The Opinionated Travelogue of a Photo Maniac
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”George Santayana Some wounds should remain open forever so that people can never forget. This was my first thought as I opened the small wooden door of the Corner House in Riga – the former headquarters of the KGB secret police, also known as Cheka. The imposing structure on the corner of Brivibas and …
Dark Secrets of the Corner House – Riga’s Museum of OccupationRead More
Riga architecture is very diverse – an interesting snapshot of its tumultuous past. Riga was part of the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages. It was part of the Russian Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries. And it was part of the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991. The city’s architectural styles displays a …
Riga’s Architecture: Testimony to the City’s Fascinating HistoryRead More
Up in the Baltic region, on the banks of the Daugava River, lies an undiscovered treasure: Riga, Latvia’s long-enduring capital. Riga’s Old Town is one of the best-preserved and most charming historic centers in Europe. But that hasn’t always been like that.
Riga Old Town – What to Visit in Latvia’s Epic CapitalRead More
I love going to Europe, or Hawaii, or South America, but when I think of facing 10-12 hours of red-eye agony, I feel like giving up. My greatest problem when I fly is that I can’t sleep on the plane. Let’s face it, not many of us actually can. How would you doze off in a hard, narrow seat with the armrests digging into …
Meet the latest blogger featured on my monthly series Travel Blogger Interviews. Miguel, from Travel Sauro, is a passionate photographer, hiker and explorer, always in search for extraordinary destinations. Miguel’s beautiful photographs and travel stories are a great source of inspirations for those who want to experience the less traveled corners of this world. Tell us a little about yourself: Who …
Celebrities, beaches, wine, red tiles and beautiful gardens are just some of the things that made the relaxed town of Santa Barbara famous. Most visitors to the city spend their time at the beach or near the fancy boutiques along State Street, which is also home to some of the fanciest Airbnbs in Santa Barbara. But there are …
Just a few miles north of Paso Robles, in the middle of the Hunter-Liggett Military Base, lies the most remote mission in California. Mission San Antonio de Padua was the 3rd mission build by Father Junipero Serra, the Franciscan priest who founded the first nine of the 21 Spanish missions between downtown San Francisco and San Diego. A Brief History of …
Visiting Mission San Antonio de Padua in CaliforniaRead More
Coastal California has always been a place of big affluence and monster mansions. But nothing comes close to Hearst Castle, the glamorous San Simeon estate of William R. Hearst, a newspaper magnate who made history in the early 1900s. There are many tales and unpublished anecdotes about Hearst Castle, but perhaps the most intriguing one is its own.
The Captivating History of Hearst Castle and its Controversial ‘King’Read More
The Bacara Resort & Spa in Goleta, California, has all the essentials of a luxury seaside resort — tennis courts, a full-service spa, several infinity pools, fine dining venues and, of course, dramatic Pacific Ocean views. There is even a 1,000-acre ranch that borders the Los Padres National Forest where guests can take scenic hikes through …
Bacara Resort & Suites – Is It Worth the Steep Price?Read More
