The Würzburg Residenz is a mammoth building that encompasses art styles from around Europe. The gardens are also an exquisite part of the reason that it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Würzburg Residenz took over 50 years to build in the late 17th to early 18th centuries. Built to house the Bishop-princes of Franconia, it was lavish and extremely expensive. Unfortunately is was all but destroyed at the end of World War II, and now only a few rooms remain that are original. These are the the Vestibule, Garden Hall, White Hall, Staircase and Imperial Hall. All [...]
Continue reading UNESCO World Heritage Site – Würzburg Residenz
When you climb to the Acropolis in Athens and look out, you feel like you are on the top of the world. I get that feeling when I look at this photo as well.
It is such an imposing, powerful structure. The columns standing straight and tall, carrying such heavy loads. I just love it.
Have you been to the Acropolis?
Angkor Wat is just one of those places that all travelers must go. They must. I loved it. It’s everything I love about Asia. It’s exotic, impressive, dilapidated, and has colorful monks walking around. Really, what more is there to life?
Have you been to Angkor Wat?
A heron enjoying the view as much as I am in the Galapagos.
The Galapagos is such a fantastic trip. I truly believe every traveling family needs to make it there. It’s not just a place for kids, but it is a perfect kid vacation.
The science connections alone are enough to go there, to see the Darwin finches and the Galapagos tortoises along with so many other species, up close and personal. But you have to do it on a boat, which is fascinating for kids as well. Then there is all the activity, hiking, snorkeling, boating, [...]
Continue reading Reflection #581 – Heron in the Galapagos
Stunning skies and the architecture of the Shrine of the Book highlight the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Israel Museum located across from the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem has an array of exciting archaelogical finds.
This building, the Shrine of the Book, houses one of the most important finds, that of the original scrolls translating the Bible and found in Qumran in 1947.
The museum’s website says this of the shrine, “The white dome symbolizes the lids of the jars in which the first scrolls were found; the contrast between the white dome and the black wall [...]
Continue reading Reflection #578 – Shrine of the Book, Jerusalem
One of Haifa’s claim to fame – The gorgeous Baha’i Gardens
The first night we were in Israel, we drove straight up to Haifa. Our hotel clerk suggested that we eat on the Ben Gurion Road, because it has the view of the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Baha’i Gardens. We took them up on it and this was the view we had.
I know! Even though the food was good, the view was better.
The restaurants stayed full, and so did the street. The weather was nice, so all the people were just hanging out. [...]
Continue reading Reflection #576 – UNESCO World Heritage Site, Baha’i Gardens
Athens, Athens, Athens…
I love Athens! Well, I love Greece, and Athens is just like the shining jewel of the entire country. It has it all, both old and new!
This photo was taken as we came down from the Acropolis and wandered for an hour or so in the Agora.
The agora used to be the central market and business area of old Athens, but now is a park. In the park is the National Archaeological Museum, rebuilt in the style of the time. The antiquities are impressive, but I enjoyed the grounds more.
We also [...]
Continue reading Reflection #574 – Athens’ Byzantine Church in the Agora
A fairy tale castle not far from Lisbon, the Pena Palace.
The Pena National Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Sintra, Portugal. Only a half hour drive from Lisbon, Sintra is one of my favorite cities on the Iberian Peninsula. There is way too much to see in one day, though, so you might want to stay overnight. Sintra is full of parks and palaces, it’s very near the ocean with cliff views and beaches, and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from as well.
We visited the Pena Palace in the later afternoon, after we [...]
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Jerusalem. The name evokes visions of life thousands of years ago when the world’s main religions were just taking root. That is exactly why, in 1982, it was inscripted on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Wow! The old city of Jerusalem is more than impressive, it’s awe-inspiring.
To think three of the world’s major religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, view it as a holy place is mind-boggling. The Dome of the Rock holds special importance for all three, since it is the site where Abraham made his sacrifice. The Dome of the Rock is currently under Muslim [...]
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Angkor Wat, Cambodia. The name makes travelers drool! And drool they should! What a temple, or temples.
We visited Angkor Wat during the end of December, and a more perfect time just couldn’t be had.
We templed, and templed, and templed to our hearts content. And, yes, there were plenty of other tourists there. There always is, but it wasn’t too difficult to wait them out and get some great shots.
This is one of my favorite captures of the entire visit. A monk walking on the temple grounds. Was he lost in thought? Was he heading somewhere? We [...]
Continue reading Reflection #535 – Angkor Wat Monk, Cambodia
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