If you should happen to be in Valencia, Spain…in the Plaza de la Virgen….on Thursday…at noon, you will have a chance to glimpse the oldest democratic body in the world in operation: the Tribunal de las Aguas (The Water Court). Dating back over 1,000 years to the time of the Moorish conquest, the water court …
The Scottish Highlands are among the most magical landscapes in Europe. Rivers and streams meander through a mountainous landscape, sometimes forming breathtaking lochs, other times dramatically thundering down cliffs as waterfalls. This wild and remote landscape has inspired poems and novels, featured in films and TV shows, and is the highlight of any Scotland trip. …
Standing on the most north-easterly mainland point of the British Isles, the wind blows continually. Offshore amongst raging waters is a collection of islands, the Orkney Islands. The North Atlantic and the North Sea rage whatever the weather. The Pentland Firth, which stands between the British mainland and the Orkney Islands, is well known for …
There are many reasons to love Asturias. Asturias’ monikers, “Spain’s natural paradise” and “the green coast,” are certainly justified. Contrary to most of Spain, the region is verdant, with lush, abundant vegetation. It also has a varied geography, from emerald green valleys to snow-capped mountains. But Asturias, officially known as The Principality of Asturias, offers …
This post is sponsored by Goolets, a company specializing in luxury gulet cruises. There are no shortage of beautiful holiday destinations around the world, however, Croatia is a hotspot that only increases in popularity every year. With its rugged mountains, long coastline, and breathtaking blue waters, Croatia is a picture-perfect place to visit. But what …
Nearly three decades after Albania began putting its communist history behind it, the country remains all but unknown 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, …
My time in Valencia (both the province and the city) have been wonderful. I’ve been kept in constant movement since I’ve arrived either getting tours, giving speeches, or in lengthy Spanish dinners and lunches. That, plus some extremely poor internet connectivity over the weekend, means I haven’t had much time to write or process my …
The southern region of Spain is a lovely fusion of culture, architecture, and natural beauty. Colorful fiestas with loud locals in flamenco dresses dancing and drinking along the streets, pilgrimages where large statues of praised saints are carried for miles followed by decorated horses, tractors, and devoted people. A varied landscape of rolling hills, steep …
Granada is a magnificent city nestled in the Andalusian region of Spain right next to the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Granada was originally a small Jewish town called “Garnata,” which roughly translates to “hill of strangers” in Moorish, due to its location. Granada is located on a low plane, which is why it was often …