The Opinionated Travelogue of a Photo Maniac
Sintra is one of Portugal’s most picturesque cities, a mix of natural and man-made beauty: lush green valleys, rocky hilltops and sumptuous castles and palaces. This variety of beautiful scenery and historic buildings make Sintra an important part of any Portugal itinerary. There is quite a lot to see and do in this small town …
The 5 Most Beautiful Castles & Palaces in Sintra, PortugalRead More
From its rock foundation near the riverbed, the imposing silhouette of Bran Castle rises majestically above the valley below. A somber yet structure that seems to be gazing down upon the hordes of visitors flocking at its gates. For most people, Bran Castle in Romania will evoke one name only: Dracula, the bloodthirsty character from Transylvania. But is Bran the real …
Bran Castle – the Real Truth Behind the Legend of DraculaRead More
Located in central France, just two hours away from Paris, the Loire Valley has always been a magnet for the French elite. Lured by the region’s spectacular scenery and fine wines, many aristocrats and kings of France came to live in the lush countryside of the Loire Valley, building fairytale châteaux and impressive Renaissance-era castles.
Romania is home to many beautiful castles and medieval fortresses. Some of them are famous throughout Europe. Others are less known, but equally impressive. Unfortunately, most of these fortifications suffered neglect over the centuries and remained in a dismal state until recent years. After the fall of communism, Romanians began rebuilding and restoring many of …
10 Spectacular Castles and Fortresses to Visit in RomaniaRead More
High up above the village of Hohenschwanau, the elegant silhouette of Neuschwanstein Castle rises gracefully from the mist of the Bavarian woods. A symbol of extravagant taste and refined sophistication. The dream palace of Ludwig II of Bavaria – the so-called ‘Mad King‘ who built it. Visiting the Neuschwanstein Castle was one of my favorite day trips from …
Visiting the Neuschwanstein – the Dream Castle of a Mad KingRead More
The great thing about being invited on press trips is not that you get free meals, or free lodging. It’s the fact that you get to experience places that only few people do, when they travel. And if you are lucky enough to have a knowledgeable tour guide, then you may get a very different perspective on the culture and history of those places. …
About 70 km west of Stockholm, in the little town of Marifred in the municipality of Strängnäs, lies one of Sweden’s most prominent and beloved estates: Gripsholm Castle. Of all the castles in Sweden, Gripsholm seems to be the biggest crowd-puller. With its red brick walls and green copper domes, the elegant structure surrounded by the calm waters …
Gripsholm Castle – a Royal Fortress Full of SurprisesRead More
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 San Francisco and San Diego. A Brief History of the …
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 newspaper magnate William R Hearst. Hearst Castle holds many secrets and unpublished anecdotes, but perhaps the most intriguing one is its own story.
Hearst Castle and the Untold Story of its Controversial ‘King’Read More
