsbruck, Austria. (July, 2022, Part II). Tourist card day one: Hofburg; Stadtturm; Nordkettenbahn; and, the Alpenzoo.
Innsbruck, Austria. (July, 2022, Part III). Tourist card day two: Hofkirche; Volkskunstmuseum; Goldenes Dachl; and, Patscherkofelbahn.
Graz, Austria. (July, 2022, Part I). Visiting Schloss Eggenberg and buying an annual Universalmuseum Joanneum pass.
Graz, Austria. (July, 2022, Part II). Exploring Grazer Schloßberg, Kunsthaus Graz, and Landeszeughaus.
Czechia
Prague, Czechia (October, 2023, Part I). Our favorite bar is no more. Old Town is still overrun with tourists.
Prague, Czechia (October, 2023, Part II). Castles in Prague, Pražský Hrad and Vyšehrad, and our favorite cathedral in Europe, St. Vitus.
Prague, Czechia (October, 2023, Part III). Stephanie’s favorite, Zoo Praha; touring Obecní Dům; and, dinner at U Váhy.
Prague, Czechia (October, 2023, Part IV). Horse racing at Chuchle Arena Praha; the beer garden at Letenská Pláň.
Prague, Czechia (October, 2023, Part V). Seeing the exceptional Národní Galerie Praha (National Gallery of Prague, or NGP) in one long day.
Prague, Czech Republic (July, 2009). Other major tourist attractions you must consider visiting, as we did in 2009.
Český Krumlov (October, 2023). An overnight trip to this small medieval town and UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must.
Karlštejn, Czechia (November, 2023). Our day trip to Karlštejn Castle.
Karlovy Vary, Czechia (November, 2023, Part I). Avoid the trinket mugs and healing water; instead enjoy Diana Hill.
Karlovy Vary, Czechia (November, 2023, Part II). Touring Moser Glassworks and Becherovka; a night at Grandhotel Pupp.
Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador. (March, 2022, Part I). Most of the museums are inexplicably closed, but we enjoy our visit to the Jardín Botánico de Quito.
Quito, Ecuador. (March, 2022, Part II). An Ash Wednesday service at the Basílica del Voto Nacional and exploring Centro Histórico.
Cuenca, Ecuador. (March, 2022, Part I). Exploring the old and new cathedrals in Cuenca.
Cuenca, Ecuador. (March, 2022, Part II). Going to Museo Pumapungo to see alpacas and Mercado 9 de Octubre for hornado.
Cuenca, Ecuador. (April, 2022, Part III). Before heading home we trek to the Amaru Zoológico Cuenca and go to the symphony.
France
Nice, France (March, 2024, Part I). Deciphering Lignes d’Azur; exploring Colline du Château and Mont Boron.
Nice, France (March, 2024, Part II). Making good use of Nice museum passes; going to Musée Marc Chagall for free.
Nice, France (March, 2024, Part III). Enjoying several coastal walks along the French Riviera.
Antibes, France (April, 2024). Admiring snow-capped mountains from the beach in Antibes.
Eze, France (April, 2024). Exploring the village and hiking down the Nietzsche Trail to Eze-sur-Mer.
Monaco (April, 2024). Sightseeing on The Rock, navigating through the train station, and seeing the Grand Prix track.
Grenoble, France (April, 2024). Riding the Bubbles to La Bastille; enjoying Musée de Grenoble and the Departmental Museums of Isère.
Lyon, France (May, 2024, Part I). Venturing up the funicular to Fourvière and visiting Basilique Notre Dame.
Lyon, France (May, 2024, Part II). Not quite foodie adventures. Yes, we went to a certified bouchon and Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse.
Lyon, France (May, 2024, Part III). Visiting Musée des Beaux Arts, exploring Lyon’s murals, and taking a boat ride to confluence.
Annecy, France (May, 2024). Taking a boat tour on Lake Annecy and enjoying our time in old town.
Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands. (March, 2022, Part I). Our eight day hiking and snorkeling trip on board the Archipel I begins.
