Translated to Saint Nicholas Church in English, St. Nikolaikirche in Bautzen, Germany, is a mesmerizing sight. Untouched by modern trashery, the beautiful ruins of this medieval 15th century church have remained unchanged since 1620... nearly 410 years ago. St. Nikolaikirche is the notable resting place of many prominent Lusatian Sorbs, the smallest Slavic ethnic group, …
Continue reading Saint Nicholas Church in the Heart of Historic Bautzen.
Straddling the border of Arizona and Nevada, located about 35 minutes outside the culturally enriching city of Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam is a sight to behold and makes for an excellent day or road trip stop. An awe-inspiring feat of engineering, it stands 726 feet (221.4 m) tall and stretches 1,244 feet (379 m) …
Continue reading Standing Between States: A Visit to the Hoover Dam.
As La Coruña, Spain's most iconic architectural landmark, the Torre de Hércules, or Tower of Hercules, is a must see. Initially built in the 1st century, it’s the oldest known surviving Roman lighthouse in the world. The earliest known reference of it appears in Historiae adversus Paganos by Paulus Orosius, written around 415–417 AD. Standing …
Continue reading Torre de Hércules: From Rome to Present Day.
Sitting mere feet from the Polish border, the nearly millennium old city of Görlitz is a picturesque German town right on the banks of the Lusatian Neisse River. As Germany’s farthest-east town, it lies directly across from the Polish city of Zgorzelec, reachable by a short, 15-minute walk without customs headaches 🫡. A city dripping …
Castelo de Santo Antón, or Castle of San Antón, is a well-preserved time capsule from the 16th century, showcasing a fortress and striking example of the defensive structures built by King Felipe II to protect La Coruña, Spain. Situated in the Bay of Coruña, near the northwestern tip of Europe, the castle was a vital …
Continue reading Castelo de Santo Antón: Where Stone Walls Met Sea Battles.
While walking through the streets of downtown Seattle, Washington, you may not realize that you’re actually treading above a hidden city. Beneath your feet lies a secret network of forgotten storefronts – the remnants of old Seattle – now closed off to the public except through private tours or special access. Allegedly haunted, the dark, …
Famously known as the departure point for the RMS Titanic and the Mayflower, Southampton, England, is a fun city to explore. Its architecture and landmarks reflect the charm of a classic English town, with cobblestone streets, centuries-old homes, and 1.25 miles of a towering stone fortification wall built in the mid-1300s – complete with 29 …
Continue reading Southampton, England: Where the Titanic & Mayflower Set Sail.
An eye catching sight, this historic structure is known by several nicknames, including Empire Tower, Bautzen Imperial Tower, and my personal favorite, The Leaning Tower of Bautzen. It can be found in Bautzen, Germany and it certainly earns its nickname, boasting a visible 1.44-meter slant that makes it an interesting structure. Located in the Kornmarkt …
One of the most unique palaces I’ve ever visited, the National Palace of Pena feels like something dreamed up during a wild, psychedelic acid trip. With its clashing colors and architectural styles, dramatic towers, puzzling statues and gargoyles, and wildly mismatched tiling, it’s a fever dream brought to life. A Romanticist castle filled with a …
Continue reading The National Palace of Pena: The Jewel of Sintra.
Sitting out in the Bay of Biscay, surrounded by rolling, powerful waves is the small, beautiful, and rocky islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Made famous by the hit HBO series Game of Thrones, it has become a popular tourist destination. The Basque word “gaztelugatxe” is believed to have two complementary meanings – “rock castle” …
Continue reading San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: Conquering the Game of Thrones Climb.