Meteora means suspended in air. Hermit Byzantine monks in the ninth century first inhbited these mountains, living on fissures and caves along the rocks to spend time with God.
In the 14th century, these hermit monks built 20 different monastaries to get away from Turkish occupation. The tall cliffs were the perfect escape for these monks. At first only ladders and ropes were the only way to reach these monestaries. During the 1920s steps were carved out making it more accessible. Today only six monestaries remain. more…
Sicily is an island of many splendors and a rich but complex history. Situated as one of the main stepping stones between Europe and Africa, Sicily has been coveted by many civilizations due to its strategic location and resources (both mineral and agricultural).
During periods in its history, Sicily was occupied or controlled by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Normans, Austrians, Spanish and the Bourbons. In 1861 Sicily joined with Sardinia and regional states along the peninsula to become the country today called Italy. more…
Or did he? Visit the Plitvice lakes and waterfalls and experience every color nature has to offer in every glance!
Plitvice National Park in Croatia is considered to be one of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe. Due to its natural beauty and significance, this system of 16 interlinked lakes and a large forest complex around it were set aside as a national park in 1949. In 1979 the park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. more…
We hope you take the time to read our introduction to Ireland, but if you can’t wait to get started planning your trip, click a region using the menu on the right to begin exploring the best places to visit in Ireland.
When we imagine Ireland, we picture beautiful seascapes, green countryside, quaint villages, friendly pubs, Guinness, Irish folk music, the landscapes in Irish literature and country characters. Ireland is all that and more. more…
Barcelona contains both the authentically historic and the wildly bizarre.
From the tree-lined Las Ramblas to the narrow alleys of Barri Gòtic; from the beachside nightclubs to the city’s dozens of sacred churches and cathedrals, this city by the sea offers travelers an overwhelming variety of cultural, artistic and wholly entertaining attractions. It’s the perfect city for spending a week and seems to attract every type of visitor: the family, the adventurer, the couple, the backpacker, the culture lover. And on and on… more…
Members of the Grenadier Guards march through the gates of Buckingham Palace.
The United Kingdom’s capital city—covering 610 square miles (1,580 square kilometers)—is huge. Founded in A.D. 43, it’s also old. And powerful. London is a hub of culture, business, and politics—and center of the once glorious British Empire that can still throw its weight around the globe. more…
The Cinque Terre Located on the eastern end of the “Italian Riviera”, the Cinque Terre is a band of five scenic towns nestled along a hilly, dramatic coast overlooking the Gulf of Genoa on the Ligurian Sea.
The uniqueness of the Cinque Terre is reflected in the fact that it is protected both as a National Park of Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. more…
