Strolling to Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, we felt so lucky. How often is someone welcomed to a new city with the sounds of a live concert in front of a medieval castle? And, by II Divo, no less! Their voices resonated with immense power as we walked closer towards the Heart of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle When you are traveling to Edinburgh for the first time, most likely Edinburgh Castle will be at the top of your list of places to visit. For us, it was a no-brainer. As with most medieval structures, Edinburgh Castle is not just a standalone castle, but a complex of buildings strategically built for…
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Edinburgh: Discover Secrets of Rosslyn Chapel in a Day Trip
With our love of lore and architecture, we couldn’t resist visiting the fabled Rosslyn Chapel, located in a suburb of Edinburgh… Roslin, Midlothian County. The Chapel is super easy to reach from the center of the city. Hop on Bus 37 towards Penicuik/Deanburn (the sign is in the front window of the bus) and enjoy your 40-minute ride to Roslin. Breakfast in Roslin If you decide to tour Rosslyn Chapel and use a public bus to get there, as we did, there is a small café in town called Dolly’s Tea Room right by the bus stop named “Original Rosslyn Hotel”, just by the Chapel. With homemade cakes and scones and freshly…
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Edinburgh: Down The Rabbit Hole (Part 1)
Staring at the evening sky in Old Town Edinburgh, our eyes followed bright white seagulls navigating through narrow streets, purposefully peeking into windows of the upper-level flats. It made us wonder if these birds were the inspiration for the messenger owls of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” books. You’ll most likely catch a literary bug while wandering through the City’s streets. However, for us, exploring the city and writing about our Edinburgh adventure has turned out to be quite a challenge. Edinburgh — down the rabbit hole we go! Visiting Scotland, and Edinburgh, in particular, was a dream come true. Its vast cultural, historical, and mystical heritage is what attracted us…
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Newgrange and The Hill of Tara — First Time Solo Trip in Dublin, Ireland (Part 4)
The mystery-shrouded Newgrange and The Hill of Tara were my main destinations on this first-time solo trip to Ireland. Wondering why? Because these two places are so deeply woven into the spirit of the country, its history, legends, and traditions that they are simply impossible to miss for the first-time travelers to Ireland, just like me! The Hill of Tara The first time I heard the name “Tara” was in “Gone with the Wind” (my Mom’s favorite movie of all time, besides the “Avengers” movies 😊). The Tara plantation in Georgia, U.S. was Scarlett O’Hara’s sanctuary; and she would do anything to keep and protect it. The name “Tara” stems…
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First Time Solo Trip to Dublin, Ireland (Part 3)
For as long as I remember, I’ve always dreamt of visiting Ireland. Having been drawn to its fascinating Celtic mythology, Irish folk music & dancing, and, of course the beauty of the Gaelic language, I was ecstatic when the dream of visiting Ireland finally came true. In Part 3 of the series, I am thrilled to share with you one of the day-trips out of Dublin that I took while traveling solo in Ireland. By the way, if you missed the previous posts on Ireland, check Part 1, where I cover my favorite destinations in the City, and Part 2 for practicalities — where to stay, eat, and shop in…
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Cemeteries Worth Visiting While You Are Still Alive
For some people walking among the tombstones of a cemetery can be a bit somber or unnerving. While others may enjoy the undeniable sense of calm and peace. Either way, you can’t help but wonder what stories hide behind every tombstone. For us, they are places to appreciate, not just for the serenity and beauty, but for the history as well. Here are some highlights of the cemeteries worth visiting while you are still alive. Some Cemeteries We’ve Found Intriguing Colma, California, USA – “City of Souls” Have you ever been to an actual necropolis, a “city of the dead”? If you are visiting the San Francisco Bay Area, California,…
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First Time Solo Trip to Dublin, Ireland (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this series, I’ll cover all the practicalities of traveling solo in Dublin: where to stay, where to eat, drink, and where to shop. I will also share some tips and tricks for the first time visitors to Dublin, Ireland. And if you’ve missed Part 1, here is a link to it. Where to Stay in Dublin, Ireland Being the capital of Ireland, Dublin has a variety of accommodations for every taste and budget. As a solo female traveler, a few things had to be considered. For instance, location of the hotel & neighborhood, short walking distance to the main attractions, safety, comfort of the rooms, and…
