Located at the center of Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain, which also doubles as a volcano, is a European national park that could easily cosplay the planet Mars. If someone were transported there while asleep, they’d have little reason to believe they weren’t on the Red Planet, aside from the basic logic that …
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.
Sitting prominently in the center of the Town Hall Square in Tallinn, Estonia (Tallinn, Estonia: The Friendly Russia.), stands an impressive building that initially appears to be a church or a castle. However, it is neither; it is the historic Tallinn Town Hall. With construction beginning in the 12th century, this architectural marvel was completed …
Continue reading The Medieval Bell Tower of Tallinn Town Hall.
Located on the southeastern edge of England, facing the Strait of Dover and mainland Europe, are the famous White Cliffs of Dover. One of the city of Dover's biggest draws, it's an incredible sight to behold. Stretching for 8 miles (13 km), the cliffs owe their striking appearance to a composition of chalk with flashes …
Dresden Frauenkirche a.k.a Church of Our Lady, is an impressive and striking building that stands prominently in the center of historic downtown Dresden, Germany (Beautiful Old Town in Dresden, Germany.). Originally built between 1726 and 1743, it stood for 202 years before it was destroyed during the 1945 bombing of Dresden by Allied Forces during …
Possibly the most famous wall in the world, aside from the Great Wall of China, seeing the Berlin Wall is typically #1 on any “must-see list" of anyone visiting Berlin, Germany. It exists due to Berlin finding itself caught in the middle when Germany was split after WWII, with the eastern half belonging to the …
Located in Tallinn, Estonia's (Tallinn, Estonia: The Friendly Russia.) historic Old Town, sits a 777-year-old monastery known as Saint Catherine's Dominican Monastery. Built in 1246 by Dominican monks, it's one of the oldest buildings in the city, and is actually one of only two remaining medieval monasteries in Tallinn. Not only was this a place …
Continue reading St. Catherine’s Dominican Monastery in Estonia: A 777-Year-Old Wonder.
Going to Prague, Czech Republic was not on my 2022 Bingo Card. Nonetheless, I was beyond excited for the opportunity to join my brother at the end of his European work trip, as Prague has been a pillar in medieval European history since the 14th century, particularly in Central Europe. Known for its dramatic, gothic …
As far as cities go in Germany, Bautzen has done a remarkable job of transforming itself back into a picturesque and welcoming city. Located in far East Germany, with a population of approximately 38,000, it’s the 8th largest city in the German state of Saxony. Right on the River Spree, within the hilly Upper Lusatian …
Outside Zwinger Palace. The capital city of the German state of Saxony, Dresden is an impressive, beautiful, and old city. Originally settled in the 12th century, Dresden grew into a popular European metropolis by the mid-1600’s. It was during this time, throughout the reigns of Kings Augustus II the Strong and Augustus III of Poland, …