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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Solvang, CA: Town of Sweet-Tooth Vikings
Did you know that the Danish Capital of America is actually in California? No? Now you do! 😊 Solvang is about 4.5 hours’ drive south from the San Francisco Bay Area, or about an hour drive north of Santa Barbara. And, if you are fulfilling your dream of driving along Pacific Coast Highway, it’s just a 20-minute detour inland to visit this charming Danish town of California. Solvang, meaning “Sunny Field” in Danish, was founded around 1911 by 3 Danish immigrants heading west to California to escape the colder weather back east. Their hope was to create a village for other Danish and European immigrants to settle. The warm sunny…
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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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Fun Things to Do on Pacific Coast Highway near SF Bay Area
Once you’ve found “the way to San Jose”, there are so many different options for things to do and see, both in and out of town. This post is for those of you who love hopping in the car and taking casual day-trips just to see what’s out there. On this local adventure, we drove west out of San Jose to Santa Cruz, then up the coast on Hwy 1 or the “PCH”. And now we will share our tips on the fun things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway near the San Francisco Bay Area. Seymour Marine Discovery Center Our first stop was at Seymour Marine Discovery Center.…
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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…
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First Time Solo Trip to Dublin, Ireland (Part 1)
When we travel to a new city, we love exploring it on foot wherever possible. Wouldn’t you agree that this is the best way to learn a city? This trip was no different, except for the fact that my husband was unable to join, so I was traveling solo, first time in Dublin. In any case, my first day in Dublin started in the morning with a self-guided walking tour. I had one distinct destination in mind, one place that I couldn’t wait to visit. What could it be? The Old Library at Trinity College and the Book of Kells, of course!😊 The River Liffey After a quick breakfast at…
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Alum Rock Park: Outdoor Adventures in San Francisco Bay Area
Alum Rock Park in San Jose, California is one of our recent outdoor adventures we’d love to share with you. Can’t believe we’ve lived in the SF Bay Area for years, and this was our first visit! Don’t make our mistake. If you are near San Jose and looking for a beautiful hike in a historical setting, Alum Rock Park is a great place to start. Alum Rock Park History and Curiosities Founded in 1872, Alum Rock Park is the oldest municipal park in the entire state of California! Modeled after European spa retreats, the park boasted close to 30 mineral hot springs, baths, pavilions, Tea House, and even a…
