-
The South Coast of Iceland: Highlights and Attractions
The South Coast of Iceland is something out of a fairy tale. With its lush vegetation, its fields of purple lupins, its black sand beaches and its misty waterfalls, its spectacular landscapes are a photographer’s dream. Both familiar and otherworldly, Iceland’s coastal landscape at times reminded me of my home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. And yet other times, I was convinced that I had just set foot on the moon. The area is desolate and treeless, yet also grassy and green—giving it the unique position of looking both lush…
-
Driving the Golden Circle in Iceland
The Golden Circle offers a snapshot of Iceland’s most dramatic scenic wonders. A popular day trip from Reykjavik, it features thunderous waterfalls, spouting geysers, crater lakes, geothermal pools, and wide open roads. In the summer of 2014, I spent a short layover in Iceland for work. My brief visit consisted of walking the streets of Reykjavik and relaxing in the Blue Lagoon. When I left Iceland a mere 24 hours after my arrival, I vowed to return in order to explore the Golden Circle’s volcanic scenery. So when I finally…
-
Visiting the Cliffs of Moher
According to Celtic lore, the 700ft tall Cliffs of Moher along the western coast of Ireland’s County Clare are home to mermaids, corpse-eating eels, hags, witches and the gold-domed city of Kilstaffen—a city that allegedly sunk under the waters of the Atlantic and is known to resurface once every seven years. When I visited the cliffs, however, I did not see the sunken city peak out amidst the churning waves below. Nor did I see leprechauns, faeries or mythical creatures. Yet it wasn’t difficult for me to imagine them lurking…
-
Discovering Paris in 24 Hours
Deemed by many as the greatest city in the world, Paris inspires romance and art like no other place on Earth. The timeless City of Light has it all–delectable cuisine, world-class art and architecture and a palpable joie-de-vivre that permeates every aspect of French living. I’d visited Paris in elementary school with my family, as one of my first trips abroad outside of Italy. We spent a few weeks exploring the nooks and crannies of France and taking in the history, art and architecture of the country. As years passed, however, my recollection of Paris…
-
Day Trip to Murano, Burano and Torcello
“This was Venice, the flattering and suspect beauty – this city, half fairy tale and half tourist trap, in whose insalubrious air the arts once rankly and voluptuously blossomed”~Thomas Mann Venice has always had a way of capturing the imagination. For centuries, the maze-like city of gondolas and canals has captivated artists, poets, writers and tourists with its uniqueness, its romance and its unparalleled charm. It’s no wonder that nearly every country in the world claims to have a Venice of its own. I first visited Venice in elementary school,…
-
Discovering Milan in One Day
Despite being Italy’s second most populous city, Milan gets very little love from tourists. As the undeniable economic hub of Italy, it is more often associated with business and industry than it is with its history-laden attractions. Yet, like everywhere else in Italy, Milan has a wealth of places to see. The city has stunning attractions that would deem it a must-see destination if it were located somewhere else. Anywhere else. As it stands, Milan doesn’t frequently make it onto the itineraries of first-time travelers to Italy. The vibrant city deserves…
