Blarney Castle There are probably few people in the western world who have not heard of the Blarney Stone. It has been for years a tourist pilgrimage for visitors to Ireland. They come in the droves, from ordinary folks to everyday names in film, art and politics, to kiss the stone at Blarney Castle in [...]
Bran Castle, Romania Flying to or from Budapest on a river cruise vacation? While you are in Hungary, you should consider staying a few days to explore nearby Romania as well. Though a bit far away for a day trip (even two), you might wish to consider visiting Bran Castle tucked away on the Transylvania [...]
Would you think twice about making a wish and throwing a coin into a fountain or wishing well? Probably not – unless it was your last coin and you needed it, of course. Most money is gathered up from public “wishing wells” and given to charity so it’s a nice gesture even if the wish [...]
Hills, History, and Hiking Heading to the Highlands, and visiting the island of Skye in the Inner Hebrides? Here's what to expect: The Isle of Skye is connected to the mainland of Scotland by a bridge named,of course, "Skye Bridge". Though it is the largest island ( except for Lewis and Harris) in the country, [...]
A Town Named for a 5th Century Irish KingThe first thing you should probably know about Dun Laoghaire, especially if visiting there, is how to pronounce the name of this seaside town, situated about 12 kilometers and a short train ride, from Dublin. Our taxi driver threw this little tidbit into conversation as he drove [...]
The City of Lyon, France France’s second largest center after Paris is Lyon, a city thriving at the convergence of the Saône and Rhône rivers in the heart of the country, surrounded by the famous wine growing regions of Beaujolais and the Cotes du Rhône. Its geography makes it a popular stop for those [...]
One of the many enjoyments travellers have when experiencing a new country is visiting the historic buildings in the area. Most of the time, these are cathedrals or castles. If you could take castles – or in this case, chateaux, – and combine it with two other loves such as food and wine, you have a real winner for the visitor.