• Europe,  Snapshot Sunday,  Turkey

    Snapshot Sunday: Ballooning over Cappadocia, Turkey

    Something I had the opportunity to experience for the first, second AND third time this year was waking up early, climbing into a wicker basket and suspending myself over some breathtaking landscapes in Myanmar, then Spain and Turkey.  Cappadocia has rock formations unlike anywhere else and the best way to take in this unique scenery is for sure by air.  Bouncing slowly over these “fairy chimneys” with dozens of other balloons in the distance was the highlight of my time in Turkey and I recommend you add it to the “list”.

  • Croatia,  Europe,  Snapshot Sunday

    Snapshot Sunday: Dubrovnik and the Dalmation Coast

    The medieval walled city of Dubrovnik.  One of the great old fortifications of it’s day, Dubrovnik has an old world charm that is best experienced walking along the tops of the massive stone walls that protect the smoldering orange tiled roofs and houses within it’s fortress.  War in the late 1990’s destroyed this beautiful roof scape so the city along with the help of UNESCO worked tirelessly to restore this view back to it’s original glory.  The town is so well preserved it’s as if you are strolling through a movie set.

  • Asia,  Cambodia,  Snapshot Sunday

    Snapshot Sunday: Angkor Wat

    Cambodia’s most popular tourist destination, the UNESCO site of Angkor Wat.  The iconic view and visiting her surrounding temples will have you up with the sun, then out in the heat of the day, temple hopping to marvel at ancient ruins and explore what lurks behind each corner.  Sure, you’ll probably be the sweatiest you’ve ever been, but it’s worth it to experience one of the largest religious structures in the world.

  • Asia,  Malaysia

    George Town, Malaysia: The Ultimate Street Art

    How have I missed sharing one of my favorite places!?!  Ready yourself for an onslaught of photographs of one of my all time locations, George Town.  The capital of Penang, Malaysia, the old town section is a UNESCO World Culture Heritage city founded in the 1700’s by a trader in the British East India Company with European architectural influences along with a predominant Chinese populations, it’s a wonderful blend of east meeting west. Oozing with charm the town is a fusion of cultures all from it’s architecture to the cuisine.  The best thing I decided to do while in Malaysia was hang out here for a week, rent a bike…

  • Europe,  Malta

    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…

  • Europe,  Greece

    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…

  • Asia,  Colombia,  Europe,  Greece,  Malaysia,  Malta,  South America

    You had me at UNESCO: Why I’m head over heels for heritage cities

    UNESCO.  For those of you who aren’t familiar, the acronym may look like letters for a combination gas station/carwash, a bulk goods grocery store, or some Silicon Valley Tech start up, BUT it stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.  UNESCO has a mission to promote the protection of natural and cultural sites and that their preservation be a way to educate future generations while bringing awareness to unique places all over the world.  I’ve been checking their website before going to a new place to see if they have a world heritage site near where I’ll be staying and a pattern started to develop.  I love…