The Würzburg Residenz is a mammoth building that encompasses art styles from around Europe. The gardens are also an exquisite part of the reason that it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Würzburg Residenz took over 50 years to build in the late 17th to early 18th centuries. Built to house the Bishop-princes of Franconia, it was lavish and extremely expensive. Unfortunately is was all but destroyed at the end of World War II, and now only a few rooms remain that are original. These are the the Vestibule, Garden Hall, White Hall, Staircase and Imperial Hall. All [...]
Continue reading UNESCO World Heritage Site – Würzburg Residenz
When you climb to the Acropolis in Athens and look out, you feel like you are on the top of the world. I get that feeling when I look at this photo as well.
It is such an imposing, powerful structure. The columns standing straight and tall, carrying such heavy loads. I just love it.
Have you been to the Acropolis?
A heron enjoying the view as much as I am in the Galapagos.
The Galapagos is such a fantastic trip. I truly believe every traveling family needs to make it there. It’s not just a place for kids, but it is a perfect kid vacation.
The science connections alone are enough to go there, to see the Darwin finches and the Galapagos tortoises along with so many other species, up close and personal. But you have to do it on a boat, which is fascinating for kids as well. Then there is all the activity, hiking, snorkeling, boating, [...]
Continue reading Reflection #581 – Heron in the Galapagos
One of Haifa’s claim to fame – The gorgeous Baha’i Gardens
The first night we were in Israel, we drove straight up to Haifa. Our hotel clerk suggested that we eat on the Ben Gurion Road, because it has the view of the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Baha’i Gardens. We took them up on it and this was the view we had.
I know! Even though the food was good, the view was better.
The restaurants stayed full, and so did the street. The weather was nice, so all the people were just hanging out. [...]
Continue reading Reflection #576 – UNESCO World Heritage Site, Baha’i Gardens
Athens, Athens, Athens…
I love Athens! Well, I love Greece, and Athens is just like the shining jewel of the entire country. It has it all, both old and new!
This photo was taken as we came down from the Acropolis and wandered for an hour or so in the Agora.
The agora used to be the central market and business area of old Athens, but now is a park. In the park is the National Archaeological Museum, rebuilt in the style of the time. The antiquities are impressive, but I enjoyed the grounds more.
We also [...]
Continue reading Reflection #574 – Athens’ Byzantine Church in the Agora
A fairy tale castle not far from Lisbon, the Pena Palace.
The Pena National Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Sintra, Portugal. Only a half hour drive from Lisbon, Sintra is one of my favorite cities on the Iberian Peninsula. There is way too much to see in one day, though, so you might want to stay overnight. Sintra is full of parks and palaces, it’s very near the ocean with cliff views and beaches, and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from as well.
We visited the Pena Palace in the later afternoon, after we [...]
Continue reading World Heritage Site – Pena Palace Portugal
“Wow! Where is that?” you ask! “Cappadocia,” I say. “Where is Cappadocia?”
This is a pretty iconic shot of the fairy chimney houses in Goreme, Turkey. The region called Cappadocia is located on the Anatolian side of Turkey, right in the middle. It’s about four hours driving time southeast of Ankara, or you can easily fly within about an hour from anywhere in the country into Nevsehir.
One of the favorite things to do in Cappadocia is to take a hot air balloon ride over the enchanting rock formations. Jim and I never went up in one of the [...]
Continue reading Reflection #546 – Where is Cappadocia?
Barcelona is the city of color. Everywhere you look the architecture is amazing, and on all the buidings you have so much decoration from tiles and ironwork, to murals and roof shingles. The facades are interesting and quite a bit different than other European cities.
This photo was taken beside one of the Gaudi buildings in Park Guell. I love that the color of the boys’ uniforms match the blue in the tiles. Overall the park was so crowded and it was very hard to get a great shot, impossible to get one without anyone in it. So, [...]
Continue reading Reflection #542 – Park Guell Blue
Jerusalem. The name evokes visions of life thousands of years ago when the world’s main religions were just taking root. That is exactly why, in 1982, it was inscripted on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Wow! The old city of Jerusalem is more than impressive, it’s awe-inspiring.
To think three of the world’s major religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, view it as a holy place is mind-boggling. The Dome of the Rock holds special importance for all three, since it is the site where Abraham made his sacrifice. The Dome of the Rock is currently under Muslim [...]
Continue reading UNESCO World Heritage Site – Old City of Jerusalem
Angkor Wat, Cambodia. The name makes travelers drool! And drool they should! What a temple, or temples.
We visited Angkor Wat during the end of December, and a more perfect time just couldn’t be had.
We templed, and templed, and templed to our hearts content. And, yes, there were plenty of other tourists there. There always is, but it wasn’t too difficult to wait them out and get some great shots.
This is one of my favorite captures of the entire visit. A monk walking on the temple grounds. Was he lost in thought? Was he heading somewhere? We [...]
Continue reading Reflection #535 – Angkor Wat Monk, Cambodia
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