Vibrant and bustling, Paris is, in every sense of the word, monumental. Paris is also arguably the most beautiful city in the world. With two World Heritage sites, 141 museums, over 450 parks and gardens and at least 170 places of worship, it comes as no surprise that Paris tops most every traveler’s list.
Truth: The first time I came to Paris, I was overwhelmed. The Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame and the Louvre were all great places to start! But, because each new neighborhood also came with new, exciting discoveries, I left Paris that first time feeling sad that I ran out of time to explore deeper.
Fast forward 20-something years. Countless returns later, I’ve grown to
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Spend five minutes in any of Eastern Europe’s capital cities and you’re likely to run across a ruin bar. Gloomy but gorgeous, ruin bars are usually found in eclectic, historical buildings that have been recycled into some seriously spectacular spaces.
These slightly spooky-chic establishments are adored by locals and travelers alike. Characterized by funky, non-matching furnishings, these derelict buildings and neglected outdoor spaces have been transformed into cozy, chaotic bars that, oftentimes, are almost exclusively candlelit.
Krakow’s nightlife, in my opinion, is unlike nightlife anywhere else in Europe. While its gorgeous architecture and the glow from Wawel Castle give this city a true fairy-tale feel, the bars in Krakow are anything but textbook. Yes, you can easily find a few …
Tucked beneath the raw peaks of the Rif Mountains in Northern Morocco, you’ll find the pretty sapphire city of Chefchaouen.
Founded in 1471 by a Moorish warlord who was exiled from Spain, Chefchaouen was built as a stronghold in the fight against the Portuguese. Famous for its achingly beautiful blue-washed buildings, Chefchaouen is an essential stop on any visit to the Rif region. Seemingly every keyhole, stone wall and doorway is painted in striking shades of azure, cerulean, cobalt, turquoise, periwinkle or powder blue. Largely shut off from the world for over 400 years, Chefchaouen is a photographer’s dream! Painting the walls blue likely happened during the 15th century, shortly after the city was founded.
But why so blue? Well, …
Standing proudly on the banks of the Nile River since 1899, you’ll find one of the world’s most luxurious and legendary hotels, The Old Cataract in Aswan, Egypt.
Built by Thomas Cook in 1899, this historic, British colonial-era resort has hosted celebrities and dignitaries since it opened its doors. People like Tsar Nicholas II, Sir Winston Churchill, Howard Carter, Margaret Thatcher, Princess Diana, Queen Noor and, most famously, Dame Agatha Christie.
As my felucca approached the storied hotel, a wave of excitement washed over me. I was about to retrace the footsteps of Agatha Christie! Eagerly reading her books since childhood, I’ve been a fan for as long as I can remember. We even share a birthdate: September 15.
Of …
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