Hop on Hop off in Europe
I have reached a turning point of my life. Some may call it "dissatisfaction". I call it "self discovery". After having spent nine years in New York, I felt it was time to explore something new. Discovering my home continent, Europe, seemed to be the ideal decision.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
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.
There is a dream I have. One day I will go back and live there.
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.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
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.
Monday, August 22, 2011
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.
Friday, July 15, 2011
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.
Note: To survive here, literally all you need is a guitar.
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.
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