From medieval masterpieces to royal remnants to lush landscapes, this UNESCO treasure founded prior to 7th Century AD, Edinburgh is unlike any city we’ve seen. After wrapping up our Knaresborough housesit, it seemed only appropriate to meander north for a gorgeous glimpse, and a flight deal ($36/ticket...yes, cheaper than a bus) on our journey back to the south of England. …
Several years back, we read Bill Bryson’s “Notes from a Small Island.” Since then, we have always been drawn to the idea of living in England as a local, experiencing cultural differences of language and quirks and walking endlessly on countryside footpaths meandering their way to villages with funny names like Follifoot, Poole in Wharfdale, and Bridge-near-the-church-by-the-water. (Yes, that last…
As we were pushing to the limit of our legally alotted time in the European Schengen Zone (90 days within 180), we opted to head to the U.K. earlier than we anticipated, and just a day before New Years Eve we touched down in Manchester. But what to do for New Year’s in Manchester? So, we hopped a quick 1…
Traveling across the sea on a ship is something wee Greg and Mandy both dreamed about being able to do one day. So, when the opportunity came along to take a three night voyage across the Black Sea from Odessa, Ukraine to Batumi, Georgia we didn't hesitate to jump on board! The ferry plied along through the black sea waters…
Cozy fires, warming drinks and tasty sweet treats, traditional centuries-old markets crowded with locals and travelers alike, candles and lights galore, and all with dash of Saint Nicholas. Can you really go anywhere in the world more quintessential for Christmas than Germany? Thanks to our three-week housesit in Northern Bavaria’s Nuremberg, we were able to make our Christmas fantasies come…
Malta’s partner island, Gozo, which we learned fittingly translates to joy, is a land of tranquility and simplicity. It’s a small island, measuring just over four miles across and 8 long and is a place where joy is indeed in no short supply... roam aimlessly on rural trails, discover seemingly innumerable ruins, and stumble upon one beautiful and extraordinary natural…
Malta was not somewhere we ever imagined going to when we began planning our adventure. After all, this exquisite Mediterranean island is 60 miles from Sicily and 200 miles from Tripoli... and not exactly a budget destination. However, as luck/fortune/fate would have it shortly before we left Portland we scored a sweet two-week house and dog sit opportunity in Melliha,…
Transylvania... an evocative and mysterious land that seems to dominate the plots of so many vampire and werewolf tales. A place that seems ingrained in our imaginations to be a storybook land of fog enshrouded valleys and forgotten-by-time quaint medieval villages punctuated by dark and foreboding castles perched on rocky outcrops. But its storied cobblestoned streets, spellbinding castles, and unbelievably…
