Today’s guest post comes to us from Andy Hayes, also know as the Edinburgh Guide. Offering up great Edinburgh tips and advice, be sure to check out the Edinburgh guide blog before your next trip to the Scottish capital — including exclusive tips for navigating the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world’s largest arts festival. — Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh is a busy place throughout the year – at some point in the history of Edinburgh, someone thought it would be a good idea to combat our fickle and sometimes torturous weather with a series of festivals. Now, I think the city is deserving of the title City of Festivals, because nearly every month you’ll run into a festival or two to spruce up your visit. Here’s the low down on some of my favourite festivals; if you want to […]

Yes, Europe can be expensive.  It’s a big price airline ticket to get there, and although the dollar/euro valuation is improving, you’re still going to find yourself spending some money.  Planning ahead means you can save a little here and there, adding up to a whole lot of savings. Consider these Top 10 FREE things to do in Europe this summer (as listed by the European Travel Commission): Austria:  Innsbruck is offering a free hiking bus program for all guests living in Innsbruck or staying at one of the holiday villages (with a Club Innsbruck Card).  May 30th – October 26th. Belgium:  What else, but free beer?!  The Haacht Brewery offers free tours and tasting (one low fermentation and one high).  Yummmm, Belgian beer! England:  London has free admission to the British Museum (additional charge for some special traveling exhibits) […]

I spent some time today at a blogging conference, and met up with fellow travel-blogger Pam from Nerds Eye View.  As is often the case when travel bloggers get to talking, the discussion soon turns to places we’ve been, places we’re going, and places we want to go. Pam is a great photographer (click on her link above and go check out her stuff), and we also discussed how much photos added to the travel blog experience. So today, I’m sharing a photo taken on my trip to Paris last fall.  The photo was taken on a visit to the Louvre.  The statuary was in a garden atrium area of the museum, and is just one of hundreds of pieces on display. I recently had the opportunity to watch some sculptors at work, and that has given me a new […]

I’m trying out some new photo editing techniques and programs, and thought I’d share this photo collage, made easy with online photo editing program picnik. While I am certainly NOT a photo expert, I like the way this collage option allows me to aggregate my pictures and share them with others – like in this group of photos from time spent in Tuscany this spring.  I love it when I can share photos with friends – without boring them to tears with my vacation stories.  This picknik collage provides a number of different options.  Check it out and see if you find a use for it yourself.   Photos:  All ©2008, Mary Jo Manzanares ______________________________________

Rome has been wonderful so far, and I regret that my time here was so short.  Everywhere you turn there is such a sense of history and wonder.  My first real impression of the city was coming up from the subway (Colosseo stop) and finding this in front of you.  It literally took my breath away!  Seeing it in books and photos cannot do justice to the sense of awe I felt at seeing this piece of the beginning of civilization. Photo credit:  personal collection _____________________________________________

The Tuscany region of Italy Continuing with my geography awareness week of posts, I move on to the continent of Europe. There are so many places in Europe that I’d like to visit that it was hard coming up with a destination to discover.  Well, actually it wasn’t hard to come up dozens of places that I’d like to visit, what was hard was narrowing it down to one.  But finally, I chose Tuscany, in central Italy. What’s so appealing to me about Tuscany is its rich variety of life.  From the history and magnificent art of its capital city of Florence, to the small towns and villages in the countryside, and the delicious wine and food of the entire area, it all sounds wonderful! This spring I’ll have the opportunity to spend a time in Tuscany, staying in a […]

If you’re looking for one more reason to visit the French Riviera this summer, you may find it in the life of Princess Grace, and the exhibit “The Grace Kelly Years, Princess of Monaco.” This year marks the 25th anniversary of Princess Grace’s death. From July 12th through September 23rd, you can see an exhibit of Grace Kelly’s life at the Grimaldi Forum (10 avenue Princess Grace, Principality of Monaco) shown in 15 rooms that follow her life from her childhood in Philadelphia, to her life as a Hollywood star, to her meeting and 1956 marriage to Prince Rainier, and her role as a Princess, Mother, and fashion icon. Admission to the exhibit is €10 for adults, €6 for students under 25, no charge for children under 12. Here’s a sample of some of the rooms you’ll see: The New […]