In May, I visited Greece with my friend, Chrysa. Thanks to her and her family, I had the opportunity to experience Greece from a more local perspective. Chrysa is from Larissa, which is the fourth largest city in Greece. It’s located between Athens and Thessaloniki in the Thessaly region. Something you must do if you’re in Larissa is go to the various coffee shops, as the city is known for its coffee. People from Larissa drink coffee throughout the day…
Great Sugarloaf Mountain (Ó Cualann also Beannach Mhór) is quite recognizable if driving south out of Dublin and into Wicklow due to its conical shape. Set apart from the other hills and small peaks within Wicklow, the mountain appears much taller than it actually is, which is only 501 meters above sea level. Tip: You’ll find plenty of beautiful shale and quartzite as you hike, as the Great Sugarloaf is composed of both of these stones, but mainly Cambrian quartzite….
Valladolid is a city in the Castile-León region of Spain. It is located about one hour northwest of Madrid in the center of plateau Meseta Norte. The geography contributes to the city’s climate, which is hot, sunny, and dry in the summer and cooler during winter months. This makes it the perfect place for wine production! Food & Drink in Valladolid Valladolid is much more budget-friendly compared to neighboring Madrid. A corto and tapa usually cost around 2 EUR, making…
León is not the most well-known city in Spain, but it does have lots of things to see and do for its small size. As with other cities in the Castile and León region, the architecture is stunning. However, I was not in León for the historic buildings, but rather the cortos and tapas. Cortos are small glasses of beer while tapas are small plates of food. In León, it is typical to order a drink and receive a tapa…
From Belfast, you can book a tour or rent a car to drive along Northern Ireland’s scenic Causeway Coastal Route to spend some time at the Giant’s Causeway. Not only is the drive itself absolutely stunning–even more so on a sunny day–but the Causeway is something unworldly that should be on your bucket list. As Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area is coveted and well-protected. If you’re on the Emerald Isle or in the United Kingdom, visiting…
The isle of Ireland is small in size, but has an abundance of gorgeous natural spots and sites. The Cliffs of Moher is one of the many beautiful, scenic locations in the west of Ireland, specifically in Country Clare. Situated on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher are one of the most outstanding coastal features within the country. There are several myths from Irish folklore that explain how the Cliffs of Moher came to be. You can find a brief…
Glendalough is a valley in County Wicklow, Ireland. It’s known for an early medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century, as well as for its gorgeous natural scenery. Although car is the easiest method of reaching Glendalough, public transportation is a viable option to exchange Dublin’s stone streets for trees, lakes, and waterfalls. What to See in Glendalough Take the day to explore Glendalough via the Visitors’ Center, where you can access numerous walking and hiking trails which lead…
Kilkenny (in Irish “Cill Chainnigh”) is a town in southeast Ireland known for its medieval ruins, castles, and churches. Not far from Dublin, Kilkenny is easily accessible via bus or train. Spend a day in the Irish countryside, taking in the town’s historic charm by visiting famous sites such as Kilkenny Castle and the Cathedral Church of St. Canice. Marvel at the stunning stained glass pieces and enjoy walking along quaint stone streets. How to Get to Kilkenny From the…