Galapagos Islands. (March, 2022, Part II). The daily hiking and snorkeling schedule is exhausting.
Galapagos Islands. (March, 2022, Part III). We walk with Galapagos Giant Tortoises and go swimming with friends.
Galapagos Islands Photography, Part I of III. The gear I used and settings I chose.
Galapagos Islands Photography, Part II of III. Ten things you must consider.
Galapagos Islands Photography, Part III of III. What would I have done differently?
Italy
Palermo, Italy. (January, 2023, Part I). The Cathedral, Norman Palace, Palatine Chapel, and an inability to speak English.
Palermo, Italy. (January, 2023, Part II). Art museums and churches in Palermo, and preliminary beer tasting results.
Reggio Calabria, Italy. (January, 2023). Strolling along Lungomara Falcomata and Corso Giuseppe Garribaldi. Admiring the Bronzi di Riace.
Naples, Italy. (February, 2023, Part I). Sorting out the metro options, buying Artecards, and exploring Castel dell’Ovo and Castel Nuovo.
Naples, Italy. (February, 2023, Part II). Our favorites in Napoli: Certosa e Museo di San Martino and La Locanda Gesù Vecchio.
Naples, Italy. (February, 2023, Part III). Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte and Gallerie d’Italia – Napoli. Just extraordinary.
Naples, Italy. (February, 2023, Part IV). More churches and museums, including Cattedrale di San Gennaro and Museo Filangieri.
Caserta, Italy. (February, 2023). Reggia di Caserta.
Pompei and Ercolano, Italy. (February, 2023). The archaeological parks are not to be missed. Make sure you have a map.
Rome, Italy. (March, 2023, Part I). Mr. Jalapeno, Trevi Fountain, Castel Sant’Angelo, and Altare della Patria for starters.
Rome, Italy. (March, 2023, Part II). Parco Archeologico del Colosseo: the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Rome, Italy. (March, 2023, Part III). Our visits to three (of the four) major basilicas.
Rome, Italy. (March, 2023, Part IV). Winding up with Galleria Borghese, Galleria Pamphilj, and Parco Savello.
Vatican City, Italy. St. Peter’s Basilica. (March, 2023). Basilica di San Pietro.
Vatican City, Italy. The Vatican Museums. (March, 2023). Musei Vaticani.
Orvieto, Italy. (March, 2023). Leisurely exploring a hill town.
México
Puerto Vallarta, México. (January, 2022, Part I). Fantastic weather, beaches, and restaurants. Adventures with street vendors.
Puerto Vallarta, México. (January, 2022, Part II). Church bells ring daily at 6:30 AM! We visit the Jardines Botánico Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta, México. (February, 2022, Part III). Whale watching in the rain, and a vacation at the Hilton Puerto Vallarta in Zona Hotelera.
Mérida, México (January, 2024, Part I). Riding an ADO bus from the Cancun airport to Mérida; exploring Centro Histórico.
Mérida, México (February, 2024, Part II). Strolling along Paseo de Montejo, visiting Parque la Plancha and Parque Zoológico del Centenario.
Mérida, México (February, 2024, Part III). Lots of music, dancing, and light shows. It’s cash only at the good local restaurants.
Playa Del Carmen, México (February, 2024). Our thoughts on the Hilton Adults Only All Inclusive Resort after staying a week.
Poland
Kraków, Poland (September, 2023, Part I). Learning the public transportation options, sampling local beer, and visiting Wawel Castle.
Kraków, Poland (September, 2023, Part II). Rynek Główny, Bazylika Mariacka, the Sukiennice, and visiting several MNK and MHK museums.
Kraków, Poland (September, 2023, Part III). Back on Wawel Hill to visit Katreda Wawelska; hanging out in Kazimierz.
Kraków, Poland (October, 2023, Part IV). On the stained glass tour, sunset from Kopiec Kraka, and the Elvis Presley monument.
Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland (September, 2023). Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau Memory Place and Museum.
Scotland
Edinburgh, Scotland. (May, 2022, Part I). A sunny day at the Royal Botanic Gardens and taking in the Scottish National Galleries.
