Isle of Skye, Highlands, Scotland

If there is a place in this world for everyone, I have found mine. 
I have done a decent amount of traveling and the Isle of Skye was possibly the most beautiful place I've ever been.The landscape and views are just amazing.

Portree Horbor

The main town of Skye, Portree, is a good place to use as base. There are few hotels and many B&Bs. I stayed at The Isles Inn and I highly recommend it. The pub downstairs is the best and most popular in town, and their restaurant is great too.

I have done The Old Man of Storr is one of the most popular scenic spots to visit in Skye. Is roughly a 3-hours walk, the views change from forest to mountain, and once you look back you see a beautiful view of the sea. Definitely a must-see in Skye.

I think Skye is a very romantic place. The history, the legends, the scenery, the weather, and the music combine to produce something very special. 

Dunvegan Castle

The scenery there is both beautiful and remote. There is so little evidence of human habitation in vast area of mountains and coast line. 

 There is a dream I have. One day I will go back and live there.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is one of the world’s most visually dramatic and vibrant cities.

From the charming cobbled streets of the Old Town to the beautiful Georgian avenues of the New Town, Edinburgh is a city of contrasts blending shopping, historic attractions, gardens and plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can relax.

Yummy flavored Haggis...mmmm

My favorite attractions were:

 1.The Scottish National Gallery.

The Gallery houses the national collection of fine art from the early Renaissance to the end of the nineteenth century. Spend an hour strolling around this peaceful setting and you’ll find masterpieces from Raphael, El Greco, Velázquez and Rubens to Van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne, Degas and Gauguin.

2. The Old Town.

Edinburgh's oldest neighborhood, dating back to medieval times: these small streets are lined with wool shops, pubs and historical monuments.

The Tartan Weaving Mill was a great experience! You can feel and touch the threads that are prepared for weaving - see and hear the history of Highland dress through the ages.

The University of Edinburgh - George Square campus consists of a mix of old and new buildings, and are working together beautifully.

Corfu, Greece

One sunny month of leisure with my dear friends.

Of all the Greek Islands I visited, Corfu is my favorite. Corfu, far from being a typical Greek island with houses painted in white and blue, has many architectural influences like Venetian, English, and French.  As many of you may already know, it is also called the “green island”.  

            

There I was delighted to spend one month at my dearest friend’s family house.  Maria’s house is located on the west side of the island, which I highly recommend if you want to spend a nice vacation, avoiding the typical busy and noisy areas.  The beaches are stretched with fine white sand. St George's where I stayed. If you like to spoil yourself, you have to visit Delfini tavern. The food is amazing, simple but very tasty. The fish is always fresh, better than any fish I have ever had, and you won’t be disappointed. I promise you.

If you decide to visit the East part of the island, go for the Barbati beach. I totally loved it.

Everything felt so perfect in Corfu that I couldn’t resist the temptation to extend my stay an extra week! This time I stayed in Corfu Town. While there, my routine was to let myself get lost between the small narrow streets.

One of the tourist attractions in Corfu is Sissi’s Palace. You don’t want to miss the interiors and gardens. The views are simply delightful. 

Granada, Andalusia, Spain

I was not discouraged at all about the hot month of July in the south of Spain. Granada is a crowded city, especially during the summer, with students from all over the world, who come here to study Spanish.

Here I found the architectural and cultural contrast very interesting.

The Iberian culture occupies an important part of Andalusia. In Granada, a simple street called Cale Elvira, divides the Moorish culture and Catholics, not only in terms of architecture, but also lifestyle.

For those visiting Granada, you must visit Alhambra. The Palaces and gardens leave you breathless (at least that is how I felt). I have no words that convey the peace and calm I felt when visiting Alhambra. And no matter how busy it was I still felt inspired every time I was inside the palaces and experienced its beauty. 

I recommend you take short day trips through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, or nearby. I personally was not that impressed by the beaches there though.

At night, a flamenco show at one of the Caves, where gypsies still live. The Spanish music and the art of dance, is memorable.

During the Feria, a traditional holiday, the city is so colorful, like a flamenco show, but on a larger scale.

Avoid bullfighting. I attended one and I left shortly after it started.

Note: To survive here, literally all you need is a guitar.