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Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey

Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey

Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey Overview

From the World Heritage inscription:

The site is located along the Weser River on the outskirts of Höxter where the Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey were erected between AD 822 and 885 in a largely preserved rural setting. The Westwork is the only standing structure that dates back to the Carolingian era, while the original imperial abbey complex is preserved as archaeological remains that are only partially excavated. The Westwork of Corvey uniquely illustrates one of the most important Carolingian architectural expressions. It is a genuine creation of this period, and its architectural articulation and decoration clearly illustrate the role played within the Frankish empire by imperial monasteries in securing territorial control and administration, as well as the propagation of Christianity and the Carolingian cultural and political order throughout Europe.

Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey is an UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany. It was added to the World Heritage List in 2014 at the World Heritage Convention held in Doha, Qatar.

The site dates back to the reign of Emperor Charlemagne in the 9th century and was built as a monastery and spiritual center.

Today the site near the German city of Höxter is a popular cultural tourist attraction and museum.

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5 Breathtaking Natural Attractions in Slovenia

5 Breathtaking Natural Attractions in Slovenia

For some, Slovenia is just a tiny plot of land between Italy and Croatia. But for others who take the time to explore it fully, Slovenia is a vast country full of unique and beautiful attractions. Formed in 1991 as part of former Yugoslavia, Slovenia is the perfect adventure lover’s destination that many people don’t even realize is there.

For its small size, Slovenia really does have it all: stunning coastlines, jagged mountaintops, lakes, caves, rivers, forests, and more. In fact, forests cover around 2/3 of the entire country, and it’s one of the top 3 most forested countries in Europe. There are also over 10,000 named caves in Slovenia. Slovenia is arguably just as beautiful as some of the well-known areas of Austria, Northern Italy, and Switzerland, but traveling there comes at a fraction of the price.

So, I decided on a whim in 2017 to go for a visit, and I was floored by Slovenia’s exceptional beauty and kind locals. So floored, in fact, that I recently went back for round two. In this post, I’ll cover some of the reasons why Slovenia is a fantastic adventure destination, travel tips to plan your visit, and 5 amazing places to see while you’re there.
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11 Best Things to do in Iceland Outside of the Golden Circle

11 Best Things to do in Iceland Outside of the Golden Circle

Iceland has exploded onto the travel scene in the past decade. It’s no wonder – thanks to its combination of nearly unbelievable landscapes, Northern Lights-spotting opportunities, and badly-behaved (but great-looking) volcanoes.

Although it can feel like every traveler is planning or has just returned from a trip to Iceland, there are plenty of cool spots away from the island’s increasingly crowded Golden Circle.

I’ve picked 11 of my favorite things to do in Iceland that aren’t in the Golden Circle – don’t miss them on your next trip.
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Touring the Baltic States: 3 Countries, 1 Tour

Touring the Baltic States: 3 Countries, 1 Tour

This summer I traveled to the Baltic States with G Adventures. (Disclosure: I have been an ambassador for G Adventures since 2010.)

Route of my Baltics Tour with G Adventures
Route of my Baltics Tour with G Adventures

The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were some of the last places in Europe I had yet to visit. I had always been intrigued by these small countries which seemed to share so much in common, yet were different places. One of the primary goals I had on the trip was to find out what made each country different and what they shared in common. During the trip, we were able to explore the highlights of each country and I developed a much better understanding of what makes each country unique.
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15 Best Places to Visit in Northern Portugal

15 Best Places to Visit in Northern Portugal

Apart from Porto, Northern Portugal is often forgotten by international tourists. However, as Portuguese who traveled extensively in our country, we know that northern Portugal is probably the most authentic region, with a wide range of interesting destinations. If you are planning a trip to Portugal you should reserve at least a few days to discover it. In this post, we will present you with some of the most interesting things to do in Northern Portugal.
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This Week in Travel – Episode 242

This Week in Travel - Episode 242

This week Jen Leo, Chris Christensen and myself are joined by this week’s guests Marc Bennett and Julie Bennett from rvlove.com authors of the book Living the RV Life: Your Ultimate Guide to Life on the Road as we talk about full-time RV living (interview starts at 28:53 after the news):

  • How they kept a job while living in a camper
  • How to stay connected
  • How to communicate and deal with living so close to your partner 
  • Where you can stay in the USA
  • Figuring out our travel style and pace. It’s different if you are retired vs working for instance.


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5 Compelling Reasons to Visit Albania

5 Compelling Reasons to Visit Albania

Nearly three decades since Albania started to put their Communist history behind them, the country remains all but unknown known to tourists around the world. But there’s plenty for adventurous travelers to discover across the country, including photogenic mirror-like lakes, towering mountains and sprawling forests that are free of crowds. The cuisine has a heavy Greek influence, the people are so friendly they’ll bring you their goats, dogs and other animals to meet, and there are many intriguing historic sites too, from hilltop castles to underground bunkers.

Here, are 5 reasons to visit Albania.
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