Edinburgh, Scotland. (May, 2022, Part II). The Edinburgh standards: the Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
St. Andrews, Scotland. (May, 2022). A small college town with a world class golf course being prepared for the 150th Open Championship.
Stirling, Scotland. (May, 2022). A stop at the Kelpies, visiting Stirling Castle, and then on location with Monty Python at Doune Castle.
Scottish Highlands, Inverness. (May, 2022). Cawdor Castle, Dunrobin Castle, Culloden, and a Scottish accent we cannot understand.
Scottish Highlands, Isle of Sky. (May, 2022). More rain, more castles, more sheep. Driving on one lane roads. It’s absolutely beautiful.
Spain
Seville, Spain (August, 2021, Part I). Our journey kicks off at the Real Alcázar de Sevilla and Museo de Belles Artes.
Seville, Spain (August, 2021, Part II). We visit the Catedral de Sevilla and La Plaza de Toros de Sevilla.
Seville, Spain (September, 2021, Part III). An afternoon at the Plaza de España and Setas de Sevilla.
Ronda, Spain (September, 2021). Our twenty-four hour road trip to the popular city famous for its Puente Nuevo.
Cordoba, Spain (September, 2021, Part I). La Mezquita-Catedral.
Cordoba, Spain (September, 2021, Part II). The Real Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos and Sinagoga de Córdoba are visited.
Granada, Spain (September, 2021, Part I). La Alhambra y el Generalife.
Granada, Spain (September, 2021, Part II). We explore the Catedral de Granada, several miradors, and the tapas scene.
Valencia, Spain (October, 2021, Part I). In search of the Holy Grail, but first a quick trip to the Mediterranean.
Valencia, Spain (October, 2021, Part II). We journey to the Mercat Central and learn about Las Fallas.
Valencia, Spain (October, 2021, Part III). Going to la Ciudad de les Arts y les Ciénces and then a farmhouse for paella.
Valencia, Spain (October, 2021, Part IV). Our time in Spain concludes with a trip to Bioparc València and Popeye’s.
Spain, 2021. Final Thoughts. A quick wrap up of our trip to Spain.
United States
Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park, and Las Vegas, Nevada (December, 2021). Hiking and casinos. What did you expect?
Death Valley National Park, California (December, 2021, Part I). Our first day in the park, Furnace Creek, and a beautiful sunset.
Death Valley National Park, California (December, 2021, Part II). A gorgeous sunrise, hiking the sand dunes, and Coors Light.
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Four Corners Monument, and Mesa Verde National Park. (October, 2022). On the way to Utah.
Arches National Park, Utah. (October, 2022). Just like the name says: Arches. Crowds, too.
Canyonlands National Park, Utah. (October, 2022). Hiking in The Needles and Island in the Sky, without the Arches crowds.
Natural Bridges National Monument and Mule Canyon, Utah. (October, 2022). Some of the best places are not in the national parks.
Capitol Reef National Park and Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail, Utah. (October, 2022). Cohab Canyon; Grand Wash; and, Lower Calf Creek Falls.
Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah. (October, 2022). So much better than anticipated.
Zion National Park, Utah. (October, 2022). Great hiking and beautiful scenery overcomes cold temperatures.
The Wave, North Coyote Buttes, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona. (October, 2022). We won the lottery!
Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida (May, 2023). A largely mosquito free half day.
Congaree National Park, South Carolina (June, 2023). Walking the boardwalk trails.
Lamoille Lake Trail, Lamoille Canyon, Ruby Mountains Wilderness, Nevada (September, 2024). Going solo and giving directions.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon (September, 2024). One hazy day; one beautiful day.
Umpqua National Forest and Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon (September, 2024). Dodging forest fires for waterfalls.
Coos Bay, Oregon (September, 2004). Exploring the parks on Cape Arago before driving south on Highway 101.
Redwood National and State Parks, California (September, 2024, Part I). Hiking in Jedediah Smith and Prairie Creek Redwood State Parks.