On my travels I have made a point to visit many of the incredible Unesco World Heritage Sites all over the world. These range from the iconic architectural sights like the Taj Mahal and Angkor Wat, to the beautiful and charming UNESCO cities of Guanajuato and Luang Prabang. I’ve picnicked in UNESCO National Parks and stared in wonder at the historic wonders of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Take a peek at my favorite experiences over the past decade as I’ve traveled this world in search of culture, history, and connection.
Sparkling lakes glistened in the warm evening light as my train sped through England to the far northwest corner, where Lake District National Park sits like a jewel. I had just come from London and the chance to immerse in nature called to me. I admired spectacular rolling hills in rich green hues and the …
I loved charming Český Krumlov so much that I delayed my onward travels to Amsterdam and spent an extra week exploring the South Bohemian region of Czechia. At first, I planned to stay just a few days. Most travelers do. They arrive from Prague, wander the medieval streets, climb the castle tower, and leave by …
Emerging from the train station in Mostar humbled me. We took a gorgeous ride from Sarajevo to Mostar and the sun shone bright on the glossy, newly painted buildings. Much of the city stood in stark modern relief against buildings riddled with holes, crumbling walls, and visible bombing damage. Even more than a decade after the …
Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is one of those places that absolutely and totally lives up to its hype—it is stunning. Just stunning. When I visited Croatia, my Croatia Lonely Planet at the time used a photo of this UNESCO World Heritage site as the main image to promote tourism to Croatia. The cover image has changed …
Prague was among of the first European cities I visited on my round-the-world trip, and it lodged in my memory like a fairytale. The haze rising over the Vltava River at sunrise, the uneven cobblestones underfoot, the way spires and domes catch the morning light—it all felt impossibly romantic to my travel-worn, budget-watching twenty-something self. …
Florence is a gorgeous city, one of my new favorites in the world. With the Tuscan countryside begging for bike rides and wine tours, art history breathing in every corner, gardens begging a wander and delicious food to eat, I thoroughly loved the week we spent exploring the city. But it’s time to move onward …
On my first trip through Italy, I somehow missed visiting Florence. What a mistake! Florence is a city that lives up to the hype—it delivers on the promise of stunning days filled with gorgeous architecture, beautiful sculptures, incredible gardens with sweeping city views, and a charming slice of life from the Renaissance era. This time …
What round-the-world trip is complete without a classically cheesy photo holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Although I usually record the iconic places I’ve visited with jumping shots, there’s only one pose that’s appropriate for the Leaning Tower of Pisa! And let’s be frank: I wanted to see whether it really looked that strange …