architecture
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What to Do in Santa Barbara? Check out El Presidio
More Details: What to Do in Santa Barbara? Check out El PresidioI have been to California a few times but mainly to the areas around San Francisco and, less so, around Los Angeles (plus a business trip to Sacramento). This past summer, though, I got to sample some of the “other” Californias. I got to spend a few days in lovely Santa Barbara. We had a nice…
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Hallgrímskirkja Church: The Young Icon of Reykjavik
More Details: Hallgrímskirkja Church: The Young Icon of ReykjavikHallgrímskirkja Church in the heart of Reykjavik is a “young” building. It was completed in 1986 but took close to 40 years to erect. Its design, driving up in a pointed way to the sky with its tower, reflects on the landscape of the island country with its lava flows. The structure is not the…
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A Stroll around Reykjavik
More Details: A Stroll around ReykjavikOne of the pluses of going to Iceland, besides witnessing the magnificent statement nature makes there, is enjoying visiting somewhere that is manageable in size. One can cross the island in one day from coast to coast thanks for a great ring road that is in pretty good condition (especially, when one considers the climate). …
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I Have a Mission for You: in Santa Barbara!
More Details: I Have a Mission for You: in Santa Barbara!Among the many beautiful things to enjoy in Santa Barbara, California, one of my favorite ones is the Old Mission. Its architecture, its setting, its history all make it a neat place to visit but what I like the most is that it is still in use by the monks and the locals; in other…
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Images from Marrakesh, Morocco – Or Why I Would Return
More Details: Images from Marrakesh, Morocco – Or Why I Would ReturnOn my recent trip to Morocco, I spent two overnights in Marrakesh on either end of my visit to the country. It certainly was not the right amount of time to spend there, especially given that I loved its architecture and would have enjoyed seeing more of it. However, it was a good amount of…
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The Warm Capitals: Panama City, Manila, San Juan, and Port of Spain
More Details: The Warm Capitals: Panama City, Manila, San Juan, and Port of SpainFor many, the ideal vacation is to go where it is sunny and warm, be it the tropics or somewhere with good “Mediterranean” climate. Be it the Caribbean, the South Pacific, or the Greek Isles, sun and fun seem to go together. I am not as much a chaser of these climates but they definitely…
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Lafayette Square | History and Architecture of Washington, D.C.
More Details: Lafayette Square | History and Architecture of Washington, D.C.One of the most important buildings in Washington, D.C. is the White House. That global symbol of the U.S. Presidency is indeed a big draw even if it is so inaccessible to most of us, the people. One can be forgiven for losing sight of what is around the White House as the draw is…
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Brașov : The Gem of Transylvania
More Details: Brașov : The Gem of TransylvaniaIn 2012, I was fortunate to hike in the Transylvanian Alps in Romania for four days. It was a wonderful experience as it was trekking with purpose: to help orphaned kids in a Romanian orphanage in the town of Brașov (pronounced BRA-shov). I have shared about the hike and the service aspects of this incredible…
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The Foshay Tower: A View from Above in Minneapolis
More Details: The Foshay Tower: A View from Above in MinneapolisWhenever I go to a new town, I seek to take a peek at it from a good vantage point. That usually means a climb or a ride up somewhere (read about my favorite “climbs” in Europe). When I recently went to Minneapolis, I asked where could I go for a view from above. The…
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Photo of the Week – The Basilica of a Tiny State (NOT The Vatican!)
More Details: Photo of the Week – The Basilica of a Tiny State (NOT The Vatican!)The tiny state of San Marino, nestled in the midst of Italy, is supposedly one of the world’s oldest republics. The Basilica of San Marino, though from the 1830s, sits on the site where a church has existed since the 4th century.
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Out, Up, and Down in Chile’s Valparaíso
More Details: Out, Up, and Down in Chile’s ValparaísoChile is truly an amazing country. Nature, in and of itself, offers a myriad different possibilities from the Atacama Desert and the salt lakes in the north to the fjords and glaciers down in Patagonia. But Chile’s urban areas offer some incredible sights and experiences. And Valparaíso may take the cake as its character is…
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Jewels of Istanbul: Its Mosques
More Details: Jewels of Istanbul: Its MosquesDuring my 5-day visit to Istanbul, I had ample time to walk around, often aimlessly, to get to know the city. While some sights were on the must-see list (like the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace), I also “discovered” places not on my list. I quickly developed an interest in entering the many mosques…