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Northern Spain and Portugal
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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A Historic Survivor: St. Paul’s Cathedral in London
Overview While Westminster Abbey gets the world’s attention, St. Paul’s Cathedral is more beloved by Londoners. This historic church has survived the dissolution of Catholic properties by Henry VIII, major fires in 1087, 1135, and 1661, the English Civil War, and the Nazi Blitz of the Second World War. Nothing has been able to destroy…
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London History and a Vibrant Culture.
Does any other city in the world beckon travelers like London? There has been a settlement here for millennia. That’s a lot of London history to pack into one city. I have been to the city twice. Once near Christmas in 2025 and the other time in June 2023. I have included photos from both…
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San Lorenzo and Medici-Riccardi Palazzo
Overview This article will be a bit more complicated than most. The site I’m discussing has two separate tours, and another related site is across the street. Let’s start. The Basilica of San Lorenzo was the first cathedral of Florence, consecrated in 393CE, less than a hundred years after Christianity became the official Roman religion.…
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Two small Museums in London
Overview One of the most important cities in Europe, if not the world, a kingdom over a thousand years old, and the capital of an empire on which the sun never set, London is many things. For the traveler, it is a great destination to spend a few days just before Christmas. Returning from my…
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Historic Florence Duomo Exterior
Overview The Florence Duomo has a long history. Construction began in 1296 atop the existing cathedral, San Reparata. During the construction of the walls, there were no plans for a dome. Except for the dome, work on the Duomo finished in 1418. There was a wall between the nave and the transept, above which the…
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Celebrate Tuscan Food at Restaurants in Florence
Overview What better reason to visit Italy, especially Tuscany, than the food? In my ten days in Florence, I had two favorite places to eat. One was Trattoria Sergio Gozzi (my all-time favorite on this trip), across the street from San Lorenzo. The other, Cipolla Rossa, was very good. In fact, the single best thing…
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Visit the real Florence by visiting Florence off the beaten path
Overview Florence street scenes are just below the surface of the tourists scrambling to see the must-see sites. Any city, as historic and important as Florence, can’t be understood by seeing just the Duomo or the Uffizi. You need to experience the streets. Go past the beaten path. Many US tourists are afraid to walk…
Examining historic locations, experiencing new cultures, and exploring scenic beauty
