Western Ukraine is a bit like trying to break your spoon through the tough outer shell of a creme-brûlée. It’s a little tough on the outside, but inside once you break through there is a sweet surprise oozing with creamy deliciousness. Two radically different cities awaited us as we entered our most “foreign” country yet in our travels, and as…
No trip to U.K. is complete without dropping some time, some £s, and some major pedometer-busting days into this legendary city of 8 million founded in 50 AD by the Romans. The iconic Tower Bridge was completed in 1894 although its gothic architectural touches make it seem much older. Note: not the same as London bridge which is .5 mile…
Awww, Southern England. It brings to mind picturesque rolling landscapes amongst cute-as-a-button stone villages with mossy roofs which inspire literature. It also makes you think of quintessential market and spa towns with ancient Roman ruins, and prestigious universities that your dictionaries are named after. Needless to say, there’s a lot to explore in this part of the country and we…
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…
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…
