Europe
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BirguFest: Vittoriosa by Candlelight
For one weekend each year one of the oldest cities in Malta shuts off all of its lights and holds a festival that showcases the beauty of the medieval city in a wonderful glow of candlelight. Thousands of candles line the streets, rest on balconies and window sills as they guide your way through the town where vendors sell crafts, Maltese food is served and in the center square musicians and performers entertain the crowds into the evening. By the warmth of all the flickering candles it’s one of the more interesting ways I’ve explored a new city; mostly in darkness. Candles are placed on ledges, along the streets,…
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50 Shades of Blue: The love story of Malta and the Sea
“Ha, it’s like 50 shades of blue, get it?” he snorted laughing to himself he pointed to me as he snapped my picture and handed back my camera. I looked down to realize I have a blue shirt and blue shorts on in front of the clear blue sea and this poor guy is trying to make a joke. “Yep” I answered with a forced chuckled then a few minutes later while peering into the water I thought, “Damn it, he’s right, there’s blue everywhere you look.” The island is small so for a lover of the sea it is a perfect place to spend the late summer months, you…
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Ggantija: The UNESCO Site and My Colossal Rainstorm
I had arrived in Gozo the day before and was excited to have a week dedicated to relaxing and writing. The little island is a third of the size of small Malta and with it’s scenic ocean views, tiny villages and laid back attitude I was content to have a quiet days with some peace at the beach. I decided to spend the morning exploring Ggantija Temples, a UNESCO site and then rewarding my educational efforts with some beach time later in the day not realizing I would be needing my bathing suit while being soaked by rain water NOT by the refreshing waves of the Mediterranean.  Ggantija As…
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Food by the Foot: A Culinary Walking Tour in Athens
After spending the fall in the Mediterranean I have come to the conclusion that I’m madly love with the regional cuisine. Options are endless, right off the boat fish dishes, savory roasted meats, wonderful garden vegetables, robust cheeses and everything is covered in fresh olive oil. Each meal I had was more delicious than the last and the Greeks are notorious for always wanting to feed you, something and I just can’t resist. Even a simple Greek salad (basically a bowl of veggies in oil) tastes better in Greece. What are their secrets to such tasty dishes? I headed to Athens for TBEX and they arranged a culinary tour so…
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Snapshot Sunday: Sunday Stroll in Rabat, Malta
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My Maltese Falcon: A Day of Falconry
History of the Maltese Falcon Even though the book may have garnered more fame, the Maltese Falcon has a major place in the country’s history. In the early 1500’s the King of Spain gave the island to the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and because of that a yearly non monetary tax would be due to the King. The Knights then each year sent along a Peregrine Falcon, or a Maltese Falcon. The tradition of falconry itself goes even further with evidence dating back to 2,000 BC in Mesopotamia the use of hunting birds evolved into a sport for the wealthy nobles during Medieval Times. The…
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Mykonos in the off Season: 5 Favorite things About the Greek Island in October
“And why are you here in winter?!” Why come to Mykonos in winter? This seemed to be the pressing question on the mind of each local I encountered. Usually, the island is known for it’s summertime cruises, & romantic getaways, so solo traveler in October can leave a Greek perplexed. In the summer it can be a crowded party town, but by the end of the season the crowds dissipate and you have a completely different island. It’s sleepy and silent. Here are my top five reasons why you’ll love Mykonos in the off season. 1. It’s not really Winter in Mykonos So while this time of year for the…
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Snapshot Sunday: Kythira, Greece
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Ferry vs. Flight: My Big Fat Greek Transportation Debate
Before I came to Greece I had this notion in my head about greek island hopping. The sun would be warm, beating down on the deck of some quaint little boat, the waters of the Mediterranean a bright blue, my tan fierce and an attractive captain manning the boat. Reality soon sets in when you head to the port and there is big old regular ferry full of other tourists and the dreams of a Grecian God on a yacht quickly fade into the distance. Here’s the pros and cons of plane or boat travel in Greece and the boat trip that ultimately made me pick flying as the winner…
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Snapshot Sunday: Chania, Crete