• Wonder at the Mosques in Istanbul

    One of the things I adore most about Istanbul is its skyline. The waves of houses rising above the Bosphorus, the domes of the mosques, the spires of the minarets poking the sky. If there’s a view…

  • Exploring Romanian Castles

    I’m not that great at pre-trip research. Even though we had two Romanian castles on our itinerary, I was only vaguely aware of them, knowing that one is considered ‘Dracula’s Castle.’ And true, these Romanian castles might not…

  • Discovering Medieval Transylvania

    When we arrived in Romania I wary it was going to be a re-do of Bulgaria, but the electricity of Bucharest reenergized me and reminded me not to be so quick to compare countries, not even neighbors.…

  • Skimming Along the Bulgarian Black Sea

    If you’re expecting the Bulgarian Black Sea to actually be an inky midnight color, you’re going to be disappointed. But, on the other hand, if you’re looking for shockingly turquoise waters, soaring rust-colored cliffs, and luxury beach resorts hosting…

  • Time Travel through Sofia’s Architecture

    I only spent about 48 hours in Sofia, but I quickly found out it was a multi-layered city. I already talked about how Sofia subverted my initial impressions and impressed me with a whimsical side and deliciously…