Tag: religious places
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Power, Faith, & History – Prague Castle {Czech Republic}
We had intentionally set aside a large portion of a day to visit Prague Castle, knowing it wasn’t something to rush through. Calling it simply a “castle” hardly does it justice. What rises above the city is an immense complex — a place where centuries of history have layered themselves one upon another, shaping not…
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Wandering Prague- Lesser Town, Old Town & Iconic Views {Czech Republic}
After our few days in Italy, we took a quick hop over to the Czech Republic for a few days in Prague. The city had long been on my travel wishlist, especially during the Christmas season, when its markets are often called some of the most magical in Europe. But once we arrived, it quickly…
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Markets, Olympics, & Rooftops-Christmas in Milan {Italy}
After spending a few days around Rome and Vatican City, we made a quick stop in Milan. We arrived with no real expectations and no must-see list in hand. Beyond its reputation as a fashion capital, we honestly didn’t know much about what the city held in store for us. In truth, the main reason…
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Experiencing Christmas, Holy Doors & A Jubilee Year {Vatican City}
Our visit to Rome and Vatican City happened to fall during an especially unique time. When we arrived, the Christmas tree was already standing tall in St. Peter’s Square, and workers were putting the finishing touches on the nativity scene beside it. We watched as Christmas market stalls slowly appeared along the sweeping colonnades, transforming…
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History & Art in the Eternal City-Roaming In Rome {Italy}
Our European Christmas vacation began in the Eternal City of Rome. I’ll admit—Rome had never been on my travel bingo card. I’ve always felt a little intimidated by it: the layers of history, the art, the empire, the sheer magnitude of the city itself. Even though I love learning about those things, Rome felt unapproachable…
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A day Around Amsterdam- Beauty Amid the Bustle {Netherlands}
Sometimes a new city becomes a new favorite. And sometimes, the city just doesn’t connect with us like others do. Amsterdam, we decided, is not really our scene. We truly enjoyed many of the places we visited in the city, but we just didn’t connect with Amsterdam itself. Part of it was the sheer busyness-…
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Exploring Innsbruck {Austria}
We spent a few wonderful days exploring Innsbruck, and it didn’t take long to realize it could easily become a new favorite. Elegant and interesting, the city is framed by dramatic mountain views that never feel far away, no matter where you wander. Innsbruck’s history stretches back thousands of years, with evidence of settlement dating…
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Perfect Views & Family Bones-Exploring Hallstatt {Austria}
For as long as I can remember, my mental picture of Austria has been shaped by two places: Salzburg and Hallstatt. Salzburg, of course, came from the hundreds of times I watched The Sound of Music. But Hallstatt entered my imagination later — through guidebooks, travel magazines, and glossy pages filled with impossibly perfect photographs.…
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Strolling & Surprises Through Salzburg {Austria}
We arrived in the beautiful city of Salzburg early in the morning, dropped our bags at the hotel, and headed straight back out. With comfortable shoes and tired eyes, we set off to wander. This was the first day of our two-week trip, and because we love Salzburg so much, it felt like the perfect…
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Christmas Markets, Courtyards, & Wishes on a Tree in Basel {Switzerland}
Our last stop on this festive trip was Basel—a city uniquely positioned at the crossroads of France, Germany, and Switzerland. It turned out to be the perfect place to end a trip built not on plans, but on wandering—where even something as simple as crossing a border became part of the experience. The logistics alone…