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Welcome to Mark’s Travels

Examining historic locations, experiencing new cultures, and exploring scenic beauty

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Trip Articles

A trip is a collection of places I visited with an overarching theme.

  • Northern Spain and Portugal

    A bearded man in a cloak, carrying a walking stick, gourd for wine, and a crucifix. He is looking off into the far distance. It is a drawing.

    Overview I recently took a trip officially called Northern Spain and Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past. I’m no secret fan of Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT); I have traveled with them before and continue to book trips with them. Check out my affiliate’s page for details.  The second part of the trip’s name is important. During…

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Place Articles

Places are areas with multiple sites. For example a city could be a place with the museum in the city a site

  • Pamplona

    Overview Pamplona, the capital of the province of Navarre, is more than the running of the bulls. History, churches, historic buildings, and food shine in the city. With a population of nearly 200,000, it’s not big enough to overwhelm you, but large enough that you’re never bored. One evening I wandered to the Plaza del…

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Site Articles

A site is an individual place with a single theme.

  • Vicksburg National Military Park – Part 2

    two bronze cannon on a grass field near a dense forest. There is a sign indicating the cannons were a gun emplacement for the Confederate Army

    Overview Instead of repeating the lead-up to the siege of Vicksburg, I’ll link to my article, “Vicksburg 1.” Visiting Vicksburg National Military Park Two museums are located in the park. One is at the site of the USS Cairo and the other in the Visitor Center. Neither is outstanding, but they are worth the visit.…

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Experience Artilces

Experiences are things that don’t fit neatly in another category.

  • Costa Rica’s Food

    a group of women preparing food in an open air kitchen

    Overview One reason I travel is to experience new cultures. The best way to do that is through food. Not the tourist places where you get some chef’s interpretation of local food for an American palate. I like to eat what the locals eat. In this article, I will highlight some of Costa Rica’s food.…

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Lodging Articles

Lodgings are place I slept. Currently there is only one.

  • Margaritaville Atlanta Hotel

    The building housing Margaritaville Atlanta

    Overview The Margaritaville Atlanta is part of the Wyndham Timeshare properties. It is a large, twenty-two-story hotel adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park, in the heart of Atlanta. The resort has a public restaurant and bar on the first floor, a guest bar by the swimming pool, and an owners’ lounge. Located near entertainment and dining,…

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