Each year, on July 6th, the San Fermin Festival kicks off in Pamplona, Spain. It’s a festival filled with tradition, one of them a crazy, adventurous, daring, and downright dangerous tradition. It’s the annual running of the bulls through the streets of the town. The running of the bulls originally started as a practical means to move the bulls from one part of the town to the other. Since those original days, it’s been romanticized in books and film – Ernest Hemingway said running with the bulls fueled his creativity – and now it’s become a tradition attracting visitors from around the world. The bulls run the half mile course every day of the fiesta at around 8 am, with six bulls and a hundred or so people, many of whom are alcohol-fueled. Runners wear white shirts with a traditional […]
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Enjoy a Long Weekend Getaway in the Algarve
My time in Portugal was abbreviated, but I managed to get a lot done in two days. However, one of the spots I was unable to get to (and it will have to stay on my to-see list along with the other sights I had to skip) is a visit to the Algarve, an area along Portugal’s southern coast. It’s about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Lisbon, or catch a quick flight, and is a popular choice for a long beach weekend (which is exactly how I planned to do it). The Algarve can also be reached by bus and train, and requires a bit of planning and good timing, but these options weren’t in my consideration. The three spots on my Algarve visit were to be Salema, Cape Sagres, and Lagos. Salema At the end of a small […]
Read MoreAdventurous Attractions in Malta
Travelers with an interest in history will have their hands full exploring the cities of Malta. This small Mediterranean island has an incredible number of cathedrals, palaces, and museums that are all worth your time. Yet off the beaten path, there are several other attractions that will reveal a different side of Malta’s history. The island also offers fascinating prehistoric sites. If you can tear yourself away from the golden beaches and oceanfront cafes, there are ancient caves and temples to explore too. Here are three unusual historic attractions in Malta, perfect to work into a 3 days in Malta itinerary. Ghar Dalam Caves Translated from Maltese as “cave of darkness” this site is where several discoveries were made about the island of Malta dating back to the ice age. In these caves, the remains of dwarf elephant and hippopotamus […]
Read MoreThe Powerscourt Estate: A Daytrip from Dublin
Many first time visitors to Dublin don’t know that the ‘Garden of Ireland’ – County Wicklow – is only 30 minutes south of the city center. No trip to Ireland would be complete without leaving the capital city to see the countryside that the Emerald Isle is so famous for. While there are many destinations worthy of a Dublin daytrip, one of my favorites is the Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow. Unlike other destinations outside of Dublin that are on the train line, you will need to rent a car or join a tour to visit Powerscourt. Reaching the estate in a rental car is half the fun – passing through quaint villages and following rickety old signs will give the daytrip an adventurous quality. The estate is famous for being home to the five-star Ritz Carlton Powerscourt and […]
Read MoreVenturing Beyond the Main Attractions in Malta
A trip to the Mediterranean island of Malta is sure to include many of the must-see attractions. There are stunning paintings by Caravaggio in St John’s Co-Cathedral, the fantastic view of the harbor in Valletta from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and the medieval walled city of Mdina. While these attractions are more than enough to keep visitors occupied for several days, there are also some off the beaten path attractions that are worth a visit for travelers who want to scratch beneath the surface. Here are three of my favorite ways to get to know Malta beyond its most famous sites: Visit Local Wineries Travelers might not be aware that Malta has a developing reputation for its wines. Remember, Malta is located very close to Sicily, an island that has a great reputation for wines. This close proximity alone reveals […]
Read MoreUnderstand the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey
For many travelers to Turkey, sampling the Turkish cuisine rates at the top of the to-experience list. After all the basic sightseeing is finished, and visitors move to some of the cultural experiences that the country has to offer, watching the whirling dervishes usually ranks high on the list. Often erroneously considered a folk dance troupe or some sort of trance inducing dance, the dervishes are more aligned with religion and philosophy than with entertainment. The ritual dancing is based on the teaching of the Persian philosopher and poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi who, along with his son, founded the Sufi Order. Sufis are part of the Sunni sect of Islam, and Mevlana Rumi’s teachings emphasized tolerance and patience, not revolutionaries, and their belief is that unification with God will occur through the constant movement of the universe. Okay, we […]
Read MoreMoscow Appeals
The world she is a changing, and I’m not talking about politics and culture and current events. I’m talking about the countries themselves – and there are a whole lot of countries around today that weren’t around some years back. I was a Soviet Studies major in college, a seemingly worthless major today, and it’s been work breaking the habit of saying Soviet Union for the now correct Russia or Ukraine. Thank goodness it’s easy to remember that Moscow is still the capital city, formerly of the Soviet Union and now of Russia. I had at one time hoped to travel to Russia, and even had a visa, but it just didn’t work out. I still have it tucked away somewhere as a keepsake. Today, with so many things to experience, far beyond the leak and dreary cold war era, […]
Read MoreThe Vatican Celebrates the Beatification of Pope John Paul II
May 1, 2011 celebrates the beatification of Pope John Paul II, the ceremony by which he will becomes a Saint. The Holy Mass for the Beatification of the Servant of God John Paul II will be held in Saint Peter’s Square at 10 a.m., with Pope Benedict XVI officiating. The casket has already been exhumed and is now lying before Saint Peter’s tomb. It will be moved to the main alter during the ceremony, and following will be reinterred in the Chapel of St. Sebastian. While only a select delegation will be allowed inside for the ceremony, hundreds of thousand of visitors of all religious backgrounds will gather in Saint Peter’s Square to watch and listen as Pope John Paul II becomes a saint. As is typical for many events, large television will show the events inside to the outside […]
Read MoreUNESCO Sites in Prague
Visiting UNESCO sites is a popular travel activity, and I always look up what sites might be in any area that I’m traveling to. Whether it’s an appreciation for history, a love of natural beauty, or both, there’s a UNESCO site sure to appeal to most travelers. While making summer travel plans, the city of Prague (capital of the Czech Republic) figured prominently on the list for awhile. So, of course, I went to check out the UNESCO sites in the country to learn which ones might be practical while visiting the city. There are 12 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list that are in the Czech Republic, and only one is in Prague. But when you consider that that one is the entire center of Prague, consisting of the Old Town, New Town, and Lesser Town, that’s a […]
Read MoreMajorca: One Island, Hundreds of Beaches
There’s a reason European beach lovers have made the island of Majorca (also spelled Mallorca) a popular holiday destination – it’s because every where you turn there’s a beach calling out to you to relax and enjoy. Even the fondest sun lovers must come off the beach sometime, and Majorca holidays offer plenty of shopping, restaurants, bars and nightlife to go along with your sun. So how about those beaches?! Any listing of beaches is sure to stir up an argument as one person’s favorite is not included and another’s most dreaded beach is. So consider this a sampler of some beaches that may be worth a try, selecting one that best meets your geographic location and beach style. Busy Beaches If you’re looking to mix and mingle with lots of people, turning your time at the beach into one […]
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